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Japan’s economy strengthened modestly in October, led by corporate investment. The government’s latest monthly report points to rising capital expenditure in equipment, software, and digitalisation, while household consumption remains subdued and export risks persist. Officials maintained their overall view of moderate recovery for the third consecutive month.
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UK Government introduces law to regulate ESG ratings providers. The legislation places ESG ratings providers under Financial Conduct Authority supervision, following IOSCO’s 2021 call for improved transparency and oversight. The regulation will apply to both UK-based and foreign providers….
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Nokia shares surged after Nvidia announced a £1 billion investment. The deal gives Nvidia a 2.9% stake in the Finnish telecoms company and cements a strategic partnership to accelerate AI-driven 6G networking and data infrastructure. The collaboration will be detailed at Nvidia’s developer conference later this week.
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UK businesses delay plans amid looming Budget concerns. A survey reveals 84% of UK business leaders fear further tax increases, with many delaying hiring and investment decisions until after the Chancellor’s Budget announcement on 26 November.
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Amundi partners with UK universities for fossil fuel-free cash fund. The fund, excluding companies linked to fossil fuel expansion, will see an initial investment of nearly £500 million from a coalition led by the University of Cambridge….
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Derby’s Cathedral Quarter Hotel opens its doors this Christmas to help tackle loneliness in the city
A Derby hotel is keeping its doors open this Christmas. Cathedral Quarter Hotel is offering half-price festive stays — complete with meals and activities — to help local residents avoid loneliness over the holidays. Management hopes the initiative will build community connections and welcome new guests to the recently refurbished venue.
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Barclays will acquire US personal-loan originator Best Egg for $800 million. The move deepens the bank’s push into American consumer finance, adding around two million new customers and broadening its foothold in unsecured lending and digital credit services.
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UK’s National Wealth Fund must accept failures as the cost of risk. Lawmakers have warned that avoiding failure would undermine its purpose, urging ministers to allow the fund to operate independently and take bolder investment decisions to unlock private sector capital across the economy.
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UK shop prices fell in October for the first time since March. The British Retail Consortium said discounting across food and grocery categories helped ease inflationary pressure on households and policymakers ahead of the November Budget.
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British Standards Institution study uncovers numerous businesses skipping AI safeguards. The research revealed that fewer than 25% of companies (24%) have established an AI governance program. Among larger enterprises, this percentage rises slightly to one-third.