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Starmer invites Japan PM Takaichi to UK after Tokyo talks
© BBC Politics
BBC Politics

Starmer invites Japan PM Takaichi to UK after Tokyo talks

UK PM Keir Starmer invites Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi to the UK following successful Tokyo talks to deepen security, trade, and strategic cooperation.

  • LONDON – Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has concluded a landmark diplomatic and economic tour of East Asia, securing what Downing Street reports as £2.2 billion in new export deals with China and deepening strategic ties with Japan. The trip culminated in a formal invitation to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to visit the UK, signalling a concerted effort by the Starmer government to solidify Britain's role as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Key Outcome: Enhanced Security Cooperation: Both leaders recommitted to implementing the RAA, which facilitates joint military training and exercises. They agreed to a new dialogue on cyber security and the resilience of critical supply chains, particularly in semiconductors and rare earth minerals.
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Watch: Frozen river hosts dance party in Kyiv
© BBC News
BBC News

Kyiv Dance Party on Frozen River a Sign of Defiance

Kyiv residents held a dance party on the frozen Dnipro River, an act of defiance showing Ukraine's unbroken morale against Russian attacks on infrastructure.

  • KYIV – In a city defined by rolling blackouts and the ambient threat of air raids, an extraordinary scene unfolded on the frozen expanse of the Dnipro River. As temperatures plunged well below freezing, residents of the Ukrainian capital gathered not for shelter, but for a dance party, their collective energy a stark and vibrant contrast to the calculated darkness imposed by Russian aggression. This act of spontaneous joy, captured by the BBC, is more than a fleeting human-interest story; it is a significant data point on the resilience of the Ukrainian people and a potent symbol of defiance against Moscow's strategy of economic and psychological warfare.
  • Strategic Objective: Moscow's targeting of energy infrastructure is designed to make normal life untenable. The goal is to weaponize the cold, creating a humanitarian crisis that diverts Ukrainian resources, erodes public morale, and pressures Kyiv's leadership into concessions.
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Epstein files: Latest emails and pictures dig even deeper hole for Andrew
© BBC News
BBC News

Epstein Files: Draft Statement Contradicts Prince Andrew

New Epstein files reveal a draft PR statement for Prince Andrew that considered admitting he met Virginia Giuffre, contradicting his public denials.

  • By Alistair Finch, Senior Correspondent, BBC News
  • LONDON – Newly unsealed documents from the trove of files related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein have revealed a proposed, but never used, public relations statement for Prince Andrew that appears to directly contradict his own landmark public denials regarding his relationship with Virginia Giuffre. The draft statement, intended for media release, seems to accept that the Duke of York met with Ms. Giuffre on at least one occasion, a stark departure from his previous claims of having no recollection of ever meeting her.
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Nottingham Forest agree deal for Stefan Ortega and target Davide Frattesi
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BBC News

Forest Agree Ortega Deal & Target Inter's Davide Frattesi

Nottingham Forest bolster their squad by agreeing a deal for Man City keeper Stefan Ortega and launching an ambitious bid for Inter Milan's Davide Frattesi.

  • LONDON – Nottingham Forest are executing an aggressive, two-pronged strategy to secure their Premier League status, having agreed a deal for Manchester City’s decorated goalkeeper Stefan Ortega while simultaneously launching an ambitious bid to sign Italian international midfielder Davide Frattesi from Inter Milan. The moves signal a clear intent from the club’s ownership to provide manager Nuno Espírito Santo with the reinforcements deemed necessary to navigate a perilous relegation battle and build for the future.
  • The Player: Stefan Ortega, a 31-year-old German goalkeeper, known for his excellent distribution and composure under pressure. He has made over 30 appearances for Manchester City, including in an FA Cup final and the FIFA Club World Cup.
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Financial news and market updates

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The U.S. will likely lose its measles elimination status. Here's what that means
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NPR News

US to Lose Measles Elimination Status: What It Means

The U.S. is poised to lose its measles elimination status due to escalating outbreaks. Learn what this downgrade means for public health and the economy.

  • The Definition: A country is considered to have "eliminated" measles when it has gone for more than 12 months without a continuous chain of domestic transmission. The virus can still be imported from other countries, but the public health system must be able to prevent it from spreading widely.
  • The Deciding Body: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is responsible for granting and revoking this status. A special verification commission reviews extensive evidence, including epidemiological data and genomic analyses, to make its determination.
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Week in politics: Final Epstein files, partial government shutdown, 'safer' ICE operations, new Fed chair
© NPR Politics
NPR Politics

Washington's Week: Shutdown Risk & Market Volatility

A last-minute deal averted a government shutdown, but the temporary fix and a Fed leadership change leave financial markets grappling with economic uncertainty.

  • The Cost of Uncertainty: The persistent threat of shutdowns forces businesses to delay capital investment and hiring decisions. Economic models from major financial institutions suggest that each week of a shutdown shaves approximately 0.1% to 0.2% off quarterly GDP growth, a cost that accumulates through disrupted supply chains and deferred government contracts.
  • Consumer and Federal Worker Impact: The threat of furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal workers creates a direct drag on consumer confidence and spending, particularly in regions with a heavy government presence. Even the threat of a shutdown can cause households to pull back on discretionary purchases.
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Did Fed Chair Jerome Powell Just Throw President Donald Trump Under the Bus Concerning Inflation?
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Yahoo Finance

Fed's Powell: Trump Tariffs Fueling Stubborn Inflation

Fed Chair Jerome Powell identifies President Trump's trade tariffs as a primary cause of high inflation, complicating the central bank's monetary policy goals.

  • WASHINGTON – In a carefully worded but direct statement, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has identified President Donald Trump's trade tariffs as a primary driver of stubbornly high inflation, creating a potential policy schism between the nation's central bank and the White House. While the Fed held interest rates steady this week, Powell’s commentary placed the administration's protectionist trade policy squarely in the spotlight as a key obstacle to achieving the Fed's 2% inflation target.
  • Technological advancements in fields like artificial intelligence.
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With decades-long restrictions lifted, a Pakistani brewery has started exporting beer
© NPR News
NPR News

Pakistani Brewery Exports Beer After 47-Year Ban Lifted

Pakistan's Murree Brewery resumes international beer exports for the first time in 47 years, a major policy shift to boost the nation's economy.

  • RAWALPINDI, Pakistan – For the first time in nearly half a century, Pakistan's most iconic and enduring brewery is shipping its beer to international markets, marking a significant policy shift driven by economic necessity. Murree Brewery, a company that has navigated the complex landscape of alcohol prohibition in an Islamic republic for decades, has officially resumed exports, sending its first shipments to the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Japan.
  • The Prohibition Era: In 1977, then-Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto imposed a nationwide prohibition on alcohol for the country's Muslim majority. The ban was later tightened under military dictator Gen. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, who introduced harsh punishments, including lashings, for alcohol consumption.
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With decades-long restrictions lifted, a Pakistani brewery has started exporting beer
© NPR Business
NPR Business

Pakistani Brewery Resumes Beer Exports After 50-Year Ban

Pakistan's iconic Murree Brewery resumes international beer exports after a 50-year ban, a strategic economic move to boost the nation's foreign exchange.

  • RAWALPINDI, Pakistan – In a landmark shift for one of Pakistan's most iconic and paradoxical companies, Murree Brewery has resumed international beer exports after a nearly 50-year government ban. The move, driven by Pakistan's pressing need for foreign exchange revenue, reopens global markets for a brand that has navigated a complex existence within an Islamic republic for generations. The first shipments of its flagship beer have already reached the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Japan, with ambitious plans for further expansion into North America.
  • The Core Driver: CEO Isphanyar Bhandara directly attributes the policy change to economic necessity. "The government benefits if we export," he stated, highlighting the mutual advantage of the arrangement. Pakistan's government is actively seeking ways to boost its foreign currency reserves, and exports are a primary vehicle for this.
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Laura Kuenssberg: Can Green leader Zack Polanski become a serious player?
© BBC News
BBC News

Zack Polanski: Green Ambition and Liberal Democrat Past

Who is Green Party Deputy Leader Zack Polanski? We examine his swift political rise and scrutiny from former colleagues about his Liberal Democrat past.

  • Polanski's Account: In his own writing, Polanski framed the experience as a disappointment, noting he was informed that "a local candidate is a trump card for many parties," suggesting his non-selection was a matter of practical politics.
  • A Colleague's Memory: A different perspective was offered by a Liberal Democrat source to the BBC. They recall Polanski as being "incredibly angry and counterproductive" in the aftermath of the decision, painting a picture not of simple disappointment, but of a more volatile reaction to a thwarted ambition.
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Israel eyes regime change in Iran - and is counting on Trump to make it happen
© BBC News
BBC News

Israel Eyes Iran Regime Change, Counting on Trump's Help

Following direct attacks, some in Israel now see regime change in Iran as a key goal, a high-stakes strategy that could find a willing partner in Donald Trump.

  • LONDON – A seismic shift is underway in the strategic thinking of some Israeli circles, where the long-simmering shadow war with Iran has escalated into a direct confrontation, prompting a stark re-evaluation of long-term security. The unprecedented exchange of missile and drone fire in April has moved the once-unthinkable goal of regime change in Tehran from the realm of covert aspiration to a potential policy objective, one that could find a powerful and willing partner in a second Donald Trump administration.
  • From Containment to Confrontation: The attack demonstrated Iran's willingness to risk open war, forcing Israeli planners to question whether the long-standing strategy of containment is still viable.
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Partial government shutdown begins despite Senate approval of spending deal
© NPR Politics
NPR Politics

Govt Shutdown Begins as House Blocks Senate Spending Bill

A partial government shutdown is underway after the House of Representatives failed to act on a bipartisan spending package approved by the Senate.

  • WASHINGTON – The federal government entered a partial shutdown at midnight Friday after the House of Representatives failed to act on a bipartisan spending package overwhelmingly approved by the Senate, plunging Washington into a familiar state of fiscal chaos and political brinkmanship. The legislative paralysis ensures that hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be furloughed or forced to work without pay, and a range of government services will be disrupted until Congress can break the deadlock.
  • The Impasse: The Senate's bipartisan approval of a crucial spending package failed to avert a partial government shutdown as the measure stalled in the House of Representatives, blowing past the midnight deadline. House leadership was unable to unite its narrow majority behind the temporary funding bill.
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Gorton and Denton by-election: Angeliki Stogia selected for Labour
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BBC News

Gorton & Denton By-Election: Labour Selects Stogia

Labour selects Angeliki Stogia for the Gorton and Denton by-election, a test of the party's economic message on green infrastructure and urban regeneration.

  • LONDON – The Labour Party has selected former Manchester City Councillor Angeliki Stogia as its candidate for the pivotal Gorton and Denton by-election, a move that signals a focus on green infrastructure and urban regeneration as the party fine-tunes its economic message ahead of a widely anticipated general election. The selection in this historically safe Labour seat will be closely watched by financial markets and business leaders as a barometer of the party's local economic priorities and its ability to mobilize its base.
  • Background in Urban Policy: Stogia's most notable role was as Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Environment, Planning and Transport. This portfolio places her at the nexus of three critical areas for economic development: green investment, infrastructure spending, and urban planning. Her experience suggests a focus on tangible, project-based economic stimulus rather than abstract fiscal policy.
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Rachel Reeves defends 'fair and reasonable' student loans system
© BBC News
BBC News

Rachel Reeves Defends UK Student Loans vs Martin Lewis

Labour's Rachel Reeves defends the new student loan system as "fair," clashing with Martin Lewis who argues it's a long-term "tax" on graduates.

  • LONDON – Labour's Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has mounted a firm defence of the UK's contentious new student loan system, labelling it "fair and reasonable" in a direct rebuttal to criticism from prominent consumer champion Martin Lewis. The high-profile exchange underscores the deep political and economic divisions over how England funds its higher education, placing the financial burden on future generations squarely in the pre-election spotlight.
  • Plan 1 (Pre-2012): This system, for students who started before 2012, featured lower tuition fees (around £3,000 per year) and a lower repayment threshold. The interest rate was capped at the lower of the Bank of England base rate or the Retail Price Index (RPI).
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Finance

Banking and investment news

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U.S. Money Supply Just Made History in More Ways Than One -- and It's Sending an Ominous Warning to Wall Street
© Yahoo Finance
Yahoo Finance

Money Supply Warning: Is a Stock Market Correction Coming?

A historic divergence between U.S. money supply growth and stock market valuations is flashing a warning sign not seen since the dot-com bubble. Learn why.

  • NEW YORK – Wall Street's technology-driven bull market has pushed major indexes to unprecedented heights, yet a critical economic indicator is flashing a warning sign not seen since the peak of the dot-com bubble. While the U.S. money supply recently hit an all-time high, its growth is being dramatically outpaced by stock market valuations, creating a historic divergence that suggests a period of heightened volatility and a potential market correction could be on the horizon.
  • 2025 Performance: The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI), S&P 500 (^GSPC), and Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) posted impressive gains of 13%, 16%, and 20%, respectively.
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Gwynedd dad realised he was losing sight after putting odd shoes on son
© BBC News
BBC News

The Economic Cost of Disability: A Father's Story

A father's story of losing his sight reveals the profound financial disruption and economic shock that follows a life-altering disability for families.

  • LONDON – The moment a Gwynedd father realised his sight was failing wasn't in a sterile hospital ward, but in a quiet, domestic scene: putting mismatched shoes on his young son. This single, poignant event serves as a microcosm for a far larger, often overlooked economic reality: the profound financial disruption that follows a life-altering disability, and the immense strain it places on individuals, healthcare systems, and the national economy.
  • Loss of Income: The most direct impact is the cessation of earned income. For an individual in their prime working years, this represents a sudden loss of tens of thousands of pounds annually and hundreds of thousands in lifetime potential earnings. This instantly alters a family's financial trajectory, shifting focus from growth and investment to mere preservation.
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What we learned - and didn't - from the Melania documentary
© BBC News
BBC News

What the Melania Documentary Revealed About Her Brand

A rare documentary provides a look into Melania Trump's role as a meticulous brand manager, but leaves key financial questions about her future unanswered.

  • By a Senior Financial Correspondent, BBC News
  • The Power of Detail: The film highlights Mrs. Trump's intense focus on the minutiae of her wardrobe. Her discussion with Pierre about adjusting a collar by "an eighth of an inch" is not idle chatter; it is the language of quality control. For a brand built on an image of flawless, high-end precision, such details are paramount. It demonstrates an executive's understanding that the overall brand message is built upon the perfection of its smallest components.
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Muhoozi Kainerugaba: Uganda's army chief who threatened to castrate Bobi Wine
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BBC News

Muhoozi Kainerugaba's Rise & Uganda's Economic Risk

As General Muhoozi Kainerugaba eyes the presidency, discover how the controversial succession plan is creating economic uncertainty and political risk in Uganda

  • KAMPALA, UGANDA – A carefully orchestrated, yet publicly volatile, succession plan is unfolding in Uganda, creating significant uncertainty for one of East Africa's key economies. As President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, paves the way for his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, investors and international partners are watching with growing apprehension. The potential transition from a long-serving autocrat to his controversial heir is fraught with political risk, casting a long shadow over the nation's economic stability and future investment climate.
  • Military Career: Kainerugaba joined the UPDF in 1999 and received training at elite military academies, including Sandhurst in the UK and Fort Leavenworth in the US. His promotions have been extraordinarily rapid, culminating in his current role as the head of the entire Ugandan military.
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'Melania' is Amazon's airbrushed and astronomically pricey portrait of the First Lady
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NPR News

Amazon's $40M 'Melania' Film: A Pricey Political Gamble?

Discover why Amazon's $40M acquisition of the "Melania" documentary is raising eyebrows as a box office flop and a potential act of political influence.

  • NEW YORK – Amazon MGM Studios' latest acquisition, the documentary "Melania," is poised to become one of the most significant financial misfires in recent Hollywood history, sparking intense speculation about the tech giant's strategic motivations behind the deal. The film, acquired for a staggering $40 million, is projected to gross a mere $5 million globally in its opening weekend, a commercial return that makes profitability virtually impossible and frames the expenditure as something other than a standard content play.
  • Acquisition Price: Amazon paid a reported $40 million to acquire the distribution rights for the film, an astronomical sum for a documentary.
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