BBC News

BBC News - Business

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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"

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

'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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.

'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.

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.

Vintage market trader retires after 60 years

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:49:00 GMT

Birmingham vintage market trader retires after 60 years

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.

'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.

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.

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.