India is expanding its ethanol fuel network, aiming for 5,000 dispensing stations by 2027 to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. The initiative, launched with Maruti Suzuki's flex-fuel car, also promises economic benefits for farmers and forex savings.
The Guardian reveals that Varun Chandra, chief business adviser to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, held 16 undisclosed meetings with executives from Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, Apple and Meta between October 2024 and October 2025. Chandra discussed AI policy, regulatory reforms and Trump's second administration with the tech giants, and offered to help connect executives directly with the prime minister. The meetings, obtained via FOI after 12 months, raise questions about lobbying transparency as political advisers are not required to declare such interactions unlike senior civil servants.
Varun Chandra, chief business adviser to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, held 16 undisclosed meetings with senior executives from six major US tech companies between October 2024 and October 2025. The meetings covered AI policy, regulatory reform and Trump's second term, with Chandra offering to connect executives directly with the prime minister. The disclosures, obtained after a 12-month FOI battle, raise questions about lobbying transparency as political advisers are not required to declare such meetings. Chandra's role was expanded this year to include US trade envoy responsibilities.
Stratiphy has launched a new offering providing UK investors with a tax-free route back into crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) after regulatory shifts effectively shut them out. The Financial Conduct Authority lifted its four-year ban on retail access to crypto ETNs in October 2025, but HMRC later ruled that new purchases would only qualify for Innovative Finance ISAs, a niche product no platform offered. Stratiphy now offers three 21Shares ETNs covering Bitcoin, Ether and a Bitcoin-gold blend.
