NEWS & Events

Less than a year after Google's plans to acquire Israeli cybersecurity firm Wiz fell apart, executives were able to ink a deal in a flurry of negotiations after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn into office just eight weeks ago.

Google (GOOGL.O), opens new tab sweetened its original offer for $23 billion in July to $32 billion, making it one of the largest tech deals ever, and dramatically upped the breakup fee to more than $3.2 billion, people familiar with the agreement said. But the real closer for Wiz and Google executives was the change at the White House that brought with it the prospect of a friendlier antitrust review under Trump, these people said.

The Chinese government has promised new child care subsidies, increased wages and better paid leave to revive a slowing economy. That is on top of a $41bn discount programme for all sorts of things, from dishwashers and home decor to electric vehicles and smartwatches.

Beijing is going on a spending spree that will encourage Chinese people to crack open their wallets.

The government has unveiled sweeping changes to the benefits system, aimed at saving £5bn a year by 2030.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the overhaul would create a more "pro-work system" to encourage people to take up jobs, while protecting those who cannot work.

The changes will make it harder for people with less severe conditions to claim disability payments. Extra benefit payments for health conditions will also be frozen for current claimants and nearly halved for new applicants.

Village Roadshow Entertainment Group, the film production company behind franchises such as The Matrix, the Joker and Ocean's has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US, according to a filing with a Delaware court.

The firm has blamed its financial troubles on a legal battle with its former partner Warner Bros (WB) and a "failed and costly endeavour" into the production of independent films and television series.

In a bid to mitigate some of its financial problems, Village Roadshow is proposing to sell its extensive film library for $365m (£281m).

Forever 21 could be a step closer to shutting down operations in the US after the brand's operating company filed for bankruptcy protection.

The firm said in a statement that its stores and website in the US will remain open as it "begins its process of winding down".

Forever 21 was once a favourite of young women around the world, but it has struggled to attract customers to its shops because of rising prices and the growing popularity of online shopping.

The company filed for bankruptcy protection for the first time in 2019, but a group of investors ended up buying it through a joint venture.

The price of gold has hit the $3,000 per ounce mark for the first time as demand for the precious metal surges amid economic uncertainty over the impact of a global trade war.

Gold touched a record $3,004.86 per ounce on Friday, with prices having risen by 14% since the start of 2025.

Apple's encrypted data case against the UK government has begun in secret at the Royal Courts of Justice.

The Home Office has demanded the right to access data from Apple users that have turned on Advanced Data Protection (ADP), a tool that prevents anyone other than the user - including the tech giant - from reading their files.

Apple says it is important for privacy - but the UK government says it needs to be able to access data if there is a national security risk.

The former Bank of England boss, Mark Carney, became Canada's prime minister after he was sworn in on Friday. He will need all his experience handling global economic crises as the country faces a trade war launched by US President Donald Trump.

Mark Carney was the first non-British person to become governor of the Bank of England in its more than 300-year history when he took the job in 2013.