Headlines

Council leaders in England have warned that a multi-billion pound deficit from years of overspending on special educational needs has become a “burning platform” that will push scores of councils into bankruptcy within months, The Guardian reported. They say time is running out to resolve rapidly growing shortfalls and are concerned the government gave no indication in Wednesday’s spending review how it will deal with Send debts, which are expected to exceed £5bn by next March.

The rate of both new business starts-ups and insolvency-related activity dropped for the second consecutive month in Yorkshire and the Humber in May, while other regions saw sharp rises in insolvency-related activity, according to the latest research from R3, the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body, the Sheffield Star reported. Based on analysis of data provided by Creditsafe, the report shows a 10% decline in insolvency-related activity in the region last month, while new Yorkshire and Humber business start-ups also fell by 5%.

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Ahmedabad has admitted two separate insolvency petitions filed by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (Ireda) against Gensol Engineering (GEL) and its subsidiary Gensol EV Lease (GEVL), initiating corporate insolvency resolution processes (CIRP) against both companies, the Times of India reported. In the case of Gensol Engineering, the tribunal admitted Ireda’s petition for defaulted dues amounting to Rs 510.10 crore. The defaults stemmed from term loan facilities extended by Ireda for various projects undertaken by GEL.

Israel's attack on Iran Friday has catapulted their long-running conflict into what could become a wider, more dangerous regional war and potentially drive prices higher for both businesses and households, the Associated Press reported. Oil and gold surged and the dollar rose as markets retreated, signaling a flight to investments perceived as more safe. After years of sky-high inflation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans have become increasingly leery about the economy this year due to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, though the impact so far has been muted.

Europe’s exports to the U.S. plunged by a third in April as demand was squeezed by President Trump’s tariff increases, leading to a fall in factory output that suggests economic growth has slowed after a strong start to the year, the Wall Street Journal reported. European Union exports to the U.S. dropped to 47.6 billion euros ($55.2 billion) from 71.5 billion euros a month earlier, statistics body Eurostat said Friday, marking a dramatic reversal from March’s record high, when American importers were stocking up ahead of Trump’s tariff announcement. The steep drop in U.S.

China’s plan to get consumers spending again may be working a little too well, the Wall Street Journal reported. Policymakers’ rollout of subsidies for smartphones, home appliances, cars and a host of other products have spurred a long sought-after pickup in spending. But the funds needed to keep it going are running out faster than planned. Many regional authorities put a brake on subsidies in recent weeks after shopping sprees drained the program’s accounts faster than expected. The timing is particularly bad, as a major shopping holiday–“618” –is around the corner.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said on Friday his government would focus on easing regulations and accelerate working-level tariff talks with Washington as part of broader support for companies on trade matters, Reuters reported. The future of South Korea's export-oriented economy, with key sectors from chips to vehicles and shipbuilding heavily exposed to global trade, may hinge on the kind of deal Lee can strike on tariffs with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Two of the world’s largest cryptocurrency companies are poised to secure licences granting them access to operate across the European Union, as a rift grows among regulators over the speed and rigour of some countries' approvals, Reuters reported. Under the EU’s new Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which came into force earlier this year, member states can issue licences that allow crypto companies to operate throughout the 27-nation bloc, but some have raised concerns in closed-door meetings about the speed with which licences are being granted.

In the latest of a series of cross-border merger dramas, France’s BPCE is acquiring a 75% stake in Portugal’s Novo Banco from US private equity firm Lone Star, Euronews.com reported. The offer values the lender at €6.4bn, making the deal one of Europe’s largest banking transactions in recent years. It also reflects a recent wave of consolidation interest within the sector. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to the necessary approvals from regulators and shareholders.