
Duplicate invoices reveal gaps in digital oversight. The Department for Business and Trade recorded 299 duplicated invoices worth over £13 million in three years, highlighting ongoing pressures on public sector systems and the slow pace of full digital integration.

Meta appoints Dina Powell McCormick to a key leadership role. Powell McCormick, previously on Meta’s board, will now focus on global strategy and AI infrastructure expansion. Her financial expertise and government experience will support Meta’s ambitious AI development plans.

G7 finance ministers and allied economies are pushing to lessen global dependence on Chinese rare earths. The 10-nation meeting in Washington signalled growing consensus that critical minerals are not just trade goods but strategic assets. Governments are now exploring joint financing models and market coordination to support non-Chinese producers.

Trump has ordered a 25% tariff on nations doing business with Iran. The move, announced via social media, threatens to upend global trade dynamics. Key U.S. partners — from China to India — now face a choice between maintaining commerce with Tehran or risking punitive tariffs on American trade.

Alphabet reached a $4 trillion valuation for the first time. The milestone reflects investor confidence in its AI strategy and partnerships. Alphabet’s record high reinforces its position among the world’s most valuable companies, underscoring the renewed strength of its cloud and AI divisions.

Nico Rosberg’s venture firm raises $100m, expanding investment portfolio. The former Formula 1 champion’s firm, Rosberg Ventures, closed its third funding round with over $200m in assets under management, investing in technology and sustainable initiatives.

SME confidence rises as outlook weakens for wider economy. Despite worsening sentiment around the UK and Ireland’s economic outlook, small and medium-sized business leaders are backing their own ability to grow, according to new data from Vistage’s latest CEO Confidence Survey.

UK business confidence has fallen to a five year low. BDO’s latest data shows a sharp decline in optimism across services and manufacturing, with rising costs, inflation, and regulatory pressure weighing heavily on growth and investment plans.

Spectralink’s new S1000 IP-DECT platform simplifies voice connectivity. The cloud-ready system allows enterprises to deploy reliable communications across large sites within hours, addressing persistent gaps in frontline coverage where Wi-Fi is unreliable or insufficient.

Audion appoints Ina Börner as head of sales & market growth DACH. The move strengthens the company’s presence in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland as it builds on strong regional momentum and expands its pan-European digital audio operations.