What the other papers say this morning
FINANCIAL TIMES
Apple rolls out China credit facility
Apple is to allow Chinese consumers to buy its gadgets on credit – a move that could help boost sales in the world’s largest smartphone market by unit shipments, where it has lost share to cheaper brands.
HP arms become focus of M&A talk
Reports that Dell could be the subject of a leveraged buyout have spiked acquisition interest in its main rival Hewlett-Packard. Investment bankers representing tech companies are understood to have expressed interest in HP’s Autonomy unit and its Services division, which largely consists of its 2008 $14bn EDS acquisition.
Doughnut chains set to expand
US consumers will be tempted by a bulge of new doughnut-buying opportunities as leading chains both plot to open stores. Dunkin’ said it would open 330-360 stores in the US in 2013. It already has more than 7,200 stores. Krispy Kreme said that by 2017 it would increase its US stores to more than 400 from 240.
THE TIMES
Clouds gather over QHotels
The future of the Manchester hotel where Mr Rolls met Mr Royce is under a cloud after its parent company called in administrators. The Midland, a Grade II listed Victorian building, is part of the 21-strong QHotels Group.
E-Lites cleared for TV campaign
Electronic cigarette company E-lites will test the 50-year ban on promoting smoking on television, as the advertising watchdog moved yesterday to stop a rival campaign.
The Daily Telegraph
Living wage pension will cost £270k
Workers need to save up hundreds of thousands of pounds even if they qualify for the new state pension. To achieve an living wage of £16,400 a year – required for a minimum standard of life – you would need £270,000 in savings as well as the new £144 a week state pension.
Lidl to create 1,000 UK jobs
Lidl supermarket is set to create 1,000 jobs in the UK as it continues its multi-million pound expansion in 2013.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Obama unveils gun-control push
President Barack Obama yesterday unveiled an aggressive set of gun-control measures as he launched a push for the most sweeping changes to firearms laws in nearly two decades and called on the American public to join his fight.
Wendy’s upbeat as profit soars
US burger chain Wendy’s said stronger marketing and promotions this year will help it return to same-store sale growth—a key metric that slipped in the fourth quarter despite stronger overall earnings.