UK sandwich chain Pret A Manger to launch in India

Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries will open outlets across the country under a franchise deal.

Student requests for hardship funding tripled over Covid

The amount of hardship money also doubled last year, Freedom of Information responses suggest.

Cost of living: Families who care for relatives' children in crisis

Laura took in her two half-siblings six years ago, but says she is now struggling as prices soar.

US stocks see worst first half drop in more than 50 years

The S&P 500 index dropped by more than 20%, while major indexes around the world also fell sharply.

TV ad breaks could get longer as rules are reviewed

The frequency of advertising breaks will be reviewed by Ofcom, which says it will consult viewers.

Bulb boss Hayden Wood to step down from collapsed energy firm

Hayden Wood had stayed on with a £250,000 salary after the government put the company into administration.

Pride: Amazon restricts LGBT goods in United Arab Emirates

The online retail giant says it has to comply with the laws of the countries in which it operates.

Google sign-up a 'fast track to surveillance', consumer groups say

Ten European consumer organisations join forces to launch complaints to privacy and data regulators

Petrol station staff abused over high fuel prices

There is a "huge increase" of abuse by drivers angry at the price at the pump, forecourt operators say.

Firms warn time is running out to save UK economy

The boss of a business lobby group will call for more help for companies struggling with rising costs.

Heathrow Airport announces more flight cancellations

The cancellations are because more passengers are expected at the airport than it can cope with.

Royal Mail managers vote to strike over job cuts

Proposed strike dates will be announced in the coming days, Unite the Union says.

Israel welcomes Ben & Jerry's reversal over West Bank settlements

Unilever agrees a deal to continue selling the ice cream throughout Israel and the occupied West Bank.

Nearly five million fewer donating, says charity sector

Nearly five million fewer people are donating in the UK compared to 2019, a survey suggests.

Energy bill and tax rebate scams on the rise

Younger age groups are often the main target for fraud, banking industry group says.

Airbnb permanently bans parties and events around the world

The firm said a temporary ban on parties, which was introduced in August 2020, was popular with hosts.

Firms say government price cut 'slap in the face'

A group says a government campaign asking businesses to cut prices is unrealistic for small firms.

Rail workers outdated, says Transport Secretary

Union rejects comments by Grant Shapps suggesting that updates are needed to railway working practices.

Poundland boosts £1 products in battle for shoppers

The discount chain says it is seeing a rise in customer numbers as people seek savings.

UK decides AI still cannot patent inventions

Many experts doubted AI was currently able to invent without human assistance, a consultation found.

Post Office workers to strike over pay

The one-day strike will take place on 11 July over what a union called a "massive real-terms pay cut".

Sainsbury's pressed to join real living wage scheme

Shareholders call for the supermarket to make an ongoing commitment to paying higher wages.

Lower energy bill plan for avoiding peak-time use

Some households could get discounts for using less energy at peak times under National Grid's scheme.

Landlord warning over tenant eviction laws in Scotland

The Scottish Parliament will decide whether emergency Covid powers should be made permanent.

Hobbycraft to open three new stores as profits rise

Hobbycraft sees a rise in profits in the 2022 financial year but predicts a "challenging" future.

Japan urges 37 million people to switch off lights

Officials have asked people in Tokyo and its surrounding area to turn off lights amid a heatwave.

G7 summit: Leaders detail $600bn plan to rival China's Belt and Road initiative

The revamped plan will see fresh funds being injected into development projects in Asia and Africa.

Boris Johnson signals controls on steel imports to stay

The government says the move would protect British producers at a time of rising energy costs.

Thousands of PwC staff to get 9% pay rise to offset cost of living

The accountancy firm's chairman Kevin Ellis says the company "can't ignore market pressures".

Roe v Wade: US firms pledge to pay staff travel expenses for abortions

Disney, JP Morgan and Meta are among the companies to confirm such policies after the Roe v Wade ruling.

Hajj travellers unable to fly due to ticket delay

Some British Muslims who booked pilgrimages to Mecca could not fly after problems with a new system.

Ukraine war: UK joins ban on imports of Russian gold

The move by the UK, US, Canada and Japan will "strike at the heart of Putin's war machine", the UK PM says.

Russia on brink of default as debt deadline looms

The country is close to its first default since 1998 as sanctions block payments to creditors

Rail strikes: Travellers braced for third day of disruption

People are advised to only travel by train if necessary, with just a fifth of services running.

Rail strikes: Travel disruptions continue after talks to stop third walkout fail

People are told to make only necessary journeys, with one in five services running on Saturday.

Row over M&S plan to redevelop flagship store

The government is calling a review of the plans which include a smaller shop, offices and a gym.

Risk of further BA strikes as more staff consulted

The airline's engineers and call centre workers in the UK are being consulted over industrial action.

Robinsons ends Wimbledon sponsorship after 86 years

The soft drink has had a partnership with the tennis championships since the mid-1930s.

Retail sales fall as people cut back on food shopping

Sales dropped 0.5% in May as households spent less on food due to the rising cost of living.

Toyota recalls electric cars over concerns about loose wheels

The bZ4X is the Japanese motor industry giant's first mass-produced all-electric vehicle.

Two killed as Nio electric car falls from third floor office in Shanghai

Pictures show a gaping hole in the side of carmaker Nio's Shanghai HQ, and a smashed vehicle below.

Train strikes: Why haven't they caused more disruption?

The post-pandemic shift to working from home means disruption caused by the strikes has been more limited.

Government borrowing falls as tax income rises

The amount the government borrowed in May fell compared to a year earlier but remains above pre-Covid levels.

New Tesla factories losing billions of dollars, Musk says

Elon Musk said the Covid-19 lockdown in Shanghai was "very difficult" for the electric car maker.

Brics summit: Members push for global clout amid Ukraine war

Leaders from India, Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa meet amid major shifts in geopolitics.

Just 100 days left to spend paper £20 and £50 notes

It will soon be impossible to pay in shops with the notes, which are being replaced by plastic versions.

Chinese man jailed for sexual assault of Alibaba employee on work trip

The woman was assaulted after being made to drink on a work trip, and then fired after going public.

Twitter tests 'notes' feature with 2,500 word limit

The trial will let some users share "notes" beyond the normal 280-character limit for tweets.

Train strikes: How did passengers cope with day one?

As services ground to a halt, figures suggest commuters turned to bikes, taxis or decided to work from home.

Rail strike: Millions faced delays and congestion on first day

The PM urges the nation to resist high pay rises but the rail union says it is "leading the way".

Mining firm Glencore pleads guilty to UK bribery charges

One of the world’s biggest mining firms, Glencore, has again pleaded guilty to a series of corruption offences.

Easyjet Spain cabin crew set to strike in July

Flight attendants may walk-out for nine days in July, adding to holiday woes for travellers.

Brewdog approached Heineken about partial sale

Brewdog’s CEO was involved in preliminary discussions in 2018 about a potential sale of part of the beer firm.

Food bills are set to soar by £380 this year

Grocery prices rose by 8.3% over the past four weeks, the highest level in 13 years.

'Rail strikes have lost us £500,000 of bookings'

Businesses, commuters and pupils sitting exams anticipate disruption from this week's train strikes.

New rules proposed for buy now pay later

The loans are used by millions but ministers want checks on affordability and clearer advertising.

Primark finally goes online in new click-and-collect trial

The retailer will trial click-and-collect at stores after long resisting selling on the internet.

Rail strike: Travellers face reduced service ahead of rail strikes

Last-minute talks are due to take place, but passengers are advised to avoid travel as services prepare to wind down.

EasyJet to cut more flights over summer holidays

The airline has scaled back its plans after major airports announced caps on flight numbers.

Ukraine war: Russia becomes China's biggest oil supplier

Chinese energy giants have been ramping up imports of heavily discounted Russian oil in recent months.

Global inflation: Five ways US rate rise will affect you

The impact of higher interest rates in the US will cascade through the global economy.

Train strikes: Dispute still resolvable, says industry boss

More talks between management and unions are expected on Monday - the day before strikes begin.

Energy bills: Watchdog plans to prevent company closures

Ofgem says it wants to help energy firms be more resilient and better protect consumers if they do fail.

Rail strikes will punish innocent people, transport secretary says

But union leaders blame politicians for failing to stop the strikes, which will begin on Tuesday.

Interest-free loan scheme aims to reach 20,000 people

People struggling with their finances can access small, zero-cost loans as part of a nationwide trial.

Companies must help cut living costs, says new cost of living tsar

The government's new cost of living tsar says he wants "old friends and colleagues... to help the British people".

Big Tech must deal with disinformation or face fines, says EU

Tighter EU rules will demand firms such as Google and Meta tackle disinformation on their platforms.

Gatwick cuts summer flights after staff shortages

The airport says it will lead to a more reliable service, after a wave of cancellations and delays.

Cosmetics maker Revlon files for bankruptcy in US

The 90-year-old firm says supply chain disruptions have driven up the cost of raw materials.

Sri Lanka should have gone to IMF sooner, says central bank governor

An International Monetary Fund team is due to arrive in the capital Colombo for talks on Monday.

Apple battery row: Millions of iPhone users could get payouts in legal action

The tech giant is accused of secretly slowing down the performance of older models.

Eight million Australians urged to turn off lights

Australia's energy minister has urged households to use less electricity in the face of a power crisis.

Asos hit as rising prices see shoppers return more

The online retailer says "inflationary pressures" are leading its customers to send back orders.

Renting: No-fault evictions to be banned in England

The Renters Reform Bill will also end blanket bans on benefit claimants or families with children.

El Salvador: The country where you can buy anything with Bitcoin

The cryptocurrency crash is hurting many investors, including one country that has bet big on Bitcoin.

Gazprom: Germany accuses Russian gas giant of pushing energy prices up

Russian giant Gazprom says it will cut the amount of gas it sends to Germany by more than half.

El Salvador's Bitcoin pet hospital

The Chivo Pets animal hospital, which opened in El Salvador in February, provides whatever care an animal needs for just 25 cents - as long as payment is made with a Bitcoin app.

Summer food prices to rise quickly, say grocery analysts

There will be a spike in food prices this summer, the Institute of Grocery Distribution predicts.

Paddy Power ad ban for gambling taking priority

The banned advert shows a man failing to pay full attention to his wife's words while using a betting app.

Cost of living: Families can help pensioners claim benefits

Relatives should check pensioners are making claims as an estimated 850,000 households are missing out.

Russia's economy in for a bumpy ride as sanctions bite

Four months after Russia invaded Ukraine, the economy still works but it lacks some of its parts.

Millions to get first cost-of-living payment from 14 July

More than eight million UK homes will get the first of two cost-of-living payments totalling £650.

Ryanair Afrikaans test: Airline drops controversial South African quiz

Boss Michael O'Leary responds to the row by saying that the quiz "doesn't make sense anymore".

Musk to hold first meeting with Twitter staff this week

The Tesla boss has warned he may quit his takeover deal over the number of fake accounts on the platform.

Amazon to begin drone deliveries in Lockeford, California this year

The shopping giant hopes to deliver parcels to shoppers by air for the first time later in 2022.

Disney's Buzz Lightyear film banned by UAE

Disney's Toy Story spin-off, which contains a same-sex kiss, won't be shown in the country's cinemas.

Why is inflation in US higher than elsewhere?

A surge in government spending drove US inflation to the highest of advanced economies last year.

Petrol prices hit new high as urgent review ordered

Concerns continue that a 5p fuel duty cut is not being passed on to drivers quickly enough.

Heathrow: Passenger numbers continue to rise despite aviation struggles

The hub airport says passenger numbers were at 79% of pre-coronavirus levels last month.

UK economy shrinks as firms battle higher prices

The economy contracted by 0.3% in April after it shrank by 0.1% in March, official figures show.

South Korea lorry driver strike hits car and steel producers

Thousands of truckers have stopped work over their demands for more pay as they face rising fuel costs.

Cost of living: Stock markets slide over global economy concerns

It comes as official figures showed that US inflation hit a more than 40-year high last month.

UK farmers turn to Nepal and Tajikistan for fruit pickers

No longer able to rely on workers from places like Ukraine, the UK is recruiting from further afield.

Dragons' Den star Hilary Devey dies aged 65

Hilary Devey died at her holiday home in Morocco after a long illness, her publicist confirms.

Fuel prices: Business secretary wants review of rising costs

The business secretary wants to know if a 5p fuel duty cut is being passed on quickly enough to drivers.

Russia unveils 'tasty' McDonald's substitute

The fast food outlets are rebranded as "Tasty and that's it" after the burger giant pulled out.

Hajj-Muslim pilgrims face losing out from online booking to Mecca

The Saudi government wants Muslims to book online for Mecca but many have already paid tour agents.

Rail strike: Agency staff could cover future disruption

The transport secretary says he is preparing to overhaul rules, as rail workers prepare to walk out.

Aukus: Australia to pay €555m settlement to French firm

The €555m settlement draws a line under a row that threatened to torpedo EU-Australia trade talks.

Forecourt fuel thefts rise as petrol prices soar

There has been an increase in motorists driving off without paying or claiming they have no wallet.

Fuel price rises hit ice cream van trade

Rising fuel prices will cost ice cream van owners their livelihoods, according to a trade body.

Budgeting: 'I’ll walk to the next shop just to save 5p'

Single mum Safina has taken an extreme approach to saving money since her events business collapsed.

Rail strikes and flight cancellations: Are UK travellers heading for a summer of misery?

After two years of Covid rules, airline disruption and rail strikes risk overshadowing the summer.

Top student loan interest rate cut by 5% in England

The government says the 7.3% cap offers "peace of mind for graduates" as the cost of living grows.

Worried households cut back on energy and food

Official data reveals heightened concern among households about the rising cost of living.

Fuel prices: 'Help us out', says carer on brink of quitting

A carer who regularly drives more than 600 miles a week for work says she may give up the job.

YouTube accused of failing to tackle fake Elon Musk livestream scams

YouTube is being criticised for failing to tackle a network of scammers streaming fake Elon Musk videos.

Russia's new version of McDonald's unveils logo

It comes as the fast food chain is due to reopen 15 of the rebranded restaurants this weekend.

Refineries cash in as petrol prices soar

A lack of capacity to process crude oil has helped to drive fuel prices to record levels

Rishi Sunak accused of wasting £11bn servicing government debt

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been caught out by interest rate rises, a research institute says.

Covid-19: Japan reopens to tourists - but with strict rules

The once-popular Asian destination has some of the world's toughest Covid-19 restrictions.

Storm Arwen: Up your game, Ofgem tells energy firms

The regulator says firms must do better to prevent power cuts and get people back on supply quicker.

Climate change: New Zealand's plan to tax cow and sheep burps

It would make it the first country to charge farmers for the methane emissions from their animals.

Boris Johnson tries to reset leadership with housing pledges

He is expected to give a new right-to-buy pledge and suggest benefits should count towards mortgages.

Cost of living: The shock of rising prices in Japan

Why making Japan's favourite snack more expensive was so controversial it prompted an ad campaign.

Dunsfold oil drilling application approved by government

Waverley council says it is "the worst possible outcome" and could lead to "irreversible harm".

Ukraine war: WTO boss warns of global food crisis

If food shipments do not restart from Ukraine, a severe food crisis will last for years, WTO boss says.

Hospitality firms warn June rail strikes will be devastating

Bars, restaurants, theatre, live music, and museums groups say planned strikes will damage Covid recovery.

TikTok probes claims of aggressive work culture

A senior executive at the firm allegedly said he "didn't believe" in maternity leave.

Russian superyacht ordered to leave Fiji on US warrant

US police win a court battle to seize a 106m superyacht alleged to belong to a sanctioned oligarch.

Sri Lanka crisis: Nation needs at least $5bn this year for essentials

The country's prime minister says the money would be used to pay for basic items like fuel and food.

Uber powers emergency food deliveries in Ukraine

Uber has built a "private-label" version of its delivery platform to help the UN deliver food and water.

Rail strikes: Fresh talks urged to avoid disruption

The RMT union and the rail industry both say they want to try and get a deal to avoid June strikes.

EU sets date for common phone charge cable

The EU has provisionally agreed new mobile devices must, by autumn 2024, use the same type of charger.

Buy now, pay later: Warning over use of credit cards to cover payments

Millions of young shoppers are borrowing money to make buy now pay later repayments, says Citizens Advice.

HS2: Government scraps plans for £3bn West Coast Main Line link

Rail bosses react angrily to the scrapping of plans for the line in Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

KFC Australia swaps lettuce for cabbage amid crisis

It comes as Australian shoppers have been hit with soaring prices for some fresh fruits and vegetables.

Top Gun maker Paramount sued over copyright breach

The lawsuit claims the film studio did not have the rights to release Top Gun: Maverick.

AstraZeneca boss: I don't think I would do anything differently

Pascal Soriot was knighted in the Queen’s Jubilee birthday honours for his contributions to science.

South Africa: Wealthy Gupta brothers arrested in UAE

The pair are accused in South Africa of large-scale corruption and exerting unfair political influence.

Shoppers spent less for second month in a row, says BRC

Shoppers are buying footwear and beauty items, but not furniture and electronics, new figures suggest.

Revolut's banking app crashes for some customers

The fintech firm says it is working to fix the problem "as soon as possible".

London Metal Exchange sued for $456m over cancelled nickel trades

Fund manager Elliott Associates claims that cancelling trades of the metal in March was "unlawful".

Mercedes recalls almost 1m cars over faulty brakes

The German carmaker said the brakes of some older cars may be affected by "advanced corrosion".

The workers getting 100% pay for 80% of the hours

The biggest ever trial of a four-day week gets under way with up to 70 firms taking part.

Flight cancellations: Children and teachers stranded abroad as school starts

Hundreds of flights cancelled over the half-term break mean some pupils are missing the start of school.

Love Island stylist curates second-hand wardrobe for show

For the first time, ITV's Love Island contestants will be dressed in pre-owned clothes.

Shortage of homes to rent leads to tenant bidding wars

Tenants are going to great lengths to secure a home from offering big deposits to sharing photos of their dogs.

Easyjet cancels 80 flights as travel disruption continues

Airlines continue to cancel flights as travel secretary says industry must solve labour shortages.

Post Office strike: Workers to walk out over pay dispute

More than 110 Post Offices close for 24 hours as staff walk out in a dispute over pay.

Ukraine war: Marriott hotel chain to leave Russia after 25 years

Marriott says Western sanctions have made it "impossible" to continue to remain in Russia.

US firms add more jobs than expected in May

Key data shows that employers added 390,000 jobs while the jobless rate stayed at 3.6%.

Ukraine lifts interest rate to highest in Europe

In a bid to fight off high inflation, the war-torn country's central bank has lifted borrowing costs.

Shoppers not returning to Scotland's stores

Scottish shopper footfall was 16.4% down on the same month in the year before the pandemic.

Investors seek millions from Woodford fund collapse

A claim representing 1,500 investors wants £18m from the 'referee' of Neil Woodford's fund.

Chicken rice: Why Singapore's much-loved dish is under threat

The city state is feeling the impact of Malaysia's export curbs on chicken.

Passengers advised to fly with just one bag

Travellers should not check-in luggage to avoid delays at airports, say industry figures.

Shanghai lockdown: The punishing cost on small businesses

Hairdresser Martin Li, who had to close his salon, was one of many business owners who suffered.

Missguided shoppers left chasing orders and refunds

The fast fashion brand has found a buyer but shoppers say they are still waiting for deliveries and refunds.

Why the Ukraine war may power Asia's green energy shift

A growing number of South Korean businesses are betting on hydrogen as they move to cleaner energy.

Travel disruption continues as 150 flights cancelled

Airlines and operators have "seriously oversold flights", Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says.

Missguided: Sports Direct owner Frasers Group buys fashion retailer after collapse

The fast fashion brand has suffered from supply chain issues, rising freight costs and increased competition.