If you find this podcast useful please give it a rating and review on iTunes by clicking here
5 Things You Need To Know, Today, on Thursday 23rd March 2023
5. The deadline for bids on Manchester United has been extended as the top two contenders prepare to submit their offers.
Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad and rival bidder, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, had both submitted requests for more time to fine-tune their submissions ahead of the original deadline. Current owners the Glazer family are believed to have valued the club at £6bn.
4. Embattled Chinese property giant Evergrande has announced plans for restructuring around $20bn (£16.2bn) in offshore debt, which could be seen as a model for other struggling developers.
The firm said the measures will help "efforts to resume operations and resolve issues on shore". Evergrande has more than $300bn in liabilities and defaulted on its debts in late 2021.
3. The US central bank has raised interest rates again, despite fears that the move could add to financial turmoil after a string of bank failures.
The Federal Reserve increased its key rate by 0.25 percentage points, calling the banking system "sound and resilient".
2. Planned rail strikes in March and April have been called off.
RMT union members, including train guards, who work at 14 train companies were set to walk out on 30 March and 1 April but the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) - which represents train companies - said it was now focused on "working constructively towards a settlement to this dispute."
1. The Bank of England is expected to increase interest rates for an 11th consecutive time following a surprise jump in the rate of CPI inflation data, to 10.4% for the year to February.
Analysts think an increase in the Bank rate from 4% to 4.25% is the most likely outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting at midday today.