Business

Following the US drone strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, Iran retaliated by firing over 12 ballistic missiles at American airbases in Iraq. The incident triggered a significant rise in crude oil prices, reaching $65.65 per barrel, amid growing concerns about potential disruptions in Middle East oil supplies.

London-based foreign exchange company Travelex was hit by a ransomware attack on New Year's Eve, forcing global system shutdowns. Cybercriminals demanded $3-6m ransom, threatening to sell client data. Major business partners like HSBC, Asda, and Virgin Money were affected, leaving customers unable to access funds.

Hyundai Motor Company is collaborating with Uber Elevate to produce electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL). These four-passenger flying taxis aim to transform urban mobility, offering a 15-minute journey for a 50-mile trip, significantly reducing travel time compared to traditional ground transportation.

Toyota Motor Corporation is transforming a 175-acre former car factory into the "Woven City," a cutting-edge urban laboratory powered by hydrogen fuel cells. CEO Akio Toyoda envisions a future community of 2,000 residents, featuring three distinct road types and advanced autonomous vehicle technology at the base of Mount Fuji.

US-Iran tensions have sparked market volatility as stocks fall and oil prices surge. Following a US drone strike that killed top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, fears of potential military escalation are driving market uncertainty. Crude oil prices responded quickly, with markets on edge awaiting potential retaliatory actions.

Lord Berkeley claims HS2 project costs could exceed £108bn, far beyond the official £88bn budget. Government rejects these allegations, backed by support from northern business and political leaders who see the project as crucial infrastructure development.

Customers of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks are experiencing significant disruption as salary payments are delayed. Many account holders, including parents like Libby Horbury, report no funds entering their accounts after Christmas, raising concerns about financial stability and bank responsiveness.

After being removed from app stores due to spying accusations, the Emirati messaging app Totok has been reinstated on the Google Play Store. The app, which offers free international calls and text messaging, was previously reported by The New York Times to potentially be a surveillance tool for the UAE government.

Amazon employees claim they were warned about speaking out on environmental issues. Climate activists within the company request zero emissions by 2030 and demand the company limit fossil fuel collaborations and stop supporting anti-environment politicians.- EXCERPT: Summarizes the main points within 100 words, focusing on the core issue and employee demands

China's Ant Financial, the world's highest-valued FinTech company, has applied for a digital wholesale banking license in Singapore. This move follows similar bids by Grab and Razer, as Singapore offers five virtual licenses to encourage banking innovation and create new digital lenders in the global financial center.