US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on a wide range of goods imported from Canada, in retaliation for what he called “unequal treatment” of US cars, dairy and alcohol. On Tuesday, he said the tariffs are a response to how Canada has treated US farmers. The White House said the duties would take effect in 30 days. It marks a major escalation in trade tensions between the North American neighbours.

Read more about the tariffs here.

Wholebake is investing £3m in new production lines

Leading contract manufacturer of healthy snack bars, Wholebake, is investing £3m in new high-speed production lines at its factories in North Wales.

The company has two manufacturing sites in Wrexham and one in nearby Corwen, Together they employ 425.

The investment will see two new high-speed production lines launching later this year. They will have capacity to run at 360 bars per minute compared with 120 on its existing lines – a threefold increase in output.

The new lines add capacity on top of current production rather than replacing it, giving Wholebake’s customers the headroom to grow. To support the expansion, Wholebake is recruiting for 15 skilled operators and engineers.

Latest data from NIQ EPOS show that total cereal bars market is now worth £819m having grown 3% over the last year. Protein bars are worth £261m having achieved a year-on-year growth rate of of 8.3% and account for 83% of the category’s value growth.

John McMullen, chief executive of Wholebake, said:“The way Britain snacks is undergoing a structural shift. People aren’t snacking more, they’re snacking better, trading traditional confectionery for healthier alternatives made with ingredients they recognise.

” The data makes clear this is not a passing fad but a lasting change in behaviour, and one where consumers are willing to pay more for snacks that fit their lifestyle.

“As a manufacturer, our job is to help brands and retailers keep pace with that demand. That’s exactly why we’re investing in new high-speed production lines this year, to give our customers the capacity, quality and flexibility they need to grow in one of the fastest-moving parts of the food industry.

“Wholebake has spent more than 25 years building expertise in healthy snacking, and the shift we have seen in that timeframe has been monumental.”

Wholebake has been backed by private equity firm Elysian Capital following its investment into the firm in 2021.

Rachel Reeves has been sacked as chancellor in one of Andy Burnham’s first acts as prime minister, and the new occupant of No 10 wasted little time signalling where the tax burden could shift next: a possible income tax cut for lower earners, no promise to spare higher earners a 50p rate, and billions more borrowed for infrastructure.

Reeves, who does not appear to have taken another Cabinet job, departed with a defence of her record. “It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Chancellor of the Exchequer,” she said. “The economy today is stronger, fairer and more resilient because of the choices we have taken as a Labour Government over the past two years.”

She added: “I said when I was appointed Chancellor that I would judge my time in office if the lives ordinary working class people have been improved. I’m proud to say that they have.

“And to every young woman and girl let my time in office show there should be no ceilings on your ambitions, your hopes or your dreams.”

Her successor has yet to be confirmed, with the runners and riders for No 11 ranging from Wes Streeting to Ed Miliband. Whoever gets the job will inherit a Budget in-tray already half written by their new boss.

Burnham said he will look at cutting income tax for lower earners in the autumn Budget, singling out the personal allowance, frozen at £12,570 for the past five years, as a priority.

“I heard issues related to the personal allowance more than anything on doorsteps in Makerfield,” he said, arguing the freeze “has dragged more people in”, pensioners among them, and “has become a growing issue”.

He is not wrong about the drag. HMRC figures last year showed the freeze had pulled 420,000 more pensioners into the income tax net in a single year. For employers, any thaw would put more take-home pay in staff pockets without adding a penny to the payroll bill, a rare Budget measure SMEs could cheer.

The picture is less comfortable at the top of the income scale. Asked whether he could raise the top rate of income tax from 45p to 50p, as he has previously proposed, Burnham declined to rule it out. “I think that would be just premature to say that. I’ve barely got my feet under the table,” he said.

That ambiguity leaves higher-earning owner-directors guessing until the autumn, and it sits alongside his earlier pledge of a 20 per cent business rates cut for pubs and high street firms, funded by higher levies on online retailers’ warehouses. The direction of travel is clear: relief at the bottom, and the bill sent elsewhere.

On borrowing, Burnham said he will use “any flexibility” in the government’s fiscal rules to fund infrastructure investment. Experts say a change in the definition of public debt could free up an extra £16 billion, because the National Wealth Fund and other institutions can now lend or take stakes in companies without affecting the debt target.

“I’ve said we’ll stick to the fiscal rules and by that I mean the existing fiscal rules and use obviously any flexibility within them,” he said. “But we will stick to the existing rules and I’ve made that very clear in Downing Street. So none of this is about taking risks with the economy. I’ve never done that in any role that I’ve had.”

For construction, engineering and supply-chain SMEs, £16 billion of infrastructure spending is a pipeline worth watching. For everyone else, the message from the new prime minister is to keep an eye on the autumn Budget, and perhaps on the 50p rate he has conspicuously declined to bury.

Paul Jones

Harvard alumni and former New York Times journalist. Editor of Business Matters for over 15 years, the UKs largest business magazine. I am also head of Capital Business Media’s automotive division working for clients such as Red Bull Racing, Honda, Aston Martin and Infiniti.

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According to the RMT, EMR has been sending trains into service that are “likely to fail and require a full reset which leaves the train with no active safety systems”.

The BBC has seen an operational briefing, which informs control, signalling and operations staff about undertaking an Aux Off / Aux On reset on EMR class 810 units – which may be required to recover certain faults.

“The process takes approximately 20 minutes and results in the temporary loss of several safety-critical systems, creating an increased risk of an uncontrolled evacuation and removing the driver’s normal means of communication with the signaller,” it states.

Eddie Dempsey, RMT general secretary, said RMT reps at EMR had been “extremely patient” and tried to engage with management.

“The company has even put out safety notices with no involvement, consultation or negotiation with our reps who represent those most at risk.

“RMT is demanding that whilst these faults exist and until these trains are shown to be operating properly, they should be taken out of service,” he said.

An EMR spokesperson said the Hitachi Rail Class 810 fleet entered passenger service after “successfully completing all required testing and meeting rigorous safety standards”.

“We recognise the Class 810 fleet has encountered performance and reliability issues in service and are working with the manufacturer, Hitachi Rail, to resolve these issues as quickly as possible,” the spokesperson added.

EMR said the rollout of the new Class 810 fleet would continue “in a controlled manner” throughout the rest of the year and 2027.

A Hitachi Rail spokesperson said: “The Class 810 fleet has been in passenger service with East Midlands Railway since December 2025, and more than a third of the fleet has now been delivered.

“Hitachi Rail continues to work closely with all industry partners during the entry-into-service phase of the Class 810 fleet, implementing improvements and supporting the transition from the existing fleet to new Aurora trains.

“We remain focused on delivering the remainder of the fleet and supporting East Midlands Railway as more new trains enter passenger service. As part of this commitment, we are investing in additional testing activity at Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre to improve fleet introduction and delivery of the remaining trains.”

The current building dates from the 1970s

Images of a new indoor market planned in Llanelli have been released.

The plan is for 14 retail units on the ground floor of the Vaughan Street complex, 80 stalls on the first floor, and a central glass atrium above. There’d be bike racks and escalators and all toilets would be on the first floor. Deliveries would be via Mincing Lane at the rear along with a few parking spaces close by.

The current market building with its multi-storey car park above dated from the 1970s and contained a material called reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete which is less durable than standard concrete and can fail when exposed to moisture.

It said the council undertook significant work in 2013 to maintain the building’s structural safety along with ongoing maintenance.

Options were explored such as distributing stalls and units throughout the town and reusing the existing site once the car park was demolished. The council’s preferred option is a new-build market between 8-14 Vaughan Street extending a long way to the rear. Six of the ground-floor retail units would face onto Vaughan Street and the market’s total area would be 3,312sq m.

“Internally each floor has a distinct identity and character,” said the design and access statement. “The internal route is deliberately meandering, encouraging visitors to explore past retail and market stalls. the first floor is more informal and accommodates the majority of market stalls. It also features a large café, visible from the entrance, which naturally draws visitors through the building and up to the first floor.”

The new plans had split opinions amongst stallholders.

Miriam Phillips, who runs a fruit and veg stall at the current market by St Elli Shopping Centre, said of the plans: “They look all right so far. It’s still early days.” She said traders had a meeting with council representatives about them last week.

Parvez Akhtar, of Parvez Fashions, said he was “totally against” the proposals and called on the council to upgrade the current market and focus on filling empty shops in Llanelli. He felt the new market would be “very small” and deter people from visiting. “We need space and to display our products,” he said.

Fellow trader Gabor Hetesi, of IT repair business Gabe’s IT Repair, was optimistic about the plans but wondered about timescales and what the new rental arrangements would be. “The plans are looking good, it looks promising,” he said.

The council is asking for people’s views on the proposals by August 7 ahead of a full planning application being submitted.

Cllr Hazel Evans, deputy council leader and cabinet member for regeneration, leisure, culture, and tourism, said: “These proposals represent an exciting opportunity to create a modern new home for Llanelli Market and further strengthen Llanelli town centre.

“Through the pre-application consultation process we want to hear the views of residents, businesses, and stakeholders to help shape the proposals before a planning application is submitted.”

She added: “It is important to emphasise that Llanelli Market will remain open and continue trading throughout this process with any future relocation carefully planned to support traders and customers.

“Our ambition is to create a vibrant destination that supports traders, attracts visitors, and builds on Llanelli Market’s proud history at the heart of the community.”

Thailand News Roundup: Diplomacy, Economy, and Society in Focus

Thailand has featured prominently across international media in recent days, with stories spanning diplomatic tensions, security concerns, tourism developments, and major infrastructure projects. This summary consolidates the key themes emerging from recent coverage.

Regional Diplomacy and Border Tensions

Thailand’s relationship with Cambodia remains a central geopolitical storyline, with Chinese President Xi Jinping repeatedly urging both nations to resolve their border dispute through dialogue rather than confrontation. China has also sought to reassure Thailand that tanks being delivered to Cambodia will not be used against Thai forces, reflecting Beijing’s delicate balancing act as a regional mediator. These diplomatic efforts extend to broader discussions on UNCLOS maritime talks and shared Gulf energy resources, though Thailand and Cambodia appear to diverge on how to jointly unlock potentially massive oil and gas reserves in contested waters. For businesses monitoring regional stability, these developments carry significant implications for cross-border trade and investment confidence, a topic frequently covered by Thailand Business News.

Security and Public Safety Incidents

A deadly Bangkok bar fire that killed at least 28 people has prompted a government probe into possible negligence, with Thailand’s Prime Minister personally visiting the site and public debate intensifying around fire safety regulations. Separately, China has requested that Thailand deport a Chinese journalist, a move that human rights organizations warn could expose the individual to persecution—raising questions about Thailand’s role in balancing diplomatic relations with human rights obligations. In another notable case, an alleged Russian FSB hacker who traveled to Thailand now faces a potential 10-year prison sentence in the United States, highlighting Thailand’s continued relevance as a transit point in international law enforcement matters.

Tourism Sector Transformation

Thailand is aggressively repositioning its tourism industry toward sustainability and high-value travelers. The government has set an ambitious target of attracting 33 million international tourists by 2027, paired with a broader sustainable tourism strategy. Partnerships such as the collaboration between AWC and SCB aim to advance sustainable tourism infrastructure, while Thailand is also pursuing high-spending tourist segments more aggressively than in previous years. Notably, the country has scrapped plans to end visa-free entry for Indian tourists, signaling a preference for maintaining open access policies to sustain visitor volumes. Airport modernization is another priority, with Thai Aviation Industries partnering with Edgewater and Amadeus to introduce biometric systems at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, enhancing security and streamlining passenger processing for millions of travelers annually, according to Thailand Business News.

Medical tourism is also receiving renewed attention, with Thailand Health Excellence 2026 announcing partnerships with Airbnb and Huawei’s HarmonyOS to offer enhanced services to medical tourists and loyalty program members.

Economic and Trade Developments

Thailand faces mounting external economic pressures, including potential Section 301 risks from the United States over forced-labor concerns in its export sector, alongside broader tariff pressure prompting intensified US trade talks. The country is also bracing for fuel and trade shocks stemming from disruptions along two critical Middle East shipping routes. Domestically, the government has tightened welfare card eligibility, cutting the qualifying population by 28%, reflecting fiscal recalibration efforts. Meanwhile, the Stock Exchange of Thailand has been noted as underperforming relative to regional peers, raising questions about investor confidence.

On a more positive note, China-Thailand economic ties continue to deepen, exemplified by an investment and economic forum in Chengdu and Thailand’s exploration of high-tech partnerships with Chongqing and Sichuan. Automotive investment remains robust, with BYD Thailand surpassing 130,000 cumulative vehicle deliveries and Changan Automobile’s chairman meeting with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to reinforce the “In Thailand, For Thailand” commitment.

Infrastructure and Sustainability Initiatives

Thailand has approved new measures to boost clean energy markets and is advancing several infrastructure projects, including a 12-billion-baht cruise terminal at Koh Samui and the testing of its first in-house-developed tram and light rail track. The World Bank Group has also extended new support to help Thailand scale low-carbon cities and carbon markets, while a joint China-Thailand meteorological laboratory has launched to improve prediction and early warning of weather disasters—an increasingly urgent priority given forecasts of heavy rain and flash flooding across the country.

Culture, Sports, and Society

Thailand’s cultural profile continues to expand internationally, with a Thai Festival showcasing the nation’s cuisine and creativity in London, and Chiang Mai’s Lanna Heritage advancing toward UNESCO World Heritage recognition. In archaeology, workers excavating beneath a 1,300-year-old reclining Buddha uncovered ancient gold and silver artifacts, while separate digs revealed skeletal remains with 2,000-year-old gold rings.

On the sports front, Thailand’s men’s volleyball team secured bronze at the SEA V Cup after defeating Vietnam, though the women’s team was upset by Cambodia in the semifinals. Additionally, Princess Anne’s visit to meet Thailand’s Queen Suthida in Bangkok underscored continued warm diplomatic ties between Thailand and the United Kingdom.

Conclusion

Thailand’s news landscape reflects a nation navigating complex diplomatic waters while pursuing ambitious economic modernization and tourism growth. From border tensions with Cambodia to sweeping infrastructure investments and cultural recognition efforts, Thailand continues to balance regional stability with domestic development priorities, positioning itself as a pivotal player in Southeast Asian affairs.

Source : Google News – Search

Other People are Reading

Claude, the AI chatbot developed by Anthropic, has experienced a series of brief, intermittent service disruptions over the past two days, according to outage-tracking platforms monitoring the service, though the tool has largely remained operational for most users during that period.

According to status-monitoring service StatusGator, Claude experienced several short-lived incidents on Monday and Tuesday, including a period of elevated errors across multiple models beginning at 10:13 a.m. Tuesday that lasted approximately one hour, as well as earlier elevated error periods specifically affecting Anthropic’s Haiku 4.5 model. A separate, brief outage was recorded early Tuesday, lasting roughly 31 minutes, according to the same tracking service. StatusGator’s most recent check, conducted at 11:18 a.m. UTC Tuesday, found the service operational, though the platform noted 59 user-submitted outage reports over the preceding 24 hours.

Scattered reports across multiple tracking platforms

Other outage-monitoring services reported similar, generally minor disruptions. Community discussion boards on DesignTAXI noted rising outage reports on Downdetector beginning around 9:56 p.m. Eastern time Sunday night, with additional reports continuing into Monday and Tuesday. Separately, monitoring service Pulsetic flagged a minor issue beginning around 1:04 p.m. UTC Tuesday, noting that the issue had since been identified with a fix in progress, according to the platform’s tracking data.

By contrast, status-tracking site Entireweb reported that Claude was “operating normally” as of its most recent check Monday, recording 118 user reports over the preceding 24 hours, with only a small number of those reports occurring within the final hour before the check, suggesting any issues affecting the service were relatively contained and short-lived rather than reflecting a sustained, widespread outage.

A pattern of brief, recurring incidents

Data compiled by StatusGator shows Claude has experienced a series of short-duration incidents over recent weeks, most lasting under two hours and affecting specific components or models rather than the service as a whole. Recorded incidents have included issues such as messages failing to send within the Claude AI desktop application, temporary unavailability of chat history and project access, and periods of elevated API error rates affecting specific models, including Anthropic’s Fable 5 and Sonnet 5 systems.

Separately, StatusGator’s tracking of Anthropic’s broader Claude Code product, a tool used by software developers, noted a partial outage affecting several components, including Claude Console, Claude Cowork and claude.ai, though the platform indicated that issue had since been resolved following seven user-submitted reports over the prior 24-hour period.

What typically causes these disruptions

Brief, scattered service disruptions of the kind reported this week are common across major AI chatbot platforms, often stemming from backend infrastructure issues, elevated demand on specific underlying models, or targeted technical problems affecting individual product components rather than the service as a whole. Given the complexity of large-scale AI systems, which typically rely on multiple interconnected models and infrastructure layers, momentary spikes in error rates affecting one specific model or feature do not necessarily indicate a broader systemic failure across the entire platform.

How outage tracking works

Services like StatusGator, Downdetector, Pulsetic and Entireweb rely primarily on a combination of user-submitted reports and automated monitoring systems that continuously check a given service’s response times and availability. Because these platforms depend heavily on real-time user input, the reported scale of an outage can sometimes fluctuate quickly, with report volumes rising and falling within a short window as issues are identified and resolved, or as affected users regain access to the service.

What users experiencing issues should do

Users who encounter difficulties accessing Claude are generally advised to first check whether the issue is specific to their individual device, browser or network connection before assuming a broader service-wide problem is underway. If problems persist across multiple attempts or devices, checking official outage-tracking platforms or Anthropic’s own status page can help confirm whether a wider service disruption is currently affecting other users as well.

A service that has remained largely reliable overall

Despite the scattered incidents reported this week, the overall pattern reflected in tracking data suggests Claude has remained largely operational and reliable for the vast majority of users throughout the period in question, with individual incidents generally resolving within minutes to a couple of hours rather than persisting as extended, widespread outages.

What comes next

As of the most recent available status checks, Claude appears to be functioning normally for most users, with tracking services showing no signs of an ongoing, large-scale outage at this time. Given the recurring pattern of brief, model-specific incidents observed over the past several weeks, users experiencing occasional errors or slow response times may continue to see intermittent disruptions, though historical data suggests such issues have consistently been resolved relatively quickly rather than developing into extended service outages.