Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
Retail expert on what Aberdeen’s Union Square is getting right as other shopping centres struggle
Aberdeen’s Union Square has bucked the wider shopping-centre trend by continuing to attract major retailers, shoppers and investment – factors which could help support its £175million asking price, according to a retail expert.
Andrew Turnbull, of Robert Gordon University, believes Union Square’s success comes down to more than simply its location.
The 550,000 sq ft centre has been put on the market by US investment firm Lone Star.
Read more in The Press and Journal.
Oil dips below $100 a barrel on hopes of US peace talks with Iran
Global equities rallied and pressure on sovereign bonds eased as oil prices fell back below $100 a barrel on hopes of diplomatic progress toward ending the Iran war.
Brent crude, the global benchmark oil price, was down 4.3% at $99.48 a barrel on Monday night.
The move came after President Trump said he would be open to a meeting with President Pezeshkian of Iran, who is expected attend the United Nations general assembly in New York this week.
Read more in The Times.
Paramount settles lawsuit with US states, clearing way for $110bn merger with Warner Bros
Paramount Skydance has settled a lawsuit with a dozen US states, paving the way for its $110bn (£82.8bn) merger with Warner Bros Discovery.
Under the agreement, Paramount must produce at least 30 films a year and ensure a certain percentage are produced in the US, or face penalties including selling off parts of its business.
The deal clears one of the final hurdles for the merger that is set to reshape Hollywood, combining legacy studios, major streamers, and national networks under one umbrella.
Read more on the BBC website.
Union Street project delayed AGAIN but council ‘confident it will be open for Christmas parade’
Union Street roadworks have been delayed by months, with council bosses now eyeing a November deadline to open the central stretch of the Granite Mile.
The local authority’s finance convener Alex McLellan told The P&J how he hopes the closed section will be open in time for the annual Christmas parade.
In an exclusive interview, he also explained the reasons behind the further delays.
Ember boss reveals they’ll be adding their ‘most requested route’ from Aberdeen and new town to also get links
The head of Ember’s Scotland operations has revealed plans to launch a new direct route between Aberdeen and Glasgow.
Andy Mason told The P&J the route is one of the most-asked for services and the bus company hopes to introduce it next year.
Ember is also expanding its north-east depot so it can look at adding other new routes to its offerings.
Read more in The Press and Journal.
Lithuania ready to 'fight back' but has evacuation plans in face of Russia threats, PM tells BBC
Lithuania's prime minister has told the BBC his country has made evacuation plans in the face of threats from Russia, but added they "will not surrender" if attacked.
Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius told Newsnight that Lithuanians feel "constantly threatened" by Russia, in part because of drones entering the nation's airspace.
He told Newsnight if his country was attacked, "we will fight back... we will engage". But he said there were plans for a "variety of scenarios" and used an example of getting elderly citizens out of cities "smoothly" and avoiding traffic jams.
Aberdeen’s new witchcraft shop casts a spell on Justice Street
The newest addition to the coven of Aberdeen businesses aims to bring a bit of magic to the streets.
Ines’ Cabinet of Curiosities is all about the occult, witchcraft and the spiritual realm.
“I have seen shops like that all around the world, but I wanted to open something for myself and people with similar interests,” explains Inese Poikane-Meyer, the owner of the magical establishment. But also for people who would like to experience something different.”
Read the full story in The P&J.