Fujitsu chair resigns after ‘woman-related inappropriate conduct’
The chair of Fujitsu, the Japanese technology firm at the centre of the Post Office IT scandal, has resigned after its board became aware of his “woman-related inappropriate conduct”.
Policy & regulation
Japan hikes interest rates to highest since 1995 to fight inflation from Iran war; Thames Water rescue in doubt – business live
Thames Water has moved a step closer to nationalisation after government ministers reportedly formally objected to the £10bn rescue deal proposed by its creditors.
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax isn’t far off Labour’s housing policy. Not that you’ll ever hear Starmer say it | Anna Minton
In April, to mark the day on which Americans are expected to file their taxes, the New York mayor, Zohran Mamdani, filmed himself on Billionaires’ Row , an enclave of super-tall apartment buildings just south of Central…
The old ‘warfare v welfare’ arguments are back – but it’s Britain’s real duty to spend on both | Frances Ryan
While we need protecting from foreign enemies, slashing benefits in favour of defence will make millions less, not more, safe
EV prices in UK and EU not likely to dive due to Chinese rivalry, says Xpeng boss
Brian Gu says he sees Chinese car firms competing on quality rather than launching price war as at home
Starbucks Korea to temporarily shut all stores for history lesson after bungled coffee promotion
The closures, so employees can watch a recorded lecture, will cost the company an estimated 2.1bn won ($1.4m) in sales
Starmer vows new sanctions on Russia and nuclear energy support for Ukraine
G7 told ‘we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes’, with Russia’s finance networks and shadow fleet targeted
The Guardian view on regulating big tech: the UK’s new, tougher approach to child safety is overdue
There is a long way to go before children under 16 in the UK are blocked from the main social media platforms – as Sir Keir Starmer announced on Monday that they will be. He proposed a date of next spring, although whet…
City & Guilds bosses awarded themselves millions in bonuses, investigation finds
The two most senior executives at City & Guilds awarded themselves millions of pounds of bonuses “without authorisation from, or knowledge of” their superiors, an internal investigation into last year’s £166m sale of th…
UK ministers lobby Trump to avert backlash against social media ban
Ministers have embarked on a concerted lobbying operation to prevent a backlash from the Trump administration to the under-16s social media ban announced by Keir Starmer.
Keir Starmer promised me he would end the harm caused by social media. But this ban betrays that promise | Ian Russell
Ian Russell is an internet safety campaigner and chair of the Molly Rose Foundation
'Growing up too young': Londoners praise under-16s social media ban – video
On Monday, Londoners praised the measures that are planned to block children from access to Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, X and Facebook, as well as livestreaming and communication on gaming platforms.
Trump wants to put a $75m coal terminal in this liberal California city. Residents aren’t having it
Residents of West Oakland, which suffers from toxic waste and high pollution rates, rally against a coal export facility
If the right wants money for defence, it can start with MoD wastefulness – or even the pensioner triple lock | Polly Toynbee
What’s it to be, warfare or welfare, social or military spending, guns or butter? Hermann Göring coined that phrase calling for re-armament, “Guns will make us powerful, butter will only make us fat.” In her “ Britain a…
EU trade deficit with China reaches record €1bn a day, data shows
The EU’s trade deficit with China has reached a record €1bn (£0.8bn) a day, according to official trade data, fuelling concerns over the future of Europe’s “industrial backbone”.
Summary of the RTGS CHAPS Industry Forum
The Chair introduced the first RTGS CHAPS Industry Forum. This group will meet regularly to provide industry input on a range of strategic issues relating to both the live operation and change roadmap for the RTGS and C…
If the UK wants to rejoin the European Union, it first needs to understand it | Timothy Garton Ash
As Britain approaches the 10th anniversary of its vote to leave the EU, the British are beginning to debate rejoining what they call Europe. But, as in most previous British debates about “Europe”, this is Europe with t…
How will the under-16s social media ban work? – podcast
Keir Starmer has announced his social media ban for under-16s. The proposals are tougher than expected, and include a ban on major apps such as TikTok, Instagram, X, Snapchat, YouTube and Facebook.
AI use by the US government is ballooning. And the lack of transparency is troubling | Nathan E Sanders and Bruce Schneier
The list of government AI use cases has ballooned by 70% since Biden left office and includes many plans to hand over sensitive governmental functions to AI
‘It’s more exciting than ketchup!’ How chilli crisp became the hottest condiment – and how to make your own
Walk down the specialist aisle in most British supermarkets and you will find a red jar with the kindly face of a middle-aged Chinese woman staring back at you. Branded Lao Gan Ma, meaning “old godmother”, these jars co…
Listen to manufacturers and unions: high electricity prices are killing industry | Nils Pratley
The manufacturing lobby group Make UK and the Trades Union Congress have picked a bad moment to plead for urgent relief for the nation’s industrial companies from sky-high electricity prices. The cabinet is tearing itse…
Banknote imagery expert panel minutes – 10 March 2026
The Chair opened the meeting, highlighting the importance of the decisions to be made in selecting a shortlist of wildlife, thanking panel members for their involvement, and asking them to introduce themselves.
Oil price falls to three-month low and markets rally after US-Iran peace deal – business live
Whilst the deal is very good news for markets it looks like tough conversations will have occur in the 60-day window to ensure the peace is sustainable. As an example, the Senate needs to approve any extensive sanction …
Banknote imagery expert panel minutes – 24 April 2026
Time: 10am to 1pm | Location: Bank of England, Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AH and MS teams