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Faisal Islam: Inflation and borrowing figures illustrate chancellor's Budget challenge

The economic figures released on Wednesday show the constraints for John Healey as he puts the finishing touches to his Budget.

Inflation and government borrowing highest for a year ahead of next week's Budget

Inflation accelerated to 3.5% from 3.1% in the year to September, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Civil servant admits he 'made mistakes' juggling five government jobs

Kashim Chowdhury was contracted for 183 hours a week, more than the number of hours in seven days.

Elon Musk confirms he is considering merging Tesla and SpaceX

Musk says special committees within both companies have been formed to look at a possible mega-merger.

The tech helping crack decades-old cold cases

Investigative genetic genealogy can help hunt down criminals but raises worries over privacy.

What is happening to UK prices?

UK inflation rose in September, pushed up by higher petrol and diesel prices.

Why is Elon Musk plotting a mega-merger of SpaceX and Tesla?

Musk says there's "a lot to be gained" by combining the firms in what would be the biggest merger in history.

Google resolves cloud outage affecting UK banks and websites

Revolut was one of the hardest hit, with banking services going down for many customers.

Trump sued over Canadian tariffs in latest legal challenge

The lawsuit argues the White House exceeded its authority in imposing the latest tariffs on the country and caused "immediate harm to American businesses".

Audit regulator looking into Manchester City accounting

No formal investigation has started, but the regulator is making inquiries into the case.

Paddy Power cuts 1,400 jobs and blames betting tax rises

The government increased taxes on online casino and sports betting in last year's Budget.

Union attacks NatWest plans to get workers back to the office

The bank says workers will be required to attend the office at least two days a week from February.

Chancellor rejects calls to raise Capital Gains Tax in Budget

Influential Labour figures had been pushing for equalising CGT and income tax, but critics have said this could drive wealthy people out of Britain.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wins dismissal of sister's lawsuit

A US district judge dismissed the case after Ann Altman had refused to attend an independent medical examination.

Jobless rate falls but small firms cut back hiring

Small firms cite labour costs as a key factor in scaling back hiring, the Office for National Statistics says.

Burnham vows end to 'rip-off parking charges' under new rules

The changes come after concerns that penalties issued by private providers are too harsh and leave motorists unfairly punished.

'I'm fed up of swiping': The singles choosing dating events over apps

The BBC hears from people who think dating events are better value for money than dating apps.

What is the Budget and what could be in it?

Chancellor John Healey will set out his plans for UK taxes on 28 October.

How is the US economy really doing under President Trump?

Ahead of the midterms Trump has boasted about the performance of the US economy. BBC Verify looks at inflation, jobs and economic growth in the country.

Vinted blocks French looters listing stolen goods for sale

The platform said since the weekend it had "taken immediate action to identify and remove listings linked to looting".

US bans China's DeepSeek from government in race for AI dominance

The Chinese technology is removed from most US government agencies as race for AI dominance steps up.

Ex-OpenAI worker accused of planting bug had Saudi support, claims prosecutors

Abdulrahman Alfozan, who is accused of planting a recording device, has been denied bail.

Bikes 'not for jousting,' says Lime after duel video

Footage emerged on social media of hundreds of people gathered in east London to watch a bike joust.

Home sellers cut asking prices on 3,000 properties a day

More property asking prices are being cut than at any time in 15 years, data shared with the BBC shows.

Musk and Anthropic pledge public share giveaways

Musk's announcement comes after Anthropic pledged to create a public benefit fund ahead of its blockbuster stock market listing.

Bereaved families could face 'unjust' tax bill after civil service pension delays

The chairman of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee says families should not be taxed through no fault of their own.

Living with a stink? Technology might help

Smells from rubbish dumps and industrial facilities are being more carefully monitored.

As Christmas rush looms, how do China-made toys find their way to the US?

With the festive season on the horizon, we trace toys from factories in China to US shelves.

How long will humans be needed for translation?

AI dominates the translation business, but for high-stakes work, humans are still needed.

Why are more roofs not made of solar tiles?

Solar tiles were touted as an attractive alternative to solar panels - why have they not taken off?

How oil-rich Alberta's economy might fare if it broke away from Canada

Albertans vote this month on staying in Canada or moving ahead to a binding independence referendum.

Rainmakers: The drones used to seed clouds

Cloud seeding is gaining attention as countries look to boost rainfall - will drones help?

The AI telling farmers when to harvest

Will farmers want AI tools to help judge when to pick fruit, or is their own intuition enough?

The start-ups hoping to return battery making to the US

Batteries based on sodium-ion technology could be made in the US with locally sourced materials.

X-planes: Are they needed in the new era of drones?

Where do America's X-plane projects fit in an era of cheap drones?

How the oil capital of the US welcomed a solar power boom

Texas is now the country's biggest producer of solar-farmed electricity.

Spain battles climate change on several fronts

A summer of wildfires and heatwaves underlines the threats to the country's economy.

The virtual worlds where robots are trained

Training systems that allow robots to negotiate the real world are getting more sophisticated.

Would you buy branded clothing from your favourite tech firm?

Nvidia, OpenAI and Anthropic are all now selling their own limited edition fashion lines.

Inflation and government borrowing highest for a year ahead of next week's Budget

Inflation accelerated to 3.5% from 3.1% in the year to September, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

What is happening to UK prices?

UK inflation rose in September, pushed up by higher petrol and diesel prices.

£30 rise in payments for crisis-hit households

More money is made available through a resilience fund for hard-pressed households in Sheffield.

'I'm fed up of swiping': The singles choosing dating events over apps

The BBC hears from people who think dating events are better value for money than dating apps.

Food aid charity under pressure from fuel costs

FareShare South West says fuel costs are putting immense pressure on work helping thousands in need.

My hometown shows that high streets have to change or die

Aberdeen is launching an ambitious bid to revive its struggling centre. Could it offer lessons for other high streets?

Europe's car makers are in crisis. Will the threat of war rescue them?

Auto executives across Europe hope rearmament can help them flex their industrial muscles once more.

Aviation faces hotter, stormier skies – and passengers might have to accept more disruption

Are people going to have to increasingly accept more delays and diversions as the effects of climate change intensify?

Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters

Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?

Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension

Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older

Watch: 'We don't pay' - lawyer advises how to avoid £45,000 illegal-worker fine

Mohammad Alias Yousaf made his claim to an undercover reporter posing as a mini-mart owner.

What are the new faces coming to UK bank notes?

Banknotes are getting a nature-themed makeover – and the Bank of England has revealed the four creatures that will feature on our money.

'I'd spend $1,000 on a wedding present'

New Yorkers share how much they spend on a wedding gift - and how they decide.

NI company in talks to save Poundland from administration

Poundland says Martin Property Group from Londonderry is the management team's "preferred partner"

Source: BBC News

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