
Energy Vault secures $300 million for global energy storage projects. The investment will fund Asset Vault, a subsidiary focused on building and operating energy storage systems worldwide, unlocking over $1 billion in capital expenditures to deploy 1.5 gigawatts of projects….

US tariffs on gold bars drive futures to record high. Gold futures surged as the US imposed steep tariffs on one-kilo gold imports, impacting Switzerland’s bullion trade. The tariffs are part of a broader trade policy affecting global markets.

Rolls-Royce partners with INERATEC to decarbonise data centre power. The collaboration aims to replace fossil diesel with climate-neutral e-fuels in backup power systems, initially focusing on Germany. The initiative leverages INERATEC’s e-diesel for sustainable and reliable energy solutions….

UBS withdraws from Net-Zero Banking Alliance. UBS, the first major European bank outside the UK to exit the coalition, cited strengthened in-house capabilities. This follows earlier exits by UK and North American banks amid political pressures….

Nest partners with BTG Pactual TIG for sustainable timberland investment. UK pension scheme Nest has appointed BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group to manage a sustainable timberland strategy, committing $750 million. This marks Nest’s second timberland mandate, emphasising investment in sustainable forestry for financial and environmental benefits….

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.

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….
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.

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….

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.