‘The French people want to save us’: help pours in for glassmaker Duralex

The UK government has announced a freeze on rail fares in England for 2026, marking the first such measure in 30 years. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to confirm this decision in her upcoming budget speech, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on commuters and support economic growth amid rising living costs.

The UK is experiencing a severe season of bird flu, significantly impacting the supply of Christmas turkeys, chickens, and ducks, with 5% of the seasonal flock already culled. Industry insiders indicate that the situation is worse than last year, leading to tighter availability of poultry products ahead of the festive season.

An increase in property down valuations, particularly in London and the south-east, is causing significant disruptions in the housing market, with some homes being valued at 10% or more below the agreed sale price. Mortgage experts warn that this trend is 'turning deals and lives upside down.'

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has cautioned against viewing monetary policy as a remedy for debt issues, implicitly dismissing calls from France's far-right party for renewed large-scale asset purchases. This statement highlights the ECB's stance on the limitations of monetary policy in addressing structural debt challenges.

The trend of adult Advent calendars, which include items ranging from luxury beauty products to instant mashed potato, has been criticized by environmental groups as a form of 'superfluous consumerism' that contributes to excessive waste. Campaigners argue that the individual packaging and potential for unwanted items exacerbate the ongoing waste crisis.

A collective experiment revealed that women experienced a significant increase in their LinkedIn traffic when they altered their profiles to present as male and adopted 'bro-coding' language. This change led to greater engagement, despite LinkedIn's denial of favoring male posts.

Thousands of French brands have filed a class-action lawsuit against the Chinese retailer Shein, alleging unfair competition. This legal action follows protests that erupted outside Shein's first physical store, which opened in early November at Le BHV Marais department store in Paris.

US consumer confidence has declined as stock markets continue to fall and shop prices remain high. The FTSE 100 index dropped by over 1%, reaching a one-month low, while the S&P 500 also experienced a significant decline after initial gains. Concerns about an AI bubble are resurfacing, contributing to market volatility.