UK Courts

World

Bangladesh Court Sentences Ex-PM Hasina to Decade in Prison, UK MP Niece Also Convicted in Land Scandal

A special anti-corruption court in Dhaka has delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years imprisonment and her British lawmaker niece to four years over illicit land allocations in a flagship housing project. The ruling intensifies the political turbulence ahead of crucial elections.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Amazon Quietly Courts Shippers for New LTL Service, Morgan Stanley Report Reveals

A new Morgan Stanley report indicates Amazon is in early discussions with select shippers about its planned Less-Than-Truckload service, set to launch this summer, posing a potential long-term challenge to established carriers.

Jan 30, 2026

World

South Africa Expels Israeli Diplomat in Sharp Rebuke Over Gaza Conflict

South Africa has ordered Israel's deputy ambassador to leave the country, declaring him persona non grata in a significant diplomatic escalation reflecting Pretoria's strong stance on the war in Gaza.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Nektar's Rezpeg Shows Promise Beyond Eczema, Fueling Bullish Outlook for Immunology Platform

New late-breaking data for Nektar Therapeutics' lead drug candidate, rezpegaldesleukin, suggests systemic anti-inflammatory benefits in patients with comorbid asthma, potentially expanding its market reach and strengthening the investment case for the biopharma firm.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Controversial Security Mogul Erik Prince Seeks Public Listing for AI Drone Firm Swarmer

Erik Prince, founder of the private military firm Blackwater, has filed to take his AI-powered drone autonomy company Swarmer Inc. public on Nasdaq. The firm's technology, extensively tested in Ukraine, highlights the accelerating shift toward software-defined warfare.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Accountability Gap: As Banking Decisions Accelerate, Governance Struggles to Keep Pace

The rapid adoption of algorithmic decision-making in UK banks has created a critical lag in oversight and accountability structures, leaving institutions exposed to risks that traditional governance models are ill-equipped to manage.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Capital Without Borders: How Private Equity and Gulf States Are Reshaping Sanctioned Energy Markets

The quiet maneuvering between Carlyle Group, Russia's Lukoil, and the UAE reveals a fundamental shift in global energy finance. As Western sanctions redraw the map, a new playbook is emerging—one where assets are restructured, risks are repackaged, and geopolitical neutrality becomes a tradable commodity.

Feb 2, 2026

World

German Authorities Crack Down on Alleged Arms Component Smuggling Ring to Russia

German federal prosecutors have arrested five individuals accused of operating a sophisticated smuggling network that allegedly funneled millions of euros worth of dual-use goods to Russian defense firms, in violation of EU sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Iowa Federal Judge Robert Pratt, Known for Landmark Rulings and Controversial Comments, Dies at 78

U.S. District Judge Robert W. Pratt, who served Iowa's Southern District for over 26 years, passed away Wednesday following cardiac arrest. His tenure was marked by significant legal decisions, civic engagement, and a notable public rebuke of former President Donald Trump.

Feb 2, 2026

World

China Executes Four Leaders of Myanmar-Based Crime Syndicate Over Vast Scam Empire

Chinese courts have executed four senior members of a Myanmar-based criminal organization for murder, trafficking, and running a multi-billion dollar scam operation that exploited thousands, including Chinese citizens. The move is part of a broader crackdown on cross-border cyber fraud hubs.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Zelenskiy Expresses Optimism for 'Dignified Peace' Ahead of Abu Dhabi Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Monday that achieving a lasting and honorable peace is a realistic goal, as preparations finalize for a new round of negotiations involving Russian and U.S. officials set to begin this week in the UAE capital.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Bangladesh Court Convicts Exiled Former PM Hasina, British MP Niece in Land Grab Case

A Dhaka court sentences former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years and her niece, UK Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, to 4 years on corruption charges, amid a political crackdown ahead of February elections.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Britain's Building Exodus: Skilled Tradespeople Vote with Their Feet Amid Tax and Cost Pressures

Award-winning builder Martin Daly is closing his Scottish business for a new life in Switzerland, joining a growing wave of tradespeople leaving the UK. Industry leaders warn that tax policies, rising costs, and a lack of support for small firms are crippling the sector and jeopardising national housing targets.

Feb 2, 2026

World

German Authorities Crack Down on Alleged Sanctions-Busting Ring Supplying Russian Defense Firms

German federal prosecutors have arrested five individuals accused of orchestrating a vast procurement network that allegedly funneled millions of euros worth of goods to Russian defense companies, in direct violation of EU sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Ripple Secures Full EU Electronic Money License, Cementing European Ambitions

Ripple has obtained a full Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg's CSSF, granting it passporting rights across the European Union. This marks a significant regulatory milestone following recent UK approval and a period of aggressive fundraising and acquisitions.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Chery Accelerates European Ambitions with Liverpool R&D Hub as JLR Manufacturing Talks Advance

Chinese automaker Chery is set to establish its European commercial vehicle headquarters and a major R&D centre in Liverpool, a strategic move that coincides with high-level discussions for Jaguar Land Rover to potentially manufacture Chery's electric vehicles in the UK.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Billion-Pound Ambition Meets Market Reality: Xeinadin Sale Shelved as Bidders Balk at Price

Private equity firm Exponent has halted the auction of UK accounting group Xeinadin after potential buyers refused to meet its £1bn valuation, signaling potential headwinds for deal-making in the professional services sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

AstraZeneca Shifts Gears: Full NYSE Listing Marks Strategic Pivot to US Market

The UK pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca begins trading ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange today, a significant upgrade from its previous Nasdaq ADR listing. This move underscores the company's strategic rebalancing towards the United States, its largest market, and raises questions about the long-term relevance of its London listing.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Moscow Claims Capture of Prydorozhnie in Zaporizhzhia, Advancing Southern Front

Russian forces have reportedly seized the settlement of Prydorozhnie in southeastern Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, according to a defense ministry statement. The claim, yet to be independently verified, marks the latest in a series of incremental territorial gains.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

NewRiver REIT Reports Robust Q3, Citing Strong Consumer Demand and Portfolio Momentum

UK retail property specialist NewRiver REIT signals a resilient operational performance in its third quarter, driven by sustained consumer spending and strategic capital recycling, while navigating business rate changes.

Feb 2, 2026