Agency staff receive terms boost
Agency workers in the UK are set to receive a pay and conditions boost as new rights come into effect......
'Excessive' card surcharges to go
Surcharges for using a debit or credit card to pay for travel, theatre or cinema tickets will be banned by the end of 2012, the government says......
La Senza to enter administration
UK lingerie retailer La Senza says it will call in the administrators, blaming the economy and tough trading conditions......
UK borrowing cost at record low
The UK government's cost of borrowing in markets falls to a record low after data shows a sharp fall in service sector activity......
Obama in tax victory over House
The US Congress approves a payroll tax cut deal, in a rare win for President Obama over House Republicans who have frustrated his agenda all year......
US durable goods orders jump 3.8%
Orders for durable manufactured goods in the US rose by more than expected in November, official figures show......
New shopping 'record' predicted
Friday is set to be the busiest shopping day on record as consumers rush to buy last minute presents and food, credit card firm Visa predicts......
Shoppers shy away from borrowing
People are continuing to pay down their debts, despite High Street stores offering discounts to tempt shoppers, the BBA says......
VW turns off out-of-hours email
Volkswagen is stopping emails being sent to some of its workers when they go off-shift after complaints of work and home life becoming blurred......
US consumer spending disappoints
Consumer spending in the US rose by less than expected in November, according to official figures from the Commerce Department......
Allen Stanford fit to stand trial
A US federal judge rules that Texan financier Allen Stanford is mentally fit to stand trial for allegedly operating a $7bn (4.5bn) Ponzi scheme......
Extra carriages for rail services
Additional train carriages will introduced on services from London to the South West in 2013, the government announces......
Blacks Leisure sale talks ongoing
Blacks Leisure says it is still in talks over the sale of the business after receiving offers from a number of parties......
Italian consumer confidence slips
Italy's consumer confidence fell in December, statistical agency Istat says, as fears grow the country will slip into recession next year......
French GDP growth revised down
The French economy's growth rate is revised down to 0.3% in the three months to the end of September......
Singapore factory output declines
Singapore's factory output falls after a drop in electronics manufacturing caused by slowing demand and supply chain issues......
Cameroon pay strike compensation
Cameroon's football federation pays $500,000 compensation to Algeria over the friendly match cancelled when the Indomitable Lions went on strike......
VIDEO: Shops hope for last-minute boom
High street retailers across the UK have started a big push to catch shoppers buying last-minute gifts......
VIDEO: Ban on excessive card fees explained
Moneybox's Paul Lewis explains what the ban on excessive card fees will mean.....
VIDEO: Stores scour web for bestselling toys
Traditional stores are studying online sales to decide which toys they should stock......
AUDIO: Former La Senza owner Paphitis 'saddened'
Former La Senza owner Theo Paphitis has said he is "incredibly saddened" that the lingerie chain has announced its intention to enter administration......
VIDEO: Christmas shoppers still spending
On what's thought to be the busiest shopping day to date, consumers are rushing to buy last minute presents and food.....
VIDEO: 'Excessive' card surcharges to go
"Excessive" fees for using a debit or credit card to buy items such as travel or cinema tickets will be banned by the end of 2012, under government plans......
Fitness technology gets social
Friends, footballers and Zombies - technology's answer to getting fit.....
Merry markets ahead of holiday
Dec 23 - Business Headline Summary: Santa rally puts S&P 500 up for the year; Better-than-expected new home sales rose to seven-month high; Crude closes near $100; Congress passes tax-cut deal; Netflix CEO gets $1.5M pay cut. Carmen Roberts reports......
Mystery kidney disease strikes Nicaraguan sugarcane region.
Dec. 23 - An unexplained kidney disease epidemic hits Nicaragua's impoverished sugar-growing town of La Islas with locals blaming pollution. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.....
Tech gifts ring up big holiday sales
Dec 23 - Tech gifts are expected to be among the top sellers this holiday season. These three will be especially in demand. Elizabeth Koraca reports......
Skipping added protection
Dec 23 - The extended warranty industry brings in more than $25 billion a year selling extra product coverage to consumers. Some experts say, with some exceptions, Americans should save their money and pass on add-on warranty protection. Jeanne Yurma.....
Obama signs two-month extension of payroll tax cut
Dec. 23 - Obama signs a two-month extension of payroll tax cut, wrapping up a tumultuous year of battles over spending and taxes. Deborah Lutterbeck reports......
Procrastinators, bargain hunters, and online scavengers
Retail Correspondent Dhanya Skariachan describes what U.S. retailers are doing to accommodate last-minute holiday shoppers......
Retail's Christmas winners and losers
Dec. 23 - UK retailers experience a last minute surge in Christmas demand, but few believe it can compensate for months of poor figures, with some retailers facing a make or break holiday season. Penny Tweedie reports......
Quiet trading before Christmas
Dec. 23 - Summary of Business Headlines: Wall Street opens higher on last day of trading before Christmas; Mixed economic reports show some slowing; Congress passes payroll tax cut extension; Retailers pull Enfamil from shelves after death. Carmen Ro.....
Euro zone worries overshadow U.S. data boost
Dec. 23 - Markets find cause for optimism after U.S. data come in ahead of forecasts, but euro zone debt worries dominate holiday-season sentiment......
France urges removal of suspect breast implants
Dec. 23 - The French government is recommending up to 30,000 women in France who received suspect breast implants from a now-defunct company get them removed, but says there's no evidence they raise the risk of cancer. Joanna Partridge reports.....
Morning Briefing: U.S. durables rise, tax cut deal reached
Dec. 23 - U.S. durable goods orders for November jump 3.8 percent, boosted by Boeing, and the U.S. House and Senate are expected to approve a short-term extension of the payroll tax cut today......
U.S. Morning Call: Eye on Washington; AT&T OK to buy Qualcomm
Dec. 23 - The U.S. Congress is finally expected to pass a payroll tax cut extension today, and AT&T wins regulatory approval to buy Qualcomm......
In praise of ambiguity - Reuters Breakingviews
Breakingviews......
Brits say "hey ho" to the Christmas budget
Dec. 23 - Research from American Express suggests unplanned spending over the holiday season will add 10.2 billion to Britain's post-Christmas credit card bills. Hayley Platt reports......
Reuters Today: U.S. data spurs year-end bounce
Dec. 23 - European shares set to follow Asia higher after signs the U.S. economy is strengthening. Plus the latest world news headlines......
U.S. day ahead: Durables could make recovery more solid
Correspondent Jason Lange says durable goods orders should rise by 2% in November which could fuel hopes for the recovery. He warns though danger still lurks on the horizon......
Payroll tax reprieve
Dec. 22 - Summary of business headlines: House Speaker Boehner agrees to 2-month payroll tax extension; Stock indexes gain on optimistic data; Jobless claims hit 3-1/2 year low; Consumer confidence improves. Bobbi Rebell reports......
Asia: The week ahead
Dec. 23 - Low turnover expected for Asian markets during the Christmas trading week, but investors will watch current account data from India, and industrial output from Japan and Korea. Jon Gordon reports......
Premier League dishes up festive treats
Dec. 23 - Expert analysis and betting tips on the Premier League's Boxing Day fixtures featuring Chelsea v Fulham, Liverpool v Blackburn and Stoke v Aston Villa......
Asian markets in X'mas bounce
Dec. 23 - Asian stocks rally to snap a 2-week run of losses, encouraged by signs of a strengthening U.S. economy. Arnold Gay reports......
Where is Santa Right Now? Track Him With NORAD
As of 6:02 p.m. ET Santa was located in Trondheim, Norway, and getting ready to go to Netherlands, Amsterdam, according to the Google Earth and NORAD Santa Tracker 2011. He spends four minutes in every location......
World economy to trudge on in 2012 despite Europe - Reuters poll
Europe faces another year of dismal economic performance in 2012 that will weigh on global growth, but emerging markets and the United States should at least keep the world economy moving in the right direction......
Santa Claus Tracking to U.S.: NORAD Santa Tracker 2011
At just before six p.m. Eastern Time, Santa had visited more than 1.1 billion homes around the world and had just left Slovakia heading for Austria. By the end of his trip, Santa will visit more than three billion homes in the world......
A New Yorker's Opinion: NORAD Tracks Santa, Naughty or Nice? Find the Latest Here [VIDEO,MAP]
NORAD, the folks that keep the upper atmosphere safe by tracking everything that is up there so we can shoot down the bad guys, is tracking Santa this year, and you can follow him on his cheerful rounds here. Santa will also be able to tell who has b.....
Barack Obama's Campaign Seeks to Raise $60 Million in Fourth Quarter
U.S. President Barack Obama&s campaign set a goal of raising $60 million in the fourth quarter of the year to benefit the Democratic incumbent&s re-election and the Democratic National Committee, a campaign official said on Saturday......
Kindle Fire User's Guide: 15 Essential Features and Tips for Amazon's Tablet
The Amazon Kindle Fire is one of the hottest holiday gifts this year. While the Kindle Fire is sleek, inexpensive and lightweight, you may have some questions about how to streamline your tablet and make it even easier to use......
Grace Hightower Welcomes Baby Girl, Robert De Niro Talks 'Fractionalized Family'
Robet De Niro has become a father again at age 68 as he and wife Grace Hightower welcomed daughter Helen via a surrogate mother. De Niro, who had twins via surrogacy with ex Toukie Smith and now has six children from three different women, has a fami.....
ASUS Transformer Prime: Some to Ship on Monday from Best Buy
Most ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime enthusiasts will get their hands on the tablet in 2012, but customers who order the 32GB Amethyst Gray version from Best Buy could get it as early as Monday, according to Android Police......
Tens of Thousands of Russian Protesters Pressure Vladimir Putin
Tens of thousands of flag-waving and chanting protesters on Saturday called for a disputed parliamentary election to be rerun and an end to Vladimir Putin&s rule, increasing pressure on the Russian leader as he tries to win back the presidency......
Kate Middleton to Wear 5 Outfits at Royal Sandringham Christmas
Kate Middleton is having her first Royal Christmas at Sandringham Estate, but this will require changing into five different outfits, according to ABC News& royal correspondent......
Demi Lovato to Disney: 'Eating Disorders Are Not Something to Joke About!'
Demi Lovato won a Twitter victory yesterday when she slammed former boss The Disney Channel for an eating disorder joke on their show 'Shake It Up.' Lovato, who starred in 'Sonny With a Chance' before she was diagnosed with bulimia, tweeted her disgu.....
Bahrain Says it Would Drop Free-Speech Charges Linked to Protests
Bahrain said Saturday it would drop charges against 343 people whose offenses were linked to free speech, but the opposition said that was just a portion of those detained on such accusations during pro-democracy protests this year......
New Crew Arrives at International Space Station
A Russian Soyuz capsule arrived at the International Space Station on Friday with a trio of astronauts, bringing the orbital outpost back to full staffing after a failed cargo ship launch in August disrupted flight schedules......
FBI Computer System Delayed Again after Snag
The FBI&s upgrade of its computerized case file system has hit another snag and will not be fully deployed until mid-2012 after it crashed twice during a trial run by agents in October, according to a government report released on Friday......
As Kodak Struggles, Eastman Chemical Thrives
George Eastman is best known as the inventor of photographic film and founder of Eastman Kodak Co, but his century-old legacy of entrepreneurship now rides on the lesser-known Eastman Chemical Co......
VW Agrees to Kick the 'Crackberry' Habit
The backlash against twenty-four-hour connectivity has started......
Santa Tracker 2011: 4 Tips and Tricks for Tracking Santa With NORAD [Live Stream]
Santa Claus is currently in Azerbaijan and his next stop is in Armenia. Soon he will be in the United States to deliver tons of gift to well-behaved boys and girls. Four tips and tricks to track him and watch videos of where he has been......
Eva Mendes, Ryan Gosling Cozy in Bed for Drunken Christmas Video
Eva Mendes and rumored boyfriend Ryan Gosling, are having a bit of fun this Christmas as they star in the latest ' Funny or Die' skit......
World Economy May Grow in 2012 Despite the Eurozone Crisis: Poll
Europe faces another year of dismal economic performance in 2012 that will weigh on global growth, but emerging markets and the United States should at least keep the world economy moving in the right direction......
Santa Tracking on Smartphone: How to Track Santa Claus with NORAD Apps
Santa Claus tracking is set for a record-breaking year in 2011, as applications on smartphones are being used with North American Aerospace Defense Command data to track The Big Red One on his journey from the North Pole to all points south......
Egyptian Islamists Take Two-Thirds of Second-Round Vote
Egypt&s two leading Islamist parties won about two-thirds of votes for party lists in the second round of polling for a parliament that will help draft a new constitution after decades of autocratic rule, the election committee said Saturday......
Where to Watch Pope's Midnight Mass Online
Pope Benedict XVI will preside over Midnight Mass Saturday at 10:00 pm Rome time. Find out where to watch the procession live online from anywhere in the world......
Arsenal Pondering Thierry Henry Loan Deal
Thierry Henry could be on the verge of a sensational return to Arsenal with club manager Arsene Wenger revealing his intentions to bring him back on a two-month loan deal......
Was Tyreek Amir Jacobs, 18, Murdered Over Air Jordan Concords or Just a Hoax?
The Internet is abuzz with claims that an 18-year-old boy from Washington D.C. named Tyreek Amir Jacobs was killed in Maryland Thursday while shopping for Air Jordan Concords. But was he really murdered or is it a hoax?......
iPad 3: Should You Buy an Asus Eee Pad Transformer or Wait for iPad 3?
What we don&t know; what the iPad 3 will look like. What we do know; it should be here before Spring. If you can&t wait that long, consider buying the Asus Eee Pad Transformer......
Fish - Kim Jong-il's Final Gift to His Subjects
The claims are widely seen as another attempt to glorify the &Dear Leader& who managed to build a cult of personality around him over the years......
'Dark Knight Rises': Leaked Prologue, Scripts, Trailers and Rumors [VIDEOS]
A compilation of all things 'Dark Knight Rises' - from leaked scripts, to rumors, to trailers, to that elusive six-minute prologue......
iOS 5 Untethered Jailbreak: Apple's Updates May Hamper Pod2g, MuscleNerd's Efforts
Apple, to solve battery issues related iPhone 4S running on iOS 5, will be releasing new updates of the operating software which can carry a patch for the new jailbreak......
iPhone 4S: How Does it Compare to the Photon 4G?
Sprint may not have the selection of premium devices available from Verizon, but they do have the iPhone 4S and the Motorola Photon 4G. If you are a Sprint customer and you are wondering what the difference is between these two $200 devices, you are .....
From Washington To Obama, Judging Presidential Greatness
After 44 presidents and well over two centuries, Americans have spent a great deal of time ranking their current and former leaders. Names like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln naturally rise to the top after benefiting from the kindness of hist.....
Archbishop of York attacks bankers' 'massive bonuses'
The Archbishop of York has criticised the growing divide between high and low earners and asked whether it is right that bankers "who helped cause the economic crisis" should "rake in massive bonuses".<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegrap.....
New temp rights kick in but thousands miss out
More than one million agency workers are set to receive extra pay and benefits on Christmas Eve under new European jobs law.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b3af84f/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/&.....
John Caudwell: 'I can't stand by and see our Wedgwood heritage shattered'
When billionaire John Caudwell was growing up in a working-class household in Stoke-on-Trent in the 1950s, luxuries were in short supply.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b3ae3ec/mf.gif' border='0'.....
PricewaterhouseCoopers faces up to 1m fine over JP Morgan Securities' audits
Accounting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers is expected to be fined up to 1m in respect of seven years of auditing JP Morgan Securities.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b39b0d4/mf.gif' border='0'/>.....
Bernie Ecclestone admits 27m secret payments
Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone helped conceal multi-million pound payments at the heart of bribery allegations gripping English and German courts.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b39b0d5/mf.gif.....
Andy Clarke: community is key to the Asda price challenge
Andy Clarke is having a good Christmas as head of Britain's second biggest supermarket, writes Jonathan Sibun.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b398b25/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/>.....
UK banks consider raising anti-fraud budget
Britain's major banks are considering whether to increase the amount of money they pay each year to the police unit charged with combating cheque and card fraud in the face of wider cuts to the police budget.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://t.....
Call for Government to act as security rules hamper exports
Exporters are seeing goods required urgently by international customers delayed at airports for days after new security rules took effect last week and have called on the Government to act.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsporta.....
ECB's 489bn will 'buy valuable time' but is no eurozone debt bazooka
The European Central Bank's unprecedented provision of a 489bn (407.5bn) in cheap loans will "buy valuable time" for eurozone banks but has not improved their credit outlook, a director of Standard & Poor's has warned.<img width='1' height='1'.....
La Senza prepares for administration
La Senza is preparing for administration - the latest retailer to seek protection from creditors after tough trading on the high street.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b38c253/mf.gif' border='0'/.....
UK recession warning as services shrink
Official figures have provided the clearest evidence yet that Britain is heading back into recession after activity in the UK's powerhouse services sector slumped heavily in October.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c.....
Survival is the new revival following this most difficult of years
Final flurries of economic data were blowing in the wind on Friday as the stock market took its half-day holiday before Christmas.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b3918eb/mf.gif' border='0'/>&l.....
The economy: from despair to hope
The economic mood is gloomy, but there are reasons to be cheerful, argues Alistair Osborne.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b3913a2/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://.....
Asia growth downgrade hits recovery hopes
Hopes that the emerging economies of Asia will come to the West's rescue next year have been dealt a blow after Fitch Ratings downgraded its growth forecasts for the region in 2012 from 7.4pc to 6.8pc.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegrap.....
Thin festive trading as FTSE 100 rises
Jingle bells were ringing across the London exchange on Friday as the benchmark index made a concerted effort at maintaining its "Santa rally", although dealing was thin during the half-day's business before traders left for the Christmas break.<i.....
Weak consumer spending hits US growth hopes
Consumer spending in America rose by less than expected in November, casting fresh doubt on the country's economic recovery.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b386f6a/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/&.....
SkyePharma hit by drug delay amid 'Santa rally'
As the market knocked off early to get stuck into the mince pies and mulled wine, investors in SkyePharma found a lump of coal in their stocking as they learnt of a further delay to approval for the drug delivery specialist's asthma therapy, Flutifor.....
Debt crisis: as it happened December 23, 2011
Markets enjoy modest pre-Christmas rally as investors shrug off gloom over Asian growth and global economy next year to focus on signs of recovery in the United States.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/56830.....
Debt crisis: live
Markets enjoy modest pre-Christmas rally as investors shrug off gloom over Asian growth and global economy next year to focus on signs of recovery in the United States.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/56830.....
Black Leisure's fate to be decided over Christmas
The fate of British outdoor goods retailer Blacks Leisure will be decided over Christmas.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b381e00/mf.gif' border='0'/>.....
Credit card fee ban 'could just lead to higher prices'
Treasury Minister announces ban on airlines, travel companies and retailers charging fees when people pay by card.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b381e02/mf.gif' border='0'/>.....
Q&A: How to close a company tax efficiently?
Our expert tackles changes to the tax charges leveled on companies that are wound up<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b379c5a/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feed.....
Recession warning as service sector shrinks
Official figures have provided the clearest evidence yet that Britain is heading back into recession after activity in the UK's powerhouse services sector slumped in October at its sharpest rate since April.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://te.....
Questor: Make money from market volatility
Questor's timely stock market tip.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b360813/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121585545846/u/3/f/568300/c/32726/s/.....
Haverford pulls Omega Insurance bid
Haverford, the investment vehicle set up by entrepreneur Mark Byrne, has scrapped its latest bid for Omega Insurance.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b360815/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><.....
