Here are the top business stories making the headlines in the morning newspapers.
Delays for Aberdeen drivers
Motorists have been facing significant delays when travelling in and out of Aberdeen due to ongoing works on the King George VI bridge.
The Press & Journal says the traffic chaos began on March 14 when the northbound lane of the bridge was closed for waterproofing and resurfacing works.
Those using the route are now dealing with further disruption as the second phase of the project begins.
Drivers took to social media yesterday morning to say the 17 mile trip from Stonehaven to Aberdeen was taking them almost an hour and a half during rush hour.
More jobs at North Star
Aberdeen-based North Star could create around 200 seafaring jobs with the order of new construction ships for the offshore wind industry.
The shipping firm is moving into commissioning and maintenance, having hired Norwegian shipbuilder VARD for up to four commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs).
The first two will be delivered by Q2 2025, and there is an option for two additional ships which could ultimately deliver up to 200 seafaring roles across the CSOV fleet.
Energy Voice says VARD will build the hulls of the first two out of a yard in Romania, with outfitting to follow in Norway.
North Star, backed by private equity firm Partners Group, has committed to delivering 40 offshore wind ships by 2040 to meet growing demand across the UK and Europe.
Warning over European gas prices
Goldman Sachs reckon European gas prices could treble this winter.
Gas prices are currently as low as 36 euros (£31) per megawatt hour, some way off last August’s peak of 321 euros (£278), but analysts at the Wall Street bank believe prices could rise above 100 euros (£86) - a level not seen since December 2022.
Prices have fallen since nations built up reserves to ease reliance on imports from Russia in response to the war in Ukraine.
“The combination of winter weather risk and potentially decline conservation efforts by households can quickly tighten balances, enough to trigger a sharp rise in winter prices above €100,” analysts noted.
Proactive Investors say Goldman argues that current low prices have led households to become carefree in their usage which could spark a rebound.
Value of Orkney facility
New analysis commissioned to mark 20 years since the opening of the EMEC facility on Orkney shows it has supported hundreds of jobs across the UK.
New economic assessments suggest the European Marine Energy Centre has had “a significant impact” in Orkney and across the UK economy in terms of employment, supply chain development and mobilising investment in the sector.
Opened in Stromness in 2003, the not-for-profit centre is the world’s first open-sea testing facility for wave and tidal technologies.
Energy Voice says an independent economic audit by BiGGAR Economics puts the test centre’s contribution to UK economy since then at £370 million gross value added (GVA).
Boycott of pilot scheme for juryless rape trials
Lawyers across Scotland are expected to join a near-unanimous boycott of a pilot scheme for juryless rape trials.
Stuart Murray, vice president of the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association, said at least seven bodies had voted against the government proposals.
Legal professionals have said the scheme, proposed to tackle low conviction rates, could undermine the judicial system.
The BBC says First Minister Humza Yousaf has defended the plan.
He pointed to a "weight of evidence" that juries are affected by rape myths and misconceptions.
Green light for longer lorries
The government has approved the use of longer lorries on British roads, saying it will make businesses more efficient and cut emissions.
It comes despite one campaign group warning the move could put pedestrians and cyclists at risk.
Longer lorries can carry more goods in fewer trips, but they have a larger tail swing -meaning their rear end covers a greater area when turning. They also have extended blind spots.
But the BBC says ministers insist they are safe.
Lorries up to 60ft long - which is nearly 7ft longer than the standard size - have been trialled since 2011 and there are already around 3,000 in use.
However, from May 31 any business in England, Scotland and Wales will be permitted to use them.
Labour leader speaks on coalition options
Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out a coalition with the Lib Dems if Labour fails to win a majority at the next general election.
Asked if he would do a deal with the Lib Dems, the Labour leader told the BBC this was a "hypothetical question".
But he said he would never do a deal with the SNP because of a "fundamental disagreement" on Scottish independence.
Despite local election gains south of the border, experts say support for Labour may not yet be enough to win an overall majority.
Goldman Sachs settles claims by women
Goldman Sachs will pay £170.5million to settle claims that it discriminated against women - offering female staff lower pay and fewer opportunities.
The agreement comes a month before the long-running class-action lawsuit was due to come to trial.
It resolves claims from about 2,800 female staff who worked at the bank in the US.
The BBC says Goldman will work with outside experts to analyse its pay patterns and methods of promotion as part of the deal.
Vote of confidence at John Lewis
The boss of John Lewis will face a vote of confidence today, amid growing staff anger at her leadership.
It comes after Dame Sharon White said she was considering selling a stake in the retailer - meaning it would no longer fully owned by its employees.
John Lewis is seeking to revive growth after posting huge losses last year and suspending its staff bonus.
But as job cuts loom, employees may use the biannual vote - which is non-binding - to push for change.
As well as owning a stake in the business, John Lewis staff - also known as partners - have a voice in the way it is run.
They elect councillors who twice a year meet to scrutinise the firm's performance and pass a vote of confidence in its leadership.
The BBC says the vote will take place during the all-day meeting at the Odney Club, a John Lewis-owned retreat near Maidenhead in Berkshire.
Trump ordered to pay around £4million
A jury in a civil case has found former President Donald Trump sexually abused a magazine columnist in a New York department store in the 1990s.
But Mr Trump was found not liable for raping E Jean Carroll in the dressing room of Bergdorf Goodman.
The jury also found Mr Trump liable for defamation for calling the writer's accusations "a hoax and a lie".
It is the first time Mr Trump has been found legally responsible for a sexual assault.
The Manhattan jury ordered Mr Trump to pay her about £4million in damages.
The jury of six men and three women reached their decision after less than three hours of deliberations yesterday.
The BBC says that, because the trial was in civil court rather than criminal, Mr Trump will not be required to register as a sex offender.
The former president - who has denied Ms Carroll's accusations - did not attend the two-week civil trial in the Manhattan federal court.
Mr Trump's lawyer said the former president plans to appeal the decision.