Here are the key stories making the business pages around the UK this morning.

Uber re-applies for licence to operate in Aberdeen

Taxi firm Uber has re-applied for a licence to operate in Aberdeen.

The company was previously granted permission to launch in the city in 2018, but later surrendered its licence.

Uber has now confirmed to BBC Scotland News it has officially lodged an application to operate in Aberdeen.

It said that, if granted, it would give passengers "greater transport options around the city, support the local economy and provide new earning opportunities for drivers".

FTSE miner rejects ‘opportunistic’ £31.1bn takeover offer

British mining giant Anglo American has rejected a £31.1bn takeover offer by Australian rival BHP.

The FTSE 100 miner said the bid was “opportunistic” and “significantly undervalues Anglo American and its future prospects”.

A string of Anglo’s shareholders and a South African minister had already attacked the approach, which would have created the world’s largest copper miner.

Anglo also controls De Beers, one of the most powerful players in the global diamond market and a South African national champion.

'Stunned' Buckie ineligible for play-off

Saturday's Pyramid Play-Off tie between Buckie Thistle and East Kilbride has been cancelled, leaving the Highland League champions "stunned and devastated" by the claim that they failed to meet Scottish FA licensing requirements.

It means Lowland League champions East Kilbride progress straight to the final against whoever finishes bottom of Scottish League 2 for a place in the Scottish Professional Football League next season.

Buckie were crowned Highland League champions for the 12th time on a dramatic final day last weekend as their 1-0 win over Keith meant they edged out Brechin City, who beat Brora Rangers 2-1, on goal difference.

But Buckie failed to obtain the required bronze-level club licence at an SFA licensing committee meeting on Wednesday.

Google owner worth more than $2 trillion after announcing first dividend

Google’s parent company soared past a $2trillion valuation last night as the search engine giant said it would pay a dividend for the first time.

Shares in Alphabet rose by more than 12% to a record high as the company announced the payout to shareholders, alongside a $70bn (£56bn) share buyback scheme.

Microsoft shares also rose after the world’s most valuable company revealed record profits. It meant both tech giants shrugged off a tech sell-off earlier in the day triggered by fears about the artificial intelligence (AI) boom.

Alphabet reported revenues of $80.5bn for the first quarter of the year, a 15pc rise, and said profits had climbed by 57pc to $23.7bn.

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