Kohl’s under fresh pressure as Sycamore expresses interest after Acacia made bid

U.S. department store Kohl’s Corp (KSS.N) may soon receive a second takeover offer as private equity firm Sycamore Partners prepares to make a bid only days after a consortium backed by activist investment firm Starboard Value proposed buying the company, three sources familiar with the matter said on Sunday.
Exclusive: China drafts rules to ease property developers’ cash crunch

China is drafting nationwide rules to make it easier for property developers to access funds from sales still held in escrow accounts in its latest move to ease a severe cash crunch in the sector, four people with knowledge of the matter said.
Japan steel industry says EU extension of anti-dumping measures inappropriate

The head of Japan’s main steel industry lobby said on Tuesday the European Union’s decision to extend anti-dumping measures on electrical steel from Japan was inappropriate and it would consider taking action
The rise of Omicron as the most contagious variant

Cases of Omicron are spreading like wildfire over the globe. According to the World Health Organization, the omicron variant could become the dominant strain globally. However, those who have been immunized may still have a significant advantage in terms of risk, According to WHO guidelines, all nations should make greater efforts to boost COVID-19 immunization […]
Winter storm slams U.S. East Coast, Canada, thousands of flights canceled

A major winter storm slammed much of the eastern United States with snow, ice and high winds on Sunday, causing widespread travel disruptions and power outages on a holiday weekend.
Analysis: Physical crude oil market steams ahead after Omicron blip

Frantic oil buying driven by supply outages and signs the Omicron variant won’t be as disruptive as feared has pushed some crude grades to multi-year highs, suggesting the rally in Brent futures could be sustained a while longer, traders said.
Exclusive: China agrees with U.S. to release oil reserves near Lunar New Year

China will release crude oil from its national strategic stockpiles around the Lunar New Year holidays that start on Feb. 1 as part of a plan coordinated by the United States with other major consumers to reduce global prices, sources told Reuters.
Analysis: After inflation, a bond supply shock may be next for markets
Central banks, the developed world’s most reliable group of bond buyers, could slash debt purchases next year by as much as $2 trillion across the four big advanced economies, implying a potentially hefty rise in many governments’ borrowing costs.
U.S. FAA issues impact notices on 5G wireless aviation

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began publishing notices early on Thursday that detailed the extent of potential impact of new 5G wireless service on sensitive aircraft electronics.
White House will meet execs from Apple, Amazon, IBM to discuss software security

The White House will meet executives from leading tech firms, including Alphabet-owned Google (GOOGL.O), Apple Inc (AAPL.O) and Amazon.com Inc , on Thursday to discuss software security after the United States suffered several major cyberattacks last year.