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£100 contactless card limit to be lifted

Card providers can decide whether to offer unlimited payments on contactless cards.

Millions head home for Christmas on busiest day of festive getaway

Road, rail and air travellers are being advised to allow extra time for travel and check their routes.

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.

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?

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 tech trump tradition at bakers and biscuit makers?

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

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.

AI likely to displace jobs, says Bank of England governor

Andrew Bailey says workers need to be trained to move into jobs that use AI, but adds it might not lead to mass unemployment.

French court rejects Shein website suspension over childlike sex dolls

The fast-fashion giant welcomed the judgement and said its priority remains protecting French consumers.

TikTok owner signs deal to avoid US ban

The deals would end years of efforts by Washington to force ByteDance to sell its US operations.

Michelle Mone-linked PPE firm liquidated and unlikely to repay £148m

The firm led by Baroness Mone's husband Douglas Barrowman breached a contract to supply surgical gowns during the Covid pandemic.

Faisal Islam: Will pre-Christmas interest rate cut be enough to boost UK economy next year?

The Bank of England is hoping the interest rate cut will inject some much-needed momentum into the economy.

Japan hikes interest rate to highest level since 1995 as inflation bites

It comes as new PM Sanae Takaichi is keen for inflation to fall but also needs low government borrowing costs.

UK names Christian Turner as ambassador to US, replacing Peter Mandelson

Turner has spent a nearly 30-year career working across Whitehall and the Foreign Office.

BP names new boss as current CEO leaves after less than two years

BP has appointed Meg O'Neill as its chief executive, making her the first female boss of a major oil giant.

Trump Media to merge with fusion energy firm in $6bn deal

The company behind President Trump's Truth Social platform makes a surprising move into the energy sector.

HR exec in viral Coldplay clip speaks of abuse, threats and trying to find a new job

Kristin Cabot says she was bombarded with abusive and threatening messages after being filmed with her boss on the 'kiss-cam'.

Interest rates cut to 3.75% but further reductions to be 'closer call'

The decision to lower borrowing costs was widely expected, after inflation slowed in the year to November.

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).

Insurers told to make policies easier to understand

The demand follows a "super-complaint" about the home and travel insurance sectors.

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.

Pay freeze for Father Christmas but elves fare better

Some seasonal workers have seen pay rises this year but Santas may have to tighten their belts.

Starmer tells Abramovich to 'pay up now' or face court

The Prime Minister said Roman Abramovich should make good on his pledge that money from the sale of Chelsea FC would go to benefit Ukrainians

The Oscars to leave ABC and stream on YouTube starting in 2029

The show was hosted by ABC for more than a half-century and reveals the latest major shakeup in Hollywood.

Warner Bros favours Netflix offer over $108bn Paramount bid

Warner Brothers says the offer for its film and streaming businesses is inferior to Netflix's.

Lower clothing and food prices help inflation fall by more than expected

The 3.2% November figure is down on the 3.6% recorded in the year to October.

Morrisons faces £17m bill over hot chicken row

The supermarket firm claimed its rotisserie chickens were exempt from the hot food tax.

Should more be done to tackle 'ghost jobs', vacancies that don't exist?

Companies are advertising vacancies that have already been filled or might not have ever existed.

Why this month's inflation figure may be good news for you

The rate of inflation, which charts the rising cost of living, has slowed - driven partly by essentials.

Meet the biggest heat pumps in the world

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

Spain's commitment to renewable energy may be in doubt

The current government is politically weakened and the opposition wants more use of fossil fuels.

'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.

Japan is facing a dementia crisis – can technology help?

Elderly people aged 65 and over now make up nearly 30% of Japan's population.

Can Japan get more female business leaders?

The country lags behind when it comes to women in leadership positions.

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.

What are freeze-dried sweets and why are they popular?

Big confectionery makers are rolling out freeze-dried sweets after they become an online sensation.

How family firms can best plan for succession

The Murdochs had a much-reported inheritance battle, but smoother transitions are possible.

'Carspreading' is on the rise - and not everyone is happy about it

In the UK and across Europe, cars are becoming longer, wider and heavier.

Why time is running out for Germany's green hydrogen industry

Firms are ready to make the equipment needed for green hydrogen, but demand has not picked up yet.

OBR head's resignation leaves potential landmines for Reeves

Chancellor's next mission to find a respected and credible economist to run the OBR will require careful balance

Greek sheep and goat cull raises fears of feta cheese shortage

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

£100 contactless card limit to be lifted

Card providers can decide whether to offer unlimited payments on contactless cards.

A 45% school bus fare hike is too much, says dad

Ambi Ambituuni now expects to pay more than £300 a term for his daughter's bus journeys.

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.

Interest rates cut to 3.75% but further reductions to be 'closer call'

The decision to lower borrowing costs was widely expected, after inflation slowed in the year to November.

Why are UK prices still rising?

UK Inflation has dropped back from record highs but remains above the Bank of England's 2% target.

Budget 2025: What's the best and worst that could happen for Labour?

Three days in, after a tax U-turn and partial climbdown on workers' rights, Laura Kuenssberg looks at what impact Budget week might have.

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"

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?

The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high

Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why

How Milei's 'Thatcherite' economics divided his nation - but won over Trump

Ahead of Milei's visit to the White House - amid protests and anger on the streets back at home - Ione Wells unravels the paradox that Argentina's president has created

Who are the winners and losers of the interest rate cut?

The Bank of England has cut interest rates from 4% to 3.75% - the lowest level since February 2023.

Inflation is at its Lowest for Eight Months

Lower prices for food and clothing meant inflation fell by more than expected

Lower Clothing and Food Prices Help Inflation Fall

The inflation rate fell to 3.2% from 3.6%, a larger fall than analysts expected

UK Economy Shrinks by 0.1%

The weaker than expected figure mean an interest rate cut is more likely

UK Economy Unexpectedly Shrinks

The economy shrank by 0.1% in October as output fell as growth stalled

Source: BBC News

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