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More than 2 million Americans who retired during the coronavirus pandemic and were expected to return to the labor force have declined to do so, leaving companies scrambling to lure back “excess retirees,” according to economic analysts.

A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis found that there were 1.98 million excess retirees as of September, according to Bloomberg News.

Late last year, there were 2.8 million excess retirees.

The number has recently bounced higher after dipping to 1.7 million in June, according to government data.

In the pre-pandemic period, the labor force participation rate of those over the age of 65 reached nearly 21%.

By the summer of 2021, however, as the nation was in the thick of COVID-induced lockdowns, the participation rate dipped to just over 18%.

As of late October, the number still hadn’t fully recovered, with just 19.3% of those in the labor force over the age of 65.

In the first 18 months of the pandemic, there were around 2.4 million additional Americans who retired unexpectedly — a majority of the 4.2 million who left the work force between March 2020 and July 2021, according to the St. Louis Fed.

Since then, around 1.5 million retirees re-entered the workforce.

A survey by personal investment firm T. Rowe Price found that the need for mental stimulation as well as financial reasons motivated the “unretirement” trend .

The exodus of retirement-age Americans has created a shortage in the labor market — prompting companies to scramble to fill their payrolls.

Firms are offering retirees incentives such as part-time or remote work in hopes of filling key roles.

Blue-chip companies like H&R Block, Microsoft, and Bank of America are among more than 2,500 businesses who signed an AARP pledge to facilitate an age-inclusive workforce.

Michigan, which is suffering through a severe teacher shortage, recently tweaked a law that aims to make it easier for teachers to come out of retirement and head back to the classrooms without risking their pensions.

Employers posted 9.6 million job openings in September, up from 9.5 million in August and a sign that the US job market remains strong even as the Federal Reserve attempts to cool the economy.

The September openings are down from a record 12 million in March 2022 but remain high by historical standards.

Before 2021 — when the American economy began to surge from the COVID-19 pandemic — monthly job openings had never topped 8 million.

Unemployment was 3.8% in September, just a couple of ticks above a half century low.

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America will not put up with it for much longer!’: Donald Trump hits out at Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy once again

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America will not put up with it for much longer!': Donald Trump hits out at Ukraine's President Zelenskyy once again

Donald Trump has hit out at the Ukrainian president once again, just four days after an explosive on-camera spat between the pair.

The US president posted on Truth Social saying Volodymyr Zelenskyy made “the worst statement that could have been made” when he said the end of the war with Russia is “very, very far away”.

“America will not put up with it for much longer!” Mr Trump posted.

Live updates: Trump hits out at Zelenskyy again

“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be peace as long as he has America’s backing,” the president added.

Mr Zelenskyy then posted on X saying Ukraine is “working together with America and our European partners and very much hope on US support on the path to peace”.

“Peace is needed as soon as possible,” he posted.

More on Donald Trump

Mr Trump also appeared to attack Mr Zelenskyy and Europe after yesterday’s Ukraine summit in London at which leaders, according to Mr Trump: “stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the US.”

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The Ukraine summit: How the day unfolded

“What are they thinking?” Mr Trump asked.

Hours later, however, during a press conference at the White House, Mr Trump praised Europe, saying its leaders have “acted very well”.

“We’re going to make deals with everybody… including Europe and European nations – and they’ve acted very well… they’re good people,” he said.

Read more:
‘I found Zelenskyy defiant after disastrous confrontation with Trump’
UK to defend Ukraine peace deal with ‘coalition of willing’, Starmer says

He told reporters the deal with Ukraine wasn’t dead despite the ongoing disagreements between himself and Mr Zelenskyy.

Donald Trump made an announcement about an investment from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, and also answered questions about Ukraine on 3 March 2025. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Donald Trump speaking to reporters on Monday night. Pic: Reuters

“It’s a great deal for us,” he said.

“I just think he [President Zelenskyy] should be more appreciative.”

A deal to end the war was still “very, very far away”, Mr Zelenskyy said earlier, adding he expects to keep receiving US support despite the two leaders’ public spat.

“I think our relationship [with the US] will continue because it’s more than an occasional relationship,” the Ukrainian president added.

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Sky News meets Zelenskyy: The key moments

Despite the confrontation leading to Mr Zelenskyy being told to leave the White House, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told Sky News’s chief political correspondent Jon Craig the argument may have been a “blessing”.

“Zelenskyy needed to wake up and smell the coffee,” said Mr Farage.

“And since that meeting, he’s done so, by the way, I’m told from people inside the White House that before they left the building, Zelenskyy wanted to go back in and sign the deal.”

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Pro-Ukrainian protesters gather in London

Mr Zelenskyy was in London over the weekend to meet with Sir Keir Starmer and King Charles and took part in a European summit on Ukraine convened by the UK.

Following the summit, Sir Keir announced a “coalition of the willing” to potentially provide boots on the ground in Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.

Read more: The ‘coalition of the willing’ – who’s in, who’s out?

US secretary of state Marco Rubio today thanked Foreign Secretary David Lammy for “the UK’s role in encouraging Europe to provide for its own defence and push for peace in Ukraine”, according to US state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.

“The secretary confirmed the United States is ready to negotiate to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict and will continue working with the UK towards peace in Ukraine,” she said.

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Technology

23andMe special committee again rejects CEO Wojcicki’s take-private offer

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23andMe special committee again rejects CEO Wojcicki's take-private offer

Anne Wojcicki, co-founder and chief executive officer of 23andme Inc., during the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, US, on Friday, March 10, 2023. 

Jordan Vonderhaar | Bloomberg | Getty Images

23andMe‘s special committee of independent directors on Monday rejected CEO Anne Wojcicki’s proposal to take the distressed genetic testing company private.

Wojcicki submitted a proposal to the committee on Sunday, offering to acquire all of the company’s outstanding shares for 41 cents each, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The stock plunged 33% on Monday to close at $1.47, down more than 99% from its peak in 2021.

Wojcicki and New Mountain Capital submitted a prior bid in February to take the company private for $2.53 per share. Days later, New Mountain told Wojcicki it was no longer interested in participating in a potential acquisition and would discontinue discussions, the filing said.

23andMe’s special committee said that Wojcicki’s proposal represented an 84% decrease from the prior offer and determined not to go forward, according to a release on Monday.

“The Special Committee has reviewed Ms. Wojcicki’s acquisition proposal in consultation with its financial and legal advisors, and has unanimously determined to reject the proposal,” the directors said.

23andMe didn’t immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.

Following a turbulent 2024, 23andMe announced plans in January to explore strategic alternatives, which could include a sale of the company or its assets, a restructuring or a business combination. 

Wojcicki previously submitted a proposal to take the company private for 40 cents per share in July, but it was rejected by the special committee, in part because the members said it lacked committed financing and did not provide a premium to the closing price at the time.

WATCH: The rise and fall of 23andMe

The rise and fall of 23andMe

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Huawei charts cautious global comeback with ultra-expensive phones — but major challenges remain

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Huawei charts cautious global comeback with ultra-expensive phones — but major challenges remain

The Huawei booth at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, 2025.

Arjun Kharpal | CNBC

BARCELONA — Huawei is dipping its toes back into the international smartphone market, but analysts warn the lingering effects of U.S. sanctions is likely to hamper the Chinese company’s ability to compete with leaders Apple and Samsung.

Over the past few months, Huawei has launched two key devices outside of China. The first in December was the Mate X6, a foldable smartphone, followed by the Mate XT, Huawei’s 3,499 euros ($3,660) trifold phone.

Huawei was looking to stand out from the crowd of similar-looking smartphones at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, the world’s biggest telecoms trade show. The Chinese firm had a large stand showing off its wares, including the Mate XT.

These expensive devices and Huawei’s presence at a global tech show, underscore the tech giant’s targeted approach, attempting to maintain its brand image as an innovative company while selling high-end smartphones.

“Huawei is still very cautious and conservative with what it believes it can achieve outside China with its smartphone business,” Runar Bjørhovde, an analyst at Canalys told CNBC.

“Bringing Mate XT and X6 abroad is no sign that it will make an international comeback with its smartphone business in the next years. Both of these are priced exceptionally and is instead to maintain its desired brand perception of being a cutting-edge innovator with smartphones and still sell devices to its most wealthy super-fans.”

Signage shows the Huawei Mate X6 at Huawei’s booth at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, 2025.

Arjun Kharpal | CNBC

Huawei’s downfall and comeback

International challenges

MWC used to be a show dominated by Huawei, from the sponsorship of the lanyards and badges that attendees wore, to announcing the buzziest product launches at the event.

While Huawei has scaled back some of the glitzier aspects of its attendance, its stand remains very large as it shows off other parts of its business, in particular its telecommunications equipment which helped turn it into one of the world’s biggest tech companies.

In the consumer space, Huawei has maintained some presence outside of China with devices such as smartwatches but its smartphone business remains very limited. The firm is using 2025’s MWC to show off the Mate XT, the first of its kind device with a screen that folds twice.

However, its success in China is unlikely to be replicated with the biggest challenge being Huawei’s lack of access to Google’s Android software, analysts said.

“I don’t think they will be able to return to international markets without the full Google services,” Francisco Jeronimo, vice president for data and analytics at International Data Corporation, told CNBC.

A Huawei Technologies Mate XT smartphone arranged in Hong Kong on Sep. 24, 2024.

Lam Yik | Bloomberg | Getty Images

“They haven’t managed to grow market share in the international markets,” he said.

Google’s Android operating system is run by 80% of the world’s smartphones, according to Counterpoint Research. Outside of China, Android device users rely on the Google Play Store, which is Google’s app store, as well as the various apps from the Chrome browser to Gmail.

While Huawei has its own operating system called HarmonyOS, it still does not have the ability to offer Google apps, which the majority of users rely on.

“Expanding the smartphone business outside China will be a huge challenge,” Canalys’ Bjørhovde said.

“Not only because Harmony barely has any active users outside China, limiting its user feedback and app availability, but also because it needs the right device portfolio, operations team, marketing resources, etc. This will take years to rebuild, even with strong success in other device categories.”

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