Thursday newspaper round-up: Npower, Gold prices, GSK

Npower Chief, Paul Massara, has lashed out at British Gas' plans to offer free power on Saturdays, calling it a "gimmick" as he increased the standing charge for 2.0m of his own electricity customers, The Telegraph reported. Gold mining companies are working to cut costs and are preparing for a crisis as the falling price of previous metals affect profits, The Times said.GlaxoSmithKline has launched a $50m venture capital fund to invest in companies that pioneer new medical technologies such as using electronic implants to treat range of diseases from arthritis and asthma to diabetes and high blood pressure, the Financial Times revealed. Vodafone has laid out its plans for the future of mobile internet, following in BT's footsteps by using top-flight football to lure customers to the 4G network it will launch at the end of August, according to The Guardian. Customers will pay £5.0 a month more for access to live coverage of more than 100 Premier League games and the Spotify service.Old Mutual has seen inflows of £250m into its flagship UK Alpha Fund since star manager Richard Buxton joined the company in June, The Independent noted. Groupon has appointed Eric Lefkofsky as its new Chief Executive, promoting him from interim Co-Chief Executive, five months after getting rid of controversial founder, Andrew Mason, the Financial Times reported.The government will be spending taxpayers' cash for an advertising blitz promoting the sell-off the Royal Mail, The Mirror revealed. RD