Sony to buy Destiny and Halo developer Bungie for $3.6bn

It comes after Microsoft revealed plans to buy Activision Blizzard in the largest ever gaming deal.

Budget 2022: Can India's budget address its uneven recovery?

The budget arrives as India's economy battles low demand, rising unemployment and inflation.

Wordle: New York Times buys popular word game

The New York Times says it bought the game from its creator for a price “in the low seven figures".

How people may get help to pay high energy bills

With higher bills set to climb even higher, what are the government's options for softening the blow?

Is this the summer that travel gets back to normal?

Travel bosses predict a bounce back for business this summer but challenges to recruit enough staff remain.

Tesco to shut down its Jack's discount stores

The UK's largest retailer will close down seven of its 13 Jack's discount stores affecting 130 jobs.

Key Post Office deal agreed for future of cash

Customers of 30 banks and building societies can continue to use post offices to deposit cash.

Air passengers promised fairer deal in compensation shake-up

Under new plans, travellers could claim for delays of more than an hour, down from three hours currently.

Macau police arrest leading casino boss amid crackdown

Macau Legend Development's share price plunged by as much as 30% in Hong Kong on Monday.

Brexit: UK plan to remove EU law sparks nations' anger

The UK government says the plan will cut red tape - but devolved nations are unhappy with the move.

Concerns over food shortages as CO2 deal ends

Food and drink firms are warning supplies could be hit unless government subsidies continue.

Spotify: Streaming giant announces plans to clamp down on Covid misinformation

The streaming giant says it will add warnings to all podcasts discussing Covid-19 on its platform.

True story? Lie detection systems go high-tech

A number of teams are working on advanced ways to tell more accurately if someone is lying.

How the high cost of living is hitting Singapore's poor

Asia's rising food costs are hitting the region's poor, despite the fall in rice prices in 2021.

National Insurance: Rise will squeeze budgets - CBI

Businesses say they don't support increasing National Insurance as they recover from Covid's impact.

Energy crisis: How countries are dealing with rising prices

From cash handouts to price caps, other countries are using a variety of measures to combat soaring gas prices.

Cost of living: Will parents spend less on kids' toys?

Families will cut spending on many things before toys but soaring bills may put this to the test.

National Insurance: Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak confirm rise from April

An employee on £20,000 a year will pay an extra £89 in tax, while someone on £50,000 will pay £464 more.

Graduates in England facing tax rise by stealth, says IFS

The warning from the IFS comes as the threshold for repaying student loans is frozen this year.

Mike Lynch: Priti Patel approves extradition of Autonomy founder

Dr Mike Lynch lost a multibillion-dollar fraud action on Friday over the sale of Autonomy in 2011.

Gove calls for flat insurance probe as costs soar

The housing secretary says the market is failing leaseholders who are being charged sky-high premiums.

US bans telecom giant China Unicom over spying concerns

China Unicom is the latest Chinese company to be banned in the US over national security concerns.

Winter Olympics: Global sponsors quiet ahead of Beijing Games

A week before the Beijing Games start, global partners are lying low.

Millions yet to file tax return as scammers circle

HMRC says 3.5 million people are still to file, but it will not fine those who are up to a month late.

Dover queues: The firms struggling with Brexit red tape

A month after more post-Brexit paperwork came into force, many drivers and firms are having problems.

Apple sales soar despite supply constraints

The iPhone giant's business has boomed during the pandemic.

Former traders cleared of US rate rigging

Matthew Connolly and Gavin Black have been acquitted of rate rigging by a US court.

Network Rail bets on mindfulness to lure commuters back

Free hot drinks and other perks are on offer as train bosses try to get passenger numbers back on track.

US Federal Reserve says rate rise 'appropriate' soon

The US central bank is under pressure to rein in rapid price increases in the US.

Covid fraud: Rishi Sunak denies writing off stolen support funds

Rishi Sunak says the government will "do everything we can" to recover billions stolen by fraudsters.

Warning shipping delay problems to continue this year

Global product shortages and shipping disruption show no signs of easing, study finds.

Pet boom continues to boost Pets at Home sales

The retailer says it had a "record Christmas" which saw it groom 5,500 dogs on Christmas Eve alone.

Global chip shortage: US says firms' stocks have plunged

The shortage of semiconductors is continuing to have a major impact on industries around the world.

Royal Mail to cut 700 management jobs

The move is part of an ongoing restructuring designed to streamline processes and save £40m a year.

Government borrowed less than expected in December

Borrowing hit £16.8bn last month as pandemic support for the economy continues.

Cost of living: How oil heating price rise is worrying families

More than 1.5 million UK householders rely on oil for heating, with some seeing 50% price rises.

The Beatles and John Lennon memorabilia to be sold as NFTs

John Lennon's eldest son Julian will keep the physical items as he sells digital versions of them.

‘They were like bandits’ - how did the rich get richer?

Did a Bank of England policy to save the UK economy during the financial crash make the wealthiest people even wealthier?

Marmite maker to cut thousands of jobs worldwide

Unilever, which also makes Dove soap and PG Tips, will cut the roles in more than 100 countries.

António Horta-Osório: The banker who can't stay out of the headlines

One of the UK's best-known banking bosses, António Horta-Osório is used to good - and bad - headlines.

State pension age crucial for lower earners

Low earners are more likely to keep working for longer when the state pension age rises, a report finds.

Bill extending HS2 to Manchester laid in Parliament

Official approval for the high speed line to Manchester is a "landmark moment", says the government.

Vaccine mandates: 'I lost my job for being unvaccinated'

Covid-19 vaccine mandates face stiff resistance in the US, where they are clashing with national ideals of personal freedom.

The people deciding to ditch their smartphones

The smartphone users who are ditching their handsets to take back more control of their lives.

John Lewis says it is wrong to cut sick pay for unjabbed staff

Unlike rivals, the retailer says all staff get full sick pay regardless of vaccination status.

Major investor will target bosses at firms failing on climate

Aviva Investors will vote to get directors kicked out of firms that fail on sustainability goals.

Inflation: Four things rising in price and why

From skincare products to used cars - the items that tell the story of the cost of living crisis.

Police response to £25,000 fraud branded woeful

Inspectorate criticises the police after only one of 69 victims of a fraud has their case investigated.

First-time buyer: 'I couldn't keep paying so much rent'

There were a record number of first-time buyers in 2021, figures from lender Halifax suggest.

Toyota Land Cruiser customers in Japan face four-year wait

The firm also said it will slow production at up to 11 plants in Japan due to rising Covid infections.

Women's state pension shortfalls a shameful shambles, MPs say

A damning report says errors could be repeated after 134,000 people were underpaid their state pension.

Britishvolt: Electric car battery plant gets government funding

Britishvolt says the money unlocks huge private investment for a protect that will create thousands of jobs.

Trains told to get rid of torrent of 'Tannoy spam'

Rail chiefs are set to get rid of unnecessary on-board announcements to make journeys more peaceful.

Covid test firm urges end to tests for travellers

Collinson, which also runs airport lounges and other travel services, thinks tests are bad for business.

Netflix faces rocky road after pandemic wins

The firm's membership growth slowed significantly last year after surging at the beginning of the pandemic.

Peloton shares dive on report it halted production

The firm's shares fell more than 20% as investors worry that demand for its pricey exercise machines is waning.

Primark to cut 400 store management jobs

The retailer saw sales fall as the spread of Omicron cut the number of visitors to its shops.

Property shares in Hong Kong jump after China cuts key mortgage rate

The central bank's move comes as concerns grow about a slowdown in the world's second largest economy.

Brewdog flouted US laws over beer imports

Scottish beer giant shipped hundreds of kegs of beer to America which had not been legally approved.

Donald Trump investigation reveals new details of alleged fraud

New documents accuse the ex-president's business of misreporting asset values to get loans and tax breaks.

Harry and Meghan misused in fake investment endorsement

Financial watchdog warns of rising worries about investment scams using fake celebrity support.

Cost of living rises at fastest pace for 30 years

The UK's cost of living surged by 5.4% in the 12 months to December, hitting its highest level since 1992.

More expats may quit Hong Kong over its tough Covid laws: Survey

The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong pointed to border closures as an issue for those surveyed.

Sony slides on Microsoft-Activision Blizzard tie-up plan

The deal would be a major step for Microsoft's Xbox gaming brand in its battle against Sony's PlayStation.

Dairylea cheese ad banned for showing girl eating upside down

Fourteen people complained about the advert, including one viewer who said a toddler had copied it.

What can we do to get more women into coding?

How visual, auditory and kinesthetic tools used to teach kids coding should be adapted for adults.

How Gen Z is dealing with cost of living crisis

The rising cost of living is affecting everyone - but it's been particularly tough on young people.

UK job vacancies hit new high after furlough ends

The number of jobs on offer rose to 1.24 million but wage growth is barely keeping up with inflation.

China's Xi Jinping defends 'common prosperity' crackdowns

The Chinese leader made the comments during an address to the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting.

Hong Kong police charge two former aircrew over Covid rules

If convicted, the two former flight attendants could face up to six months in prison.

Morrisons confirms sick pay cut for unvaccinated staff

The supermarket joins a list of firms which pay the legal minimum to unvaccinated staff obliged to isolate.

Pension Wise: MPs call for automatic pension help appointments

Savers are struggling to navigate the "pensions minefield" and need more support, according to MPs.

How delivery apps created 'the Netflix of food ordering'

Innovative food delivery apps offer everything from multiple restaurant orders to home chef cuisine.

China cuts interest rates as economic growth slows

Compared to a year earlier, the economy grew 4% in the last three months of 2021, official figures show.

Credit Suisse chairman resigns after company probe

Antonio Horta-Osorio was reportedly found to have broken the UK's Covid-19 quarantine rules.

Funeral costs drop for first time in 18 years

A report says the cost fell by 3.1% but the cheapest type of funeral - a direct cremation - rose in price.

Energy bills: 'It feels like I'm sleeping outside'

People tell of their struggles to cope, with energy bills set to soar by more than £700 this year.

Wealth of world's 10 richest men doubled in pandemic, Oxfam says

Covid-19 has made the rich richer while poverty increased, Oxfam claims, as a virtual Davos gets underway.

Cladding crisis: Norwegian wealth fund urged to pressure firms and builders

Grenfell survivors have asked a huge public fund to have 11 firms "resolve" buildings' fire safety defects.

Will ScotWind auction deliver a renewables revolution?

Over the next decade or so these new offshore wind farm sites could supercharge renewable energy capacity.

Marmite-owner Unilever bids for GSK's consumer arm

Analysts say a successful bid would represent one of the biggest ever deals involving firms trading in London.

Ex-supermarket boss Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover dies at 94

The company's current chief executive described John Sainsbury as a "shopkeeper to his core".

Jailed 'Pharma Bro' Martin Shkreli ordered to repay $64m

Martin Shkreli has also been barred from the US pharmaceutical industry for life.

Tesla starts accepting once-joke cryptocurrency Dogecoin

Elon Musk's plans send the value of the cryptocurrency soaring.

YouTube rich list: MrBeast was the highest-paid star of 2021

Between them, the 10 highest-paid YouTubers raked in $300m last year.

Energy firm E.On apologises for sending socks to customers

It is the second energy supplier in a week to admit a marketing gaffe as customers face rocketing bills.

Meta faces billion-pound class-action case

Facebook's 44 million UK users could share £2.3bn in damages, a competition expert intending to sue Meta says

'As a black woman in STEM I'm used for photo opportunities'

Chemist Cynthia Chapple talks about how to get more black girls from inner-cities into STEM careers.

The people using YouTube to pay for their French chateau

How chateaux owners are using advertising revenues from social media posts to earn a living.

UK and India launch trade talks 'worth billions'

Britain says a deal could be worth billions of pounds and almost double exports to India by 2035.

Marks & Spencer: Midget Gems change name after academic's campaign

A Liverpool disability academic told M&S the word midget has its roots in Victorian freak shows.

French holiday bookings surge after rule change

The easing of French travel restrictions has led to an immediate increase in holiday bookings, operators say.

Ovo Energy tells staff it will cut a quarter of its workforce

The country's third largest energy provider is making cuts related its acquisition of SSE in 2019.

Next cuts sick pay for unvaccinated staff forced to self-isolate

The retailer changes its sick pay rules as employers face soaring absences due to Omicron.

Covid-19: France to relax travel rules from the UK

Vaccinated travellers will no longer need a compelling reason to enter France, or have to isolate.

Christmas sales soar for Marks & Spencer and Tesco

M&S's food business records its best-ever festive sales while Tesco boasted of 'exceptional' demand.

US will remove UK steel tariffs 'when the time is right'

Trump-era steel tariffs remain in place on UK exports, though they have been removed for EU products.

Pret boosts pay to £10 per hour for thousands of staff

The sandwich chain Pret A Manger is boosting its pay rates for the second time in four months.

US inflation rate hits near 40-year high

Prices rose by 7% in December, piling more pressure on the US central bank to raise interest rates.

Pensions and benefits must rise to meet cost of living, says IFS

A think tank says a temporary rise would help 10 million people facing hardship, but at a heavy cost.

Covid: Government's PPE 'VIP lane' unlawful, court rules

A judge says it was unlawful to give two companies preferential treatment when awarding PPE contracts.

Ovo Energy boss blames bad day for ‘ridiculous’ advice

Ovo Energy chief tells the BBC he expects to be apologising for some time over advice on staying warn.

Sainsbury's says Christmas treats will boost profits

Stronger sales of premium food and champagne will boost profits, Britain's second biggest supermarket says.

UK delays more all-lane smart motorways for five years

More safety data is needed before more hard shoulders are made into traffic lanes, government says.

How the soaring cost of living is hitting Sri Lankans hard

Rising food and fuel prices are making daily life tougher for many ordinary people in Sri Lanka.

The controversy of wood pellets as a green energy source

Wood pellets are touted as a 'green' way to make electricity, but many reject these claims.

British Gas owner warns energy crisis to last two years

The boss of Centrica says there is "no reason" to expect gas prices to come down anytime soon.

Many postmasters still in the dark over justice

The Post Office has been unable to contact 126 people who were convicted on the basis of flawed evidence.

World Bank warns global economy faces grim outlook

The bank predicts a "pronounced slowdown", with global economic growth falling to 4.1% this year

DFDS ferry boss warns of 20 mile queues at Dover if checks do not ease

Chris Parker says it "won't work" to have increased passenger numbers with current restrictions.

Heathrow Airport suffers 600,000 cancellations in December

Fresh travel restrictions sparked a wave of cancelled bookings at Britain's busiest airport.

£150,000 starting salaries as firms fight for staff

A shortage of talent is driving up wages worldwide, says professional recruitment firm Robert Walters.

Evergrande: Real estate giant moves from Shenzhen head office to cut costs

The crisis-hit property developer is still struggling to pay more than $300bn in liabilities.

Ovo Energy sorry over advice to cuddle pets to stay warm

Ovo Energy, which owns SSE, says it is "embarrassed" over advice sent to its customers on how to stay warm.

Energy bills: 'I am already paying an extra £60 a month'

Some people are paying many hundreds of pounds more for domestic energy ahead of widespread price rises.

Covid: Shoppers swap party clothes for loungewear

Comfy clothes were back in fashion after people were advised to work from home.

Tesla adds chill and assertive self-driving modes

An update to Tesla cars adds a mode to follow other cars more closely and to slow rather than stop.

The AI software that could turn you in to a music star

Artificial intelligence is now smart enough to write tracks that earn streaming service royalties.

Ikea cuts sick pay for unvaccinated staff forced to self-isolate

The retail giant joins a growing list of firms changing their rules as staff absences and costs begin to bite.

Cladding: Developers told to act on lower-height buildings

Developers who do not remove cladding on buildings 11-18m high could face legal action, the government says.

Cladding: Michael Gove to vow to pursue firms behind safety problems

The housing secretary will set out measures to force developers to pay for cladding removal.

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka asks China to restructure its debt

The country has been experiencing a severe debt and foreign exchange crisis in recent months.

Energy bills: Fix insulation to tackle cost of heating, PM told

An industry group is calling for more funding for home improvements to help bring down the cost of heating homes.

What is the biggest challenge for your business in 2022?

What are industry leaders planning for in the coming year.

Virgin and O2 users to not face EU roaming charges

Virgin Media O2 says it will not reintroduce fees for mobile data use and calls in EU countries.

Scrap business rates due to energy costs - Labour

A windfall tax on gas and oil producers would help firms struggling with bills, Labour says.

Morrisons scraps 'use by' date on milk in favour of sniff test

The supermarket says a sniff test is a better guide to quality - with 'best before' labels used instead.

Labour urges energy firm tax hike to help cut household bills

The party says a windfall tax could soften the the impact of surging household costs by £200 a year.

Covid-19: Cutting self-isolation to five days would be helpful says Nadhim Zahawi

The UK's former vaccines minister says reducing the quarantine period would ease staff pressures.

House prices jump 9.8% amid race for space, Halifax says

Prices in December grew at the fastest annual pace since July 2007, the Halifax says.

Ladbrokes claimed £102m furlough despite online boost

Entain revenues rose in the pandemic as online betting made up for trade lost at betting shops.

British farmers unhappy as Asda retracts beef promise

The National Beef Association is 'deeply disappointed' that Asda reneged on its 100% British beef promise.

Lithuania wobbles after daring to defy China

It stood up to China over Taiwan, but this week Lithuania's president said it made a mistake.

The woman working to get unwanted food to the hungry

Maria Rose Belding explains how she started a US database to distribute unwanted food to the hungry.

Caviar sales soar as more people get a taste for posh fish eggs

Global producers of caviar say that demand has soared since the first lockdown.

NFT marketplace OpenSea valued at more than $13bn

Worldwide trade in digital collectables was worth $40.9bn (£30.1bn) last year, a report suggests.

Investors threaten drug maker bonuses over vaccine access

Some investment firms want bonuses withheld for bosses of coronavirus vaccine firms if distribution isn't fairer.

Tax self-assessment: HMRC waives fines again for late filings

Fines will not be enforced for a month after the normal deadline for a second year owing to Covid.

I understand anxiety over rising prices, says Chancellor Rishi Sunak

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak used a visit to Sussex to address concerns over rising energy bills.

Covid: Pre-departure travel tests have outlived their usefulness - Shapps

Rules for those travelling to England are changing as Omicron is now worldwide, the transport secretary says.

Next warns of higher prices as costs rise

The retailer says recent sales rose 20%, but wage, shipping and manufacturing costs are all rising.

We don't know how high bills will go - Octopus Energy boss

The founder and boss of Octopus Energy tells the BBC the sector is working on bringing prices down.

China: Is it burdening poor countries with unsustainable debt?

China has become a big lender to poorer countries, and there's been criticism of its approach.

Taiwan setting up $200m Lithuania fund amid China row

China downgraded its diplomatic relations with Lithuania after Taiwan opened a de facto embassy there.

Vodafone and EE delay EU roaming charges return

Vodafone joins EE in delaying its planned January date for EU roaming charges.

Drivers overcharged by £5m a day for petrol, claims RAC

The RAC accuses petrol retailers of ripping off motorists by not passing on wholesale price cuts.

Electric car sales soar, but chip shortage hits market

Electric cars sales surged last year, but the SMMT warns that charging infrastructure needs investment.

CEO Secrets: 'Make decisions as if you were on your deathbed'

Michael Cockburn, co-founder of office-working app Desana, shares his business advice.

Covid: Travel firms call for removal of testing rules

With case rates of the Omicron variant so high, airlines say testing passengers is having no real impact.

China investment firm's shares slump after $6.6bn bailout

The firm's former chairman Lai Xiaomin was executed last year after being found guilty of corruption.

China Mobile shares rise in Shanghai debut after US exit

The company delisted in New York after a Trump-era move to restrict investment in Chinese tech firms.

Asus recalls product after users 'smell smoke'

The computer company has had a "few" complaints and warned some 2021 models could be affected.

Can a solar-power fridge get more people vaccinated?

A fridge designed for areas with no electricity is now helping dispense Covid vaccines in Kenya.

Is there a better way to make new resolutions stick?

There are lots of apps that promise to make you healthier and happier but are they any good?

General Motors 90-year streak as top US car seller ends

Japan's Toyota outsold the US car company for the first time in nearly a century.

China: Evergrande shares rise as Hong Kong trade resumes

The crisis-hit company suspended its shares on Monday pending the release of "inside information".

Elon Musk: Tesla criticised after opening Xinjiang showroom

The world's most valuable car maker opened the new showroom in the city of Urumqi on New Year's Eve.

Apple becomes first firm to hit $3tn market value

The firm's value more than doubled during the pandemic as people bought more gadgets during lockdowns.

Why BlackBerry held the tiny keys to my heart

The classic smartphone's life comes to an end on 4 January as the firm switches off support.

Elizabeth Holmes: Theranos founder convicted of fraud

A jury found the Silicon Valley ex-CEO guilty on four of 11 counts after seven days of deliberations.

UK steel future uncertain without US tariffs deal

Europe has reached an agreement over Trump-era taxes but the UK is still facing 25% tariffs.

Turkey's inflation hits 36% amid financial turmoil

The cost of living hits a 19-year high as the country refuses to raise its interest rates.

Covid staff shortages set to continue into New Year

Pub groups and retailers warn that sickness and isolation continue to blight their businesses.

Top US phone firms reject call to delay 5G rollout

Transportation and aviation authorities called for a delay of two weeks on safety concerns.

China: Evergrande suspends shares in Hong Kong as firm tries to raise cash

The move comes as the debt-laden property developer struggles to raise cash to meet its obligations.

China: Why some think "small eyes" are not beautiful

Brands featuring Chinese models with narrow eyes in advertisements have been accused of racism.

Marjorie Taylor Greene: Twitter bans congresswoman over Covid misinformation

The congresswoman was suspended after tweeting falsely about high levels of vaccine related deaths.

Gas prices: MPs and peers urge PM to act on energy bills

Five ex-ministers are among those saying Boris Johnson should cut VAT and green levies to help households.

Covid: Workplaces told to plan for absences of up to 25%

Rising Covid cases could see a worst case scenario of up to a quarter of staff off work, the government says.