Saturday, April 30, 2022

Buyers revive interest in city flats after return to office

Interest in flats is overtaking demand for terraced homes with the return to office work, research suggests.

Friday, April 29, 2022

Chancellor breaks pledge on energy bills

Rishi Sunak said a £150 council tax rebate would be paid "in April" but guidance now says "from April".

Amazon sell-off ends dismal month for US shares

Major US stock indexes took a slide in April, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq seeing its worst month since 2008.

Russia says it has made payments to avoid debt default

Moscow has paid interest on foreign bonds in dollars but admits there are "difficulties with payments".

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Energy prices: Fears and cutbacks as hike hits disabled families

Parents of disabled children say they fear rising energy prices could make their condition worse.

Number of firms in critical financial distress rises sharply

A growing number of businesses, especially in construction and hospitality, are in a critical position.

Energy-intensive firms to get electricity bill help

Steel and paper manufacturers are among industries which will receive financial support to pay bills.

Do you want to find out how much your colleagues earn?

Driven by demand from their staff a growing number of companies are introducing transparency on pay.

Vaccine makers see off push to share Covid know-how

Shareholders failed to get Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna to share their Covid vaccine knowledge.

Amazon posts loss as online sales falter

Online sales at the e-commerce giant slipped 3% in the first three months of the year.

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani plans bid for Boots, reports say

Mr Ambani, who is one of Asia's richest people, is reportedly planning a takeover of the retail chain.

Chinese drone firm DJI pauses operations in Russia and Ukraine

The Ukrainian government has previously called on DJI to restrict Russian use of its drones.

Streaming services facing tighter regulation in UK broadcasting shake-up

Netflix and other streaming services are to be regulated by Ofcom, under new government plans.

Bitcoin becomes official currency in Central African Republic

The Central Africa Republic is one of the world's poorest countries, and is a close Russian ally.

UK car production down as energy costs rise

Almost 100,000 fewer cars were built in the first three months of 2022 compared to last year.

Daily Facebook users up again after first-ever decline

But Facebook owner Meta is struggling with its slowest revenue growth since at least 2012.

Silly to boost support on energy bill now, says chancellor

Asked by Mumsnet if he would provide more help with energy costs, the chancellor said he wanted to wait.

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

First P&O ferry crosses Channel since sackings

The company's Spirit of Britain ferry departed Dover just after 23:00 BST on Tuesday.

'I'm in work but I need to use a food bank'

The Trussell Trust charity expects food poverty to worsen in the UK as the cost of living crisis deepens.

Ukraine crisis: Why India is buying more Russian oil

Imports of cheaper Russian oil by India are rising, despite calls for Delhi to help isolate Russia economically.

‘Vampire devices’ cost UK households £147 a year

Leaving devices on standby costs the average household two monthly electric bills, research suggests.

Who is Elon Musk?

The boss of Tesla and SpaceX is the world's richest person and a business celebrity with few rivals.

New Brexit rules caused major shock to UK-EU trade - report

A new study found that imports from the EU fell by 25% relative to those from elsewhere.

Monday, April 25, 2022

Elon Musk buys Twitter: How will the platform change?

Questions have been raised over how the platform will change after being bought by the Tesla boss.

Call for extra bank holiday to be made permanent

Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden is among business leaders who signed an open letter to ministers.

People reliant on cash risk being cut adrift, Which? says

Consumer group Which? has written to the Treasury calling for urgent action to protect access to cash.

Will Ford's new truck finally make Americans buy electric?

Ford says the launch of the electric version of its classic F-150 pickup is a "big bet" for the company.

The high-tech fitness mirrors that aim to get you exercising more

The machines allow the user to see both his or her reflection and a video of an online instructor.

Isles of Scilly's last remaining bank closes

Lloyds Bank is closing on Monday with customers being told to use the Post Office instead.

Nissan signals the end of the road for Datsun cars

The Japanese firm previously called the range of cars "an important part of Nissan's DNA".

Sunday, April 24, 2022

Twitter board meets Musk to discuss bid, reports say

How the Tesla boss plans to finance his offer reportedly made the board seriously consider a deal.

Airlines should be fined for refund delays, MPs say

Passengers hit by international travel disruption should be better protected, a report concludes.

Why Argentina is embracing cryptocurrency

The nation that has seen economic trauma is open to the possibility of alternative money like Bitcoin.

Morrisons cuts prices of 500 items as inflation soars

The supermarket, which is under threat from discounters like Aldi, says it wants to help struggling shoppers.

P&O forced to reverse attempt at pay cut

The ferry firm had asked recently-employed agency workers to sign new contracts with reduced wages.

Saturday, April 23, 2022

'My negative online review was blocked'

Regulators are trying to clean up the murky truth in online reviews.

Friday, April 22, 2022

Post Office scandal victims still waiting for compensation

A year since the first subpostmasters overturned wrongful convictions, most still await a financial settlement

P&O Ferries: Spirit of Britain cleared to sail after inspection

Another ferry is found to have issues that need fixing before it can sail again.

Carlos Ghosn 'surprised' by arrest warrant reports

The former car boss was surprised by an international arrest warrant issued against him, his spokesperson said.

Retail sales fall as rising cost of living bites

Consumer spending was hit last month as household finances came under increasing pressure.

Thursday, April 21, 2022

CNN streaming service to shut a month after launch

It comes as Netflix has reported a plunge in subscribers in the face of stiff competition from rivals.

Ukraine War: Country needs $7bn in aid a month, Zelensky says

"We will need hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild all this later", Ukraine's president added.

Co-op supermarket scraps yoghurt use by dates in bid to cut food waste

The supermarket urges people to use their judgement - with best before labels used instead.

Florida lawmakers have stripped Disney of special tax status

Governor Ron DeSantis has taken aim at Disney over its opposition to the so-called Don't Say Gay bill.

Have we seen peak Netflix?

The streaming giant is losing subscribers despite huge hits like Squid Game and Bridgerton.

Whisky and visas could be part of a UK-India trade deal

Boris Johnson is hoping to strike a free trade deal with India within months.

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Shanghai lockdown: European firms face 'logistical nightmare', says business group

It comes after UK and US business groups said their members have been hit by Covid measures in China.

Pandemic lockdowns boosted trend to use less make-up

A survey of 10,000 British women by retail analyst Kantar has revealed big changes to beauty routines.

Ukraine war: World Bank warns of 'human catastrophe' food crisis

The World Bank chief says hundreds of millions more people could be pushed into poverty.

Working with assertive China a must - New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern

New Zealand's PM tells the BBC in an exclusive interview she'll work with China where possible.

Actors launch campaign against AI 'show stealers'

Equity, the performing arts workers union. says actors need protection from computer-generated substitutes.

Tesla profits soar as customers pay more

Elon Musk's Tesla has raised prices for its electric cars as it faces higher costs.

'Catastrophic winter' warning without help on energy bills

Soaring energy bills will cause problems without fresh help for those struggling, bodies have warned.

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

The Zomato and Swiggy riders risking their lives to deliver food

The BBC followed overworked delivery riders as they raced against time to take food to customers.

Shark Tank: India TV show proves entrepreneurship isn't just for rich

The business show featured 67 ideas on which investors spent more than 400m rupees.

Self driving car guidance to be put in Highway Code

Drivers will be able to watch built-in screens in self-driving cars but not use mobile phones.

Fake reviews to be illegal under new rules

The government has also announced people will be able to opt out of subscriptions more easily.

Netflix loses subscribers for first time in more than 10 years

The firm lost 200,000 members in the first three months of the year.

P&O Ferries: Agency staff sacked after breaching alcohol guidelines

P&O said the workers, who replaced sacked UK seafarers, returned from shore in breach of the rules.

Monday, April 18, 2022

Jacob Rees-Mogg calls for civil servants return to office working

A "clear message" must be sent to civil servants about ending home working, minister says.

Rail ticket sale launched as travel costs criticised

The move was announced to boost numbers on trains, which have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Apple staff make bid for first union at a US store

Employees must get signatures from 30% of staff at New York's Grand Central Station for a union election.

Alex Jones' Infowars files for bankruptcy after defamation suits

It will complicate efforts to make him pay damages in lawsuits over Sandy Hook conspiracy theories.

Emirates will keep flying to Russia unless its owner stops it

It is one of a few airlines still operating in Russia after most pulled out over the war in Ukraine.

Households cancel streaming services to cut costs, report says

The rise in the cost of living has led to more households cutting their subscription services.

Sunday, April 17, 2022

Shanghai lockdown: China spending and employment hit

Official figures also showed the world's second largest economy grew at a faster pace than expected.

Why I didn't use my real name at work

Should you change your name to fit in at work? We look at why some people have anglicised their names.

Christmas savings clubs money to be protected by new laws

The government wants shoppers' money to be protected even if the scheme they are in goes bust.

Lumo train passengers' panic after emergency stop

British Transport Police say 15 train passengers reported minor injuries after the emergency stop.

Next and finance firms buy JoJo Maman Bebe

There will be no immediate job losses at the baby goods retailer, although its founder will step down.

Saturday, April 16, 2022

Climate change: 'We're making wine in Norway'

Vineyards are moving further north, but new winemakers say they struggle to be taken seriously.

Ukraine war: L'Occitane U-turn as it closes Russian shops

The firm says military action in Ukraine means it will shut its shops, having defended staying open.

Council tax rebate: Warning issued over new scam pretending to offer £150

Fraudsters are cold-calling people asking for bank details to receive the £150 rebate, say councils.

Friday, April 15, 2022

'The Post Office interrogated me for hours'

There are calls to ban the Post Office from bringing private prosecutions following the Horizon IT scandal.

Easter: Holiday parks feel the pinch as inflation soars

One holiday firm says its cut prices this year to ensure customers can still get away.

Easter travel: Drivers and train passengers warned of disruption

Millions are expected to travel on what is predicted to be the busiest day of the Easter weekend.

Thursday, April 14, 2022

North Korean hackers target gamers in $615m crypto heist - US

Crypto worth at least $615 million was stolen from players of popular online game Axie Infinity.

Elon Musk 'not sure' his takeover bid for Twitter will be successful

The comments came just hours after the Tesla boss revealed a more than $40bn takeover offer for Twitter.

Crypto boss says fraudsters have 'special place in hell'

An executive at one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges hits out at scammers who target the vulnerable.

Ukraine's President Zelensky to BBC: Blood money being paid for Russian oil

Ukraine's leader tells the BBC that all European countries should have ended Russian energy imports.

Coca-Cola Enterprises boss admits taking £1.5m in bribes

Noel Corry, 56, of Cheshire, provided favoured companies with information to help them win contracts.

Operation Brock: M20 traffic controls scaled back ahead of Easter

Two junctions are reopening on Friday with more due to reopen overnight, National Highways says.

Elon Musk makes offer to buy Twitter

The boss of Tesla claims he wants to unlock the social media platform's "extraordinary potential".

BA tries to poach rival cabin crew staff with £1,000 bonus

The bonus will only be paid to those who can join before July as the industry battles to find new staff.

NFT of Jack Dorsey's first tweet struggles to sell

Malaysia-based Sina Estavi has been offered just a small fraction of the $2.9m he paid for the tweet.

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Sri Lanka debt default 'has begun' - rating agency

The country is due to make $78m of interest payments on its international bonds on Monday.

'Flooding meant I could only reach my home by boat'

Under a new scheme, money will be available for work on flood-hit properties to prevent repeat damage.

Beauty firm L'Occitane keeps Russian stores open

The French cosmetics firm will keep its shops in Russia open but says it is "firmly committed" to Ukraine.

Soaring petrol costs drive inflation to 30-year high

Prices went up by 7% in the 12 months to March, as food, fuel and energy prices continued to climb.

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

US cryptocurrency expert jailed for helping North Korea evade sanctions

Virgil Griffith was sentenced to five years and three months in prison by a court in New York.

Shanghai lockdown: iPhone maker halts operations at China sites

Taiwanese firm Pegatron is latest manufacturer to halt operations because of the Shanghai lockdown.

My Job: 'I like breaking the prison officer stereotype'

Mica has been working at HMP Portland in Dorset, which houses over 500 prisoners, for five years.

P&O Ferry detained over deficiencies - coastguard

The Spirit of Britain cannot sail until further inspection as concerns brew over Dover travel disruption.

How posh British schools are branching out in Asia

A growing number of leading British public schools are opening campuses in the region.

Warning travel problems could continue into summer

Border force is "chronically under-staffed" and it will take time to train new officers, a union says.

Sri Lanka warns it will default on its foreign debt amid crisis

The finance ministry said it otherwise had an "unblemished record" of paying its debts since independence.

Pay growth fails to keep pace with cost of living

Basic pay is "falling noticeably" when accounting for price rises, the Office for National Statistics says.

Monday, April 11, 2022

Nepal limits imports as foreign currency reserves slide

Nepal's finance minister said he was "surprised" the issue was being compared with Sri Lanka's crisis.

Shop sales slow as cost of living pressures build

Sales growth in March slowed due to people tightening up their personal budgets, the BRC says.

Preferred sites for Darlington's 'Treasury North' revealed

During a visit to Darlington, Rishi Sunak said Brunswick and Central Park were the two contenders.

Priority for fresh goods at Dover not realistic, minister says

Hauliers have warned fresh produce is losing quality and value due to long queues at the port.

UK economic growth slows sharply in February

A sharp fall in car and computer production weighed on the UK's economic expansion.

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Elon Musk will now not join Twitter's board, CEO says

The Tesla boss was due to join the social media platform's board after buying a 9.2% stake in the firm.

Why is there an economic crisis in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis in 70 years has prompted mass protests against the government.

DIY waste recycling fees could be scrapped

Ministers want to stop some councils in England charging for the disposal of materials.

Cost of living worries over rise in benefits and state pension

An increase of 3.1% comes into force but prices are rising faster, leading to warnings from charities.

Energy giant Ineos asks to build fracking test site

The firm has written to the government and says it can demonstrate fracking is safe and secure.

War to cut Ukraine's economy by almost half

The World Bank forecasts Ukraine's economy will shrink by 45.1% as a result of Russia's invasion.

P&O Ferries: Larne-Cairnryan passenger service facing delay

The European Causeway vessel is suspended for "tourist travel" until Thursday 14 April, P&O tweets.

'I don't want rising bills to mean kids miss out'

Taxes and bills are rising, so how do small businesses - already hit by Covid - think they'll cope?

Rishi Sunak demands inquiry into Akshata Murty tax leak

Akshata Murty will pay UK taxes on all her overseas income after a row over her non-domicile status.

Saturday, April 9, 2022

'Real embargo on Russian energy could end Ukraine war'

President Putin's former chief economic advisor told the BBC that Western countries could stop the war.

Hauliers fear ruin as produce halted by port delays

Perishable good deliveries are losing quality and value amid congestion at the UK's busiest port.

P&O ferry detained in Larne over safety concerns back sailing

The ship had been held by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency after P&O sacked 800 of its workers.

Scottish farmers warn of rising costs and food shortages

The Scottish government calls for a summit of UK ministers to discuss the problems facing food producers.

Friday, April 8, 2022

House price squeeze: 'I bid dozens of times but lost'

Surging home prices have created a spiralling cost of living crisis in the US.

Rishi Sunak's wife to pay UK tax on overseas income

Akshata Murty has previously not paid UK tax on shares worth £700m in an Indian tech company.

Akshata Murty: Chancellor's wife could save £280m in UK tax

A tax agreement between the UK and India could offer significant savings on Ms Murty’s inheritance tax bill.

Ukraine war causes giant leap in global food prices, says UN

The UN says the conflict has spread shocks through markets for grains and vegetable oil.

Sainsbury's lifts pay after shareholder pressure

The supermarket says all London staff will be paid the Real Living Wage, following calls from investors.

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Kinder chocolate recalled in US over salmonella concerns

It comes after the firm recalled its Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs from UK stores earlier this week.

Manchester Airport boss warns queues could continue for weeks

Manchester Airport has blamed staff shortages for long waits at security over the last month.

'I look for jobs every day but don't have the training'

Can France's next leader do more to tackle soaring unemployment and a lack of skilled workers?

What's causing flight disruption this Easter?

Foreign travel has got off to a bumpy start since Covid restrictions ended, but what is causing it?

Firms struggle amid Sri Lanka's economic crisis

The South Asian nation is facing its worst economic crisis since independence from the UK in 1948.

Are paper football programmes on their way out?

As a number of clubs stop printing programmes some say their future is in doubt.

House price rise since first lockdown revealed

Strong demand and a lack of homes on the market have pushed up property values, the Halifax says.

Oil giant Shell to take £3.8bn hit by leaving Russia

The oil giant pledged to cut ties after it was criticised for buying Russian oil at a cheap price.

Hitachi train cracks report calls for standards review

Hitachi Class 800 and 385 series trains were temporarily taken out of service in May 2021.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

China lockdowns: Tourism spending plunges over key holiday

Tourism spending over the Qingming festival was more than 30% lower than the same time last year.

Will France's 'forgotten' workers get what they want?

Post-election the country's next leader must decide whether to re-invest in heavy industry, or not.

Energy strategy: UK plans new nuclear reactors to boost production

The government wants to boost UK energy production and independence as household bills soar.

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Ukraine war: More than 60% of Putin's war chest frozen, Truss says

The UK foreign secretary says sanctions on Russia must go further, after "appalling acts" in Ukraine.

Namit Malhotra: The Indian who won a VFX Oscar for Dune

Namit Malhotra started his company from a garage in Mumbai. Now it's winning Academy Awards.

Pet cloning is getting more popular despite the cost

The controversial process of cloning your dog or cat is growing more popular, despite its high cost.

Chip shortage: Has Europe's plan arrived too late?

The European Union is investing billions of euros in developing a world-beating chip industry.

Are we entering a 'golden age' for trade unions?

The pandemic has led to an increase in the number of people joining a union to get support at work.

Cost of living: National Insurance rise starts to hit pay packets

The Prime Minister says it is fair for some to face an extra tax burden to pay for health and social care.

Broadband firms 'must do more to promote social tariffs'

The culture secretary says suppliers must do more to promote discounted rates to low-income homes.

New rules on gambling adverts ban celebrities and sports stars

Firms will not be able to use stars like footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Love Island's Chris Hughes.

Car sales suffer in new number plate March

The Society of Motor Manufacturers' new data showed UK car sales were at their weakest in 24 years.

The Works forced to close shops after cyber-attack

The retailer said that five of its 526 shops have temporarily been shut since the attack last week.

Monday, April 4, 2022

Zomato and Swiggy: Indian food delivery unicorns face antitrust probe

The country's competition watchdog is probing allegations that the firms charge exorbitant commissions.

Sri Lanka central bank to get new governor amid economic crisis

P Nandalal Weerasinghe told the BBC that he will take up the role of the bank's governor on Thursday.

Does it matter if we know where our food comes from?

Increasingly sophisticated tech tells us more than ever about our food's journey from farm to fork.

Kinder Surprise eggs recalled over salmonella link

Some food poisoning cases in children have been linked to the chocolate eggs, the Food Standards Agency says.

Sri Lanka central bank governor submits resignation amid crisis

Ajith Nivard Cabraal's announcement came after all of the country's cabinet ministers resigned.

Sunday, April 3, 2022

Tesla delivers record number of cars despite challenges

The electric carmaker delivered more than 310,000 vehicles in the first three months of this year.

Trump's Truth Social app branded a disaster

Donald Trump's social media platform was supposed to be "fully operational" by the end of March.

Price of first class stamps rises to 95p

Royal Mail says it will help cover rising delivery costs, but some have criticised the 11% hike.

Shanghai lockdown: Economy shaken by zero-Covid measures

Shanghai is a major financial centre and port as well as a hub for manufacturing electronics and cars.

EasyJet cancels 100 flights due to Covid absences

The airline said surging Covid rates in Europe were resulting in higher-than-usual levels of sickness.

Energy rationing not part of UK approach, minister says

Grant Shapps says the policy is "not a route we want to go down" despite pressure on supplies.

Dover cross-Channel ferry disruption begins to ease

Drivers trying to reach ferries on Saturday saw delays of up to nine hours.

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Sunflower oil: UK bottler has a few week's supply left

Makers of oven chips, crisps, ready meals and cereal bars are racing to find sunflower oil alternatives.

Diesel delivery highlights UK dependence on Russia

Russia supplies nearly a fifth of UK diesel - the UK says it will stop imports by the end of the year.

Manchester Airport: More delays blamed on lack of staff

A lack of staff and surging demand with the Easter are blamed for long baggage queues for arrivals.

Friday, April 1, 2022

Fracking 'worth exploring' says British Gas owner Centrica

Centrica's boss tells the BBC that the UK should be open to the idea of bringing back fracking.

Ukraine war to halve global trade growth, warns WTO

The World Trade Organisation says ongoing pandemic-related supply chain problems are also hurting growth.