Business

World stock markets brace for turbulence after Trump’s latest tariff shock
Posted on Sunday January 18, 2026

Losses on stocks likely with precious metals forecast to spike even higher after move to impose 25% levies on European alliesTrump threatens 25% tariff on allies over GreenlandAnalysis: tariff threats are bad, but uncertainty is worseGlobal stock markets are bracing for falls when trading resumes on Monday after Donald Trump threatened eight European countries with fresh tariffs until they support his ambition to acquire Greenland.The US president’s plan to impose new trade levies of 10% on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland from 1 February, rising to 25% on 1 June, is creating fear in the markets, and among European businesses. Continue reading...

The chancellor has been cosseting City lenders to fuel economic growth but studies show UK plc would be better served by trying to keep them in checkBack-slapping bankers will be thick on the ground in the Swiss ski resort of Davos this week as Rachel Reeves flies in to mix with the global elite. But she might be wise to treat the finance bros with a certain froideur.That has not been Labour’s approach thus far: Reeves spared the banks from a windfall tax in her 26 November budget, and the UK’s regulators have just loosened capital rules for the first time since the financial crisis. Continue reading...

Davos 2026: the last-chance saloon to save the old world order?
Posted on Sunday January 18, 2026

Donald Trump will lead the largest US delegation ever at the World Economic Forum, as others plan a fightback against his policies including his latest tariff threats“A Spirit of Dialogue”: the theme for this year’s World Economic Forum, the gathering of the global elite in the sparkling Alpine air of Davos, seems a heroic stretch, when star guest Donald Trump has spent the past year smashing up the world order.The president will touch down alongside the snowcapped Swiss mountains with the largest US delegation ever seen at the WEF, including the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, the commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, and the special envoy Steve Witkoff. Continue reading...

Royal Navy shipbuilder in limbo owing to cash shortage at Liberty Steel plant
Posted on Sunday January 18, 2026

Call for UK state to step in after Gupta-owned Dalzell works in Scotland unable to produce metal for three new warshipsA shipbuilder for the Royal Navy faces an uncertain wait for the steel to build three warships because of a shortage of cash at the Scottish steel mill that has won the contract.Liberty Steel Dalzell in Scotland has been unable to start production in earnest because there is “no cashflow to buy slab”, despite an order to supply 34,000 tonnes of metal plates to build fleet solid support (FSS) ships for the navy, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation. Continue reading...

Expand credit unions to boost cheap credit to low-income people, Labour MPs urge Reeves
Posted on Sunday January 18, 2026

Influential MPs including committee chairs say millions could benefit with minor changes to financial inclusion bill A group of Labour MPs have called on Rachel Reeves to support a huge expansion of credit unions to increase access to cheap credit for millions of people on low incomes.The move coincides with celebrations on Monday to mark the 10-year anniversary of the UK’s military credit unions, which are supported by Queen Camilla and provide “an ethical and affordable alternative to high-cost lenders” for service personnel.Every employee, starting with teachers and nurses, should have a “right to save” and be able to request that their employer allows them to save directly with a credit union via the pensions auto-enrolment scheme.Every social housing provider should promote credit unions to their tenants and staff.The City watchdog, the Prudential Regulation Authority, should ease the rules on credit unions lending to each other to help them manage their financial security and expand the range of financial services they can offer. Continue reading...

Prince Harry v the Daily Mail: high-stakes trial could have profound effects on UK media
Posted on Sunday January 18, 2026

Royal will join a group of notable figures in his action against the tabloid and its stablemate, the Mail on Sunday, in a trial expected to last nine weeks On Monday morning, Prince Harry’s legal war with the Daily Mail, one of the British media’s most formidable forces, will finally come to trial in court 76 of the high court in London.The prince is joined in his action by some of the most recognisable figures in British life: the singer and songwriter Elton John and his husband, David Furnish; actors Liz Hurley and Sadie Frost; Doreen Lawrence, a Labour peer whose son Stephen was murdered in a racist attack; and former politician Simon Hughes, who once ran to lead the Liberal Democrats. Continue reading...

Warner Bros is also being pursued by Paramount Skydance, helmed by David Ellison, son of president’s allyDonald Trump bought at least $1m worth of bonds in Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), according to a financial disclosure form, days after he said would “be involved” in a proposed merger between the two companies.The White House released a financial disclosure report on Friday which showed that Trump made two purchases from Netflix and two purchases from WBD, each amounting to at least $502,000. Continue reading...