PartyGaming says the deal with Bwin will create a group worth .3bn. Photograph: Graham Turner PartyGaming and its Austrian-based rival Bwin today announced plans for a merger that they say will create the world’s biggest publicly-listed online gambling company. The enlarged group, to... 

The Lloyds takeover of HBOS during the financial crisis has led to the loss of more than 17,000 jobs. Photograph: BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images Unions said the toll of job losses at Lloyds Banking Group has reached 17,700 today after the bailed-out bank cut another 1,850 posts, largely from... 

Joe Cole has completed his move to Liverpool. Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool have completed the signing of Joe Cole on a four-year contract after he passed his medical – and have handed the midfielder the No10 shirt. The 28-year-old agreed personal terms on... 

Shaun Tait, right, celebrates another England wicket with the Australia captain Ricky Ponting. Photograph: Olly Greenwood/AFP/Getty Images To England the trophy; to Australia the majority of the bragging rights. At 3-0 down with a side that looked a long way from home and as rusty as an old...