Customs expert who wrote report on border solution has not visited entire length
The customs expert who wrote a report for the European Parliament on the solution to the border post-Brexit did not visit the Irish border at the time.
UK
Inflation expected to rise as energy suppliers put up prices
Inflation is forecast to have inched up in October as energy companies up their prices ahead of next year’s default tariff cap.
Majority of small business owners believe Brexit ‘will have negative impact’
More than 60% of Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland small business owners believe Brexit will negatively affect their company’s future.
Footfall in Belfast continues to plummet after Primark fire
Footfall in Belfast continues to plummet in the aftermath of the Primark fire.
Michael Buble to return to UK for six-date arena tour
Michael Buble has said that he “can’t wait” to celebrate the release of his first album in two years with an arena tour of the UK.
FTSE 100 ends week in negative territory
The FTSE 100 ended the week in the red as concerns over the prospect of rising US interest rates and the stand-off between Rome and Brussels conspired to hit stocks.
Meet the footballer with the same name as his club
A footballer has joined a team with the same name as him.
New car average CO2 emissions hit highest level in five years
The average CO2 emissions of new cars sold in the UK is now 128.3g/km – the highest level in five years.
Women are taking to social media to raise awareness of Equal Pay Day
Women across the UK have been using social media to raise awareness of the gender pay gap for Equal Pay Day.
FTSE 100 makes small gains ahead of Fed decision
The FTSE 100 made meagre gains on Thursday as markets across the globe found trading sluggish ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting.
KPMG to stop consultancy work for FTSE 350 audit clients
Accountancy firm KPMG is to stop undertaking consulting work for FTSE 350 companies where it serves as auditor to avoid conflicts of interest following a string of scandals.
Xiaomi launches in the UK as newest phone rival to Apple and Samsung
Chinese phone manufacturer Xiaomi has launched its first smartphone in the UK, as the company attempts to challenge household names like Apple.
Concerns for Belfast as Bombardier prepares to axe 5,000 jobs
Bombardier has refused to rule out job cuts in the UK as the aerospace firm announced plans to axe 5,000 roles.
Defence giant BAE Systems sticks with full-year guidance
BAE Systems has maintained its outlook for 2018 and said Brexit is unlikely to have a major impact on its operations.
Driver ignorance blamed for accidents at pedestrian crossings
Drivers who can’t recognise basic pedestrian crossings have reached ‘worrying’ levels, a safety investigation has revealed.
First drive: The all-new BMW Z4 showcases the brand’s roadster-building expertise
What is it? The convertible market usually takes one of three directions. First there’s the half-baked chopped-up hatchback or saloon, then there’s the super-sporty soft-top, and finally there’s the comfortable and glitzy cruiser.It’s these latter two that BMW needs to blend together in this – the latest Z4. Buyers of cars such as this one won’t tolerate a rough ride or spartan interior, but at the same time BMW has a reputation to maintain, and giving it the title of ‘the ultimate driving machine’ won’t go unchallenged.So, with a new platform, upgraded interior and divisive new styling, can the latest Z4 take the fight to talented rivals such as the Porsche Boxster and Jaguar F-Type?
Taoiseach reaffirms position on Brexit border backstop
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has reaffirmed his position on the Irish backstop after being accused of a “cock-up” by Sinn Fein.
Hauliers could face ‘lorry lottery’ in event of no-deal Brexit
The haulage industry has warned of the potential damage a no-deal Brexit could cause, after a Department for Transport paper warned there were fewer than 4,000 EU permits for UK truck drivers.
First drive: The Abarth 695C Rivale is a daft pocket rocket with bags of character
What is it? This is the Abarth 695C Rivale, a tiny hot hatchback made up of a baffling set of ingredients. The base is of course a Fiat 500, but it’s been not so much breathed upon but vomited out by specialist tuner Abarth.
Jaguar Land Rover to open technical centre in Budapest
Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed plans to open a technical engineering office in Budapest.
Profits at top UK companies reach new record level
Profits at the UK’s listed companies have hit a new record for the first time in seven years thanks to a run of high oil prices, a new report showed.
Construction optimism close to six-year low despite October rebound
Britain’s construction sector rebounded in October, but business optimism hit its weakest level in almost six years as Brexit delayed final decisions on projects.
Paddy Power Betfair upgrades full-year forecasts
Paddy Power Betfair has upgraded its full-year profit forecasts as high-rollers from New York splurging 1.5 million US dollars (£1.1 million) a day boosted its performance in the US.
Special ’30 Years’ edition VW California launched
Volkswagen is celebrating three decades of its iconic California campervan with a new special edition.
Manufacturing slumps as Brexit and trade tensions take toll
Output in Britain’s manufacturing sector slumped to its lowest level for more than two years in October as Brexit, trade tensions and weak demand for cars conspired to leave factories reeling.
Just Eat food fight with Uber and Deliveroo to take chunk out of earnings
Online food firm Just Eat has warned that its full-year performance will be dented by investment in fighting off rivals and expansion into Latin America, despite revenue being on course to shoot up.
Bentley slips into the red with £122m operating loss
A drop in sales, a slow change in electrifying its product line and delays for its Continental GT model have led Bentley to post a £122 million loss for the first nine months of 2018.
Intu bidders granted more time to mull £2.8bn bid
A consortium attempting to take over shopping centre giant Intu has been granted more time to make a firm offer or pull out of the £2.8 billion deal.
William Hill bets on Mr Green for online growth
Bookmaker William Hill is splashing out £241 million to acquire Sweden-based online betting firm Mr Green & Co.
Facelifted luxury Mercedes-Benz GLE to cost from £55,685
Mercedes has announced pricing and specifications for its latest luxury SUV – the facelifted GLE.