International News
US close: China, NAFTA worries end six day winning streak
Wall Street ended six straight days of gains on Wednesday as shares fell on reports that China might cut US government debt purchases and US President Donald Trump would end the NAFTA agreement.
ExxonMobil criticises California climate change hypocrisy
ExxonMobil has hit back at California communities that sued the company for the threat of rising sea levels to their jurisdictions.
Europe close: Stocks mixed amid resurgent bond yields
European stocks finished the session in mixed fashion amid a jump in the euro's value and sharp gains in German government bond yields.
Unite claims Westminster has not done enough to help Bombardier in Boeing dispute
Trade union Unite warned the UK government on Wednesday that it was "raising the white flag" without much of a fight to save Bombardier jobs put at risk by the Canadian firm's ongoing spat with Boeing, demanding an urgent meeting between itself and the new secretary of state for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley.
US open: Banks jump again as bond yields continue advance
Wall Street is trading on the back foot after a report that China might be mulling not buying US government debt sent longer-term Treasury yields to their highest in almost a year.
Apple forced to pay £137m in extra tax to UK tax authorities
Apple Europe has agreed to pay £137m of extra taxes in a ‘corporate income tax adjustment’ after an extensive audit by the HMRC of the company’s pre-2015 tax filings.
Electric car makers face higher costs as Congo eyes higher cobalt tax
The Democratic Republic of Congo has taken the first steps towards hiking taxes on cobalt exports by more than double, a move that could potentially increase the cost of a key material used in electric car batteries.
Reports say China may slow US Treasury purchases, trade tensions cited
Longer-term US Treasury yields jumped to near their 2017-highs following a report that Beijing might be looking to slow or stop its purchases of American government debt.
US to loosen its nuclear weapons policy and develop low-yield bombs
Washington is planning on changing its nuclear weapons policy and developing more "usable" nuclear warheads for US on its Trident missiles.
Chinese consumer prices rise less than forecast in December
Chinese consumer prices fell short of forecasts in December alongside a drop in factory gate inflation in the Asian giant to a 13-month low, possibly opening the way up for looser central bank policy.
US pre-open: Stocks seen retreating from record highs; bond yields in focus
US futures pointed to a weaker open on Wall Street on Wednesday after all three indices closed at record highs in the previous session, as investors eyed speeches from Fed officials.