Sunday newspaper round-up: EU, UEFA, VitHit, foreign takeovers, DPD, Strait of Hormuz, North Korean troops

(Sharecast News) - Britain could seek to rejoin the EU's single market under a new post‑Brexit framework presented to Andy Burnham, according to The Telegraph. The plan, drafted by former Conservative MP Nick Boles and circulated among senior officials including national security adviser Jonathan Powell, would see the UK offer extended defence guarantees across Europe in exchange for access to the bloc's free‑trade zone. The proposal outlines a "European Confederation" linking the single market with Nato commitments, with countries such as Ukraine, Switzerland, Norway and the Western Balkans invited to join.

UEFA is weighing a full investigation into Gianni Infantino's conduct during his 16‑year spell at the organisation after revelations that an alleged lover received a six‑figure payment, The Telegraph reported. Senior figures in Nyon are said to want clarity on how the payment was arranged and whether the alleged relationship influenced staffing decisions during Infantino's tenure as general secretary.

VitHit, the health‑drink brand founded by former Leinster rugby player Gary Lavin, is close to being sold following a completed sales process run by IBI Corporate Finance, The Sunday Times said. Nichols, the AIM‑listed owner of Vimto, is believed to be the preferred buyer as it expands into functional drinks. Other interested parties reportedly included AG Barr, Britvic and Capri‑Sun.

M&G's head of UK equities, Michael Stiasny, has criticised a wave of foreign takeovers of London‑listed firms, arguing buyout groups are exploiting depressed valuations, according to The Sunday Times. M&G will vote against Apollo's bid for EasyJet, having already opposed Prologis's £14bn move for Segro. Stiasny said boards and investors must take a longer‑term view when assessing sale prices..

Temporary workers at courier group DPD may have missed out on sick pay and pension contributions, internal documents suggest, The Guardian reported. Spreadsheets detailing charge‑rate costs lacked allocations for these entitlements, raising concerns workers were either unpaid, discouraged from taking sick leave or moved on before pension thresholds were met. Employment law experts said such omissions could breach statutory requirements.

Iran has issued sweeping new conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying the waterway will remain closed until the US "corrects its behaviour", The Guardian reported. The demands include ending the regional conflict, lifting sanctions, withdrawing US forces and compensating Iran for war damage. The UAE separately said one of its ships was targeted by an Iranian missile as negotiations remained stalled.

Volodymyr Zelensky said North Korea may send 30,000 to 50,000 troops to Russia, warning the move could pose wider regional risks, The Independent reported. The Ukrainian president urged closer cooperation with South Korea and referenced US intelligence assessments suggesting Vladimir Putin could test Nato's resolve with an attack on a member state in the coming weeks.