US rail merger could create first coast-to-coast freight service
Union Pacific agrees to buy Norfolk Southern, establishing a $250bn colossus with 50,000 miles of track.
Business
Anglian Water to pay £62.8m over wastewater failures
The firm agrees to fund improvements after Ofwat discovered “excessive spills from storm overflows”.
High meat and tea costs drive up food prices
Food prices rose by 4% in the year to July, according to the British Retail Consortium.
Cornish tin mine to get £28.6m government investment
Chancellor says Cornwall has been neglected by successive governments but has potential to grow.
China offers parents $1,500 in bid to boost births
The scheme is China’s first nationwide subsidy of its kind as the government tries to tackle a looming demographic crisis.
US companies up against ‘nightmare’ tariff wall
Businesses both small and large are already reckoning with Trump’s tariffs, and new levies are set to start this week.
Could aluminium become the packaging ‘champion’?
Some packaging firms say aluminium could be used more widely in packaging, but cost may hold it back
Cost of living and cold weather payments open
Eligible islanders can claim £516.50 to help with cost of living pressures.
Martin Lewis on how to maximise your interest
A beginner’s guide to savings – what’s taxed and what’s not.
Five things that could get more expensive for Americans under Trump tariffs
Economists say the president’s import taxes could result in higher prices for a range of products in the US.
US-China talks restart as hopes grow for trade war truce extension
The talks in Sweden to come hours after US President Donald Trump announced a deal with the European Union.
US-EU tariff deal a big Trump win but not a total defeat for Brussels
The agreement is a major step in Trump’s plan to shake up global trade, which he says was weighted against America.
Ealing tenants experience steepest rise in rent
Londoners spent the highest proportion of their income on rent of any UK region, new data suggests.
US-China talks to restart as hopes grow for trade war truce extension
The talks in Sweden to come hours after US President Donald Trump announced a deal with the European Union.
The Caribbean islands that give you a passport if you buy a home
Five of the region’s island nations offer such citizenship by investment for as little as $200,000.
Plans for pubs to get greater protection from noise complaints
It will also be easier to open new pubs in disused shops under licensing reforms planned by the government.
More air fryers to be handed out to pensioners
The council handed out 6,000 air fryers last winter to help people with the cost of living crisis.
Why I’m not paying into a pension
Almost half of UK adults do not pay into a private or workplace pension – some of them tell us why.
Free summer swimming lessons for 6,000 children
Lessons are also being provided to children in secondary schools who receive free school meals.
Thousands of retained firefighters owed pensions, union says
More than 10,000 former firefighters could be missing out thousands of pounds pension payments, their union says.
Why is River Island in trouble?
The future of the chain is in the balance ahead of a crucial court ruling on its restructuring plans.