Backroom deals, embassy contacts and brown liquor built a booming export trade. Now, the lobbyist who saw it all says the U.S. president’s dalliances with Vladimir Putin are an incoming “asteroid” for the industry. Alliances sometimes begin by accident. Sometimes they end that way, too. Especially when Donald Trump is involved….

Trump accused of ‘attack on Brazilian democracy’ for sanctioning Bolsonaro judge while slapping a 50% levy on the country – key US politics stories from Wednesday 30 July. Donald Trump’s administration has imposed sanctions against the judge overseeing the prosecution of his far-right ally Jair Bolsonaro and hit Brazil with…

UK banks already face some of the heaviest profit taxes of any sector and pay more than lenders in most other countries. Executives warned that further pressure could harm the wider economy. “Additional taxation on banks risks undermining our ability to keep investing in the business, support customers and ultimately…

BRC says food prices rose by 4% in July from 2024, while CBI blames economic uncertainty for people not spending. Britain’s largest retailers struggled to entice shoppers back to the high street in July as the rising cost of meat and butter drove up food prices, adding to the pressure…

The international human rights system – the rules, principles and practices intended to ensure that states do not abuse people – is under greater threat now than at any other point since 1945. Fortunately, we in the UK couldn’t wish for a better-qualified prime minister to face this challenge. Keir…