44 m. ago Smart meter warning issued as 300,000 homes could be left without hot water

The old-style Radio Teleswitch Service system, used by roughly 430,000 homes, will be switched off on 1 July

Events

54 m. ago France and Germany avoid recession as economies return to growth; UK house prices drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, including growth figures from across EuropeUK house prices fall but market ‘likely to pick up’ during summerChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warFrance’s economy is likely to “flirt with stagnation” throughout the year, despite the small rebound in GDP in the last quarter, predicts Dutch bank ING.Charlotte de Montpellier, ING’s senior economist for France and Switzerland, explains:The additional customs duties in the US and their direct and indirect impact will delay the French economy’s rebound. We estimate that the direct effect of a permanent 10% import duty in the US on French GDP (via a reduction in exports) will be around -0.1%.Adding to this are the effects of uncertainty, the global economic slowdown and more restrictive fiscal policy, all of which will weigh on French economic activity throughout the year. The cooling in the labour market is likely to limit the recovery in household consumptio...

Economics

69 m. ago Harry to head back to Vegas – for charity mission in honour of Diana

The Duke of Sussex is launching the Pledge To Invest initiative for the Diana Award on May 6.

Events

1 hour ago Amazon shoppers say this cooling fan is 'better than Dyson' and it's on sale for £68

The Dreo tower fan is a hit with Amazon shoppers who say it's 'better than Dyson' for staying cool in the heatwave - and it's currently been slashed in price to £68

Economics

2 h. ago Shoppers rush to buy ‘better than Dyson’ cooling fan amid heatwave as it’s slashed to £68

The Dreo tower fan has been hailed ‘better than Dyson’ by several Amazon shoppers and is ideal for cooling down your home during the heatwave – and it’s on sale for £68

Economics

2 h. ago The Summer I Turned Pretty teases its endgame with a reference to classic film

The Summer I Turned Pretty will take fans to Cousins Beach for the last time, with the return of a beloved character shaking up Belly's relationship - and fans are guessing how it will end

Politics

2 h. ago Major UK high street store launches 'Rachel Reeves closing down sale' as it shuts for good

Having been a mainstay for 144-years, the Beales name will disappear for good on May 31, and its bosses have had a dig at Chancellor Rachel Reeves on its way out

Politics

2 h. ago Skyscanner reveals the cheapest week (and the best and worst destinations) to book for your summer holidays

Here’s when to book to get maximum bang for your buck

Politics

2 h. ago This £45 floral M&S dress could easily pass for Kate Middleton's designer favourite

M&S has launched a gorgeous floral tea dress that looks remarkably like a £245 frock from Rixo - the designer label loved by the Princess of Wales.

Politics

2 h. ago France avoids recession as economy returns to growth; UK house prices drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warAverage UK house prices fell this month, lender Nationwide reports, after the rush to avoid an increase in stamp duty faded.According to Nationwide, house prices fell by 0.6% in April, with the average price dropping to £270,752 from £271,316 in March.Early indications suggest there was a significant jump in transactions in March, with buyers bringing forward their purchases to avoid additional tax obligations.“The market is likely to remain a little soft in the coming months, following the pattern typically observed following the end of stamp duty holidays. Nevertheless, activity is likely to pick up steadily as summer progresses, despite wider economic uncertainties in the global economy, since underlying conditions for potential home buyers in the UK remain supportive. Continue reading...

Economics

3 h. ago Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade review – reverential reminiscence takes its time

There’s potentially too many run-of-the-mill I-met-Lennon anecdotes from talking heads and fans, but enough wheat among the chaff to keep things interestingWe have recently seen a slew of intriguing movies about John Lennon’s post-Beatles existence: The Lost Weekend: A Love Story, about Lennon’s brief relationship with his assistant May Pang, and Kevin Macdonald’s excellent archive-clip-collage study One to One: John & Yoko. Now here is a lengthy and self-consciously reverential film, which is sadly the weakest of the group. It doesn’t quite get to grips with the implications of its own title (was Lennon on “borrowed time”, exactly, in the 1970s?) and there’s an awful lot of hot air from an awful lot of talking heads in its lengthy running time, some of whom are regaling us with less-than-premium-quality anecdotes – often just beamingly recalling the pinch-me moment they actually met John Lennon and, wow, he said hi and they couldn’t believe it.The film covers the whole period f...

Politics

3 h. ago Masked gunman kills three people in ‘brutal’ Sweden attack before fleeing on scooter

Swedish police launch investigation into ‘brutal act of violence’ in Uppsala near Stockholm

Events

3 h. ago UK joins US as military launches strikes against Houthis in Yemen in joint operation

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the strikes on Tuesday were in response to Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

Events

4 h. ago ‘Still some fuel in the tank’: the perks and perils of launching a business after 60

Growing numbers of older people are creating enterprises in everything from baking to biodiversity – but does the freedom make up for the graft?Kari Johnston felt ready to retire after 45 years in nursing when, at 63 years old, she decided to launch her own business – a professional decluttering and organising service.She had read about decluttering and, fascinated, quickly created a website and advertised. Her first clients were friends. Three-and-a-half years later, Johnston, from St Monans in Fife, is now fully retired from nursing, and feels delighted with the success of her new venture. Continue reading...

Events

4 h. ago Nicola Sturgeon to unveil memoir at Edinburgh International Book Festival

Nicola Sturgeon is to appear in a line up of speakers which also includes Yulia Navalnaya, wife of late Russian dissident Alexei Navalny

Culture

4 h. ago Liverpool must show they've learned transfer lessons after seeing Jurgen Klopp plan backfire

Liverpool are set to back Arne Slot in the transfer market this summer as they look to build on their title win, having learned from their failure to do so during Jurgen Klopp's time in charge

Events

4 h. ago Football news: Real Madrid target Premier League trio as Man Utd dealt transfer blow

With a little over a month until the Champions League final, teams from the Premier League and beyond have been gearing up for what promises to be a busy summer of transfer action

Sport

5 h. ago India and Pakistan already sweltering in ‘new normal’ heatwave conditions

Temperatures south Asians dread each year arrive early as experts talk of ever shorter transition to summer-like heatThe summer conditions south Asian countries dread each year have arrived alarmingly early, and it’s only April. Much of India and Pakistan is already sweltering in heatwave conditions, in what scientists say is fast becoming the “new normal”.Temperatures in the region typically climb through May, peaking in June before the monsoon brings relief. But this year, the heat has come early. “As far as Asia and the Indian subcontinent are concerned, there was a quick transition from a short window of spring conditions to summer-like heat,” said GP Sharma, the meteorology president of Skymet, India’s leading private forecaster. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Gardener named plants you must prune right now for plenty of flowers in summer

A gardening expert has shared his top tips for pruning plants in spring, including lavender, buddleia, and ornamental grasses, to ensure a beautiful display of flowers in the summer

Politics

5 h. ago Dear Coleen: She led me on for two years, now she's shut me down

'She’s backed off a bit and I’ve only exchanged a few polite hellos with her since. I’m losing sleep over this.'

Politics