Why your chocolate is getting smaller, more expensive and less chocolatey

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:25:21 GMT
Christmas treats are getting eaten away by 'shrinkflation' and the Grinch even has an eye on the cocoa content.

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

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 19:14:51 GMT
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.

UK economy shrank unexpectedly by 0.1% in October

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:00:03 GMT
The impact of the JLR cyber-attack continued to affect output, while analysts say spending was hit by Budget uncertainty.

No 10 says it backs pubs as landlords bar Labour MPs in tax protest

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 10:09:51 GMT
The government says it delivered a £4.3bn support package for pubs and restaurants in the Budget.

Nationwide fined £44m for 'ineffective' crime controls

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:47:48 GMT
The building society failed to monitor its customers' activity effectively between 2016 and 2021, the regulator says.

Lululemon boss to step down early next year

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:19:48 GMT
Calvin McDonald's decision to leave at the end of January comes amid a run of poor sales for the firm in the US.

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

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 05:42:29 GMT
The South American nation's output has plummeted and restoring its former glory would be a heavy lift.

Creative industries 'incredibly worried' about OpenAI-Disney deal

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:46:00 GMT
The $1bn deal will let fans generate videos and images of more than 200 Disney characters on ChatGPT and Sora.

Honesty box 'helps us thank our generous community'

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:49:42 GMT
A family raising money to fund a suitable home for their son is among those driving a revival in honesty boxes.

Trump signs order to block states from enforcing own AI rules

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:02:57 GMT
California's governor Gavin Newsom issued a strongly-worded statement in response to the executive order.

Gatwick Airport drop-off charge rises to £10

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 17:06:20 GMT
Drop-off fees will rise from £7 to £10 at the West Sussex airport from 6 January.

'It's ruined my life': Flat-owner says building work by freeholder has left her homeless

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 05:54:16 GMT
A botched roof extension caused the ceiling to collapse at Kate Morris’s top-floor flat.

Inquiry into role of Budget watchdog launched by MPs

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:06:37 GMT
It comes after intense scrutiny of the Office for Budget Responsibility in the run-up to the Budget.

'No empty shelves at Christmas' as Guinness workers strike

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:39:18 GMT
About 90 workers at a Guinness canning factory in Belfast have walked out in protest over pay.

Google asks UK experts to find uses for its powerful quantum tech

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:34:11 GMT
UK researchers will get a chance to develop applications for the tech giant's quantum processor.

Crypto fraudster sentenced for 'epic' $40bn stablecoin crash

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:21:41 GMT
In August, Do Kwon pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and wire fraud and apologised for his actions.

Banks to tell you where you might invest your money

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:05:16 GMT
Targeted support will allow banks and financial firms to make suggestions on how to handle savings.

UK pharma boss says US is the best country to invest in

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:53:38 GMT
In an interview with the BBC, Dame Emma Walmsley says she will not "shy away" from GSK's US expansion.

Workers' rights bill standoff continues after Lords defeat

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 13:33:41 GMT
It comes after ministers struck a deal between businesses and unions aimed at allowing the bill to progress.

Shares in AI giant Oracle fall after revenue results ramp up bubble fears

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 16:24:20 GMT
The cloud computing giant's revenue miss renews questions about its financial health.

Ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO fit to stand trial, prison officials say

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 19:40:41 GMT
Mike Jeffries, who was ruled "mentally incompetent" by a court, is now competent to stand trial, medical experts declare after a forensic evaluation.

The Swiss city that lets you pay for most things with bitcoin

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:22:58 GMT
Shops, restaurants and even the local council in Lugano now accept the cryptocurrency.

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

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 13:52:11 GMT
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

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 05:44:21 GMT
The levies are set to take effect on 1 January and will apply to goods like cars, clothing and appliances.

Drax unveils plan for data centre at power station

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:46:32 GMT
The firm aims to expand its power station near Selby with a 100MW data centre by 2027.

Fed lowers interest rates but future cuts uncertain

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 06:58:01 GMT
The US central bank lowered interest rates for the third time this year, but the outlook for further cuts remains murky.

Trump launches $1m 'gold card' immigration visas

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 01:10:45 GMT
The special visas will be awarded to those who can show they can make a "substantial benefit" to the US.

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

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:03:10 GMT
Just a handful of companies can make cadmium zinc telluride, a material with powerful properties.

Japan is facing a dementia crisis – can technology help?

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:49:01 GMT
Elderly people aged 65 and over now make up nearly 30% of Japan's population.

Can Japan get more female business leaders?

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:04:53 GMT
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

Sun, 07 Dec 2025 00:14:59 GMT
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?

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:08:55 GMT
Big confectionery makers are rolling out freeze-dried sweets after they become an online sensation.

How family firms can best plan for succession

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:12:26 GMT
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

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 08:37:07 GMT
In the UK and across Europe, cars are becoming longer, wider and heavier.

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

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:18:35 GMT
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

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:29:54 GMT
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

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:10:14 GMT
Livestock is being culled across the country due to an infectious disease outbreak.

Fracking has transformed an Argentine town but what about the nation?

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:02:47 GMT
Argentina hopes that an oil and gas boom can benefit the whole country.

The entrepreneur connecting tourists to African hospitality

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:02:30 GMT
TripZapp founder Rory Okoli wants to make it simple for tourists to book and pay for African travel.

Machu Picchu hit by a row over tourist buses

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:06:53 GMT
Protests have taken place over the coaches that take visitors up to the world heritage site in Peru.

The 'toughest crop': Can tech help cardamom farmers?

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:01:09 GMT
Sensitive to the weather and soil cardamom is difficult to cultivate - can tech help?

From florist to drone maker: How the weapon became so mainstream

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 22:24:18 GMT
With drones centre stage in Ukraine, military firms around the globe are ramping up their production.

Will AI mean better adverts or 'creepy slop'?

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:48:29 GMT
Advertisers are using AI to personalise adverts but not everyone agrees that's a good idea.

Christmas gifts wrapped and sent out for children

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 08:05:59 GMT
More than 100 volunteers gathered to wrap thousands of presents for children across the capital.

Crafters warn of imported 'tat' at festive fairs

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:15:22 GMT
Some stallholders and event organisers are angry about cheap goods being sold as 'handmade' items.

Honesty box 'helps us thank our generous community'

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:49:42 GMT
A family raising money to fund a suitable home for their son is among those driving a revival in honesty boxes.

'We fundraised all year so our kids could experience a panto'

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 07:12:10 GMT
Some theatres tell the BBC panto season can make up almost half of their annual income.

Food parcels help thousands at Christmas

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 06:07:55 GMT
A charity is ramping up its operation in the run up to Christmas to help tackle food poverty.

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

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 15:14:47 GMT
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?

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:03 GMT
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

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:03:37 GMT
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

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 06:58:17 GMT
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

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:26:40 GMT
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

Jamie Oliver on the return of his restaurant chain

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:56:41 GMT
Speaking to Amol Rajan on the BBC's Radical podcast, chef and campaigner Jamie Oliver reveals all about his experiences of failure and learning from it.

Martin Lewis on what people misunderstand about credit scores

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 14:00:51 GMT
Martin Lewis explains the things people misunderstand about credit scores.

Neighbourhood businesses hit by series of break-ins

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 07:10:55 GMT
Businesses in Canton tell BBC Wales about how a recent spate of break-ins has affected them.

Vintage market trader retires after 60 years

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:49:00 GMT
Birmingham vintage market trader retires after 60 years

Are you a HENRY? Here's how the budget affects you

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 09:40:19 GMT
HENRY stands for High Earners who are Not Rich Yet. Most are young and work in tech or finance.