Business
The latest business news and analysis from JournalArta Global.
Thailand assesses trade risks as protests unsettle Europe
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is assessing whether protests in six European countries could disrupt exports, transport and logistics. The EU accounted for US$34.69 billion in bilateral trade in the first eight months of 2026. Officials have urged exporters to consider alternative routes, market diversification and extended cargo insurance while the situation develops.
Audi Plans $4 Billion Georgia Plant With 4,500 Jobs, Trump Says
President Donald Trump announced Audi’s plan for a $4 billion assembly plant in Georgia, with capacity for 200,000 SUVs a year and about 4,500 jobs. Audi says construction is scheduled to begin next year, while production is expected to start in the early 2030s. The announcement came at a campaign rally in Perry as Trump promotes tariffs and U.S. manufacturing ahead of the midterm elections.
Garden centre near Gloucester plans £1m makeover
Highfield Garden World will begin a refurbishment in January after its takeover by Blue Diamond Garden Centres. The work, expected to cost over £1 million and take around two months, will add food concessions, redevelop the plant area and expand capacity at the car park and restaurant. The centre plans to stay open during the project, which is expected to create around 20 jobs.
Audi Build Factory Georgia: $4B Plant to Make 200,000 SUVs
President Donald Trump says Audi plans to invest $4 billion in an assembly plant in Georgia that could produce 200,000 SUVs a year. Audi says the project is expected to create approximately 4,500 jobs, with construction scheduled to begin next year and production starting in the early 2030s. The announcement comes as tariffs weigh on the company’s U.S. business.
Amgen Combo Cuts Death Risk 58% in Lung Cancer Trial
Amgen said adding Imdelltra to AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi cut the risk of death by 58% in a late-stage trial involving patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Median overall survival was 21.1 months with the combination, compared with 12.7 months with Imfinzi alone. Researchers tested the treatment as maintenance therapy after initial treatment with Imfinzi and chemotherapy.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Bahamas Trip Diverted to Canada
More than 5,000 passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas expected a week in the Bahamas after departing New Jersey. Stormy weather changed the itinerary, sending the ship to Halifax, Nova Scotia, instead. Passengers received only half a day’s notice and were told they could not leave the ship while in port. The cruise line provided cash and travel vouchers, while some travelers said they were trying to make the best of the change.
Six Flags Adding Seat Belts After Fatal Goliath Fall
Six Flags says it will install seat belts on Goliath and other roller coasters with similar restraints after Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died in a fall from the Georgia ride. Goliath and eight other rides at five parks remain closed while safety reviews and an investigation continue. The company has hired independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to review safety procedures.
PHP2Shell Flaws Draw Millions of Exploit Attempts Within Hours
Millions of attempts to exploit newly disclosed PHP flaws arrived within hours, Cloudflare analysis found. The PHP Foundation says it has seen no successful attacks, while researchers say AI tools helped uncover practical exploits for vulnerabilities known for years. The episode raises pressure on security teams, but experts say human expertise remains central to the work.
Oil price reaches $116.03 on October 23 2026
Brent crude was priced at $116.03 per barrel at 7:15 a.m. Eastern Time on October 23, according to Fortune, up $2.82 from the previous morning and around $50 higher than a year earlier. The move matters beyond energy markets: crude is a major component of gasoline costs, though refining, transport, taxes and station markups also shape pump prices.
Railway line between Redhill to close for landslip repairs
Network Rail will close the railway between Redhill and Tonbridge for five days while engineers stabilise a landslip near Godstone in Surrey. Buses will replace trains from 28 October until 1 November, and a speed restriction remains in place until work begins. The works include installing metal sheet piles along an embankment, while extra track maintenance is also planned. Redhill Station’s car park will be partially closed to accommodate replacement buses.
London really most-taxed city? Paris data challenges claim
UK Finance’s PwC report puts London’s total tax rate for a large bank at 46.2%, but excludes Paris. Guardian calculations, reviewed by an accountancy firm, put the rate for the same bank in Paris between 51.6% and 57.3%. The dispute has sharpened ahead of next week’s budget, when banks face a possible tax increase.
£300 rule England homes cuts charger installation costs
England has removed the planning-permission requirement for cross-pavement electric-vehicle chargers, allowing eligible drivers without driveways to save up to £300 on installation. The change took effect on October 21, according to the Government announcement reported by the Daily Express. Drivers will still need approval for the pavement crossing, and financial advisers say the saving does not remove the wider costs of buying and running an electric car.
Oldest pub England officially named after timber dating
Historic England has confirmed The George Inn in Norton St Philip as England’s oldest continually licensed drinking establishment. Building archaeologist Dr James Wright used the building’s physical evidence, its builders’ history and tree-ring analysis to assess the claim. The inn dates to the late 14th century, while research also challenges several better-known pubs’ claims to an earlier origin.
Amex cut 5% headcount as costs rise at card company
American Express plans to cut 5% of its global workforce, affecting about 3,500 jobs, as CEO Steve Squeri seeks to control rising costs. The announcement followed third-quarter earnings that beat estimates, while expenses climbed to $14.5 billion. The company also raised its 2026 earnings outlook, even as billed business fell short of analyst expectations.
Oil hits five-month high as Middle East fears rattle markets
Oil prices climbed above $115 a barrel on Friday, reaching their highest level since May as threats by Tehran to target energy and other infrastructure raised fears of a fresh escalation in the Middle East. The Guardian reported that Brent crude rose 1% during Friday morning trading. The move came as global stocks wobbled amid wider market concerns.
Oil price rises above $115 as Iran tensions rattle markets
Brent crude rose 1% to above $115 a barrel on Friday, reaching its highest level since May. The Guardian reported that prices climbed after Tehran threatened attacks on Gulf energy and technology infrastructure if a new US-Israeli offensive targets Iran. Reports of possible renewed US strikes and risks to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have added to market concerns.
UK Confidence Sinks as Cost Pressures Hit Households
UK consumer confidence fell sharply in October as rising living costs and the economic fallout from the Middle East war squeezed households. GfK’s index dropped 11 points to -24, while its major purchase measure fell to -22. The figures put pressure on Chancellor John Healey ahead of his first budget, with energy bills and borrowing costs adding to the challenge.
Amex Adds Airbnb Stays, Expands Platinum Credits for Cardholders
American Express is adding more than 1 million Airbnb listings to Amex Travel, where eligible Platinum cardholders can earn points on prepaid stays. The company is also extending its annual lodging credit to qualifying Airbnb Luxe bookings and introducing a credit for Airbnb Experiences. The change comes with a new two-night minimum for Fine Hotels + Resorts stays to qualify for the lodging credit, beginning January 1, 2027.
Oil prices surge above $111 as Saudi attacks raise supply fears
Brent crude climbed above $111 a barrel as Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia and incidents involving vessels near the Strait of Hormuz heightened concerns about oil supply. The price reached $112.68 during Thursday’s session, its highest since May 18, according to Reuters. U.S. officials also ordered some personnel to leave Saudi Arabia, while attacks and disruptions elsewhere added to market concerns.
Faisal Islam: Inflation and borrowing squeeze UK Budget
UK inflation reached 3.5% and government debt topped £3 trillion, while borrowing ran ahead of forecasts. BBC economics editor Faisal Islam says the figures sharpen the challenge facing Chancellor John Healey as he prepares next week’s Budget. Rising prices also affect benefits and the State Pension, while higher borrowing costs add pressure to public finances.
UK State Pension Set for £500 Annual Rise in 2027
The UK’s full new state pension is set to rise by 3.9% in 2027 after September inflation came in below wage growth. The increase follows the triple lock, which uses the highest of inflation, earnings growth or 2.5%. The higher payment would take the annual total above the personal allowance, though the source says pensioners relying only on the state pension have an exemption from tax.
UK inflation rate rises 3.5% as fuel costs jump
UK inflation rose to 3.5% in the year to September, driven mainly by higher petrol and diesel prices, according to the Office for National Statistics. The increase comes before Chancellor John Healey’s Budget and could affect benefit rises next April. Higher inflation has also added to government borrowing costs, while economists say it may increase pressure on the Bank of England’s next interest-rate decision.
United CEO Scott Kirby backs wealth and inheritance taxes
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said wealth inequality poses a danger to society and called for a national wealth tax and inheritance taxes that could approach 100% at some level. His comments came in an interview with The New York Times, as he defended airline seat fees and argued that flying is expensive. The proposals add Kirby to a group of business leaders who have publicly supported higher taxes on wealthy Americans.
NatWest Hybrid Work Shift Draws Union Criticism
Unite has criticised NatWest’s plan to require staff to spend at least two days a week in the office from February. The union says the change will raise travel and childcare costs and disrupt care arrangements for some workers. NatWest says it will allow exceptions for colleagues who need additional flexibility and give staff time to prepare for the change.