Author: News Desk

UK economy: Firms prepare to cut staff as they brace for slowdown, CBI says A persistent slowdown in activity among private sector firms could weigh on economic growth over the coming months, with businesses set to cut staff and raise prices, according to a survey. The upcoming increase to national insurance contributions has prompted firms to assess their budgets urgently, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said. Output across the private sector is expected to drop over the next three months, having fallen over the previous three-month period, the survey found. Activity has been flat or falling since the middle…

Billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik injects £630m to prop up Netflix-rival DAZN as losses mount Billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik has injected a further $827m (£630m) into streaming giant DAZN in a bid to become a major rival to Netflix. The businessman has now invested more than $6.7bn (£5.3bn) in the London-based sports streaming service, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. DAZN is owned by Access Industries, a New York-based private holding company founded by Ukrainian-born Sir Leonard in 1986. The company was created in 2007 following the merger of Premium TV Limited and Inform Group. https://www.cityam.com/billionaire-sir-leonard-blavatnik-injects-630m-to-prop-up-netflix-rival-dazn-as-losses-mount/

Showers or longer spells of rain across most areas. Showers turning heavy at times in the south with a chance of thunder, plus hill snow in the north. Strong, gale-force winds continuing in the south, and temperatures around average. Tonight: Showers and longer spells of rain continue overnight. Gales in the southwest slowly easing, but winds picking up in the far north. A patchy frost forming in the northwest.

Fulham 0 Manchester United 1 – Marti’s on the marc The back page of the Mirror reports on Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Fulham in last night’s Premier League match. Spurs boss Ange has admitted he’s not sure how long he’s got left at Tottenham after another loss.

Postecoglou: I am in the dark over my future at Tottenham The back page of the Telegraph reports the Spurs boss is unsure if he will get the sack following yet another loss. Man Utd’s 1-0 win over Fulham is pictured on the back page.

Fulham 0 Man United 1 – Amorim rather pick coach over Rash Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim says he’d rather pick the goalkeeper coach to sit on the bench over Marcus Rashford. Ange Postecoglou says he’s not sure if he’ll get the sack as Spurs loose again.

Ange: I might be out of time Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou admits he might be facing the sack after another Tottenham loss in last night’s Premier League match. Man Utd celebrating a 1-0 win over Fulham makes the back page.

Project 1897 – The imperial presidency The Economist says What will Donald Trump do next? A decade after he became the Republican front-runner, it is still the urgent question. In a distracted era Mr Trump has an unmatched genius for grabbing attention. And for reimagining presidential power. His second inauguration took place in the Capitol’s Rotunda, the same spot where four years earlier his supporters had punched police officers in the face.

Watchdog swings behind growth plan Business & Money reports After his predecessor was ousted by the chancellor, former Amazon chief Doug Gurr acknowledges regulator’s responsibility to ‘play a leading role in the ambitions for growth and prosperity’

Trump sparks Gaza outrage The FT says Donald Trump has urged Egypt and Jordan to take in most of the population of Gaza, saying it was time to “clean out” the territory in comments that are likely to outrage Palestinians and Arabs across the region.