In a strategic move to secure its industrial future, China is building what analysts call a "copper empire" in Shandong province. This plan, detailed in a report by the South China Morning Post and discussed in a video by Inside China Business (@Inside_China_Business), aims to create a key global hub for copper smelting and supply chain management. The initiative is a direct response to a chaotic global copper market, where record-high prices are driven not by industrial demand but by financial speculation and new US trade policies.

The core issue stems from recent US tariffs on copper. A 50% tariff ...

Netflix has submitted an all-cash acquisition offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, a potential blockbuster deal that marks a significant escalation in streaming industry consolidation. This takeover bid, if successful, would create a dominant player in the global streaming market by combining Netflix's platform with Warner's extensive content libraries, film and television studios, and live sports programming. The move signals a strategic shift toward achieving greater scale and content control amid intensifying platform competition.

The proposed merger comes as Netflix reports substantial growth in its advertising business, with its ad-supported tier driving a notable boom in streaming advertising revenue. This diversification is ...

South East Water is facing renewed scrutiny after it emerged that its chief executive, David Hinton, could receive a bonus of up to £400,000 despite widespread supply disruptions that left thousands of customers without water.

The potential payout has drawn criticism from shareholders and customers following a series of outages across parts of south-east England. In recent months, burst mains and infrastructure failures have caused prolonged interruptions, with some households reporting days without running water. The incidents have added to public frustration at water companies already under pressure over reliability and performance.

According to company disclosures, the bonus forms part of a ...

Mortgage rate cuts are gaining pace across the UK, with lenders reducing fixed-rate deals in an effort to stimulate demand in the housing market. Several major banks have lowered rates following the Christmas period, reflecting increased competition and cautious optimism about borrowing conditions.

Among the lenders making changes is Barclays, which has trimmed rates on selected mortgage products to attract buyers and those looking to refinance. Industry analysts say the move signals growing confidence that interest rate pressures may be easing, even as affordability challenges remain for many households.

Data from Moneyfacts shows that the number of rate reductions has increased in ...

U.S. President Donald Trump has been encouraging American oil companies to consider large-scale investment in Venezuela’s vast but deteriorated oil industry, presenting what he calls a major economic opportunity following recent political developments. At a White House meeting, Trump urged executives from major firms including ExxonMobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips to invest billions of dollars to rebuild infrastructure and boost production, promising “total safety” and U.S. protection for their operations.

Despite the administration’s push and discussion of potential contract incentives, many oil industry leaders have remained cautious. Some executives note that Venezuela’s political volatility, past expropriations and the need for legal ...