Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward.

UK welfare recipients to receive a boost in April 2023 with an increase in payments, says DWP

The DWP has announced that benefit payments will increase by 1.5% from April 2023, in line with inflation. This will affect a range of benefits, including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA). The increase is expected to help support people with the rising cost of living.

Cineworld halts sale of US, UK, and Ireland operations

Cineworld has postponed plans to sell its US, UK, and Ireland operations as it focuses on debt restructuring amid fears of bankruptcy. The company has been struggling due to the pandemic and the shift towards streaming services, which has led to a decline in movie theatre attendance.

OPEC+ announces surprise production cut, oil prices surge

The OPEC+ group of countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Russia, announced a surprise cut in production of around 1 million barrels per day, leading to a surge in oil prices to near US$86 a barrel. The move is expected to cause fresh tensions with the US as western governments try to manage inflation.

Glencore’s £95bn hostile bid for Canada’s Teck Resources rejected

Teck Resources has rejected Glencore’s unsolicited offer to create a natural resources giant valued at more than £95bn. The deal, which comes just weeks after Teck announced plans to spin out its steelmaking coal business, would result in a vast restructuring of the FTSE 100 mining company.

Many legacy blue check holders still have their verification marks, despite not paying for Twitter Blue

Twitter’s blue verification checkmark system was supposed to be purged by Elon Musk on April 1, but instead, the social media platform appeared to have targeted only one account from a major publication Musk dislikes: The New York Times.

Tesla shares drop as investor concerns grow

Tesla’s shares fell by 6% on Monday as the latest delivery report showed some investors’ concerns about further price cuts to drive sales, eating into the margins.

McDonald’s lays off corporate workers to focus on expansion plans

McDonald’s is laying off corporate employees despite solid sales, as it focuses on expansion and new locations in the US and Europe. The layoffs are expected to trim and consolidate teams that don’t align with the company’s priorities, including innovations like order-ahead drive-through systems.

How strangers on the internet are helping people stay focused

To combat the challenge of staying motivated and on task while working remotely from home, some people are turning to strangers to sit with them via video call as they work virtually. This solution provides a low level of accountability that helps prevent distractions and keeps individuals on track.

Is the 5-9 am morning routine actually effective?

The 5-9 am morning routine has become a trend on TikTok, with the hashtag #5to9routine having 35 million views. However, according to psychologist Suzy Reading, it may not necessarily make you more productive, as productivity can depend on an individual’s natural body clock and sleep needs.

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