London desk

Filed from the London desk — including multi-city pieces that also ran elsewhere.

Business · 2 October 2026

Hormuz: Crude Ships Resume Pre‑War Flow While Diesel Still Stuck in a Holding Pattern

Iris Quay, London desk

With crude exports through the Strait of Hormuz back to pre‑war levels thanks to a network of detours, refined product shipments, especially diesel, remain constrained, leaving global markets watching the Gulf’s ship…

Business · 2 October 2026

Data Centre Dilemma: North Ayrshire's New Server Farm Faces Heritage Hysteria

Iris Quay, London desk

A proposed data‑centre in North Ayrshire has sparked a clash between tech developers and local conservationists, with claims that the facility would wreck heritage sites and wildlife habitats.

Business · 2 October 2026

Bookmakers’ Black‑Market Paradox: ‘Dangers of Rogue Casinos’ Turns into Profitable Offshore Deal

Iris Quay, London desk

Three of London’s biggest betting houses, known for warning against offshore gambling, quietly inked a lucrative contract with a notorious casino network, turning their moral crusade into a money‑making manoeuvre.

Business · 2 October 2026

Vape Tax Enters the Square Mile, but Your Puff Still Won’t Cost a Penny More

Iris Quay, London desk

The government has rolled out a new tax on vaping products, but retailers are holding off on price hikes, leaving consumers puffing in perplexity as the City watches.

Business · 2 October 2026

SI to the Rescue: Trump’s AI Rebrand Fuels Slovenia’s Domain Frenzy

Iris Quay, London desk

When the U.S. president announced he’d rename AI “super intelligence” (SI), Slovenian registrars were left holding the door open for a rush of dot‑si domain buyers, while City brokers scrambled to secure the catc…

Business · 2 October 2026

Banking Titans Tied Down: The Chancellery Calls Big Five to London for Pre‑Budget Pow‑wow

Iris Quay, London desk

The chancellor has summoned the CEOs of Britain’s largest banks to a pre‑budget briefing that promises tea and a relaxed atmosphere, but a looming tax raid later this month keeps the financial heavyweights on edge.

Business · 2 October 2026

Ted Baker Tries on a New Suit and Struts Back onto the High Street

Iris Quay, London desk

The iconic British label returns to the high street after a two‑year closure, proving that even the City’s most expensive suits can find a new niche when the economy’s pockets widen.

Business · 2 October 2026

Stabbing in Flydubai Cockpit Sparks Debate Over Locked Doors and Human Trust

Iris Quay, London desk

During a flydubai flight, a co‑pilot stabbed the captain, prompting a nationwide review of cockpit‑door policies and a quiet conversation among City brokers about trust and security.

Business · 1 October 2026

Travelodge’s Summer of ‘Stays’ Gone Wrong: One‑in‑Ten Rooms Still Host Intruders

Iris Quay, London desk

A review finds that 10% of Travelodge hotels reported room‑intrusion incidents this summer, sparking a debate over the chain’s safety protocols.