3 d. ago China bans banks from luring customers with popular Labubu dolls

Regulator asks local banks not to give non-compliant perks amid fierce competition as interest rates fallBusiness live – latest updatesChinese authorities have banned domestic banks from luring customers with gifts including the hugely popular Labubu dolls, amid fierce competition among lenders as interest rates and profit margins decline.The Zhejiang branch of China’s financial regulator, the National Financial Regulatory Administration, has asked local banks to refrain from offering non-compliant perks to attract deposits, Bloomberg News reported. Continue reading...

Economics

8 d. ago Why it's high time everyone stepped away from the Labubu dolls... What's hot (and not) this week

What’s going up... and what’s going down— keep up with Joe Bromley’s weekly barometer

Politics

1 week ago Can I take my portable charger on a flight? The rules after several airlines ban using the device

Airlines in the US, China, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea and Singapore have introduced new power bank regulations following fire safety concerns

Politics

2 w. ago Why are adult women obsessed with Labubu dolls – and should I be, too?

As Chinese retailer Pop Mart temporarily halts sales of its keychain gremlin doll Labubu in UK stores, Ellie Muir speaks to proud connoisseurs of the toy and luxury goods experts about why accessorising bags has taken over fashion runways and street style simultaneously – and how a small monster creature is uniting women

Politics

2 w. ago China pushes for more bank mergers to make financial sector shockproof

Sweeping consolidation expected to accelerate as Beijing tries to better equip institutions to weather crisis

Economics

2 w. ago Labubu chaos as 'battlefield' resale market erupts after Pop Mart pulls viral dolls

A collector who has spent more than £1,000 on viral Labubu dolls says the resale market is a 'battlefield'

Events

2 w. ago How we went goo goo for Labubu dolls: 'There's something primal about collecting them'

Pop Mart has promised to introduce a fairer system for buying the cult bag charms, but some fans are worried it’s gotten out of hand. India Block meets the obsessives

Politics

2 w. ago Labubu doll fans angry as sales halted after 'fighting' at London shop

Labubu doll fans angry as sales halted after 'fighting' at London shop  London Evening Standard

Economics

2 w. ago Labubu doll fans vent anger as Pop Mart pauses sales after 'fighting' at London store

One customer said: ‘It was just getting ridiculous to be in that situation where people were fighting and shouting and you felt scared’

Sport

3 w. ago Labubu chaos as Pop Mart halts sales of viral 'monster' doll due to 'increasing demand'

'Labubu fever' is real as POP MART UK has had to temporarily stop sales due to crazy queues - leaving fans distraught and some even claiming they've booked the day off work

Events

3 w. ago Pop Mart stops selling popular Labubu 'monsters' after chaos seen across UK

Sales of the hugely popular Labubu monster dolls are being paused throughout the UK after Kim Kardashian caused panic with one Instagram post seeing huge queues outside every store

Events

3 w. ago Reeves eyes Gulf trade pact as UK government’s ‘next deal’ after EU summit – business live

China’s and Australia’s central banks cut interest ratesRachel Reeves said the UK government is closing in on a trade pact with six Gulf nations, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as its next major deal.The chancellor told the BBC the agreement would be the government’s “next deal” as it looks to boost trade ties following Brexit.Britain is in a better place than any other country in the world in terms of deals with those countries.The first deal and the best deal so far with the US, we’ve got the best deal with the EU for any country outside the EU, and we’ve got the best trade agreement with India.We are not going to litigate old arguments, we are going to go forward in the spirit of what we do together, we do better.This deal will mean Britain becoming a rule-taker, accepting dynamic alignment, giving up fishing rights and paying new money to the EU. Nobody has lost more than the fishermen. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago A fluff ball with a monster face: what explains the luxury appeal of Labubu dolls? | Van Badham

Despite their cute fluffy ears and sharp-toothed grin, these dolls are part of a conspicuously grown-up consumer conversationLabubu dolls first hit the market in 2019, but in 2025 they’re sustaining a viral moment. We should ask ourselves why.News.com.au reports that recent “drops” of the toy in Australia have seen queues form for blocks around its distributor, Pop Mart, with 3am-risers racing to meet the arrival of restocked merchandise. A Pop Mart spokesperson insists such a mania in pursuit of the highly-collectible plushies and miniatures has gripped Australia “like never before”. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Britain’s biggest pawnbroker H&T snapped up by US firm for £297m; Goldman Sachs lifts UK and eurozone growth forecasts – business live

China issues warning to UK over terms of US trade deal, saying it is a ‘basic principle’ that bilateral agreements should not target other nationsHere’s our full story on the Co-op saying that that stock availability in its stores will not improve until this weekend, as it struggles to recover from a cyber-attack two weeks ago.And our full take on Burberry’s planned 1,700 job cuts. Continue reading...

Economics