Latest news with #USO
South Wales Guardian
10-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Royal Mail allowed to scrap second-class post on Saturdays
At the moment, the courier adheres to the current one-price-goes-anywhere principle of the Universal Service Obligation (USO), which means it must deliver post six days a week, from Monday to Saturday. However, new reforms will allow the firm to stop delivering second-class mail on Saturdays and, instead, deliver it on an alternative mid-week day. First-class stamps will remain unaffected by this change, with letters using these still being delivered six days a week. We're reforming the UK's postal service so it delivers what people need: ✅ First Class still next-day Mon-Sat 📆 Second Class: every other weekday 🛑 New delivery targets to cut long delays 💷 2nd class stamp price cap remains 🔗 Discussing the change, Natalie Black, Ofcom's group director for networks and communications, said: "These changes are in the best interests of consumers and businesses, as urgent reform of the postal service is necessary to give it the best chance of survival." 'But changing Royal Mail's obligations alone won't guarantee a better service – the company now has to play its part and implement this effectively. 'We'll be making sure Royal Mail is clear with its customers about what's happening, and passes the benefits of these changes on to them.' Other recent changes mean the company will have to deliver 90% of first-class mail next day, down from the current target of 93%, according to the BBC. 95% of second-class mail must be delivered within three days, a cut from the current 98.5%. There will also be a new target of 99% of mail being delivered no more than two days late to incentivise Royal Mail to cut down on long delays. The regulator has said that from July 28, Royal Mail will be allowed to axe the six-day-a-week delivery for second-class stamps.
Powys County Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Royal Mail allowed to scrap second-class post on Saturdays
The Royal Mail has been given the go-ahead to scrap the delivery of second-class post on Saturdays by Ofcom. At the moment, the courier adheres to the current one-price-goes-anywhere principle of the Universal Service Obligation (USO), which means it must deliver post six days a week, from Monday to Saturday. However, new reforms will allow the firm to stop delivering second-class mail on Saturdays and, instead, deliver it on an alternative mid-week day. First-class stamps will remain unaffected by this change, with letters using these still being delivered six days a week. We're reforming the UK's postal service so it delivers what people need: ✅ First Class still next-day Mon-Sat 📆 Second Class: every other weekday 🛑 New delivery targets to cut long delays 💷 2nd class stamp price cap remains 🔗 — Ofcom (@Ofcom) July 10, 2025 Royal Mail given go-ahead to axe weekend deliveries for second-class stamps Discussing the change, Natalie Black, Ofcom's group director for networks and communications, said: "These changes are in the best interests of consumers and businesses, as urgent reform of the postal service is necessary to give it the best chance of survival." 'But changing Royal Mail 's obligations alone won't guarantee a better service – the company now has to play its part and implement this effectively. 'We'll be making sure Royal Mail is clear with its customers about what's happening, and passes the benefits of these changes on to them.' Other recent changes mean the company will have to deliver 90% of first-class mail next day, down from the current target of 93%, according to the BBC. Recommended Reading: 95% of second-class mail must be delivered within three days, a cut from the current 98.5%. There will also be a new target of 99% of mail being delivered no more than two days late to incentivise Royal Mail to cut down on long delays.
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Royal Mail gets go ahead for HUGE change to deliveries in massive shake-up
Read on to find out what the changes mean for you SENDING A MESSAGE Royal Mail gets go ahead for HUGE change to deliveries in massive shake-up Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Royal Mail has been given the green light to make a huge change to its deliveries in a blow to customers. The postal service has been told it can deliver second-class letters every other weekday and not on Saturdays to help cut costs, the industry regulator has said. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Royal Mail will make a huge change to second class deliveries Credit: Alamy Ofcom said that a reform to the Universal Service Obligation (USO) was needed as people are sending fewer letters each year. As a result stamp prices keep rising and the cost of delivering letters goes up. Under the current one-price-goes-everywhere USO, it means Royal Mail has to deliver post six days a week, from Monday to Saturday. It also must deliver parcels on five days - from Monday to Friday. The decision comes as part of proposals laid out by industry regulator Ofcom. Ofcom said Royal Mail should continue to deliver first-class letters six days a week but second class will be limited to alternate weekdays. Natalie Black, Ofcom's group director for networks and communications, said the changes are "in the best interest of consumers and businesses". She added: 'Urgent reform of the postal service is necessary to give it the best chance of survival. 'But changing Royal Mail's obligations alone won't guarantee a better service – the company now has to play its part and implement this effectively." She said that the regulator will make sure Royal Mail is clear with its customers about what is happening and pass the benefits of the changes on to them. She also added: 'As part of this process, we've been listening to concerns about increases in stamp prices. So we've launched a review of affordability and plan to publicly consult on this next year.' Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Fox News
06-07-2025
- General
- Fox News
Honoring The United Service Organizations
In celebration of Independence Day, we offer a tribute to our men and women in the armed services. The United Service Organizations (USO) supports military members and their families, from their deployment to their transition back to civilian life. Janice revisits a conversation with USO Northeast Regional President Rebecca Parkes to discuss the history of the USO, as well as the future of the organization and how they plan to evolve to meet the needs of new generations of service men and women. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Express Tribune
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Peter-Henry Schroeder, star of ‘Star Trek: Enterprise' and ‘Argo,' dies at 90
Peter-Henry Schroeder, an actor best known for his role as Klingon Chancellor in Star Trek: Enterprise and his appearance in Argo, has passed away at the age of 90. He died peacefully on June 7 at the Lake City VA Medical Center in Florida, with his family by his side, according to his memorial page. Born on January 2, 1935, in Syracuse, New York, Schroeder spent six decades in Los Angeles after serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. During his time in the military, he had the opportunity to see Marilyn Monroe perform for the troops in a USO show. Following his service, Schroeder pursued a career in acting, studying under Paula Strasberg and privately with celebrated actors like Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight. Schroeder made his acting debut in 1979's The Seduction of Joe Tynan, starring Meryl Streep and Alan Alda. He went on to appear in numerous films, including Fire in the Night, Hotshot, and Journey to the Center of the Earth, along with TV roles in B.J. and the Bear and Thirstysomething. He also made a guest appearance as a maître d' in an episode of Cheers in 1989. In 2001, Schroeder portrayed the Klingon Chancellor in a two-episode arc of Star Trek: Enterprise, a prequel to the iconic Star Trek series. He later played a producer in Ben Affleck's Oscar-winning film Argo (2012). Beyond acting, Schroeder was a recording artist, releasing songs like 'Where's the Girl for Me' and 'Memories of Marilyn.' He also established PHS Productions and founded the Actor/Artist Group Workshop in 1979, where he mentored aspiring actors. Schroeder is survived by his daughter Valerie Lynn, son Peter Henry II, and grandsons Peter Henry III and Jarrid Michael. His memorial page described him as a 'masterful character actor' whose creativity and dedication left a lasting impact.
