Stories from London · United Kingdom

BP profits rose 459 percent between January and March compared to the same period last year. This increase represents a gain of approximately 3.286 billion euros. The growth is a consequence of rising crude oil prices, according to a statement sent to the London Stock Exchange.

Oil giant BP announced profits exceeding £2 billion for the first three months of the year. This figure is more than double the profits reported during the same period 12 months ago. The company attributed the rise largely to surging oil prices caused by the Iran War. Profits increased 459 percent compared to the same period last year, totaling a gain of approximately 3.286 billion euros due to rising crude oil prices. Shares of London-based BP rose today following a surge in profits from energy trading and refining. The increase in share price was driven by spiraling energy prices. This performance comes amid a broader report on European earnings trends. The source noted that trading and refining performance beat expectations. British oil company BP reported an adjusted net profit of $3.2 billion for the first quarter.

The German national table tennis team is competing for silver or bronze medals in a tournament featuring a new format. Head coach Jörg Rosko stated the team aims to secure medals for both the men's and women's squads. The women's team includes 33-year-old Sabine Winter, while the men's team features Dank Tew, Patrick Franziska, Dimitri Ofcharov, and Benedikt Duda. Sports director Richard Brause of the German Table Tennis Federation (DTTB) expressed dissatisfaction with the new tournament mode that devalues world rankings. The German teams failed to secure medals at the previous World Team Championships, exiting in the quarterfinals. The report by Johann Galvitz covers the start of the tournament.

A government bill to expand parliament to accommodate additional women MPs was defeated. This marks the first time a government bill has been defeated in parliament. The opposition rejected the move, citing duplicity in the proposal. The debate centered on the necessity of expanding the legislative body to ensure women's representation. The opposition opposed the move, characterizing it as duplicitous. The proposed expansion was intended to accommodate additional women Members of Parliament. The opposition defeated the measure, which the broadcaster described as a move to prevent ruling party members from losing seats. The House of Lords defeated amendment B1 to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill by a vote of 217 to 145. The rejected amendment required mayors and combined authorities to prioritize brownfield sites in spatial strategies.

BP reported profits of £2.4 billion for the first three months of the year. This figure represents more than a doubling of profits compared to previous periods. The company earned approximately £0.5 billion more than expected. The report attributed the profit increase to the war in Iran. The company saw profits increase to £2.4 billion between January and March. The profit surge is attributed to rising oil prices resulting from the war with Iran. The company stated it is working to ensure energy security. BP reported profits of £2.4 billion, generating approximately £366 per second. The company's chief executive received a £13.7 million pay package this year, which includes £8 million in rewards. The broadcaster noted that the company is profiting from activities related to Iran. Some listeners suggested the company is following the Labour government's example regarding fuel taxes.

The UK Parliament is moving to pardon women who were previously convicted of illegal abortions. The move follows historical discussions regarding the difficulty of preventing pregnancy and the lack of access to contraception in the past. The speaker noted that marital rape was not criminalized in the country until 1991. This action is framed as a step toward historical justice.

Former UK Foreign Office Permanent Under-Secretary Oli Robbins testified to Parliament that he felt pressure from the Prime Minister's office during the appointment process of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the US. Robbins was dismissed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on April 14 after it was revealed Mandelson failed to obtain security clearance in January 2025. Starmer has denied misleading Parliament regarding the appointment.

An amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill is expected to receive royal assent this week in England and Wales. The amendment will remove criminal liability for women who end their own pregnancies. Supporters state the measure aims to prevent the prosecution of vulnerable women. The bill aims to prevent vulnerable women from being prosecuted for terminating pregnancies under 10 weeks. Labour MP Tonya Antonasi supported the amendment, according to the broadcast. The change will allow women to terminate pregnancies under 10 weeks.

Winston Churchill placed fourth in a public preference poll regarding the new design of British banknotes. The survey identified the former leader as a popular choice among the British public. The poll results were discussed in the context of democratic exercises involving public input on currency design. Winston Churchill, who currently appears on the 5 pound banknote, ranks fourth in a public preference poll for new British banknote designs. The figure currently appears on existing 5 pound notes. The poll was described as a democratic exercise to gather public ideas for banknote imagery. The Bank of England invited the public to submit design proposals last July, receiving approximately 44,000 messages across six categories. Other popular suggestions included the 1966 World Cup, the National Health Service (NHS), castles, and cathedrals.

Barclays reported a 16% increase in equities revenues. However, the bank's fixed income revenues remained broadly flat compared to the previous year. The bank's returns fell short of its US rivals during the quarter. The report was provided by Bloomberg's UN Pots in London.