Fort scores 27 in Samford's 97-90 victory over Alabama A&M
Pakistani Militants Kill 16 Near Afghan Border As Violence Grows
Mitchell scores 32, Idaho defeats Pacific 95-72OTTAWA - The Federal Court of Appeal says big streaming companies won't have to pay for Canadian content until the court hears their appeal of a CRTC decision ordering them to pay. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * OTTAWA - The Federal Court of Appeal says big streaming companies won't have to pay for Canadian content until the court hears their appeal of a CRTC decision ordering them to pay. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? OTTAWA – The Federal Court of Appeal says big streaming companies won’t have to pay for Canadian content until the court hears their appeal of a CRTC decision ordering them to pay. In June, the CRTC said that foreign streamers must contribute five per cent of their annual Canadian revenues to a fund devoted to producing Canadian content, including local TV and radio news. Big global streamers like Netflix and Disney Plus launched court challenges of that order, which the regulator made under the Online Streaming Act. Earlier this month, the Federal Court of Appeal agreed to hear the case. A judge said Monday the streamers won’t have to make the payments, estimated to be at least $1.25 million each annually, until that court process plays out. The parties have agreed to an expedited schedule, meaning the court hearing would take place in June before the bulk of the money is due in August. The court decision notes that Amazon, Apple and Spotify have argued that if they make the payments, win the appeal and overturn the CRTC decision, they wouldn’t be able to recover the money. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Justice Wyman Webb says having an accelerated schedule “mitigates the inconvenience arising from a possible delay in the payment,” due on Aug. 31, 2025. In a statement, the CRTC says that the Online Streaming Act, which became law in 2023, “requires the CRTC to modernize the Canadian broadcasting framework.” The regulator said it would “continue to balance consulting widely with moving quickly to build the new regulatory framework.” Kevin Desjardins, president of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, says the organization is disappointed but “optimistic that the Court and all parties recognize the importance of resolving these matters...expeditiously, so that urgently needed funding for Canadian news and other production can flow back into our media system next year.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement
7.0 earthquake off Northern California prompts brief tsunami warning
Carlos Alcaraz has often been open about the fact that he idolized Rafael Nadal while growing up. He has often sung the praises of the tennis legend. After Nadal bid farewell to tennis, the 21-year-old shared his biggest learning experience idolizing Nadal over the years. Nadal played his final career match at the Davis Cup Finals on Tuesday,(November 19). The 38-year-old led Spain into the opening tie against the Netherlands, but lost in straight sets to Botic van de Zandschulp . Alcaraz brought the Spanish team back into the game but in the decisive doubles match, the Dutch team edged over Spain in a 2-1 victory. After the match, legends and athletes from all over the world poured their tribute to Nadal following his retirement. However, Alcaraz, who has idolized the tennis legend, has been much closer to him in the past few months. He partnered with Nadal at the Paris Olympics, where they reached the quarterfinals before exiting the tournament. During Alcaraz press conference at the Davis Cup, the 21-year-old paid tribute to his legendary compatriot. He also expressed gratitude to Nadal for the learning experiences he gained watching him over the years. Rafa taught me the passion that is necessary for this life in tennis. I was lucky to have him by my side. If I could have arrived on the circuit earlier... But I will keep unforgettable moments from him. It is thanks to him that I wanted to become a tennis player. Nadal’s loss to Van de Zandschulp was his second defeat at the Davis Cup in his career. The Spaniard played 31 matches and won 29 of them. The last time he lost a match was in 2004 against Czech Republic’s Jiri Novak . Carlos Alcaraz hopes to continue Rafael Nadal’s legacy despite being “almost impossible” Carlos Alcaraz has always been applauded as the best player to continue Rafael Nadal ‘s legacy on the court. The 21-year-old has achieved several records in tennis, including winning back-to-back Grand Slam titles at the French Open and Wimbledon. He now has four majors which is a long way from Nadal’s 22. After Spain exited the Davis Cup Finals, he was asked whether he would continue Nadal’s legacy. The Spanish youngster revealed that it will be difficult and almost impossible to do that but didn’t rule out the likelihood of it happening. I don’t want to think that I should continue the legacy that he has left. It is difficult, almost impossible. I will try to do my best, but right now, you know, it’s time to say just great things about Rafa, what he has done during his career... Probably he was one of the players that put tennis in the top of sport in the top of the world. Alcaraz ended the 2024 season with four titles and finished as World No.3. The Australian Open remains the only Grand Slam he has yet to win in his career, and he will aim to lift the title in January 2025. This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.Court hits pause on global streamers’ upcoming Canadian content payments
10 years after the targeted killing of 2 NYPD officers, policing in NY has changedOAPAOS moves to drive outdoor advertising growth in OyoBetter return to US before Trump inaugural, foreign students advised
Ex-employees kept network access in three gov't departments: auditor
Cue to the Queen that sings, ‘Who wants to live forever’! As it’s quite clear that Bryan Johnson does! Bryan Johnson is an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, writer and author. He is the founder and former CEO of Kernel, a company creating devices that monitor and record brain activity, and OS Fund, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage science and technology companies. The former Silicon Valley executive has become a prominent figure in the anti-aging movement , spending millions of dollars annually on his quest to defy the natural aging process. The tech entrepreneur follows a strict protocol, which includes taking over 50 pills daily, undergoing plasma transfusions , fat transfers, and even exploring gene therapy . The man who wants to live forever! Netflix recently unveiled the trailer for the upcoming documentary based on Bryan Johnson, named ' Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever '. The 47-year-old flagbearer of the anti-aging movement shares his ‘anti-ageing protocol’, on which he has spent millions of dollars. The documentary delves into Johnson’s relentless and controversial pursuit of reversing his biological age through cutting-edge science and wellness practices. The tech entrepreneur also reveals that his controversial search for eternal life through science includes practices like plasma transfusions, fat transfers, popping more than 50 pills a day, and even exploring gene therapy. What is the documentary about? Directed by Chris Smith , known for 'Fyre' and '100 Foot Wave', the documentary provides intimate access to Johnson’s life, shedding light on the broader implications of his controversial wellness practices. Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever | Official Trailer | Netflix According to the description of the trailer, "How far would you go to live forever - or even just slow down the aging process? This startling documentary by Chris Smith (Fyre, 100 Foot Wave) is told through intimate access to Bryan Johnson, a man who has dedicated his life to defy aging. Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever dives into the controversial wellness practices one man is using to maintain youth and vitality, and the effect this journey has on himself and those around him." The trailer offers a glimpse into the extreme measures Johnson has adopted in his pursuit of longevity. In the trailer, Mr Johnson shows off the extreme measures he has taken in his pursuit of extending his natural life. He explains the motivation behind his search for eternal life and states while undergoing his first-ever gene therapy session, "I’m trying to be on the outermost edge of possibility for the science." Johnson also shares the deeply personal motivation behind his search for eternal youth , "I really want to have multiple lifetimes with my son. One hundred years is not enough." The trailer further shows Mr Johnson, along with his son and father, taking part in the first "multi-generational" plasma exchange. The procedure involved his teenage son donating plasma to Johnson, while Johnson, in turn, donated plasma to his own elderly father. This groundbreaking practice is presented as a symbolic and scientific attempt to explore the limits of life extension. Johnson says, "We may walk into a future where all of us live healthier and longer. I want to live with everything that I am. As a species, we accept our inevitable decay, decline, and death.” He concludes by saying, "I want to argue that the opposite is true." Are anti-aging treatments healthy? Anti-aging treatments can have both positive and negative effects on your health: Positive effects: Some anti-aging treatments can improve the appearance of your skin, such as chemical peels, which remove the outer layer of old skin to reveal smoother, younger skin. Other treatments, like microneedling, can improve the texture and appearance of your skin by boosting collagen and elastin growth. Negative effects: Anti-aging treatments can have side effects like redness, swelling, bruising, and pain. More serious side effects include scarring, infections, allergic reactions, and even vision loss. Some anti-aging treatments can also carry health risks, such as an increased risk of cancer or cardiovascular disease. Anti-aging treatments can be expensive and may require multiple sessions or ongoing maintenance. Some treatments may only provide temporary results, and the results may be subtle or not noticeable at all. Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever: Bryan Johnson Starrer Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever Official TrailerIn today’s trading, several major stocks made significant moves, capturing investors’ attention. Super Micro , a key player in the technology sector, saw a substantial increase in its stock price, drawing interest from market watchers. Meanwhile, the semiconductor giants, Nvidia and Broadcom , both experienced notable gains, reinforcing their positions in the booming chip industry. While chips were on an upward trajectory, steel was also in the spotlight. U.S. Steel showed impressive growth, surprising some, especially since Nippon Steel’s ambitious bid to acquire the American company is currently under the scrutiny of President Biden. His administration has expressed concerns about the deal, potentially affecting its future. In the electric vehicle sector, Tesla continued to make waves, as investors reacted positively to the company’s latest developments. Their innovative strides in the automotive field keep them at the forefront of industry interest. Finally, in the entertainment realm, Netflix remains a favorite among investors. The streaming giant’s stock price movement reflects its enduring strength in the competitive market. These fluctuations in stock prices illustrate the dynamic nature of the market, with various factors influencing investor decisions. Companies across different industries are navigating challenges and opportunities, as they strive to attract and maintain investor confidence. Stock Market Dynamics: Latest Trends and Insights The stock market showed dynamic changes in recent trading sessions, with several major companies experiencing significant shifts in their stock prices. Here’s a closer look at the developments and what they might mean for investors and the relevant sectors. Super Micro , a leading entity in the technology space, made headlines with a substantial increase in its stock price. This surge highlights the growing interest in companies driving technological advancements. The tech sector is expected to continue innovating, especially in areas like AI and automation, which could sustain interest in companies like Super Micro. In the semiconductor industry, both Nvidia and Broadcom witnessed notable gains, suggesting a robust growth trajectory. As the demand for semiconductor technologies expands, primarily driven by artificial intelligence, automotive innovations, and data centers, these companies are solidifying their positions. Analysts predict this trend will continue, performing as a backbone for technological evolution and digital transformation. The steel industry saw surprising developments with U.S. Steel ‘s impressive growth amid an acquisition bid by Nippon Steel, which is currently under the Biden administration’s scrutiny. This indicates a potential realignment within the steel sector, responding to global trade policies and infrastructure demands. The administration’s concerns could reflect broader policy implications on foreign investments, particularly in key industry sectors. Tesla remains a focal point in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The company’s stock movement reflects ongoing confidence in its innovative capabilities. Tesla’s developments in sustainable energy solutions and self-driving technologies continue to captivate investor interest. As the EV market expands, further environmental regulatory pushes could benefit companies like Tesla leading this technological shift. Turning to entertainment, Netflix stays ahead in the competitive streaming market. While competitors grow in number and strategy, Netflix’s strong market presence and content diversification help maintain its appeal among investors. The streaming giant is expected to navigate these challenges through strategic content creation and international market expansion. These stock price fluctuations reflect a dynamic market landscape where investor decisions are swayed by varied factors, including technological advancements, policy impacts, and competitive positioning. Moving forward, market analysts expect to see continued growth in sectors embracing innovation and adjusting well to external challenges. For more insights and latest trends, check leading financial news sites or visit trusted sources like MarketWatch to stay updated.Consumer Electronic Biometrics Market Driven by Demand for Immersive Technologies Across Industries
Corruption, embezzlement, and money laundering have been endemic in Bangladesh but reached new heights during the last 15 years of the now-toppled regime led by the Awami League. The recently published "White Paper on the State of the Bangladesh Economy" reported that $234 billion was syphoned off from Bangladesh between 2009 and 2023. The interim government has promised to work tirelessly to identify the perpetrators of this massive mayhem—to loot and plunder the country and its poor people—and bring back some of the ill-gotten resources. Tax havens around the globe, particularly in the Middle East, Malaysia, the UK, Canada, the US, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore, provided a golden opportunity for businesses, bureaucrats, and politicians to use a well-crafted system of patronage and crony capitalism to take advantage of the country's incompetent leaders and financial regulators to launder an average of $16 billion a year. The White Paper documented the mechanism used for money laundering (ML)—these tricks have been well-known for a long time. The then foreign minister of Bangladesh stated during an interview with The Daily Star in 2020 that the AL government had information that politicians, businessmen, and government officials, including some "serving officials," had pilfered and whitewashed money by buying properties in Canada. It is no secret that Bangladesh Bank and the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) were fully aware of the scale of ML and the role played by the key protagonists! The previous government was, on many occasions, alerted by the World Bank, multilateral financial institutions, UN agencies, and national watchdogs about the scope of illicit financial flows (IIF). In 2011, during negotiations with the World Bank to secure financing for the Padma Bridge, the bank provided "credible evidence of corruption" to the government. These were brushed aside and dismissed as "trumped-up" allegations by the former prime minister. In my brief discussion on this matter with members of the current administration, it is clear that money laundering and its prevention are among its highest priorities. Last week, the BB governor publicly reiterated his intention to bring back stolen assets from other countries. He chairs a nine-member taskforce with representatives from important state agencies, which has been assigned to track down stolen assets abroad and support investigations aimed at their recovery. The taskforce seeks to expedite legal proceedings for asset recovery, identify and address barriers to recovery, manage frozen or recovered assets abroad, and strengthen communication with relevant domestic and international bodies to gather essential information while enhancing internal coordination and capabilities. While asset recovery is a tough and time-consuming process, it needs to be done, and for many reasons. The money looted from the coffers is now being used to undermine the present government. If we reverse the resource outflow and turn back the tide, that would rejuvenate our economic development. For example, the ML activities of the owners of the S Alam Group have resulted in the bankruptcy of the various businesses they own. If their overseas resources are liquidated and the proceeds repatriated and invested in their domestic enterprises, the local economy will receive a shot in the arm. Also, we need to send a message to the culprits. In the language of criminal justice system, the purpose would be "deterrence, retribution, and restoration." The asset recovery stage encompasses several steps that need to be pursued diligently. To begin, a special sub-unit comprising legal and financial experts could freeze, without delay and much fanfare, the funds or other assets of designated persons or entities. Fortunately, Bangladesh can leverage the goodwill earned by the interim administration and seek assistance from three powerful international bodies: i) The World Bank's Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (STAR); ii) The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), based in Paris; and iii) The US Department of Justice's Money Laundering and Asset recovery Section (MLARS). Going forward, the taskforce must initiate and hire staff to undertake and strengthen legal action in the following areas: identifying stolen assets, including non-performing bank loans; collecting intelligence and evidence and tracing overseas assets; determining the beneficiaries of ML and ownership transparency; initiating international cooperation between involved jurisdictions; coordination between agencies participating in the taskforce; and legal actions, domestic and international. Why is international collaboration so important? Most of the stolen money is invested overseas or stashed away in foreign banks. The process of identifying these investments and recovering them will be slow and involve tackling the lawyers, trust experts, real estate agents, accountants, and financial institutions representing the individuals—the Saifuzzamans and the Benazirs—who might have already been identified and tipped in advance. The money, once taken out of the country, is most likely to have been invested in real estate or businesses through a process known as "layering," where the ownership is completely fuzzy. We need to hire the best global investigators to trace the money since the beneficial owner may be hidden behind multiple layers of shell companies or a nominee company director. Since the US, Canada, Singapore, and the UK have some of the strictest anti-money-laundering (AML) legislation and enforcement mechanisms, our embassies or high commissions in these countries must be notified of the business entities or persons of interest. Several newspaper accounts of Bangladeshi residents in Singapore, New York, Toronto, and London have surfaced over the last few years. The taskforce can forward the list of suspects to MLARS and target the three most corrupt sectors identified by the White Paper: financial, ICT, and power. The ultimate goal of the current administration is to lay the foundation of an anti-ML programme that will prevent future occurrences. A comprehensive ML programme will include investment in employee education, stricter internal controls, accountability, and early detection. We need to build stronger defences against corruption, money laundering, and fraudulent trading practices. Key sectors like banking should have guardrails against the "bad influence of party politics," to quote Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud. Various policy measures and actions recommended by the Farashuddin Commission, set up after the Bangladesh Bank heist, need to be implemented. A whistleblower programme to reward individuals who provide helpful information on illegal financial activities must be established. Finally, this most recent money laundering and kleptocracy saga underscores the pressing need for unwavering diligence and proactive implementation of a comprehensive AML compliance framework in Bangladesh to safeguard the financial system. Dr Abdullah Shibli is an economist and works for Change Healthcare, Inc., an information technology company. He also serves as senior research fellow at the US-based International Sustainable Development Institute (ISDI). Views expressed in this article are the author's own. Follow The Daily Star Opinion on Facebook for the latest opinions, commentaries and analyses by experts and professionals. To contribute your article or letter to The Daily Star Opinion, see our guidelines for submission. Corruption, embezzlement, and money laundering have been endemic in Bangladesh but reached new heights during the last 15 years of the now-toppled regime led by the Awami League. The recently published "White Paper on the State of the Bangladesh Economy" reported that $234 billion was syphoned off from Bangladesh between 2009 and 2023. The interim government has promised to work tirelessly to identify the perpetrators of this massive mayhem—to loot and plunder the country and its poor people—and bring back some of the ill-gotten resources. Tax havens around the globe, particularly in the Middle East, Malaysia, the UK, Canada, the US, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore, provided a golden opportunity for businesses, bureaucrats, and politicians to use a well-crafted system of patronage and crony capitalism to take advantage of the country's incompetent leaders and financial regulators to launder an average of $16 billion a year. The White Paper documented the mechanism used for money laundering (ML)—these tricks have been well-known for a long time. The then foreign minister of Bangladesh stated during an interview with The Daily Star in 2020 that the AL government had information that politicians, businessmen, and government officials, including some "serving officials," had pilfered and whitewashed money by buying properties in Canada. It is no secret that Bangladesh Bank and the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) were fully aware of the scale of ML and the role played by the key protagonists! The previous government was, on many occasions, alerted by the World Bank, multilateral financial institutions, UN agencies, and national watchdogs about the scope of illicit financial flows (IIF). In 2011, during negotiations with the World Bank to secure financing for the Padma Bridge, the bank provided "credible evidence of corruption" to the government. These were brushed aside and dismissed as "trumped-up" allegations by the former prime minister. In my brief discussion on this matter with members of the current administration, it is clear that money laundering and its prevention are among its highest priorities. Last week, the BB governor publicly reiterated his intention to bring back stolen assets from other countries. He chairs a nine-member taskforce with representatives from important state agencies, which has been assigned to track down stolen assets abroad and support investigations aimed at their recovery. The taskforce seeks to expedite legal proceedings for asset recovery, identify and address barriers to recovery, manage frozen or recovered assets abroad, and strengthen communication with relevant domestic and international bodies to gather essential information while enhancing internal coordination and capabilities. While asset recovery is a tough and time-consuming process, it needs to be done, and for many reasons. The money looted from the coffers is now being used to undermine the present government. If we reverse the resource outflow and turn back the tide, that would rejuvenate our economic development. For example, the ML activities of the owners of the S Alam Group have resulted in the bankruptcy of the various businesses they own. If their overseas resources are liquidated and the proceeds repatriated and invested in their domestic enterprises, the local economy will receive a shot in the arm. Also, we need to send a message to the culprits. In the language of criminal justice system, the purpose would be "deterrence, retribution, and restoration." The asset recovery stage encompasses several steps that need to be pursued diligently. To begin, a special sub-unit comprising legal and financial experts could freeze, without delay and much fanfare, the funds or other assets of designated persons or entities. Fortunately, Bangladesh can leverage the goodwill earned by the interim administration and seek assistance from three powerful international bodies: i) The World Bank's Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (STAR); ii) The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), based in Paris; and iii) The US Department of Justice's Money Laundering and Asset recovery Section (MLARS). Going forward, the taskforce must initiate and hire staff to undertake and strengthen legal action in the following areas: identifying stolen assets, including non-performing bank loans; collecting intelligence and evidence and tracing overseas assets; determining the beneficiaries of ML and ownership transparency; initiating international cooperation between involved jurisdictions; coordination between agencies participating in the taskforce; and legal actions, domestic and international. Why is international collaboration so important? Most of the stolen money is invested overseas or stashed away in foreign banks. The process of identifying these investments and recovering them will be slow and involve tackling the lawyers, trust experts, real estate agents, accountants, and financial institutions representing the individuals—the Saifuzzamans and the Benazirs—who might have already been identified and tipped in advance. The money, once taken out of the country, is most likely to have been invested in real estate or businesses through a process known as "layering," where the ownership is completely fuzzy. We need to hire the best global investigators to trace the money since the beneficial owner may be hidden behind multiple layers of shell companies or a nominee company director. Since the US, Canada, Singapore, and the UK have some of the strictest anti-money-laundering (AML) legislation and enforcement mechanisms, our embassies or high commissions in these countries must be notified of the business entities or persons of interest. Several newspaper accounts of Bangladeshi residents in Singapore, New York, Toronto, and London have surfaced over the last few years. The taskforce can forward the list of suspects to MLARS and target the three most corrupt sectors identified by the White Paper: financial, ICT, and power. The ultimate goal of the current administration is to lay the foundation of an anti-ML programme that will prevent future occurrences. A comprehensive ML programme will include investment in employee education, stricter internal controls, accountability, and early detection. We need to build stronger defences against corruption, money laundering, and fraudulent trading practices. Key sectors like banking should have guardrails against the "bad influence of party politics," to quote Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud. Various policy measures and actions recommended by the Farashuddin Commission, set up after the Bangladesh Bank heist, need to be implemented. A whistleblower programme to reward individuals who provide helpful information on illegal financial activities must be established. Finally, this most recent money laundering and kleptocracy saga underscores the pressing need for unwavering diligence and proactive implementation of a comprehensive AML compliance framework in Bangladesh to safeguard the financial system. Dr Abdullah Shibli is an economist and works for Change Healthcare, Inc., an information technology company. He also serves as senior research fellow at the US-based International Sustainable Development Institute (ISDI). Views expressed in this article are the author's own. Follow The Daily Star Opinion on Facebook for the latest opinions, commentaries and analyses by experts and professionals. To contribute your article or letter to The Daily Star Opinion, see our guidelines for submission.Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus WASHINGTON (AP) — A powerful government panel has failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of a nearly $15 billion proposed deal for Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase U.S. Steel. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States on Monday sent its long-awaited report to President Joe Biden, a longtime opponent of the deal. Some federal agencies represented on the panel were skeptical that allowing a Japanese company to buy an American-owned steelmaker would create national security risks. That's according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. Both Biden and President-elect Donald Trump opposed the merger and vowed to block it. Nippon Steel says it is confident the deal will go ahead. Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Survey: Small businesses are feeling more optimistic about the economy after the election A survey shows small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the economy following the election. The National Federation of Independent Businesses’ Small Business Optimism Index rose by eight points in November to 101.7, its highest reading since June 2021. The Uncertainty Index declined 12 points in November to 98, following October’s pre-election record high of 110. NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said small business owners became more certain about future business conditions following the presidential election, breaking a nearly three-year streak of record high uncertainty. The survey also showed that more owners are also hoping 2025 will be a good time to grow. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by vendor technology in its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. Stock market today: Wall Street rallies ahead of Christmas Stocks closed higher on Wall Street ahead of the Christmas holiday, led by gains in Big Tech stocks. The S&P 500 added 1.1% Tuesday. Trading closed early ahead of the holiday. Tech companies including Apple, Amazon and chip company Broadcom helped pull the market higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. American Airlines shook off an early loss and ended mostly higher after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. Treasury yields held steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury was little changed at 4.59% An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market.
MoRAC acknowledges contributors to adding Myanmar’s Thingyan Festival to UNESCO listState Lands Commission, Ports of Long Beach and Humboldt Announce Offshore Wind Energy Partnership
Young holds 3-shot lead over Scheffler in BahamasDETROIT — In the waning days of President Joe Biden’s administration, the government’s highway safety agency is proposing voluntary safety guidelines for self-driving vehicles. But a rule from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration putting the plan in place won’t be approved before the end of Biden’s term in January and likely will be left to whoever runs the agency under Republican Donald Trump. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whom Trump has named to co-lead a “Department of Government Efficiency” to cut costs and regulations, has floated the idea of him helping to develop safety standards for self-driving vehicles — even though the standards would affect Tesla’s automated driving systems. At present there are no federal regulations that specifically govern autonomous vehicles, and any regulation is left to states. However, self-driving vehicles must meet broad federal safety standards that cover all passenger vehicles. Under the agency’s proposal, released on Friday, automakers and autonomous vehicle companies could enroll in a program that would require safety plans and some data reporting for autonomous vehicles operating on public roads. To apply companies would have to have independent assessments of their automated vehicle safety processes, and there would be requirements to report crashes and other problems with the vehicles. Companies would have to give NHTSA information and data on the safety of the design, development and operations of the vehicles. The agency would decide whether to accept companies into the program. But auto safety advocates say the plan falls short of needed regulation for self-driving vehicles. For instance, it doesn’t set specific performance standards set for the vehicles such as numbers and types of of sensors or whether the vehicles can see objects in low-visibility conditions, they said. “This is a big bunch of nothing,” said Missy Cummings, director of the autonomy and robotics center at George Mason University and a former safety adviser to NHTSA. “It’ll be more of a completely useless paperwork drill where the companies swear they’re doing the right thing.” Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said one of the few good things about the plan is that companies will have to report data on crashes and other problems. There have been reports that the Trump administration may want to scrap a NHTSA order that now requires autonomous vehicle companies to report crashes to the agency so it can collect data. A message was left Friday seeking comment from the Trump transition team on crash reporting requirements. Brooks said the incoming administration probably will want to put out its own version of the guidelines. NHTSA will seek public comment on the plan for about 60 days, then the plan would have to wind its way through the federal regulatory process, which can take months or even years. The agency said it believes the plan can accelerate learning about autonomous vehicles as well as work toward future regulations. “It is important that ADS (Automated Driving System) technology be deployed in a manner that protects the public from unreasonable safety risk while at the same time allowing for responsible development of this technology, which has the potential to advance safety,” the proposed rule says. The agency concedes that in the future, there may be a need for NHTSA to set minimum standards for self driving vehicle performance that are similar to mandatory safety standards that govern human-driven cars. But the agency says it now doesn’t have data and metrics to support those standards. The voluntary plan would help gather those, the proposal said.
SpaceX plans to launch 30 satellites to orbit early Saturday morning (Dec. 21). A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to lift off from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on Saturday at 6:34 a.m. EDT (1134 GMT; 3:34 a.m. local California time), kicking off a rideshare mission SpaceX calls Bandwagon-2. The company will webcast the action live via its X account beginning about 15 minutes before launch. Thirty satellites are going up on Bandwagon-2, including payloads for South Korea's Agency for Defense Development as well as "Arrow Science and Technology, Exolaunch, HawkEye 360, Maverick Space Systems, Sidus Space, Tomorrow Companies Inc., True Anomaly and Think Orbital," SpaceX wrote in a mission description . Related: SpaceX: Facts about Elon Musk's private spaceflight company SpaceX has launched one Bandwagon mission already — Bandwagon-1 , which sent up 11 satellites this past April. The company also launches other rideshare missions with a series it calls "Transporter." SpaceX has launched 11 Transporter missions to date. The first one, which flew in January 2021, lofted 143 satellites to orbit, a single-launch record that still stands. If all goes according to plan on Saturday, the Falcon 9's first stage will return to Earth about eight minutes after launch, landing vertically back at Vandenberg. It will be the 21st flight for this particular booster, according to the SpaceX mission description. That's just three away from the company's rocket-reuse record . The Bandwagon-2 mission description does not give a timeline for the deployment of the 30 satellites.