Author: brisbanepatriot.com

UK inflation surged to 3% in January, surpassing forecasts, with rising transport and food costs fueling the increase, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Trump blames Ukraine for the war, arguing Zelensky could have negotiated peace. He supports U.S.-Russia talks excluding Kyiv, as diplomatic tensions continue to rise.

UK PM Keir Starmer says Britain is ready to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine as part of security guarantees, a move cautiously received by NATO, Ukraine, and the Kremlin.

UK employers face a decade-high redundancy surge as tax hikes and rising costs erode confidence, with firms slashing jobs to counter financial pressures in an uncertain economic climate.

HSBC will announce $1.5 billion in cost savings and 40 job cuts in Hong Kong as it restructures, with further layoffs expected as part of a shift towards Asian markets.

European markets surged as defense and banking stocks drove the STOXX 600 to a record high, fueled by military spending growth and easing trade tensions.

The European Commission opposes Trump’s reciprocal trade policy, warning it could disrupt markets, fuel inflation, and harm businesses, vowing to protect EU industries from unfair tariffs.

The European Commission has sued Austria and six other EU nations for failing to implement the Non-Performing Loans Directive, pushing for financial sanctions.

Global electricity demand is projected to rise nearly 4% annually through 2027, driven by industrial expansion, transport electrification, and rapid data center growth.

Modi and Trump advance trade talks aiming for a $500B partnership by 2030, focusing on tariffs, energy, defense, and AI, with Musk exploring Tesla and Starlink expansion in India.