‘Countries are defying gravity’: how much longer can global economy resist chaos? 17 October 2026 at 06:00

‘Countries are defying gravity’: how much longer can global economy resist chaos?

By: Heather Stewart in Bangkok and Graeme Wearden

17 October 2026 at 06:00

Sky-high oil prices and geopolitical turmoil have made less of a dent than feared … just don’t bank on it to last

Inside the vast, glass-walled Queen Sirikit conference centre in Bangkok, the air-conditioned atmosphere was calm as policymakers from more than 100 countries gathered this week for the International Monetary Fund’s annual meeting – and contemplated the surprising strength of the global economy.

A small army of smiling, uniformed Thai staff were on hand to explain the baffling geography of the heavily guarded building, where lunch options were as cosmopolitan as the delegates – including, improbably, a Burger King.

John Healey poised to raise taxes on banks in budget 15 October 2026 at 12:17

John Healey poised to raise taxes on banks in budget

The Guardian

By: Heather Stewart · Jessica Elgot and Kalyeena Makortoff

15 October 2026 at 12:17

Exclusive: Chancellor to target sector in his first budget, to help offset Iran war’s damage to public finances

John Healey is poised to tax Britain’s banks in his 28 October budget, to help offset the damage inflicted on the public finances by war in the Middle East, the Guardian understands.

The chancellor is in Bangkok, where the International Monetary Fund has praised the UK’s progress towards balancing the books, urging him to “stay the course”.

Labour has got the message – developing nations suffer most from bond market turmoil | Heather Stewart 11 October 2026 at 06:11

Labour has got the message – developing nations suffer most from bond market turmoil | Heather Stewart

The Guardian

By: Heather Stewart in Bangkok

11 October 2026 at 06:11

Just as Brown and Blair did in 2005, Andy Burnham aims to champion debt relief to help developing countries

Developing nations face triple shock, UN warns

From Washington to Paris, London to Tokyo, policymakers in every large economy have been counting the costs of bond market turmoil in recent weeks. But the brunt of the pain is being borne by heavily indebted developing countries that have little hope of influencing the whims of global investors, but pay the price regardless.

Markets have responded to the war in the Middle East, and a spendthrift White House, by dumping government bonds – driving up borrowing costs just about everywhere.

UK savings: 5% interest rate deals may not last, say experts 10 October 2026 at 02:00

UK savings: 5% interest rate deals may not last, say experts

The Guardian

By: Rupert Jones

10 October 2026 at 02:00

Competition is hotting up, with National Savings & Investments lifting rates to the highest in years

National Savings and Investments (NS&I) has increased the returns on some of its accounts, with many now paying more than 5% for the first time in nearly three years.

Competition in the savings market has been growing, leading to some of the highest interest rates for years.

France’s dilemma: protesters demand spending as markets require fiscal restraint 10 October 2026 at 00:00

France’s dilemma: protesters demand spending as markets require fiscal restraint

The Guardian

By: Phillip Inman

10 October 2026 at 00:00

Waves of protests expose debt crisis faced by French government, but political wrangling is stalling an escape plan. Is there a way out?

Eight years have passed since rising fuel prices brought the gilets jaunes (yellow vest) demonstrators to the streets of France, prompting the first big crisis of Emmanuel Macron’s time in the Élysée Palace.

As the French president contemplates his exit next year, turmoil has again gripped the streets in the form of student protests, but this time the financial markets are unhappy too.

Bank governor urges John Healey to use budget to allay market fears amid bond turmoil 8 October 2026 at 12:38

Bank governor urges John Healey to use budget to allay market fears amid bond turmoil

The Guardian

By: Heather Stewart and Phillip Inman

8 October 2026 at 12:38

Andrew Bailey tells chancellor ‘whatever the stance of fiscal policy, it must be credible and be seen as such by financial markets’

The Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, has urged the chancellor, John Healey, to agree a budget that reassures financial markets after the UK’s medium-term borrowing costs hit a fresh 19-year high.

With investors offloading government bonds previously considered safe havens amid fears of rising inflation, Bailey told all governments caught in the crosshairs of financial speculators that they needed to avoid market turmoil that raises the interest paid on debt.

Nvidia Adds $150 Billion to Massive Stock Buyback, the Largest Ever 28 September 2026 at 16:11

Nvidia Adds $150 Billion to Massive Stock Buyback, the Largest Ever

NYT: Technology

By: Lauren McCarthy and Kalley Huang

28 September 2026 at 16:11

The increase comes four months after the chip giant added $80 billion to its buyback program, bringing the total remaining authorized amount to $235 billion.

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