Core Viewpoint - Tesla is shifting its focus from electric vehicle production to robotics, announcing the discontinuation of the Model S and Model X to allocate resources for manufacturing Optimus robots, following its first annual revenue decline [1]. Group 1: Production Changes - Tesla will cease production of the older Model S and Model X vehicles to repurpose factory space for its Optimus robots [1]. - The company is facing challenges in its transition to self-driving cars and robotics, with plans for Cybercabs (robotaxis) hindered by capacity issues and regulatory hurdles [3]. Group 2: Financial Investments - Tesla's investment is set to more than double to $20 billion this year, with $2 billion allocated to its artificial intelligence division, xAI [2]. - The increased spending aims to fulfill promises made by CEO Elon Musk regarding the company's transition towards advanced technologies [3]. Group 3: Market Position and Competition - Tesla is exploring new revenue streams as competition in the electric vehicle market intensifies, particularly with BYD surpassing Tesla to become the world's largest EV manufacturer [5]. - The company has experienced revenue and profit declines due to backlash against Musk's cost-cutting measures and competitive pricing from rivals [5][6]. Group 4: Stock Performance and Investor Sentiment - Tesla shares rose by 2% in after-hours trading, reflecting cautious gains attributed to AI-driven turnaround plans [11]. - There are concerns among investors regarding Musk's ability to manage multiple ventures, including a potential public offering for SpaceX [11].

The Federal Reserve has voted to keep interest rates the same - despite pressure from Donald Trump to make a cut.The US central bank said on Wednesday that it will keep its key lending rate between 3.5% to 3.75%, claiming that economic activity has been "expanding at a solid pace". It comes after the Fed cut rates three times last year amid growing pressure from the White House to lower borrowing costs and make it easier for people to get mortgages and other loans.In a statement, the Fed said that "job gain ...

Core Viewpoint - Meta is introducing a subscription model for Facebook and Instagram, allowing users to pay £3.99 per month to remove personalized ads, or continue using the platforms for free with ads [1][6][13] Pricing Structure - The subscription fee for the app version is £3.99 per month, while the web version costs £2.99 per month. Additional accounts incur a charge of £2 per month for web and £3 for app [6] - The higher app fee is attributed to fees imposed by Apple and Google [6] Target Audience - Notifications regarding the subscription are being sent to UK users over the age of 18, prompting them to consider the ad-free option upon logging into their accounts [9] User Options - Users who opt not to subscribe will continue to see personalized ads but can adjust their ad preferences in the settings [12] - Meta emphasizes that it does not sell personal data to advertisers [12] Reason for Subscription Introduction - The subscription model follows guidance from the UK's Information Commissioner's Office regarding ad-free options, aiming to provide users with a choice about data usage for personalized advertising [13] - This model, referred to as "consent or pay," allows digital platforms to generate revenue from users who choose not to be tracked [14]

Core Viewpoint - Amazon plans to cut approximately 16,000 jobs globally to streamline operations and reduce bureaucracy within the company [1][2] Group 1 - The job reductions will impact around 16,000 roles across Amazon [2] - The company is making efforts to support employees whose roles are affected by the cuts [2] - The announcement was communicated by Beth Galetti, senior vice president of people experience and technology [1]

There's a sense of crisis hanging over the US dollar - and it has consequences for all of us.Its roots can be traced back to last year when its value against a basket of other international currencies, including the pound, fell by 9%. We've seen that extend by more than 2% in January to date. Earlier on Tuesday, the pound was at its highest level against the dollar since July 2021.Money latest: The boom of chicken shops in UK Subscribe to our Money newsletter First name Last name Email What's behind ...

Core Viewpoint - Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if Canada proceeds with its trade deal with China, which includes lowering tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for reduced import taxes on Canadian agricultural products [1][3]. Group 1: Trade Relations - Canada has negotiated a trade agreement with China that aims to lower tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles while seeking lower import taxes on Canadian farm products [1]. - Trump expressed that if Canada acts as a "Drop Off Port" for Chinese goods, it would face severe consequences, including a 100% tariff on all Canadian goods entering the U.S. [2][3]. - The Canada-US-Mexico Agreement has provided Canada with some protection against existing tariffs, but this agreement is due for review this year [4]. Group 2: Political Dynamics - The relationship between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has deteriorated, with Trump referring to Carney as "Governor Carney," a nickname he previously used for Justin Trudeau [3]. - Carney has called for a new alliance to counter American and Chinese aggression during a speech at Davos, while Trump emphasized the importance of the U.S. to Canada's existence [7]. - Trump's revocation of Carney's invitation to join his "Board of Peace" reflects the ongoing tensions and shifting political dynamics between the two leaders [10].

Group 1 - The US and China have reached an agreement for TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, to transfer the American division to investors associated with Donald Trump, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX [1][2] - The deal allows TikTok to continue its operations in the US, following a series of deadline extensions set by the Trump administration [2] - ByteDance will maintain a 19.9% stake in the US operations, while Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX will each hold a 15% stake, with Adam Presser as the joint venture's chief [3] Group 2 - The agreement resolves years of uncertainty regarding TikTok's future in the US, particularly after a law was enacted in 2024 mandating the sale of TikTok's US operations or facing a ban [3] - Concerns from US politicians about potential data sharing with the Chinese government have been a significant factor in the negotiations, despite ByteDance's denials [4][8] - TikTok has over 150 million active users in the US, making Americans its largest user base, which has influenced the decision to allow the platform to continue operating [6]

Donald Trump has filed a $5bn (£3.7bn) lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase (JPMC), accusing it of debanking him and his business empire after his first term in the White House ended.The US president claims America's largest bank by assets and its chief executive Jamie Dimon closed a number of personal and business accounts in February 2021, with 60 days' notice, for political reasons. The bank has denied this was the case.Money latest: Is era of high savings rates over? Mr Trump argues that he and his business i ...

Six out of nine US Supreme Court justices have indicated support for keeping a central bank interest rate-setter in her job, in defiance of the Donald Trump administration. The White House moved last year to remove Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve's board, from her role, claiming she had committed mortgage fraud - a claim she has strongly denied and that has resulted in no criminal charges. Financial markets and political commentators widely saw the move as part of the US president's efforts to fo ...

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing public feud between Elon Musk and Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has led to Musk suggesting he could buy Ryanair, while Ryanair has responded with a promotional seat sale targeting Musk and his followers [1][10]. Group 1: Background of the Feud - The conflict began when O'Leary rejected the idea of equipping Ryanair jets with Musk's Starlink satellite internet service, citing that passengers on short-haul flights would not be willing to pay for it [3][4]. - O'Leary estimated that implementing Starlink would cost Ryanair approximately €200-250 million annually and increase fuel costs by 1-2% due to the required aerials, which would affect aircraft aerodynamics [4]. Group 2: Responses and Promotions - In response to Musk's comments, Ryanair's social media account has mocked Musk, leading to further exchanges between the two [5][10]. - Ryanair launched a "great idiots seat sale," offering 100,000 one-way tickets for £16.99 for flights from January to April, leveraging the publicity from the feud [13]. Group 3: Potential for Acquisition - Musk's suggestion to buy Ryanair was met with a positive response from his followers, with 76.5% supporting the idea, although it is viewed more as a provocative statement than a serious intent [15]. - Ryanair's market capitalization is approximately €30.4 billion (£26.5 billion), and under EU law, non-EU citizens cannot acquire majority ownership of EU-based airlines, although O'Leary indicated that Musk could invest in shares [17].