Digital wallets and Big Tech put under the spotlight by regulators

PayPal cofounder Max Levchin, now CEO of Affirm, shared his experience of handling layoffs with empathy, admitting to initially avoiding responsibility but later realizing the importance of being present and supportive for affected employees. Levchin believes that helping laid-off employees pack their boxes was beneficial for everyone involved and emphasized the importance of trying to avoid layoffs in the first place. His approach highlights the significance of leadership showing empathy and support during difficult times....

The Labor Department's latest monthly report on hiring and unemployment will include revisions for previous months, providing a more accurate picture of the U.S. job market but potentially causing confusion due to differing data sources and methodologies. The revisions are part of an annual process to reconcile survey data with more reliable sources, with recent job growth expected to be revised down, making the job gains during the Biden administration appear weaker. Additionally, the revisions...

In 2020, Uber shifted its focus to autonomous vehicles, partnering with companies like Waymo to offer rider access to robot taxis through the Uber app in cities like Phoenix and Austin. Despite competition from other autonomous vehicle companies, such as Tesla, Uber's revenue and gross bookings exceeded expectations in the most recent quarter. The company's future success hinges on its ability to navigate the rapidly evolving driverless taxi market and maintain its position as a...

Despite frigid conditions in much of the United States, January 2025 was the warmest on record globally, surprising climate researchers during La Niña conditions. Scientists are investigating whether other factors besides carbon emissions are contributing to the planet's ongoing warmth. Reductions in air pollution may be accelerating global warming, as sulfate particles that once shielded Earth from the sun are diminishing. James Hansen warned that the U.N.'s climate goals are now "impossible" without significant changes...

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. Sir Keir Starmer announces changes to the planning system to speed up delivery of new nuclear power stations in the UK, aiming to introduce small modular reactors and give developers more flexibility in site selection. The government's nuclear projects, including Hinkley Point C and plans for Sizewell and Wylfa, are facing delays and budget overruns, while ministers are overseeing a competition...

Americans, especially young entrepreneurs, are embracing side hustles to earn extra income, with 44% of millennials and 48% of Gen Z already involved. Surprisingly, Gen Alpha, aged 1-14, are also joining the trend, with 69% planning or starting side hustles for financial security, according to Acorns' report. Parents play a role in shaping their children's financial habits, with 63% of kids hearing about money often and learning important money management skills from a young age....