Calls to ban disposable barbecues in England and Wales over wildfire risk
Farmers and landowners are calling for a temporary ban on disposable barbecues in England and Wales, as they warn of the risk of igniting wildfires.
Economy
Bessent says U.S. could have deal with Iran "today or tomorrow"
Oil prices turn lower as Bessent says U.S. may have Iran deal "today or tomorrow"
Revealed: major oil firms make $93bn profits amid war and climate crisis
Eight of the biggest oil companies amassed profits of more than $90bn (£67bn) in just three months as the Iran conflict sent energy prices soaring and the emissions-fuelled climate crisis caused deadly heatwaves.
Tribunal upholds FCA ban on pair involved in pension transfer advice and reduces fines
The Upper Tribunal upheld the FCA's decision to ban Richard Fenech and Heather Dunne from working in financial services.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey gives UK poetry sales an epic boost
Poetry sales surpassed £8m in the first 30 weeks of 2026 and are expected to reach a record high this year thanks to blockbuster adaptation of Homer’s 2,700-year-old poem
Gatwick airport to open second runway after legal challenge fails
Gatwick airport is to start development of its second runway after campaigners lost a legal challenge to the plans.
Secondhand EV leasing hits the fast lane as more UK drivers explore ways to cut motoring costs
Numbers using finance rises 170% in a year as leasing firms boom alongside leapin secondhand vehicle supply and surging fuel prices
UK plastic ‘waste colonialism’ found to be polluting Turkey’s farming heartland
A Guardian investigation finds irrigation canals polluted with microplastics in Turkey, a major destination for UK waste
Iran war whiplash; Palantir earnings ahead - what’s moving markets
Morgan Stanley on global equities, oil, Kharg Island, Palantir, Sysco and other headlines are moving the stock market this morning.
U.S.-Iran talks uncertain; Palantir, Snap report - what’s moving markets
August 4, 2026, 3:46 AM EDT. LIC shares dropped almost 9% after the government launched an offer for sale (OFS) of up to a 6.5% stake, setting a floor price of Rs 382, representing an 11% discount from the prior closing…
US states sue Trump administration over new tariffs on 60 trading partners
Coalition of 25 states asks US Court of International Trade to halt tariffs and declare them them unlawful
Warsh’s policy framework creates investor uncertainty, Citadel Securities says
Warsh said the move up in Treasury yields had already constrained financial conditions, so no rate change was needed.
Apple launches legal challenge against UK government demand to access data
Apple has launched a new legal challenge against a UK government demand to access its customers’ highly encrypted data, a year after the Home Office agreed to abandon its previous request.
FCA finalises rules to cut firms' transaction reporting costs by over £100m a year
Transaction reporting requirements become smarter, simpler and more proportionate under new rules from the FCA.
Appointment of Chair and Deputy Chair of the Enforcement Decision Making Committee (EDMC)
Following an external recruitment process, the Bank of England (the Bank) has appointed Nicholas Segal as Chair of its Enforcement Decision Making Committee (EDMC), and Peter King as Deputy Chair, with effect from 1 Aug…
Yen hits three-month high after Trump helps prop up currency
The yen has hit its highest level in three months after Japan and the US launched a combined operation to support the Japanese currency.
Trump says Iran talks to begin on Monday amid cycle of threats and pullbacks
Oil prices turn lower as Bessent says U.S. may have Iran deal "today or tomorrow"
Wolfe flags fiscal pressures facing Treasury ahead of borrowing outlook release
Investing.com - Long-dated U.S. Treasury yields spiked last week following comments from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh which sparked concerns that the central bank may be falling behind in its attempt to corral ener…
UK manufacturing growth picks up as Trump tariff chaos eases
UK manufacturers ramped up production last month for the fourth consecutive month and at the fastest pace in almost two years, according to a leading survey of the industry.
AstraZeneca holds talks with Bristol Myers Squibb on $400bn merger
Britain’s biggest drugmaker, AstraZeneca, is understood to be in discussions to take over its US rival Bristol Myers Squibb in a deal that would create a near-$400bn (£300bn) pharmaceutical group.
Why has Trump stepped in to prop up Japan’s currency?
The US has launched a bid to prop up the value of the yen, marking an extraordinary coordinated intervention with Japan’s government to halt the currency’s fall as it approaches 40-year lows.
At least five Mohamed Al Fayed abuse survivors confirmed as human-trafficking victims
At least five victims of the former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed have been confirmed by the Home Office as victims of human trafficking.
Britain could face food shortages as drought continues, farmers warn
Britain could face shortages of certain foods after punishing drought in parts of England, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned as a heatwave was forecast to continue into next week.
Solar powers record share of Britain’s electricity mix in July
Solar energy supplied more power to Great Britain’s grid in July than in any previous month as households turned to rooftop panels to cut their energy bills.