Business
Bank of England keeps interest rates at 3.75% as inflation concerns persist
Posted on Thursday February 05, 2026
Bank indicates anti-inflation measures in Rachel Reeves’s budget likely to pave way for rate cuts in months aheadBusiness live – latest updatesUK inflation rises for first time in five months to 3.4% in DecemberBank of England policymakers have left interest rates unchanged at 3.75%, but indicated that lower inflation as a result of cost-of-living measures in Rachel Reeves’s budget should pave the way for cuts in the months ahead.The nine-member monetary policy committee (MPC) voted to leave borrowing costs on hold, despite forecasting weaker growth and lower inflation than at its last quarterly forecast in November. Continue reading...
Rio Tinto and Glencore abandon revived $260bn merger plan
Posted on Thursday February 05, 2026
After weeks of talks mining companies say they cannot reach a deal that delivers value for shareholdersRio Tinto and Glencore have abandoned plans for a $260bn merger, walking away from a deal that would have created the world’s largest mining company.Rio Tinto said it was no longer considering a “merger or other business combination” with Glencore after it “determined that it could not reach an agreement that would deliver value to its shareholders”. Continue reading...
Barclays reportedly cuts ties with lobbying firm co-founded by Peter Mandelson
Posted on Thursday February 05, 2026
Vodafone also reviewing its contract with Global Counsel after revelations of former minister’s links to Jeffrey EpsteinBarclays has reportedly cut ties with the lobbying firm co-founded by Peter Mandelson, after intense scrutiny of the founders’ dealings with the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Vodafone has also said it is reviewing its contract for public affairs services with Global Counsel, which Mandelson co-founded in 2010 after Labour lost the general election. Continue reading...
Opinion
Sport
France v Ireland: Six Nations 2026 opener – live
Posted on Thursday February 05, 2026
Six Nations match updates, 8.10pm GMT kick-off in Paris Sign up for The Breakdown | Follow on Bluesky | Mail Lee7 mins. The attack is contained by France and a forced pass in midfield is spilled by a green hand. France will have a scrum in their own 22.5 mins. The Ireland scrum creaks, but holds enough for Gibson-Park to clear their lines. This but of solid work is followed soon after by Osborne banging a MASSIVE 50:22 to give his side their first attacking platform of the game. Continue reading...
Pipe leaks and puck joy: Milan’s winter wasteland comes alive for ice hockey opener
Posted on Thursday February 05, 2026
The hosts managed to just about get the Santagiulia arena ready for Italy’s win over France – and the locals responded‘Ladies and gentlemen! The women’s preliminary Group B match between Italy and France will get under way in five minutes! And the question is: Are! You! Ready! For! Hockey?!” Well, quite.That had been the question for the past five months, as it happens, ever since it first became obvious that construction of Milan’s new Santagiulia arena was running massively behind schedule. At the test event last month the ice was grey because there was so much building dust in it, and midway through the match a man had to come on to the rink to repair a melted patch with a watering can. Continue reading...