
Doping bans doubled to four years
Drug cheats in sport face a minimum four-year ban – up from two years – under new rules which came into effect from 1 January.

New energy rules for domestic devices
European Union rules will oblige new devices such as modems and internet-connected TVs to switch themselves off when not in use.

City Link announces 2,356 job losses
The administrators of collapsed delivery firm City Link announce 2,356 job losses after a bid to buy the company fails.

Warning over accident claim calls
A regulator says cold calls about accident claims are still high, despite a ban on selling consumers’ personal details.

Three supermarkets cut petrol prices
Three major UK supermarkets are to cut the price of petrol and diesel by 2p per litre from Thursday.

Russia inflation up as rouble falls
Russia’s annual inflation for 2014 will hit about 11.4%, according to official estimates, as the government intervenes to support another bank.

Consortium buys 16% of Rangers
BBC Scotland learns a group including businessman George Letham has bought 16% of Rangers from Laxey Partners.

Asda boss says 2015 will be tough
The rise of the discount supermarkets will mean 2015 will be another difficult year, the boss of Asda tells the BBC.