White House staff warned not to place bets on prediction markets

The increase for those on variable deals comes as the higher wholesale costs, faced by suppliers, feeds through to bills. The conflict in Iran scuppered Bank of England UK inflation targets of 2% over the next five years. Regulator Ofgem said the war means a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity will…

Some islanders are struggling to heat their homes in cold temperatures, a homeless charity boss has warned. The Shelter Trust chairman Mike Powell said he was concerned some people were “effectively rough sleeping at home” because they could not afford energy bills. “We think with more cold months likely to come the problem will become…

A foodbank is asking donors to consider trying a “reverse advent calendar” this year – giving 24 items to help provide Christmas hampers to families in need. Salisbury Foodbank in Wiltshire, part of the Trussell Trust network, said it was in need of donations to make up packages for 200 local families. Manager Maria Stevenson…

Labubu dolls made up 90% of the £3.5m worth of fake toys seized at the UK border so far this year, according to Home Office data. Labubu is a quirky monster character created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, and popularised through a collaboration with toy store Pop Mart. Although they are mainly marketed as…