Retail sales hit lowest level since 2021 lockdowns
Shoppers bought less in October amid higher prices, rising living costs and poor weather.
AI chief quits over ‘exploitative’ copyright row
Former Stability AI executive says it’s not acceptable to use other people’s work without permission.
IBM suspends ads on X after they appeared next to Nazi posts
The decision came a day after owner Elon Musk endorsed an apparent antisemitic conspiracy theory.
Shop owners hope that tech can deter thieves
Retailers are investing in high-tech and low-tech measures to tackle an increase in theft.
What the chancellor really means when he says tax cuts are ‘impossible’
How to make sense of what politicians mean when they say there is no scope for tax cuts.
PepsiCo sued by New York state for plastic pollution
The lawsuit against the world’s second biggest food company is the latest in greenwashing cases against big firms.
Benefit claimants not seeking work to face mandatory work placements
It is part of a plan to get people back to work, with more investment in career support also promised.
Russian Carlsberg staff arrested after business seized
Two senior managers of Carlsberg’s Russian subsidiary were arrested on Wednesday over allegations of fraud.
Jeremy Hunt to pledge millions to woo electric car firms
The chancellor is set to announce hundreds of millions more in subsidies and grants for battery makers.
Five things we learned from the Biden-Xi meeting
The rival presidents found common ground on climate change, military communications and fentanyl.