42 h. ago The majority of Americans’ credit card debt is tied to essential costs

‘As living costs continue to rise and economic uncertainties persist, more people are finding it difficult to stay on top of their financial obligation,’ a recent research paper noted

Economics

67 h. ago The Guardian view on Europe’s stalling night train revival: don’t let it hit the buffers | Editorial

The most romantic way to traverse the continent is environmentally friendly and popular with the public. But market challenges need addressingWhen the European Union made its 2020 commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century, there was a wave of excitement about what that might mean for the continent’s most romantic form of travel. The golden era of night trains had, it was previously assumed, gone for good amid the rise of low-cost, short-haul flights. But the new environmental imperatives suggested that they could be a glamorous part of a greener future, delivering a climate impact that was 28 times less than flying. The European Commission enthusiastically identified a plethora of potential new routes that it judged could be economically viable.Sadly, due to a series of challenges that Brussels and national governments have done too little to address, the renaissance appears to be stalling. Last month, a two-year-old night service linking Paris w...

Events

2 d. ago As the year begins, don’t look away from the headlines, look better and deeper | Justine Toh

It’s important to cultivate a fresh way of seeing – one that isn’t blind to harsh realities but refuses to be cowed by themMaking sense of it is a column about spirituality and how it can be used to navigate everyday lifeI once heard that a journalist, stunned by the horrors they’d witnessed while on assignment as a foreign correspondent, was almost equally shocked to find themselves seeking solace in the strangest of places: a church. Not to pray; that wasn’t their thing. But to sit and take stock in silence – perhaps the most appropriate response when processing history’s bloody body count.If we’re news junkies, or just extremely online, we’re a little like that traumatised journalist. A little. More removed from frontline carnage, sure, but subject to a similar onslaught of non-stop bad news: polarisation, the climate crisis, grim domestic violence statistics. The rising cost of living, the rise of the far right, and AI threatening to upend our livelihoods. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago High street shoppers 'not surprised' popular retailer is shutting 32 UK stores

One high street brand, which is closing 32 stores, says the move has been affected by the rise of online shopping and high operating costs. Shoppers aren't too surprised about the news though

Politics

7 d. ago Families forced to crowdfund £2,365 as funeral costs rise again

The cost of a traditional service has recorded its biggest annual increase since 2016

Economics

9 d. ago Credit card borrowing grows at fastest annual rate in nearly two years

The rise in consumer credit borrowing may be a reflection of everyday costs becoming harder to manage without turning to credit, a charity said.

Politics

1 week ago Grim Amazon Prime change for 2026 feared as shoppers warned by top experts over price hike affecting millions

EXPERTS predict that Amazon Prime subscription costs could rise this year for the first time since 2022. Prime fees currently come in at £8.99 / $14.99 a month and £95 / $139 for a year. But based on historic price hike patterns 2026 looks possible. Nothing has been confirmed by Amazon yet - and we...

Events

2 w. ago Wagamama warns of UK menu price rises with 'selective increases'

Wagamama reportedly expects its labour and food and drink costs to rise by 4% to 5%, and other costs such as rent, but not energy costs, to go up by 2% to 3%

Events

2 w. ago Wagamama set to hike meal prices as it passes on rising costs to diners

Wagamama is the latest hospitality firm reportedly eyeing price hikes in the new year as it passes higher costs onto customers.

Economics

2 w. ago Water bills to rise further as industry regulator costs soar to £72million despite plans to abolish it

Ofwat's costs have jumped to £72 million up from £56.1 million in 2024-25, a 28per cent increase despite plans to abolish it.

Economics

2 w. ago Red alert for British holiday hotspot as floods hit Spain’s Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol battered by torrential rain as floodwaters rise 'several metres' in some areas

Events

3 w. ago Scottish Opera calls for more funding as accommodation costs rise

Rising accommodation costs and delays in buying tickets continue to add pressure to Scotland’s cultural sector.

Economics

3 w. ago Popular brewer confirms price rise next year with cost of five pints to go up

Punters can expect an average price increase of 2.7 percent on select draught beers and ciders next year.

Economics

4 w. ago The world’s most expensive passport is about to get even pricier

Exclusive: British passports are relatively expensive, but still less than half the cost of those issued by Canberra

Politics

4 w. ago The great ticket price scandal: How we all became priced out of the events we love

After the news that the cheapest ticket for the 2026 World Cup final will cost more than £3,000, Helen Coffey investigates how, from dinner to theatre tickets and gigs, real-world experiences suddenly became out of everyone’s league

Politics