US home prices fall for the first time in over three years, while the typical monthly loan payment sits near a record $2,786

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25 more stories on this beat.

Each with its own sources. None of these is a link to the story above.

1. 02

   Euro home loans may cost more soon

   The European Central Bank kept its main rate at 2.5% on Thursday. [9] It sets interest rates for the 21 countries that use the euro. [9] Prices there rose 3.8% in a year, almost double its 2% goal. [9] Christine Lagarde, the bank's head, said its board seriously debated a rise. [10] Home-loan rates in the euro area rose to 3.8% in August, from 3.5% in July. [10]

   Why it matters — Lagarde said dearer ten-year borrowing makes home loans dearer and slows spending. [10] Before the December meeting, she said 'the direction of travel is quite clear'. [10] She leaves the bank on 7 February 2027, about nine months early. [9]

2. 03

   France cuts diesel with its emergency stocks

   Europe will release 42 million barrels from its emergency oil stocks over three months. [11] Half of it will be diesel, said Roland Lescure, France's economy minister. [11] France's own 10 million barrels of diesel will be sold at cost, with no profit added. [11] That should cut pump prices by 12 to 18 cents a litre, he said. [11] It is the first time France has used its reserves to bring prices down. [11] Fuel sellers were encouraged to advertise lower prices from 1 November. [11]

   Why it matters — The cut is per litre, so drivers and firms who buy more fuel save more. [11] Lescure called the release 'short-term relief'. [11]

3. 04

   Pakistan's diesel passes 400 rupees

   Pakistan raised diesel by 0.85 rupees, to 400.67 rupees a litre, from Friday. [12] Petrol stayed at 377.91 rupees a litre. [12] Diesel cost 281 rupees before the US-Iran war began on 28 February. [12] It peaked at 520.35 rupees on 3 April. [12] Pakistan's government takes 100 rupees a litre in taxes and duties on diesel. [12] A relief scheme from September covers only motorbikes, rickshaws and cars up to 800cc. [12]

   Why it matters — Diesel moves lorries and runs power plants, so its price reaches almost everyone. [12] Jamaat-i-Islami's leader, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, says his party will march in mid-November unless relief comes. [12]

4. 05

   Pakistan's power bills may rise again

   Pakistan's central power buyer asked to add 2.56 rupees per unit to November bills. [13] It would recover about 33 billion rupees spent on power in September. [13] Fuel for power cost 10.02 rupees a unit, against an expected 7.46 rupees. [13] Costly diesel and furnace oil filled in for imported gas that was in short supply. [13] Industry says the fuel tax adds about 10 rupees to every unit of power. [13] Nepra, the power regulator, held the hearing on Thursday. [13]

   Why it matters — The power buyer said the net rise would be at most 1.45 rupees a unit. [13] Every household on the grid would pay it, more for each unit it uses. [13]

5. 06

   EU states resist taxing gas more than power

   More than a dozen EU countries oppose a plan to tax gas more than electricity. [14] The plan comes from the European Commission, the EU's executive. [14] It wants homes and firms to switch from gas to electricity. [14] Germany, Italy, Poland and Hungary were among those against, at a meeting on Thursday. [14] They say tax rules need every country to agree, not just most of them. [14] Spain, Denmark and Luxembourg backed the plan. [14]

   Why it matters — Before the war, Europe's power already cost twice as much as in the US and China. [14] Ireland, which is mediating the talks, wants a deal on grid charges in December. [14]

6. 07

   India's silver slump fails to tempt buyers

   Silver in India has fallen almost 55% from its record in January. [35] It fell to 192,800 rupees a kilo on 23 October, from about 420,000. [35] Indian families usually buy silver coins and idols for festivals and gifts. [35] This year many are holding back, fearing prices will fall further. [35] 'People are scared,' said Surendra Mehta of the India Bullion and Jewellers Association. [35] At Shaya, a silver jewellery brand, coin sales have all but stopped. [35]

   Why it matters — India raised import duties on gold and silver from 6% to 15% in May. [35] Jewellery sales have held up better than coins and bars. [35]

7. 08

   US watchdog asks if firms charge people differently

   The FTC, a US government agency, ordered 9 companies to explain how they set prices. [20] They include Delta, United, JetBlue, Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, Walmart and Target. [20] It wants to know if prices differ from person to person, using personal data. [20] It also asks how gig apps use personal data to set each worker's pay. [20] Chair Andrew Ferguson said people should know if firms seek 'the highest price' they will pay. [20] The companies have 45 days to answer. [20]

   Why it matters — If they do not answer, the FTC can take them to a federal court. [20] The question is whether two people pay different prices for the same ride or flight. [20]

8. 09

   Rivals line up for Poundland's shops

   A notice was filed on Thursday to appoint administrators to Poundland, a UK discount chain. [32] The notice protects Poundland from the firms it owes money to for 10 days. [32] Poundstretcher's owner is said to want 200 to 250 of its stores. [31] Iceland, Lidl and B&M are among more than half a dozen chains interested. [31] Its US owner, Gordon Brothers, wants to break the chain up, the BBC understands. [31] Poundland has 600 stores and about 12,000 staff. [32] Staff protested at its support centre in Walsall on Thursday. [31]

   Why it matters — Prime minister Andy Burnham said: 'We want to see jobs protected.' [31] He asked why an offer to buy the whole chain was turned down. [31] A breakup would let creditors recover more, a Gordon Brothers insider said. [31]

9. 10

   Who pays the green costs on UK bills

   Policy costs add about £300 a year to the average UK household energy bill. [15] About 60% pays for greener energy and about 40% helps poorer households. [15] Colin Nolden, an energy researcher, sets this out in The Conversation. [15] A charge that is the same on every bill takes more of a poorer family's income. [15] Paying through tax instead would make people who earn more pay more. [15] The Budget's changes, including £100 for some homes, might save about £130 a year, he estimates. [15]

   Why it matters — Bills are expected to rise by about £400 from January. [15] E3G, a think tank, says tax-funded basic energy could cut bills by about £300. [15]

10. 11

    Florida home prices bounce back

    Prices rose in 78% of US metro areas from July to September, a realtors' report says. [17] The report is from the National Association of Realtors, released on Thursday. [17] The typical existing single-family home rose 1.7% in a year, to $432,900. [17] In Florida, 18 of 19 markets saw prices rise, after falls in 2025. [17] Miami rose 3.3%, nearly twice the national rate. [17] But 21% of markets saw prices fall, up from 20% in spring. [17]

    Why it matters — First-time buyers spent 36.3% of their income on housing this summer. [17] These figures stop in September; Redfin's newer weekly figures run to 25 October. [1]

11. 12

    A newer credit score saves some borrowers money

    CrossCountry Mortgage, a US lender, says a newer credit score saved some borrowers about $2,500 each. [18] The score is VantageScore 4.0, now allowed on loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. [8] It can count rent, utility and phone payments. [8] VantageScore says it can score 33 million more Americans than older models. [8] Rocket Mortgage said borrowers who saved with it saved $1,600 on average at closing. [18] Lenders can choose which score to use, so not all use it yet. [8]

    Why it matters — People with thin or new credit records can benefit, says Naeem Siddiqi of SAS. [8]

12. 13

    UK tax office watches 200 billionaires

    HMRC, the UK tax office, will give each of over 200 billionaires a dedicated manager. [24] For the first time, it has listed every billionaire who must pay UK tax. [24] It aims to raise at least £500 million this way. [24] Tax the rich owed but did not pay was about £3.6 billion in 2024-25. [24] That was 6% of all tax owed but not paid in the UK. [24] It will also use AI to watch people earning over £200,000 or holding over £2 million. [24]

    Why it matters — It is part of a plan to raise £10 billion more tax by 2030. [24]

13. 14

    Bereaved families freed from a tax deadline

    Bereaved families will no longer be taxed just because a pension payout came after 2 years. [25] Before, some lump sums paid on a death stayed tax-free only if paid within 2 years. [25] Delays at Capita, which runs the civil service pension scheme, pushed some families past it. [25] Capita's backlog grew to 120,000 cases by February. [25] Rob Wassell waited over 2 years for his brother's payout, then lost 45% to tax. [25] The change covers payments made from 28 October. [25]

    Why it matters — Families already taxed can seek compensation through the scheme or the Pensions Ombudsman. [25] Pensions minister Torsten Bell said the change covers every pension scheme, not just the civil service. [25]

14. 15

    US sues Toast over hidden fees

    The FTC and 8 states sued Toast, which sells payment and ordering systems to restaurants. [21] They say Toast hid fees and made its plans hard to cancel. [21] Toast added a $0.99 fee to diners' online orders over $10, the FTC says. [21] That ran from September 2021 to late July 2023, and the money went to Toast. [21] Restaurants pay about $900 a month on average for its plans, the FTC says. [21] One owner was charged a $5,318.87 fee to cancel after 4 years. [21]

    Why it matters — Toast says it strongly disagrees and will fight the case in court. [21] No court has ruled on the claims yet. [21]

15. 16

    How UK slot shops take £2.7 billion

    Gamblers in Great Britain lost £2.7 billion on slot machines last year. [30] The most common machines take a £2 bet every 2.5 seconds. [30] A Guardian reporter lost £100 in about 5 minutes in Peterborough. [30] Each machine earns £40,000 a year on average. [30] Most venues, called adult gaming centres, stay open 24 hours a day. [30] The Budget raised the tax on these machines from 20% to 25%. [30]

    Why it matters — The machines pay back a fixed share, so regular players always lose. [30] The shops sit disproportionately in poorer areas, the Guardian found. [30]

16. 17

    Abu Dhabi flat prices up 24%

    Apartment prices in Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital, rose 24% in the year to September. [34] Villa prices rose 10.2%, says ValuStrat, a property research firm. [34] Apartments in Al Reef rose most, by 36.6%. [34] Rents rose far less: 1.5% for apartments, to 121,500 dirhams a year. [34] Since 2 June, Abu Dhabi has frozen rents, replacing a 5% yearly cap. [34]

    Why it matters — Home sales fell 7%, to 6,085, a Savills report found. [34] About 13,534 new homes are due to be finished this year. [34]

17. 18

    HOA fees jump to $2,500 a month

    Homeowners in Magnolia Cove, North Carolina, will pay $2,500 a month from 1 January. [19] The fee goes to their homeowners association, run by the estate's developer. [19] Four years ago the fee was $158 a month. [19] It rose to $350, then to $1,250 earlier this year. [19] A draft budget put $1.1 million of its $2.07 million towards legal fees. [19] The association blames lawsuits that owners lost, and owners who have not paid. [19]

    Why it matters — 'Unpaid assessments do not vanish,' it said, so the owners who pay cover them. [19] Owners of the 80 homes fear they could lose them if they cannot pay. [19]

18. 19

    Verus clients can now claim compensation

    Former clients of Verus Financial Services can now claim from the FSCS. [28] The FSCS is the UK scheme that protects customers of failed financial firms. [28] Verus advised people on investments, pensions, mortgages and insurance. [28] It has not been allowed to give financial advice since 2025. [28] The FSCS has opened an investigation and is checking who is eligible. [28] Complaints already with the Financial Ombudsman will be passed on without new evidence. [28]

    Why it matters — The FCA says most clients gain nothing by paying a claims company. [28] It warned that fraudsters may call pretending to be from Verus. [28]

19. 20

    Isle of Man keeps its gas standing charge

    Island Energy supplies energy to homes in Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. [16] It has no plans to drop its standing charge, a fixed daily fee. [16] The UK Budget is scrapping that fee on gas bills in England, Scotland and Wales. [16] The firm said low users could save, but heavy users could pay more. [16] It serves about 40,000 customers across the 3 islands. [16] The Isle of Man will keep 0% VAT on home electricity until 30 June 2027. [16]

    Why it matters — It also keeps a 5p-a-litre cut in fuel duty until then. [16] Any change would need CURA, the island's utilities regulator, to agree after a consultation. [16]

20. 21

    Jersey's minimum wage to rise 2.8%

    Jersey's minimum wage will rise to £13.97 an hour from 1 April 2027. [26] That is 2.8% more than today's £13.59, matching Jersey's price rise to June. [26] Social security minister Elaine Millar accepted the Jersey Employment Forum's advice. [26] Trainee rates stay at £10.50 and £11.75 for another year. [26] What employers may count for meals and housing rises by the same share. [26]

    Why it matters — The UK's adult minimum wage will rise 3.9%, to £13.21, from April 2027. [27] The forum said these had been challenging times for businesses and workers. [26]

21. 22

    UK regulator checks 'fair value' on loans

    The FCA, the UK's financial regulator, checked whether credit products give fair value. [29] Fair value means a price that is reasonable for what customers get, it says. [29] The rule behind it, the Consumer Duty, is 3 years old. [29] Some firms treated all customers as one group and missed some paying more. [29] Some home energy equipment deals promised 'pay as you save' over up to 25 years. [29]

    Why it matters — The FCA said such savings depend on energy prices and are not assured. [29] It held up one card firm that set its cashback against the fees customers paid. [29]

22. 23

    US regulators warn of fraud against older people

    Americans over 60 lose over $28 billion a year to financial abuse, AARP found in 2023. [23] Most of it is done by someone the victim knows, not by strangers. [23] Two US regulators, the FDIC and the CFPB, ran a webinar on it on Wednesday. [23] They warned of people charging veterans to file pension claims, which should be free. [23] Another scam buys a veteran's future pension for one lump sum, with hidden fees. [23] The course they used, Money Smart for Older Adults, began in 2013. [23]

    Why it matters — Older homeowners are targeted because they often hold more wealth. [23]

23. 24

    A tax chief's gift to Brooklyn children

    Frank Bisignano, head of the IRS, the US tax agency, gave $250 to some children's accounts. [22] It goes to children aged 2 to 8 in his Brooklyn home ZIP code, 11234. [22] Fewer than 10,000 US citizens under 10 live there, CNBC estimates. [22] Trump Accounts are investment accounts open to any US citizen under 18. [22] Children born from 2025 to 2028 can claim a one-time $1,000 from the US Treasury. [22] Families must activate the account before money can arrive. [22]

    Why it matters — Elon Musk has pledged a SpaceX share to every US child in 2027. [22] The gift came days before the US midterm elections. [22]

24. 25

    A Wisconsin town tops a US home ranking

    Appleton, Wisconsin, topped the Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com fall housing ranking. [6] The ranking covers the 200 biggest US metro areas. [6] Homes there were listed at a typical $404,950 in September, up 1.3%. [6] That is below the US typical asking price of $419,250. [6] Homes sold in 40 days on average, against 61 days across the US. [6] Unemployment in Appleton is 2.8%. [6]

    Why it matters — 19 of the top 20 markets are in the Midwest and Northeast, where homes cost less. [6] In 15 of the 20, typical loan payments sit below the national $2,863. [6]

25. 26

    Japan's 'haunted' homes rent for less

    In Japan, homes where a murder, suicide or lonely death happened rent and sell for less. [33] Since 2021, agents must disclose such deaths for 3 years on rentals, and always on sales. [33] Ryua pays 45,000 yen a month for a Tokyo bedsit that would cost 62,000 yen. [33] That is almost 30% off, because a man died by suicide in the flat. [33] Diane Tincher paid 20 million yen for a house usually worth up to 45 million. [33] An elderly woman had died alone in the house. [33]

    Why it matters — The UK has no legal rule to disclose a death in a home. [33] Oshimaland, a crowdsourced website, lists such homes across Japan and abroad. [33]