KPMG/REC report points to impact of tax-raising measures in October Budget on employer confidence

US president expands campaign of trade protectionism to metals sector

French president speaks ahead of AI summit in Paris involving executives such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman

Beijing may be better prepared this time for renewed trade conflict with Trump, analysts say

Embracing creative destruction would revive the country’s fortunes

Busan is shrinking faster than any other metropolitan area in a country with the world’s lowest fertility rate

President says ‘fraud and abuse’ at the Pentagon will be the next target of cost-cutting by Elon Musk

Experts expect the arrangement to increase in popularity as ministers expand the scope of inheritance tax

Controversial official discloses stock in owner of Chinese fast-fashion retailer that has been accused of forced labour

Computer-generated voice of Guido Crosetto persuaded at least one victim to pay €1mn for hostage ransom

Former billionaire property tycoon behind collapsed Signa group remains in pre-trial detention

Donald Trump’s shock tactics may have pushed Beijing away from negotiating table, experts say

Executives left guessing at scale and impact of any US levies on EU imports

Universities and charities pile in as prices rally on Donald Trump’s promise to make America a digital assets ‘superpower’

Businesses are tightening hybrid work rules but homeworking levels have so far barely budged

Traffic had risen after the Houthis said they would stop targeting most vessels following the Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Investors bet on faster interest rate rises, saying inflation is ‘for real this time’

Both JPMorgan and Evercore generated more financial advisory fees last year than Ted Pick’s bank

Academics say the move imperils scientific progress and helps America’s rivals

US investor could force UK oil company to refocus on core fossil fuels business or even pursue a full break-up

Andrew Gwynne was accused of making racist, antisemitic and sexist comments

Sir Keir Starmer sought US president’s blessing for lease that will affect joint military base on Diego Garcia

Marine Le Pen, Viktor Orbán and Geert Wilders endorse call for EU to copy US president’s policies

Order follows legal challenge by 19 Democratic state attorneys-general over risk to sensitive information

Israel frees 183 Palestinian prisoners as ceasefire stretches into third week

Strenuous denials of a clampdown on felines are only feeding suspicions in an animal-loving nation

Bid to tap customers’ accounts could weaken security for iPhone users all over the world

Repeal of ‘de minimis’ exemption had sparked turmoil at US customs and postal service as shipments piled up

Nobel-winning economist Daron Acemoglu on trade wars, tech industry hubris — and how loss of faith in US institutions could spiral

No longer the most powerful profession, finance still provides better company 

EQT-backed IVC Evidensia could float as soon as next year, delivering one of the Square Mile’s biggest listings for years

President delivers payback for having his own privileges pulled by predecessor over January 6 riots

Peter Thiel-chaired group has Washington and Westminster network that helped secure around $3bn in official contracts

Issue is one example of bureaucratic obstacles cited by industry as UK government attempts to boost growth

US president warns he could hit Japan with tariffs after vowing to place levies on imports from Canada and Mexico

The billionaire’s aggressive efficiency drive has critics warning of a constitutional crisis. Allies say he’s just getting started

UK prime minister launches fresh attempt to reboot ailing government at six-hour cabinet meeting

Ride-hailing group is ‘one of the best managed and highest quality businesses in the world’, activist investor says

Court will decide whether to approve emergency £3bn loan for UK’s biggest water utility

Research shows the human brain can’t cope with doing too much at once, so don’t take that meeting while you dog walk