[ad_1] Discount retailer Lidl has confirmed plans to open 19 stores across England over the next eight weeks, creating up to 640 jobs.It is the latest step in the firm's expansion plans after it launched its 1,000th store last year, with a target of adding 40 more sites by 28 February.The 19 new stores include three in the West Midlands, with one each in Birmingham, Burntwood in Staffordshire and Hereford.The
[ad_1] Jemma Crew and Faarea MasudBusiness reportersEPA/ShutterstockUS President Donald Trump has said countries doing business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on trade they do with America.It comes as Iran cracks down on anti-government protests, with thousands of people feared dead.Here's what we know so far. What has Trump said?On Monday Trump posted on Truth Social: "Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will
[ad_1] The government is set to announce its intention to build a new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester, the BBC understands.Previous plans for the HS2 high-speed rail line had included a line between the two cities, but that part of the project was scrapped by Rishi Sunak's government.On Wednesday, the government is expected to confirm plans for new and improved rail links across the North of England in a
[ad_1] Central banks across the world have joined together to declare that they stand in "full solidarity" with the Federal Reserve's chair after the US launched a criminal investigation into Jerome Powell.The heads of the Bank of England, the European Central Bank and the Bank of Canada are among 11 senior bankers who have signed a statement highlighting the importance of independence in setting interest rates. "Chair Powell has served
[ad_1] Jasmine Ketibuah-FoleyandAlastair McKee,West of EnglandBBCAnton Hammer said his warm home has meant fewer visits to his GPA charity has been shortlisted for an award after helping vulnerable households keep warm during the winter months. Gloucestershire charity Severn Wye started its Warm Homes Prescription pilot in 2022. Patients with respiratory, coronary, or complex health conditions, on low incomes, are given grants to help with their energy bills, using government funding.The
[ad_1] Sophie CridlandSouth of EnglandBBCKelly needed to use the baby bank when her daughter was a newbornIn a warehouse on an industrial estate a group of volunteers are sorting through items donated to a Dorset baby bank.One of those helping out is Kelly Fahy, from Weymouth, who said she wanted to give back after her family benefitted from the donations to Family Matters Dorset. Found on the Granby, it caters
[ad_1] MaryLou CostaTechnology ReporterBoard IntelligenceCo-chief executives Jennifer Sundberg (left) and Pippa BeggFor almost 16 years, Pippa Begg ran Board Intelligence as co-chief executive with Jennifer Sundberg.Together they grew the business, which provides analysis and services for company boards, and today it employs 200 staff and has big big name clients, including Nationwide, Rolls-Royce and Reckitt."We are quite different people - very much yin and yang - but I think decisions
[ad_1] US President Donald Trump on Monday said he has imposed a 25% tariff on goods from countries with commercial ties to Iran, a move that could put pressure on Tehran as anti-government protests enter a third week.Trump said on social media that the tariff was "effective immediately", without offering details of what constituted "doing business" with Iran.China is among Iran's largest trading partners, along with the United Arab Emirates,
[ad_1] Danielle KayeBusiness reporterReutersLight from the rising sun hits a flag at the U.S. Supreme Court building at the start of the day in Washington, DC, US, January 12, 2026.US President Donald Trump has warned there would be a "complete mess" if the Supreme Court were to strike down his tariffs, in remarks that signalled his unease over the impending legal decision.In comments on social media he highlighted how much
[ad_1] Faisal IslamEconomics editorReutersIt is extraordinary enough to see the world's top central banker make an unscheduled video statement on social media. My first thought upon seeing the post from the Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell was: "Is this an AI deepfake?"That sense did not go away as I listened to what were indeed the real words of the world's most important financial official.The background here is a long-running spat
