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Showing posts from December, 2025

Energy prices rise slightly for millions of households as temperatures fall

Millions of households in England, Wales and Scotland are seeing a slight rise in energy bills in the new year. from BBC News https://ift.tt/nvcFMiW

Energy prices rise slightly for millions of households as temperatures fall

Millions of households in England, Wales and Scotland are seeing a slight rise in energy bills in the new year. from BBC News https://ift.tt/nvcFMiW

Swedish workers trial 'friendship hour' to combat loneliness

The pilot project is even giving staff free money to help pay to do activities with their friends. from BBC News https://ift.tt/olBevmR

China to crack down on AI firms to protect kids

The draft regulations are aimed to address concerns around chatbots, which have surged in popularity in recent months. from BBC News https://ift.tt/UwBuH6m

A decade on from Wales' nuclear turbines falling silent

Locals say job losses, stagnant investment and a recovering economy have defined the past decade. from BBC News https://ift.tt/8jfeBMC

Why are young people leaving to work abroad?

Three young Britons explain why they are building their futures overseas. from BBC News https://ift.tt/stTjVYJ

Earliest coin minted in Scotland saved for the nation after 900 years

The medieval David I silver coin, discovered in a wooded area in Midlothian, has been dated to the second half of the 1130s. from BBC News https://ift.tt/dLDeU1p

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/xPgeQ6B

US economy grows at fastest pace in two years

Strong consumer spending helps the US economy grow at a faster rate than expected. from BBC News https://ift.tt/Xgu3Uqd

'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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/QjsRahP

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/KgwEbQF

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/3OlUnzY

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/LwZxO4S

Christmas spirit offered 'right through the year'

Grace Trust says it offers the Christmas spirit all year to people on Jersey who are struggling. from BBC News https://ift.tt/Bln6weD

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/igV3q9r

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/QdHUXRn

Uber and Lyft announce plans to trial Chinese robotaxis in UK in 2026

Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxis have already accrued millions of driverless rides in cities worldwide. from BBC News https://ift.tt/k9SHrY3

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? from BBC News https://ift.tt/bPCaSrY

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" from BBC News https://ift.tt/5zWu7iD

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/oKuliQY

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/SbBnQfU

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? from BBC News https://ift.tt/2masRM5

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/COLeqYx

Insurers told to make policies easier to understand

The demand follows a "super-complaint" about the home and travel insurance sectors. from BBC News https://ift.tt/S1Mbkr6

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). from BBC News https://ift.tt/SkwyGZ2

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/VmLfdjP

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/v3mwAMd

Meet the biggest heat pumps in the world

Across Europe huge heat pumps are being installed that can heat tens of thousands of homes. from BBC News https://ift.tt/B6bTVJG

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 from BBC News https://ift.tt/Oo4Un3l

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? from BBC News https://ift.tt/jFciVCd

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/X2mOi36

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/P0KEoAs

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/A5qHnGt

Brixton Soup Kitchen prepares for busy Christmas

Volunteers are preparing hampers and toys for local children who would otherwise go without. from BBC News https://ift.tt/AJGxy7E

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/EY91FUB

'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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/JwYqxTP

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/r7Fl3HR

'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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/wsZGchz

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/QNRxDTE

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/X6zAOmi

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/mTUHfGS

People spending even more time online now than during the pandemic

The survey found people in the UK spent on average four hours and 30 minutes online every day in 2025 from BBC News https://ift.tt/gtCJSHK

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/A53vM0S

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/G4Jxqtg

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/a0pIcYz

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/rOP95Xk

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/lSEOdGV

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/OwuG7NK

Reverse advent calendar call-out from foodbank

Every day up until Christmas, the Redcar foodbank is asking the community to donate a specific item. from BBC News https://ift.tt/qvz6yAX

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/KJDwL2U

Failed Sarah Ferguson-backed app received £1m taxpayers' money

The former Duchess was an "ambassador" for vVoosh, founded by her friend Manuel Fernandez. from BBC News https://ift.tt/RBYTz0w

Warm Welcome hubs an 'important' helping hand

Dozens of venues are offering free drop-ins for anyone struggling with cost-of-living pressures. from BBC News https://ift.tt/6ymYTSw

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/hGwJQ15

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/GmVWlrN

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/AnVemqO

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/nXc3Ik2

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/aVHxTOd

Dell family to seed Trump accounts for kids with $250

The donation will help seed new Trump-branded investment accounts. from BBC News https://ift.tt/1iQtLbu

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. from BBC News https://ift.tt/BcZwVe2

Greek sheep and goat cull raises fears of feta cheese shortage

Livestock is being culled across the country due to an infectious disease outbreak. from BBC News https://ift.tt/UjkspIq