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Governments acted to steady energy markets with a coordinated, record release of emergency oil reserves aimed at easing recent price pressure, while businesses and innovators pushed ahead with technology and worker-focused wins: Uber teamed with Nissan and UK AI firm Wayve on a Tokyo robotaxi trial this year, advancing autonomous mobility research and urban transport options, and the John Lewis Partnership paid a staff bonus for the first time in four years—a 2% payout worth about £35m shared among roughly 69,000 partners after a rise in sales and profits—highlighting renewed commercial momentum and tangible benefits for employees.