Jersey small business and sole trader support webpage launched
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Three operators given green light to run extra train services across the UK
East Coast Main Line passengers are set to benefit from additional train services starting in December, after the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) approved timetable enhancements. The regulator granted permission to open access operators Lumo, Grand Central, and Hull Trains for some new routes. However, other proposed services were rejected due to concerns over insufficient capacity, potential performance impacts, and the effect on government revenue. Approved changes include Lumo extending London King's Cross-Edinburgh services to Glasgow, and adding more routes between London King's Cross and Newcastle. Hull Trains will run an additional train from London King's Cross to Hull on weekdays and Saturdays, while Grand Central will increase its regional operation, including a new link to Seaham on the County Durham coast. Stephanie Tobyn, ORR's director of strategy, policy and reform, said: 'Approving these additional open access services will increase connectivity on the East Coast Main Line. 'Importantly, we have ensured the approval of these services can be accommodated alongside the major service uplifts by other operators, which have been planned into the December 2025 timetable, so together passengers and freight customers can benefit from more direct connections and greater choice from December.' Among the rejected proposals was a plan from Hull Trains for new services between London King's Cross and Sheffield. Owner FirstGroup said it was 'disappointed' by the decision, as the plan would have provided Sheffield with its first regular service from London King's Cross since 1968, and introduced a direct service to the capital for 'an estimated 350,000 people in the Worksop and Woodhouse catchment areas'. Open access operators set their own fares, take on all revenue risk and receive no taxpayer-funded subsidies. They are excluded from the Government's ongoing nationalisation of Britain's train services. In January, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander wrote to the ORR expressing concerns that the open access model can cause 'potential congestion' and result in taxpayers being 'left to fill shortfalls' in maintenance costs. She stated that she expects 'the impacts on the taxpayer and on overall performance' to be 'given primacy' by the regulator when it analyses open access proposals. Government-owned LNER, which runs services on the East Coast Main Line, is planning a major timetable change in December, with up to 37 daily services and quicker journeys between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. It has previously described the overhaul as 'transformational' and 'the biggest change in a generation'.
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Luis Díaz completes £65.5m move from Liverpool to Bayern Munich
Liverpool's financial position has been strengthened prior to a potential bid for Alexander Isak after Luis Díaz completed his €75m (£65.5m) move to Bayern Munich. Díaz has signed a four-year contract with the option of an extra year with the Bundesliga champions after Liverpool received an improved offer they felt represented fair market value for the 28-year-old Colombia international on Sunday. Díaz, who left Liverpool's pre-season training camp in Tokyo on Monday to seal the transfer, turns 29 in January and had made it clear he wished to leave the Premier League champions. The winger had wanted to leave last summer but Liverpool stood firm before Arne Slot's debut season as head coach. The club subsequently attempted to renew his contract, which was due to expire in 2027, but with no prospect of an agreement and Bayern improving their bid with achievable add-ons, Liverpool reluctantly agreed to his sale. Díaz played a key role in the club's 20th league title triumph last season and scored 17 goals in all competitions. Díaz is the third most expensive transfer in Bayern's history, behind Harry Kane and Lucas Hernández. He is also the third biggest sale in Liverpool's history behind Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suárez, both of whom joined Barcelona. Liverpool paid an initial €45m to sign Díaz from Porto in January 2022 with €15m payable in potential add-ons. Only €4m of those add-ons have been triggered and, with Porto holding no sell-on clause, Liverpool will make a profit of €26m on the deal. The completion of Díaz's move to Germany means Liverpool have raised more than £190m in player sales since Richard Hughes became sporting director in June 2024. The champions have spent almost £300m this summer, including add-ons, but remain interested in signing Isak should Newcastle show an inclination to sell their prized asset. Liverpool accept it would take a British record transfer fee to bring the Sweden international to Anfield, a move the striker is understood to want, and are likely to have the finances to make it happen with Darwin Núñez, Harvey Elliott, Tyler Morton and Ben Doak all potentially leaving this summer.
Reuters
21 hours ago
- Reuters
EU antitrust regulators pause investigation into Mars' $36 billion Kellanova deal
BRUSSELS, July 29 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators paused their investigation into candy maker Mars' $36 billion bid for Pringles maker Kellanova (K.N), opens new tab on Tuesday while they await data requested from the companies. The European Commission, which acts as the competition watchdog for the 27-country bloc, last month opened a full-scale investigation into the deal, warning that it could result in price increases. "The 'clock' in merger investigations can be suspended if the parties fail to provide, in a timely fashion, an important piece of information that the Commission has requested from them within a prescribed deadline," the Commission said in an email. The investigation will resume with a new decision deadline once the companies have handed over the information. The previous deadline was October 31. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission approved the deal unconditionally last month.
