BBC News asked shoppers in Nottingham if they spent more or less in the run-up to Christmas 2018. Source by [author_name]

Image copyright AFP Apple shares have fallen at the start of trading, after chief executive Tim Cook blamed a slowdown in China sales for falling revenues. Apple opened down 8.5% at $144.08. Late on Wednesday, the iPhone maker said it anticipated revenue of about $84bn (£67bn) for the three months to 29 December, down from …

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has defended the Seaborne contract A firm awarded a government contract to provide extra ferry services has used website terms and conditions apparently intended for a takeaway food firm. Seaborne Freight was given the £13.8m contract to run a freight service between Ramsgate and Ostend …

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption A message on affected TVs encourages victims to subscribe to the YouTuber PewDiePie Hackers have taken control of smart TVs around the world in another stunt to support YouTuber PewDiePie. The super-fans claim they successfully took over more than 65,000 Google Chromecast devices. Google says its product is not …

Image copyright Getty Images A group of MPs is calling for an independent fuel price watchdog – to be called Pumpwatch – to monitor the cost of petrol and diesel. Petrol stations that charge fair prices would be entitled to display a “kitemark” logo. The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Fair Fuel is accusing the …

Image copyright Eaze Image caption The recreational use of cannabis became legal in California in January 2018 Ordering cannabis in Los Angeles is now as easy as booking a taxi. Click on an app, choose your preferred product, pay for it and then sit back and wait for it to be delivered to your door. …

Image copyright Stephen Noble, Tom Bitcliffe, Kieran Trafford Image caption Commuters across the north of England have faced widespread cancellations throughout 2018 Rail fare rises have put about £100 a year on to the price of some annual season tickets, but passengers do not believe they are getting the service they are paying for. Campaigners …

Image copyright Getty Images A shock revenue warning from Apple has stoked fresh fears about trade tensions and spending in the world’s second largest economy. But analysts say the cut to its sales forecast reflects longstanding problems at the tech giant. iPhone sales have been sliding and Apple faces stiff competition in China. Experts argue …

Image copyright Getty Images Next has reported a sharp rise in online sales over the Christmas period, while trading at its stores declined. In a continuation of recent trends, its online sales rose 15.2% in the period from 28 October to 29 December compared with a year earlier. By contrast, sales at its stores fell …

Image copyright Jackson Stops Image caption This property features its own leisure suite Relatively few properties were put on the market in the UK in the last year. Even fewer featured their own library, music room and orangery. This estate in Cheshire does. It is dominated by a six-bedroom house but also has its own …