Go zone — New York is building, baby, building
A year on from new legislation, planning in the city is heading in a new direction — change has been fast and often controversial. But is change fast enough?
UK
EU-Mercosur trade deal hangs in the balance
EU’s top trade official says bloc must not delay vote on pact with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay
Buy now, panic later is the new holiday ritual – stopping it won’t be easy
Olya Detry/ShutterstockThe holiday season brings celebration and gift-giving, but it also ushers in something less festive: financial stress. In the UK, retailers now shape much of the spending calendar, with Black Friday one of the busiest shopping events of the year.
In this age of global uncertainty, where in the world can we look for guidance?
Sunil Prajapati/ShutterstockWhen Donald Trump stood on the White House lawn in April 2025 holding a large, laminated poster announcing the first round of trade tariffs to be imposed on different countries, the Trade Policy Uncertainty Index shot through the roof.
The quiet rise in the tax burden for UK businesses will hit workers and consumers too
William Barton/ShutterstockMany businesses in the UK saw the 2025 budget as a tightening of the screw in a period of already difficult conditions. While the government insists it is not raising taxes on companies overall, disquiet among businesses could have an impact on jobs, wages and the wider economy.
Unions have been in decline in the UK for 50 years. A new law could begin to reverse that trend
The UK’s employment rights bill will usher in major changes for workers from April 2026. But beyond promising improved rights for employees over unfair dismissal and sick pay, one of the most controversial aspects of the bill concerns the rights of trade unions.
Growing a mix of plants in fields can save farmers money and help the environment – new research
goodluz/ShutterstockFarmers have increasingly sown a single type of grass in their fields over the past 100 years, and then added che
Why big shops are trying to sell you a glamorous Christmas
In the dark months of winter, the warm glow of Christmas fairy lights and flickering candles brings some welcome atmospheric respite. And that atmosphere is something many retailers try to capture as they tempt shoppers with their festive marketing campaigns.
The John Lewis Christmas advert for example, has become a seasonal staple, while rival Marks and Spencer has found success with its “Magic and Sparkle” campaign, which plays on the company’s brand name.
Driverless taxis are heading to the UK, but it’s still not clear who to blame when something goes wrong
Driverless in San Francisco. Tada Images/ShutterstockDriverless taxis are a bit like buses. You wait ages for one, and then a fleet arrives all at once. The US firms Waymo and Uber have both said their vehicles will be on the streets of London in 2026.
Farmers and supermarkets worry that extreme weather will stop food getting to consumers – here’s what needs to change
www.hollandfoto.net/ShutterstockStorm Amy with its gusts of nearly 100mph brought heavy rain, fallen trees, and transport disr
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