WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange leaves UK after plea deal

UK companies are cutting employee numbers at the fastest rate since the pandemic, with private sector employment falling in December due to tax increases and new regulations. Manufacturers' confidence in the economy also dropped sharply in the final quarter, leading to concerns about hiring and price increases. The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates on hold as they monitor the impact of higher taxes on businesses and the overall economic outlook. Full...

The UK government has approved Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský's £5.3bn takeover of Royal Mail, with a "golden share" retained by the government for governance. Křetínský's EP Group will uphold commitments including maintaining UK operations and meeting delivery obligations. This decision comes after Royal Mail was fined £10.5mn for failing to meet performance targets, highlighting the challenges faced by Křetínský in modernizing the postal service. Full Article

CryptoQuant, a blockchain analytics firm, predicts that ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency after bitcoin, could surpass $5,000 next year if its current demand-and-supply dynamics persist. Despite lagging behind bitcoin, ether's potential for a record high demonstrates its growing popularity and value in the market. This projection highlights the increasing interest and investment in ether as a viable digital asset. Full Article

If you're tired of subscription fatigue with tools like Adobe Acrobat, consider PDF Expert, a Mac app offering a lifetime subscription for a one-time fee of $79.99 (reg. $139.99). With features like editing, annotating, organizing, converting, filling out forms, and text recognition, PDF Expert is hailed as a cost-effective alternative to Adobe Acrobat. Say goodbye to monthly fees and get PDF Expert's lifetime subscription at an unbeatable price while it lasts. Full Article

Entrepreneur aims to feature products and services that are useful and interesting to readers, with potential revenue sharing if purchases are made. Internxt offers a secure Dropbox alternative with a 10TB lifetime cloud storage plan for $279.99 with code HOLIDAY20, emphasizing privacy, encryption, and cross-platform compatibility. This cost-effective solution eliminates recurring fees, making it ideal for businesses seeking data protection, collaboration, and scalability without breaking the bank. Full Article

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, highlights the potential benefits of implementing a digital identity system in Britain, citing examples from countries like Estonia, Australia, Singapore, and Italy. The system could streamline public services, reduce fraud, and improve tax collection, although there are concerns about data privacy and technology challenges. Despite opposition and past failures, proponents argue that a well-designed digital ID could enhance efficiency, security, and economic gains for the UK. Full Article