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18 Austin-area businesses to help you finish holiday shopping this year
From candy for stockings to books and stylish apparel, here are the places KUT staffers recommend when looking for a unique gift with love from Austin.
Nearly 100-year-old candy company files for bankruptcy amid rising costs, heavy debt: report
Nearly century-old Chicago candy maker Primrose Candy Co. files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, seeking to restructure over $12 million in debt.
MOMENT OF SCIENCE: Two planets lighter than cotton candy
Astronomers have discovered two planets the size of Jupiter, but get this: their densities are so low, they’re estimated to be lighter than cotton candy!
Federal judge blocks state bans on buying soda and candy with food stamps
A federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administration from allowing five states to ban the purchase of sugary drinks and candy with food stamps.
Rare Pair of Improbably Light ‘Super-Puff’ Planets Is Discovered
They’re less dense than cotton candy, and they will help astrophysicists better understand the most unusual ways giant planets can form.
The candy business or football? Crookston's George Widman V chooses Fighting Hawks
Widman runs UND's scout team while also overseeing the Hawks' equipment operation
Asha Bhosle health update: Granddaughter Zanai Bhosle confirms singer being treated for ‘extreme exhaustion, infection’
Asha Bhosle's granddaughter Zanai Bhosle confirmed on Saturday night that the legendary singer is hospitalised and is being treated at the Breach Candy Hospital
He’s Reese’s Biggest Advocate—and Hershey’s Biggest Headache
Reese’s peanut-butter cups haven’t been made by a Reese since 1963. That hasn’t stopped Brad Reese from championing the candy, or bashing the owner.
The magic of making candy canes by hand
How the candy makers at Hammond's Candies have made the sweet treats for over 100 years.
2026 Avery A&H Fair brings together family, food, entertainment
NEWLAND — The 2026 Avery A&H Fair drew fairgoers of all ages, from children running around with cotton candy to adults catching up with old friends.
Eye on Small Business
Andi Schreiber, founder and owner of Eye Candy Boudoir in Scarsdale. Courtesy Alison Sheehy Photography. Once largely associated with bridal
New SNAP Purchase Restrictions Take Effect Today | Texas Health and Human Services
HHSC reminds SNAP recipients and vendors that candy or sweetened drinks can no longer be purchased with Lone Star Cards in Texas.
Amy Sedaris Shares How She Stays Mentally Sharp and Young at Heart
Actor and comedian Amy Sedaris, known for her role in "Strangers With Candy," shares her approach to healthy aging and cognitive well-being.
8 Halloween parades to check out in Lancaster County in 2026
From Columbia to Ephrata, there are more than a half dozen ways to watch Halloween parades and maybe get some candy along the way, too.
Cotton candy catering: Kiffany Bosserman refined her taste for business (and the value of her time)
After nearly a decade in business, Cottontale KC is still spinning sugar into a confection for success, shared founder Kiffany Bosserman — pivoting her business to say “yes” less and reprioritize the balance of family and life and profitability.
Bose acquires Skullcandy to help it reach a wider audience
Skullcandy will remain a separate brand under Bose.
Iconic candy company files for bankruptcy after nearly 100 years in business
The company was founded all the way back in 1928.
Four generations of family keep this chocolate business sweet
Bob and Martha Pollack enlist four generations of the family to keep their candy business running.
Pokémon Pokopia Pumpkaboo's Sweet Surprises Halloween event
How to get Pumpkin Candy and Pumpkaboo's habitat during Pokémon Pokopia's Halloween event, Pumpkaboo's Sweet Surprises.
Vermont woman turns childlove of cotton candy into creative business
Kristie Armstrong is the owner of Crazy Cotton Candy Lady. She turned her childhood love of cotton candy into a creative business.
Skullcandy’s bass-boosting Crusher headphones now come with Bose’s ANC
Skullcandy’s new headphones are the first to feature a collection of Bose’s technologies.
Pumpkin disclaimer: personality not included
The scariest thing in the Halloween candy aisle may be that we actually need the fine print regarding faceless Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins.
Napa couple’s chamoy candy business fills local growing demand
Cha Chas Sweets, cofounded by two Napa High School graduates, is filling a growing local demand for a confection with a connection to Mexico.
Tinkatink Community Day April 2026: Shiny Odds, Bonuses & Gigaton Hammer Tinkaton
Trainers, get hyped! The next Community Day of 2026 stars Tinkatink, the Metal Hammer Pokémon! Join the event on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time to enjoy 2x catch Candy, increased Tinkatink spawns, and a chance to encounter Shiny Tinkatink. Evolve Tinkatuff during the event—or up to four hours […]
KitKat, Gatorade or granola bars? What’s banned under new SNAP rules are mixed.
Many GOP states are enacting soda and candy bans for food stamp purchases amid MAHA’s healthy food efforts. Some retailers and SNAP users find the new rules complicated.
NASA’s TESS Mission Reveals the “Puffiest” Planets Ever Found
NASA has revealed two new “super-puff” planets, giant worlds so light that their density is comparable to cotton candy. Scientists calculate that these Jupiter-sized planets are the “puffiest” worlds ever found.
Candy business inside Dayton Mall prepares to close after 15 years
Sweet Sensations, located inside the Dayton Mall next to Chick-fil-A, will close in mid-August after 15 years in business.
“Could’ve been a lot worse” owner reacts after box-truck crashes into business
A truck crashed into the front of The Honey Den candy store Friday night, damaging the business’s main location while it was closed for renovations.
DeKalb County expands free business incubator for entrepreneurs
Costs continue to rise, and as a result, many Georgia entrepreneurs are struggling to grow their businesses. On the weekends, business owner Amanda Stevens sells sweet treats like frozen grapes and watermelon cakes to kids and families from her food trailer, Candy Lady on Wheels.
I Smell Parsecs and Candy: 5 Fun Science Fiction Books
Psychic cats in space, an alien rom-com, a cruise on Mars: these fun science fiction books have everything!
‘American Pickers’: Mike Wolfe Is Awestruck Meeting Disney Movie ‘Cars’ Designer
He was like a kid in a candy store.
Fibermaxxing Is a Diet Trend Even Nutritionists Can Love
Fiber-boosted sodas, mac and cheese, and even candy are showing up on supermarket shelves.
Family-owned Maryland candy business set to close with plans for possible new location
Easter brings a rush of customers to Log Cabin Homemade Chocolates in Bel Air, Maryland, which has been in business for 66 years.
Hot chicken is OK, but soda isn’t? Battle over SNAP scrambles red-blue politics.
Both parties have been enacting state-level bans on using SNAP benefits for soda and candy. On Monday, a federal judge said the new rules violate federal laws governing the food program.
The big money behind micro dramas, explained
It didn't work for Quibi. But now companies like CandyJar say they're seeing real money from short, low-budget video.
Bay View business owner leans into Halloween as families search for ways to save on costs
Halloween spending is expected to hit $115 per person this year. Here's where local families can find deals on costumes and candy.
‘American Pickers’: Mike Wolfe Is Awestruck Meeting Disney Movie ‘Cars’ Designer
He was like a kid in a candy store.
New SNAP Purchase Restrictions Take Effect April 1 | Texas Health and Human Services
HHSC reminds SNAP recipients that they can no longer buy candy or sweetened drinks with their Lone Star Cards in Texas starting April 1, 2026.
2026 Avery A&H Fair brings together family, food, entertainment
NEWLAND — The 2026 Avery A&H Fair drew fairgoers of all ages, from children running around with cotton candy to adults catching up with old friends.
How a teen turned a candy hobby into business sold at Disney World
An 18-year-old has transformed her COVID-era hobby into a thriving business, with her freeze-dried candy now sold at Disney World and other prominent locations.
SNAP bans on soda, candy and other foods take effect in five states Jan. 1
Starting Thursday, Americans in five states who get government help paying for groceries will see new restrictions on soda, candy and other foods they can buy with those benefits.
New report detects arsenic in 28 popular candies: What you need to know
Florida health officials reportedly detected arsenic in 28 of 46 popular candy products tested, sparking debate over food safety standards.
Iconic candy company files for bankruptcy after nearly 100 years in business
The company opened back in 1928.
Candy, breakfast and sushi: 5 North Central Austin business updates
Read about business updates in North Central Austin, including Urban Egg, Tarrant Roofing, Komé, Lammes Candies and OutYouth.
Family-owned Maryland candy business set to close with plans for possible new location
F.D.A. Opens Door to More Flavored E-Cigarettes
The agency is proposing allowing other tastes for vapes, like mint, coffees, spices or tea, to appeal to adults. At the same time, illicit candy-flavored types aimed at teenagers have flooded the market.
Christmas bazaar and cafe in Seaside Dec. 6
SEASIDE—10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Dec. 6, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church at 320 First Ave., across from the Seaside Convention Center will hold a Christmas Bazaar and Cafe featuring Scandinavian treats including cardamom bread, pula, lefse, cookies, pies, candy, holiday decor and collectibles. Their cookie bars return this year. Also a quilt raffle and […]
New candy store planned for Capitol Street in Downtown Jackson
Sweet Bliss Candy Company is opening a new shop in Downtown Jackson as Capitol Street sees a wave of new businesses.
Celebrate Halloween with wine matched to your favorite candy
Let’s be honest: We all “taste” our kids’ Halloween candy. Sometimes it mysteriously disappears before Halloween even arrives.
Peer-reviewed papers are ‘old hat science’, says millionaire investor
Candy Crush businessman Mel Morris says universities “must embrace AI” to transform into economic powerhouses
'Super puffy': Scientists ponder extreme low density of two planets
International researchers are engaged in a complex study of two planets in deep space that appear to have an average density lower than that of candy floss. The planets orbiting star TOI-791, located ...
Two ‘super-puff’ planets are as wispy as cotton candy
TOI-791 b and TOI-791 c are about the size of Jupiter, but 28–35 times less dense.
The Blurry Line Between Protein Bar and Candy Bar
The line between protein bar and candy bar is blurring.
Is there any candy for diabetics?
People with diabetes can still eat candy, but the type and amount of candy – and how it fits into their larger diet – matters.
2026 has a worthy Blue Prince contender that also plays like Candy Crush
All the world’s a stage and Titanium Court is its proud jester
Derry City beat Dundalk to make FAI Cup last four
Derry City skipper Michael Duffy leads the fightback as the Candystripes book their place in the FAI Cup semi-finals with a comeback victory over Dundalk.
Scientists discover a hidden problem with this popular sugar substitute
Sorbitol, a sugar alcohol commonly used in sugar-free candy, gum, and other low-calorie foods, may not be as harmless as it seems. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that the body can convert sorbitol into a form of fructose in the liver, potentially triggering some of the same harmful metabolic effects linked to fructose.
Baton Rouge General's Health Tip of the Week: Another sugar substitute raises heart concerns
Sponsored by Baton Rouge General Cutting back on sugar? Take a peek at the ingredient label before reaching for a sugar-free treat. Recent research has raised questions about xylitol, a sugar alcohol found in products like gum, candy and baked goods. Higher blood levels of xylitol were linked to a greater risk of heart attack […]
How a northern Kentucky teen turned a candy hobby into business sold at Disney World
An 18-year-old from Northern Kentucky has transformed her COVID-era hobby into a thriving business, with her freeze-dried candy now sold at Disney World and other prominent locations.
Zolli Candy CEO Alina Morse: Business is booming
Zolli Candy founder and CEO Alina Morse joins 'Mornings with FOX Business' to discuss Hershey's expansion into healthier options and the growing market for zero-sugar and dye-free children's sweets.
MORNING BUSINESS REPORT: Halloween candy costs up, Starbucks explores Chipotle takeover
Jane King has these stories and more live from the New York Stock Exchange for your Friday Morning Business Report.
Skullcandy’s New Wireless Headphones Have So Much Bose in Them
There are three technologies in the Crusher 1080 ANC that have never been in a non-Bose pair of wireless headphones before.
Hershey changes Reese’s Pumpkins packaging after lawsuit over design
A new disclaimer is appearing on Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins after litigation over claims that the decorative designs shown on the packaging did not match the actual candy.
RWS Global entertains over 7.5 million guests at worldwide attractions this winter
The company has created more than 150 custom holiday experiences, including concept, decor, show production, casting and operations
Four generations of family keep this chocolate business sweet
Bob and Martha Pollack enlist four generations of the family to keep their candy business running.
Never eat the candy on your pillow: reentry politics
Your circumstances rarely change with reentry no matter who’s president, and it’s easy to forget that there is power in the political
Mom-and-Pop Business Owners Grapple with Harsh Times
Report shows small business owners in NYS less optimistic about the economy. Taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now, they say By Aaron Gifford [caption id=attachment_11067 align=alignright width=300] Ashley Ranslow is director for New York state at The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).[/caption] Owners of mom-and-pop businesses in New York state have been less optimistic lately than their peers in other parts of the country, a recent report indicates. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), based on a survey of 11,000 of its members in the Empire State, reported that taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now. “Indeed, while taxes are a major problem in New York and the United States overall, New York small businesses notably are struggling more with the state’s onerous, multi-level tax burden,” Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s director for New York state, said in the July report. Compared with surveys of business owners in other states, far fewer New York respondents rated their businesses as in excellent or good health. The report also said labor costs here are about 25% higher than the national average and are the “single most important problem” facing businesses. One respondent to the New York-specific survey complained that too much red tape, taxes and laws that restrict high-yielding companies have stifled their operation’s growth. Others said high disability and workers’ compensation insurance costs, alarming increases in utility rates and excessive building regulations are discouraging. Statewide, New York has a gross domestic product of $2.53 trillion (third in the nation, followed by Texas, $2.90 trillion; and California, $4.25 trillion), a per capita income of $90,500 (sixth) and an unemployment rate of 4.6% (34th). There are 2.4 million small businesses that employ 3.9 million people. [caption id=attachment_11112 align=alignright width=451] Member of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce gather at one of the several functions the chamber organizes monthly. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed,” says Megan Wilmot, the chamber director[/caption] “New York state boasts one of the largest, wealthiest and most diverse cities in the world — and that’s still only about half the state’s population,” the report said. “In other words, the state is both its iconic city and so much more — geographically, demographically, economically. But New York is not without its challenges, challenges that include notably high taxes and other weaknesses that impact the small business environment,” it said. The report includes an optimism index that compares responses from New York (NFIB) members with those of their peers in other states across several categories. This ranges from plans to increase employment to expectations for higher sales, to plans to increase inventory or expand. The scores for Empire State business owners were lower in most categories, but they did score higher than the national average in noting that they have current employment openings, and that they are hopeful that the economy will improve. “The metrics so far paint a picture of a state with a series of challenges for small businesses, from a slightly below national average Optimism Index to a more seriously below national business health to very substantially below national Employment Index. What is going on with businesses that are creating these differences?” the report stated. In Central New York, the regional labor force comprises nearly 398,000 workers. The median household income here is $71,463, and the gross domestic product for the region last year totaled $61.3 billion, according to the CenterState CEO economic development and research organization. About half of the region’s labor force works for small and mid-sized businesses, although the number of people employed in that sector has decreased by 7% since 2010, according to CenterState’s 2026 economic forecast report. “While record-high employment in large-scale enterprises provides a strong foundation for Central New York,” the report says, “the long-term health of communities depends on a thriving small business sector to serve as a stabilizer.” Area employers identify several barriers to Central New York’s anticipated growth, including lack of specialized or skilled workers, government regulations, unaffordable housing options and long-term construction disruptions. In the city of Syracuse, the number of jobs in retail trade decreased by 1,500 or 4.7% between July 2025 and this past July. By contrast, the number of jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector increased by 2.5% or 700 jobs, in the same annual period, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Still, there’s plenty of interest for new businesses across Central New York. U.S. Census figures show that the number of applications for new businesses in all four counties increased significantly in the past 20 years. In Cayuga County, there were 324 applications in 2005 compared to 470 last year. In Madison County, the number increased from 385 to 480; Onondaga County, from 2411 to 4132; and Oswego County, from 553 to 836. Downtown Cazenovia is exemplary of Madison County’s trend: In the past year, the village welcomed a bait shop, a thrift store, a vitamin infusion center, a pizzeria, a Pilates studio and an Italian restaurant. A candy store is scheduled to open on the main drag in the months ahead. Oswego’s list of interesting new businesses in the past year includes a bubble tea shop, a hot dog eatery in Fulton, a specialty grocery store that features New York state products in Mexico, a beauty and esthetics studio in Hannibal and a hardware and farm supply store in Sandy Creek. In Onondaga County, the Liverpool area has also enjoyed a steady stream of new shops and eateries in recent years. That suburban community is unique in that, unlike neighboring communities, most of the restaurants are family-owned and not part of a national chain. [caption id=attachment_11116 align=alignright width=300] Megan Wilmot is the executive director of the Greater Liverpool’s Chamber of Commerce.[/caption] Megan Wilmot, executive director of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said independent business owners in her community maintain a strong sense of pride in holding their own against national companies. The chamber helps boost morale with red carpet events, ribbon cuttings, coffee hours and five-year anniversary celebrations for participating businesses. “We have built such a strong community,” Wilmot said. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed.” In Syracuse, the downtown retail occupancy rate last year was about 82%, a slight improvement from 2024, according to the Downtown Syracuse Committee’s most recent annual report. Buildings with the largest amount of vacant space included The Galleries, One Park Place, and Equitable Towers, though not all of those spaces are designated for retail use. New businesses that opened in downtown Syracuse last year: Better with Time Clothing, Dakshin Curry & Biriyani, Havana Tattoo Society, Milano Bean Café, Miss Daisy, Pausa Coffee, Sweets for Babe, The Society CNY and Yafah Beauty Studio. The Destiny USA mall’s occupancy rate decreased from 80% in 2023 to 72% by the end of 2024, according to Integra Realty Resources. That leaves more than a quarter of the mall’s retail space vacant. “Looking ahead, the retail market is expected to see minimal rent growth, with vacancy rates likely remaining stable in community and neighborhood centers but continuing to rise in enclosed malls,” Integra’s report said. “New construction activity is low and redevelopment plans for former malls like Shoppingtown and Great Northern are still in the planning stages. The proposed Micron chip plant may spur development, but challenges remain in finding co-developers for large-scale projects.” Nationally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce expects that small businesses will remain resilient and see their sales and revenues eventually improve. That organization, in a recent national survey, found that 25% of small business owners expect the economy to improve in 2027, while 45% indicated that they plan to increase employment in the next 12 months. And 69% said they believe their small business is in good shape and 70% said they are comfortable with their current cash flow. Thirty-one percent of small businesses reported raising their prices in July and 28% are planning to raise their prices within the next three to four months, the report said. Twelve percent indicated that this is a good time to expand their business. “Small business owners voice optimism for future revenues and hiring,” the report said. “High costs continue to be a wet blanket on reinvestment.” The NFIB reported in July that Main Street, despite gas price hikes, “is OK … for now.” Its small business economics trend report said sales across the country have been strong compared to last year, but continued inflation and higher prices from mom-and-pop establishments are causing some “cracks” to show. “If costs stay this high for much longer, reduced investment will have a tangible economic impact,” the report said. “The status quo is OK, but the outlook? The outlook is uncertain.”
Bose Is Buying Skullcandy. It’s Not as Weird as It Sounds
By keeping Skullcandy in Park City, Utah, Bose is betting that skate cred and budget pricing will reach listeners it’s been missing.
Meet Caramelo, the Mexico superfan attending his 11th World Cup
Long after Mexico’s World Cup win against South Korea, fans young and old lined up outside the stadium to take photos with Héctor Chávez and his big black sombrero. Also known as Caramelo, candy in English, Chávez is arguably as well-known in Mexico as the members of the national team. Now at his 11the World Cup, Chávez is flanked by his 21-year-old son, also called Héctor Chávez, and known as Caramelo Jr. Both wear oversized sombreros with their nicknames written in all caps, making them hard to miss at stadiums.
Bose Buys Audio Rival Skullcandy
Bose sees the company as a way to reach a wider audience.
Four generations of family keep this chocolate business sweet
Bob and Martha Pollack enlist four generations of the family to keep their candy business running.
Orlando Health dietitian shares tips to manage Halloween candy hauls
An Orlando Health dietitian shares tips for managing Halloween candy hauls and promoting moderation in children.
Honeysuckle Candy Puts Swedish Candy on Wheels
For many, scooping candy into a bag invokes a feeling of nostalgia. For kids, it’s something different and exciting. Honeysuckle Candy has put that experience on wheels with a candy
Zingerman’s candy business breaks out with its sights set on national growth
The Ann Arbor-based small-batch confections business has a new managing partner and Ecuadorian chocolate supplier.
‘Whimsical’ event gives MSU students chance to learn about food science
Michigan State University Students got the chance to explore candy making and other hands-on activities at a “The Flavor Imaginarium” Friday.
‘Whimsical’ event gives MSU students chance to learn about food science
Michigan State University Students got the chance to explore candy making and other hands-on activities at a "The Flavor Imaginarium" Friday.
More than a degree: How UC Berkeley’s Rural Health Innovation Fellowship empowered Dr. Candy Stockton’s
As boots-on-the-ground rural health care professionals, RHI fellows share their experiences and advocate for policies that strengthen rural health care.
September Mental Health Column by Candyce Scott
By Ald Candyce Scott September 2026: Mental Health Awareness Year 2026 & Suicide Prevention Month September is more than a change of seasons. It’s time for us to pause, check in on one another, and recognize Suicide Prevention Month. I believe that talking openly about mental health saves lives. Recognizing the warning signs and encouraging […]
Florida officials' claims about tainted candy are 'scare tactics' and 'misguided,' pro-candy group says
'The recent announcement from the State of Florida is misguided.'
Astronomers find biggest super-puff planets yet, lighter than cotton candy
Comparable to shaving foam, astronomers find the wispiest planets yet. They're in the southern "flying fish" constellation.
Candy experiments teach chemistry at Great Lakes Science Center
Smitten with Science programming features Candy Chromatography workshops on Feb. 8, 15 and 22, teaching kids STEM concepts through hands-on candy experiments led by Andy Pallotta.
Haims: Jujube(s) have health benefits for sleep, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
If you’re old enough to remember enjoying a box of Jujubes at the movie theater, you’re old enough to question this article’s title. If not, here’s the scoop. For decades, Jujubes candy was a movie theater staple. They look like very short rabbit pellets, similar in size and...
Why extra effort can give you that dopamine high
When it comes to dopamine, we act like kids in a candy store. But instead of overindulging, experts suggest looking for sources that take a little more work.
Inside Tinder HQ, from a Lego station to roof-deck espresso
Tinder's West Hollywood headquarters has seaweed snacks, protein bars, and beer on tap. For those with a sweet tooth, there's full-size candy bars.
Hershey targets the health-conscious with savoury Halloween snacks
Halloween trick-or-treating could be less sugary than usual this year as consumers look for healthier snacks and candy companies such as Hershey , the United States' biggest chocolate-maker, adapt their product offerings.
Candy now tastes different. It’s not just you.
From recipe changes to aging taste buds, here's why those peanut butter cups don't hit like they used to.
PHOTO GALLERY: Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association’s 16th annual Easter Egg Hunt
WILKES-BARRE — Hundreds of children searched for candy-filled eggs Saturday at Wilkes-Barre Public Square for the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association’s 16th annual Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Bunny arrived on a Wilkes-Barre City Fire Department fire truck to lead festivities and take photos. The event also included a Bunny Trail, where surrounding businesses hosted additional children’s activities and giveaways.
ICYMI: Florida Releases Candy Testing Results Under Healthy Florida First Initiative - Florida Department of Health
Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced new food safety findings under the Healthy Florida First initiative, with the release of candy product testing results conducted by the Florida Department of Health to provide greater transparency for Florida families and strengthen accountability for products marketed to children.
Reform and the UAE – a threat to British politics
By Alex Carlen The United Arab Emirates likes to present itself as part of the solution to the climate crisis. The oil-rich Gulf state has committed to Net Zero by 2050, hosted COP 28, and even declared “championing climate action” as one of three strategic objectives for this week’s session of the United Nations General Assembly. But behind the scenes the UAE has quietly built one of its closest political relationships in Europe with the party most hostile to climate action in Britain: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. There is no evidence that the UAE is funding Reform. But a new FairSquare report, Petro-populism: the UAE–Reform threat, published today, documents a growing political relationship that should concern anyone interested in the integrity of British democracy. Reform’s leaders have embraced the UAE’s political model and promoted positions that align closely with the Emirati government’s priorities, while the UAE has given Farage and his party unusually warm access and public backing. What is emerging is not simply a relationship between British politicians and a wealthy Gulf state, but a channel through which an authoritarian government can cultivate political influence here, and abroad. Democracy for Sale relies on its readers. If you already support us, thanks so much. If you don’t, sign up to support fearless independent investigative journalism. Subscribe Back in January, Nigel Farage appeared at a GB News event in Dubai. On the 50th floor of a tower overlooking the luxury resorts and upscale residences of Palm Jumeirah, the Reform leader declared: “I want Clacton to look like this.” At the event – which Farage never declared on his official register of interests – senior Emirati officials mixed with British expats. Farage was keen to flatter. “We recognise you are our friends”, he said, assuring them that “a Brexit London, a Reform London, will remember you.” Controversy surrounding Reform’s finances and its susceptibility to foreign influence have centred around high-profile donations from billionaire crypto donors, and the jailing of Nathan Gill, Reform’s former leader in Wales, for accepting bribes to give pro-Russia speeches. Far less attention has been paid to Reform’s blossoming new alliance with the UAE, an oil-rich authoritarian state with a track record of ruinous anti-democratic interventions. Farage wasn’t always so fond of the UAE. Back in 2023 he called it an “absolute monarchy with an abysmal human rights record.” Now Reform’s hierarchy calls the UAE home. Deputy leader Richard Tice splits his time between his constituency and Dubai and has called on the UK to learn from the UAE. The party’s treasurer Nick Candy runs a firm which has been in partnership with a UAE-state linked firm since 2024. Nadhim Zahawi sits on the board of an Abu Dhabi think tank alongside an array of the most senior UAE officials and is reportedly close to three brothers of the country’s despotic ruler Mohammed Bin Zayed. Reform’s leading lights have effusively praised the UAE’s governance model, defended it from criticism, and advanced its political agenda in the UK. GB News, whose two major shareholders – the Legatum Foundation and Paul Marshall – have strong links to the UAE, has been more than happy to broadcast UAE propaganda and was forced to pay damages in 2025 after airing a false claim about a UK charity by the UAE “disinfluencer” Amjad Taha. The UAE has responded in kind. When the UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs conducted an official visit to the UK in May, Farage was the only non-government figure granted an audience. UAE state media publicised the meeting, and said that they discussed “the strategic relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them in a manner that serves mutual interests.” For the UAE these ‘mutual interests’ largely concern its paranoia over political Islam, and in this regard the UAE-Reform alliance is part of a broad and troubling pattern. Following a crackdown on dissent at home in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, the UAE has offered material and political support to a range of violent and authoritarian actors willing to oppose the Muslim Brotherhood with no regard for the consequences. Its meddling in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, and most notably Sudan, have been devastating. The UAE’s strategy of seeking out partners on the political fringes who it believes will advance its interests is not unique to Britain – it extends beyond the Middle East to Europe and the US. In France, it has offered clandestine support to Marine Le Pen through secret meetings, as well allegedly funding trips to the region after which Le Pen returned with a renewed focus on the UAE’s perceived enemies – Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood. Left-wing opposition leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has accused the UAE of smearing him and of “encouraging discrimination, hatred or violence”. In the US, the UAE actively supported the rise of Donald Trump, establishing itself as a key ally during both his first and second terms. Around these relationships sits a wider ecosystem of figures willing to amplify UAE narratives, that even extends to Andrew Tate and Tommy Robinson. Subscribe In Britain, the UAE has used a combination of aggressive diplomacy and illicit, disruptive tactics to achieve its policy goal of eliminating any perceived threat from political Islam. In 2012, for instance, it threatened to block billion-pound arms deals with the UK and stop inward investment if David Cameron did not act against the Muslim Brotherhood and rein in the BBC’s coverage of the group – going so far as to suggest, with no supporting evidence, that the group had infiltrated the BBC. It has financed smear campaigns against a high-profile UK charity and funded a mercenary to secretly surveil, and possibly assassinate, a British national on British soil. In Reform UK, the UAE has finally found an ally willing to not only ban the Muslim Brotherhood, but to publicly vilify the group and repeat the UAE’s claims that dangerous Muslims are a fifth column in British society, a narrative that aligns with the Islamophobia and anti-immigration sentiments that underpin Reform’s populist politics. The Rycroft review into foreign interference concluded that “hostile states and non-state actors have a clear incentive to attempt to undermine UK democracy.” The UAE’s network and alliance with Reform must be understood within that framework. It is a powerful, disruptive and deeply authoritarian actor with the resources and networks to intervene in our politics, and a track-record of doing so in a multitude of other countries. The evidence of the threat the UAE poses is overwhelming. The question is whether parliamentarians are willing to call the UAE out and demand action using the tools that the government has to respond. Placing the UAE on the “Enhanced Tier” of the Foreign Registration scheme alongside Russia and Iran would send a powerful signal to the UAE that its meddling will no longer be tolerated, and would place Farage’s next trips to the UAE under the scrutiny they deserve. Alex Carlen is research and advocacy manager at London based human rights organisation FairSquare and author of its new report Petro-populism: the UAE–Reform threat. Subscribe
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Americans love Easter candy, spending more than $5 billion on it in 2024, with chocolate bunnies and eggs among the most popular treats, according to the National Confectioners Association. While having a candy or two on a holiday isn’t a problem, consistently eating too much sugar can have significant negative effects. According to Brenda Davy, a professor in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at Virginia Tech and a registered dietitian, added sugar consumption is
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