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Paramount settles lawsuit to clear Warner Bros merger path

Paramount has reached a settlement with US states challenging its $110bn acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery.

via City AM10m ago

Rising hiring costs are ‘holding back Britain’s fastest growing firms’

Rising hiring costs and difficulties recruiting talent are making it harder for Britain’s most promising companies to grow, with three quarters saying they could create at least 10 per cent more jobs if barriers to expansion were removed. New research from Enterprise Britain found the cost of employing staff has become one of the main [...]

via City AM10m ago

London Stock Exchange’s Pisces market set to host third tech deal

The London Stock Exchange’s fledgling private Pisces market is set to receive another boost after a third tech company unveiled plans for an employee share sale on the platform. Veremark, which uses technology to conduct background checks and screening, will conduct a £6m share sale on the London Stock Exchange’s Private Securities Market (PSM), allowing [...]

via City AM6h ago

Fast fashion copyright battle continues as Shein granted appeal against Temu

Fast fashion retailer Shein has been granted permission to appeal against rival Temu in a first-of-its-kind copyright battle in the UK. A judge confirmed in a hearing on Monday that Shein can challenge a judgement handed down last month in the Court of Appeal. The judge said there were “compelling reasons” for the court to [...]

via City AM6h ago

‘Less allegation’: Brewdog hits out at former owners

Brewdog’s new owners have sought to distance the company from its founders James Watt and Martin Dickie with a new campaign that pledges the controversial brewer will be “run properly” and attract a “little less allegation”. The craft beer firm, which is now owned by US cannabis firm Tilray, has launched a multi-million pound campaign [...]

2 outlets6h ago

Wendy's franchisee operating 314 US locations files for bankruptcy

A major US Wendy's franchisee operating 314 locations has filed for bankruptcy protection after the chain sought to terminate its franchise agreement.

One of the largest US franchisees for Wendy's has filed for bankruptcy protection. The filing came after Wendy's attempted to terminate the franchisee's franchise agreement.

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2 outlets6h ago

London AI infrastructure firm Nscale files for US listing

London-based AI infrastructure firm Nscale has filed for a US initial public offering targeting a valuation of up to $35bn.

The Nvidia-backed cloud provider is seeking to raise capital to meet growing demand for AI infrastructure. Nscale will also offer shares to UK retail investors through Retailbook.

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2 outlets6h ago

Buying new homes could help Nottinghamshire buyers save money

Barratt and David Wilson Homes say new-build purchases could help Nottinghamshire homeowners make financial savings.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes are highlighting potential savings for Nottinghamshire house hunters who buy brand-new homes. The developers suggest these savings extend beyond the initial property purchase.

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2 outlets7h ago

Federal Reserve official warns inflation fight may cause economic pain

A Federal Reserve official said the central bank may have to cause higher unemployment to combat inflation.

A top Federal Reserve official warned Monday that fighting stubbornly high inflation could require economic pain. The central bank may need to accept higher unemployment as a consequence of its anti-inflation efforts.

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via City AM7h ago

Tech the only bright spot as job security fears climb to highest level since 2023

Job security for British workers has fallen to a three-and-a-half year low across all sectors other than IT and telecoms, according to new data from S&P Global’s UK consumer index. The findings, based on a panel of 1,500 UK households, show the level of job insecurity was at its highest since February 2023 as consumers continue to [...]

2 outlets8h ago

Converse removes ad after criticism over imagery

Converse has apologised for an advertisement criticised as evoking Ku Klux Klan imagery.

The American footwear brand, owned by Nike, removed the ad for its Chuck Taylor sneaker after backlash from critics. Converse acknowledged that the image was 'deeply upsetting' and recognised why it drew controversy.

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2 outlets8h ago

Fed official cites Middle East conflict as reason for rate hike

A Federal Reserve official said Middle East conflict in August influenced her support for raising interest rates.

The official backed a rate increase last week and indicated support for a second hike later this year. She cited the renewal of combat in the Middle East in August as a key factor in her decision.

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via City AM9h ago

How does a brand agency build a league identity like Ultimate Sevens from scratch?

Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium will be centred around a different kind of ball on Thursday when the Ultimate Sevens rolls into town for its inaugural finals day. Backed by BIA Sports Group – the owners of Premier League club Sunderland – the Ultimate Sevens is brand new, and with it comes six teams that have [...]

via City AM9h ago

OpenAI’s rogue AI acted ‘like uni students after too many beers’

The rogue AI agents behind OpenAI’s unprecedented Hugging Face cyber attack behaved like “university students who’ve had too many beers”, a cyber expert told City AM, saying the breach was more a triumph of persistence than intelligence. Charl van der Walt, global head of security research at Orange Cyberdefense, said that despite the alarm triggered [...]

via Guardian Business9h ago

‘Don’t spend $20 on an acai bowl’: gen Z are shunning private equity’s restaurant takeover

As more PE firms invest in food establishments, people are bemoaning the ‘same-ification’ of NYC’s restaurant scene Los Tacos No 1 is a classic New York success story. After the Mexican-style taco joint opened in 2013, it quickly became a critic’s pick in the city’s paper of record , drawing long lines and a devoted lunchtime crowd. As word spread about its juicy al pastor and handmade tortillas, it expanded to nine locations. Then, this September, bad news struck : Los Tacos No 1 had received an undisclosed amount of funding from private equity firm TSG Consumer. According to a press…

2 outlets10h ago

UK consumer confidence hits three-year low amid economic worries

UK consumer confidence has fallen to a three-year low as households worry about job security and rising interest rates.

The S&P Global consumer sentiment index dropped to 42.7 in September from 42.9 in August, indicating 'notable strain on financial confidence across UK households'. Consumers are concerned about steep rises in mortgage payments, job insecurity and energy prices ahead of next month's budget.

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via City AM11h ago

Premier League front-of-shirt sponsorship revenues rise to £444m

Premier League clubs’ front-of-shirt sponsorship revenue has risen eight per cent to £444m despite implementing a voluntary ban on gambling firms. The English top flight agreed to ban betting and casino brands from the lucrative front-of-shirt sponsorship slot in a move that lost the 20 clubs a collective £67m. But Premier League teams have managed [...]

via City AM11h ago

City watchdog begins legal action against loan notes firm Hunter Jones

The City watchdog has begun High Court proceedings against a loan notes firm and its chief executive, according to court filings, amid growing scrutiny of the high-risk instruments and their availability to retail investors. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has initiated proceedings against Osborne Baldwin, which trades as both Hunter Jones and Hunter Jones Group, [...]

via City AM11h ago

Tony Blair warns leaders to resist growing AI ‘techlash’

Tony Blair has warned governments against bowing to a growing “techlash” over AI, arguing that slowing adoption could leave countries poorer and less secure as concerns over the technology mount. A report from the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), published on Monday, said political leaders in the US and UK were facing growing pressure to hold [...]

via BBC Business12h ago

Families missing out on NHS money for healthy food

Figures show as little as 64% of eligible families are claiming NHS money for milk, fruit and veg

via City AM12h ago

A tourist tax will be bad for all business, not just hotels

Increasing the cost of hotel rooms and Airbnbs is not just a blow to the hospitality sector, it will hammer all businesses, argues James Ford.

via Guardian Business12h ago

Only 160 apprenticeship starts in eight months on Labour’s flagship scheme

Exclusive: Government warned ‘skills revolution’ at risk amid slow start to project with target of 30,000 starts by end of parliament Labour has been warned its “skills revolution” to tackle youth unemployment risks failure, after its flagship apprenticeship scheme enrolled only 160 young people in its first eight months. The shortfall, highlighted in a report by the Fabian Society, leaves the government well off track of achieving its ambition of 30,000 “foundation apprenticeship” starts by the end of this parliament. Continue reading...

via City AM12h ago

Treating London and Manchester as rivals is absurd

London's dominance is presented as a whirlpool, greedily sucking in talent from other regions. But London's growth aids Manchester, Birmingham and beyond.

via City AM13h ago

Property tax uncertainty causes London luxury rents to soar

Uncertainty over how the government might shake up property taxes at next month’s Budget is contributing to huge increases in the cost of renting a luxury house in London. Luxury property experts said fears that Andy Burnham could crack down on high-value homes, along with an influx of demand from the US and the Middle [...]

via City AM13h ago

GOV.UK founder warns Britain is ‘dangerously dependent’ on foreign AI

Britain risks becoming “dangerously dependent” on a handful of foreign tech companies as AI spreads through businesses and public services, the founder of GOV.UK has warned. Mike Bracken, who founded the Government Digital Service and led the creation of GOV.UK, said organisations were steadily giving up control of critical systems as they turned to external [...]

via City AM13h ago

Three amazing hotels and restaurants to visit in Lisbon

Discover three Lisbon stays—Tarabel, ME Lisbon and Locke de Santa Joana—pairing distinctive design with standout dining. Plan your visit.

3 outlets13h ago

Nvidia boss rejects AI extinction fears as doomsday narratives

Nvidia's Jensen Huang has dismissed warnings that artificial intelligence could lead to human extinction as unfounded 'doomsday narratives'.

Jensen Huang, Nvidia's co-founder and chief executive, said predictions that AI could destroy humanity within a few years are irresponsible and not based on science. His comments follow warnings from AI researchers, including former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon, that the technology could become superhuman and pose existential risks.

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via BBC Business13h ago

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Flights are affected again owing to air traffic control problems, so what are your rights if you're affected?

via City AM13h ago

The battle to be the next Mayor of London has already begun

While Sadiq Khan mulls his future James Cleverly and Reform’s Laila Cunningham are vying for votes in a traditionally Labour city, says Eliot Wilson When politicians often congratulate themselves on surviving until the weekend, voters can be forgiven for losing our long-term perspective. The next election for the Mayor of London will take place on [...]

via City AM13h ago

Wrexham and Atletico Madrid owner Apollo nears Yankees stake in $12bn deal

Apollo Sports Capital is expanding its portfolio by adding a minority stake in the New York Yankees to its investments in Atletico Madrid and Wrexham AFC. The deal, which is reported to be close to completion, would also give Apollo an interest in AC Milan, New York City FC and media and hospitality businesses. Apollo [...]

2 outlets13h ago

Sam Smith's brewery markets three North Yorkshire pubs for £6m

Sam Smith's brewery in Tadcaster is marketing at least three North Yorkshire pubs as part of a £6 million estate sale.

The Tadcaster-based brewery has put at least three of its North Yorkshire pubs on the market. The sale is part of a broader £6 million disposal of its estate.

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via City AM14h ago

Sadiq Khan’s plan for London housing is detached from reality

Sadiq Khan’s draft London plan will not deliver the housing or infrastructure London badly needs, says Thomas Turrell “Reality can be whatever I want it to be”. The words spoken by Thanos as he claimed the reality stone in‘Avengers: Infinity War. This quote seems to have formed the foundation of Sadiq Khan’s approach to the [...]

2 outlets14h ago

Marks & Spencer offers free birthday treat in November

Marks & Spencer is offering free birthday treats to customers with November birthdays.

Shoppers in Worcestershire with November birthdays can claim a free treat from Marks & Spencer. There is a deadline for claiming the offer, and customers are being urged to act quickly.

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via City AM14h ago

Strong defence is the foundation of prosperity

The City’s success and status as a global financial hub rests on the foundations of stability, rule of law and security. So the City should show its support however it can and we’re glad to play our own part, says Susan Langley This year’s Strategic Defence Review shone a spotlight on a question we can [...]

via City AM14h ago

Fery reveals tennis Player Council ambitions as he gets Laver Cup call-up

British tennis star Arthur Fery has revealed his ambition to join the sport’s burgeoning player power movement after capping a breakthrough season with a Laver Cup call-up. After a stunning run to the semi-finals at Wimbledon earlier this year, new British men’s No1 Fery has been added to the European squad as an alternate for [...]

via City AM16h ago

Lloyd’s backs £40m transactional risk MGA targeting private capital

Syndicates in the world’s leading insurance and reinsurance market, Lloyd’s of London, have agreed to provide up to £40m of risk capital per policy to back a new managing general agent in the City focused on the private capital sector. Alpha TR, a speciality insurance managing general agent (MGA), launched on Monday as a Lloyd’s [...]

via City AM16h ago

JD Sports launches in Mexico amid North American slowdown

JD Sports has announced plans to open more than 140 shops in Mexico, as the ‘King of Trainers’ battles to halt falling sales and move on from a recent boardroom bust-up. The FTSE 100 retailer said it has reached an agreement with Axo, a Mexico-based retail distributor, to operate its stores in the country. JD [...]

via City AM18h ago

FTSE 100 Live: US stocks make gains ahead of Trump-Xi summit

Welcome back to City AM’s FTSE 100 liveblog. The UK’s blue-chip index made gains on Monday morning, turning a corner from heavy losses on Friday. Miners and industrial stocks like Anglo American, Antofagasta and Metlen Energy and Metals were among the FTSE 100’s biggest risers on Monday morning. BP and Shell dragged on the index, [...]

via City AM18h ago

Scotch is missing its Can-Do spirit

Last Saturday’s FT covered the industry’s current woes in depth. ‘Scotch whisky’s hangover’ is a sobering read, and yet other spirits are suffering as much, if not more. The one category bucking the trend is spirit-based RTDs, a category that Scotch has been slow to enter. Ron Emler investigates for City AM’s Whisky Business. A [...]

2 outlets18h ago

Kingsfleet opens new headquarters at Claydon, Ipswich

Financial planning firm Kingsfleet has officially opened a new headquarters at Claydon, Ipswich.

Financial planning firm Kingsfleet has officially opened its new headquarters at Claydon in Ipswich, Suffolk. The opening marks part of the firm's expansion across the region.

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