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Over 60 CEOs of major Minnesota-based companies, including leaders from UnitedHealth, Target, 3M, and Cargill, issued a letter calling for 'immediate deescalation of tensions' after federal immigration agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and ICU nurse, in Minneapolis. The incident marks the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal authorities in Minnesota this month amid escalating tensions between state officials and the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

• Pretti is the second U.S. citizen killed by federal immigration agents in Minnesota this month, following the earlier shooting death of Renee Nicole Good
• The Trump administration has surged federal law enforcement to Minnesota as part of its immigration crackdown and to pursue allegations of widespread welfare fraud in the state
• Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has repeatedly called for federal law enforcement withdrawal, while the Trump administration has resisted and blamed state leadership for not cooperating with enforcement efforts

India has agreed to cut import tariffs on cars from the European Union to 40% from as high as 110%, marking the biggest opening of India's protected auto market as part of a free trade deal expected to be announced Tuesday. The reduced tariff will apply to a limited number of combustion-engine vehicles priced above 15,000 euros, with further reductions to 10% over time. Electric vehicles will be excluded from tariff cuts for the first five years to protect domestic manufacturers.

• India will immediately slash tariffs to 40% for approximately 200,000 imported combustion-engine cars annually priced over 15,000 euros, eventually lowering to 10%, benefiting European automakers like Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Renault
• Battery electric vehicles will see no tariff reductions for five years to protect domestic investments by Mahindra and Tata Motors in India's nascent EV sector
• European automakers currently hold less than 4% of India's market, which is dominated by Suzuki and local brands with two-thirds share, but the market is projected to grow to 6 million units annually by 2030

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury warned employees that the company faces unprecedented geopolitical risks after suffering significant logistical and financial damage from U.S.-China trade tensions and protectionism in 2025. Despite these challenges, Faury reported 'good results' overall and emphasized the need for Airbus to achieve profitable growth through the late 2020s to prepare for developing an A320 successor in the 2030s.

• Trade tensions between the U.S. and China caused significant collateral damage, including U.S. tariffs on rare earths and restrictions on engine exports needed for Chinese C919 jets and Airbus planes assembled in China
• Supply chain issues persist with Pratt & Whitney and CFM engines continuing to arrive late, while Airbus faced a major recall in November and production halt due to flawed fuselage panels
• Faury emphasized that profitable growth in the second half of the 2020s is essential to fund development of an A320 successor entering service in the latter part of the 2030s, as Airbus and Boeing prepare for their next aircraft development competition

President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on all Canadian goods if Canada completes a trade deal with China, warning that China might use Canada as a 'drop off port' to avoid U.S. tariffs. This marks a reversal from Trump's position just a week earlier when he supported Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's negotiations with China.

• Canada and China reached a preliminary deal allowing up to 49,000 Chinese EVs into Canada at a 6.1% tariff rate, while China would lower tariffs on Canadian canola seed to approximately 15%
• Trump reversed his stance from January 16 when he told reporters that Carney 'should be doing' a China trade deal and called it 'a good thing'
• The threat follows Carney's speech at the World Economic Forum cautioning against economic coercion by superpowers and calling for 'middle powers' to band together

At the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, investor attention oscillated between optimism about AI moving into production and concern over geopolitical uncertainty. Trump's remarks about acquiring Greenland abruptly shifted conversations from technology to political risk, though Musk's presentation on Tesla's robotaxi vision temporarily refocused attention on AI. Investment leaders concluded that 2026 strategy will be 'conviction-driven' as geopolitics, rather than technology, emerges as the primary source of uncertainty.

• Elon Musk predicted Tesla's driverless robotaxis would be 'very, very widespread' in the U.S. by end of 2026 and that AI could surpass human intelligence in 2026
• Trump's insistence that the U.S. needed to acquire Greenland caused an immediate mood shift, with discussions pivoting from AI infrastructure to trade leverage and political risk
• Abu Dhabi's Mubadala deputy CEO described the investment environment as 'conviction-driven' amid a fragmenting world, while South Africa's finance minister identified geopolitical uncertainty as the top economic risk

Elon Musk's potential $1 trillion pay package exemplifies the dramatic rise in CEO compensation, which has climbed 1,094% over 50 years compared to just 26% for typical workers. The stock-heavy compensation structure, while defended as aligning CEO interests with shareholders, shows weak correlation with actual company performance according to research.

• Median S&P 500 CEO compensation reached an undisclosed amount in 2024, up nearly 10% from 2023, with CEOs now earning significantly more than average employees (ratio increased from 186:1 in 2023)
• Stock awards accounted for the largest portion of CEO pay in 2024 with median value up 15%, as boards shifted from stock options to stock awards tied to performance milestones
• A 2021 MSCI study found weak links between CEO pay and performance: average-performing CEOs earned only 4% less than top performers, while lowest-paid CEOs delivered strongest shareholder returns

Libya will sign a 25-year oil development agreement with TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips involving over $20 billion in foreign investment, aiming to boost production capacity by up to 850,000 barrels per day. The deal, signed through state-owned Waha Oil Company, is expected to generate net revenues exceeding $376 billion. This marks a significant effort to stabilize Libya's oil sector after a decade of disruptions following the country's 2011 uprising and subsequent political split.

• The agreement involves more than $20 billion in foreign-financed investment with expected net revenues surpassing $376 billion over the 25-year term
• Production capacity is targeted to increase by up to 850,000 barrels per day, a major boost for Libya as one of Africa's largest oil producers
• Libya will also sign additional agreements with Chevron and Egypt's oil ministry, strengthening international partnerships after years of output disruptions since the country split between rival authorities in 2014

Tesla has discontinued its basic Autopilot driver-assistance system in the US and Canada, pushing customers toward its more advanced Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology. The change comes as Tesla also announced it will end one-time $8,000 purchases of Full Self-Driving on February 14, making the feature available only through a $99 monthly subscription.

• Tesla removed Autopilot, its entry-level driver-assistance feature, forcing customers to upgrade to Full Self-Driving (Supervised) for automated driving capabilities
• The company is eliminating the $8,000 one-time purchase option for Full Self-Driving effective February 14, transitioning to a subscription-only model at $99 per month
• The moves represent a strategic shift to recurring revenue streams and standardization on Tesla's more advanced autonomous driving technology

French food maker Danone is recalling specific baby formula batches in targeted European markets due to potential contamination with cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea, vomiting, and in rare cases be fatal. The recall follows a broader contamination scare affecting major dairy companies including Nestle and Lactalis, with the toxin detected in an arachidonic acid oil ingredient manufactured in China.

• The recalled products were manufactured in Ireland and exported to EU countries, the UK, and third countries, though none were distributed within Ireland itself
• Nestle's related recall has already affected products in almost 70 countries, indicating the wide scope of this contamination issue
• French authorities are investigating the deaths of two infants who consumed baby formula products subject to precautionary recall earlier this month

Toyota announced a safety recall of approximately 162,000 vehicles in the United States due to a faulty multimedia display system. The recall affects certain 2024-2025 model year Toyota Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles, with the display potentially getting stuck on a camera view or showing a black screen, which may violate federal safety standards.

• The recall specifically targets 2024-2025 Toyota Tundra and Tundra Hybrid models totaling around 162,000 vehicles
• The multimedia display defect causes screens to freeze on camera views or display black images, potentially failing to meet federal safety requirements
• Toyota plans to notify affected customers by late March 2025 about the recall issue

Airbus is nearing a deal to sell approximately 100 A220 regional jets to AirAsia, with options for about 50 more aircraft, marking the budget carrier's first purchase of smaller narrowbody planes. The announcement could come within days as Asia's largest low-cost carrier pursues a turnaround following pandemic-related financial distress. AirAsia already has over 350 larger A320-family jets on order with Airbus.

• The deal would make AirAsia the first buyer for a potential high-density, 160-seat version of the A220, after discussions that began ahead of the 2025 Paris Airshow
• AirAsia's parent company Capital A was classified as financially distressed (PN17 status) by Malaysia's stock exchange following pandemic travel restrictions, though it has now finished its regularization plan
• AirAsia is considering ordering a further 150 jets for regional operations as it expands to new destinations, while consolidating aviation businesses under AirAsia X to reduce costs

Oilfield service company SLB announced it can rapidly expand operations in Venezuela following the U.S. ouster of President Nicolas Maduro in early January, pending proper licensing and compliance measures. SLB is currently the only international service company actively operating in Venezuela and met with the White House alongside other oil companies to discuss potential investments in the country.

• SLB CEO stated the company is 'already receiving a lot of inquiries from customers' but expansion requires proper licensing, payment terms, and operating licenses to be established
• Rival Halliburton similarly announced plans to return to Venezuela once commercial and legal terms, including payment certainty, are resolved
• SLB maintains active facilities, equipment, and local personnel in Venezuela, currently delivering services under an oil major's license, while Chevron produces 240,000 barrels per day through joint ventures with state oil company PDVSA

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Oman and Iran, is critical to global oil supply as approximately one-fifth of the world's oil consumption passes through it. Rising tensions with Iran have raised concerns about potential disruption to this vital chokepoint, which carries over 20 million barrels per day of crude and fuel, primarily from Gulf OPEC members to Asian markets.

• More than 20 million barrels per day of crude, condensate and fuels passed through the strait in the previous year, with the shipping lane only 2 miles wide in either direction at its narrowest point
• Major Gulf exporters including Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Kuwait and Iraq rely on the strait for most crude exports, while Qatar sends nearly all its LNG through the waterway
• Iran has historically threatened to block the strait during conflicts, including a 2012 threat over sanctions and vessel seizures in 2023-2024, with only 2.6 million bpd of bypass capacity available through Saudi and UAE pipelines

Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill recorded 18,410 U.S. prescriptions in its first full week post-launch, according to IQVIA data. The strong debut is being closely monitored by investors as Novo seeks to leverage its first-mover advantage against rival Eli Lilly in the competitive weight-loss drug market. Analysts noted the launch is tracking ahead of other GLP-1 medication rollouts.

• The pill generated 18,410 prescriptions in its first full week, outpacing other GLP-1 drug launches according to Guggenheim analysts
• Investors are watching prescription data closely to gauge Novo Nordisk's competitive position against rival Eli Lilly in the weight-loss market
• The launch represents Novo's attempt to press its first-mover advantage in the oral GLP-1 weight-loss segment

UBS is planning to offer cryptocurrency investment options to select private banking clients, initially in Switzerland with potential expansion to Asia-Pacific and the U.S., according to Bloomberg News. The Swiss lender is currently selecting partners for the proposed crypto offering, which would allow clients to buy and sell bitcoin and ether. This move reflects rising demand for digital assets among wealthy clients and marks another step in institutional crypto adoption under the Trump administration's pro-crypto stance.

• UBS would initially offer bitcoin and ether trading to select Swiss private banking clients, with potential later expansion to Asia-Pacific and U.S. markets
• The initiative responds to increasing demand for digital assets from wealthy clients and aligns with President Trump's pledge to make America the 'crypto capital of the world'
• Other major institutions are making similar moves: JPMorgan Chase is considering offering crypto to institutional clients, while Morgan Stanley plans to enable crypto spot trading on E*Trade starting first half of this year

Abbott Healthcare is under investigation in India for alleged misuse and illegal diversion of its codeine-based cough syrup Phensedyl, which is abused by addicts and smuggled into Bangladesh where it is banned. Police seized 30,000 bottles in November 2024, and authorities inspected Abbott's manufacturing plant in January 2025 as part of the probe. Abbott discontinued Phensedyl production in December 2024 after misuse persisted despite preventive measures.

• Police seized 30,000 bottles of Phensedyl hidden in rice sacks during a November 2024 raid, with 22 million bottles worth $55 million supplied to Uttar Pradesh between April 2024 and March 2025
• Investigation found cough syrup quantities 'much more than actual consumption,' indicating diversion through a parallel supply chain for abuse rather than therapeutic use
• Abbott ceased manufacturing Phensedyl in December 2024 after years of attempting to prevent misuse, though the company is cooperating with authorities and is not named as an accused party

British regulator Ofcom has opened an investigation into Meta Platforms over potentially incomplete and inaccurate information the company provided about WhatsApp during a market review. The review examined the wholesale market for business bulk SMS messages, which are used for appointment reminders and delivery notifications. Ofcom stated that available evidence suggests Meta's response may not have been complete and accurate.

• The investigation stems from Ofcom's 2024 review of the wholesale business bulk SMS market, which handles appointment reminders and parcel delivery notifications
• Ofcom alleges that Meta may have failed to provide complete and accurate information about WhatsApp in response to the regulatory review
• The probe raises compliance concerns about Meta's cooperation with UK regulatory data requests and market investigations

FedEx announced a restructuring of its domestic operations in France that will eliminate up to 500 jobs while investing up to 78 million euros ($91.58 million). The overhaul aims to streamline the company's station network and reduce overlapping infrastructure in response to intense competition and cost pressures in the French parcel delivery market.

• FedEx will reduce its station footprint in France from 103 to 86 locations as part of the network simplification
• The restructuring could create more than 770 new full- and part-time operations jobs, with affected employees receiving priority for these roles
• The company's international air network will remain unchanged, and a formal consultation process with employee representatives will follow French labor law requirements

Adani Group stocks fell sharply after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reportedly sought court permission to summon founder Gautam Adani over fraud and bribery charges. Adani and seven others were indicted in November 2024 in New York federal court for allegedly paying over $250 million in bribes to Indian officials to secure solar energy contracts worth more than $2 billion in profits.

• Adani Green Energy dropped 12%, Adani Enterprises fell over 8%, and Adani Power declined 5% on Friday following the news
• The SEC alleges Adani executives misled U.S. and international investors about anti-bribery compliance while raising more than $3 billion in capital
• The SEC told the court it repeatedly sought assistance from the Indian government to deliver summons but was unsuccessful

Intuitive Surgical reported fourth-quarter results that exceeded Wall Street expectations, driven by strong demand for its da Vinci surgical robots used in minimally invasive procedures. The company benefited from hospitals addressing procedure backlogs and expanding minimally invasive care access. Growth is expected to moderate in 2026 with anticipated tariff impacts.

• Da Vinci procedure volume grew 18% year-over-year in Q4, with the company projecting 13-15% growth in 2026 compared to 18% growth in 2025
• Q4 revenue reached $2.87 billion versus analyst estimates of $2.75 billion, with adjusted earnings of $2.53 per share
• Company expects 2026 gross profit margin of 67-68% of revenue, including an estimated 1.2% impact from tariffs, with over 80% of instruments produced at its Mexico facility