5 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 23 January: Growth spurt for UK business, retail sales beat hopes

The pound today traded above $1.35 after retail sales beat expectations and the UK private sector recorded a jump in activity.

Economics

5 d. ago All that glitters: strong online gold sales help deliver festive retail rebound

The ONS said UK retail sales rose by 0.4% in December, following falls in October and November.

Politics

5 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 23 January: Business activity surges, Babcock down on CEO change

UK retail sales volumes rallied last month in a better-than-expected performance over the Christmas season.

Economics

5 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 23 January: Retail sales surprise rise, Babcock down on CEO change

UK retail sales volumes rallied last month in a better-than-expected performance over the Christmas season.

Economics

5 d. ago UK retail sales rebound in December as online jewellery spending jumps

Volumes rose unexpectedly in December, beating forecasts as demand for gold and silver strengthened

Economics

5 d. ago Retail sales see surprise December bounceback amid online boost

The Office for National Statistics said the total volume of retail sales is estimated to have risen by 0.4% in December.

Politics

5 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 23 January: Gold price nears $5000, online jewellers boost retail sales

UK retail sales volumes rallied last month in a better-than-expected performance over the Christmas season.

Economics

5 d. ago London open: FTSE rises as investors mull retail sales; gold in focus

London open: FTSE rises as investors mull retail sales; gold in focus  Vox Markets

Economics

1 week ago Oliver Glasner to leave Crystal Palace in summer, Manchester City close on Guéhi: football – live

⚽ The latest football news going into the weekend⚽ Glasner to leave Palace | Follow on Bluesky | Mail usA very poor 9/15 from me.Afcon is moving to a four-year cycle, a decision the Confederation of African Football has been accused of forcing through without proper consultation. Ed Aarons and Romain Molina report:Several presidents of African football federations have told the Guardian they were not informed of the decision until it was surprisingly announced by the Caf president, Patrice Motsepe, on 20 December, prompting claims that the confederation breached its statutes by failing to seek approval at a general assembly. Continue reading...

Sport

1 week ago Manchester City close in on Guéhi, Malen joins Roma, derby looms for Carrick: football – live

⚽ The latest football news going into the weekend⚽ Premier League preview | Follow on Bluesky | Mail usA very poor 9/15 from me.Afcon is moving to a four-year cycle, a decision the Confederation of African Football has been accused of forcing through without proper consultation. Ed Aarons and Romain Molina report:Several presidents of African football federations have told the Guardian they were not informed of the decision until it was surprisingly announced by the Caf president, Patrice Motsepe, on 20 December, prompting claims that the confederation breached its statutes by failing to seek approval at a general assembly. Continue reading...

Sport

1 week ago African football chiefs accused of not consulting fully over controversial Afcon change

Tournament to be played every four years from 2028Federation denies statutes breached in making decisionThe Confederation of African Football (Caf) has been accused of pushing through its controversial decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) every four years without properly consulting member federations.Several presidents of African football federations have told the Guardian they were not informed of the decision until it was surprisingly announced by the Caf president, Patrice Motsepe, on 20 December, prompting claims that the confederation breached its statutes by failing to seek approval at a general assembly. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago M&S Food extends value ranges to compete with ‘big six’ supermarkets

The retailer claims to be the fastest-growing grocer among families, based on Worldpanel data.

Politics

2 w. ago Retailers suffer ‘drab’ Christmas as shoppers shun gifting for sales – figures

Total UK retail sales were up 1.2% year-on-year in December – well below last December’s growth of 3.2% and the 12-month average of 2.3%.

Economics

2 w. ago ‘It’s younger people seeking some sort of spirituality’: UK Bible sales reach record high

Surge in 2025 sales correlates with the growth in church attendances in England and Wales, research showsFor Christian booksellers, the good news about Bible sales has been few and far between. But in recent retail figures, there was a revelation.Sales of the good book reached a record high in the UK in 2025, increasing by 134% since 2019 – the highest since records began – according to industry research. Last year, the total sales of Bibles in the UK reached £6.3m in 2025, £3.61mup on 2019 sales. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 08 January: Primark owner slides on guidance cut, M&S and BAE Systems rally

Retail giants Primark, Tesco and Marks & Spencer today revealed mixed fortunes on Christmas trading.

Politics

2 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 08 January: Primark warning, Tesco shares fall despite festive upgrade

Retail giants Primark, Tesco and Marks & Spencer today revealed mixed fortunes on Christmas trading.

Events

2 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 08 January: Primark warning, Tesco and M&S issue festive updates

Retail giants Primark, Tesco and Marks & Spencer today revealed mixed fortunes on Christmas trading.

Events

3 w. ago Nicki Minaj’s Maga conversion is doing nothing for her career – or is it? | Arwa Mahdawi

The rapper’s recent cosying up to the Trump administration has upset a lot of her fans, but is she playing the long game?Starships are meant to fly, but Nicki Minaj’s musical career is now doing a Maga-propelled nosedive. For the past few months, the rapper and former gay icon has been horrifying many of her fans by cosying up to the Trump administration.In November, for example, Minaj shared a post by Donald Trump about the treatment of Christians in Nigeria and agreed to collaborate with the administration on awareness around the issue. Then, in December, the rapper made a surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention, where she heaped praise on the late Charlie Kirk (who once said Minaj was not a good role model for “18-year-old Black girls”) and the vice-president, JD Vance. She also accidentally called Vance an “assassin” while talking to Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, but was quickly forgiven for her word choice. “I love this woman,” Erika Kirk proclaimed aft...

Politics

3 w. ago UK house price growth weakest since April 2024 after surprise December drop

UK house price growth weakest since April 2024 after surprise December drop  Reuters

Politics

4 w. ago Ocado plans global retail tech sales push after exclusivity deals end

The London-listed firm said in July it was set to roll off mutual exclusivity contracts by the end of the year with most retail partners worldwide.

Economics