Markets
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More than 10,000 hotels are suing Booking.com over “abusive practices”. The class action alleges years of restrictive pricing terms that eroded hotels’ margins and autonomy — an escalating battle over platform power and marketplace fairness.
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Standard Chartered partners with Acre to sell carbon credits. The bank will exclusively sell forest protection-based carbon credits for the Brazilian State of Acre, with 72% of proceeds supporting local communities and 28% funding project management….
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Bank of England cuts rates, but inflation remains a threat. The narrow vote and latest projections signal a longer period of above-target inflation, with the Bank’s policymakers split and business leaders now facing a more uncertain path to normalisation.
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FCA aims to streamline sustainability reporting for financial services. The UK regulator plans to simplify disclosure requirements for asset managers, life insurers, and pension providers following a review of climate reporting rules, aiming to ease regulatory burdens and enhance decision-usefulness of reporting….
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OpenAI is in talks over a $500 billion valuation. The share sale could surpass SpaceX’s worth, involving employee shares and attracting investors like Thrive Capital. This move follows OpenAI’s competitive push in AI talent and product innovation.
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China’s exports rose sharply in July, surprising many market watchers. Businesses accelerated shipments ahead of a new US tariff deadline, driving a sharp rise in exports and a 4.1% increase in imports. Southeast Asia absorbed more Chinese goods as trade shifted amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing.
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Wireless Logic completes its first US acquisition, targeting IoT growth. The purchase of Zipit Wireless marks a strategic expansion for Wireless Logic, adding advanced multi-tier billing capabilities and a direct North American footprint as enterprise IoT markets mature.
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US diplomats mount formal campaign against the EU’s digital law. A confidential directive from Washington has instructed American diplomats in Europe to push for changes to the Digital Services Act, arguing the rules burden US tech companies and threaten free speech. European authorities are standing firm as regulatory tensions grow.
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China releases a new green finance categorisation system. The People’s Bank of China has unveiled the Green Finance Endorsed Project Catalogue to streamline the funding eligibility for green financial products, effective from October 2025. This aligns with global efforts to standardise sustainable finance….
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Blackstone to acquire Enverus in a strategic energy sector move. Enverus, an energy-focused SaaS platform, is set to be acquired by Blackstone, enhancing its growth in AI-driven energy solutions. The deal underscores Blackstone’s commitment to energy transition investments….
