Posts

Showing posts from February, 2026

Funding approved to reduce cold deaths

Citizens Advice's Warm and Well scheme in North Yorkshire will receive the money over three years. from BBC News https://ift.tt/WeI2HXK

Bill Gates pulls out of India's AI summit over Epstein files controversy

The Gates Foundation said the decision was made to "ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities". from BBC News https://ift.tt/cRekIqU

Key social issues identified in charity report

Each year, Citizens Advice selects social policy areas for analysis based on its clients' issues. from BBC News https://ift.tt/0m7lQsg

Bill Gates pulls out of India's AI summit over Epstein files controversy

The Gates Foundation said the decision was made to "ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities". from BBC News https://ift.tt/Q6jbuPi

Uncertainty for UK firms after US tariff ruling, experts say

UK firms are left in limbo after a court overrules many US tariffs but Donald Trump says he will reintroduce them from BBC News https://ift.tt/9ZPGmS2

UK agrees drone defence plan with four EU allies

The scheme will seek to take inspiration from Ukraine's drone manufacturing programme. from BBC News https://ift.tt/lfM0GSZ

New Year's sport supplement buying adds to January retail sales surge

Continuing strong sales from online jewellers after a recent spike in gold prices also helped drive the increase. from BBC News https://ift.tt/Nd5YrQx

Etsy sells second-hand fashion app Depop to eBay for $1.2bn

The "pre-loved" fashion firm has been sold by Etsy just five years after it bought the firm. from BBC News https://ift.tt/EQlmYdR

Microsoft error sees confidential emails exposed to AI tool Copilot

The company says it has addressed the issue and it "did not provide anyone access to information they weren't already authorised to see". from BBC News https://ift.tt/Lg0ybQd

Reeves fixated on 'dysfunctional' borrowing rules, says IFS

The think tank suggests the chancellor's fiscal rules need to shift the focus from one key figure. from BBC News https://ift.tt/dgXpo5k

Defence giant BAE hails record sales as workers remain on strike

Defence company BAE has increased payouts to investors after its sales increased but staff in Lancashire have walked out over stalled pay talks from BBC News https://ift.tt/VYAblXf

Why youth unemployment is rising

Unemployment in the UK rose to its highest rate in nearly five years at the end of 2025 from BBC News https://ift.tt/kl7XhcV

Hyatt Hotels chairman steps down over Jeffrey Epstein ties

Billionaire Thomas Pritzker said he had exercised "terrible judgement" in keeping contact with Epstein. from BBC News https://ift.tt/WzwJIoG

Trump eyes Venezuela visit – but obstacles to his oil plan remain

The US president wants American energy firms to start extracting the crude but they are reluctant. from BBC News https://ift.tt/trSEJwH

Six of Sarah Ferguson's companies winding down

The move follows further revelations over her friendship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. from BBC News https://ift.tt/H0jX2TU

Could Manchester be a model for the UK to kickstart growth?

With an annual growth rate of 3.1%, Manchester's economy has performed twice as well as that of the UK as a whole. from BBC News https://ift.tt/BcAwHZo

Get a grip: Robotics firms struggle to develop hands

Developing a durable and affordable hand is one of the biggest challenges in robotics. from BBC News https://ift.tt/LJW4lBp

Amazon's Ring ends deal with surveillance firm after backlash

A Super Bowl advert had sparked new scrutiny of the smart doorbell company's privacy practices. from BBC News https://ift.tt/olafHdX

The £10 tricks I used to make my rented room into a home

Talented tenants share decor hacks that won't cost you a fortune - or your deposit. from BBC News https://ift.tt/cvV7dU0

Last chance for pensioners to get free air fryers

The council has handed out 15,000 free air fryers help people with the cost of living. from BBC News https://ift.tt/GsipJkH

The Bottom Line

Why do private landlords attract so much criticism – and how fair is it? from BBC News https://ift.tt/AQxk5I9

The US economy is growing - so where are all the jobs?

As hiring rates and job openings drop, some worry a tough job market could be here to stay. from BBC News https://ift.tt/PRZdA4D

Taylor Swift asks US government to block 'Swift Home' trademark

Her team argued that a bedding firm's designs showed similarities to her trademarked signature. from BBC News https://ift.tt/PkNxvyz

Civil service pension backlog 'overwhelmed' Capita, boss says

Thousands of retiring civil servants have been left without pension payments causing hardship for some. from BBC News https://ift.tt/tEzOAUd

'Tens of thousands' affected by law firm collapse

The Solicitors Regulation Authority say an investigation into PM Law's collapse is ongoing. from BBC News https://ift.tt/AeRgSlq

Why food fraud persists, even with improving tech

Even with sophisticated technology it is still difficult to detect fake foods. from BBC News https://ift.tt/zKSupUV

Apple and Google agree to change app stores after 'effective duopoly' claim

The UK's markets regulator says the proposed commitments "will boost the UK's app economy". from BBC News https://ift.tt/10u58v3

The shadowy world of abandoned oil tankers

A growing number of tankers and other commercial vessels are being ditched by their owners. from BBC News https://ift.tt/rYv3HoR

Voluntary student loan repayments rise in England

Campaigners have criticised the terms of loans that were issued in England and still exist in Wales. from BBC News https://ift.tt/GPtNJFc

Can robots ever be graceful?

Firms are working to make the motors that drive robots more efficient and cheaper. from BBC News https://ift.tt/lz5Kjbk

Epstein emails: So-called 'shady financier' was Andrew's 'trusted money man'

Andrew seemed keen for Epstein to do business with David Rowland, but Epstein was wary, emails suggest. from BBC News https://ift.tt/TQapVxv

Average house price tops £300,000 for first time, says Halifax

Halifax describes the figure as a "milestone", but potentially daunting for first-time buyers. from BBC News https://ift.tt/r501l4n

City volunteers seek drivers for meal deliveries

Friends of Di's Kitchen provides hundreds of meals each week in Wolverhampton. from BBC News https://ift.tt/SIDpcE0

Amazon shares fall as it joins Big Tech AI spending spree

Major firms collectively announce $650bn worth of investment in AI this week, rattling investors. from BBC News https://ift.tt/D19lWUi

Uber ordered to pay $8.5m over claim driver raped passenger

The verdict is expected to influence the outcome of thousands of other cases against the ride hailing firm. from BBC News https://ift.tt/BrvCNYh

Why Target is under fire over Minnesota ICE raids

Workers are writing letters, staging strikes and in some cases resigning over how bosses are handling the immigration crackdown. from BBC News https://ift.tt/IqaHfM5

Walmart becomes first retailer to hit $1tn market value

The milestone reflects the US retail giant's booming e-commerce business and investors' embrace of its AI investments. from BBC News https://ift.tt/Vq0cUTg

The Chinese planemaker taking on Boeing and Airbus

Comac's passenger jet is attracting customers in South East Asia where demand for affordable aircraft is growing. from BBC News https://ift.tt/StqEkVm

EU has 'open mind' on UK customs union debate, says commissioner

Valdis Dombrovskis says the EU is willing to engage with Britain amid mounting global uncertainty. from BBC News https://ift.tt/aRuK0E1

Starbucks bets on robots to brew a turnaround in customers

Chief executive Brian Niccol explains why he thinks AI will help the coffee giant regain its buzz. from BBC News https://ift.tt/mtMz1b9

Asda has lost its mojo and has a big fight to get it back

The industry data suggests that despite Asda embarking on a turnaround, it has been losing ground to rivals. from BBC News https://ift.tt/eEHzml5

Plan ahead and dress wisely: How to minimise add-on costs when you fly

Don't get swept into paying for extras you don't need. from BBC News https://ift.tt/vTDRp2c

School pantries mean 'food on table' for families

Food pantries are run by schools in North Yorkshire in a bid to help parents, and tackle food waste. from BBC News https://ift.tt/cCxaw0W

US Commerce Secretary Lutnick planned Epstein island visit, emails show

The emails show Lutnick and his family planned a trip to Little Saint James, a private island Epstein purchased in 1998. from BBC News https://ift.tt/3TUNisu

Harry Styles and Anthony Joshua among UK's top taxpayers

The former One Direction member-turned-solo artist appears on the Sunday Times list for the first time. from BBC News https://ift.tt/itYFrPd

Rare earths and data centres: India pushes local industry as global tensions rise

India's budget focuses on infrastructure and defence spending and tax breaks for data-centre investments. from BBC News https://ift.tt/lOmheNo

'We hope it's not the end': Firm behind Prince George's baby shoes warns it may close

The Leicester-based family firm of 73 years said it has been hit by "prices going up, but demand going down". from BBC News https://ift.tt/pe5Edtk