Category: Uncategorized

The price of gold soared to an all-time high on Friday, reaching $3,223.72 per ounce, as investors rushed to the safe-haven asset amid rising geopolitical tensions and a sharp escalation in the trade war between the US and China.
China raised tariffs on American imports to 125% in retaliation for President Trump’s decision to increase duties on Chinese goods to 145%, fuelling concerns about the stability of global trade and rattling markets.
Adding to the rally, the US dollar weakened to a two-year low against a basket of major currencies, raising further doubts over America’s role as a stabilising force in the global financial system. Because gold is priced in dollars, a weaker greenback typically boosts demand by making the metal cheaper for overseas buyers.
The surge in gold prices reflects a confluence of global pressures. Beyond trade tensions, markets have been driven by:
• Ongoing central bank purchases of gold
• Expectations of rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve
• Geopolitical instability in regions such as the Middle East and Europe
Gold has traditionally been regarded as a safe-haven asset — a store of value during periods of economic or political uncertainty. Unlike fiat currencies, which can be printed, gold is finite, giving it intrinsic value and appeal during times of volatility.
“Gold is proving its worth once again as the ultimate hedge during times of market turmoil and currency devaluation,” said one commodities analyst.
The rally in gold also reflects changing sentiment over US monetary policy. Inflation data released on Thursday showed an unexpected drop in consumer prices in March, fuelling speculation that the Federal Reserve could begin cutting interest rates as early as June.
Markets are now pricing in the possibility of a full percentage point in rate cuts by the end of 2025.
Lower interest rates make gold more attractive to investors as it reduces the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like precious metals.
Despite its appeal, gold is not without drawbacks. Unlike equities or bonds, gold doesn’t generate income — it pays no dividends or interest. And while it has a long-term track record of preserving wealth, the price can be volatile in the short term, especially as investor sentiment and macroeconomic conditions shift.
Nevertheless, with markets on edge, the dollar under pressure, and political tensions on the rise, gold continues to shine as a preferred hedge in uncertain times.
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Gold price hits record high as trade war and weak dollar drive safe-haven demand

Parliament is to be recalled this Saturday for an emergency debate on the future of British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant, as the government considers taking control of the business to safeguard jobs and the UK’s industrial capacity.
The unexpected move comes just days after MPs left Westminster for their Easter recess, with no plans to return until 22 April. However, the urgency of the situation has prompted a rare interruption to the parliamentary break.
A government source confirmed the decision to recall MPs, stating that ministers are actively “looking to take control” of British Steel in response to deepening concerns over the future of its Scunthorpe operations — one of the UK’s last remaining blast furnace steelworks.
The emergency session is expected to see cross-party debate on national industrial strategy, job security, and the economic significance of domestic steelmaking.
More details are expected to be announced in the coming days.
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Parliament to be recalled over British Steel

Royal Mail is trialling a high-tech, solar-powered postbox equipped with a barcode scanner and a larger hatch designed to accept parcels — in what it calls the biggest transformation to postbox design in more than 175 years.
Dubbed the “postbox of the future”, the new design reflects the growing shift in the postal sector as parcel volumes soar and letter volumes decline. With a black chequered lid — in fact, solar panels to power the integrated scanner — the prototype pillar box enables customers to send prepaid parcels more easily by scanning a barcode before depositing them in a hatch.
Once a valid barcode is scanned using the built-in reader, the parcel hatch opens, allowing users to drop in larger items. The system is supported by an internal battery, charged via the solar panel, ensuring functionality even on overcast days. Customers can then request proof of posting via the Royal Mail app.
The trial is taking place at five locations in Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire — including Ware, Hertford and Fowlmere — but Royal Mail has signalled ambitions to expand the concept nationwide, adapting “thousands” of its 115,000 existing postboxes to accept parcels in future.
“In an era where letter volumes continue to decline and parcels are booming, we are giving our iconic postboxes a new lease of life on street corners across the nation,” said Emma Gilthorpe, Royal Mail’s new chief executive.
The innovation comes as the UK experiences a surge in consumer parcel sending, particularly fuelled by the secondhand resale boom on platforms like Vinted, eBay, and Depop. Royal Mail is keen to modernise its infrastructure and maintain market share amid fierce competition from rival couriers.
The traditional red pillar box dates back to the 1850s, proposed by novelist Anthony Trollope during his time at the Post Office. The iconic red colour was introduced in the 1870s to replace the original green design, which was deemed too difficult to spot.
The new design retains the signature pillar box shape but adds functionality to match the demands of modern e-commerce, side hustles and casual sellers.
The postbox trial comes as Royal Mail’s parent company, International Distribution Services, prepares for acquisition by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský’s EP Group in a £3.57 billion deal.
Simultaneously, Royal Mail is navigating a proposed overhaul of its regulatory framework. Under new plans by Ofcom, second-class letter deliveries could be reduced to alternate weekdays, while new delivery targets would require 99.5% of first-class letters to arrive within three days and second-class within five.
In its response, Royal Mail warned these targets could “add significant cost” and potentially result in higher consumer prices. Just this week, first-class stamps rose to £1.70, and second-class to 87p.
The company is also urging Ofcom to allow tracking as standard for all parcels — currently only available as a paid upgrade.
As the postal service embraces digitalisation and customer expectations evolve, Royal Mail’s solar-powered postbox could mark the start of a broader reinvention — one that blends the iconic with the innovative.
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Royal Mail trials postbox with parcel hatch, solar panels and barcode scanner

Gas boiler installations in the UK outpaced heat pump fittings by more than 15 to one last year, highlighting how far the country still has to go in meeting its clean energy targets.
According to new research by the Resolution Foundation, the uptake of low-carbon alternatives is well off track — with poorer households particularly shut out of the transition.
Fewer than 100,000 heat pumps were installed across the UK in 2023, compared to around 1.5 million gas boilers, the majority of which were replacements. Worryingly, only 13% of new homes were fitted with heat pumps, meaning gas remains the default heating method in most new-build properties.
The government’s net zero plans require around 450,000 heat pumps to be installed each year by 2030, but current trends fall far short. High upfront costs are a major barrier, particularly for low-income households.
The £7,500 boiler upgrade scheme grant available in England and Wales still leaves homeowners paying an average of £5,400 out of pocket. That’s unaffordable for many — and it’s showing in the distribution of heat pump adoption.
Only 19% of heat pumps in use are located in the poorest third of neighbourhoods, while 45% are found in the richest third, the report found.
“The mass adoption of heat pumps in our homes is vital if Britain is to hit its net zero targets,” said Jonathan Marshall, principal economist at the Resolution Foundation. “But the rollout is miles off track, with heat pumps particularly out of reach for many poorer families.”
The thinktank has proposed reforming the subsidy system to offer top-up grants of £3,000 for lower-income households — specifically, those with a gross income below £30,000 and non-pension assets below £500,000. This would cost approximately £370 million a year by 2030.
Even beyond installation costs, running a heat pump remains more expensive than using a gas boiler. That’s despite heat pumps being far more energy efficient. The problem lies in the structure of the UK’s energy pricing model, where green levies are applied to electricity bills rather than gas, making electricity — and therefore heat pumps — more expensive to run.
At current prices, switching from gas to a heat pump would add an average £32 to a household’s annual energy bill. However, if levies were shifted from electricity to gas, most households would save over £300 a year, the report found.
The Future Homes Standard, expected to require all new-build homes to be fitted with low-carbon heating systems, has yet to be published. Mandating heat pumps in new homes would expand the market, increase competition and drive down costs — but delays in regulation are holding back progress.
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “Our warm homes plan will transform homes across the country by making them cheaper and cleaner to run, rolling out upgrades to up to 300,000 homes this year. We have almost doubled the boiler upgrade scheme’s funding to help more people install heat pumps.”
The government has committed £3.4 billion over the next three years, including £1.8 billion for fuel poverty schemes, with full details to follow in its upcoming spending review.
As the UK eyes its 2030 climate commitments, pressure is growing for clearer regulations, improved affordability, and targeted support to ensure the heat pump rollout becomes a reality — not just a policy ambition.
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Gas boiler fittings outnumbered heat pumps by 15 to one in UK last year

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has launched a scathing attack on Sir Jim Ratcliffe, accusing the club’s minority owner of “trying to destroy everything” that makes the club special — including ignoring Cantona’s personal offer to help rebuild it.
Speaking at a fan event for FC United of Manchester — the breakaway club formed in 2005 by disillusioned supporters protesting the Glazer takeover — Cantona criticised the direction Ratcliffe and his executive team have taken since the INEOS chief’s investment became official in February.
“Since Ratcliffe arrived this team of directors try to destroy everything and they don’t respect anybody,” Cantona said. “They even want to change the stadium.”
Cantona, who remains one of the club’s most revered figures, referenced proposals to replace Old Trafford with a new 100,000-seat stadium and the loss of hundreds of back-office staff. He said such moves risked eroding the very identity and “soul” of the club.
Cantona argued that stadiums hold deep emotional value for fans and players alike.
“For me, Arsenal lost their soul when they left Highbury. Can you imagine Liverpool playing somewhere other than Anfield? It’s impossible. I don’t think United can play in another stadium than Old Trafford.”
His comments come as Ratcliffe’s leadership undergoes a fresh wave of redundancies, bringing the total number of job cuts to around 450, as part of a wider cost-cutting and restructuring strategy.
Cantona was also critical of Ratcliffe’s reported sidelining of Sir Alex Ferguson in an ambassadorial capacity, saying: “He is more than a legend. We have to find this soul again.”
The Frenchman revealed that he had offered to pause his film work to help the club during its current transitional period.
“I said to them: ‘I can put that [aside] and help you to rebuild something.’ They didn’t care … and I don’t care. But I feel sad to see United in this kind of situation.”
Cantona said he no longer feels connected to the club’s decision-making, stating that if he were a young fan today, he might not choose to support United at all.
“I support United because I really love United. But now … I don’t feel close to these kinds of decisions. They are more about economy and strategy. I hate this kind of thing.”
During the FC United visit, Cantona and his family — including four children and two brothers — signed up as co-owners of the fan-run club, underlining his disillusionment with the direction of modern football and his belief in supporter ownership.
Manchester United have been approached for comment.
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Eric Cantona accuses Sir Jim Ratcliffe of trying to ‘destroy’ Manchester United

President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day pause on tariffs above the 10% baseline rate, offering a temporary reprieve for most US trading partners — with one notable exception: China.
In a post on Truth Social, the President confirmed the pause would take immediate effect, while also declaring a punitive 125% tariff on Chinese imports, citing a “lack of respect” for global markets and Beijing’s decision to launch retaliatory tariffs on US goods.
The UK, already subject to the baseline 10% tariff since last week’s “liberation day” trade shake-up, appears to remain unaffected by the latest move.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent insisted the 90-day window is not a retreat, but a strategic move to encourage negotiations. “We are expecting countries to come to us with their best deal,” he said at a White House briefing. “Do not retaliate, and you will be rewarded.”
Countries that maintain open dialogue and refrain from countermeasures could secure more favourable treatment under Trump’s evolving tariff regime, Bessent added. He noted that Mexico and Canada remain within the 10% tariff bracket and emphasised that the pause creates an opportunity to resolve broader trade issues, including currency manipulation and non-monetary barriers.
Trump’s post explained the rationale behind the decision: “Based on the fact that more than 75 countries have called representatives of the United States to negotiate … and that these countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way … I have authorised a 90-day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered reciprocal tariff during this period, of 10 per cent, also effective immediately.”
The announcement triggered an immediate reaction in financial markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged by 1,800 points, while the S&P 500 climbed more than 300 points in just 20 minutes.
While the tariff pause has been welcomed by markets, the 125% rate on Chinese goods underscores the increasingly confrontational tone in US-China relations. Analysts say the targeted move risks inflaming global trade tensions at a time when markets and businesses are already on edge.
For UK exporters, the news brings some relief. With the 10% baseline remaining in place, no additional duties are expected — at least for now. However, the three-month timeframe leaves the door open for further developments depending on the outcome of negotiations.
The White House has not confirmed which sectors will be prioritised during this negotiation window, but a new round of trade talks is expected to begin within days.
With the global economy closely watching, business leaders and policymakers are now assessing the implications of a tariff landscape that remains volatile — but perhaps, for now, a little less severe.
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Trump tariffs latest: 90-day pause announced, but China hit with 125% rate

AI-driven workplace platform Dosen.io has raised $2.3 million in an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round to combat the rise of ‘quiet quitting’ — the growing trend of employee disengagement that’s costing businesses billions in lost productivity.
Led by Affinity Ventures, with participation from Unshackled Ventures and Fuel Ventures, the round exceeded its original target by 50%, underscoring strong investor confidence in Dosen’s mission to realign performance and purpose in the workplace.
Founded by Ronan Wall, Victor Burke and Cian McCarthy (pictured), Dosen enables HR teams and business leaders to increase productivity and retain top talent by aligning company strategy with employee values and aspirations — a key factor in today’s hybrid and remote-first working landscape.
Addressing a $500 billion productivity problem
Recent data reveals that 95% of employees don’t understand their company’s strategy, and 85% feel no sense of purpose at work. The result? A surge in ‘quiet quitting’ — where workers mentally disengage and do only the bare minimum.
Dosen aims to reverse this trend through a platform that uses AI to match company goals with individual employee development, creating tailored learning journeys for each team member. “Dosen is designed specifically to help HR teams and senior leaders solve the biggest challenge they face right now – underperformance or the loss of their best talent,” said co-founder Ronan Wall. “This investment allows us to reach more people and companies and put an end to the trend of ‘quiet quitting.’”
How it works
Dosen combines company inputs — such as strategy, structure, and KPIs — with employee data, including personal values, skillsets, and development goals. The result is a customised learning journey that directly ties personal growth to company outcomes.

For employees: It creates purpose-led development pathways tailored to their roles, ambitions and growth areas.
For employers: It aligns learning with strategic goals and boosts ROI through scientifically validated engagement tools.

“By automating the personalisation of training at scale, we’re excited to make a significant impact for organisations and the people within them,” said co-founder Victor Burke.
Already generating revenue, Dosen has demonstrated strong results for multinational clients, especially those experiencing transitions such as rapid hiring, organisational change or high churn.
“The impact has been transformative,” said one client. “Our workforce isn’t just adopting but truly embodying the organisational practices that help us deliver on our mission.”
The new funding will be used to expand Dosen’s team, accelerate product development and deepen its market reach.
“The most exciting thing about Dosen is that the product is still in its infancy,” said co-founder Cian McCarthy. “We see a huge opportunity to drive even greater levels of employee purpose and company performance.”
As workplace culture continues to evolve and retention remains a priority, Dosen.io is emerging as a powerful tool for businesses looking to connect their people with their purpose — and unlock performance in the process.
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Dosen.io raises $2.3 million in oversubscribed round to stop ‘quiet quitting’

Sipay, the rapidly scaling Turkish fintech specialising in embedded finance and payment solutions, has raised $78 million in a Series B funding round, pushing its valuation beyond $875 million.
The round was led by US-based venture capital firm Elephant VC, with support from QuantumLight, the investment firm founded by Revolut CEO Nik Storonsky.
Recognised as Turkey’s fastest-growing fintech by Deloitte in both 2023 and 2024, Sipay has seen its revenue multiply fivefold year-on-year, ending 2024 on a $600 million revenue run rate. Profitable since 2023, the company has continued to gain momentum since its $15 million Series A round led by Anfa in June last year.
The new capital injection will power Sipay’s international expansion, with a focus on forming strategic partnerships and networks in emerging markets. The move follows strong growth in its domestic market, where the company boasts 6.3 million digital wallet users and 25,000 registered merchants.
Founded in 2019, Sipay offers a comprehensive suite of financial products for both businesses and consumers. Its business platform enables firms to manage payments, FX transactions, and embedded finance through a unified dashboard, while Sipay Personal provides users with an all-in-one money app covering digital wallets, investments, and loyalty schemes.
To date, the company has processed over 100 million transactions and works with global payment giants including Visa and Mastercard. Its client roster spans from traditional banks and industrial groups to tech disruptors, including QNBpay (a QNB subsidiary), Nasdaq-listed Hepsiburada’s payment service Hepsipay, and Alibaba-owned Trendyol.
Nezih Sipahioğlu, Founder and Global CEO of Sipay, commented: “This investment fuels our mission to redefine the global payments ecosystem. Our unified platform offering diverse financial products and services helps businesses and individuals achieve true financial freedom. This new funding round will allow us to take the next step in our global journey, bringing Sipay’s comprehensive payment solutions into new emerging markets.”
Peter Fallon, General Partner at Elephant VC, added: “In today’s fast-evolving digital economy, seamless and secure payment solutions are more critical than ever. Sipay is playing a vital role in reshaping the financial landscape to be more inclusive, secure, and efficient. We’re proud to support Nezih and the team as they expand their success beyond Turkey.”
With the backing of top-tier investors and a strong track record of growth, Sipay is positioning itself as a global contender in the competitive fintech space, focused on transforming financial infrastructure and boosting financial inclusion across borders.
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Sipay, Europe’s fastest-growing fintech, raises $78m Series B, hitting $875m valuation

There was a time, not so long ago, when America was the greatest country in the world.
Not just because it said so on the telly, not because it could nuke you from space, or because every high school film ended with a slow clap and a national anthem. No — because it led. With ideas, with invention, with democratic ideals (however hypocritically applied), with a swagger that came from real cultural capital, real global respect. America didn’t just show up to the party — it built the damn house.
But not anymore
And I don’t say this with glee. I’m not some sanctimonious Brit revelling in Uncle Sam’s decline while sipping tepid tea in a London kitchen. I say this because facts matter. Because rhetoric isn’t reality. And because under President Donald J. Trump — not once, but now twice elected as Commander-in-Chief — the United States has taken a chainsaw to its global reputation, its domestic integrity, and its long-term prospects.
Let’s be clear: America hasn’t been ‘great’ in the aspirational, post-war, Statue-of-Liberty sense for a while. But this time, it feels terminal. It’s not just decline. It’s wilful decay.
The environment? A joke. Trump’s ghoulish love affair with coal has been re-consummated. In a flurry of pen-strokes that would’ve made a 19th-century industrialist swoon, he reopened the gates to coal-fired power plants. Actual coal, like it’s 1902 and we’re all still clapping at the lightbulb. His executive order gutted environmental protections that were already on life support, essentially telling the EPA to sit down and shut up while we choke on soot.
Meanwhile, while the rest of the developed world sprints towards renewables, the U.S. is trying to mainline fossil fuels through a rusty IV drip. All while the Colorado River dries up, wildfires turn into seasonal events, and Miami starts to look like Atlantis.
But maybe that’s just optics, right? So let’s follow the money
Trump’s tariff tantrum — sorry, strategy — has laid waste to international trade. The man has slapped 10%, 20%, sometimes 50% tariffs on everything from Chinese electronics to EU steel, Japanese cars to Korean microchips. The goal? “Bring manufacturing home.” The result? A global trade war that’s got American businesses stockpiling foreign goods like doomsday preppers while prices spiral and consumer choice shrivels.
Even AI — the very sector that could give America a 21st-century edge — is being throttled. Tariffs on the microprocessors, rare earth metals, and servers required for cutting-edge AI have forced U.S. firms to contemplate relocating R&D overseas. Imagine voluntarily handing the AI crown to Beijing because you wanted to punish Huawei. That’s what’s happening.
And what does Trump do? He brags. About the “billions” pouring into the Treasury from tariffs. As if we’ve forgotten that tariffs are just taxes with a passport. The American consumer pays for those billions, Donny — not Xi Jinping. Target shoppers are paying for your trade war.
Then there’s the moral rot
Trump’s executive orders have surgically dismantled diversity, equity and inclusion policies across federal agencies. Not trimmed. Not restructured. Erased. Gone are initiatives designed to level playing fields, improve representation, and — dare we say it — bring America into the modern age.
He’s gone further still, launching a frontal assault on transgender rights. Under the guise of “restoring biological truth” — a phrase that could’ve been nicked from an Orwell novel — he’s reversed federal protections for trans individuals in employment, healthcare, and education. In 2025. In America. The supposed land of the free. Unless, of course, you don’t fit a narrow, white, hetero-normative mould.
But the most stomach-turning development? The sudden halt of foreign aid under a 90-day “review.” Aid to Africa. To Latin America. To parts of Europe still clawing back from conflict and catastrophe. Trump calls it a realignment. The State Department calls it a pause. But make no mistake: it’s abandonment. From the country that once airlifted hope. That once promised to be the world’s emergency exit in times of crisis. Now, it’s just another door slammed shut.
And yet — the man remains popular. His rallies are Woodstock for the wilfully ignorant. He’s turned politics into vaudeville, diplomacy into dogfighting, and the Oval Office into a green room for Fox & Friends. And America, bizarrely, keeps clapping.
So no, America is not the greatest country in the world. Not anymore
Not when it criminalises compassion. Not when it treats knowledge like a threat and science like an opinion. Not when it confuses bullying with strength, isolationism with sovereignty, and nostalgia with policy.
Greatness is about more than flags on lawns and missiles on standby. It’s about vision. Inclusion. Progress. It’s about leading not because you can, but because others want to follow you.
And right now? Nobody’s following.
America may still be powerful. It may still be rich. But greatness — true greatness — requires moral authority, cultural curiosity, and the humility to evolve.
That America? The one that built the Marshall Plan, funded the Moon landing, and gave us Maya Angelou and Miles Davis?
It’s a memory.
And if Trump gets his way — it’ll stay that way.
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America is not the greatest country in the world anymore