3 d. ago Profits surge at Royal Mail’s parent company after £3.6bn takeover by foreign owner – business live

Royal Mail returns to an underlying annual profit for the first time in three years despite a “competitive and challenging” backdropRoyal Mail’s parent company has posted a surge in profits, in its first financial results since being taken over by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský.International Distribution Services (IDS) has reported that pre-tax profits jumped to £429m in the year to 30 March 2025, up from £114m the previous year.“It has been a year of change for IDS. Thanks to the hard work of our people and our investment in transformation, Royal Mail returned to profit for the first time in three years, marking an important milestone in the company’s turnaround.With IDS’s acquisition by EP Group complete and Universal Service reform decided now is the time for us to drive the business forward and capitalise on our momentum.This is in line with guidance and was achieved despite an increasingly competitive and challenging trading environment. Continue reading...

Economics

6 d. ago Royal Mail owner set to return to profit in first figures since £3.6bn takeover

Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group completed its takeover of Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services in June.

Economics

6 d. ago Man Utd request left Grimsby owner taken aback before Carabao Cup humbling

As Manchester United rue their humiliating loss to League Two Grimsby Town in the League Cup, the owner of the Mariners revealed a funny incident involving Ruben Amorim

Politics

8 d. ago Sheffield Wednesday fans offered hope after boycott as Dejphon Chansiri plans takeover talks

Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri is ready to open takeover talks with ex-Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor as he looks to save the Championship side

Politics

1 week ago ‘Trump burger’ inventor and owner of restaurants celebrating president is taken into ICE custody

Iyad Muhammad Abuelhawa, 55, who owned the original Trump Burger restaurant in Bellville, Texas, was arrested by ICE agents

Politics

2 w. ago Adorable dog found dumped in crate with heartbreaking note from owner

Spud, a Staffordshire bull terrier cross of an unknown age, was found abandoned in a crate with a heartbreaking handwritten note from his former owner, explaining why they had taken such a dramatic action

Politics

2 w. ago People with energy bill debt urged to apply for cash help of up to £1,700

Over 2,000 households across Scotland, England and Wales had debt worth more than £947,000 of written off by the British Gas Energy Trust.

Economics

2 w. ago I used to run the Foreign Office. This is my advice for today’s extraordinary White House meeting

With so much at stake for Europe, the most important thing is to choose a lead speaker. I’d go with Starmer or RutteSimon McDonald was permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, 2015-2020, and is now a crossbench peerLast week’s extraordinary summit meeting in Alaska is being followed today by an even more extraordinary international conference in Washington. None of the participants knew they were going to take part two days ago. In recent decades, diplomacy has been increasingly conducted in ad hoc contact groups – but the group of seven countries (the US, Ukraine, the UK, Germany, Finland, Italy and France) and two international organisations (Nato and the EU) has never met in this way before.Officials will be preparing in the usual way, assembling briefing packs and writing talking points, aiming to please their bosses and, hopefully, allowing them to make the most effective intervention. Continue reading...

Society

2 w. ago I used to run the Foreign Office. This is my advice for today’s extraordinary White House meeting | Simon McDonald

With so much at stake for Europe, the most important thing is to choose a lead speaker. I’d go with Starmer or RutteSimon McDonald was permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, 2015-2020, and is now a crossbench peerLast week’s extraordinary summit meeting in Alaska is being followed today by an even more extraordinary international conference in Washington. None of the participants knew they were going to take part two days ago. In recent decades, diplomacy has been increasingly conducted in ad hoc contact groups – but the group of seven countries (the US, Ukraine, the UK, Germany, Finland, Italy and France) and two international organisations (Nato and the EU) has never met in this way before.Officials will be preparing in the usual way, assembling briefing packs and writing talking points, aiming to please their bosses and, hopefully, allowing them to make the most effective intervention. Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago British Gas owner buys £1.5bn gas terminal in big bet on fossil fuel reliance

Deal for Europe’s biggest facility for LNG imports comes as overall UK gas demand fell sharply last yearThe owner of British Gas has placed a £1.5bn bet on the UK’s future reliance on fossil fuel imports after striking a deal to buy Europe’s biggest gas import terminal.Centrica plans to partner with a US private equity firm to acquire the Isle of Grain terminal in Kent, which can import 15m tonnes of liquefied natural gas a year, even after Britain’s gas demand fell last year to its lowest level since the early 1990s. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago British Gas owner takes stake in Europe’s biggest LNG terminal in £1.5bn deal

Centrica and Energy Capital Partners have agreed to acquire the Isle of Grain terminal from current owner National Grid.

Economics

3 w. ago Gary Neville’s row with Nottingham Forest unresolved as new season beckons

Sky pundit was banned from final game of last seasonForest looking for assurances before welcoming him backNottingham Forest have not resolved their dispute with Gary Neville before the new Premier League season and want assurances from the Sky Sports pundit before welcoming him back to the City Ground.The former Manchester United captain was banned by Forest from the final game of last season after an intervention from their owner, Evangelos Marinakis, who had taken exception to Neville’s criticisms of his conduct. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago From Edinburgh to London: Local haircare founder grows while staying true to Scottish roots

Known for its popular hair growth oil, owner Louisa has taken ‘She’s Thick’ down south, partnering with blonde specialist salons to broaden the brand’s reach.

Politics

3 w. ago Elon Musk's Tesla wants a slice of UK energy market and could supply homes in months

The billionaire tycoon has applied for a licence from Ofgem in a bid to take on the leading energy supply giants like British Gas owner Centrica and Octopus Energy to supply homes across the UK

Politics

3 w. ago Crystal Palace to stay in Conference League after losing appeal at Cas

Palace were demoted from Europa League by UefaClub hoped to overturn decision related to ownershipCrystal Palace have lost their appeal against demotion from the Europa League and will take their place in the Conference League. The court of arbitration for sport confirmed on Monday that the FA Cup winners were unsuccessful in overturning the decision made by European football’s governing body to punish them for contravening its rules over multi-club ownership.Uefa demoted Palace to the Conference League after they were deemed to have breached regulations because John Textor held shares in Palace and Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League. He has since sold his 43% stake to his fellow US businessman Woody Johnson. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago British Gas, Octopus Energy, EDF and more could soon face competition from Elon Musk's Tesla

It has applied for an energy licence from regulator Ofgem

Politics

3 w. ago Truckers at war: British HGV drivers in a fight for survival as violent gangs hit them with targeted 'gas attacks' at UK service stations

Britain's truckers are fighting for survival in a war with dangerous criminals who beat them up on the roadside, gas them in their cabs and steal fuel and cargo on a daily basis.

Events

last month Adorable Corgi on euthanasia list desperate for second chance after owner dies

Rufus, a 10-year-old Corgi, was taken in by Oakwood Dog Rescue after his owner was hospitalised and was put on an euthanasia list as there was no one to take him in

Events

last month Takeaway owner's 'jaw just dropped' over council response to man's 'dangerous' acts

Neither police or council will take action

Politics