Business

Officials said the agreements include a reported $1 billion SilkLink telecommunications project and a new low-cost Syrian‑Saudi airline, along with plans to develop Aleppo's international airport.

Sports tourism is among the fastest-growing travel sectors, and premium Super Bowl packages — which include hospitality and post-game field access — start at about $6,500 per person, with top-tier options selling out.

Cyclone Mitchell is offshore of Port Hedland and is forecast to strengthen to a category three system as it moves toward the Pilbara coast; watch-and-act warnings and an evacuation centre in Karratha have been announced.

The FDA approved beetroot red as a new food color and expanded permitted use of spirulina extract, part of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s initiative to reduce petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the food supply.

A Michelin‑star restaurateur was found guilty of attempting to administer GBL to a woman at Annabel's in January 2024; a further hearing is scheduled for 16 February.

The University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 57.3 in February, the highest since last August, while concerns about high prices and job risk remained widespread.

The UK organic food and drink market grew nearly 8% in the year to 27 September 2025, with sales volumes up 2.5%, and organic poultry and salmon recorded double‑digit rises in value and volume.

Labor holds a large parliamentary majority and is reportedly weighing changes to the 50% capital gains tax discount ahead of the 12 May budget; defence land sales and a Greens-led inquiry are adding pressure to address housing issues.

Alton Towers is trialling a refined Ride Access Pass that removes the 'difficulty with crowds' category during a brief February half-term opening; the resort says it will review guest feedback and the new RAP app ahead of its main season in March.

Wizz Air will begin twice-weekly direct flights from London Gatwick to Santorini on 1 July 2026, with one-way fares starting at £45.99.

Marie said the couple will return to Denmark and are eager to resume their patronages. They moved to Washington in 2023 after the prince took a job at the Danish Embassy.

Lidl will raise entry-level pay to £13.45 nationwide from March 1 and will double paid paternity leave to four weeks, rising to eight weeks after five years of service.

The US and Iran are starting negotiations in Oman focused on Iran's nuclear programme, the first talks since strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June. Iranian and US teams say the initial agenda will cover the nuclear dispute only.

Lebanon holds about 286 tons of central-bank gold, and some banking officials have proposed using a portion to help repay depositors; any use would require parliamentary approval and faces legal and political obstacles.

Halifax reports the average UK house price reached £300,077 in January, a 0.7% monthly rise and 1% annual increase. Halifax called the figure a milestone while noting affordability remains a challenge.

South Australia Police have declared the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont a major crime and say a person who lived at the family's Oak Park station is now considered a suspect; two of his grandmothers have engaged lawyers and said they will not be giving interviews.

Authorities report 35 people have died and almost 400 were injured after record snowfall in northern Japan; officials warned that melting snow could increase avalanche and slip risks.

Investigators found 189 human remains at the Return to Nature facility and owners Jon and Carie Hallford pleaded guilty; Jon is due to be sentenced Friday and Carie is scheduled for sentencing in April, and relatives are preparing to testify.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a one-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act through Dec. 31, 2026, restoring duty-free access that supports Lesotho’s garment exports; the brief extension leaves longer-term trade arrangements undetermined.

Alton Towers and operator Merlin Entertainments will trial new eligibility rules this February half-term that stop Nimbus cards showing only 'difficulty with crowds' from qualifying for the virtual queue pass; cards showing 'difficulty standing', 'level access' or 'urgent toilet needs' will be accepted during the trial.

The Bank of England left its main interest rate at 3.75% after UK consumer inflation rose to 3.4% in December, above the 2% target.

The S&P Global UK construction PMI rose to 46.4 in January from December's 40.1, signaling improvement though activity remains below the 50 contraction threshold; housebuilding was the weakest sub-sector and job losses continued for a 13th month.

An Oxford Economics study reports that export deals backed by UK Export Finance added £23 billion to the UK economy over five years and supported an average of 66,000 full-time jobs each year.

The Spanish government announced a decree to regularise 500,000 undocumented people, and the article notes the move followed coalition negotiations and drew criticism from the People's Party. Implementation details and formal next steps were not specified.

South Australia Police have declared the disappearance of four‑year‑old Gus Lamont a major crime and outlined three lines of inquiry; a police press conference was scheduled for 1pm local time.

Target's new CEO Michael Fiddelke told staff the company has lost trust with shoppers and employees and pledged to work on rebuilding those connections; the company says it is focusing on merchandising, store experience and supporting its teams and communities, Reuters reported.

NatWest has pledged to lend £10 billion to the UK's social housing sector by the end of 2028, after meeting a previous £7.5 billion target a year early. The bank says the funding will be channelled to housing associations for new homes, upgrades and energy-efficiency projects.

Officials say at least 35 people have died after weeks of heavy snowfall in Japan and nearly 400 others have been injured; authorities warn more heavy snow is expected this weekend.

Saudi Arabia will host the second annual AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies on February 8–9 in AlUla Governorate, organized with the IMF and attended by finance ministers, central bank governors and other officials.

Reuters reports that Ford and China's Geely are privately discussing a potential partnership that could see Geely use Ford factory space in Europe and explore shared vehicle technologies, including automated driving.