Gambling firms not licensed in the UK could be banned from sponsoring sports teams – including Premier League clubs – as part of a government crackdown.

Ministers say they are worried about the risks stemming from the unlicensed market, such as companies not following laws and guidelines aimed at protecting customers.

These include mandatory financial vulnerability checks and responsible advertising.

The government also warns a lack of data protection measures can leave people open to fraud and identity theft and that unlicensed betting has been linked to organised crime.

A consultation into the prosposals will be launched this spring.

Last year, several clubs were warned by the Gambling Commission over their relationship with unlicensed TGP Europe.

Premier League Bournemouth, Fulham, Newcastle and Wolves, as well as then-Championship Burnley, were all sponsored by betting websites run by the firm, which had surrendered its British licence after an investigation found it failed to “carry out sufficient checks on business partners” and breached “anti-money laundering rules”.

A letter sent to the clubs warned they “may be liable to prosecution… if they promote unlicensed gambling businesses that transact with consumers in Great Britain”.

Mr Rhodes who hails for Neath will confirm a new role in the private sector shortly

Chief executive of regulator the Gambling Commission, Welshman Andrew Rhodes, is standing down from the role. Mr Rhodes, who hails from Neath and is a former registrar at Swansea University, will formally step down at the end of April after nearly five years in the role.

He is taking up a new position in the private sector that will be confirmed shortly.

During his tenure Mr Rhodes led work for the commission implementing the Gambling Act Review, with a strong focus on consumer safeguards. This has included the introduction of financial vulnerability checks, reducing the intensity of online games, and banning potentially harmful marketing offers. He also oversaw the introduction of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, now one of the largest surveys of gambling behaviour in the world, and implementation of the fourth National Lottery licence.

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Mr Rhodes, said:“It has been a privilege to lead the Gambling Commission through such an important period of change. I am proud of the progress we have made to strengthen regulation, improve consumer protections, and ensure gambling is safer and fairer. I leave with confidence in the organisation, its people, and the work still to come.”

Charles Counsell, interim chair of the Gambling Commission, said “Andrew has provided outstanding leadership for nearly five years and leaves a strong legacy. He has led the commission through major reform, strengthened our regulatory approach, and ensured consumer protection has remained at the heart of our work. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Andrew for his dedication and wish him every success in the future.”

The commission will shortly begin the process of recruiting a chief executive for an interim period. Deputy chief executive Sarah Gardner will step up as acting chief executive to cover the areas of work that Andrew will step back from during this transitional period.

A ferocious bomb cyclone intensified into a historic blizzard early Monday, February 23, 2026, blanketing New York City with over a foot of heavy, wet snow and ferocious winds, effectively grounding nearly all commercial flights at the region’s major airports and bringing the metropolis to a near standstill.

The storm, dubbed the “Blizzard of 2026,” rapidly deepened overnight Sunday into Monday, dropping central pressure by more than 30 millibars in hours to achieve bomb cyclone status. Blizzard warnings covered New York City and surrounding areas, with whiteout conditions, wind gusts up to 60 mph or higher, and snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour creating life-threatening travel hazards.

By mid-morning Monday, John F. Kennedy International Airport had canceled nearly 90% of flights, LaGuardia Airport 98%, and Newark Liberty International Airport 87%, according to FlightAware tracking data. More than 5,000 to 10,000 U.S. flights were canceled nationwide from Sunday through Tuesday, with the vast majority tied to the Northeast corridor. Delays numbered in the thousands, stranding travelers and disrupting global air travel networks.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a local state of emergency and imposed a non-emergency travel ban across the five boroughs until at least noon Monday, with extensions possible. Similar restrictions took effect in New Jersey and Rhode Island. Public transit halted or severely limited operations, schools closed, Broadway shows canceled, and even food delivery services like DoorDash suspended service in parts of the city overnight.

Snowfall totals climbed quickly: Central Park recorded more than 13 to 15 inches by early Monday, with Brooklyn and other boroughs reporting higher accumulations. Forecasters warned of up to 20 to 24 inches in some areas before the storm tapered. The heavy, wet snow combined with intense winds toppled trees, snapped power lines and caused widespread outages.

PowerOutage.us reported over 500,000 to 575,000 customers without electricity across the Northeast, from Boston to Washington, D.C., including significant numbers in New Jersey, Massachusetts and New York. Restoration efforts faced major obstacles due to ongoing blizzard conditions, with utilities prioritizing critical infrastructure.

The National Weather Service described the event as a “classic bomb cyclone/nor’easter,” intensified by the Gulf Stream and jet stream dynamics. Thundersnow was reported in Manhattan, adding to the storm’s drama. Blizzard conditions persisted into Monday afternoon in many spots, with near hurricane-force gusts and visibility reduced to a quarter-mile or less.

Governor Kathy Hochul activated state resources early, warning of the storm’s historic potential — the first official blizzard warning for New York City since 2017 and the most severe in nearly a decade. Officials urged residents to stay indoors, prepare emergency kits and avoid carbon monoxide risks from improper generator use.

The storm’s impact extended beyond New York: Boston, Philadelphia and other cities faced similar chaos, with travel bans, school closures and power disruptions. Over 40 million people were under blizzard warnings across 11 states.

Airlines scrambled to rebook passengers, but recovery could take days as crews cleared runways and aircraft repositioned. Major carriers like Delta, American and United reported massive cancellations at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark, hubs critical to domestic and international routes.

As the storm slowly moved offshore, forecasters anticipated gradual improvement by late Monday into Tuesday, with winds easing and snow tapering. However, refreezing and melting issues posed secondary risks.

The Blizzard of 2026 underscored vulnerabilities in the densely populated Northeast to extreme winter weather, amplified by rapid intensification. With millions hunkered down, attention turned to recovery as the region dug out from one of its most paralyzing storms in recent memory.

As business leaders assess the most effective ways to remain competitive and in demand within a challenging marketplace, many set goals to secure certifications from the International Organization for Standardization. The ISO does not award these, but relies on external partners.

These entities conduct audits to verify that certification bodies have established management systems.

The Benefits of ISO Certification for Today’s Companies

Becoming an ISO-certified business has numerous associated advantages. Because this designation indicates that a company operates according to a globally recognized standard, it can increase trust among current and potential customers. The associated reputational boost may facilitate the organization moving into new markets, receiving industrial accolades, attracting highly qualified team members and more.

Businesses must periodically recertify after initially receiving their certifications and undergo annual surveillance audits. That keeps employees accountable, helping everyone stay motivated and recognize their roles within an organization. Preparing for accreditation also enables workers to see how their contributions connect to overarching goals.

Getting certified requires in-depth efforts to document and optimize company processes. The gradual, associated successes frequently elevate overall efficiency while pinpointing unnecessary steps. The outcomes maximize employees’ time while reducing accident and injury risks.

Business leaders who are ready to take the next steps understandably want to find the top-rated ISO certification provider and learn how they should proceed when inquiring about working with them. Discovering the leading options is an excellent starting point that can lead to detailed conversations between business representatives and service providers about the next steps.

1. NQA

As an ISO certification provider operating in over 90 countries, NQA is a top choice for clients who have international branches or hope to open some soon. Established in the United Kingdom in 1988, this brand has issued over 53,000 certificates to its worldwide client network. The company specializes in management systems certification for quality, information security, health and safety, and energy and the environment. That in-depth scope caters to business representatives in numerous industries.

The NQA team takes a pragmatic and supportive approach to assist clients in meeting the rigorous technical demands required for accredited certification. Besides assessing a client’s compliance with a selected standard, they identify improvement opportunities during each audit. If an organization needs to learn new technical skills before becoming certified, this business delivers online, classroom and in-house courses, helping participants gain new knowledge through various formats.

Prospective clients also benefit from competitive rates with no hidden fees. The available access to world-class technical support results in great value that makes practical advice accessible.

2. TopCertifier

A provider with a global presence and numerous local offices, TopCertifier has built a broad reach to assist modern businesses in receiving ISO certification. It offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee and free consultations that allow interested parties to learn about the process and decide whether to take the next steps. This company claims its approach can result in certification in as few as seven days, making it an attractive option for businesspeople who want to meet this goal quickly.

This brand’s team members provide guidance tailored to specific companies and industries. This approach recognizes the individual aspects that may shape a quality management system or other frameworks implemented to support certification. TopCertifier has worked with clients in over 50 countries, and it assists those seeking certification through more than 30 international standards, including those established by ISO and additional measures.

This company has assisted businesses of all sizes in achieving certification. It also helps clients identify improvement opportunities, enabling them to get continually stronger and more capable.

3. ASafe Global

With offices in the United States, Canada and Ireland, ASafe Global offers remote and on-site assistance for entities seeking ISO certifications. The expert team provides end-to-end support for businesses and numerous industries. They dispense professional guidance during every stage to help clients smoothly integrate quality frameworks into their organizations and work toward success. Interested parties can also fast-track the process, helping them stay on schedule and meet tight deadlines.

The consultants are ISO-certified professionals who bring years of experience to their interactions with company representatives. The comprehensive support reassures clients and indicates what they must change before getting successfully certified. This brand’s professionals also conduct free consultations to learn about individual business needs and answer specific questions.

This provider’s team takes a proactive approach, applying proven problem-solving methods to get customers closer to their goals. The company conducted 2,000 audits in 2024, illustrating its expertise. This shows why entities from around the world choose it to address ISO certification needs and embark on a path of developing and retaining valuable business practices.

4. Smithers

Offering decades of experience as an accredited, third-party ISO certification body, Smithers  partners in the success of individuals and businesses seeking these designations. This brand focuses on delivering outstanding customer service, with representatives aiming to acknowledge requests and take the necessary actions within hours rather than days or weeks. The company applies transparent pricing and quoting practices, ensuring potential and current customers understand what they will get for the money spent.

A convenient and secure client portal gives authorized users straightforward access to certificate copies, audit reports and webinar recordings. It also provides other information to support becoming certified and maintaining a designation. Besides offering numerous ISO certification services, this brand regularly conducts internal and supplier audits. It’s all part of its overarching goal to help customers strengthen their businesses by identifying weak points and prioritizing continuous improvement.

Since the company’s establishment in 1925 as a tire tester, it has operated as a data-driven organization, adapting a pioneering strategy for the time. This commitment makes its ISO offerings stand out because the associated insights inspire confident actions.

Working With the Top ISO Certification Providers

The top ISO certification providers offer extensive experience in supporting businesses of all sizes and types across various industries. These leading options also maintain transparency about the certification process, pricing and what customers must do to prepare.

Many give free consultations, creating opportunities for interested persons to identify current business challenges and the improvements they hope to experience by getting certified. This initial conversation gives participants chances to set or receive accurate expectations, laying the foundation for a strong and fruitful business relationship.

Knowing about the characteristics shared by the top ISO certification providers makes it easier for you to find reputable companies and create a list of possibilities. The next step is contacting them to get further details and learn what each company offers before choosing one to use while getting certified.

MEXICO CITY — Retaliatory violence exploded across Mexico on Monday following the killing of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel known as “El Mencho,” as suspected cartel members torched vehicles, blocked highways and clashed with security forces in at least 20 states.

The unrest, which began almost immediately after the Mexican military confirmed Oseguera Cervantes’ death Sunday, has plunged parts of the country into chaos, with schools closed, businesses shuttered and foreign governments urging citizens to shelter in place. The wave of attacks has left dozens dead, including at least 25 members of Mexico’s National Guard in Jalisco alone, according to officials.

Oseguera Cervantes, 59, was fatally wounded during a high-risk military operation Sunday in Tapalpa, a small town in Jalisco state about two hours southwest of Guadalajara. The raid, carried out by special forces with support from the National Guard, Air Force and U.S. intelligence, aimed to capture the longtime fugitive. He died en route to Mexico City by air for medical treatment, along with two other injured cartel members, the Secretariat of National Defense said.

Four CJNG gunmen were killed at the scene, and authorities seized weapons, armored vehicles and other equipment. Three soldiers were wounded. Officials revealed that intelligence pinpointing Oseguera Cervantes’ location came from information provided by a romantic partner’s associate, who was detained Friday in Tapalpa.

El Mencho, founder and leader of the CJNG since around 2009, oversaw one of Mexico’s most violent and expansive criminal organizations. The cartel dominates fentanyl production and trafficking to the United States, methamphetamine manufacturing, cocaine distribution, extortion and fuel theft. Known for extreme brutality — including public mutilations and attacks on officials — the CJNG has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, which offered up to $15 million for information leading to his capture.

The operation marked a major victory for Mexican authorities amid pressure from the incoming Trump administration to curb drug flows. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called it a “great development,” describing El Mencho as “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.”

Retaliation was swift and coordinated. Cartel gunmen set up burning roadblocks, torched buses, banks, pharmacies and other businesses, and engaged in shootouts. Violence spread beyond Jalisco to states including Michoacán, Guanajuato, Colima and others, with reports of at least 26 deaths, including civilians such as a pregnant woman caught in crossfire.

In Puerto Vallarta, a key tourist destination in Jalisco, plumes of smoke rose over neighborhoods as vehicles burned and chaos unfolded near the airport. Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport suspended operations due to blocked access roads and security threats. Major airlines including Air Canada, United, Delta, Southwest and Alaska canceled or diverted flights, stranding hundreds of tourists. Air Canada advised passengers not to head to the airport, while U.S. carriers issued travel waivers.

The U.S. Embassy and State Department urged American citizens in Jalisco and other affected states to shelter in place, avoid travel and monitor local media. Canada and the UK issued similar warnings, with the British Foreign Office advising against non-essential travel to parts of Jalisco. Taxi and rideshare services halted in Puerto Vallarta, exacerbating difficulties for stranded visitors.

President Claudia Sheinbaum insisted that “peace, security and normalcy” were being restored, with federal forces deployed to key areas. However, analysts warned of potential escalation as CJNG factions vie for control or rivals exploit the power vacuum. Oseguera Cervantes’ son, Rubén Oseguera González (“El Menchito”), remains in U.S. custody after extradition in 2020, leaving succession uncertain.

The violence highlights ongoing challenges in Mexico’s drug war, now spanning nearly two decades with hundreds of thousands killed. While the takedown disrupts a major fentanyl pipeline, experts caution that cartels often splinter or reorganize after leadership losses, potentially leading to more bloodshed in the short term.

As unrest continued into Monday evening, authorities urged residents to stay indoors and report suspicious activity. Restoration of order in hard-hit regions could take days, with economic impacts looming for tourism-dependent areas like Puerto Vallarta.

The government has named former Amazon executive Doug Gurr as its preferred candidate to become permanent chairman of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), cementing a leadership change designed to align the regulator more closely with its pro-growth agenda.

Peter Kyle confirmed that Gurr, who has held the role on an interim basis since January last year, will be put forward for a full five-year term, subject to a non-binding hearing by the Commons business and trade select committee.

Gurr, 61, replaced Marcus Bokkerink after the latter was removed amid pressure from the government to ensure regulators support economic growth and international investment. At the time, Rachel Reeves said the CMA needed leadership that shared the government’s “mission”.

Kyle said that over the past year Gurr had worked with CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell to improve the pace and predictability of merger investigations and to make the process more proportionate.

City sources said the move was widely expected, noting Gurr’s background in both corporate and public sector leadership. A former McKinsey partner, he served as Amazon’s UK country manager until 2020 and is currently director of the Natural History Museum and chairman of the Alan Turing Institute.

The appointment comes as the government consults on reforms aimed at speeding up merger clearances and overhauling the CMA’s decision-making structure. One proposal would replace the regulator’s independent merger panel with members of the CMA board, who are more directly accountable to parliament.

Supporters argue the changes will streamline reviews and provide greater certainty for businesses. Critics warn they could increase the risk of political influence over competition decisions.

In 2025, the CMA cleared 36 mergers and blocked none, the first year since 2017 without a prohibition. Six deals were approved subject to conditions, compared with seven in 2024 and 12 in 2023, according to data compiled by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

Antonio Bavasso, the law firm’s head of European antitrust, said the figures reflected the government’s shift towards a more growth-oriented regulatory stance.

Ministers have rejected claims that the new approach weakens oversight of major technology companies, insisting that the UK must remain both competitive and robust in its enforcement.

If confirmed, Gurr’s appointment would formalise a new chapter for the CMA as it navigates the balance between promoting investment and safeguarding competition in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.

The Trump Organization signed an agreement to build a $1 billion skyscraper on Australia’s Golden Coast, the company announced on Friday.

The $1.06 billion building will rise 91 floors in the Australian state of Queensland, the Trump organization said in an announcement. The building will feature a “six-star resort-hotel” with 270 apartments as well as assorted shops and a beach club, said local developer Altus Property Group.

“Australia’s tallest building will be a Trump Tower, right in the middle of Surfers Paradise — it’s great for Queensland tourism, and fantastic for Australia,” Altus said in a statement.

“It won’t have a Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton brand above the front door, but it will say ‘Trump.’ And that means it is a no-expense-spared, highest-possible-quality building — the best in the world,” it added.

TRUMP UNVEILS NEW RENDERING OF SPRAWLING WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM PROJECT

The facade of The Trump Building in the Financial District of New York City, on Nov. 18, 2023. (Mairo Cinquetti/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Altus CEO David Young said the property deal has been in the works for decades after he cold-called Ivanka Trump about the potential deal in 2007.

The announcement comes as the Trump Organization and President Donald Trump are suing various banks for allegedly “debanking” accounts after the storming of the U.S. Capitol in January 2021.

JPMorgan Chase Bank admitted last week that it closed the president’s bank accounts following Jan. 6 of that year, a confession spurred by a $5 billion legal challenge from the president last month.

TRUMP ADMIN DEFENDS WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM AS NATIONAL SECURITY MATTER

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Dec. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump and his companies were given until April 19, 2021, to transfer hundreds of millions of dollars before the accounts were officially closed.

While the bank’s letters do not provide a specific reason for the closures, Trump attorneys are alleging the accounts were “unlawfully closed due to political discrimination,” and that they were placed on a “blacklist.”

In an earlier filing, Trump’s attorneys noted he was a JPMorgan customer for decades, and he and his affiliated entities transacted “hundreds of millions of dollars” through the bank.

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The Trump Organization also sued Capital One in 2025, claiming the bank in 2021 “unjustifiably” terminated more than 300 of its bank accounts and accounts belonging to Trump family members.

At the time, a Capital One spokesperson told Fox News Digital, “Capital One has not and does not close customer accounts for political reasons.”

Brompton Bicycle has scaled back its US expansion and accelerated investment in China, as uncertainty over trade policy under Donald Trump reshapes its international strategy.

The London-founded folding bike specialist closed its branded stores in New York and Washington last year when their leases expired. In contrast, it opened a new outlet in Shenzhen and doubled the size of its flagship Shanghai store following a major refurbishment.

Will Butler-Adams, Brompton’s managing director, said the decision reflected concerns about policy unpredictability in the US. “We decided the leadership was so unpredictable, anything could happen,” he said, adding that tariff volatility made long-term commitments difficult.

“If the tariff goes up to 25 per cent and we become uncompetitive, the whole store proposition is at risk,” he said. “I’m not going to sign a five-year lease in this environment.”

His comments follow a US Supreme Court ruling that many of the tariffs introduced since 2024 were unlawful. However, the administration subsequently confirmed a temporary 10 per cent global tariff, later raised to 15 per cent, adding to market uncertainty.

Brompton, founded in 1976, operates a factory in west London producing tens of thousands of bicycles annually and is the UK’s largest bike manufacturer. Its compact folding bikes are popular among urban commuters worldwide.

While Butler-Adams stressed that the company would continue investing in the US, he said its approach would be more cautious and flexible.

China, by contrast, offers greater stability from Brompton’s perspective. The company has operated in the country for 17 years and now runs three owned stores alongside 14 franchise outlets. It also distributes through third-party retailers.

“It’s our largest market and we know where we stand,” Butler-Adams said, suggesting that warmer diplomatic ties between the UK and China could further enhance demand for British brands.

The shift underscores how global manufacturers are recalibrating supply chains and retail strategies in response to trade tensions, seeking predictability as much as growth in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.