The start of 2023 is seeing technology companies conduct more layoffs than any other month since the start of the pandemic. This is due to the revenue decline faced by tech giants like Amazon, Oracle, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Facebook, who had gone on a hiring spree during the pandemic. The problem is not limited to only the big tech firms but also extends to smaller tech companies that were caught up in the pandemic- generated hypergrowth.
The tech sector has collectively cut more than 150,000 jobs in 2022 and the first three weeks of 2023 has already seen layoffs climb to more than 30% of that figure. This could have a significant impact on the job market and the overall economy and it highlights the need for companies to be more mindful of their workforce and adopt sustainable business practices that do not solely rely on temporary booms.
As Ukraine prepares for what has been predicted a to be a major Spring offensive from Russia, there are still questions over the nature and level of support it is getting from its supporters. Tanks that have been promised will not be battle-field operational for months, and despite the request for F-15 and similar fast jets, UK, US and others have said that is not part of the package. There is are serious issues over what the resolution of the ‘Long War’ might be, and it likely that at some stage there will be significant pressure put on Ukraine to come to the negotiation table with Russia, something it has outrightly rejected until now.
On February 1st, 2023, a massive strike took place in Britain with as many as half a million workers participating, causing widespread disruptions including the closure of schools, cancellation of university lectures, and halting most of the rail network. The strike was in response to declining pay and working conditions, causing widespread disruptions and closures. The Trades Union Congress, representing 48 unions, held rallies to protest a government bill seen as an attack on the right to strike. The government had recently tried to resolve pay disputes amid a wave of industrial unrest. Despite offering raises, the rate of inflation was 10.5%
How did the government respond to the strike and were the right measures taken to resolve the issues?
After the International Olympic Committee announced last week that athletes from Russia and Belarus may be allowed to compete, but later said it was standing by sanctions imposed against them. The Baltic nations, Poland called on international sports organizations and federations to remove Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions until the war ends. The four countries, being members of the EU and NATO, are strong supporters of Ukraine and have threatened to boycott the 2024 Olympics if the athletes are included.