Author: INDEPENDENT

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsMarks & Spencer has declared is in its strongest financial health for nearly 30 years as a turnaround pays off with a 58% surge in profits and buoyant sales across its food halls and clothing arm.Chief executive Stuart Machin said he was seeing “the beginnings of a new M&S” thanks to revival efforts, which helped the retail bellwether to post better-than-forecast annual underlying pre-tax profits of £716.4 million, up from £453.3 million the previous year.But…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSpain, Ireland and Norway have said that they will recognise the state of Palestine on 28 May, a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that came amid international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel’s war on Hamas.The almost simultaneous decisions by two European Union countries, and Norway, may generate momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state by other EU countries and could spur further steps…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Have they ever thought the problem might be them? Obviously not, of course, because that might take a level of self-awareness or humility and the capacity to acknowledge the failings at Chelsea start at the top. But for Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali and the rest of Clearlake Capital consortium, the big numbers extend beyond the £1bn infamously – and often unwisely – spent on players. The first game of next season, barely two years into their reign,…

Exness is a Business Reporter client.In the financial space, getting the inside scoop on a broker’s marketing strategy is a rarity. In this interview, Exness CMO Alfonso Cardalda reveals the philosophy behind the broker’s recent brand refresh, and his vision for its future.Business Reporter: ExnessIn the financial space, getting the inside scoop on a broker’s marketing strategy is a rarity. In this interview, Exness CMO Alfonso Cardalda reveals the philosophy behind the broker’s recent brand refresh, and his vision for its future.Exness has long since established itself as a broker that focuses on the details. From sign-up to withdrawal, the…

Watch as masked burglars ransack a high-end hotel on Miami Beach, stealing nearly $2 million worth of designer handbags.Security footage from the Maison Wrist Aficionado shop, located inside the Setai Hotel, shows two men – one dressed in a high-vis jacket – breaking in on 22 March.They are then seen grabbing everything in sight, including 60 Hermes handbags worth between $20,000 and $35,000 each, throwing them into rubbish bins picked up outside.After ransacking the shop, the duo made their escape in separate vehicles.Police tracked down one car and its owner Eduardo Travieso Garcia within hours, who allegedly confessed to the…

Steve Clarke toasts Scotland’s stunning Euro 2024 qualifying win against SpainScotland are set to announce their training squad for Euro 2024 in Germany later today.After the drama surrounding Gareth Southgate’s England squad on Tuesday, including Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson’s omissions, it is the turn of Steve Clarke, who will confirm 28 names in a provisional list ahead of Uefa’s deadline on 7 June.Following Scotland’s impressive qualification, finishing second in their group, Clarke will now make his selection for the tournament, with an increased limit set by Uefa allowing for greater options.But injuries, with Lewis Ferguson, Aaron Hickey and Nathan…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsScotland’s arts body is being asked to explain why it awarded £100,000 for a stage show that featured explicit sex acts.Creative Scotland provided funds for the live show Rein, which was set to be based in a “sex cave”, feature “leather-clad Daddies” and include scenes with non-simulated sex.In March, Rein’s funding was withdrawn after it emerged that the show would include genital contact – something the organisation claimed not to have been aware of before…

Enhesa is a Business Reporter client.Corporate sustainability has become one of the most complex and controversial issues businesses face today. Lean too far into promoting all things “green” and you run the risk of drawing unwanted scrutiny. Ignore the very real – and growing – global sustainability reporting requirements and you will face serious fines and a reputational nightmare.In response, many companies have simply stopped talking about sustainability altogether. One recent analysis found that the number of mentions of the phrases “environmental, social and governance”, “ESG”, “diversity, equity, and inclusion”, “DEI”, or “sustainability” on corporate earnings calls of US-listed companies declined by…

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez announced the move, which Israel has claimed rewarded HamasFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsNorway, Ireland and Spain plan to recognise Palestine as an independent state, with Israel accusing them of “rewarding” Hamas for its brutal attack on 7 October.The three European countries said the move would ensure “peace, justice and consistency” throughout the region. Around 1,200 people are believed to have been killed during the Hamas attack inside Israel, while 250 people were taken hostage.…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Kieran McKenna has insisted his focus is on a “positive future” for Ipswich amidst links with Chelsea FC and Manchester United.The manager has guided the Suffolk club to back-to-back promotions to take them from League One into the Premier League, returning to the English top flight for the first time in more than two decades.His work at Portman Road has led to suggestions that McKenna could be a contender for the vacancy at Brighton, while he is…