Author: Andrew Rogers

European fashion retailer Primark is rapidly expanding in the United States, opening new stores to capture market share from online competitors. The company’s physical retail model is proving successful as consumers increasingly value in-person shopping experiences. Primark’s U.S. growth comes at a time when many online retailers are dominating the market. Analysts say the brand’s strategy focuses on affordable fashion, fast inventory turnover, and a hands-on shopping experience that online platforms cannot match. The company has recently opened several flagship stores in major U.S. cities. These locations feature large, well-organized spaces and a wide variety of apparel and accessories. Early…

Juventus have dismissed head coach Igor Tudor following an eight-match winless run across all competitions, the club announced on Monday. “Juventus FC announces that it has today relieved Igor Tudor of his duties as coach of the men’s first team, along with his staff,” the statement read, coming a day after a 1-0 defeat to Lazio. Reserve team coach Massimo Brambilla will take over on an interim basis. Tudor, appointed in March to replace Thiago Motta, was Juventus’s first foreign manager since Didier Deschamps in 2006–07. A former Juve defender, he won two Serie A titles as a player and…

The US and China have reached a final agreement on the sale of TikTok’s American operations, treasury secretary Scott Bessent announced on Sunday. Bessent said the deal was completed in Madrid and will be formally approved when Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet later this week in South Korea. The agreement is part of a broader trade framework that also covers agriculture, trade balance, and the fentanyl crisis. The $14 billion deal will see US and international investors take a 65% stake in TikTok’s US business, while ByteDance and Chinese shareholders will hold less than 20%. Oversight of the app’s…

For 25 years, a global seed collection initiative has been protecting plant species from extinction. By preserving seeds from around the world, the project contributes to global biodiversity and safeguards the future of ecosystems. Scientists involved in the initiative collect seeds from diverse regions, including tropical forests, deserts, and grasslands. Each seed represents a potential lifeline for species at risk due to habitat loss, climate change, or human activity. Seed banks store these collections under strict conditions, maintaining their viability for decades. This ensures that even if a plant disappears in the wild, it can be reintroduced and cultivated in…

The Co-op has instructed staff to increase the visibility and promotion of vape products in stores as it seeks to recover from a major cyber-attack that severely impacted sales. According to an internal document seen by The Guardian, the retailer has launched a new strategy to boost revenue by expanding its range of vapes and nicotine pouches, introducing eye-catching displays, and placing new advertisements in high-traffic areas. The initiative, titled “Powering Up: Focus Sprint – Cigs, Tobacco and Vape,” outlines how the company has suffered a £1m weekly shortfall and 100,000 fewer transactions since the April hack disrupted operations. “Sales…

The U.S. labor market is showing signs of a “Great Freeze,” a period marked by limited hiring and minimal layoffs. While current employees enjoy job security, the trend presents challenges for job seekers and those aiming to advance their careers. Recent reports indicate that many companies are hesitant to expand staff, even as economic growth continues. This cautious approach reflects uncertainty in the market, with firms prioritizing stability over aggressive recruitment. Low turnover and restrained hiring mean existing employees are less likely to face layoffs, creating a sense of security. Analysts say this stability can benefit workers who remain in…

Leading scientists have urged the UK government to introduce cigarette-style health warnings on packets of bacon and ham, warning that chemicals used in their production can cause bowel cancer. Their call comes a decade after the World Health Organization (WHO) classified processed meat as carcinogenic to humans, placing it in the same risk category as tobacco and asbestos. Despite that, experts say successive governments have done “virtually nothing” to limit nitrite use in meat processing. Nitrites, added to most bacon and ham to preserve colour and flavour, can form nitrosamines, compounds known to trigger cancer. Scientists estimate that government inaction…

The popular weight-loss drug semaglutide – the active ingredient in Wegovy – reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes regardless of how much weight a person loses, according to a major international study published in The Lancet. Researchers from University College London (UCL) analysed data from more than 17,600 adults aged 45 and over who were overweight or obese across 41 countries. Participants received either weekly semaglutide injections or a placebo. Earlier findings showed the drug reduced major cardiac events by 20%, and this new analysis confirms that the benefit was independent of total weight loss. However, the study…

U.S. stocks rose today as investors reacted to positive corporate earnings and improving sentiment. Analysts said that the market’s upward momentum was driven by strong results from major companies, which offset concerns about economic uncertainty and other global factors. The Nasdaq, Dow, and S&P 500 all experienced gains as investor confidence improved. Companies across multiple sectors reported earnings that exceeded expectations, reinforcing the idea that corporate profitability remains healthy. This has helped support broader market stability and encouraged investors to allocate capital to equities. Positive corporate news signals that many firms are performing well despite broader economic challenges. Technology, industrial,…

A large UK study has revealed that different antidepressants can have significantly different physical side-effects, including changes in weight, heart rate, and blood pressure. Researchers from King’s College London and the University of Oxford analysed data from 151 clinical studies involving over 58,000 people and 30 antidepressants. They found that some drugs could cause weight gain of up to 2kg within two months, while others led to weight loss of a similar amount. For example, maprotiline and amitriptyline were linked to notable weight gain, while agomelatine was associated with weight loss. There were also differences of up to 21 beats…