Bank of England expected to leave interest rates on hold as oil and gas prices surge; UK pay growth hits five-year low– business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsUK wage growth slows sharply as unemployment holds steadyFed holds interest rates steady as Iran war drives up oil prices and inflation fearsMiddle East crisis live: Trump threatens to ‘blow up’ entire South Pars gasfield if Iran strikes QatarUK wage growth has slowed to a five-year low, in a worrying sign for workers as the Middle East crisis pushes up energy costs.Average pay (excluding bonuses) rose by 3.8% in the three months to January, down from 4.1% in October-December 2025, the Office for National Statistics reports.“With unemployment staying steady at 5.2% and a rare gain in payrolls employment, this report paints a mildly more positive picture of the labour market. And with wage growth softer again, in normal times this would have been a relatively reassuring report for the Bank of England.But the report feels stale in light of the Iran conflict, and the inflation risks stemming from the large spike in energy prices. So while today’s Bank of England meeting had once looked like the likely point of the next rate cut, instead policy is set to be kept on hold today as policymakers give themselves more time to see how the conflict plays out. Continue reading...
Sources & Citations
1 sourceMore Stories
Dialogue, not war: Modi pushes diplomacy for West Asia, targets terror ecosystem
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for diplomacy over conflict in West Asia, emphasizing that terrorism remains a critical global challenge. • Modi urged a shift away from "action-reaction" strategies, calling for a more comprehensive approach to dismantle the global terror ecosystem.
Read original · hindustantimes.comSCO challenges West as diverse group of nations pursues multipolar future
• The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) concluded its summit with a strategic goal to position itself as a global powerhouse challenging Western dominance. • Representing nearly half of the world's population, the group aims to foster a multipolar future, though the summit highlighted significant internal disagreements and divergent national interests.
Read original · euronews.com
euronewsHow geopolitical shocks and energy crises are derailing Africa’s climate goals
• Geopolitical shocks and global conflicts are severely undermining Africa's climate goals by triggering widespread economic and environmental disruption. • These distant crises drive up inflation and increase the cost of energy, diverting critical funding away from vital climate resilience projects.
Read original · dailymaverick.co.za
Daily MaverickGlobal Research Daily: The News Behind the News - Global ResearchGlobal Research - Centre for Research on Globalization
• CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Russia in late August 2026 aboard an Air Force C-17 “Globemaster III” heavy-lift transport plane. • During the visit, Ratcliffe reportedly met with Russian intelligence counterparts, though the specific nature and objectives of the meeting were not immediately disclosed.
Read original · globalresearch.caModi tells visibly tense Putin to end Ukraine war ‘for humanity’s sake’
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine, stating the war should stop "for humanity's sake." • The meeting highlights India's complex diplomatic position, as it remains one of the largest buyers of Russian oil despite ongoing Western sanctions.
Read original · independent.co.ukWGS Dialogue brings 7 UN Secretary General candidates together to debate the future of multilateralism - BusinessToday
• The World Government Summit (WGS) Dialogue hosted a virtual event titled ‘The Future of Global Leadership,’ featuring seven candidates for UN Secretary-General, including former presidents and ambassadors. • Participants debated the future of multilateralism, with candidates urging the UN to rebuild global trust and increase agility when responding to geopolitical tensions.
Read original · businesstoday.in
Business TodayAwkward moment squirming Putin is told to 'move from endless war to the end of war' in meeting with India's PM Modi
• During a meeting in Kyrgyzstan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to transition from an "endless war" to the "end of war" for the sake of humanity. • The exchange highlights India's diplomatic pressure on Russia to halt its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Read original · dailymail.com
Mail OnlineExclusive: UN's Guterres urges world leaders to 'stop this madness' and end all wars
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged world leaders to "stop this madness" and end all global conflicts during an interview with Euronews in Bishkek. • Guterres specifically highlighted the "never-ending" nature of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, noting that key actors involved in these conflicts were present with him.
Read original · euronews.com
euronewsIt's time to move from endless war to end of war: PM to Putin
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to transition from an "endless war" to an "end of war." • The appeal was made during a meeting between the two leaders as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues without a clear resolution.
Read original · timesofindia.indiatimes.com'Move from endless war to end of war': PM Modi tells Putin; key details from Bishkek talks
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. • The two leaders held extensive discussions focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing critical global developments.
Read original · timesofindia.indiatimes.comAll wars should be resolved through dialogue, not on battlefield: PM Modi at SCO Summit
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that all global conflicts and wars should be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue rather than on the battlefield. • Speaking at the SCO Summit in Bishkek on September 1, the Prime Minister reiterated India's commitment to peaceful resolutions.
Read original · ianslive.in
IANS NewsUS may require parents to prove citizenship to get passports for their children
Proposal is how state department could enforce Trump’s executive order targeting what it calls ‘birth tourism’The US state department has proposed requiring parents applying for passports for their children to provide proof of their own citizenship or immigration status as part of Donald Trump’s latest effort to limit birthright citizenship.The draft guidance, reviewed by Reuters, is the first detailed look at how the state department could enforce Trump’s 6 August executive order targeting what it calls “birth tourism” and broadening historical exceptions to birthright citizenship. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.com
%2Ffile%2Fdailymaverick%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F11%2FOpinion-Keita-PlasticsTW.jpg&w=1920&q=75)