Former Trump advisor Gary Cohn, now a top tech executive at IBM, stated Greenland will remain independent, despite past interest from the former president. Cohn highlighted bipartisan consensus in the U.S. and suggested potential resource extraction agreements for Greenland's rare earth minerals as a more viable path than acquisition, given increasing strategic importance of the Arctic.
Leon's boss, John Vincent, sees the rising popularity of weight loss jabs as a potential opportunity for the fast-food chain, which is undergoing restructuring after appointing administrators last month. Vincent believes Leon's existing menu of low-sugar, protein-rich dishes aligns with the dietary needs of individuals using these medications, potentially boosting the company's revenue as it aims to revive its 71 restaurants and expand into travel hubs after closing 20 high street locations. The company employs 1,000 people.
Multiple sources report that Jan Philipp Burgard, top editor at Axel Springer's Welt, resigned following an internal investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior at a company event after a media inquiry. Burgard, who couldn't recall specifics due to alcohol consumption, is being replaced by Helge Fuhst, a top editor from German public broadcaster Ard.
Leon's boss, John Vincent, sees the rising popularity of weight loss jabs as a potential opportunity for the fast-food chain, which recently underwent restructuring involving administrators and the closure of 20 of its 71 restaurants. Vincent believes Leon's focus on low-sugar, high-protein dishes aligns with the dietary needs of individuals using these medications, potentially driving revenue as the company expands into locations like service stations and airports. The company employs 1,000 people.
Gold and silver prices surged to record highs, with gold reaching $4,689.39 per ounce and silver hitting $94.08, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid escalating geopolitical tensions. President Trump's threat of tariffs on eight European countries, potentially reaching 25% and impacting $93 billion in EU-US trade, triggered market uncertainty and fueled the precious metals rally, building on gold's 60% increase last year. European stock markets declined as a result of the tariff news.
Leon's boss, John Vincent, sees the rising popularity of weight loss jabs as a potential opportunity for the fast-food chain, believing their existing menu aligns with the dietary needs of individuals using these medications. This strategic outlook comes as Leon, which employs 1,000 people across 71 restaurants, undergoes a restructuring after Vincent's repurchase from Asda and subsequent appointment of administrators, including plans to close 20 high street locations and expand into travel hubs.
Axel Springer's top editor at Welt, Jan Philipp Burgard, was ousted following an internal investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior at a company event. The investigation, triggered by a media inquiry, led to Burgard's resignation, impacting the leadership structure of the German media giant's center-right publication. Burgard is being replaced by Helge Fuhst, a top editor at the German public broadcaster.
Dow Jones futures plummeted 401 points (0.81%) following President Trump's announcement of tariffs ranging from 10% to 25% on several European nations starting February 1st, escalating trade tensions and impacting global markets. The move, ostensibly linked to Greenland negotiations, has raised concerns about the transatlantic alliance and Ukraine's defense, though some analysts view it as a negotiating tactic. The dollar weakened as investors questioned the safe-haven status of U.S. assets.
The White House's newly announced Gaza "Board of Peace" faces scrutiny due to its lack of Palestinian representation on the executive boards overseeing investment, diplomacy, and on-the-ground operations. The "founding Executive Board" includes prominent figures like Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff, alongside World Bank President Ajay Banga, raising concerns about the initiative's perceived colonial approach and potential market impact in the region.
Dow futures plunged 401 points (0.81%) amid President Trump's announcement of tariffs on several European nations, escalating trade war concerns and shaking investor confidence in U.S. assets, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures also declining 0.91% and 1.13% respectively. Analysts speculate this move is a negotiating tactic, but the tariffs, set to begin at 10% and rise to 25%, could significantly impact transatlantic relations and global markets.
China's economy grew by 5% in 2025, meeting its official target despite a slowdown to 4.5% in Q4, driven by a record trade surplus amid struggles in domestic spending and a property crisis. However, analysts like Capital Economics suggest the actual growth may be overstated by at least 1.5 percentage points, contrasting with weak investment and consumer spending, while the country also reported a record low of 7.9 million births.
Leon's boss, John Vincent, sees the rising popularity of weight loss jabs as a business opportunity for the fast-food chain, believing their existing menu aligns with the dietary needs of those using the drugs. This comes as Leon, which employs 1,000 people across 71 restaurants, undergoes restructuring after appointing administrators and closing 20 High Street locations, with plans to expand in travel hubs. Vincent aims to revive the company by focusing on providing protein-rich, low-sugar options that cater to the evolving consumer market influenced by weight loss medications.
WestJet is reversing its decision to install non-reclining economy seats with a reduced 28-inch seat pitch after facing customer backlash over cramped legroom. The airline, aiming to maintain competitive fares, had sought to add an extra row of seating but will now revert to its previous configuration. This move highlights the challenges airlines face in balancing cost-cutting measures with passenger comfort and brand reputation.
Amidst widespread water outages affecting up to 30,000 South East Water customers, the UK Environment Secretary has publicly criticized the potential doubling of CEO David Hinton's bonus, citing the company's poor performance and ongoing regulatory investigations, according to multiple news sources. This situation has intensified scrutiny of executive compensation in essential services, raising concerns about accountability and the alignment of incentives with public welfare.
Asus Chairman Jonney Shih announced the company will halt smartphone production, including the Zenfone and ROG Phone lines, to concentrate on AI-driven products like robots and smart glasses. This decision comes as Asus acknowledges its limited market share in the competitive mobile phone sector, despite the ROG Phone's presence in the gaming niche. The company will adopt a "wait-and-see" approach regarding future mobile devices, signaling a strategic shift away from a market where it struggled to compete with industry leaders.
China's housing market crash, marked by plummeting home sales and prices, is significantly impacting economic growth, despite a record $1.19 trillion trade surplus in 2025. The real estate downturn is curbing household spending and straining local government finances, offsetting gains from robust exports. While official statistics report a steady 5% GDP growth for the year, the underlying weakness in the property sector poses a considerable challenge to China's economic stability.
A new study from UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, as reported across multiple news outlets, reveals that the global cost of greenhouse gas emissions is nearly double previous estimates due to the inclusion of ocean damage. Factoring in losses to coral reefs, fisheries, and coastal infrastructure adds an estimated $2 trillion annually to the social cost of carbon, significantly impacting climate finance and economic decision-making.
UK consumer confidence, as measured by the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer, remains a key indicator of the nation's economic health and future political direction. This long-running survey, tracking consumer optimism versus pessimism, provides insights into spending habits and overall economic sentiment, crucial for policymakers navigating a landscape of neither boom nor bust. The metric, which has been tracked for five decades, is calculated by subtracting the pessimism score from the optimism score.
UK consumer confidence, as measured by the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer, is a key indicator of the nation's economic health and future political direction. This long-running survey, tracking consumer sentiment on personal finances and economic prospects, provides a net confidence score (optimism minus pessimism) that has historically correlated with economic performance and electoral outcomes. Monitoring this metric offers insights into the UK's current economic state, which is currently characterized by neither significant growth nor decline.
A new study from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography reveals the global cost of greenhouse gas emissions is nearly double previous estimates after including ocean damage. Factoring in losses to coral reefs, fisheries, and coastal infrastructure adds nearly $2 trillion annually to the social cost of carbon, significantly impacting climate finance and economic decision-making. This revised assessment highlights the critical economic role of oceans in climate change calculations.
