International News

Everyone in the UK will be affected by rising prices - from a higher gas bill, to harder choices during the grocery shop. The idea of raising interest rates is to keep those current and predicted price rises, measured by the rate of inflation, under control. Policymakers at the Bank of England have now increased interest rates to 0.5% from 0.25%, the second rate rise in three months. Higher interest rates make borrowing more expensive. For households, that could mean higher mortgage cos...

Face coverings and Covid passes are no longer legally required in England, after the relaxation of Plan B rules came into effect on Thursday. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the measures could be lifted due to the vaccine rollout's success and a better understanding of Covid treatments. The PM's official spokesman said mask wearing would now be "a matter of personal judgment". But some shops have said they will continue to ask people to wear them. These include Tesco, Sains...

Gains from a UK trade deal with India could be on a par with those from an agreement with the US but risks exposing the economy to tougher competition, a report says. The Resolution Foundation thinktank said successful talks between London and New Delhi had the potential to gain “first-mover” advantage in India and replicate the success of German manufacturing exporters to China. But the report noted there was a risk of Britain’s business services firms – one of the...

Disabled drivers have been reassured they will be exempt from a proposed ban on vehicles from one of the main routes through Bristol. Mayor Marvin Rees announced plans to close Park Street to most vehicles last year but has now said disabled drivers can continue to park there. It followed complaints from concerned disabled and elderly residents about access to the city centre. "We are fully committed to having an inclusive city," Mr Rees said. Stoke Bishop ward member John Goulandris...

'I love living on a barge, London prices are ridiculous and it feels like we're outside' A 27-year-old man has revealed the drastic lengths he went to while looking for a new home in a bid to avoid extortionate rents and the pricey London housing market 27-year-old man Lloyd Seaman, a business development executive from Northern Ireland, was gobsmacked by the costs of living in London after moving. After forking out £900 a month for a houseshare in central London, he d...

Prices have gone up at their fastest rate in nearly 30 years - but there is worse to come, experts have warned. Soaring food costs and the energy bill crisis drove inflation to 5.4% in the 12 months to December, up from 5.1% the month before, in another blow to struggling families. The last time inflation was higher was in March 1992, when it was 7.1%. And with gas and electricity costs set to rise further in the spring, analysts predict it will reach that level again. Households hav...

Jan 15 (Reuters) - Britain's vaccinated travellers will be able to go on half-term holidays next month without taking COVID-19 tests on their return, The Times reported. Transport minister Grant Shapps is in favour of ending the testing system for the double-jabbed in time for the February break, the report said. An announcement on the change in guidance would be made on Jan. 26, the report said. Retrieved from：Reuters https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-will-no-longer-require-c...

UK department store Selfridges is planning to sell NFTs and digital fashion in its Oxford Street store in London, bringing digital goods to real-life shopping and broadening their accessibility in fashion. The blending of virtual and physical worlds is launching as part of a pop-up that will feature artwork by Victor Vasarely and new physical pieces from designer brand Paco Rabanne inspired by Vasarely’s work. The NFTs, which can be purchased via an in-store digital screen using a tradi...