The Great Furniture Delay: ‘We’ll be eating Christmas dinner on our camping tables’ Supply chain disruptions have left many UK households waiting months extra for deliveries of sofas and tables
Global inequality ‘as marked as it was at peak of western imperialism’ Super-rich have grabbed an increasing share of the world’s income, economists’ study finds
China unveils package to boost economy as Evergrande teeters Beijing to increase business lending and build more affordable housing, but reports say property giant has missed a key bond repayment
UK house prices remain turbo-charged without sales of healthy market Cutting stamp duty and interest rates saved financial system from hardship but widened property wealth gap
EU launches €300bn fund to challenge China’s influence Global gateway infrastructure strategy aims to counter belt and road initiative impact in Asia, Africa and Europe
OECD warns Omicron variant could cause severe global slowdown Fears variant will amplify shortages, driving up inflation, or even force repeat of earliest phase of pandemic
Moderna boss predicts current vaccines may be less effective against Omicron Stock markets dip as CEO questions efficacy but others move to calm fears about risk of serious illness
The Guardian view on the WTO talks: poor countries can’t be kept poor Editorial: The trade liberalisation of the 1990s did not lead to higher economic growth rates. This should raise serious concerns for backers of globalisation
The Omicron variant reveals the true global danger of ‘vaccine apartheid’ Sharing vaccines with poorer countries is the right thing and the self-interested thing to do. The west needs to stop being so short-sighted
‘Wake up’: markets warn central banks to get a grip on inflation Policymakers ‘behind the curve’ as calls grow for slow rises in interest rates and end to quantitative easing
How world’s major economies are dealing with spectre of inflation As demand returns since initial pandemic slump, central banks need to balance recovery and rising costs
Jerome Powell nominated for second term as chair of US Federal Reserve White House praises Republican’s ‘steady leadership’ of central bank during Covid pandemic
Climate-vulnerable countries call for help forcing high emitters to act Those most at risk warn countries such as Australia they will lose out economically if they do not raise targets
‘Critical lifeline’ of migrant cash expected to near £600bn in total Sum sent back home from former residents of low-income countries surpasses overseas aid and rich nations’ direct investment
A Cop26 deal was always going to be messy – just look at world trade talks WTO talks show how hard it is to get everyone on the same page – and what goes for trade, goes for climate too