Friday newspaper round-up: Amazon, Wimbledon, EY

(Sharecast News) - Profits almost tripled at Amazon in the latest quarter as consumers continued to spend heavily despite the sharp rise in interest rates. The world's largest retailer forecast that sales would continue to rise at a robust pace for the rest of the year. Growth had been knocked by surging prices and customers returning to bricks-and-mortar stores. - Guardian Controversial plans to expand the All England Club's grounds, which host the Wimbledon championships, have been approved by local council leaders. Merton council's development and planning application committee voted on Thursday night to approve the application to expand the tennis complex. - Guardian

Michael Gove has told councils to ditch four-day working weeks or face financial penalties. The department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC), led by Mr Gove, issued new guidance on Thursday criticising shorter working weeks that fail to deliver "value for money" for taxpayers. It said councils choosing to ignore the advice were now "on notice", saying the policy of allowing four-day weeks on full pay should be axed "immediately". - Telegraph

EY's army of auditors and consultants in Britain generated more fees than ever over the past year, despite the distraction of its failed break-up plan. The Big Four firm's UK revenues climbed by 16 per cent to £3.76 billion in the year to the end of June, surpassing its previous record of £3.23 billion in 2022. Pre-tax profits rose to £659 million, up 4 per cent from £634 million last time around. - The Times

Sir Paul Marshall will seek to emulate the business model of The New York Times with a significant expansion of the Telegraph in the United States if he prevails in the bidding war for the British newspaper group. The hedge fund tycoon is drawing up plans to target a market of about 100 million centre-right American voters with a substantial investment in the Telegraph's overseas operations. - The Times