Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
Bumper year for publish DC Thomson
DC Thomson, publisher of the P&J, The Sunday Post and The Courier, has seen subscriptions to its regional news titles surpass 50,000.
New insurance services and a 13.6% uptick in advertising helped total group revenue rise 19.8% to £184million, from £154milion in the previous year.
Pre-tax profit came in at £31million, while the total group assets from the investment portfolio were slightly down at £1.14billion.
Chairman Christopher Thomson said: “These results demonstrate the resilience and adaptability of our business in a rapidly changing market. We are investing in data, technology and talent to ensure our purpose driven brands remain trusted and relevant for generations to come.”
US discussing options to acquire Greenland, including use of military, says White House
US President Donald Trump has been discussing "a range of options" to acquire Greenland, including use of the military, the White House said.
The White House told the BBC that acquiring Greenland - a semi-autonomous region of fellow Nato member Denmark – was a "national security priority".
The statement came hours after European leaders issued a joint statement rallying behind Denmark, which has been pushing back against Trump's ambitions for the Arctic island.
Aberdeen cafe Milkjug closes as boss ‘sells it to new owner’
Aberdeen cafe Milkjug has been closed, though the boss says it has been sold to a new owner with plans to bring it back to life as a coffee shop.
The family-owned cafe at 30 Upperkirkgate opened in August 2023. It sold breakfasts, brunches and a range of baked goods.
Milkjug closed its doors on December 29. The sign above the door has since been removed with heavy curtains covering the windows.
MSPs to get £3,000 pay increase next year
MSPs are to get a pay rise of more than £3,000 from April, the Scottish Parliament has confirmed.
The 4.3% increase will mean salaries increase from £74,507 to £77,710.
The hike was calculated using Office for National Statistics average weekly earnings index for September.
Next raises profit forecast to £1.15bn after bumper Christmas sales
Fashion retail chain Next has raised its profit forecast after reporting stronger-than-expected sales over the key Christmas period.
However, the retailer warned that UK sales were unlikely to grow as quickly this year, partly due to rising unemployment which is set to weigh on consumer spending.
Next said full price sales in the nine weeks to 27 December were up 10.6% compared with a year earlier, which was a bigger rise than it had predicted.
Accenture buys British AI start-up in $1bn deal
Accenture has agreed to acquire Faculty, the artificial intelligence company, in a deal valuing the UK start-up at more than $1billion, as the international consultancy firm seeks to establish itself as a leader in the technology.
The New York-listed consultancy firm said the acquisition would help expand its AI offering during a time of disruption to the consulting industry, with Marc Warner, chief executive of Faculty, taking on the role of chief technology officer for Accenture.
The takeover is the largest-ever acquisition of a privately held UK AI start-up, according to Dealroom, the data provider.