Boxing Day shopping falls flat once again

Although shoppers are still bargain-hunting, fewer people headed to the high streets and shopping centres compared with last year.

US economy grows at fastest pace in two years

Strong consumer spending helps the US economy grow at a faster rate than expected.

'Families can save £200 a month at community shop'

Customers say the social supermarket in North Bransholme is taking the pressure off the weekly shop.

Major fires still a risk under 'spineless' new safety law, construction boss warns

David Jones believes it will permit too many risks, but the government calls it a proportionate approach.

UK social media campaigners among five denied US visas

The Trump administration bans five people who have called for tech regulation from entering the country.

I have no regrets - What to do with unwanted Christmas presents

How to regift without getting caught and other options for dealing with unwanted presents.

Christmas spirit offered 'right through the year'

Grace Trust says it offers the Christmas spirit all year to people on Jersey who are struggling.

Our son can't come home for Christmas after insulation mould took over

Mr and Mrs Wadley's 19-year-old son has asthma and cannot come home for Christmas due to mould all over the walls.

Who are the frontrunners for the top Fed job?

Donald Trump is due to name a new leader of the Federal Reserve at a tricky moment.

Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas

Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?

Bourbon maker Jim Beam halts production at main distillery for a year

US distillers face uncertainty after President Trump imposed tariffs on countries around the world.

Has Britain's budget watchdog become too all-powerful?

Ahead of this week's Budget, some have accused the Office for Budget Responsibility of being a "straitjacket on growth"

Will tech trump tradition at bakers and biscuit makers?

Introducing robots and automation to the food industry involves extra hurdles.

Housing Britain

Vicky Spratt explores how the UK's housing crisis unfolded and asks if we can fix it.

Retail sales fall as Black Friday deals fail to lure shoppers

Supermarket sales fell for the fourth month in a row, while discounts did not lift Black Friday spending in November, figures suggest.

What's pushing up the cost of Christmas dinner this year?

A typical turkey dinner will cost about £32.45 this year, according to research done for the BBC.

Will the US TikTok deal make it safer but less relevant?

The key to the app's success - its algorithm - is to be retrained on US data. Will that make US TikTok blander?

WH Smith probed by regulator over accounting error

The retailer says it plans to claw back bonuses awarded to executives at its North America business as a result of the mistakes.

Price increases in the US ease unexpectedly in November

Prices rose 2.7% over the 12 months to November, according to the latest figures from the consumer price index (CPI).

Facebook tests £9.99 monthly subscription for sharing more than two links

Meta is encouraging users to verify themselves to unlock more features or engagement with their posts.

Bank of England expected to cut interest rates

Analysts believe the Bank rate will fall from 4% to 3.75%, lowering the cost of borrowing.

Six-month wait for driving tests set to last until 2027

The National Audit Office said there was a backlog of 1.1 million learner driver tests since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meet the biggest heat pumps in the world

Across Europe huge heat pumps are being installed that can heat tens of thousands of homes.

Sunak defends Covid loan scheme over excessive fraud claims

Critics say Bounce Back Loans were vulnerable to fraud, but Sunak cited need for speedy rollout

The curious case of why Poundland is struggling during a cost-of-living crisis

Why - in an age where so many of us are feeling the financial pinch - are some budget shops on UK high streets having such a tough time?

Inquiry into role of Budget watchdog launched by MPs

It comes after intense scrutiny of the Office for Budget Responsibility in the run-up to the Budget.

How 100-year-old firm went from Hull to Hollywood

East Yorkshire-based Croda developed a treatment for a rare disease – a story retold by Hollywood.

EU backs indefinite freeze on Russia's frozen cash ahead of loan plan for Ukraine

After almost four years of Russia's full-scale war, Kyiv is running out of cash, and needs an estimated €135.7bn over the next two years.

Brixton Soup Kitchen prepares for busy Christmas

Volunteers are preparing hampers and toys for local children who would otherwise go without.

Venezuela says Trump wants its oil. But is that the case?

The South American nation's output has plummeted and restoring its former glory would be a heavy lift.

'It's amazing' – the wonder material very few can make

Just a handful of companies can make cadmium zinc telluride, a material with powerful properties.

Honesty box 'helps us thank our generous community'

A family raising money to fund a suitable home for their son is among those driving a revival in honesty boxes.

'Architects of AI' named Time Magazine's Person of the Year

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang is among the influential tech figures that adorn one of the two covers.

Mexico approves up to 50% tariffs on China and other countries

The levies are set to take effect on 1 January and will apply to goods like cars, clothing and appliances.

Rebrand for golf course named after former prince Andrew

The Duke's Course in St Andrews will be rebranded the Craigtoun Course, after a nearby country park.

Fed Reserve cuts interest rates despite growing divisions

The US central bank lowered interest rates for the third time this year, but the outlook for further cuts remains murky.

AI tools transform Christmas gifting as shoppers turn to chatbots

Shopper are increasingly using chatbots for their hard-to-buy-for family and friends, with implications for bargain hunters and businesses.

Trump says $72bn Netflix-Warner Bros deal 'could be a problem'

The planned deal would cement Netflix in its position as the world's biggest subscription streaming service.

Rebrand for golf course named after former prince Andrew

The Duke's Course in St Andrews will be rebranded the Craigtoun Course, after a nearby country park.

Five takeaways from the blockbuster Netflix-Warner Brothers deal

It might seem like a simple merger deal, but it's got all the ingredients of a Hollywood drama.

Jamie's Italian to return six years after collapse

Jamie Oliver is relaunching his casual dining brand in the UK backed by the people behind Prezzo.

We would sell books by AI, says Waterstones boss

James Daunt says booksellers instinctively have "disdain" for AI but it could be sold if clearly labelled.

Reverse advent calendar call-out from foodbank

Every day up until Christmas, the Redcar foodbank is asking the community to donate a specific item.

Sold 30 items on Vinted? Don't panic if you get a message about tax

Here's what you need to know about tax rules if you're selling items online.

US hits out at EU's 'suffocating regulations' after it fines Elon Musk's X

The European Commission says the social media site is opening its users up to scams and impersonations.

Meta shifts some metaverse investments to AI smart glasses

The company has struggled to convince investors of the viability of the metaverse, a nascent technology.

A speeding driver killed my parents - there needs to be a cultural change

Claire Corkery wants attitudes to change on road safety after her parents were killed by a speeding driver.

Investigation into pre-Budget leaks is under way, MPs told

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has given her "full support" to a review of security processes around the lead-up to the Budget.

Italian fashion giant Prada buys Versace – at a discount

The $1.38bn (£1.04bn) deal between the two Italian fashion giants is well below the roughly $2bn Versace was sold for in 2018.

Dell family to seed Trump accounts for kids with $250

The donation will help seed new Trump-branded investment accounts.

Police consider corporate manslaughter charges in Post Office scandal

The move comes as police continue to investigate what has been called the UK's most widespread miscarriage of justice.

Greek sheep and goat cull raises fears of feta cheese shortage

Livestock is being culled across the country due to an infectious disease outbreak.