Waymo is expanding into Chicago as it works to scale its autonomous ride-hailing business beyond its existing markets and establish a foothold in the Midwest.

The Alphabet-owned company said Wednesday it has begun “laying the early groundwork” for operations in the city, starting with mapping and manual vehicle testing – a phase that typically precedes a broader commercial rollout. A timeline for fully driverless public service in Chicago was not immediately disclosed.

Chicago would mark one of Waymo’s largest urban expansions to date and represents a key test of its technology in a dense, cold-weather city known for harsh winters and complex traffic conditions. The company is seeking to expand its autonomous ride-hailing footprint as competition intensifies in the robotaxi sector.

Waymo says its “AI-first” autonomous driving system has logged more than 127 million fully autonomous miles. According to company data, its vehicles are involved in up to 10 times fewer serious injuries or worse collisions and 12 times fewer pedestrian collisions compared with human drivers in the markets where it currently operates.

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The company framed the Chicago push as part of a broader effort to improve road safety and accessibility while supporting local economic growth. Waymo said it is coordinating with community leaders and policymakers as it begins operations.

“Chicago is leading the future of mobility by welcoming Waymo to begin initial mapping and manual testing in the city,” Kam Buckner, speaker pro tempore of the Illinois House of Representatives, said in a statement. He added that the move represents “a vital step toward safer streets and more accessible transportation” and positions Illinois as a hub for 21st-century innovation.

Safety advocates also expressed cautious optimism. Erin Doherty, regional executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Illinois, said autonomous vehicles hold the promise of reducing crashes caused by impaired driving “if deployed responsibly and safely.”

Waymo’s expansion comes as major technology and automotive companies race to scale robotaxi services in large metropolitan markets. Chicago’s size and economic footprint could make it a significant proving ground for autonomous ride-hailing in the central U.S.

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The company said residents can sign up for updates as it prepares for future public access to rides in the city.

FOX Business has reached out to Waymo for additional comment. 

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Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) Bank of America 2026 Global Agriculture and Materials Conference February 26, 2026 7:30 AM EST

Company Participants

Mark Kowlzan – Chairman of the Board & CEO
Kent Pflederer – Executive VP & CFO

Conference Call Participants

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George Staphos – BofA Securities, Research Division

Presentation

George Staphos
BofA Securities, Research Division

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Hope you all are doing well for day 2, and we’re starting off with a bang with Packaging Corporation of America. I’ve covered PCA, actually, in theory, back to when it was still part of Tenneco, it goes back to the 1990s. And there — I don’t know if there’s any company that has kind of your continuity and tenure of management, Mark, in the industry, packaging or paper and forest. Mark Kowlzan, we’re delighted the Chief Executive Officer, is here for some formal remarks. He’s been with the company 30 years. Kent Pflederer, Chief Financial Officer, has been with the company for 19 years and in the audience today as well as Ray Shirley, EVP of Corrugated. He’s been with PCA 30 years as well. So again, not many companies can support that. And Mark, without any further ado, I turn it over to you.

Mark Kowlzan
Chairman of the Board & CEO

Thanks, George. Appreciate it very much, and welcome, everybody. Thanks for taking the time to be with us this morning. We’re going to spend a couple of minutes. We want to update you on the first 2 months of the quarter. So I’m going to read through this like it was like beginning of an earnings call. So you got to bear with me before we get to the Q&A on the fireside chat. So keeping with the spirit of a fireside chat, we’re not going to give you a formal presentation with slides today. We have an investor presentation up on our

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The number of young people not in education, employment or training has edged closer to one million, underlining mounting pressure on Britain’s fragile labour market and intensifying calls for targeted intervention from ministers.

Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that an estimated 957,000 people aged 16 to 24 were classified as Neet between October and December 2025. That represents 12.8 per cent of the age group, a slight rise on the previous quarter and perilously close to the one-million mark last seen in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

While the total is marginally lower, by 0.4 percentage points, than the same period a year earlier, the quarterly increase reflects persistent weakness in youth employment prospects, particularly as hiring in hospitality, retail and graduate schemes continues to contract.

The ONS said the latest uptick was driven primarily by a rise in the number of young women classified as Neet. At the end of 2025, 12.2 per cent of young women were not in work, education or training, up on the previous quarter. By contrast, the number of young men in the same category fell slightly.

A young person is considered Neet if they are unemployed and actively seeking work, or economically inactive, meaning they are not seeking work and are not enrolled in education or training. The data shows that the number of unemployed Neets rose 12.3 per cent quarter-on-quarter, while economically inactive Neets fell by 6.6 per cent, suggesting more young people are attempting to re-enter the labour market but struggling to secure roles.

The UK jobs market remains subdued, with vacancies recently falling to their lowest levels in five years. Youth unemployment has been disproportionately affected by employers cutting entry-level hiring in response to rising wage costs and increased national insurance contributions.

Research from the Youth Futures Foundation has pointed to long-term sickness, mental health challenges and neurodivergence as key contributors to rising economic inactivity among young people in recent years.

Joseph, 24, from Solihull, who is autistic and has been unemployed for three years, described the difficulty of breaking into the workforce.

“There’s a real taboo around needing experience to get a job, but only being able to gain experience through a job,” they said. “Confidence can definitely be an issue. I’ve only ever worked one job that’s in person. I didn’t know how things worked, the commute into work, that sort of thing.”

Joseph said autism “can be a barrier but it can also be a strength”, adding that many employers fail to understand this. They are currently being supported by a youth worker from The King’s Trust to help secure paid employment.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden acknowledged that youth inactivity represents “a long-term challenge” and said the government was backing apprenticeships and paid work placements.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged that young people who have been out of work or education for 18 months will be offered a guaranteed paid placement. Those who refuse may face benefit sanctions, a proposal that has drawn criticism from some campaigners.

An independent inquiry into the rise in youth inactivity, led by former Labour health secretary Alan Milburn, is under way and due to report this summer. Milburn has said he will examine systemic failings across employment support, skills provision, health and welfare.

Louise Murphy, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation, warned that the UK was “perilously close” to a youth unemployment crisis.

“Today’s data adds to the picture of a generation up against real and complex barriers to finding a good job and improving their living standards,” she said. “Acting sooner rather than later can help prevent these worrying trends becoming an entrenched crisis.”

The think tank has urged Reeves to make an exception to her policy-light Spring Statement and introduce additional measures to tackle youth unemployment directly.

The data also adds to pressure on ministers over plans to scrap the lower minimum wage rate for 16 and 17-year-olds. Some employers argue that equalising rates would make it too costly to hire younger workers at a time when margins remain tight.

Government sources have indicated that while ministers are reluctant to abandon the pledge, a delay is under consideration.

Ben Harrison, director of the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, said the figures demonstrated “the magnitude of the challenge facing young people and the government”.

“There is a considerable risk that more young people will slip into long-term worklessness unless government acts to address the causes of this rise,” he said.

The last time the number of young Neets exceeded one million was between July and September 2011, in the prolonged aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Analysts warn that sustained weakness in entry-level recruitment risks scarring a generation, with long-term consequences for earnings and productivity.

The ONS cautioned that Neet figures can be volatile due to the smaller sample size relative to broader unemployment data. The statistics are derived from the Labour Force Survey, which has faced scrutiny over response rates and data quality in recent years. The ONS says it is working to improve the survey through increased interviewer recruitment and methodological reforms.

For now, however, the headline figure, nearly one million young people disconnected from work or education, stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of Britain’s youth labour market.

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Global superstar Shakira is set to make a triumphant return to Egypt with a one-night-only concert at the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza on April 7, 2026, nearly two decades after her memorable 2007 performance at the same legendary site.

The announcement, which has ignited excitement across social media and music circles, comes as part of the Colombian singer’s ongoing “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour,” supporting her latest album of the same name released in 2024. Promoted by Venture Lifestyle and tickets available through TicketEgypt, the event promises a spectacular fusion of contemporary pop energy against one of the world’s most ancient and awe-inspiring backdrops.

Shakira shared her enthusiasm in a personal video message delivered in fluent Arabic, greeting fans and expressing her thrill about performing “in front of the Pyramids,” a location she described as a dream setting. The clip, widely circulated by event organizers and Egyptian media outlets like Cairo Spots, has amplified anticipation for what organizers call one of the biggest international live events in the region this year.

The concert is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. local time at the Pyramids Great Gate venue in Al Haram, Giza, just outside Cairo, and run for approximately six hours. Organizers have emphasized strict entry policies: no on-door tickets, no re-entry, minimum age 21+, couples or mixed groups only, and a zero-tolerance stance on violent behavior. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, with door selection applying to different categories.

Demand has proven intense since sales opened. Wave 1, Wave 2, and Wave 3 standing tickets sold out rapidly — some in under six hours — highlighting the pent-up excitement among Egyptian fans and international visitors eager to witness Shakira’s high-energy show in such a historic setting. Remaining ticket waves are still available as of late February, though organizers warn of limited availability as the date approaches.

This marks Shakira’s second performance at the Pyramids, following her 2007 show that drew massive crowds and cemented her connection to the region. The return underscores her enduring popularity in the Middle East and North Africa, where her music blends Latin rhythms with global appeal and has long resonated with diverse audiences.

The Giza concert fits into a packed April schedule for the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer as she expands her tour footprint across the Middle East and beyond. Just days earlier, on April 4, she headlines the Offlimits Music Festival in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Subsequent dates include stops in Aqaba, Jordan (March 28), Doha, Qatar (April 1), and further performances in India, including Mumbai and New Delhi.

The Egypt show also aligns with broader efforts to position the country as a premier destination for major international entertainment. Hosting concerts at the Pyramids — the only surviving wonder of the ancient world — has become a coveted milestone for artists, blending cultural heritage with modern spectacle. Previous events at the site have drawn global attention and boosted tourism, though they require careful coordination with Egyptian authorities to preserve the archaeological integrity of the plateau.

Shakira, born in Barranquilla, Colombia, in 1977, has sold more than 95 million records worldwide, earning her status as one of the best-selling female artists of all time. Her latest album, “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” (Women No Longer Cry), marked a triumphant return after a seven-year studio hiatus, featuring hits that address themes of resilience, empowerment and personal growth. The tour has already seen sold-out arenas across Latin America, Europe and North America, with critics praising her dynamic stage presence, intricate choreography and powerful vocals.

In Egypt, the announcement has sparked widespread buzz on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where local influencers and event pages have shared promotional reels and fan reactions. Rabih Mockbel, founder of Venture Lifestyle, has been instrumental in amplifying the news, posting updates and the artist’s Arabic message to build momentum.

Fans have expressed particular excitement over the symbolic nature of the venue. Performing beneath the ancient wonders is expected to create visually stunning moments, with potential for elaborate lighting, projections and staging that complement Shakira’s signature dance moves and belly-dancing influences — elements that have long drawn comparisons to Middle Eastern traditions.

Logistical details continue to emerge, including transportation options to the remote site and security protocols typical of high-profile events in the area. Organizers have directed inquiries for premium lounge bookings to specific contact numbers.

As preparations intensify, the concert represents more than a tour stop — it’s a cultural bridge between Shakira’s Latin roots and the rich heritage of Egypt. With tickets moving quickly and social media ablaze, the April 7 event is poised to draw thousands to the Giza Plateau for an unforgettable night of music under the stars.

Whether delivering classics like “Whenever, Wherever” and “Waka Waka” or newer tracks from her latest release, Shakira’s return to Egypt promises to blend spectacle, emotion and history in equal measure.

American Express has announced plans for the construction of a 55-floor building at 2 World Trade Center in New York City.

It is anticipated that the building project will be finished in 2031, the company noted. Construction is slated to start in spring of this year.

“Spanning nearly two million square feet across 55 floors, the new American Express building will have capacity to host up to 10,000 colleagues across flexible and modern workspaces designed to inspire collaboration and creativity. It will feature more than an acre of outdoor space with several greenery-filled terraces and gardens and sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline,” the company said in a statement.

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The company noted that it would be the only owner and occupant of the structure.

The company inclined statements from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in its announcement. Both leaders referenced union jobs. 

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“The completion of the final commercial tower at the World Trade Center is more than an investment — it’s a testament to the power of union labor and the dignity of work,” Mamdani noted.

“This project represents thousands of good, union jobs that sustain families and strengthen our communities. When we invest in New York, we must ensure that investment flows to working people — to the carpenters, electricians, and laborers who quite literally build this city. That’s how we grow our skyline and our economy at the same time: by putting working New Yorkers first,” he added in the statement.

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Hochul said, “Building 2 World Trade Center will bring another iconic skyscraper to Lower Manhattan, create thousands of good-paying union jobs, and provide billions in economic benefits to New Yorkers. Thank you to American Express for doubling down on your commitment to New York and to partners at the Port Authority for getting this deal done.” 

Brooks Koepka teed off Thursday in his hometown event, the Cognizant Classic at PGA National, marking his third start since rejoining the PGA Tour after a nearly four-year stint with LIV Golf and signaling a determined push to regain form ahead of the Masters in April.

Koepka, grouped with Will Zalatoris and Daniel Berger, started his round on the Champion Course at 12:23 p.m. local time, drawing significant local attention as the five-time major champion plays the tournament for the first time since 2022. The 35-year-old Palm Beach County native last competed here before defecting to the Saudi-backed LIV circuit, where he won multiple individual titles but saw his world ranking plummet.

Koepka’s return began in January under the PGA Tour’s new Returning Member Program, which required a $5 million charitable contribution — an obligation he began fulfilling this week with funds directed through PGA Tour Charities. The donation, part of his reinstatement agreement alongside forfeiting player equity for five years and waiving 2026 FedExCup bonus eligibility, has been a focal point of discussions around his comeback.

Performance-wise, the transition has been uneven. At the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, Koepka posted rounds of 73-68-73-70 for a 4-under 284 total, finishing tied for 56th and earning $22,176. The following week at the WM Phoenix Open, he missed the cut after shooting 75-69 for 2-over 144, struggling particularly on the greens. He has ranked 171st in strokes gained putting this season, losing over two shots per round on average.

To address the issue, Koepka switched to a TaylorMade Spider mallet putter ahead of Phoenix, a change he believes will yield improvement now that he has more time to adapt. “Putting should be a lot better,” he said in pre-tournament comments, expressing optimism about the flat stick staying in the bag at PGA National.

The Florida swing offers Koepka a chance to build rhythm close to home. As a Jupiter resident and new father to son Crew, he cited family proximity as the primary reason for leaving LIV Golf late last year. “Just my family,” he told reporters earlier, emphasizing the personal motivation over financial or competitive factors. Being back in South Florida allows more time with loved ones while competing on familiar turf.

Koepka has described his PGA Tour return as “enjoyable,” noting positive feedback from peers despite some initial frostiness anticipated by observers. Many players have welcomed him back, viewing his departure from LIV as a validation of the Tour’s strength and a blow to the rival league’s credibility. An undercover pro quoted in Golf Digest expressed relief and even enthusiasm, noting Koepka’s public comments during his LIV tenure — including regrets tied to health issues — had already undermined the Saudi circuit’s appeal.

Currently ranked No. 263 in the Official World Golf Ranking — a sharp drop from his 38-week reign at No. 1 starting in 2019 — Koepka aims to climb back into contention through consistent play. He has committed to upcoming events including The Players Championship (March 12-15), Valspar Championship (March 19-22), and the Texas Children’s Houston Open (March 26-29), setting up a busy stretch before Augusta National.

In press conferences ahead of the Cognizant Classic, Koepka discussed his current form, legacy, and preparations for the Masters. He praised emerging talents like Chris Gotterup, who has won twice in 2026, while subtly positioning himself as a future challenger. “Pretty good, considering he’s won twice,” Koepka said of Gotterup. “I would say that’s a name that probably sticks out right now.”

The Cognizant Classic field lacks top-tier star power, with only one player ranked in the top 30 of the OWGR, making Koepka a standout attraction and betting favorite in some markets at around +2900. The Champion Course, known for its challenging Bear Trap stretch on holes 15-17, has seen winning scores rise in recent years compared to Koepka’s prior appearances, where totals hovered around 6- to 10-under.

Koepka’s major pedigree remains undeniable: five wins including three PGA Championships and back-to-back U.S. Opens. His LIV success — five individual victories, including playoffs against Jon Rahm — demonstrated sustained elite play, but the 54-hole, team-inclusive format differed markedly from the PGA Tour’s 72-hole stroke play with larger fields.

As he readjusts, Koepka has emphasized putting himself in contention multiple times before Augusta. A strong showing this week could provide the confidence boost needed after early setbacks. Local fans, many of whom watched him grow up in the area and even carry scoring signs as a junior, have turned out in force, adding emotional weight to the homecoming.

Whether Koepka contends or uses the event as a stepping stone, his return injects intrigue into the PGA Tour’s 2026 season. With family priorities driving his decisions and major championships on the horizon, the five-time major winner appears motivated to reclaim his place among golf’s elite.

An early agenda item for Tata Sons Pvt.’s six board directors when they convened at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Bombay House the group’s storied headquarters was expected to be straightforward: approving a third term for Natarajan Chandrasekaran as chairman.

Within two hours, the conversation had veered off course. What had looked like a done deal, with Tata Trusts itself recommending the reappointment just months ago, quickly unraveled.

Noel Tata, the head of Tata Trusts, began pressing Chandra — as he’s widely known — with tough questions. Most critically, Noel sought assurances that the group’s holding company could avoid a public listing, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be named as the discussions were private. Tata Trusts is a collective of 13 charities, which together control two-thirds of Tata Sons.

Noel also laid down several conditions: restraining debt levels, stemming losses — especially at Air India, and reaching a swift settlement with Tata Sons’ largest minority shareholder, the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, the people said. The SP Group, which owns about 18.4%, was locked in a corporate and legal battle with Tata Sons for years and is still looking to monetize a part of its stake.

While some of Noel’s demands were negotiable, discussions hit a wall when Chandra said he couldn’t guarantee a waiver from India’s banking regulator on the listing issue since that decision lay outside his control, the people added.

Tata Sons’ potential listing stems from a regulatory classification. In 2022, the Reserve Bank of India designated the company as an “upper-layer” non-banking financial institution — a category that requires firms to go public within three years to enhance transparency and governance. That meant a deadline of September 2025 for Tata Sons to list its shares. There has been no update from the RBI or Tata Sons on the state of play on this front.
Despite the mandate, Tata Sons has made no immediate preparations for this share sale. Its leadership believes the regulator will extend the deadline, and after recent engagements with officials, expects formal communication from the RBI granting more time.
Chandra has made clear that while he personally favors keeping Tata Sons private, he cannot offer an absolute guarantee. Should the RBI insist on a listing, compliance would take precedence over internal preferences, the people said, citing Chandra as having informed the directors.
That uncertainty weighs heavily on the Shapoorji Pallonji Group. Any delay in an IPO effectively closes off a potential liquidity window for the debt-laden conglomerate, which has struggled with financial stress exacerbated by the pandemic. Its stake in Tata Sons remains illiquid, making a resolution critical to its debt-reduction plans.

While Chandra enjoys strong support from the Indian government — earned through execution of high-stakes national projects such as semiconductor fabrication and mobile manufacturing — Noel Tata draws strength from a different source: the deep-rooted confidence and blessings of the Parsi community whose members have controlled the Tata Group since its inception in 1868.

Appointed in 2017 to steady the ship after the ouster of Cyrus Mistry, Chandra has done more than just restore confidence. Under his leadership, revenue for the group’s 15 largest listed entities has nearly doubled while their profits have more than doubled.

His tenure is also defined by high-stakes ambition, from launching India’s first homegrown semiconductor plant to navigating TCS through the volatile rise of artificial intelligence to turning around the unprofitable carrier, Air India.

“Nothing changes,” Chandra said Tuesday, when asked about the immediate impact on Tata Group’s leadership, before his car pulled away.