Novartis has settled a lawsuit with the estate of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were used without her knowledge in 1951 and have contributed to significant medical advancements. The details of the settlement are not public, and this follows another settlement the estate reached with a biotechnology company in 2023. Other lawsuits by the Lacks estate remain active.
Key Facts
Novartis settled a lawsuit with Henrietta Lacks' estate regarding the use of her cells.
Henrietta Lacks' cells, known as HeLa cells, were taken without her knowledge in 1951.
Her cells have been crucial for medical research, including the polio vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines.
The Lacks family was not compensated for the use of these cells.
The specific terms of the Novartis settlement are not public.
This is the second recent settlement involving the Lacks estate, the first being with Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2023.
Additional lawsuits by the Lacks estate against companies like Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical and Viatris are still ongoing.
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U.S. oil prices went up sharply due to concerns about a possible war with Iran affecting the global oil supply. Despite starting the day with significant losses, U.S. stocks managed to end with small gains. Rising oil prices and natural gas concerns could lead to higher costs for households and businesses.
Key Facts
Oil prices increased by more than 6% due to worries about a potential war with Iran.
U.S. stocks initially fell, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones both experiencing early losses.
By the end of the day, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices had small gains while the Dow Jones had a slight loss.
Rising oil prices are expected to increase gasoline costs, affecting household budgets and businesses.
Natural gas prices also rose, which could lead to higher heating bills.
Airline and cruise stocks dropped significantly due to increased oil prices and closed airports in the Middle East.
Oil companies like Exxon Mobil and Marathon Petroleum saw stock price increases due to higher crude prices.
Companies in the military equipment sector, like Northrop Grumman, also benefited from market uncertainty.
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The Supreme Court ruled that President Trump's tariff policy was illegal, creating a need to address how to refund tariffs collected. Stephen Moore, a former adviser for Trump, mentioned that resolving this issue is complex, but he believes companies and consumers will likely receive reimbursements. President Trump suggested earlier that Americans might receive refunds of up to $2,000 each, though the exact amount and method remain unclear.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court found Trump's tariff policy illegal, limiting his power to set tariffs on his own.
There is uncertainty on how to handle refunds for tariffs previously collected.
Stephen Moore said the refund process will be complicated and involve many businesses.
Moore believes that companies should get reimbursed as they paid tariffs, which courts found to be illegal.
There is discussion over whether consumers will get refunded, as businesses passed costs to them.
President Trump proposed giving each American up to $2,000 as compensation, but details aren't finalized.
The issue impacts the perception of economic management under President Trump as midterm elections near.
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A triceratops skeleton named "Trey," which was displayed in a Wyoming museum, is going up for auction with a high estimated value. The sale comes as dinosaur fossils become popular and valuable collectibles, sometimes selling for millions of dollars. Concerns exist that important fossils could end up in private collections, limiting scientific research.
Key Facts
The triceratops skeleton "Trey" will be auctioned online from March 17 to 31.
Trey is estimated to sell for between $4.5 million and $5.5 million.
The skeleton was discovered in Wyoming in 1993 and displayed in a museum until 2023.
Trey is currently in Singapore, available for private viewings.
Dinosaur fossils are increasingly viewed as investments, with some selling for record prices.
In 2024, a stegosaurus skeleton named "Apex" sold for $44.6 million.
Some paleontologists worry fossils in private hands may limit research opportunities.
There's a trend of private owners loaning fossils to museums for public display and scientific study.
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A federal appeals court has sent a case involving tariffs back to a lower court, which could lead to businesses getting refunds for duties that were previously ruled unlawful. However, it remains uncertain if and how consumers will receive any money back from these tariffs.
Key Facts
A federal appeals court is handling a case known as VOS Selections v. Trump.
The case challenges tariffs that the Supreme Court has already deemed unlawful.
The recent court decision sends the case back to the U.S. Court of International Trade.
Businesses are seeking refunds for tariffs they paid, but there's no guarantee consumers will get direct refunds.
VOS Selections, a wine and spirits importer, is the lead plaintiff in this case.
Attorney Neal Katyal represents the company and plans to pursue refunds for unlawful tariffs.
The process for administering any potential refunds is still unclear.
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The article discusses how companies, including AI firm Anthropic, are increasingly resisting demands from the U.S. government led by President Donald Trump. Anthropic refused the Pentagon's request to modify its AI for military use, highlighting a trend of corporate pushback against government directives. This resistance is seen in various sectors and is often guided by a desire to maintain brand reputation and financial interests.
Key Facts
Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, rejected a Pentagon demand to change AI safety measures.
The Pentagon threatened to blacklist Anthropic if it did not comply.
U.S. companies won a Supreme Court case against the President's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs.
Major companies have filed lawsuits against the administration for tariff refunds.
CEOs from Minnesota-based companies signed a letter asking for reduced tensions after ICE operations.
Retailers could potentially recover up to $175 billion from unlawful tariffs.
Businesses are acting strategically to protect their brand and financial health in the current political climate.
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Meghan Markle's online shop, As Ever, has seen an increase in visitors to its website each month, though it is still not as high as when it first launched. The site sells products like jams and flower sprinkles, but it does not yet ship internationally.
Key Facts
Meghan Markle's shop is called As Ever and sells products such as jams and flower sprinkles.
The shop is a partnership with Netflix and was promoted through a TV show.
Website traffic has grown 36% from October to January, reaching 268,200 visits.
In January, a website glitch revealed that Meghan had a stock worth $21.8 million.
About one-third of the website's visitors are from the United States.
Meghan has expressed intentions to expand the brand globally but has not provided a date for this.
The online shop was originally named American Riviera Orchard but was rebranded to As Ever in 2025.
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The article explains how unemployment benefits vary greatly across different U.S. states. It highlights differences in weekly payment amounts and the duration of benefits provided to those who lose their jobs. States like Washington and Massachusetts offer higher benefits, while states in the South and Midwest typically provide lower support.
Key Facts
Unemployment benefits differ significantly by state in the U.S.
Washington offers the highest maximum weekly benefit at $1,152.
Mississippi has the lowest maximum weekly benefit at $235.
Massachusetts allows for up to 30 weeks of benefits, longer than most states.
Arkansas and North Carolina provide just 12 weeks of benefits, the shortest duration.
Higher benefit states tend to cover a larger share of a worker's previous earnings.
In some states, unemployment benefits may not cover basic living expenses.
The article suggests that benefit durations can impact job seekers' decisions and economic stability.
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The recent conflict involving Iran may lead to higher energy prices in the U.S., but it is unlikely to cause a big economic slowdown. The U.S. economy has changed over time, with energy even less of its total spending than before, making the expected impact of oil price changes more contained to certain regions and industries.
Key Facts
Americans might face higher energy prices soon.
The U.S. and Israel conducted strikes that have affected oil prices.
The U.S. is currently a net exporter of oil because of a fracking boom.
Higher oil prices are beneficial for U.S. oil-producing areas like Texas and Oklahoma.
Energy costs are a smaller part of personal spending now than in past decades.
Historically, Middle East crises caused significant economic slowdowns in the U.S.
Current market reactions show a minor increase in oil and gasoline prices.
The Federal Reserve is concerned about inflation but may not change interest rates soon.
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A shopper found a hoodie at a U.S. clothing store that was marked down from $104.95 to $103.99, a discount of just 96 cents. This tiny markdown was reportedly used to categorize the item as clearance, enabling it to be part of broader promotional sales. Retail workers explained that such minimal discounts trigger larger clearance promos in the store's system.
Key Facts
A shopper spotted a hoodie at a store with a sale sticker showing a discount from $104.95 to $103.99.
The markdown was only 96 cents, less than one percent of the original price.
This small discount was used to categorize the item as clearance for bigger promotional sales.
Retail employees explained this tactic helps include items in larger sales events within the system.
Sometimes, if items remain in stores for a long time, they have been marked down more due to inflation, despite small on-sticker discounts.
The shopper shared a photo of this discount on Reddit, attracting attention.
The scenario was discussed among users, many finding it amusing and typical in retail.
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Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee has launched an online calculator to help citizens understand proposed tax reforms. The calculator allows individuals to see how the changes, which aim to raise £50 million annually, might impact their personal finances.
Key Facts
The online calculator is designed to help people in Guernsey understand proposed tax reforms.
The tax reforms aim to generate £50 million a year.
The calculator allows users to input personal financial details like income, savings, and spending to see potential effects.
The proposed reforms include a General Sales Tax (GST), changes in income tax, and adjustments to social security and pensions.
According to the modeling, most households might benefit overall from these changes.
The Policy and Resources Committee is considering alternatives and plans to present recommendations in the summer.
The GST part of the tax package cannot be implemented before 2028.
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A study analyzed the first names of the world's top 500 billionaires to find the most common ones, using data from Bloomberg's Billionaire Index. The study ranked names for both males and females, showing trends based on the frequency and average net worth associated with each name.
Key Facts
The study used Bloomberg's Billionaire Index to identify names of the top 500 billionaires.
Organizations involved included Profit Engine, a link-building agency.
John and David are the most common names among male billionaires with nine individuals each.
The name Maria is the only female name shared by more than one billionaire.
Chinese names like Zhang, Wang, and Li appear frequently, reflecting the rise of Chinese billionaires.
Mark has the highest average net worth among male names, largely due to one individual's wealth.
Alice leads female names in average net worth at $154 billion.
The study suggests naming trends are generational and culture-specific, not predictive of wealth.
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Brewdog, a brewing and pub company from Scotland, has been sold for £33 million to U.S. company Tilray, which deals in beverages and medical cannabis. The deal includes Brewdog's UK brewing operations and pubs, but not its assets in the U.S. and Australia. The move leaves uncertainty about the future of Brewdog’s UK pubs and its small investors.
Key Facts
Brewdog was sold for £33 million to Tilray, a U.S. firm involved in beverages and cannabis.
The sale includes Brewdog's UK brewing operations and 11 pubs.
Brewdog is still negotiating the sale of its U.S. and Australian assets.
The company temporarily closed its UK pubs for staff meetings amid the sale process.
Brewdog had financial troubles, reporting a £37 million loss and job cuts last year.
Approximately 200,000 small investors participated in Brewdog's Equity for Punks scheme.
Tilray sees the acquisition as a significant growth opportunity.
Brewdog's founders originally started the company as a challenger in the brewing industry.
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Starbucks has announced updates including changes to its coffeehouse designs, new ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage options, and seasonal spring merchandise. The updates involve new furniture for its locations, protein-rich coffee drinks, and themed merchandise collections like Matcha and Cherry Blossom.
Key Facts
Starbucks is making changes to coffeehouse interiors, introducing new lounge chairs and ceramic mugs inspired by their heritage.
New lounge chairs are designed to make customers feel comfortable and stay longer.
Redesigned mugs are influenced by Italian cafés and Seattle's maritime heritage, focusing on aroma and grip comfort.
Starbucks is launching a new line of RTD protein coffees with 22 grams of protein and other nutrients.
New RTD options also include lighter or reduced sugar drinks in various flavors.
Spring merchandise collections, Matcha and Cherry Blossom, will be available in U.S. and Canadian coffeehouses.
The Matcha collection features a 12-ounce splatter mug and a 16-ounce cold cup.
The Cherry Blossom collection includes a 16-ounce tumbler and a 24-ounce cold cup with a flower straw topper.
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"Scream 7" set a new record for the "Scream" movie series with its $64.1 million opening in the U.S. and $97.2 million worldwide. The movie's success came despite changes in the cast and director, with Neve Campbell returning and Kevin Williamson making his directing debut. Other films like "GOAT" and "Wuthering Heights" also performed well at the box office this week.
Key Facts
"Scream 7" opened with $64.1 million in the U.S., marking a franchise record.
The movie made $97.2 million worldwide in its opening weekend.
Neve Campbell returned to the series, and Kevin Williamson directed for the first time.
"GOAT" earned $12 million and has made $130 million worldwide in 17 days.
"Wuthering Heights" made $6.9 million, reaching $192 million globally.
"Twenty One Pilots: More Than We Ever Imagined" debuted with $4.3 million.
"EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert" increased its earnings by 9%, reaching $7.8 million in 10 days.
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A video of Burger King President Tom Curtis eating a Whopper compared favorably to a similar McDonald's video. Curtis's video went viral on TikTok, while McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski faced criticism after posting a video of himself eating a Big Arch Burger. The videos highlighted different customer reactions to how each executive engaged with their brand's product.
Key Facts
Tom Curtis is the President of Burger King U.S. & Canada.
Curtis appeared in a video on TikTok eating a revamped Whopper burger.
The Burger King video received positive feedback, in contrast to a similar McDonald's video.
McDonald's CEO, Chris Kempczinski, faced criticism for a promotional video where he took a small bite of a new burger.
Curtis's video was viewed over 1 million times on TikTok within two days.
McDonald's video was viewed over 3 million times and criticized on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X.
Updates to the Whopper include a new bun, creamier mayonnaise, and a new box design.
Franchisees may incur an additional $4,000 per year due to these Whopper updates, but price increases for customers are discouraged.
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New research shows that gossiping about bosses can have both negative and positive effects in the workplace. While it can create distance between employees and their managers, it also helps build stronger connections among coworkers.
Key Facts
A new study suggests gossiping about bosses has mixed effects.
The research involved surveys of 202 workers across different industries.
Participants often avoided their boss after gossiping, feeling guilty or ashamed.
Gossiping made employees feel closer to their coworkers, fostering teamwork.
The study found workers more willing to help each other after gossiping.
These effects were noticeable, especially with verbally or emotionally abusive bosses.
Gossip helped create a sense of solidarity among employees facing tough bosses.
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Oil prices have increased by 10% due to conflict in the Middle East, which might lead to higher petrol and diesel prices. The conflict has affected the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil transport. Experts say gas prices could rise if oil prices stay high, affecting various costs like goods on shelves and energy bills.
Key Facts
Oil prices went up by 10% after the US and Israel took action against Iran.
Iran warned ships to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, affecting about 20% of the world’s oil transport.
Higher oil prices could lead to increased petrol and diesel costs.
The average petrol price is currently 132.6p per liter, and diesel is 142.3p per liter.
Rising fuel costs could also drive up food prices because of increased transport and production costs.
Energy bills in the UK are currently stable due to a price cap but could rise later.
UK inflation and interest rate cuts might be affected if oil prices remain high.
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McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski posted a video of himself eating the new Big Arch Burger, which led to mockery online due to his awkward delivery and uncomfortable demeanor. The video quickly went viral, with many social media users commenting on his small bite and the corporate nature of the presentation.
Key Facts
McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski tried the new Big Arch Burger in a promotional video.
The video showed him taking a small bite, leading to comments and jokes online.
The video was meant to promote the burger, which is being tested in Portugal, Germany, and Canada.
This burger is described as McDonald's biggest and is set to launch in the U.S. as a limited-time offer.
Social media users criticized the CEO's corporate style and his reference to the burger as a "product."
The video gained over 3 million views on Instagram and was widely shared on platforms like TikTok and Reddit.
The Big Arch Burger contains two beef patties, cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, and a special sauce.
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Savannah Bee Company has recalled a batch of Honey BBQ sauce due to a labeling error. The error could cause allergic reactions in people with soy or wheat allergies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall.
Key Facts
Savannah Bee Company is recalling a batch of Honey BBQ sauce labeled as "Honey BBQ Sauce-Mustard."
The recalled batch has the lot number B1L1360525 and a Best Before date of May 16, 2027.
The recall arose because the sauce might contain undeclared soy and wheat, posing an allergy risk.
All affected products were distributed nationwide between July 30, 2025, and February 26, 2026.
The sauce comes in 16 fl oz clear glass bottles with an orange label.
No illnesses have been reported related to the recalled product.
Customers should dispose of the product and can request a refund.
Customers with questions can contact the Savannah Bee Company’s customer service.
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