Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has challenged Sir Keir Starmer over the government's handling of the economy, saying the UK was now "spending more on debt than on schools and hospitals".
Speaking… [+2377 chars]

The Tory leader flagged recent market turbulence and asked whether tax rises are planned in March.

BBC News

Starmer and Badenoch clash over economy at PMQs

Trump gives economy speech in Pennsylvania
Donald Trump has promised big changes for the world's largest economy.
An "end to the devastating inflation crisis", tariffs and big cuts to taxes, regula… [+6686 chars]

He won the election to fix inflation but Trump may find his pledges on prices and tariffs can't both win out, say experts.

Has Trump promised too much on US economy?

This year will mark a turning point in humanitys relationship with the moon, as we begin to lay the foundations for a permanent presence on its surface, paving the way for our natural satellite to be… [+2255 chars]

The small step back to Earth’s satellite will provide a giant leap for exploring our solar system.

Wired

Transforming the Moon Into Humanity’s First Space Hub

In a sign that the Internal Revenue Service could be cracking down on gig workers, the agency has received authorization from a federal court to gather information from JustAnswer LLC about any U.S. … [+2421 chars]

Beginning this tax year, gig working platforms have to report information about more workers to the IRS as the agency cracks down on tax scofflaws.

Gizmodo.com

IRS Signals a Coming Crackdown on Gig Workers

Getty Images; Rick Scuteri/AP Photo; Alyssa Powell/BI
It's generally a rare thing for the person you're interviewing to burst out laughing. But that's what happened to me, recently, on a call with E… [+9062 chars]

Turns out America's economic gloom was fueled by something far thornier than inflation: political feelings.

Business Insider

Trump's election changed how Americans feel about the economy

Russian President Vladimir Putin maintains close ties with top leaders from two of his closes trading partners: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.Mikhail Klimentyev/AF… [+6287 chars]

Russia's friends — or frenemies — aren't all pariah states. Some of them enjoy good relations with the West, too.

5 important countries for Russia's sanctions-skirting economy

People at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China.VCG/Getty Images
<ul><li>China's economy grew 5% in 2024, meeting its growth target.</li><li>Analysts expected China's GDP growth to be 4.9%, close to th… [+1237 chars]

China's economy grew 5% in 2024, meeting its growth target of around 5%.

China reports 5% GDP growth for 2024, meeting its target

A stuttering economy, spiralling government borrowing costs, plummeting approval ratings: little wonder perhaps senior ministers, not least the chancellor, aren't wasting many smiles these days.
Rem… [+3232 chars]

Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are the duo that best personify the Labour project of the 2020s.

Chris Mason: Starmer and Reeves navigate tricky economic backdrop

Despite a challenging 2024, MrBeast has a way of coming out on top.Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
<ul><li>The creator economy has blossomed into a $250 billion industry but faces fresh challenges.</li… [+5630 chars]

The creator economy has blossomed into a $250 billion industry — and faces a big year in 2025 with a possible TikTok ban and MrBeast dominance.

The creator economy is hitting an inflection point in 2025: Will TikTok get banned, and will MrBeast continue his rise?

Russia central bank governor Elvira NabiullinaVladimir Pesnya/Epsilon/Getty Images
<ul><li>Russia's central bank has kept the key interest rate at 21%, bucking expectations of a hike to 23%.</li><li… [+3659 chars]

Russia's central bank has kept the key interest rate at 21% and is trying to keep the economy from both overheating and cooling too much.

Russia's top central banker is now worried about 'excessive cooling' in its red-hot war economy

Spain has moved to put a 100% property tax on non-EU homebuyers.John Keeble/Getty Images
<ul><li>Spain's planned 100% tax on non-EU homebuyers is unlikely to solve its housing crisis.</li><li>Spain'… [+3645 chars]

Spain's prime minister said too many foreigners were buying investment homes. But efforts to discouraging them could hit the economy, experts said.

Spain's planned 100% property tax for non-EU buyers could hurt more than it helps, economists say

Neos is an Italian airline.Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
<ul><li>I took an eight-hour flight with Italian airline Neos from New York to Palermo.</li><li>I booked a one-w… [+4091 chars]

My Neos premium-economy upgrade got me perks like lounge access, a delicious in-flight meal, and a spacious seat for my eight-hour flight to Italy.

I upgraded to a premium-economy seat on an 8-hour flight. It was so worth the extra $200.

Some nurses have turned to apps like CareRev to make money.Getty Images
<ul><li>Gig work is expanding to new professional areas such as nursing.</li><li>One nurse said she uses gig work to make extr… [+4229 chars]

Apps like CareRev have taken the gig economy into nursing. One nurse says it's helped her pay down debt, but that there are issues.

A nurse who uses a gig app to pay off debt says it points to a problem with the profession

Baby boomer retirements and the potential decrease in immigration could help some job seekers find work.Joe Raedle/Getty Images
<ul><li>An uptick in retirements and a decrease in immigration could h… [+6129 chars]

A decrease in immigration and increase in retirements could help people find work this year. But these factors could create problems for the economy.

A retirement boom and slowing immigration could help job seekers find work this year

EY's EMEIA managing partner believes there are five short-term solutions for Europe's competitiveness problem.Jacek Kadaj/Getty Images
<ul><li>Europe's economy has a competitiveness and innovation p… [+6130 chars]

Europe's economy has a competitiveness and innovation problem, and this is how to fix it, according to EY's Europe and Africa boss Julie Teigland.

This is how Europe can avoid a 'downward spiral' and face up to Trump and China, according to one of consulting's biggest names

iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI
<ul><li>Hurt by higher interest rates, commercial real estate should see a modest rebound in 2025.</li><li>Lingering inflation, however, could complicate the recovery by pu… [+7041 chars]

Commercial real estate has been battered by higher rates. A steady economy, falling rates, and new president could lead to an upswing in 2025.

Higher interest rates, oversupply, and rising costs have battered commercial real estate. Will 2025 be different?

Spencer Platt/Getty Images; Bryan Erickson/Business Insider
<ul><li>There are a handful of bullish forces headed for markets and the economy next year.</li><li>Goldman Sachs said there are five fact… [+5179 chars]

Goldman Sachs economists made a handful of predictions for 2025 that imply a solid foundation for stocks and the economy in the coming year.

Rate cuts, strong employment, and lower prices: 5 bullish predictions for 2025 from Goldman Sachs

A breakaway region of Europe has been forced to halt almost all industrial production after Ukraine ended the transit of Russian gas through its territory.
"All industrial enterprises are idle, with… [+3021 chars]

Industrial production has screeched to a halt in Transnistria, a breakaway region of Europe, after Russian gas flows through Ukraine came to an end.

A European region shut down swathes of its economy after Russian gas stopped flowing from Ukraine

A person shops at a Whole Foods Market grocery store on December 17, 2024 in New York City. Grocery prices have recently seen their most significant monthly gain since January of 2023 with egg prices… [+1136 chars]

By most objective measures, the US economy is in good shape. Employers added about 2 million jobs this year. Unemployment is low. In much of the country, gasoline is now selling for less than $3 a gallon. <br><br><em>The Economist</em> has called the United S…

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economy