May and EU agree to reopen talks, BA told 'do better' over maternity pay, and more top news

The news professionals are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments.

Theresa May and EU leaders have agreed to reopen negotiations immediately in a bid to break the Brexit deadlock. Following “robust but constructive talks,” the Prime Minister and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker agreed to restart negotiations at an official level, and review the progress “before the end of February”. The Prime Minister is scheduled to update parliament on 13th February.

British Airways has been told it must “do better” after it emerged that the airline offers just six weeks’ maternity pay to its staff. BA, which employs around 300 female pilots, has launched a recruitment drive to attract more women. But the British Airline Pilots' Association said the current level of maternity pay across the sector, often an 80-90% pay cut, was an obstacle. Rival easyjet offers staff six weeks' maternity leave at 90% and then 12 weeks at 50%. From July Virgin Atlantic will offer 100% pay for 12 weeks.

Instagram will ban graphic images of self-harm from its platform, following pressure on social media companies to better protect users from harmful content. Head of Instagram Adam Mosserin announced the policy changes in a blog on Thursday, admitting the company needs “to do more”. Earlier this week, digital minister Margot James suggested social media bosses could face arrest if they fail to remove content that is harmful to children or vulnerable people.

Also...Twitter has made its first annual profit in its 13-year history. The firm said it would no longer share monthly active user numbers after reporting a 9 million fall in the final three months of 2018.

The Bank of England has warned the UK is heading for its weakest year since the global financial crisis. In its latest quarterly health check, the Bank of England slashed its economic growth forecast for 2019 from 1.7% to 1.2%. The central bank sees a one in four chance the UK will dip into recession this year. BOE governor Mark Carney said the "fog of Brexit" had created “tensions” for businesses, households and financial markets.

One of the UK’s last operating coal power stations will close this year due to rising costs. EDF Energy’s Cottam plant in Nottinghamshire will cease operations on 30th September, resulting in the loss of more than 150 jobs. EDF Energy, which will still have one coal power station at nearby West Burton, said the Cottam plant was no longer economically viable. In October, the government said it was on track to take coal power off the grid ahead of the 2025 deadline.

Idea of the Day: The key to overcoming adversity is to never give up, says Operation HOPE CEO John Hope Bryant.

“Being relentless is like water cascading over the edge of a waterfall — consistent, powerful and by design, never ending.”

What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

— Natalie MacDonald