Business

Consumer Prices Index inflation fell to 3% in January from 3.4% in December, the Office for National Statistics reported, with lower petrol and food prices cited among the drivers.

King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman provided two donations totaling SAR150 million through the Jood Eskan platform to support housing initiatives, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Several Olympic skiers including Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin and Federica Brignone said nearby glaciers have dramatically shrunk; Italian researchers report more than 200 square kilometres of glacier loss since the late 1950s and projects indicate some glaciers could largely disappear within years under high-warming scenarios.

Sahyadri Farms grew from 110 growers in 2011 to about 30,000 members and processed 385,000 tonnes last year, helping smallholders access export markets.

British banks, backed by the government, are planning a domestic payments network and will meet tomorrow to discuss a company nicknamed DeliveryCo; Visa and Mastercard currently process about 95% of UK card transactions.

JPMorgan Chase Institute data shows transfers into investment accounts by 25–39‑year‑olds more than tripled to 14.4% between 2013 and 2023, and transfers by 26‑year‑olds since age 22 rose from 8% in 2015 to 40% by May 2025.

Lidl plans to invest £500 million to open 16 new stores across Northern Ireland over the next six years, and the company says the expansion could create about 1,000 additional jobs; the rollout is contingent on planning approvals.

A Realtor.com report found vacancy rates among the largest U.S. metros rose from 7.2% in 2024 to 7.6% in 2025, with 22 cities classified as renter-friendly and six remaining landlord-friendly.

Tesco now lets Clubcard members convert vouchers into Tesco Travel Insurance credit at a £1-for-£1 rate, with a minimum £5 exchange required.

Martin Lewis said the Marriage Tax Allowance can add about £1,260 by letting one partner transfer part of their Personal Allowance to the other, and he noted couples can backclaim up to four previous tax years.

Jesse Jackson, born Oct. 8, 1941, and who died Feb. 17, 2026 at age 84, was a civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate whose campaigns expanded voter participation and helped prompt Democratic delegate reforms that introduced a proportional allocation with a 15% threshold.

The European Commission said Hungary and Slovakia face no short-term risk to oil supplies because both hold 90 days of emergency stocks, and Brussels is in contact with Ukraine about repairing the Druzhba pipeline.

Gunfire at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, left multiple people dead or critically injured and is being treated as a family-related incident; state and local authorities are investigating. Officials and school representatives said student athletes were accounted for and the governor said he was monitoring the situation.

People across parts of East and Southeast Asia marked the Lunar New Year with prayers, fireworks and public festivities as the Year of the Horse began. Observances included temple incense and bell rites in Hong Kong and Taipei, countdowns and fireworks in Vietnam, and public events in Moscow and Jakarta.

Officials reported a shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a high school hockey tournament that left two people dead and three critically injured; the suspect was found dead at the scene, reportedly from a self-inflicted wound.

The Department for Work and Pensions will add nine Jobcentre on Wheels vans across six areas after pilot trials, and DWP data showed more than half of visitors were not receiving benefits.

Topshop and Topman are reopening 32 UK high-street locations, with products also available via John Lewis's online platforms and in stores; the relaunch coincides with London Fashion Week and will include a Piccadilly Circus takeover and other activations.

Police say at least two people were killed and three others wounded in a shooting during a high school hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Officials say a shooting at an indoor ice rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on Monday afternoon left at least two people dead and injured four others; police reported the suspect is among the dead.

Zambia's Minerals Regulation Commission said underground operations at Mopani Copper Mines' Mufulira mine can resume after the company implemented technology to verify clearances two hours after shifts and installed closed-circuit television, which the regulator said meets Mining Regulation 218.

Shane Pitter, a 26-year-old fisherman who makes fishing videos, is competing as Jamaica's bobsled pilot at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina and is part of a young, developing team. The team remains short on funding and was 23rd of 26 after the first two heats in the two-man event, which concludes on Tuesday.

Underbool’s small outback pool, used heavily by the town’s 220 residents, will be restored after state and council funding commitments; works are due to begin after winter and will take two years.

Standard Life's analysis says adding about £39 a month to pension contributions could grow to roughly £37,000 over time, and the article highlights taking advantage of tax relief and putting lump sums into a pension. It also notes that defined contribution members can usually change payments through their employer or provider and that the state pension requires 10 qualifying years for any payment and 35 years for the full amount.

The 40-day Lunar New Year travel rush began on Feb. 2 and runs through the official Spring Festival holidays from Feb. 15 to 23, with officials expecting a record 9.5 billion domestic trips. By Feb. 10 railways had carried 1.01 billion passengers and flights reached 16.32 million in the first week.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing from her Tucson home after last being seen Jan. 31; the FBI and Pima County investigators have released surveillance footage and collected evidence for laboratory analysis.

Michael Jordan gave a rare interview at the Daytona 500, reflecting on the antitrust case that was settled last December and saying the agreement granted teams permanent charters.

Officials warned further flooding could affect New Zealand's North Island after heavy rain caused power outages, road collapses, evacuations and the death of a man whose vehicle was submerged.

Martin Lewis said benefit claimants should check their bank details when switching accounts and explained that the Current Account Switch Service moves most payments but does not transfer recurring payments set up with a debit card number.

Mexico dispatched two navy ships carrying more than 800 tons of food and hygiene supplies to Havana, and President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government is pursuing diplomatic talks with the United States to try to restore oil deliveries to Cuba.

Gerry Golden, manager at Emmaus Dover, says donations are vital to the charity and that clothing, bric-a-brac and usable furniture commonly make it onto shop shelves, while heavily worn items, some electricals and safety equipment are often not accepted.