How Germany became the new sick man of Europe

Shares of Novo Nordisk have significantly declined following the announcement that its Ozempic pill did not slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in two major studies. This news comes amid broader economic concerns, including a drop in German business morale as the country struggles to recover from two years of economic contraction.

This week marks a pivotal moment for the UK government as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to unveil her budget, a critical event that could define her leadership and the Labour party's future. The discussions leading up to the budget have been intense, with significant implications for fiscal policy and economic management. Behind the scenes, Kiran Stacey shares insights from his recent trip to Johannesburg with Keir Starmer, including talks on the Ukraine peace plan.

A recent government review has determined that the UK is now the most expensive country in the world to build nuclear power stations, attributing this to excessive bureaucracy and regulatory complexity. The nuclear regulatory taskforce, initiated by Keir Starmer, aims to streamline planning and environmental rules to expedite the construction of reactors.

The UK government has launched a critical minerals strategy aimed at reducing its dependency on China, particularly in the supply of essential materials like rare earths and magnets crucial for various industries, including automotive and electronics. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the need for resilience against global supply chain shocks.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a strategy aimed at producing 10% of the UK's critical minerals domestically, a move designed to lessen dependence on the vulnerable global supply chain.