Feb 19 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
The Times
UK's Keir Starmer is blocking a request by U.S. President Trump to allow American planes to use British bases to attack Iran.
In his annual letter to Pershing Square PSHP.L shareholders, Bill Ackman said tech giants should be applauded and their ambitious plans would spur increases in valuations of the 'Magnificent Seven,' in which he has built stakes.
The Guardian
Ed Miliband is under pressure to suspend subsidies worth 2 million pounds ($2.69 million) a day paid to the owner of the Drax DRX.L power plant in North Yorkshire after court documents cast doubt on the company's sustainability claims.
Accenture ACN.N has reportedly started tracking staff use of its AI tools and will take this into consideration when deciding on top promotions.
The Telegraph
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has given permission for Daily Mail owner Rothermere to take a crucial step towards his planned 500 million pound ($672.10 million) takeover of The Telegraph
Airbus AIR.PA top boss Guillaume Faury called for European unity on defence as he suggested that a Franco-German fighter jet pact was at risk of collapse.
Sky News
Blastr, which is privately owned, is among a small number of parties which remain in talks with the Official Receiver about a deal to buy Speciality Steels UK.
OakNorth, the British challenger bank backed by Jared Kushner, will announce the appointment of Virgin Money executive Gergely Zaborszky as its next finance chief.
The Independent
British Gas owner Centrica CNA.L has revealed its boss landed 3.6 million pounds ($4.84 million) in bonuses and share awards last year despite seeing earnings nearly halve.
($1 = 0.7439 pounds)
(Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)
((globalnewsmonitoring@thomsonreuters.com))