Jeff Bezos aims to raise $100 billion for AI fund
Jeff Bezos is seeking to raise $100 billion for a new fund aimed at acquiring manufacturing firms and integrating artificial intelligence into their operations, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. This initiative is linked to his AI startup, Project Prometheus, where he serves as co-CEO, and is focused on modernizing sectors such as aerospace and chipmaking. Bezos has recently met with leaders of sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East and traveled to Singapore to advance his fundraising efforts.
Japan to Invest $109 Billion in US Energy Projects
Japan has announced a total of $109 billion in planned financing and investment in the United States, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with President Donald J. Trump at the White House to strengthen the U.S.-Japan Alliance. This includes a second tranche of investments, with up to $40 billion from GE Vernova Hitachi for small modular reactor power plants in Tennessee and Alabama, and $33 billion for natural gas generation facilities in Pennsylvania and Texas. The two nations will also enhance cooperation on investment security and critical minerals.
HSBC plans to cut 20,000 jobs in restructuring
HSBC is considering cutting up to 20,000 jobs, or approximately 10% of its workforce, as part of a medium-term restructuring strategy aimed at increasing automation and integrating AI into its operations, according to Bloomberg News. The potential reductions, which could span three to five years, are expected to primarily affect non-client-facing roles in global service centers, particularly in Asia, as the bank seeks to simplify operations and reduce costs. HSBC employed around 210,000 full-time equivalent staff at the end of December 2025.
European Shares Hit Three-Month Low Amid Inflation Risks
European shares fell to a three-month low as the European Central Bank (ECB) held interest rates steady at 2% amid rising inflation risks linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The escalation of hostilities, including Israel's attacks on Iran's South Pars gas field and subsequent Iranian retaliation, has driven Brent crude prices to $115 a barrel and caused a 25% surge in Europe's natural gas prices. Central banks, including the Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve, are closely monitoring the situation as they face increased pressure to adjust monetary policy in response to the crisis.
FTSE 100 Drops Below 10,000 Amid Energy Concerns
The FTSE 100 fell 2.7 percent to 10,002.30 points, dipping below the 10,000 mark amid concerns that the ongoing war in the Middle East could disrupt energy production. Shares in major banks, including Natwest and Lloyds, experienced significant declines, with Natwest dropping over eight percent, resulting in a market value loss of more than £3.5 billion. The downturn was exacerbated by rising oil prices, with Brent crude surpassing $110 per barrel, following Iranian attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure.
Nvidia to Supply AWS with 1 Million GPUs by 2027
Nvidia will supply Amazon Web Services (AWS) with 1 million graphics processing unit (GPU) chips by the end of 2027, as part of a broader agreement that includes various other Nvidia products. Ian Buck, Nvidia's vice president of hyperscale and high-performance computing, confirmed that sales will commence this year and extend through 2027, although the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The collaboration aims to enhance AWS's capabilities in AI inference, utilizing a combination of Nvidia's Groq chips and networking equipment.
Unilever in Talks to Sell Food Business to McCormick
Unilever Plc is in discussions to sell its food business, which includes brands like Hellmann’s and Marmite, to McCormick & Co., according to sources familiar with the matter. The potential deal, which could be finalized by the end of March, is expected to be structured as a Reverse Morris Trust, allowing for a tax-free transaction, and may value Unilever's food brands at tens of billions of dollars. This move aligns with Unilever's strategy to concentrate on its beauty and personal-care products.
Revolut Secures UK Banking Licence, Challenges Major Banks
Revolut has received its full UK banking licence, enabling it to accept deposits and intensifying competition with traditional banks Natwest and Lloyds. Analysts predict that this move could lead to a 'deposit war' that may erode the net interest income of the UK's largest lenders by nearly £400 million annually. With expectations of growing its deposit base to £40 billion over the next few years, Revolut's entry into the market is seen as a significant challenge to the incumbents, who currently control around 60% of the £2.5 trillion banking sector.
