Fifa World Cup sell-off is a money-grab and faces defeat, says Uefa July 29, 2026 Uefa has warned Fifa it is facing defeat in its plans to sell stakes in a new subsidiary that will run the World Cup and accused it of using football to “enrich themselves and their friends”. Fifa president Gianni Infantino wants to set up a spin-off company to manage the commercial rights to the World [...]
Trump warns Iran: ‘We’re going to beat the f***ing s*** out of them’ July 29, 2026 Donald Trump has vowed to hit back at Iran after it launched “surprise” strikes against US forces in the Middle East last night. “We’re going to beat the f***ing s*** out of them. We’ll be hitting them hard. They’re going to get a beating,” the US President told Fox News on Wednesday. Oil prices have [...]
Industry backs mooted Burnham plans for return of alcohol on football terraces July 29, 2026 Industry has backed mooted government plans to consult on allowing football fans to drink alcohol on the terraces for the first time in more than 40 years. Fans of clubs in the football league were barred from drinking in view of the pitch in the 1980s to stop football hooligans from fighting. But the Prime [...]
Grant Thornton set for $5bn CBIZ buyout in landmark accountancy deal July 29, 2026 Grant Thornton is set to buy New York-listed management consulting firm CBIZ in a proposed $5bn deal, one of the largest transactions of its kind in the accountancy sector, creating the fifth-largest professional services firm in the US. CBIZ, the only audit firm listed on the US stock market, is set to be acquired by [...]
Mortgage approvals inch up yet gains to be ‘retracted’ July 29, 2026 Mortgage approvals rose slightly in June, according to Bank of England data, yet growing fears of a rise in interest rates could set the property market back again. Net mortgage approvals climbed by around three per cent, from 56,565 in May to 58,200 in June. That remained below the six-month average of around 61,400, and [...]
Europe to host Formula 1 finale if Iran war scuppers Qatar and Abu Dhabi plans July 29, 2026 Europe will host the Formula 1 finale if the ongoing war in Iran scuppers planned Grands Prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Formula 1’s 24-race season had already taken a double hit, with races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain postponed indefinitely earlier this year. The Bahrain Grand Prix will now take place in Malaysia. But [...]
‘Difficult decisions’ – Burnham looks at new tax on workers to fund social care overhaul July 29, 2026 Andy Burnham has pleaded for opponents to engage in a cross-party discussion over sweeping adult social care reform as he warned that “difficult decisions” would have to be taken to fund the plans. In a press conference from a Jewish care centre in North London, Burnham indicated he wanted social care to be funded on [...]
European Commissioner vows to probe Fifa sell-off amid furious backlash July 29, 2026 Furious European Commissioner for Sport, Glenn Micallef, has vowed that the EC will investigate Fifa’s controversial proposals to sell stakes in a new commercial entity to outside investors. Football’s world governing body on Monday revealed plans to raise $4bn by selling minority holdings in a new vehicle, Fifa Forward Enterprise, that would control all commercial [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers circles Burberry in latest luxury swoop July 29, 2026 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group is eyeing up a holding in Burberry as its latest push into luxury fashion. Frasers has revealed that it holds the rights to a 4.2 per cent stake in the British fashion house, which would make Ashley’s group one of its biggest shareholders. The position is held through put options, which [...]
St James’s Place suffers £1bn hit to flows as investors look to dodge pension tax July 29, 2026 St James’s Place took a £1bn hit to net inflows in the first half of the year as investors pulled cash from its funds to dodge market volatility and a looming pension tax bill. Net inflows declined from £3.8bn to £2.7bn in the first half of the year, in line with analyst expectations. The group [...]