Russian and Syrian warplanes seek to blunt rebel advance from Aleppo

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,...

Last year, wages outpaced house price growth, leading to a slight improvement in affordability for buyers in the UK, with first-time buyers still paying five times their annual salary for a property. Despite a decrease in mortgage rates, high borrowing costs remain a barrier to home ownership, with the average mortgage rates exceeding 5%. Data shows that 40% of first-time buyers received help with a deposit, mainly from family or friends, due to rising rents....

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...