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Showing posts from May, 2026

A year of grief after Air India crash: What remains when a plane falls from the sky

A mother still speaks about her son who died in the crash in the present tense and a brother waits for answers.

Secret tunnels and unregistered workers: China's coal mine disaster is a reminder of darker days

China's worst coal mining disaster in 15 years comes amid an ambitious pivot towards green energy.

Caribbean hot sauce producers warn of shortages and higher prices

Manufacturers in Jamaica say the key chilli peppers they need are in limited supply.

Why is Lidl opening a pub?

The debate about about what seems like a bizarre idea of having a cold pint after exploring the store's well known middle aisle.

Ferrari wanted to take on Chinese EVs with the Luce - then the backlash started

The brand's first EV has been heavily criticised, with some saying it has abandoned Ferrari's roots.

Only three-quarters of first class mail delivered on time

Royal Mail says its service is improving and that it is on track to hit the regulator Ofcom's reduced targets

Energy bills to go up for Power NI and Firmus customers

Both suppliers have said the increase is due to higher global energy and gas prices.

Top UK chefs call for cutting VAT for pubs and restaurants to 10%

Tom Kerridge, Yotam Ottolenghi, Ravneet Gill and Simon Rogan told BBC Newsnight VAT should be halved to ease mounting pressure on the hospitality industry.

Top UK chefs call for cutting VAT for pubs and restaurants to 10%

Tom Kerridge, Yotam Ottolenghi, Ravneet Gill and Simon Rogan told BBC Newsnight VAT should be halved to ease mounting pressure on the hospitality industry.

Humanoid robots 'the future' of car making, says BMW

BMW is introducing humanoid robots to a car plant in Europe, building on similar projects in the US.

Opportunities shrinking for too many young people, says major report on 'lost generation'

A report warns the number of 16 to 24-year-olds out of work, education or training is set to rise to 1.25 million by 2031.

EU fines Temu €200m for allowing sale of illegal products

The European Commission says the Chinese-owned online retailer failed to take account of risks from baby toys and faulty chargers sold on its platform.

Oil prices fall after report of breakthrough in US-Iran talks

A report of a extended ceasefire, subject to Donald Trump's approval, has led to global oil prices to fall on Thursday.

Ousted BP chairman hits back at 'lies' about his behaviour

Albert Manifold said no-one should be "allowed to hide behind anonymity" when commenting on his time at BP.

The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil

Coffees at some city centre outlets now cost £5. It's a story of tariffs, the climate, Gen Z cultural tastes, and savvy coffee farmers playing the market, writes Faisal Islam

Google worker charged with using internal data to make $1.2m on bets

The longtime Google employee was charged in New York for allegedly breaking insider trading laws.

Why Fifa is being investigated over World Cup ticket prices

New York and New Jersey are looking into the association after fans have reportedly been "misled" over ticket sales and seat locations.

Is 'out of control' US tipping culture spreading overseas?

With US waiting staff getting cross at receiving less than 20%, tips are also on the rise elsewhere.

The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China

The BBC visited China’s EV factories and found they are dominating the ecosystems shaping the global auto industry.

Why paying £5 for a latte is here to stay

Poor coffee harvests in Brazil and Vietnam are just some of the factors driving up the price of your morning cup of coffee.

How you can save money on your energy bill

Experts say action now can save money when the pinch comes this winter.

'I fear for my son's farming future due to costs'

One farmer says his red diesel costs have risen from £27,000 a year to £54,000.

How a rise in energy bills will affect you from July

Household energy prices will rise by 13% a year in July, as soaring wholesale costs caused by the US-Israel war with Iran hit bills for the first time.

Why it's now harder to get a Saturday job

The boss of Next has warned there has been a "dramatic fall" in the number of entry-level job opportunities in the UK.

The rise of the fruit that tastes like custard

Custard apple plants are prized for their hardiness but exporting their delicate fruit is difficult.

Energy bills to rise for millions as impact of Iran war hits

A household using a typical amount of energy will pay £221 a year more, under the regulator's new price cap.

'Bullying' and 'overbearing' behaviour behind abrupt BP chairman removal

BP declined to comment on whether bullying behaviour was part of the reason for his immediate dismissal.

Farmers' warning as milk prices fall below cost

Farmers worry more family farms will be sold unless dairy prices rise quickly.

Ferrari shares slump after it unveils first fully electric car

The new Luce model has divided opinion on social media, and comes despite intense pressure from Chinese EV makers.

Booming AI chip demand helps create two new $1tn club members

SK Hynix and Micron are the latest tech firms to join the growing list of stocks with mega valuations.

Champion ethical hacker warns AI tools like Mythos will make competing harder

Chompie, one of the world's tops ethical hackers, says AI like Claude Mythos will make it harder for people like her to compete.

Instagram betting ads featuring Kane and Haaland banned

The advertising watchdog said the adverts featuring top footballers had a strong appeal to under-18s.

Post Office investigation could be delayed by five years, police warn

The commander leading the national police inquiry says the size of the investigation team would need to double in order to meet its current timeline

This beach hut costs the same as a three-bedroom house

A beach hut has gone on the market for £200,000 - the same price as some houses further along the Welsh coast.

Morocco wants tourists to visit Western Sahara. Some say it's tightening its control

The Moroccan government wants more Western holidaymakers to visit the territory it claims to own.

'Six eggs used to be £1' - why everyday essentials cost so much more now

Six supermarket brand eggs cost £1 in 2022. How much are they now, why have they gone up, and is anyone profiteering?

The Leeds designer outlet that's 15 miles from Leeds

A rebrand of the junction 32 retail park off the M62 has gone down poorly with some locals in Castleford.

SpaceX launches massive Starship V3 rocket on test flight

The largest and most powerful rocket in history blasted off after its first attempted launch was postponed.

UK sees hottest day of year as bank holiday travellers face queues

Temperatures hit 28.4C in parts of England on Friday, while delays have been reported at the Port of Dover and Birmingham Airport ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

AI may speed up search for drugs to treat brain conditions

Researchers hope the work will help identify affordable, effective drugs to treat conditions like MND.

Bank boss sorry after describing workers as 'lower value human capital'

The Standard Chartered boss said he values all colleagues and is committed to helping them cope with change.

Trump wants new Fed chair to be 'totally independent'

The US president piled major pressure on Kevin Warsh's predecessor to cut interest rates.

Why are unpaid debt court cases rising?

Why are unpaid debt court cases rising?

Morrisons planning to close 100 stores in next few months

It said difficulties had been exacerbated by "significant cost increases resulting from government policy choices".

Stop blaming young people for being unemployed, says Amazon's UK boss

John Boumphrey says the education system "isn't necessarily producing young people who are ready for work".

Why thousands of stock trades tied to Trump are raising eyebrows

The BBC's Michelle Fleury looks at trades disclosed by the president.

Could your weekly food shop get cheaper?

The government says shoppers across the UK could save as much as £150 million a year on food - but how much is that per household?

Laura Pomfret - CCJs, decrees and unpaid court debts

Laura Pomfret - CCJs, decrees and unpaid court debts

Jailed tycoon's Birkin bags sell for over half a million dollars

The luxury handbags sold in a government auction in Ho Chi Minh.

Love factually: Dating start-ups promise to cut the cheats

Frustration with fake dating profiles has spurred new dating services with different approaches.

Wes Streeting pledges 'wealth tax that works'

Wes Streeting is proposing reforms to capital gains tax, as part of his pitch for the Labour leadership.

Nvidia's latest record earnings fail to impress investors

The chip giant reported more stellar results but its shares fell after-hours as investors wonder if it can keep up its pace of growth amid greater competition.

EasyJet boss says summer flights won't be hit by jet fuel shortages

The airline has seen no problems with fuel, but says people are booking later because of uncertainty caused by the Iran war.

UK agrees £3.7bn trade deal with six Gulf states

The deal will remove an estimated £580m worth of tariffs from British exports, but rights groups are critical

TikTok and YouTube 'not safe enough' for kids, says Ofcom

YouTube said it worked with experts to provide appropriate experiences. TikTok said it was disappointed Ofcom had not acknowledged its safety features.

Elon Musk's X fined for not complying with Australia's child protection laws

The social media giant will pay A$650,000 plus legal costs, ending a three-year legal saga.

Samsung strike on hold as workers push for AI bonus

The walkout, which was due to start on Thursday, has been suspended while union members vote on a tentative deal.

SpaceX files for stock market debut that could make Elon Musk a trillionaire

Musk's rocket-maker and satellite internet provider will trade under the ticker SPCX

The young people rejecting a bank-breaking prom

Teenage entrepreneurs at Huntington School change the way pupils shop for a prom dress.

The fight against foreign developers buying Caribbean beaches

Campaigners in Barbuda, Grenada and Jamaica say they can no longer access their coastlines.

Are supermarkets profiting from higher food prices?

Food prices in the UK have risen, but are supermarkets profiting from higher food prices? Ben Chu reports.

Supermarkets hit back over pressure to cap price of milk, bread and eggs

A minister confirms talks have taken place but says there will be no mandatory cap on essential food prices.

UK waters down new Russian oil sanctions as fuel prices rise

The change reflects increasing supply concerns over certain fuels due to the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Fuel duty freeze extended until the end of the year

Fuel duty was initially cut by 5p in March 2022, under the Conservative government.

Inflation falls to 2.8% but is expected to rise from here

Energy prices were lower due to the government's energy bill support package and lower wholesale prices before the Iran war.

Boss of Sarah Ferguson-linked firm used royal links to threaten worker with jail

In a recording obtained by the BBC, the worker was threatened with jail for allegedly hacking emails at lifestyle app vVoosh.

China confirms it will buy 200 Boeing jets after Trump-Xi summit

The two sides will also work towards an extension to the tariffs truce they agreed in October, China's Commerce Ministry said.

UK should set maximum working temperature rules, advisers say

Successive governments have failed to prepare the UK for extreme heat, the climate watchdog says.

Business Daily

Trump's pick for the US Fed chair risks rebuke from the president if rates do not fall

'I sold it for over £1k': Why people want new Swatch

The launch of an exclusive pocket watch has sparked a frenzy that forced stores worldwide to close and in some cases saw police officers and security deal with huge unruly crowds.

'I sold it for over £1k': Why people want new Swatch

The launch of an exclusive pocket watch has sparked a frenzy that forced stores worldwide to close and in some cases saw police officers and security deal with huge unruly crowds.

Robo-top: The machines that could make your next t-shirt

Most clothes are made in Asia, but new machines could bring some of that work back to the West.

'I sold it for over £1k': Swatch launch sparks 'chaotic' scenes

Some shoppers have been trying to resell a new line of watches priced at £335 each for up to £16,000.

Why does Amazon have no Western rivals?

The internet giant dwarfs other online retailers on both sides of the Atlantic.

Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'

One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.

Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'

One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.

Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'

One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.

Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'

One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.

Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'

One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.

Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'

One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.

Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'

One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.

British Gas pays £20m over prepayment meter force-fitting scandal

The regulator say the energy supplier breached licence conditions aimed at protecting customers in vulnerable situations.

Beckhams become billionaires as Oasis make rich list for first time

The list is based off the paper's estimates of the minimum wealth of Britain’s 350 richest people or families.

Watch: What was argued at the Musk-Altman trial?

It's the jury's turn to deliberate in the showdown over OpenAI that has pitted two of the biggest names in tech against each other.

Heathrow rival could lead expansion, watchdog says

The aviation watchdog is considering new rules for Heathrow ahead of its possible expansion.

X pledges quicker action on hate and terror content in the UK

Ofcom said the commitments were of particular importance after recent crimes targeting Jewish communities in the UK.

Claim, counter-claim and tech's seedy side exposed: Five things we learned in the Musk-Altman trial

As the jury deliberates, this is what we found out during the weeks-long trial with two tech titans at its heart.

Inside the secretive and lucrative world of orchid breeding

It can take a decade to bring a new orchid to market, so breeders keep their hi-tech processes secret.

Major police operation targets drug and knife crime

West Midlands Police brings Operation Fearless to Handsworth.

Changes to PIP payments

Finance expert Laura Pomfret explains to PIP payments.

Big tech bets on new mascots in bid to seem more cuddly

The likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google are all putting cartoon characters centre stage.

Big tech bets on new mascots in bid to seem more cuddly

The likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google are all putting cartoon characters centre stage.

Big tech bets on new mascots in bid to seem more cuddly

The likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google are all putting cartoon characters centre stage.

Big tech bets on new mascots in bid to seem more cuddly

The likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google are all putting cartoon characters centre stage.

Big tech bets on new mascots in bid to seem more cuddly

The likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google are all putting cartoon characters centre stage.

Big tech bets on new mascots in bid to seem more cuddly

The likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google are all putting cartoon characters centre stage.

Big tech bets on new mascots in bid to seem more cuddly

The likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google are all putting cartoon characters centre stage.

Warning higher Europe air fares 'inevitable' due to Iran war

Flying by air will get more expensive as oil prices remain high, says international industry body boss.

Business Daily

As Trump meets Xi how is the relationship between the world's two biggest economies?

The Food Chain

How batch cooking can save time, money and food waste

Trump's Fed chair pick Kevin Warsh confirmed by US Senate

Kevin Warsh was confirmed by the narrowest margin since the role required a Senate confirmation vote.

WhatsApp launches totally private 'incognito' conversations with its AI chatbot

A cyber security expert says deleting chat history could lead to a lack of accountability if things go wrong.

Ex-rugby star on the joys of his own burger stall

Ex-England and Leicester Tigers hooker Tom Youngs says the new venture brings families to the farm.

Shrinking Milka chocolate bar tricked consumers, says German court

A court in Bremen has found the manufacturer of the classic Alpine Milk chocolate bar guilty of "shrinkflation".

Tui sees summer sales fall 10% due to cautious UK customers

The travel operator says customers are delaying booking holidays over Iran war concerns.

Why are UK prices rising more quickly?

The war in Iran has pushed UK Inflation further above the Bank of England's 2% target.

Elon Musk and Jensen Huang among CEOs joining Trump on China trip

More than a dozen US executives have joined the president on his visit, where he will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

What do Japanese crisps have to do with the Iran war?

Calbee says it will temporarily switch to black and white packaging as ink supplies have been disrupted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Glassmaker questions future of UK manufacturing

Bristol Blue Glass says rising energy costs and taxes have forced its closure.

London traders hit by 'king of mangoes' shortage

London’s Alphonso mango supply is down this year due to fewer imports and higher prices for shoppers.

Smart glasses are 'an invasion of privacy' - Meta's are selling better than ever

The biggest tech firms are set to sell millions of smart glasses despite growing privacy concerns.

Elon Musk said control of OpenAI should go to his children, Sam Altman tells jury

Sam Altman said Elon Musk tried many times for total control of OpenAI, which he's now suing.

Not so dusty: How tech is changing woodworking

Woodworking shops have been transformed by tech to make tools safer and more precise.

Ovo energy customers urged not to panic as takeover planned

All existing tariffs will be honoured in full under a planned deal that could create one of Britain's largest energy suppliers.

Haggling prices and chasing debts - tradespeople hit with cost of living headache

More than half of tradespeople have seen an increase of late payments compared to a year ago, a survey finds.

Council confirms £300 heating oil support

"Residents should not be left behind simply because they are off the gas grid," council leader says.

Cyber-crime increasingly coming with threats of physical violence

While hackers used to sneak into computer systems, intimidation of staff is now more common.

No summer border delays for Brits, Greek tourism minister says

Olga Kefalogianni says the Greek government doesn't want visitors to be "burdened" by biometric checks.

This couple lost £1,000 after their flight was cancelled - here is what to check so you don't

It's essential to read your policy details carefully - here's a checklist to tick off before you set off on your travels.

This couple lost £1,000 after their flight was cancelled - here is what to check so you don't

It's essential to read your policy details carefully - here's a checklist to tick off before you set off on your travels.

How sunburn inspired a new way to store energy

Molecules that can capture heat could be a useful technology to decarbonise heating.

How Sir David Attenborough built 'Green Hollywood'

The city is responsible for 80% of the world's natural history TV shows.

South East Water boss quits after supply failures

David Hinton faced criticism after outages affected tens of thousands of people in Kent and Sussex.

Oil prices rise after US and Iran exchange fire in Hormuz strait

US President Donald Trump says the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran is still in place.

The companies making billions from the Iran war

Through surging profits or soaring share prices, the war has been a boon for some firms.

Instagram privacy tech is turned off today - what does this mean for your DMs?

The platform said it would remove end-to-end encrypted messages, a major U‑turn by parent company Meta.

Trump gives EU ultimatum deadline to approve trade deal with US

Trump's deadline to the European Union came as a trade court ruled his global tariff policy violated US law.

Major rail disruption expected in southern England until end of day

A radio fault has been resolved but passengers could continue to face long delays, warns National Rail.

Portugal and Italy will not suspend digital border checks for Brits

Reports had suggested the countries were set to follow the example of Greece, which effectively suspended biometric checks for UK nationals.

Average house price falls by 5%, report shows

The cost of an average island property is down from almost £600,000 at the start of 2025.

Shell latest oil giant to see profits surge due to Iran war impact

The energy giant's profits jump by nearly a quarter as it benefits from the recent volatility in the oil price

Watch: Drone delivers first Amazon parcels in UK

The tech giant says it hopes to slowly expand the service as the demand for ultra-fast deliveries grows.

Gulf economies face long-term hit from Iran conflict

Commentators say it will take years or even decades to repair the damage.

Former OpenAI board member says Elon Musk offered her sperm donations

Shivon Zilis is the mother of four of Musk's children. That relationship began as she advised OpenAI.

Hedge fund founder hits back at Mamdani's 'creepy' wealth tax video

Ken Griffin said Mamdani's video, filmed outside his apartment, raised safety concerns.

People urged not to cancel flights over fuel shortage fears

Airlines have cut 13,000 flights globally in May as jet fuel prices soar due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Oil prices drop and stock markets rise after reports of deal to end Iran war

Reports have raised hopes of an agreement between the US and Iran after days of escalation.

Up to 150 former WHSmith high street stores to close

The stores were purchased by Modella Capital last year, and then rebranded under the name TGJones.

Why did Paddington Bear need a police escort?

Rav Wilding joins us with the latest crime headlines. From a shocking BBC investigation exposing scammers abusing dogs to con animal lovers, to how to spot a shop used by organised crime — plus why Paddington Bear needed a police escort

Which airlines are cancelling flights to the UK - and what can you do?

Airlines are putting up prices and cancelling flights in response to higher jet fuel prices.

Campaigners call for ban on use of weedkiller glyphosate at harvest time

Campaigners are calling for a ban on the use of the weedkiller over health concerns.

Next to hike prices by up to 8% outside Europe due to Iran war costs

No extra price rises are slated for the UK, which saw better than expected sales in the first quarter.

Border politics - how similar jobs in the same firm deliver different tax bills

Workers in southern Scotland can find themselves paying more tax than colleagues who live south of the border.

'I have to make my own dog food' - voters counting living costs on eve of election

India Lerigo makes her own dog food and batch cooks a month's worth of meals over a weekend to save money.

Apple to pay up to $95 to some US iPhone buyers over AI lawsuit

Claims from last year said the tech firm’s advertising of Apple Intelligence fooled iPhone buyers.

Why are there so many vape shops on our high streets?

New research has shown a 28% growth in shops selling vape products in Scottish towns and cities.

Robots move in as waste firms struggle to find staff

Humanoid robots are being added to the automation of waste sorting.

GameStop makes $55.5bn takeover offer for eBay

GameStop's boss Ryan Cohen says he sees potential to make eBay a much bigger rival to Amazon.

US denies Iranian report warship was struck by missiles

It comes as the US said on Monday it will begin to help "guide" vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz.

Amsterdam bans public adverts for meat and fossil fuels

Local politicians say the move is in line with the Dutch capital's environmental targets.

The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages

What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?

The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages

What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?

In five charts: How UAE's exit could affect Opec's influence over the oil price

The BBC takes a look in charts at what the UAE's departure could mean for the oil cartel and more widely.

Voters will judge Trump on the economy - how is it doing?

How much Donald Trump can do with the time he has left as president will depend massively on the cost of living.

Airlines can cancel flights in advance over fuel shortages under new plans

Ministers hope move would help avoid last-minute flight cancellations for passengers this summer over Middle East fuel supplies.

Struggling High Streets fuel sense of neglect for voters ahead of local elections

Failing High Streets fuel a wider sense of political discontent which could prove crucial in the upcoming elections for English councils in May.

Spirit Airlines shutting down after rescue talks collapse

The airline had been in talks with the Trump administration about a $500m bailout.

Mortgages, jobs and energy bills - how the Iran war will affect your money

The Bank of England's latest report reveals some interesting details on how our finances will be affected due to the Iran war.

Pentagon says US military to be an 'AI-first' fighting force

The US military has agreed eight new contracts with big tech firms as it expands its artificial intelligence capabilities.

Trump says he will hike tariffs on EU cars to 25%

The current level of tariffs charged on goods entering the US from the EU is 15%, under a deal negotiated last July.

The Real Greek rescued by Cote Brasserie-owner

All but nine of the Mediterranean chain's 28 outlets are being taken over by the family-owned Karali group.

No evidence of widespread fuel price-gouging, watchdog says

Profit margins were "broadly unchanged" between February and March, the UK's competition watchdog says.

Crayola toys recalled over possible asbestos contamination

People should stop using the products immediately and keep out of the reach of children, the government says.

Billions of meals at risk due to Iran war, says fertiliser boss

A shortage of fertiliser due to the Iran conflict could reduce crop yields and push prices higher, says the boss of Yara.

'I earn £36k but I can't afford to buy a house'

Shelter Cymru says privately rented homes are unaffordable for most people across Wales.

How the Iran war affects your money and bills

The conflict in the Middle East has increased pressure on the cost of petrol, household energy bills and even food.

How will car finance compensation payments work?

Millions could be entitled to compensation as a result of commission arrangements between lenders and dealers.