Business

Oil prices surged to their highest levels in nearly three years as escalating conflict in the Middle East disrupted energy supplies and triggered fears of a major global shock to oil markets. The global benchmark Brent crude oil briefly climbed to $119.50 a barrel in overnight trading, the first time prices have approached $120 since 2022, before easing back to around $107 after reports that the Group of Seven could release strategic oil reserves to...

Expectations for UK interest rates have shifted dramatically after the surge in global oil prices triggered by the widening conflict in the Middle East, with investors now increasingly betting that borrowing costs could rise rather than fall in 2026. Financial markets are pricing in roughly a 70 per cent chance that the Bank of England will increase interest rates by a quarter percentage point before the end of the year, a stark reversal from expectations...

AI marketing platform Mega has secured $11.5 million in Series A funding to accelerate the rollout of its AI-driven growth engine designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. The Brooklyn-based company aims to replace traditional marketing agencies with a network of autonomous AI agents capable of managing digital growth channels end-to-end. These agents execute and optimise search engine optimisation (SEO), paid advertising, website management and emerging AI search channels, delivering what the company describes as...

A Scottish life sciences start-up developing technology to improve cancer diagnostics has secured £1.58 million in fresh funding as it launches its first commercial product in the United States. BIOCAPTIVA, a spin-out from University of Edinburgh, is aiming to tackle one of the most persistent technical bottlenecks in the rapidly growing liquid biopsy sector: the preparation of blood samples for genetic testing. The company’s newly launched msX technology uses magnetic bead extraction to isolate cell-free...

John Lewis is preparing to enter a new era of retail by selling products through artificial intelligence platforms and social media, as the historic department store seeks to attract younger shoppers and modernise its business model. The retailer has launched a multimillion-pound strategy centred on what it calls “AI-powered shopping”, enabling its products to appear in recommendations generated by chatbots such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini. The move forms part of a wider digital expansion...

The UK government is preparing to commit more than £1 billion in taxpayer-funded infrastructure support for a major new theme park development in Bedfordshire, as part of efforts to secure the first European resort from entertainment giant Comcast. The investment package, which will primarily fund transport upgrades and surrounding infrastructure, is significantly larger than the £500 million previously expected to be allocated to the project. The funding forms part of wider preparations for the construction...

Visual content plays an important role in digital communication today. Businesses, content creators, students, and marketers use images and posters to share information, promote products, and attract attention online. However, low-resolution images and poorly designed graphics  can  reduce the  impact of visual content.  This is  why  technologies  such  as 4k image upscaler tools and platforms that help users create online poster maker designs are becoming increasingly popular. These tools allow users to improve image quality...

In the contemporary world, where art and functionality converge, accessories are no longer just embellishments but essential elements that enhance our everyday experiences. These items, often overlooked, hold the power to transform a mundane day into something extraordinary. Modern accessories reflect an evolution where design aesthetics meet practical utility, creating pieces that are both visually stunning and highly functional. This intersection of artistry and functionality offers fascinating insights into how accessories shape our lifestyles, offering...

In today’s competitive marketplace, supplier verification has become a critical step for companies engaged in global trade. Businesses are no longer sourcing from a single region; instead, they rely on complex global sourcing networks that span multiple countries, languages, and regulatory environments. While this creates new opportunities for cost efficiency and innovation, it also introduces significant risks related to quality, compliance, and reliability. Verifying suppliers thoroughly before entering into agreements is no longer optional—it is...

Mike Ashley’s retail empire has added another high-profile investment to its portfolio after Frasers Group quietly built a near 6 per cent stake in the German sportswear brand Puma. Regulatory filings on the German stock exchange revealed that the owner of Sports Direct, Flannels and House of Fraser now controls a 5.77 per cent holding in Puma. The disclosure triggered an immediate reaction in the market, sending Puma’s shares up almost 10 per cent as...