Business

Image copyright Getty Images US share market indexes have hit new highs, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, closing above 29,000 for the first time. The S&P 500 also closed at a new high, gaining 0.2% to end at 3,289, while the Nasdaq held steady at 9,258. The gains came as the US and China […]

Image copyright Getty Images Twitter has apologised for allowing adverts to be micro-targeted at certain users such as neo-Nazis, homophobes and other hate groups. The BBC discovered the issue and that prompted the tech firm to act. Our investigation found it possible to target users who had shown an interest in keywords including “transphobic”, “white

Image copyright Getty Images There has been an “uplift” in sentiment in the housing market following the general election, according to a survey of property professionals. Sales expectations had “risen sharply”, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said. House sales rose last month for the first time in seven months, boosted by higher activity

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Liu He and Donald Trump The US and China have signed an agreement aimed at easing a trade war that has rattled markets and weighed on the global economy. Speaking in Washington, US President Donald Trump said the pact would be “transformative” for the US economy. Chinese leaders called

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in 2017 After more than two years of rising tension, the US and China have signed a deal aimed at calming trade frictions. The agreement has been hard-fought, but it is unclear how much economic relief from their trade war it will offer. Tariffs

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Germany is leading manufacturer of cars The German economy grew by 0.6% last year, according to official figures, its weakest performance since 2013. The German statistics office said growth was driven mainly by household spending. Business investment in machinery and equipment was weaker, however. Exports did grow but more

Image copyright Getty Images Pub banter and social media posts could be classed as workplace harassment, the UK’s equality watchdog has warned. New guidance setting out steps for preventing harassment and victimisation in the workplace has been issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The advice includes developing effective policies, training and knowing

Image copyright Getty Images Greggs has signed a deal with Just Eat as the High Street food giant expands home deliveries across the UK. The tie-up comes after trials with other delivery firms such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo in Newcastle, London and Glasgow last year. The service will now also be launched in Birmingham

Image copyright Getty Images Unicef, the United Nations children’s agency, has said parental leave is to be equalised for all of its UK employees. Unicef UK will now offer 52 weeks leave and equal pay for all new caregivers, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The policy will also include staff who are adopting a

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Cheaper hotel costs helped to push the inflation rate down The UK’s inflation rate fell to its lowest for more than three years in December, increasing speculation that interest rates could be cut. The rate dropped to 1.3% last month, down from 1.5% in November, partly due to a