Wetherspoons profits expected to drop amid rising costs
business Mar 20, 2026, 12:15 PM
Wetherspoons profits expected to drop amid rising costs
  • Wetherspoons has reported a 31.9% drop in pre-tax profits linked to higher operational costs.
  • The business anticipates profits to fall below market expectations due to rising expenses.
  • Despite these challenges, Wetherspoons aims to keep price increases to a minimum for customers.
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Retrenchments increase as Singapore's labour market faces challenges
business Mar 20, 2026, 11:31 AM
Retrenchments increase as Singapore's labour market faces challenges
  • The number of employed residents in Singapore grew by 11,600 in 2025, with significant increases in job vacancies.
  • Retrenchments rose to 14,490 in 2025, with a majority of affected workers being residents.
  • Despite challenges, there is an ongoing restructuring that suggests selective hiring rather than declines in job demand.
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business Mar 19, 2026, 1:38 PM
Jobless claims drop to 205,000 amid labor market uncertainty
  • Weekly applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. fell to 205,000, indicating a minor positive shift in jobless claims.
  • Despite the drop in filings, job losses were reported with over 90,000 jobs cut in February, highlighting underlying instability in the labor market.
  • The current labor market situation suggests cautious optimism, yet uncertainties due to inflation and geopolitical events remain prevalent.
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Bank of England holds interest rates amid Iran war concerns
business Mar 19, 2026, 12:02 PM
Bank of England holds interest rates amid Iran war concerns
  • The Bank of England held the main interest rate unchanged at 3.75% due to rising inflation concerns stemming from the Iran war.
  • The ongoing conflict has affected global oil prices, leading to increased domestic energy costs.
  • The Bank's decision reflects a cautious approach as analysts anticipate potential economic shocks from the conflict.
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Stansted airport raises drop-off fees amid sustainability push
business Mar 19, 2026, 11:12 AM
Stansted airport raises drop-off fees amid sustainability push
  • London Stansted Airport has raised its passenger drop-off fee to ÂŁ10, effective for stays under 15 minutes.
  • This move targets sustainability by discouraging unregulated drop-off practices and managing terminal congestion.
  • The increase aligns with a broader trend of rising drop-off charges among UK airports.
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Pay growth hits lowest level in over five years
business Mar 19, 2026, 8:17 AM
Pay growth hits lowest level in over five years
  • Annual earnings growth in the UK for November to January was just 3.8%, down from 4.1%.
  • Despite a stable unemployment rate at 5.2%, the number of payroll employees increased slightly.
  • Experts predict a continued weakening in the labor market due to rising inflation and energy costs.
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Funding awarded for world-renowned biodiversity attraction in Portland
business Mar 19, 2026, 7:27 AM
Funding awarded for world-renowned biodiversity attraction in Portland
  • The British government allocates ÂŁ20 million to Memo Portland for a new biodiversity attraction utilizing disused stone mines.
  • The project aims to create around 100 year-round jobs, including stonemasonry apprenticeships.
  • Local residents express concerns regarding increased traffic and infrastructure strain due to anticipated visitor numbers.
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Bakery sales plummet after social media accounts freeze
business Mar 19, 2026, 7:22 AM
Bakery sales plummet after social media accounts freeze
  • Kiersten George, a bakery owner, faced a 50% drop in sales due to her social media accounts being suspended.
  • The accounts were frozen immediately after she shared a cake photo to promote her business anniversary.
  • The incident highlights the risks small businesses face relying on social media for their operations.
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Resorts World Las Vegas shuts down poker room amid declining tourism
business Mar 19, 2026, 6:00 AM
Resorts World Las Vegas shuts down poker room amid declining tourism
  • Resorts World Las Vegas is set to close its poker room on March 30, 2026.
  • Visitor numbers in Las Vegas are at their lowest since the 2000s, down 7.5% from 2024.
  • The decline in tourism and gaming revenue highlights a shift in consumer behavior towards online gambling.
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Almost half of Americans fear total economic collapse in next decade
business Mar 19, 2026, 5:04 AM
Almost half of Americans fear total economic collapse in next decade
  • A YouGov poll revealed that over 40% of Americans fear a total economic collapse in the next decade.
  • The survey highlighted a stark divide in economic fears between Democrats and Republicans.
  • The findings illustrate a significant level of financial anxiety amid ongoing international conflicts affecting the economy.
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Nvidia plans for a future with 75,000 workers and 7.5 million AI agents
business Mar 19, 2026, 1:00 AM
Nvidia plans for a future with 75,000 workers and 7.5 million AI agents
  • Jensen Huang envisions Nvidia growing to 75,000 employees working alongside 7.5 million AI agents in ten years.
  • AI agents will function around the clock to support human workers, not replace them.
  • This transformation signifies the increasing role of AI in corporate environments, reflecting broader trends in technology adoption.
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Connecticut restaurants warn they could go broke under Styrofoam ban
business Mar 18, 2026, 4:44 PM
Connecticut restaurants warn they could go broke under Styrofoam ban
  • Connecticut lawmakers are considering House Bill 5524 to ban Styrofoam in restaurants starting in 2028.
  • Restaurant owners express concerns over rising operational costs and potential negative impacts on food quality.
  • Industry groups warn that the ban could jeopardize the livelihood of many restaurant owners.
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Ireland faces skills shortage amid strong hiring demand
business Mar 18, 2026, 4:00 PM
Ireland faces skills shortage amid strong hiring demand
  • Ireland is experiencing a significant shortage of skilled talent, impacting its growth.
  • Recruiters are reporting increased demand for permanent, contract, and temporary roles.
  • The findings indicate a need for investment in skills training to bridge the gap.
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Gaziantep thrives on pistachios as its culinary backbone
business Mar 17, 2026, 1:00 PM
Gaziantep thrives on pistachios as its culinary backbone
  • Pistachios are essential to the culinary fabric of Gaziantep, known as the 'green gold.'
  • The city is celebrated for its sweets like baklava and katmer made from early-season pistachios.
  • These sweets symbolize significant life milestones and maintain strong cultural importance.
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Malaysia's economic strategies attract global investment amid Iran war
business Mar 17, 2026, 12:10 PM
Malaysia's economic strategies attract global investment amid Iran war
  • Malaysia's stock market has outperformed regional peers as energy prices rise amidst the Iran conflict.
  • Political stability and strategic investments in technology and manufacturing have attracted global investors.
  • These developments position Malaysia favorably as a secure investment destination during geopolitical crises.
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Liverpool raises ÂŁ10 million with new tourism tax to attract events
business Mar 17, 2026, 7:15 AM
Liverpool raises ÂŁ10 million with new tourism tax to attract events
  • Liverpool introduced a ÂŁ2-per-room overnight visitor charge in June 2025.
  • The fund aims to attract major events that drive overnight visitor spending.
  • This initiative contributes to a sustainable visitor economy, fostering year-round stability.
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Black music generates ÂŁ24.5 billion for UK economy over 30 years
business Mar 17, 2026, 1:01 AM
Black music generates ÂŁ24.5 billion for UK economy over 30 years
  • A report by UK Music reveals that Black music genres have contributed significantly to the UK's music revenue, totaling ÂŁ24.5 billion.
  • The research outlines major categories of Black music, detailing contributions from British and international sources.
  • The findings emphasize the need for increased investment and support in the realm of Black music to foster its ongoing growth.
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AI advancements may cause 30% unemployment for Gen Z graduates
business Mar 17, 2026, 1:00 AM
AI advancements may cause 30% unemployment for Gen Z graduates
  • Bill McDermott, CEO of ServiceNow, warns that unemployment for Gen Z graduates may exceed 30% as AI takes over routine tasks.
  • Cognizant's recent report estimates that 93% of jobs face some degree of disruption due to AI advancements.
  • Entry-level positions are particularly threatened as companies implement AI, leading to increased difficulties for young workers seeking employment.
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Pinterest embraces open-source AI for significant cost savings
business Mar 17, 2026, 1:00 AM
Pinterest embraces open-source AI for significant cost savings
  • Pinterest shifted its strategy to utilize open-source AI models for efficiency and cost reduction.
  • They achieved performance similar to that of leading AI models at less than 10% of the cost, enabling tailored solutions.
  • This strategic pivot allows Pinterest to maintain a focus on user experience while navigating economic pressures.
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Ireland's trade surplus with the U.S. doubles as pharma exports soar
business Mar 17, 2026, 1:00 AM
Ireland's trade surplus with the U.S. doubles as pharma exports soar
  • Ireland's pharmaceutical exports saw significant growth, contributing to a record $132 billion in goods exports to the U.S.
  • The country's goods trade surplus with the U.S. doubled to $114 billion, with a notable portion of foreign direct investment coming from U.S. companies.
  • Amidst these successes, tensions persist regarding Ireland's corporate tax strategies, as criticized by U.S. officials.
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Dollar Tree braces for slower growth as consumer budgets tighten
business Mar 16, 2026, 3:23 PM
Dollar Tree braces for slower growth as consumer budgets tighten
  • Dollar Tree forecasts sales growth of up to 6.7 percent in 2026, down from 10.7 percent in 2025.
  • As cost-of-living rises due to inflation and the U.S. war with Iran, consumer sentiment has declined by 2 percent.
  • The company is adjusting its strategy to deal with economic pressures affecting consumer spending.
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Ryanair plane seized over unpaid compensation to passenger
business Mar 16, 2026, 2:57 PM
Ryanair plane seized over unpaid compensation to passenger
  • A Ryanair flight was delayed by 13 hours in 2024, leading to a court ruling for compensation
  • A bailiff was instructed to seize the aircraft after Ryanair ignored the court order
  • The aircraft remains operational under certain conditions as legal actions continue
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Goldman Sachs raises recession odds to 25 percent amid rising economic pressures
business Mar 16, 2026, 1:49 PM
Goldman Sachs raises recession odds to 25 percent amid rising economic pressures
  • Goldman Sachs increased its recession probability estimate for the US to 25 percent following weak job growth and rising oil prices.
  • The firm noted that job creation is barely above zero, indicating economic instability and potential layoffs.
  • These economic pressures are likely to reduce consumer spending and heighten the risk of recession.
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Nazis used concentration camp prisoners to forge British banknotes
business Mar 16, 2026, 7:00 AM
Nazis used concentration camp prisoners to forge British banknotes
  • Nazi Germany initiated an operation to undermine the British economy through currency forgery during World War II.
  • Concentration camp prisoners were recruited to create counterfeits of British banknotes, achieving remarkable technical feats.
  • Ultimately, the operation was abandoned, but it forced Britain to reevaluate its currency security measures.
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Oil supply disruption leads to economic uncertainty for the US
business Mar 16, 2026, 1:00 AM
Oil supply disruption leads to economic uncertainty for the US
  • The Strait of Hormuz is currently closed due to ongoing conflicts, significantly impacting oil supply.
  • The International Energy Agency reports that eight million barrels of oil daily are now unavailable in the global market.
  • If oil prices average $140 per barrel, the U.S. economy may face severe impacts, potentially flirting with recession.
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Market panic defined by Scott Bessent reveals deeper AI pricing issues
business Mar 16, 2026, 1:00 AM
Market panic defined by Scott Bessent reveals deeper AI pricing issues
  • Scott Bessent emphasizes the importance of continuous price discovery in preventing market panic.
  • He raises concerns about the lack of reliable pricing in sectors like private credit and its implications.
  • Investors face a significant challenge in determining fair value for AI technologies amidst current instability.
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Poland's economy outpaces the EU average since joining the bloc
business Mar 16, 2026, 1:00 AM
Poland's economy outpaces the EU average since joining the bloc
  • Poland has seen an average economic growth of 3.8% annually since joining the EU in 2004.
  • The country received significant EU aid and established independent institutions to foster competition and reduce corruption.
  • As a result, Poland has transformed into one of the world’s largest economies and serves as a model for growth.
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Iran war drives up costs and impacts American families
business Mar 14, 2026, 7:53 PM
Iran war drives up costs and impacts American families
  • The U.S.-Israeli war has led to a spike in oil prices and, consequently, gas prices in the United States.
  • Americans are anticipated to receive larger tax refunds this year, but rising costs may compromise their spending plans.
  • Experts suggest the economic fallout from the war could negate the potential positive effects of increased tax refunds.
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Canada loses over 100,000 jobs amid US trade tensions
business Mar 13, 2026, 6:27 PM
Canada loses over 100,000 jobs amid US trade tensions
  • In the first two months of 2026, Canada has lost over 100,000 jobs, pushing the unemployment rate to 6.7%.
  • The drop in employment, particularly in the wholesale and retail trade sector, has raised alarms among economists and the opposition.
  • Critics blame Prime Minister Mark Carney's handling of the economy and US trade relations for the job losses, deeming the situation worrisome.
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Amazon hikes Prime Video ad-free subscription price by $2
business Mar 13, 2026, 6:16 PM
Amazon hikes Prime Video ad-free subscription price by $2
  • Starting April 10, 2026, the monthly fee for ad-free Prime Video will rise to $5 from $3 for subscribers.
  • Amazon will introduce a new subscription tier called 'Prime Video Ultra' that supports 4K viewing and increases simultaneous streams.
  • These changes reflect Amazon's strategy to compete with major streaming services and enhance the viewing experience for customers.
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Wetherspoon faces severe profit hit due to rising costs from Iran war
business Mar 13, 2026, 4:59 PM
Wetherspoon faces severe profit hit due to rising costs from Iran war
  • JD Wetherspoon is facing significant financial pressure due to higher costs from energy, wages, and business rates.
  • The ongoing Iran conflict is expected to further exacerbate these costs, impacting the company's profit margins.
  • Investors and analysts are closely monitoring how Wetherspoon navigates these challenges as it prepares for its upcoming financial report.
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Job openings surge to 7 million amid sluggish economy
business Mar 13, 2026, 3:14 PM
Job openings surge to 7 million amid sluggish economy
  • U.S. job openings reached 6.95 million in January, a rise from 6.55 million in December.
  • Layoffs decreased slightly while the rate of Americans quitting their jobs dipped modestly, suggesting a cautious labor market.
  • Despite the positive job postings, the American job market is facing challenges and a hiring recession.
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