South Korea unveils $1tn chip and AI investment plan
South Korea has unveiled plans for about $1tn (£760bn) of investments to build out the country's chip manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in the coming years.
Economy
Rogue builder left our roof leaking and spent £30K we gave him in Lanzarote
A heartbroken couple lost more than £30,000 to a rogue builder who left their new extension unfinished, with water pouring into their home.
New campaign urges public to reduce water use as UK emerges from heatwave
Exclusive: £75m publicity drive will ask people to treat water as precious resource and cut daily use by 28 litres
‘Meet me at the dancing dogs tent!’ What’s behind Britain’s festival frenzy?
They used to mean crusties, hippies, all-male lineups, near riots and burning toilets. Now, from Dorset to Inverness, there’s a festival – and a costume – for everyone. What caused this boom? And is there a dark side?
Shares in chipmakers underpinning AI boom rocket in first half of 2026
Value of some chip manufacturers have tripled, or more, driving Asia Pacific stock markets sharply higher
Bank of England chief economist warns against ‘complacency’ in fight against inflation – business live
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.
‘We’re up against forces that have all the money in the world’: Erin Brockovich on her battle against AI datacentres
In 1993, she squeezed a $333m settlement from a Californian energy company in a scandal over contaminated water. Three decades later, she has a new target in her sights – and it’s global
Fears energy bill rise mean people 'surviving rather than living'
People at a community centre in one of the most deprived parts of Lancashire said they are afraid they will not be able to afford a 13.5% hike in energy bills next month.
Got the tennis bug? How to play sport without paying
As fans queue up at Wimbledon in the hope of securing a ticket to watch some of the biggest names in sport, many tennis lovers face another challenge.
Pause HS2 reset until you are confident it can be delivered, NAO tells ministers
Revised plans for HS2 should not be put into action until the government is confident they can be delivered, according to the public spending watchdog.
How much should we be prepared to pay for our food?
Jules Bal says he has noticed a change in the way Scots regard their relationship with food and thinks people are increasingly prepared to pay extra for it.
Got the tennis bug? How to play sport without paying
As fans queue up at Wimbledon in the hope of securing a ticket to watch some of the biggest names in sport, many tennis lovers face another challenge.
Sir Geoffrey Whalen obituary
One of the heroes of the British motor industry in the late 20th century, Sir Geoffrey Whalen, who has died aged 90, was bloodied in the interminable, but ultimately futile, battle to make British Leyland succeed, yet h…
Sky makes £2bn spending pledge as it prepares takeover of ITV broadcasting arm
Sky has committed to spending £2bn on ITV’s studios business over the next five years as it hammers out a takeover of its broadcasting arm, a move that will safeguard the future of popular programmes such as Coronation …
‘Financial pandemic’: £1 in every £11 spent on UK public contractors goes to private equity
‘Treating children like cattle’: what happens when private equity takes over a UK care home?
England players using drink developed by Brownlee to help beat World Cup heat
England’s players are using a sports drink developed by the double Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee to help control their body temperatures at the World Cup.
From Thomas Tuchel to Andy Burnham, men are having a polo shirt moment
If Dua Lipa’s Chanel wedding dress was among the most anticipated fashion moments this summer, her new husband Callum Turner’s wardrobe is proving just as influential. But forget the bespoke Louis Vuitton morning suit –…
When it comes to taxing the super rich, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel
In this new era of rampaging oligarchs, nothing may seem as satisfying as slapping a tax on Elon Musk ’s new trillion-dollar fortune. What most bothers Americans about federal taxes is that billionaires don’t pay their …
‘British food will disappear’: trade deal after Brexit is hitting UK farmers hard
Home-grown food may become a niche product for wealthy in our supermarkets as British farmers’ incomes plummet
‘Crypto v community’: 4,000 local US lenders join forces to fight ‘stablecoins’ law
Up to 4,000 community banks fear looming legislation to regulate digital cash will deprive rural firms and farmers of $850bn-worth of loans
Feeling bored and disconnected for your job? You may be facing workplace 'rust-out' | Gene Marks
The latest work buzzword describes feeling under-stimulated at your job – but you can break free from workplace monotony
‘Tech firms are losing the public’: social media age bans near tipping point
UK is latest country to set minimum age for social media access but big tech is fighting back globally against curbs
Ed Miliband as chancellor would benefit every part of the UK – and the bond markets | Josh Ryan-Collins
If Andy Burnham chooses the energy secretary, Labour could fully use the benefits of net zero to promote growth and jobs
Ministers urged to curb energy costs as Great British homes face 13% bill surge
Quarterly Ofgem price cap rises to equivalent of £1,862 a year from 1 July amid growing consumer energy debt