Covid: Sri Lanka in economic emergency as food prices soar

The government says it will seize food stocks and set prices to contain inflation.

India Covid: Economy sees record growth during deadly wave

The country suffered a devastating Covid spike in April and May but looser pandemic curbs still drove growth.

New eco-petrol baffles a quarter of motorists

E10 is set to become the new standard petrol, but 24% of drivers are unaware of it, says the RAC.

Vauxhall Motors still suffering from chip shortage

Vauxhall's boss said the global shortage of computer chips is still having a significant impact.

Can apps move the #MeToo movement forward?

Reporting sexual harassment at work is getting easier thanks to new technologies.

Left-wing Democrats want Fed chief replaced

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other progressives criticise the central bank chief's record on climate change.

NHS blood tube shortage: Supplier ramps up imports

Becton Dickinson has announced it will deliver 9 million blood test tubes to the NHS this week.

YouTube signs Twitch video-game streamer Dr Lupo

Twitch says it wishes the American, 34, "nothing but the best in everything that comes next".

Mission: Impossible Covid shutdowns prompt lawsuit

Film maker Paramount alleges insurance payout for the latest Tom Cruise installment does not cover losses.

Ryanair predicts rapid rebound in airline travel

The budget carrier forecasts that its capacity should return to pre-pandemic levels in the autumn.

Covid threatens Singapore's business hub crown

The South East Asian country faces opposing pressures over the large number of workers from overseas.

Tokyo 2020: Toyota restarts driverless vehicles after accident

A visually impaired athlete from Japan's judo team was hit by one of the e-Palette pods on Thursday.

Taste for takeaways outlasts Covid lockdowns

Britons are spending more on home delivered meals than before the pandemic struck.

UK business confidence jumps to more than four-year high, survey finds

Lloyds survey finds North West England leads level of confidence despite caution over inflation.

Theranos scandal: Who is Elizabeth Holmes and why is she on trial?

The former boss of blood testing company Theranos is accused of fraud and could face years in jail.

Nike is giving its head office staff a week's break

The sports shoe giant is giving US head office staff this week off after a "traumatic" year.

China cuts children's online gaming to one hour

Regulators are restricting game-playing for under 18s to an hour on Fridays, weekends and holidays

Vietnam lockdown adds to global coffee supply concerns

Wholesale coffee prices have risen by 50% this year as supplies have been hit around the world.

Covid travel: Latest changes begin as seven countries go green

People arriving from Canada and Denmark are among those who will not need to isolate for 10 days.

Affordable uniforms law will miss new school year

Parents are concerned that a law to make school uniforms cheaper will not be in place for September.

Give UK workers four more bank holidays a year, says TUC

The trades union body says having just eight public holidays in England and Wales is "stingy" .

Suit you sir? Not anymore at some M&S stores

The retailer no longer sells men's suits at more than half of its large stores as tastes turn casual.

Covid: Report finds big rises in garden furniture prices

Consumer group Which? says one retailer raised the price of a shed by 155% during the past two years.

Hire UK workers to drive lorries, minister tells firms

The business secretary rejects calls to relax immigration rules as companies struggle to fill vacancies.

Shein: China fashion giant investigates 'false' anti-Uyghur job ads

Shein said it did not fund nor approve adverts that suggested some ethnic minorities need not apply.

Peloton investigated over the safety of its treadmills

US regulators are investigating the firm after customers reported accidents on its exercise bikes.

Morrisons calls for action on lorry driver dearth

The supermarket chain joins others in the food and drink industry demanding a special help with visas.

Federal Reserve hints it will start easing US stimulus

The central bank's chairman says it could slow asset purchases this year but is in no rush to raise rates.

Farms face an oversupply of pigs due to staff shortage

The UK's farmers are warning of a backlog of as many as 70,000 pigs that should have been slaughtered.

Fruit picker shortage spreads to Christmas workers

The Entertainer toy chain warns a lack of warehouse staff will hit the firm ahead of its key season.

BA warns of serious cost problems as furlough ends

The airline tells staff the ending of the government scheme will be "bad news" for its costs.

Contactless card limit to rise to £100 in October

The limit per transaction will increase from £45 to £100, but the move has led to fears of a rise in crime.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook gets $750m payout

The award of more than five million Apple shares comes as Mr Cook marks a decade as the firm's boss.

Twelve-year-old boy makes £290,000 from whale NFTs

Benyamin Ahmed created a set of more than 3,000 whale images and sold digital tokens of them.

The pubs and restaurants counting on Christmas cheer

In a bid to rebound from Covid plans for this year's festive season are under way.

UK loses 83% of department stores since BHS collapsed

New research reveals the sharp decline of department stores since 2016 when BHS closed its doors.

Peloton cuts price of bike as sales growth slows

It will make its flagship fitness bike cheaper as people head back to gyms to exercise.

Travel changes make little difference, says airport boss

Charlie Cornish says the government should 'overhaul' its traffic light travel system.

BA in talks over short-haul Gatwick flights

The airline confirmed it was talking with unions on plans to create a short-haul flight operation.

Food firm in 'drastic' action amid driver shortage

Wholesaler Country Range says it is buying smaller vans to get round the lack of HGV drivers.

Contactless payments dominated as lockdowns eased

Spending on cards rose inevitably rose as Covid restrictions were lifted in May, says UK Finance.

Sports Direct owner's new boss offered potential £100m bonus

Michael Murray, Mike Ashley's future son-in-law, must more than double the share price to get the deal.

Covid: Qantas says pandemic to cost billions in lost revenue

The Australian airline's boss described trading conditions as "diabolical", even domestically.

South Korea becomes first major Asian economy to raise interest rates

The move comes as central banks around the world prepare to exit emergency stimulus measures.

Why rent control isn’t working in Sweden

Young people are struggling to afford city living, and even the Swedes can't crack the problem.

CEO Secrets: 'Tear up the business plan'

CEO Secrets: Brooklyn Brewery boss Eric Ottaway says - be ready to ditch your business plan.

NHS stops some blood tests due to vial shortages

Doctors across the country are being asked to delay tests due to a nationwide shortage of blood test tubes.

Car production in July hits lowest level since 1956

Microchip shortages and staff being told to self-isolate has contributed to shortages in production.

Uber and union bosses to meet after landmark deal on workers' rights

GMB and Uber pledge to end the "exploitation" of drivers who work for ride-hailing apps.

Delta Airlines imposes $200 monthly surcharge on unvaccinated staff

The US airline also says Covid sufferers won't get sick pay unless they are double-jabbed.

OnlyFans suspends policy change after backlash

The platform had sparked controversy when it revealed plans to ban sex workers from its platform.

Unite union elects Sharon Graham as first woman leader

Sharon Graham replaces Len McCluskey, and vows to focus on workers' rights rather than Westminster politics.

Iceland supermarket boss sounds alarm over Christmas supplies

Richard Walker tells the BBC the lorry driver shortage is getting worse, just as retailers start Christmas planning.

Mr Kipling maker Premier Foods offers staff hybrid working

Premier Foods says office staff can work "wherever they work best", starting from this month.

Amigo warns of collapse as losses jump and compensation payouts rise

The sub-prime lender Amigo sets aside £345m for compensation for mis-selling and warns it may not survive.

EY fined £3.5m for failures over 2017 Stagecoach audit

The Big Four accountancy firm is fined £3.5m for failures over the 2017 audit of the bus and coach company.

Afghanistan: World Bank halts aid after Taliban takeover

The announcement comes after the International Monetary Fund halted aid to Afghanistan last week.

US House approves Biden's $3.5tn domestic budget blueprint

The resolution allows Mr Biden's Democrats to move forward with their domestic policy proposals.

Fifa awarded $201m in forfeited funds after corruption probe by US Department of Justice

Fifa is to receive $201m (£146m) in forfeited funds seized during a corruption probe by the US Department of Justice.

UK self-catering holiday prices soar in pandemic

Holidaymakers are paying an average of £300 more per week than before the pandemic, analysis suggests.

Just Eat announces 1,500 new jobs in North East

The food delivery platform will invest £100m to create 1,500 new customer service roles.

UK companies 'perform better' with overseas owners

Lord Grimstone says Britain should not pull down the shutters on the flood of overseas takeover bids.

Can the US crack down on fake vaccination cards?

As more people are asked to prove vaccination status, a black market in fake health cards has boomed.

How to keep your cool when the office heats up

Buildings that are too hot are bad for your health and productivity but simple measures can help.

Business still has time to help Afghans - AirBnB boss

Co-founder Brian Chesky urges more firms to help after promising free lodging for 20,000 refugees.

Goldman Sachs mandates vaccines for US staff and visitors

Staff, clients and visitors will all need to be double jabbed to enter to investment bank's offices.

Virgin Hyperloop unveils new pod concept video

The high-speed evacuated-tube transportation company reveals its plans for passenger pods

Amazon offers £1,000 joining bonus for new UK staff

The online shopping giant is offering a joining fee incentive amid a growing recruitment crisis.

Airbnb offers free accommodation for 20,000 Afghan refugees

Airbnb says it will house 20,000 Afghan refugees at no charge to help them resettle across the world.

McDonald's UK restaurants run out of milkshakes

The fast-food chain confirms that supply chain issues have caused it to run out of the drinks.

Didi: China ride-hailing giant halts plan to launch in UK

It comes as Chinese firms face scrutiny by Western nations and as Beijing cracks down on data privacy.

Retail survivors: The London shops that have been trading for centuries

Four London retail survivors explain how they are faring after 18 months of unprecedented turmoil.

Why phone scams are so difficult to tackle

Phone fraud, both via calls and text messages, has soared during the pandemic.

Retail bosses demand more protection for UK workers

Industry leaders are calling on the UK government to follow Scotland’s lead on protecting shop workers.

Bitcoin back above $50,000 as recovery continues

The digital currency is rebounding from a deep slump as more mainstream financial firms recognise it.

Prisoners to plug worker shortage in meat industry

Meat industry leaders tell the BBC the government is "keen" to link up businesses with inmates.

UK recovery slows as staff shortages plague firms

August has seen an "abnormally large slowdown" in economic activity, says a closely watched survey.

Chip giant's IPO hit by Beijing crackdown on business

The share listing of BYD Semiconductor has been suspended due to a regulatory investigation.

Gambling: Poorer UK towns found to have the most betting shops, study shows

Areas with the highest number of betting shops per capita include Glasgow, Liverpool and Middlesbrough.

Covid: Government warns Covid test firms over misleading prices

More than 80 Covid test firms are issued with warnings and could be removed from the government's website.

Wildfires: Provence wine producers assess impact of destruction

There are fears the fires that have hit rosé vineyards in Provence will push up prices.

Climate change: Will I still be able to fly in a net zero world?

A new study asks if lifestyle changes including an end to flying will be necessary to reach net zero?

House prices: Demand changes, not tax waiver, pushed prices up

The stamp duty holiday did not cause rising house prices, the Resolution Foundation think tank says.

New visas urged to tackle EU lorry driver shortage

A lorry driver shortage is leaving shelves empty, and one group wants 10,000 EU visas granted to solve it.

Nvidia's takeover of Arm raises serious concerns, says watchdog

The UK competition watchdog proposes an in-depth probe into US firm Nvidia’s proposed £29bn takeover of Arm.

Apple delays recalling staff to the office until 2022

The decision comes as fears grow over the impact of surging Covid cases in the US.

Sky Broadband outage hits banking websites

Customers of Halifax, Santander, HSBC and TSB have all complained of problems accessing online services.

M&S upbeat as it says turnaround plan is working

The retail giant raises its profits forecast, but UK retail sales see a sharp fall during July.

BHP sacked 48 over sexual harassment and assaults at Australian mines

An Australian inquiry has heard allegations of rape and sexual harassment at remote mining camps.

Government borrowing shrinks in July

Despite a fall, borrowing was still the second-highest on record for July as Covid spending continues.

Cinema box office takings at 50% of pre-pandemic levels

Box office takings in the past month are half of their pre-pandemic levels.

Facebook moves to protect Afghan users' accounts amid Taliban takeover

The tech giant says it wants to reassure people worried about being tracked down by the Taliban.

Hackers steal nearly $100m in Japan crypto heist

The incident comes days after $600m of cryptocurrencies was stolen from another digital platform.

Covid career changers: ‘Do something you love’

Young people say their career prospects and businesses have taken a financial hit from Covid.

Brazil hopes the world will get a taste for its favourite spirit

With domestic sales of cachaça falling last year, Brazilian producers want to export more.

Love and money: Why breaking-up is so hard to do

More people are looking for help in paying for divorces after relationships ended during Covid.

Morrisons backs US firm's improved takeover offer

The supermarket has agreed to a bid worth £7bn from a US private equity group, ditching a lower offer from another firm.

OnlyFans to ban sexually explicit content

The online subscription site will prevent users from posting content showing 'sexually explicit conduct'.

Amazon 'planning to open department stores in US'

The e-commerce giant reportedly wants to branch further into High Street retail by opening several big stores.

Car use back to levels seen before first lockdown

The data is likely to intensify debate about how to get people out of vehicles and on to public transport.

Stock markets sink on 'cocktail of worries'

Shares and oil prices fall as investors take fright over economic concerns, the spread of coronavirus, and the Taliban.

Chip shortage: Toyota to cut global production by 40%

The world's biggest carmaker will cut output in September and VW warns it may have to make further cuts.

Rank Group racks up big losses after venues shut during lockdown

But Rank Group, which also owns casinos, says trading since reopening has exceeded expectations.

Ultra Electronics deal unlikely to be rejected

The government is to investigate the takeover of Ultra Electronics, but its sale is unlikely to be stopped.

Former Netflix staffers charged for making $3m from insider trading

The Wall Street regulator says confidential subscriber growth data was used in the alleged scheme.

IMF suspends Afghanistan's access to funds

The move follows the Taliban's takeover, and lack of global agreement over who now governs Afghanistan.

FTSE bosses earn 86 times more than average worker in 2020

The bosses of Britain's biggest public companies earned 86 times the average full-time wage last year.

PCR Testing ‘rip off’: Watchdog warned government in April

The Competition and Markets Authority has hit back at claims it has been ‘slow to react’ to consumers being ‘ripped off’ by Covid test providers.

40 million T-Mobile customers hit by US data breach

More than 40 million T-Mobile customers have been hit by a US data breach.

Taliban will not be able to access most Afghan central bank assets

Most of the country's financial reserves are held in the US where the Taliban will not be able to access them.

Nando's hopes to fully reopen from Saturday after supply shortage

The chain had to shut about 50 restaurants due to food shortages thought to include its signature peri-peri chicken.

Scottish public spending deficit doubles to £36bn

Spending on public services rose to almost £100bn as revenue fell due to the Covid pandemic.

Northern English regions drive house price growth

Wales also records rapid rises as the UK sees property prices go up at the fastest rate for 17 years.

Franco Manca owner planning big UK and overseas expansion

Restaurant group Fulham Shore plans to open up to 150 new outlets globally in the next few years.

Never mind going electric, where will we park?

UK roads are already jam-packed and that looks set to get worse as more people snap up EVs.

Price rises slow down driven by clothes discounts

The inflation rate fell to 2% in July, down from 2.5% the previous month.

Covid: Australia's Qantas says all staff must be vaccinated

The announcement came as New South Wales reported its biggest daily rise in coronavirus infections.

CEO Secrets: Don't ask for all your funding up front

Don't ask for all your funding at once, says Zazuu CEO Kay Akinwunmi, but in smaller chunks.

Just how hard is it to recycle a jumbo jet?

Thousands of aircraft were left on the tarmac due to Covid, and many will now be broken up for parts.

Trendy shoffices and pizza ovens raised lockdown fire risks

Insurer Zurich says residential outbuilding fires rose by 16% last year compared with 2019.

Trials of shared banking hubs to be extended

The two trial projects allow different banks to operate from the same premises after branches closed.

US left too quickly, says Afghan bank governor

The Afghan central bank governor, Ajmal Ahmady, tells the BBC he thinks country's economic situation will deteriorate.

Home Depot 'discriminated against BLM supporter'

The US DIY chain tried to stop a worker from raising issues of racial harassment with managers, a watchdog claims.

Nando's shuts restaurants as it runs short of supplies

The chain says it will lend some of its own staff to its suppliers, to help tackle delays to deliveries.

Mastercard to end magnetic strip on cards

The company sets an expiry date of 2033 for the decades-old technology.

Afghan bank governor flees saying country left in chaos

Afghanistan's central banker Ajmal Ahmady says he tried to maintain calm before fleeing crowds and gunshots.

BHP: Mining giant to leave London's FTSE 100 for Sydney

The company, which has been part of the blue chip index for 20 years, is scrapping its dual listing.

Former ITV boss Adam Crozier appointed new chairman of BT

Adam Crozier, who has previously headed the TV company and the FA, will join the telecoms giant this year.

UK job vacancies at record high as wages tick up

Job vacancies hit 953,000 while average pay rises 7.4%, official figures show.

Afghanistan: Facebook confirms it bans all Taliban-related content

Technology firms face challenges on how to handle content created by the group and its supporters.

Love and money: 'I borrowed from a friend, it went wrong'

After sleeping on the night bus with her daughter, Jo was forced to borrow money.

No need to swap data for drinks, says privacy body

Some pub ordering apps ask too many questions, but you can refuse, says the information watchdog.

Covid testing is rip-off, says former regulator

Lord Tyrie, ex-boss of the competition watchdog, says it was slow to react to complaints about providers.

What next for Afghanistan's economy?

Now that the Taliban are back in control of the country, can its financial system function?

Would you let a robot lawyer defend you?

Why artificial intelligence is increasingly being used by the legal profession.

Jeff Bezos's space firm sues Nasa over SpaceX deal

Mr Bezos's Blue Origin says it was unfairly treated after being excluded from lunar landing contract.

'New York vaccine mandate could destroy my restaurant'

City residents need to be jabbed to use restaurants, gyms and theatres - and businesses are worried.

Parcel delivery texts now the most common con-trick

Text messages asking for a fee to deliver a package are responsible for most "smishing" fraud.

Airlines reroute flights from Afghan airspace

United Airlines and British Airways have stopped using airspace after the Taliban swept into Kabul.

Pingdemic: 'We got close to complete shutdown'

Businesses say self-isolation rule changes will have a "massive impact" on reducing staff shortages.

How do couples handle awkward chats about money?

From squabbles and lies to what they'd do if they won the lottery, we pose the awkward questions.

UK defence giant Ultra agrees to £2.6bn Cobham takeover

The deal to buy the major supplier to the Royal Navy is being monitored by the UK government.

Japan's economy bounced back ahead of the Olympics, data shows

Analysts have warned recovery will be modest this quarter after a state of emergency was re-imposed.

CCTV watchdog criticises Hikvision Uyghur response

UK surveillance camera commissioner criticises failure to answer "basic questions".

House prices fall for first time this year

House prices have fallen for the first time this year as demand for bigger houses shrinks.

Watchdog urges tighter rules for ticket firms

The Competition and Markets Authority calls for stronger laws to tackle illegal ticket resales.

Efforts to curb energy tariffs 'greenwashing'

The government is reviewing whether all so-called green tariffs are really good for the environment.

Streaming service DAZN seeks to shake up TV sport

Boss James Rushton has ambitious expansion plans for the service dubbed "the Netflix of sport".

How can new technology protect outdoor workers?

Working outdoors in extreme heat can be deadly, new tech and better protection for workers could help.

Cost of NHS Covid tests for UK arrivals reduced

Sajid Javid reduces the cost of NHS travel tests ahead of a review into the pricing of all test providers.

Will I ever be able to fly without feeling guilty again?

More efficient planes and sustainable fuels could lower air travel's impact, but not for a while.

Apple regrets confusion over 'iPhone scanning'

The iPhone-maker will introduce tools that can detect child sex abuse images uploaded to iCloud.

Gatwick in talks with lenders amid Covid losses

The airport says Covid restrictions and a collapse in customer demand pushed it to a loss.

Ningbo: Global supply fears as China partly shuts major port

The closure of a terminal at Ningbo-Zhoushan port came after a worker was infected with Covid-19.

Lord of the Rings: Amazon moves show to UK from New Zealand

The multi-million dollar production is one of the most expensive shows in the history of television.

Lee Jae-yong: Samsung heir released from prison on parole

Critics say the move raises fresh questions about the preferential treatment of business leaders.

Can Americans pull the plug on petrol-powered cars?

Joe Biden wants half of all cars sold in the US to be zero emission by 2030 - but getting there won't be easy.

Firms want help to measure their carbon footprint

Many small businesses say they lack the resources needed to calculate their carbon footprint.

Photographer, farmer and plasterer job ads rise

The last three weeks have seen the highest numbers of new job postings since mid-May, research shows.

The $8bn EV company you’ve probably never heard of

Electric vehicle firm Arrival is worth $8bn (£5.7bn) - and is only making vans, buses and taxis.

How we can all get more high-quality sleep

The pandemic has led to a sharp increase in insomnia, but some firms are now helping their staff.

Crypto heist hacker returns most of the stolen funds

In notes sent to the blockchain, the hacker claimed to be offered a reward for returning the assets.

UK inhaler firm Vectura backs £1bn bid by Marlboro-maker

The bid by the maker of Marlboro cigarettes trumps a rival offer by US private equity firm Carlyle.

KFC suffers supply shortage for food and packaging

The fast food chain has warned customers menus will be missing items as a result of the supply problems.

Pret a Manger makes staff pay cuts permanent

The firm had said unpaid breaks would be temporary but trade remains "significantly below" pre-Covid levels.

Tui's European bookings jump on pent-up demand

But UK bookings lag behind amid shifting Covid travel restrictions, the travel giant says.

Shell pays $111m over 1970s oil spill in Nigeria

The payment marks the end of a long-running legal battle over a spill during the 1967-70 Biafran War.

UK economy grows by 4.8% but misses forecasts

Official data shows growth slowed between April and June despite most businesses emerging from lockdown.

China says crackdown on business to go on for years

The five-year plan comes soon after a major clampdown on several big tech and education companies.

Quarantine hotel rules face legal challenge

Travellers affected by the UK's quarantine hotel policy want a judicial review of the rules.

CEO Secrets: Foot Locker boss shares his advice

Richard Johnson, CEO of Foot Locker, reflects on the lessons of the pandemic for business leaders.

Boohoo boss: 'We're not a throwaway fashion brand'

The boss of fast fashion retailer Boohoo tells the BBC it is committed to being more sustainable.

Cryptocurrency heist hacker returns $260m in funds

The hacker behind the $600m Poly Network cryptocurrency heist has posted a Q&A on the blockchain.

Weight Watchers shares dive as people put diets on hold

Shares in the Oprah Winfrey-backed company drop 25% as subscriber numbers fall after lockdown.

White House urges action on oil as gasoline prices rise

The global recovery could falter if major oil-producing nations do not increase supply, says the White House.

Post Office to fight six appeals in IT scandal

More appeal cases are being heard after hundreds of sub-postmasters were wrongly accused of stealing.

Google may cut pay of staff who work from home

New pay calculator can assess geographical cost of remote versus office working.

David Cameron denies lobbying for genetics firm Illumina

Mr Cameron encouraged Matt Hancock to speak at a conference co-hosted by Illumina before it won a government contract.

Morrisons to give workers Boxing Day off

The supermarket chain has given all its 111,000 staff the day off as a reward for their work during the pandemic.

Working from home job adverts rise

Recruitment firms say an increasing number of jobseekers now expect flexible working "as the norm".

Gower salt marsh lamb receives protected status

The meat from lambs born and bred on the Gower Peninsula is now protected from copycat rivals.

Deliveroo orders double as lockdown habits endure

First results from the newly floated food delivery firm see first-half losses narrow to £104.8m.

China tech giant Xiaomi aims at global smartphone top spot

The comments come as the Beijing-based firm celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its first smartphone.

Euro Auctions sold to Ritchie Bros for £775m

The Dromore company, set up in 1998, has grown to have more than 200 staff across 14 countries.

Sharing apps are booming but will the kindness continue?

The pandemic sparked a surge in activity for sharing apps like Olio but has the trend run its course?

Winchester is now the least affordable UK city to buy a home

Winchester has leapfrogged Oxford to become the UK’s least affordable city to buy a home, says a survey.

Hackers steal $600m in major cryptocurrency heist

Thousands of digital tokens have been stolen by hackers in one of the largest cryptocurrency heists.

Amazon to pay out over defective third party goods

The shopping giant will compensate customers who are harmed by defective goods sold in the US.

Odeon owner AMC to accept payment in Bitcoin

Cinemagoers will be able to by tickets and popcorn using the cryptocurrency, says the US chain.

David Cameron personally promoted Greensill to investors

BBC Panorama finds Mr Cameron appeared alongside the controversial company's founder at a 2019 event.

Paddy Power owner revenue soars amid online gambling boom

Gambling giant Flutter says revenue jumped to £3bn as number of gamblers leaps by 40%.

Tobacco giant Philip Morris in auction showdown to buy asthma firm

Philip Morris is locked in a £1bn battle with private equity firm Carlyle over drugmaker Vectura.

JetBlue to launch NY-UK flights despite pandemic

The airline says there is "strong demand" for the route as the global travel industry recovers.

TikTok named as the most downloaded app of 2020

The Chinese app's popularity comes even after former President Donald Trump tried to ban it in the US.

Apple defends new photo scanning child protection tech

The tech giant has insisted that its new technology will not be used to spy on its users.

China sues Tencent over WeChat Youth Mode

Authorities allege the messaging app is violating Chinese law that aims to protect minors.

Second hand car sales soar amid shortage of new models

Used car transactions have more than doubled in the last few months, according to the industry body.

US job vacancies hit a record 10.1 million

It comes amid reports the country is still facing a labour shortage in sectors such as labour and hospitality.

Can technology help authors write a book?

Writing a novel is notoriously difficult, but technology may give the writer a helping hand.

Deliveroo: German rival buys stake in delivery platform

Delivery Hero's comments about Deliveroo send its shares soaring to new heights since going public.

Mobile roaming charges in Europe: What you need to know

How much more will Britons have to pay to use their mobiles in Europe, now the UK has left the EU?

Greensill: David Cameron 'made $10m' before company’s collapse

A letter indicates the former PM received millions from shares in the controversial collapsed firm.

Anger at overflowing Covid test drop boxes

Provider Randox says it is increasing collections but the tests for UK arrivals are branded "pointless".

Vodafone to bring back roaming charges from January

It follows EE's decision to reintroduce daily charges for using phone tariffs while in Europe

Groupon told to improve how it treats customers

The competition watchdog warns the discounter it faces legal action unless it takes 'swift' action.

SFO probes Gavin Woodhouse over suspected care home fraud

The Serious Fraud Office has launched a fraud investigation into care home entrepreneur Gavin Woodhouse

Ocado to allow staff to work remotely from abroad

Employees can decide where they work for one month a year as more firms rethink workplace policies.

Saudi oil giant Aramco sees profits soar by almost 300%

The results were boosted by a rise in oil prices and a recovery in demand after the pandemic.

Alibaba to sack manager accused of rape, according to memo seen by BBC

The move comes after a woman's allegations of sexual assault went viral on Chinese social media.

The activist entrepreneurs running zero-waste shops

Environmentally conscious entrepreneurs explain the movement towards zero-waste lifestyles.

Tobacco giant Philip Morris raises bid for respiratory drugmaker

Philip Morris is seeking to buy Vectura, which makes treatments for diseases such as asthma.

Covid PCR costs can be excessive and exploitative, says Javid

The health secretary calls on a watchdog to review "exploitative" firms overcharging holidaymakers.

Branson's Virgin Atlantic considers stock market listing

The move could see Sir Richard Branson lose overall control of the airline he founded.

Cuba allows small and medium-sized private businesses

Up to 100 employees will now be allowed in private companies, in a major shift after mass protests.

Covid-19: Quarantine-free travel to France resumes as UK rules change

Some travel firms report a "surge" of bookings but others say it is "too late to save the summer".

Working from home 'has helped me make my career'

Young workers reflect on Rishi Sunak's comments they could forge stronger contacts in the office.

Why artificial intelligence is being used to write adverts

Advertisers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to come up with their winning slogans.

US stock exchange sets diversity rules for listed companies

The Nasdaq index will require all its listed companies to have diverse boards, or explain why they do not.

Snickers Spain pulls TV advert after homophobia accusations

The brand apologises for a "misunderstanding" after its Spanish commercial was heavily criticised.

Virgin Galactic space flight tickets to start at $450,000

The firm has reopened ticket sales after successfully completing its first fully-crewed space flight in July.

US economy adds more jobs than expected in July

US employers added 943,000 jobs in July, while the unemployment rate declined to 5.4%.

Morrisons agrees to raised £6.7bn takeover offer from Fortress

The new £6.7bn bid for the supermarket from Fortress comes amid rumours of a rival offer from another US firm.

House price growth slows as housing market cools

The Halifax says house prices rose again in July, but the market seems to be cooling down.

Energy prices rise again for millions of households

Fuel poverty charities say the price cap increase will come at the worst time during winter.

South Park creators sign $900m deal to make seasons and movies

The agreement comes as technology and media giants battle to dominate the global streaming market.

Bukalapak: Shares jump in Indonesia's biggest market debut

It comes on the same day South Korea's first internet lender KakaoBank soared on its market debut in Seoul.

Starter salaries rising amid candidate shortages

KPMG research shows now is a good time to be looking for a job, due to high demand from employers.

Apple to scan iPhones for child sex abuse images

Apple announces it will implement a system to scan US iPhones for images of child sexual abuse.

Plain sailing: Boating holidays on the rise across the UK

More people are hiring boats to travel along the UK's canals and rivers amid travel restrictions.

Amazon delays office return until 2022 as Covid spreads

Amazon joins Wells Fargo and BlackRock in extending work-from-home guidance due to the pandemic.

Oatly loses trademark battle against Glebe Farm over oat milk

Cambridgeshire's Glebe Farm Foods PureOaty drink does not copy the Oatly branding, a judge rules.

Coronavirus: Transport secretary defends travel rule changes

Grant Shapps says the traffic light system has been "simplified" while Britons in Mexico face a dash home before its move to the red list.

UK interest rates held at record low despite inflation fears

Bank of England rate-setters keep rates at record low of 0.1%, saying inflation rise is "transitory".

Mike Ashley: Who is the founder of Sports Direct?

Profile of Sports Direct founder and Newcastle United billionaire owner Mike Ashley.

Electric vehicle sales outpace diesel again

Electric cars outsell diesel again, but new UK car registrations fall by almost a third in July.

Mike Ashley to step down from leading Sports Direct Group

The tycoon, whose empire also includes House of Fraser and Evans Cycles, is set to hand power to his future son-in-law.

TikTok tests Snapchat-like 24-hour feature, say reports

The reports come as Facebook's WhatsApp starts to roll out a disappearing photos and videos feature.

Pret, McColls and Welcome Break in minimum wage fail

Retailers and 190 other businesses broke the law by underpaying workers, the government says.

'It feels like we've lost a family member'

As cat deaths mount from a fatal disease, an investigation into a possible link to pet food continues.

CEO Secrets: Airbnb boss shares his business advice

Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, shares his business advice for the CEO Secrets series.

Covid travel: France no longer amber-plus and green list expands

As restrictions on France ease, countries including Germany, Austria and Norway move to the green list.

Vanguard: Investment giant to pay vaccinated workers $1,000

Asset manager Vanguard will reward staff who get jabbed, but it won't mandate vaccinations.

Robinhood shares surge 80% amid frenzied trading

After a poor stock market debut, amateur investors are snapping up shares in the online trading platform.

Rihanna now officially a billionaire

The star is now the wealthiest female musician in the world, according to Forbes.

Net zero targets 'unrealistic' says Oxfam report

Oxfam’s chief executive said that net zero targets made by companies and governments are "unreliable and unproven".

High Court backs compensation for Provident customers

The doorstep lender's borrowers can claim partial compensation for mis-sold loans after court ruling.

Keir Starmer attacks government record on green jobs

The Labour leader says there is a "chasm between soundbites and action" on climate-friendly employment.

Taylor Wimpey rejects housing market bubble fears

The housebuilder sees bumper profits and builds a record number of new homes in the first half of 2021.

Petrol prices at eight-year high, says RAC

Prices have risen for nine straight months - and are expected to increase further - the motoring group says.

MV Asphalt Princess: Suspected hijackers leave ship off UAE

Men who boarded a Panama-flagged bitumen tanker have now left the vessel, officials say.

Li Auto: China Tesla rival plans Hong Kong secondary listing

The move comes as Chinese firms listed in the US face increasing scrutiny by Beijing and Washington.

Blizzard Entertainment president steps down

J Allen Brack quits the Call of Duty and Warcraft game-maker, amid staff protests and allegations of a sexist workplace culture.

Timber shortage due to 'unprecedented' post-lockdown demand

Prices are rising sharply as climate change and post-lockdown DIY and building projects hit supplies.

MV Asphalt Princess: Ship hijacked off UAE ordered to sail to Iran

The Panama-flagged MV Asphalt Princess has been ordered to sail to Iran, officials say.

The downfall of Nissan's Carlos Ghosn: An insider's view

Former Nissan lawyer Ravinder Passi had a ringside seat of the downfall of chairman Carlos Ghosn.

What is solarpunk and can it help save the planet?

Solarpunk is art movement that imagines a world where technology is used for the good of the planet.

New York restaurant customers to need Covid jabs

The city is to require people using indoor businesses to have had Covid vaccinations.

Sweaty Betty sold in a £300m deal to a US firm

The upmarket UK sportswear company is sold to US buyer Wolverine Worldwide, which sells footwear and lifestyle brands

Ministers reject calls to lower state pension age to 60

The government says lowering the state pension age is not fair or affordable for taxpayers.

Young benefit more from office working, says Rishi Sunak

The chancellor says being in the office helped him build strong relationships when he started out.

Greggs: New stores set to create 500 jobs

The bakery chain swings back to profit and says it plans to keep expanding on the High Street.

Shares slide after China brands online games 'electronic drugs'

In recent months Beijing has cracked down on China's technology and private education industries.

Finance firms plan to close coal plants in Asia

The Asian Development Bank aims to have the plan ready for the COP26 climate conference in November.

Qantas stand downs 2,500 staff over Sydney lockdown

The airline says it expects Australia's largest city to be closed for at least two more months.

Covid-19: Amber watch-list travel idea scrapped

A government source says they have dropped proposals for a new category in the traffic light system.

Bank fraud: ‘I had £9,000 stolen from my account’

Scam victims are having difficulties getting bank support after losing cash, consumer group Which? says.

Twitter works with news sites to tackle disinformation

Twitter announces it will cooperate with two news agencies to promote more reliable information.

Corporate fraud: The dark side of business

Twenty years on from the collapse of Enron, are the rules preventing corporate fraud tough enough?

Finding answers to the world's drinking water crisis

Scientists are racing to come up with technologies that can solve the world's clean water shortage.

Young bankers told to stop complaining about hours

The London Stock Exchange's former boss says "entitled" bankers have it easy compared to working mums.

UK defence firm Meggitt bought by US giant

The aerospace technology firm agrees to a £6.3bn takeover bid from US company Parker-Hannifin.

Banking giant HSBC sees first half profit more than double

The UK-based firm said the jump in profits was driven by an economic rebound in Britain and Hong Kong.

Hollywood plans £700m film and TV studios in Hertfordshire

Developers say the site could contribute £300m a year to the local economy and create 4,500 jobs.

Afterpay: Jack Dorsey's Square in Australia's biggest buyout

The $29bn deal for Afterpay will create an instalments payment giant in a hugely growing sector.

Smaller firms hit by 'pingdemic' staff shortages

An ill-timed alert on the NHS Covid app can mean bar staff losing out on tip income at the weekend.

Beyond Meat boss backs tax on meat consumption

Ethan Brown tells the BBC his firm wants to bring down the price of plant-based meat.

The fungus and bacteria tackling plastic waste

Bacteria, fungus and enzymes can all digest plastic, but can they work at a useful commercial scale?

Zoom settles US class action privacy lawsuit for $86m

The video conferencing firm denies wrongdoing, but has agreed to boost security measures.

Pay rise for Aldi lorry drivers amid shortage

The supermarket is the latest to offer incentives to attract HGV drivers amid an industry-wide shortage.