Investors fret over growing strains in private credit and risk AI disrupts software industry

Lenders weigh losses linked to Market Financial Solutions, linked to Bangladeshi politician’s real estate empire

UK prime minister facing demands from senior colleagues that he should be ‘braver’ and less gloomy

Trump’s defence secretary is on the front lines of the culture wars — but can he lead the US in a battle against Iran?

Washington has raised concerns about Tehran’s nuclear programme, ballistic missiles and allied militant groups

Divisive former academic came second to the Green Party’s Hannah Spencer in the Gorton and Denton by-election

Study by independent committee announced as concerns grow that immigration crackdown will hit fiscal plans

The country used to be contemptuous of parties on either extreme, but no longer

Roger Lynch says publisher of Vogue and The New Yorker increased revenue last year with subscription growth

South Korea lifts data restriction that has prevented US tech group from providing navigation services

Tensions rise across region as Donald Trump says Washington is ‘not happy’ with Tehran in negotiations over a nuclear deal

Chancellor wants to ensure that UK defence spending protects jobs and investment, say Treasury officials

Shift in opinion comes as Gaza tries to recover from Israel’s war against Hamas in the territory

Katharine Braddick’s appointment to PRA comes as government seeks to reform regulation to boost growth

Sam Altman’s $730bn start-up restocks its war chest for battle with Anthropic and Google

The Greens’ victory is a crushing blow for Sir Keir Starmer

Self-styled ‘eco-populist’ revels in ‘seismic’ by-election victory in Gorton and Denton

Fear of Farage is mobilising voters, but frustration with government means Britons will find alternative beneficiaries

Plenty of readers admit to using AI already; others have major concerns

By-election result shows split in leftwing vote which could be replicated at May local elections

Fall in index raises questions over whether recent improvement in economic indicators will continue

Extra tax obtained from the 2,000 largest businesses doubles in three years

UK prime minister further weakened after Labour pushed into third place in traditional stronghold

Tariff wars may de-escalate but companies in the US and elsewhere are still expected to serve their country first