Independent News & People Network Desk of News

Japan avoids recession with weak return to growth – business live

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-16T07:31:51+00:00

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Japan misses growth forecasts for the final three months of 2025Shares fell in Tokyo as investors digest today’s weaker-than-expected growth report.The Nikkei 225 index dipped by 0.24%, while the broader Topix shed 0.8%.“I figured the GDP figures would be treated as past figures, but seeing the Nikkei average struggling to gain, there may be some slight impact.” Continue reading...

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Rural drivers to face steepest bills under UK’s mileage-based electric vehicle tax

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-16T07:13:08+00:00

Analysis reveals big regional disparities as critics say Labour’s proposed levy could slow uptake of EVsDrivers in the south-west of England would pay nearly four times as much as those in London as a result of Labour’s mileage-based tax on electric cars, according to analysis of official data.The 3p-a-mile road charge, announced in the autumn budget and due to take effect in 2028, is expected to raise £1.1bn a year, partly offsetting the loss of fuel duty revenues as drivers switch from petrol to electric vehicles. Continue reading...

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Wholesale price inflation rises to 1.81% in January

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-16T07:10:58+00:00

WPI climbs for third straight month, led by food, non-food articles and manufactured goods

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When is Ramadan 2026, and how is the moon sighted?

Source: Al Jazeera - World · Published: 2026-02-16T07:10:11+00:00

The first day of fasting for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Mecca will likely be Thursday, February 19.

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Arrested retirees ‘vindicated’ by ruling against Palestine Action proscription

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-16T07:00:47+00:00

Protesters welcome high court decision but many remain in legal limbo as government prepares to lodge appealRetirees making up some of the nearly 3,000 people arrested for supporting Palestine Action since the organisation was proscribed have said they feel “vindicated” by the high court’s decision to overturn the ban this week.However, uncertainty remains over whether their trials under terror laws may still go ahead after the government revealed it plans to appeal against the judgment made on Friday by three of the UK’s most senior judges. Continue reading...

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‘Life requires cash’: Gaza’s jobs crisis leaves people struggling to afford basics

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-16T07:00:46+00:00

Fresh fruit and other items now available but at high prices in territory where unemployment is estimated at 80%Every morning, Mansour Mohammad Bakr sets out from the small rented room in Gaza City he shares with his pregnant wife and two very young daughters. The 23-year-old walks past the port and the breaking waves of the Mediterranean where he once earned his living.Before the two-year war that devastated Gaza, Bakr was a fisher, sharing tackle and a boat with his father and brothers. Now his brothers are dead, his father is too old, and his equipment was destroyed during the conflict. Lik

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Blue Labour, ‘Manchesterism’ and Lords reform: your questions answered – podcast

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-16T07:00:46+00:00

What is Blue Labour? Can Andy Burnham’s ‘Manchesterism’ be replicated elsewhere? And is the two-party system over in British politics?In a special episode, Pippa and Kiran take your questions. Please keep sending them to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.comYou can listen back to Pippa and Kiran’s interviews with Andy Burnham at the Labour party conference here, and with the Green party leader, Zack Polanski, here.Watch John Harris’s Anywhere But Westminster in Gorton & Denton here. Continue reading...

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Wholesale price inflation rises 1.81% in January

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-16T06:44:32+00:00

Wholesale ​prices rose ⁠1.81% year-on-year ‌in January ‌after ‌0.83% ⁠rise a ⁠month ago

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Aye Finance shares list flat at ₹129

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-16T06:36:11+00:00

Post-listing, the stock moderates between ₹120.55-133.80

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