Author: Andrew Rogers

BP has said it expects to write down up to $5bn from its struggling green and low-carbon energy businesses as it refocuses on fossil fuels under new chair Albert Manifold. The writedowns will mainly affect BP’s gas and transition divisions but are not expected to impact underlying profits when full-year results are published in February. The move reflects a retreat from earlier green ambitions, including attempts to sell a stake in its solar arm Lightsource and the cancellation of hydrogen projects in several countries. BP shares dipped after the announcement, alongside weaker oil trading and falling crude prices, with Brent…

Diageo is reportedly considering selling its Chinese assets as part of a broader overhaul under its new chief executive, Dave Lewis. The owner of Guinness and Johnnie Walker has begun reviewing its operations in China, where sales have been weakening, and is said to be working with Goldman Sachs and UBS to assess options. Diageo’s holdings include a majority stake in Shanghai-listed Sichuan Swellfun, a producer and distributor of baijiu, whose shares have fallen sharply over the past year. Lewis, who took over on 1 January after leading turnarounds at Unilever and Tesco, is known for aggressive cost-cutting and portfolio…

Same-sex sexual behaviour among non-human primates may help reinforce social bonds and maintain group cohesion during times of environmental or social stress, according to new research. Writing in Nature Ecology & Evolution, scientists analysed documented cases across 59 primate species, including chimpanzees, Barbary macaques and mountain gorillas. The study, led by researchers including Prof Vincent Savolainen of Imperial College London, found the behaviour to be widespread, suggesting either deep evolutionary roots or repeated independent evolution. The analysis showed same-sex sexual behaviour was more common in species living in harsher, drier environments with scarce resources and higher predation risk. It was…

West Ham United edged past Queens Park Rangers after extra time in the FA Cup, easing pressure on manager Nuno Espírito Santo. The Hammers were taken the distance by Championship opposition, underlining ongoing concerns despite securing a first win since November. January signing Taty Castellanos proved decisive, heading home the winner after an encouraging display that hinted at a solution to West Ham’s long-standing striker problem. Crysencio Summerville also impressed, scoring before half-time and supplying the assist for Castellanos’s goal. QPR forced extra time through Richard Kone after Karamoko Dembélé’s fine build-up play. While the victory briefly lifted the mood…

The U.S. government has unveiled a new set of nutrition guidelines to help Americans eat healthier. The updated U.S. nutrition guidelines update focuses on protein, whole foods, and balanced meals. Officials say the changes aim to improve the nation’s overall health. The Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture jointly released the recommendations. They emphasize practical ways for people to include more nutrient-rich foods in their daily diets. The guidelines are designed for all age groups, from children to seniors. Experts say the new guidance is a major shift from previous recommendations. It highlights protein…

Chelsea began the Liam Rosenior era with a comfortable 5-1 FA Cup win over Charlton Athletic, but the result failed to ease tensions among supporters. Chelsea’s second string dominated possession and progressed clinically to the fourth round, yet chants against the club’s owners again dominated the atmosphere. Rosenior, the fifth head coach since the 2022 takeover, largely stuck to the existing system while rotating heavily ahead of upcoming fixtures. Goals from Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández sealed the win, with Charlton briefly threatening through Miles Leaburn. Promising cameos from young talents, including Estevão Willian,…

Bukayo Saka has agreed a new five-year contract with Arsenal that will make him one of the highest-paid players in the club’s history. The deal, which runs until 2031, is expected to raise his salary to around £300,000 a week, reflecting his status as a cornerstone of Mikel Arteta’s team. Saka, a Hale End academy graduate, had two years remaining on his previous contract but Arsenal prioritised securing his long-term future under sporting director Andrea Berta. The England international has been central to Arsenal’s Premier League title push and recently spoke of his desire to win trophies with the club.…

People who stop using weight-loss injections regain the weight they lost in under two years, according to a major new study. The analysis, led by researchers at University of Oxford and published in the BMJ, reviewed 37 studies involving more than 9,300 participants taking GLP-1 agonist medications. These drugs, originally developed for diabetes, mimic the GLP-1 hormone to reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness. The researchers found that after stopping treatment, participants regained weight at an average rate of 0.4kg per month, returning to their original weight within about 1.7 years. Weight regain occurred almost four times faster than…

Nottingham Forest struck a late blow to pile further pressure on West Ham United, as Morgan Gibbs-White sealed a dramatic comeback win at the London Stadium. West Ham led early in the second half but saw a goal by Crysencio Summerville ruled out, a moment that shifted momentum decisively. Forest responded immediately through a Nicolás Domínguez header before capitalising on West Ham’s defensive fragility. A mistimed punch by Alphonse Areola led to a VAR review and a late penalty, calmly converted by Gibbs-White in the 89th minute. The defeat leaves West Ham winless in 10 matches and entrenched in relegation…

Manchester City will be without Rúben Dias for up to six weeks due to a hamstring injury. The setback deepens Pep Guardiola’s defensive crisis, with Josko Gvardiol sidelined for the season and John Stones also injured. City are considering a move for Marc Guéhi and are close to signing Antoine Semenyo, who is due for a medical after City agreed to pay his £65m release clause. Academy defender Max Alleyne has been recalled from loan, while Guardiola insisted his squad would cope despite limited options and players absent at Afcon.