Ryanair adopts ‘free of charge’ family seating policy after watchdog investigation
Posted on Thursday June 25, 2026

Chief executive claims CMA has forced airline to adopt ‘less transparent and less consumer-friendly’ approach

Ryanair has changed its family seating policy, after Britain’s competition watchdog launched an investigation into the airline’s charges for parents to sit with their children.

Europe’s largest airline said that as of Thursday, adults would be offered “free of charge” seats next to their children after they have checked in for their flight – but at the rear of the plane. All children on the booking will be allocated seats alongside them for no fee.

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Key Fed inflation gauge rises to three-year high in May after gas prices peaked
Posted on Thursday June 25, 2026

Consumer prices rose 4.1% in May from a year earlier – a sign rising costs could pose problem for Trump in midterms

The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge rose to a new three-year high in May as gas prices peaked, a sign rising costs could pose political problems for Donald Trump and his political party as midterm elections near.

Consumer prices rose 4.1% in May from a year earlier, the US commerce department said Thursday, the largest annual increase since April 2023. On a monthly basis, inflation was 0.4% last month, matching April’s increase and down from 0.7% in March.

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Make pension tax relief only available to savers prepared to invest in UK, Andy Haldane says
Posted on Thursday June 25, 2026

British Chambers of Commerce chief calls for ‘home bias’ on retirement savings to close funding gap for SMEs

Pension tax relief worth more than £50bn should only be offered to savers who are prepared to invest in Britain, according to Andy Haldane, the president of the British Chambers of Commerce.

There should be a “home bias” that directs retirement savings into UK businesses, closing a funding gap that hampers the growth of small- and medium-sized businesses, he said.

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EasyJet opens talks with Castlelake after rejecting £4.9bn takeover offer
Posted on Thursday June 25, 2026

British carrier says it hopes to receive ‘more attractive proposal that better reflects’ its value

• Business live – latest updates

EasyJet has opened talks with Castlelake, despite rejecting a fourth takeover offer worth £4.9bn from the US investment firm, with the airline saying it would open its books in the hope of receiving a higher bid.

The British low-cost carrier unanimously rejected the latest proposal, of 650p a share, saying it still “substantially” undervalued the company while flagging “significant questions of deliverability”.

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US opens second federal investigation of deadly Tesla crash into Texas home
Posted on Wednesday June 24, 2026

Driver told authorities he had driver-assistance technology engaged before crash that killed 76-year-old Martha Avila

The US government has opened a second federal investigation into a recent crash of a Tesla that reportedly had driver-assistance technology engaged, struck a Texas home and killed a resident.

Meanwhile, the family of Martha Avila, the 76-year-old resident who was killed, has sued over the wreck.

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Elon Musk loses trillionaire status as SpaceX and Tesla stock drops
Posted on Wednesday June 24, 2026

Falling shares push tech mogul back down to billionaire ranks after SpaceX IPO made him world’s first trillionaire

Elon Musk was no longer a trillionaire by the time markets closed on Wednesday. Plunging shares in Tesla and SpaceX dragged the tech magnate down to billionaire status. As of 4pm ET, Forbes listed Musk’s net worth as $970.2bn.

Musk reached trillionaire status on 12 June after SpaceX’s historic initial public offering. The rocket, satellite and AI company’s debut on the stock market made Musk the first person with a net worth of more than $1tn. His fortune continued to hover around that gigantic figure in the weeks following the initial public offering (IPO).

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England v New Zealand: third men’s cricket Test, day one – live
Posted on Thursday June 25, 2026

Cricket updates from Trent Bridge, play at 11am BST
Read The Spin | England reach WT20 World Cup semis

Email! “In the pre-match photo of Ben Stokes, he’s batting in a sleeveless top (and probably shorts as well) — presumably what he’s most comfortable wearing while doing a physical activity in this weather,” begins Smylers. “Has there been any discussion of relaxing player kit requirements during the heatwave? I’m in an office where we’ve been allowed to wear shorts this week; my children’s schools have told pupils to come in in PE kit rather than their normal uniforms. When the rest of us are making adjustments, it seems curious for profession cricketers to have to play wearing more clothes than they need to. Is it just tradition?”

I guess it’s mainly tradition and perhaps the need to slide. But as a lifelong member of the shorts-wearing community, I’d say that, when it’s really hot, the feeling is more one of freedom than of cooling so, once they’re focused, maybe it doesn’t make too much difference.

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World Cup 2026: car hits crowd in Mexico, Scotland face waiting game and more – live
Posted on Thursday June 25, 2026

⚽ Latest news from day 15 | Vehicle hits crowd in Mexico
⚽ World Cup Q&A: post your questions for our US team
⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail John

Mauricio Pochettino’s US team are having a great time at home – but the last couple years haven’t been all that easy, writes Jeff Rueter.

For more permutations chat, click below:

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