Neil Behrmann

De Beers and other major players in the global gems industry are about to launch a marketing blitz in an attempt to boost the sales of natural diamonds.

Struggling natural diamond industry seeks to rediscover sparkle

Lab-grown diamonds account for nearly half of all engagement ring purchases worldwide in 2024

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates LP, speaks during the Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. The size of the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut this week won't be a game changer for global investors, though risks from China's slowdown continue to weigh on their minds, according to participants at the regional forum. Photographer: Ore Huiying/Bloomberg
NEWS ANALYSIS

Why the UK stock market and pound continue basking in sunshine of global bull market

The persistent weakness of the US dollar has been spurring the currency and UK equities since January

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the new trade agreements with India, the US and the EU show that the UK  is back on the world stage.
NEWS ANALYSIS

Trio of trade deals marks UK’s return to the world stage

The accord with India is more detailed and economically significant than the one with the US, say analysts

In December last year, the UK officially joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). With the UK on board as the first non-founding member, the CPTPP now spans five continents and nearly 600 million people.

UK to reap CPTPP benefits with strong focus on Asia: official

As a whole, the 12-member grouping’s GDP is nearly £12 trillion or 15% of the world’s total

Pedestrians in the City of London on Dec 23, 2024.  Fundraising from London’s IPOs fell by about 9 per cent in 2024 to US$1 billion.
NEWS ANALYSIS

From tax incentives to simplified rules, City of London needs fresh ideas to attract investment

Fundraising from London’s initial public offerings fell by about 9 per cent in 2024 to US$1 billion

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves says the government has to do more in order to grow the sluggish economy.
NEWS ANALYSIS

Faced with almost stagnant economy, UK’s Reeves promises all-out effort to kick-start growth

[LONDON] British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves had hopes that investments in key areas such as green infrastructure and construction would...

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has outlined six milestones that he wants voters to use in order to hold his government to account during this first term.
NEWS ANALYSIS

UK’s Starmer seeks confidence boost as economy poised to expand by 2% in 2025

Economists agree that the PM must fulfil his election promise to win over a fickle electorate

US president-elect Donald Trump (left) with French President Emmanuel Macron (centre) and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris. Trump has said he can end the conflict quickly after he takes office in January.
NEWS ANALYSIS

Trump’s big promise to reach peace deal with Putin to end Ukraine war is questionable

The World Bank estimates the total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine to be US$486 billion over the next decade

Business executives in the UK want British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (right) and his government to step up its diplomacy efforts with the incoming Trump administration in order to avoid a full-scale trans-Atlantic trade war.
NEWS ANALYSIS

Amid fears of global trade war, a UK-US free trade deal would be a win-win for both nations

The US accounted for 18 per cent of the UK’s total trade and 22 per cent of the UK’s exports in 2023

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves speaks on stage at the Britain's Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool, Britain, September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
NEWS ANALYSIS

UK’s tax-and-spend Budget gives businesses cause for concern

Observers have expressed concern that Reeves has adopted what they say is a ‘shock and awe’ approach