Republicans and Democrats are trading barbs on Wednesday morning as the federal government settles into the first day of a shutdown. ‘Democrats made this choice, Democrats forced this crisis, and Democrats alone will answer to hardworking Americans now paying the price for their reckless agenda,’ Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital on Tuesday night. The government entered a shutdown just after midnight Wednesday after the Senate failed to advance a...
A leading nonprofit dedicated to consumer information is launching a seven-figure ad campaign against what it is calling the ‘wokest insurance company’ in the country. In a letter to the Department of Justice and Treasury Department, Consumers’ Research alleges that Chubb Insurance has ‘ongoing practices’ which go against the Trump administration’s agenda but ‘very likely the Civil Rights Act and other federal anti-discrimination laws.’ ‘Chubb Insurance is all-in on pushing radical woke ideology. CEO Evan...
Greggs is increasing prices on some of its best-known menu items as the bakery chain seeks to offset rising employment costs while managing softer sales growth. From Thursday, customers will pay 5p more for certain baked goods such as the empire biscuit, while breakfast deals will also rise in price. The two-part breakfast deal, which includes a roll and a drink, will increase from £2.95 to £3.15, while the three-part version, adding a side like...
The government will fast-track legislation to permanently ban fracking in the UK, in a move designed to block Reform UK’s pledge to revive the controversial practice. Ed Miliband, energy secretary, confirmed the ban will be introduced as part of the North Sea transition plan, due this autumn. Any future attempt to restart fracking would require a parliamentary repeal, forcing MPs — many representing constituencies above shale gas deposits — to vote in favour of drilling....
There have been long-standing concerns about the use of Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), particularly relating to sexual harassment allegations. Those concerns have grown with the momentum of the MeToo movement. The use of NDAs stands at a critical crossroads. Imminent and future legal reforms are poised to fundamentally alter their scope and enforceability in the context of discrimination and harassment. NDAs have historically been used as a crucial way of maintaining corporate confidentiality and protecting intellectual...
Nivoda, the B2B diamond and gemstone marketplace, has secured a $60 million financing facility from i80 Group to provide embedded trade credit to jewellery retailers across more than 70 countries. The deal addresses a critical shortage of working capital in the diamond industry after traditional lenders retreated from the sector, leaving small and mid-sized retailers struggling to finance inventory purchases. For more than a decade, the industry has faced a liquidity crunch as banks scaled...
Daniel Ek, the billionaire founder of Spotify and one of Europe’s most successful technology entrepreneurs, is stepping back from the day-to-day running of the company he launched nearly two decades ago. From January 2026, Ek will move into the role of executive chairman, with long-time lieutenants Gustav Soderstrom and Alex Norstrom jointly assuming the position of co-CEOs. The decision comes as Spotify enjoys a new period of stability, with nearly 700 million monthly active users...
House Republicans’ campaign arm is going after Democrats hours after the federal government entered a shutdown at midnight on Wednesday. A new National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) ad being rolled out in 42 battleground districts is aimed at putting pressure on Democratic lawmakers to accept the GOP’s plan and end the shutdown. ‘Democrats refused to fund the government. So now military troops, police and Border Patrol lose their paychecks. Because of Democrats, veterans, farmers, small...
A judicial consensus is forming against climate lawfare, but the U.S. Supreme Court must still end environmental extortion of American energy. In two landmark cases, the court will soon have the opportunity to reassert the federal government’s authority over questions of national energy and environmental policy. Environmental groups believe that energy use increases global temperatures, causes sea levels to rise and creates more destructive weather. Their campaign to curtail energy has taken many forms —...
Royal Mail has announced it will double its apprenticeship support for small businesses, gifting another £1 million of its levy to help SMEs upskill their workforce. The move follows the success of its first £1m funding round, which was oversubscribed earlier this year. The new funding is open to SMEs with up to 250 employees that sell products online. It forms part of Royal Mail Means Business – a nationwide campaign launched to champion UK...
