Author: Andrew Rogers

BP has warned it will write down up to $5bn (£3.7bn) from its underperforming green energy businesses as it refocuses on oil and gas. The impairment, mainly affecting its gas and low-carbon “transition” divisions, will not hit underlying profits when full-year results are published in February. The move comes under new chair Albert Manifold, as BP scales back renewable ambitions after cancelling hydrogen projects and attempting to sell a stake in its solar arm, Lightsource. BP’s shares dipped after the announcement, alongside news that oil trading weakened in the final quarter and Brent crude prices fell sharply last year. The…

Diageo is reportedly considering selling its Chinese assets as part of a strategic shake-up under its new chief executive, Dave Lewis. The owner of Guinness and Johnnie Walker has begun reviewing its China operations with advisers from Goldman Sachs and UBS, amid falling sales in the region. Diageo’s holdings include a majority stake in Shanghai-listed Sichuan Swellfun, a producer and distributor of baijiu, whose share price has declined sharply over the past year. Lewis, who took over on 1 January, is known for aggressive cost-cutting from his time leading Unilever and later reviving Tesco. His early moves at Diageo come…

Same-sex sexual behaviour among non-human primates may help reinforce social bonds and maintain group cohesion during environmental or social stress, researchers suggest. A study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution by scientists including Prof Vincent Savolainen of Imperial College London analysed reports across 59 primate species, including chimpanzees, Barbary macaques and mountain gorillas. The findings indicate such behaviour is widespread and either evolved early in primate history or emerged independently multiple times. The research found same-sex behaviour was more common in species living in harsh, dry environments with scarce resources and higher predation risk. It was also associated with longer…

West Ham United secured rare relief for manager Nuno Espírito Santo with an extra-time FA Cup win over Queens Park Rangers at the London Stadium. The Hammers were pushed deep into the contest before January signing Taty Castellanos headed the decisive goal, ending West Ham’s long wait for a victory. Crysencio Summerville also impressed, scoring once and providing the assist for the winner in one of his strongest performances for the club. The match offered only temporary respite from West Ham’s Premier League struggles, with defensive lapses again evident as QPR forced extra time through Richard Kone’s equaliser. Injuries to…

Chelsea began the Liam Rosenior era with a controlled 5-1 FA Cup win over Charlton Athletic, but supporter anger towards the owners dominated the narrative. Despite the victory, chants against Clearlake Capital and calls for Roman Abramovich echoed throughout the match. Rosenior, Chelsea’s fifth head coach since the 2022 takeover, oversaw a largely second-string side that controlled possession and progressed comfortably. Goals from Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández sealed the result, while Charlton briefly threatened through Miles Leaburn. Promising cameos from Estevão Willian and others underlined Chelsea’s talent, yet doubts remain about the club’s…

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 England forward’s new deal is set to run until 2031 and is expected to be worth more than £15m a year, reflecting his growing importance to the team. Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta prioritised securing Saka’s future after tying down several other key players to long-term contracts. Saka, a Hale End academy graduate, has been central to Arsenal’s strong season as they lead the Premier League and progress in Europe. Manager Mikel Arteta has repeatedly praised…

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 the University of Oxford and published in the BMJ, reviewed 37 studies involving more than 9,300 participants using GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. On average, participants regained weight at a rate of 0.4kg per month after stopping treatment, returning to their original weight within 1.7 years. The regain happened almost four times faster than among people following behavioural weight-loss programmes such as diet or exercise plans. Researchers also found that improvements in blood pressure and…

Nottingham Forest came from behind to beat West Ham United, compounding the hosts’ relegation fears. West Ham led through a Tomas Soucek goal but saw a second-half strike by Crysencio Summerville ruled out. Forest responded immediately when Nicolás Domínguez headed in an equaliser from a corner. The turning point came late on as Alphonse Areola clattered into Morgan Gibbs-White, allowing him to score the decisive penalty in the 89th minute. The defeat leaves West Ham winless in 10 matches and seven points adrift of Forest in 17th. Despite signs of effort, Nuno Espírito Santo admitted his side lacked organisation and…

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 Joško Gvardiol sidelined long term and John Stones also injured. City are considering a move for Marc Guéhi and have recalled academy defender Max Alleyne. Meanwhile, City are close to signing Antoine Semenyo, who is due to undergo a medical after agreeing a £65m release clause. Guardiola said his squad will cope despite limited numbers and no plans for a major spending spree.

Novo Nordisk has launched the first GLP-1 weight-loss pill in the US.The once-daily Wegovy pill costs far less than injectable versions.Self-paying patients can buy the starting dose for $149 per month.Higher doses will rise to between $199 and $299 monthly later this year.The pill offers a needle-free alternative and broader patient appeal.US approval came just before Christmas, with rollout now under way nationwide.Novo hopes the pill will regain market share after recent profit warnings.Shares rose on launch news despite intense competition from Eli Lilly.Eli Lilly is developing a rival obesity pill with capped pricing plans.UK regulators are reviewing Wegovy pill…