Banking David Duffy to step down as Virgin Money chief in proposed £2.9bn takeover Nationwide has made a 220p-a-share firm offer for Virgin Money
Economics Number of British firms at imminent risk of collapse soars amid ‘debt storm’Construction and real estate saw the highest number of firms in trouble
Inflation Higher tobacco and alcohol prices drive surprise rise in UK inflationUK inflation rose to 4 per cent in December, up from 3.9 per cent in November
Climate & Environment UK to launch carbon levy on imported goods in 2027Treasury said the plans will help boost UK industry investment in cutting greenhouse gas emissions
Tech Google upgrades Bard with ‘most capable’ AI model to dateThe firm said Gemini would be able to operate and combine different types of information across words, pictures, video and sound
Aviation Ryanair cancelled 960 flights in November due to Gaza conflictAirlines have suspended a number of flights to the region as the conflict continues
Pharma Shares lift at AstraZeneca as blockbuster cancer drug offsets Covid-19 lossesPharma giant trading up 3 per cent on FTSE 100
Jobs Irish Mirror publisher to axe 450 further jobs Reach – which owns newspapers across the UK and Ireland – plans to trim operational costs by 5-6 per cent in 2024
Retail Buy now, pay later firm Klarna launches new AI toolsSwedish payment group is rolling out a new scanning tool in several markets
Insurance Aviva buys AIG’s UK protection arm for £460 millionThe deal should complete in the first half of 2024
Media Digital ad firm S4 Capital cuts jobs, warns over full year outlookExecutive chairman Martin Sorrell said the figures reflect ‘clients’ caution’ around spending, particularly on large projects
Media Former Bank of England chief to lead new Bloomberg boardShake up in upper management ranks has fuelled speculation around succession plans to founder Michael Bloomberg