Borrowing: UK finances see first January deficit in 10 years

UK government borrowing hit £8.8bn last month, the highest January figure since records began in 1993, reflecting the cost of pandemic support measures. It was the first time in 10…

Going Green: The search for hot rocks that provide geothermal power

Drilling holes into an extinct volcano might sound like an unusual start to an energy project. But that’s what J Michael Palin, a senior lecturer at the University of Otago…

Landmark Ruling: Uber drivers are workers not self-employed, Supreme Court rules

Uber drivers must be treated as workers rather than self-employed, the UK’s Supreme Court has ruled. The decision could mean thousands of Uber drivers are set to be entitled to…

A Step Forward: McDonald’s looks for ‘gender parity’ by 2030

McDonald’s has set a goal of having an equal number of men and women in leadership roles by 2030 as it looks to improve diversity at the company. The fast-food…

Diversification: Huawei turns to pig farming as smartphone sales fall

Huawei is turning to technology for pig farmers as it deals with tough sanctions on its smartphones. The Chinese telecoms giant was stopped from accessing vital components after the Trump…

Online Dating: Sugarbook dating app maker arrested over ‘promoting prostitution’

The founder of a controversial “sugar daddy” dating app in Malaysia has been arrested under anti-prostitution laws, police said on Thursday. Police did not name the suspect but media and…

Covid: Barclays fears that loans worth £4.8bn may never be repaid

Barclays has reported a big drop in annual profits, having set aside billions of pounds for loans expected to turn sour due to the pandemic. The bank reported a 30%…

Deal: Google to pay Murdoch’s News Corporation for stories

Google has agreed to pay Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp for content from news sites across its media empire. News Corporation said it would be sharing its stories in exchange for…

Round 1: Ryanair loses fight to block rivals’ state aid

Ryanair has lost its court battle against state aid granted to rivals Air France and Swedish carrier SAS. The Luxembourg-based General Court said EU rules were not broken when the…

The Season of the electric vehicles: Ford to go all-electric by 2030

Carmaker Ford has said its passenger vehicle line-up in Europe will be all-electric by 2030. By the middle of 2026, all its cars will be available as electric or hybrid…