Allegiant Air Faces Union Block in Bid for Foreign Pilots’ Green Cards Amid Staffing Challenges 
Airline Loyalty Programs Face New Uncertainty as Visa–Mastercard Fee Settlement Evolves 
Australia Moves Forward With Teen Social Media Ban as Platforms Begin Lockouts 
Spirit Airlines Reverses Pilot Furlough Plans Amid Updated Staffing Outlook 
ExxonMobil to Shut Older Singapore Steam Cracker Amid Global Petrochemical Downturn 
OpenAI Moves to Acquire Neptune as It Expands AI Training Capabilities 
Tesla Expands Affordable Model 3 Lineup in Europe to Boost EV Demand 
Sam Altman Reportedly Explored Funding for Rocket Venture in Potential Challenge to SpaceX 
Visa to Move European Headquarters to London’s Canary Wharf 
IKEA Launches First New Zealand Store, Marking Expansion Into Its 64th Global Market 
Tesla Faces 19% Drop in UK Registrations as Competition Intensifies 
Netflix’s $72 Billion Warner Bros Discovery Deal Reshapes the Entertainment Landscape 
Rio Tinto Raises 2025 Copper Output Outlook as Oyu Tolgoi Expansion Accelerates 
Airbus Faces Pressure After November Deliveries Dip Amid Industrial Setback 
Firelight Launches as First XRP Staking Platform on Flare, Introduces DeFi Cover Feature 
Hikvision Challenges FCC Rule Tightening Restrictions on Chinese Telecom Equipment 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol announced plans to reduce jobs within support teams to enhance efficiency as part of the company’s turnaround strategy. The changes, expected to be revealed by early March, will not impact in-store staff or store operation investments.
Niccol, who joined Starbucks after leading Chipotle Mexican Grill, has introduced various measures to revitalize the brand, which has faced challenges from growing competition and declining demand in key markets like the U.S. and China. According to Niccol, Starbucks’ current structure, characterized by excessive layers and small management teams, hinders agility. The company plans to reassess global support team roles, structure, and size to address these inefficiencies.
In October, Starbucks suspended its fiscal year 2025 forecast and unveiled plans to modernize U.S. stores. Upgrades include adding comfortable seating, ceramic mugs, and a coffee-condiment bar, aiming to reduce customer wait times to under four minutes.
Separately, Mellody Hobson, Starbucks' lead independent board director, announced her retirement after nearly 20 years with the company. Hobson’s departure marks the end of an era as Starbucks continues its push to adapt to evolving market demands.
This latest announcement reflects Starbucks' commitment to staying competitive while enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.
