UK retail sales rise but stores fear tax worries could hit festive period

Warm weather and interest rate cut lift sales in August, as food, drink and computers perform strongly

EU and US officials meet as Trump says he is ready to impose further sanctions on Russia

Europe and US consider further actions to weaken Russia after largest-ever air attack on Ukraine over the weekend

Former science secretary promoted in reshuffle to continue UK efforts to revitalise trade relationship with Beijing

President alters demands on a whim, and although investors are averting eyes for now, risks rise with each chaotic week

Issue creates clear dividing line between left and right, as populists target voters with vow to scrap levy

Older people would save anyway if state support was more limited, and overhaul of council tax would net billions more

Latest report also contained more bad news – the US lost 13,000 jobs in June, according to latest survey

August’s report gave signs of a cooling labor market with negative job numbers for the first time since 2020 – here’s what we learned

Disappointing US jobs report shows hiring slowed sharply this summer

Nigel Farage reportedly plans to overhaul rules governing City of London that were introduced after 2008 financial crash

Textiles, footwear, jewellery, gems and seafood are sectors most affected in trade with US, India’s biggest market

Nigel Farage will be wooing corporate guests at the NEC in Birmingham as his party aims to build on recent successes

Officials to investigate claims of mortgage fraud against Cook, who has refused to accept firing by Donald Trump

Prime minister cautions Canadians as Ottawa moves to curb spending to balance near-record military expenditures

Companies say increase in employer national insurance contributions has forced them to cut jobs and raise prices