More retailers report this week, amid signs of solid online holiday spending

Donald Trump's push for a new oil boom faces resistance from Wall Street, with shale executives warning that US oil output in his second term will only rise slightly, due to investor pressure and economic factors. Despite Trump's efforts to boost production and lower prices, shale companies are hesitant to ramp up drilling, citing profitability concerns and the depletion of prime drilling locations. The industry's caution is driven by past volatility and current price pressures,...

In January, layoffs at CNN, Citigroup, and Microsoft were reported, with Stripe also cutting 300 roles this week. Unlike traditional notices, Stripe employees were notified with an illustration of a cartoon duck, causing confusion and incorrect dates on termination notices. Despite the gaffe, Stripe plans to continue hiring and increase its workforce by 17% this year to 10,000 employees. Full Article

A new study published in NEJM Evidence suggests that ulipristal acetate, the active ingredient in the contraceptive Ella, could be a potential substitute for the abortion pill mifepristone. The study involved 133 women who took a higher dose of ulipristal acetate followed by misoprostol, resulting in a 97 percent completion rate for terminating pregnancies. The findings have raised concerns about blurring the line between emergency contraception and abortion, potentially impacting the politics surrounding reproductive health....

Two major technology trends driving the demand for key metals and minerals are the rise of "clean tech" and AI, with electric vehicles requiring large quantities of lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, graphite, and copper. Geopolitical tensions and "resource nationalism" may lead to a potential "supercycle" in the metals market. Companies developing sustainable batteries and AI technologies, as well as those involved in mining, recycling, and producing mining equipment, stand to benefit from the increasing demand...

J Sainsbury is cutting 3,000 jobs following a rise in employers' taxes in the UK Budget, with 20% of senior management roles expected to be axed. The move is part of a £1bn cost-cutting plan over three years and aims to streamline decision-making and drive performance, as retailers face increasing costs and taxes. The changes at Sainsbury's come amidst a challenging cost environment and a £140mn hit to its tax bill, prompting necessary steps to...

President Trump initially delayed imposing new tariffs, bringing relief to business executives, but later announced plans for tariffs on Canadian, Mexican, and Chinese products, citing immigration and drug concerns. The potential tariffs on the US's largest trading partners could disrupt global supply chains and diplomatic relationships, affecting millions of American jobs. While stock markets remained unaffected, Canada, Mexico, and China are preparing retaliatory tariffs, with efforts to address Trump's concerns underway to prevent the tariffs...