Sunday newspaper round-up: Heathrow, Modella Capital, UK tax increases, Trump lawsuit, Binance, slot farms

(Sharecast News) - Richard Branson has criticised Heathrow's decision to separate Virgin Atlantic from partner Delta, calling the move "illjudged and shortsighted" and warning it could push fares up by as much as 20%, The Sunday Times reported. The airport plans to shift Delta from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4, a change Branson said would make it easier for passengers to switch to rivals such as British Airways. He argued the split would weaken Virgin and Delta's ability to compete, adding that strong competition at Heathrow supports lower fares, better connections and wider economic benefits.

Modella Capital, the privateequity owner of TG Jones and Flying Tiger Copenhagen, has been weighing a bid for British fashion brand Joseph, according to The Sunday Times. The 60yearold label, founded by Joseph Ettedgui and known for its 1990s heyday, appointed PwC to run a sale process earlier this year, with one round of bids already completed and the next due in midNovember. Joseph has been owned by Japan's Onward Kashiyama since 2005, but has struggled in recent years, posting turnover of £45m last year, down from £56m. Modella was said to be among several suitors circling the business.

Kemi Badenoch has accused chancellor John Healey of leaving a £49bn gap in the public finances that she says will force Labour into substantial tax rises, The Telegraph reported. Writing in the paper, the Conservative leader claimed Labour would need to raise taxes by £1,700 per household by 2030/31 to fund unfunded commitments, including an £11bn defence shortfall, up to £17bn for a National Care Service, £4bn for councilhouse building and additional departmental spending to avoid realterms cuts. Badenoch said "the worst is yet to come", arguing Labour would have to raise taxes further to meet its promises.

A US federal judge has dismissed Donald Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over its reporting on an alleged birthday message to Jeffrey Epstein, The Telegraph reported. Judge Darrin Gayles ruled that Trump had again failed to demonstrate actual malice, throwing out the case with prejudice after previously allowing him to amend the claim. Gayles said the allegations were "conclusory, vague, sometimes inconsistent" and lacked merit. Trump's legal team said he would appeal, insisting he would continue to challenge what he calls "Fake News and smears".

Binance has replaced around 90% of the $6.3bn stolen in a record hack attributed by the FBI to North Koreabacked group TraderTraitor, The Guardian reported. The remaining 10% consists of less liquid tokens that will take longer to buy, though coCEO Richard Teng said Binance was committed to covering the balance so users would not bear losses. Withdrawals, suspended after the attack, have begun reopening in phases. The FBI confirmed TraderTraitor's involvement, linking it to the Lazarus Group, known for the 2014 Sony Pictures hack.

Hundreds of highstreet "slot farms" could continue receiving business rates discounts intended for leisure venues unless the government closes a loophole allowing them to operate under bingo licences, The Guardian reported. Chancellor John Healey raised duty on slotmachine takings and said adult gaming centres and vape shops would lose access to hospitality sector rate relief. However, analysis suggests many venues owned by Merkur and Admiral may still qualify because they hold bingo licences despite offering mainly slot machines. Andy Burnham has publicly backed the crackdown as part of his high street agenda.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com