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Supreme Court will take up a challenge related to California's tough vehicle emissions standards WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations, acting in a dispute related to California’s nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions. The justices agreed Friday to hear an appeal filed by fuel producers who object to a waiver granted to California in 2022 by the Environmental Protection Agency during Joe Biden’s presidency. The waiver allows California to set more stringent emissions limits than the national standard. The case won’t be argued until the spring, when the Trump administration is certain to take a more industry-friendly approach to the issue. Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases DETROIT (AP) — Elon Musk says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed — or failed to disclose — about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. In a letter, Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro tells the outgoing SEC chairman, Gary Gensler, that the commission’s demand for a monetary payment is a “misguided scheme” that won’t intimidate Musk. The letter also alleges that the commission reopened an investigation this week into Neuralink, Musk’s computer-to-human brain interface company. The SEC has not released the letter. Nor would it comment on it or confirm whether it has issued such a demand to Musk. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Saudi Arabia banned film for 35 years. The Red Sea festival is just one sign of the industry's rise JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Saudi Arabia’s decades-long cinema ban. Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different. And the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent award at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Thursday. Both the award and the glitzy festival itself are signs of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to shaping a new film industry. The reopening of cinemas in 2018 after 35 years marked a cultural turning point for Saudi Arabia. Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systems WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports. He posted on social media Thursday that he met with union leaders and that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. He wrote that the “amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. The Maritime Alliance says the technology will improve worker safety and strengthen our supply chains, among other things. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Unique among 'Person of the Year' designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazine Donald Trump got something this year that no other person designed Time magazine's Person of the Year had ever received. He got a fact-check of claims that the president-elect made in the interview accompanying the magazine's piece. Trump earned the recognition of the year's biggest newsmaker for the second time, also winning it in 2016 the first time he was elected president. But in a piece described as a “12-minute” read, Time called into question more than a dozen statements Trump made when speaking to the magazine's reporters, on issues like border size, autism and crowd size at a rally. Time said it has fact-checked other interviews in the past, but not for this annual feature. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. OpenAI's Altman will donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund LOS ANGELES (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the move on Friday. The announcement comes one day after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to the same fund. Amazon also said it plans to donate $1 million. China signals it's prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese leaders met this week to plot economic policy for the coming year and sketched out plans to raise government spending and relax Beijing's monetary policy. Analysts said the broad-brush plans from the annual Central Economic Work Conference were more of a recap of current policy than ambitious new initiatives at a time when the outlook is clouded by the President-elect Donald Trump's threats to sharply raise tariffs once he takes office. The ruling Communist Party did commit to raising China's deficit and to doing more to encourage consumer spending by bringing wage increases in line with the pace of economic growth. Here's a look at China's main priorities and their potential implications.
The Governor of Yucatan, Joaquin Diaz Mena, explained the competitive advantages and benefits that Yucatan offers for conducting high-end businesses. When participating in a discussion with attendees at the XXVI Annual Franchise Convention, Diaz Mena continued to position the state as a national benchmark in economic development and innovation. He highlighted the achievements made thanks to public policies focused on security, infrastructure, and the strengthening of human capital. These actions, he said, have allowed Yucatan to consolidate itself as one of the most attractive states for private investment, with key sectors such as tourism, agribusiness, and technology advancing by leaps and bounds. In a meeting with national and international franchisees, the governor underlined the benefits of the state: a trained workforce, social stability, and strategic connectivity with the rest of the country and abroad. In addition, projects such as the expansion of the Port of Progreso and the Mayan Train promise to further integrate Yucatan into the global economy, opening up new opportunities for local and foreign industries. At this event, which is being held for the first time in the state and is attended by representatives and owners of franchises of national and international brands, Díaz Mena stressed that investing in the state is safe thanks to its advantages and characteristics, including being the most peaceful state in Mexico. In addressing his message, and in the presence of the president of the Mexican Franchise Association, Mario Alberto Briceño Martínez, Díaz Mena thanked the trust placed in Yucatan for the realization of this event. He assured me that this is one more motivation to continue working on attracting business leaders who head national and international companies and brands, who are an example for other Mexicans who wish to enter this market. Together with the Vice President of International Affairs of the same organization, Mary Carmen Cabrera Cisneros, and the Secretary of Economic Development and Labor of the state, Ermilo Barrera Novelo, the governor highlighted that Yucatán has a wide range of tourist attractions and resources. This added to the logistics platform promoted by his administration and nearshoring, makes the state an ideal destination for local and global companies to invest. In addition, the Governor detailed the projects in the pipeline, developed in coordination with the Federal Government, which seek to contribute to the economic growth of the state as part of the Mayan Renaissance. These include the expansion and modernization of the Progreso Deepwater Port, the branch of the Mayan Train from Umán to the port, the Metropolitan Ring in Mérida, the Industrial Well-being Poles and various clean energy initiatives. These projects, Díaz Mena explained, aim to attract new companies that generate better-paid jobs for Yucatecans. In addition, the educational preparation of students is promoted so that they acquire the required skills, tourism focused on various sectors is encouraged, and the appropriate conditions are created for companies to establish themselves efficiently. “I am sure that you, as franchisors who have managed to market products and brands that already represent 5% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, will be well received in Yucatan. This state welcomes you with open doors, with a view to the Mayan Renaissance allowing all the communities of the state to receive the benefits of the economic spillover,” Díaz Mena stressed. For his part, the president of the Mexican Franchise Association, Mario Alberto Briceño Martínez, accompanied by Simon Bartholomew, general secretary of the World Franchise Council, expressed his pride in holding this event in the safest state in the country. “Thank you, Huacho, for your hospitality and for allowing us to learn about the benefits of one of the most prosperous states in Mexico,” he concluded.
Xi extends congratulations to 2024 Imperial Springs International Forum, calls for enhanced exchanges and understandingRunning back Jace Clarizio flipped his commitment from his local team, Michigan State, to Alabama. The decision, announced by Clarizio on social media Tuesday, comes after the East Lansing (Mich.) High standout visited head coach Kalen DeBoer's Crimson Tide on Nov. 16. "Great program," Clarizio told On3. "Playing on the biggest level. ... All the people and coaches I met and interacted with were all great people. The atmosphere was crazy." The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder is ranked as the No. 33 running back by On3 and tabbed No. 35 in their industry ranking. In May, he had verbally committed to the Spartans, where his father, Craig Johnson, was a running back and defensive back who was a member of the 1987 Rose Bowl-winning squad under coach George Perles. --Field Level MediaZimbabwe’s high cost of compliance is eroding companies’ profits and incentivising informalisation, hence, the Government should do more to reverse the scenario, business leaders and experts have said. The cost of compliance for businesses is the total amount of expenses a business incurs to meet regulatory requirements. In Zimbabwe, business experts and captains of industry contend the mandatory regulatory environment remains tough for both old and new businesses and investors, resulting in some exploring loopholes to avoid compliance. Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) economist Dr Cornelius Dube, in a presentation at the Business Weekly-organised 2025 Post Budget Breakfast meeting on Monday, said Zimbabwe has the third highest mandatory compliance burden in the SADC region. “Profitability for companies has been falling while economic activity is still high. This is a result of the high cost of compliance, which is eroding profits while high informality is eroding market shares,” he said. He noted that according to World Bank data, the total tax and compliance rate is 32 percent of profit for Zimbabwe. Dr Dube said regulators could be the main beneficiaries of business activities, and the 2025 budget did not provide any measures towards dealing with costs of regulation besides passing the burden to the Office of President Cabinet (OPC). He noted that for a solar farm investment, engineering estimates on regulators collections in terms of permitting and licensing fees to completion of the project development phase of 1 to 10 megawatts (MW) amounts to US$129 774, with the EMA certification fee accounting for US$73 600. From 11 to 25MW, total permitting and licensing fees to completion require a total of US$264,256, while 25MW to 50MW requires US$524,048. Tax expert David Masaya said the 2025 Budget did not provide any measure towards costs of regulation. He noted that VAT collections have been going up while the profitability of companies is decreasing, highlighting the high nature of compliance costs. “Government should provide incentives to formalise the informal sector and make them see the benefits of formalisation through streamlining the costs of compliance,” he said. Zimbabwe’s economy is highly informalised, accounting for an estimated 60-70 percent of the economy, generating annual revenue of US$14,2 billion, according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. CZI president Mucha Mkanganwi, speaking at the post-budget meeting, said incentivising informal players through asset protection, rights entitlements, and benefits tied to formalisation could encourage them to transition. “The high cost of formalisation is a significant barrier. Instead of focusing on how to tax the informal sector, we should prioritise making formalisation attractive. Conditional incentives such as social insurance schemes could be an effective starting point,” he said. This is, however, different from a Government approach of instituting several tax heads and penalties in an effort to drive formalisation. According to Masaya, the tax expert, failure on mandatory registration of various operators, clothing merchandisers/boutiques, car dealers, and lodges and the compulsory use of POS machines triggers presumptive taxes ranging from US$20 000 to US$60 000 from a monthly average of US$1 700 to US$5 000, that is on assumed monthly profits of US$7 000 to US$20 000. Farai Mutambanengwe, founder and chief executive officer of the SME Association of Zimbabwe, said the current tax regime discourages formalisation. “Most SMEs are focused on survival and generating money. The moment they hear about taxes, they lose interest. Many don’t even understand the budget or its implications,” he said. He noted that the punitive nature of the tax system criminalises informal sector players. “It’s not that people don’t want to pay taxes, but the regime is too radical. Street vendors, for instance, cannot afford these taxes. This approach will only drive SMEs further into non-compliance,” he added. However, Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the informal sector is only informal to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and National Social Security Authority (NSSA) but formal to other regulators and local authorities. “What is lacking is the sharing of data between Zimra and the local authorities; should that happen, we can formalise the sector quickly,” he said. The minister said through the 2025 Budget, he proposed a number of measures focused on SMEs aimed at bringing them into formal channels. He promised to act on the issue of the high cost of compliance in conjunction with the OPC, indicating that there are also windows of opportunity to review certain aspects of the budget as raised by industry, business, and experts. Source: Business Weekly
NEW YORK and AMSTERDAM , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Dow Jones Indices ("S&P DJI"), the world's leading index provider, today announced the results of the annual Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) rebalancing and reconstitution. The DJSI are float-adjusted market capitalization weighted indices that measure the performance of companies selected using environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. The DJSI, including the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World), were launched in 1999 as the pioneering series of global sustainability benchmarks available in the market. The index family is comprised of global, regional and country benchmarks.AP News Summary at 1:48 p.m. ESTGermany is to vote in an early election on February 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalise the country’s stagnant economy. Mr Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag – a sister publication of Politico owned by the Axel Springer Group – published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month that he has supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. “The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country,” he wrote in his translated commentary. He went on to say that the far-right party “can lead the country into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality”. The Tesla Motors chief executive also wrote that his investment in Germany gives him the right to comment on the country’s condition. The AfD is polling strongly, but its candidate for the top job, Alice Weidel, has no realistic chance of becoming chancellor because other parties refuse to work with the far-right party. Billionaire Mr Musk, an ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, challenged in his opinion piece the party’s public image. “The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party’s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!” Mr Musk’s commentary has led to a debate in German media over the boundaries of free speech, with the paper’s own opinion editor announcing her resignation, pointedly on Mr Musk’s social media platform, X. Eva Marie Kogel wrote: “I always enjoyed leading the opinion section of WELT and WAMS. Today an article by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print.” A critical article by the future editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Jan Philipp Burgard, accompanied Mr Musk’s opinion piece. “Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally wrong,” he wrote. Responding to a request for comment from the German Press Agency, dpa, the current editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Ulf Poschardt, and Mr Burgard – who is due to take over on January 1 – said in a joint statement that the discussion over Mr Musk’s piece was “very insightful. Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression.” “This will continue to determine the compass of the ‘world’ in the future. We will develop ‘Die Welt’ even more decisively as a forum for such debates,” they wrote to dpa.
New Delhi, Dec 26 (PTI) India's sports fraternity on Thursday joined the nation in mourning the demise of two-time former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, paying homage to his "calm leadership and wisdom" in stirring condolence messages. Singh, 92, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here after losing consciousness at his home owing to age-related ailments. "Sad news of the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. A visionary leader and a true statesman who worked tirelessly for India's progress. His wisdom and humility will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones," World Cup-winning former cricketer Yuvraj Singh posted on X. Similar sentiments were expressed by his former teammate and Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha member Harbhajan Singh, who described Singh as a thorough gentleman and visionary leader. "What truly set him apart was his calm and steady leadership in times of crisis, his ability to navigate complex political landscapes, and his unwavering belief in India's potential," he wrote. It was during Singh's second tenure that India hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the national capital. It was the first international multi-sport extravaganza to be held in the country after the 1982 Asian Games, also hosted by Delhi. Former wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who is now a Congress MLA in Haryana, called Singh a man of "extraordinary wisdom, simplicity and vision." "Dr. Manmohan Singh was not just a Prime Minister, but he was a thinker, economist and a true patriot. His calm leadership style and economic vision gave the country a new direction, from the 1991 economic reforms to establishing India's reputation on the global stage. "There was depth in his humility and wisdom in his every word. His services and contributions to the country will always be remembered. You will always live in our hearts, Sir," she wrote in her emotional tribute on social media. Former cricketers Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman and ex-women's hockey team captain Rani Rampal were also among those who expressed their sadness at his death. Before serving as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, Singh was finance minister in the P V Narasimha Rao-led government and was the brain behind the economic reforms of 1991 that marked the beginning of liberalisation in the country. Widely respected for his intellect and grace in public life, Singh had retired from active politics in April this year after over a three-decade run as a Rajya Saha MP. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
MALIBU, Calif., Dec. 13, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — As the Franklin Fire nears containment, having scorched over 4,000 acres and displaced thousands of residents, the Satellite Phone Store ( satellitephonestore.com ) is stepping up to provide critical communication solutions to assist recovery efforts and prepare communities for future emergencies. The Franklin Fire, which destroyed six homes and damaged others, left many areas without reliable communication infrastructure. Satellite communication devices such as sat phones & starlink terminals , which function independently of damaged cell networks, are proving essential for both emergency responders and returning residents. IN RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS, THE SATELLITE PHONE STORE IS OFFERING: “A WAKE-UP CALL FOR PREPAREDNESS” “Disasters like the Franklin Fire remind us how essential reliable communication is during and after an emergency,” said Tina Blanco, CEO of Satellite Phone Store. “We’re here to help Malibu recover, but we also want to encourage everyone to think ahead. It’s never too late to prepare for the unexpected, and having the right tools can make all the difference.” SATELLITE COMMUNICATION: A LIFELINE DURING AND AFTER A CRISIS As displaced residents begin returning home, satellite communication tools are helping: With the wildfire starting to be under control, attention now shifts to the importance of emergency preparedness. Wildfires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters can happen at any time, and satellite communication ensures connectivity when traditional networks fail. WHY PREPAREDNESS MATTERS The Satellite Phone Store emphasizes the importance of readiness for future emergencies: PREPARE TODAY FOR TOMORROW’S EMERGENCIES As Malibu rebuilds, the Satellite Phone Store urges individuals and communities to take action now to prepare for what’s next. Reliable communication tools aren’t just for disasters—they’re a safeguard for the unexpected challenges of the future. About Satellite Phone Store: The Satellite Phone Store, a division of Connecta Satellite Solutions LLC , is a global leader in satellite communication technology. Specializing in satellite phones, portable internet hotspots, GPS trackers, and emergency equipment, the company equips families, businesses, and governments with tools to stay connected in extreme conditions. For more information, visit https://SatellitePhoneStore.com/ or call 1-877-324-6913. MEDIA CONTACT: Lacey Moore Website: SatellitePhoneStore.com Email: Care@SatellitePhoneStore.com Phone: 1-877-324-6913 Locations: California, Florida, Alaska NEWS SOURCE: Satellite Phone Store Keywords: Telecom and VoIP, Emergency, Telecom, Technology, Internet, Natural Disasters, malibu wildfires, portable internet, satellite internet, sat phones, franklin fires, emergency response, california, MALIBU, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Satellite Phone Store) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122844 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/satellite-phone-store-steps-in-to-support-malibu-wildfire-recovery-with-lifesaving-communication-tools/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
S&P Dow Jones Indices Announces Dow Jones Sustainability Indices 2024 Review Results
As Argentina's maverick libertarian President Javier Milei marks one year in office, his efforts to revive the economy are still a work in progress - but his policies are proving influential in the US. Milei came to power with a mission to cut state spending in a country that had been living beyond its means for years. Despite his tough austerity measures and a continued rise in poverty rates , he is still supported by just over half the population, according to a survey carried out earlier this month by the CB Consultora organisation. That level of popularity is similar to that of Donald Trump right now. Roughly half of US voters backed the president-elect in last month's presidential contest - and Trump has hailed Milei as a man who can "make Argentina great again". Meanwhile, tech billionaire Elon Musk, who looks set to play a key role in the incoming US administration, has also praised Milei, saying Argentina is "experiencing a giant improvement" under his leadership. But what is it that Trump and Musk see in Milei? And are they as close ideologically as is often assumed? Milei's biggest achievement so far, the one which is most prized by Argentines, is his success in cutting inflation. But he has caused a stir in the US because of his deregulation drive, which has been seized on by small-government activists keen to shrink the size of the state in Washington along the lines of what is happening in Buenos Aires. In Milei's initial package of measures, he slashed state subsidies for fuel and cut the number of government ministries by half. Now he is trying to force through plans for a mass sell-off of state-run companies, including the country's flagship airline Aerolineas Argentinas, which has already been privatised once before being renationalised in 2008 . All this is music to the ears of Elon Musk, who is being tasked with similar cost-cutting initiatives under the banner of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency - a misleading name, since it is an advisory body, not an official government department. Musk and his co-leader in the department, fellow billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, have said they want to slash federal regulations, oversee mass layoffs and shut down some agencies entirely. Musk has spoken of cutting federal government spending by $2tn (£1.6tn) - about one-third of annual expenditure. According to him, Milei is doing "a fantastic job" in Argentina by "deleting entire departments" - and he would like to follow suit in the US, with Trump's blessing. But long-time Latin America observers are sceptical. Monica de Bolle, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, says that "taking inspiration from Milei to reduce the size of government doesn't make any sense". "The situation in Argentina is very particular to Argentina, because it was about the removal of decades of mismanagement of public resources. That has nothing to do with the US." Ms de Bolle says Argentina had no choice but to take action, because government overspending was so excessive that the country was "bursting into crisis every few years". "That is appropriate for Argentina, but for nobody else." Marcelo J García, Buenos Aires-based director for the Americas at global consulting firm Horizon Engage, says Milei's decision to wield a chainsaw on the campaign trail as a sign of his approach to government was a "masterpiece" of political marketing that has "captured the imagination of small-state activists across the globe". But he argues that while Musk's own business interests would benefit from less government regulation, that's not necessarily what Trump wants. "I'm not sure that the Trump platform is compatible with a Milei-type chainsaw small government," he told the BBC. He points out that Trump's policies "require big government in some areas", such as the building of border walls and mass deportations of illegal immigrants. "You can't do those kinds of massive programmes with small government." In Milei's view, infrastructure projects are best left to the private sector and have nothing to do with government. Milei and Trump are on the same side in the global culture wars, denouncing what they see as the "woke agenda". But in economic terms, their ideas are very different. Milei is a passionate free-trader, and Argentina is a member of the South American trading bloc Mercosur, which also includes Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. While he is in favour of Mercosur's recent free-trade deal with the European Union, he doesn't like the way that the organisation refuses to let its individual member countries strike their own deals. As a result, he says Mercosur "has ended up becoming a prison". "If the bloc is not a dynamic engine that facilitates trade, boosts investment and improves the quality of life of all the citizens of our region, what is the point of it?" he said at the Mercosur summit in Uruguay earlier this month where the deal with the EU was signed. Trump also has beef with his own regional trade alliance, the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), but for reasons that are the opposite of Milei's. Trump wants to renegotiate the USMCA, a deal that he himself put together during his first term in office, as a way of protecting US manufacturing and safeguarding US jobs. He has even found a way of weaponising the alliance by threatening to impose a blanket 25% tariff on goods from both Canada and Mexico unless they secure their shared borders with the US. Monica de Bolle doubts that Trump shares Musk's enthusiasm for a smaller state: "You can't be a populist nationalist and care about the size of government. So Trump doesn't care. He put Elon there because it's kind of fun to have someone there making noise." The economic debate is set to run and run, in both the US and Argentina. But ultimately, if one half of your population supports you, it means the other half doesn't. Trump will have to deal with that after his inauguration on 20 January, but Milei is already having to cope with his own polarised population. As Marcelo J García sees it, Milei is a "divisive leader" who has made no attempt to win over his opponents. "The other half of the country that did not support him will arguably never support him, no matter how well the economy does, because he doesn't want them to support him," he says. "Leaders tend to want to be liked by everyone. That's not the case with Milei," he adds. In his view, this is a real weakness: "You don't build a long-term sustainable political project if you don't move towards the people who didn't vote for you." Milei's next big test of public opinion will come in October 2025, when Argentina holds midterm elections. That could prove crucial in deciding whether his small-government revolution determines the country's future - or whether, like previous attempts at reform, it runs out of steam.These were Juan Soto’s numbers in 2024: 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, a .288 batting average. Keep doing that over the next 15 years and he’ll be making roughly $1.2 million for every home run, $467,890 for every RBI, or $307,229 for every hit. (All of those figures are pre-tax, of course.) Soto’s $765 million, 15-year agreement with the New York Mets — the richest contract in terms of total value to a player in U.S. major sports history, a massive move by billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen — provides a chance to look at the numbers in some very silly ways. He’ll make $314,815 per game. Based on his numbers this season, he’ll get $671,053 for every extra-base hit, or $46322 every time he swings the bat no matter if he misses, hits a tapper back to the mound or has Mr. Met celebrating in the stands after driving one out at Citi Field. Of course, that’s assuming Soto remains as healthy and productive as he was in 2024. If he misses significant time, those rates just go up. “Thank you Uncle Steve,” Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo wrote on social media. Some of the numbers around the sports world, when broken down by accomplishment, are simply eye-popping in this era. (These examples are based on current earnings, not taking into account restructurings or any other potential changes.): MLB | Blake Snell, Dodgers: The two-time Cy Young winner will earn about $65 million in 2025, most of which is a signing bonus that comes his way in January. He’s never made more than 32 starts in a season. If he makes 32 starts in 2025, he’d be getting (when factoring in the signing bonus) $2,031,250 per game. For comparison’s sake, Detroit’s Tarik Skubal made $2.65 million for the entire 2024 season — and won a Cy Young award. MLB | Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers: His record $700 million deal is no longer a record because of the Soto deal, but Ohtani still holds the mark for average total value at $70 million a year. The only member of baseball’s 50-50 club (54 homers, 59 stolen bases in 2024) would — at this past season’s rate — be making $619,469 every time he hits one out or steals a base. NFL | Dak Prescott, Cowboys: It’s unfair to break down his stats this year because he’s hurt, but Prescott’s current deal is worth an average of $60 million a season. Based on his career average, that means over the lifetime of his current contract with Dallas, the quarterback gets $13,680 for every passing yard. NFL | Quarterbacks in general: The per-game numbers in the NFL for starting quarterbacks are wild. Patrick Mahomes’ current $450 million contract isn’t even at the top of the cash-per-game standings: Prescott gets about $3.5 million for every Dallas regular season game, while Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Green Bay’s Jordan Love are around $3.25 million per game. NBA | Stephen Curry, Warriors: At nearly $56 million this season, Curry leads the NBA salary race (for this year, anyway). The NBA’s all-time 3-point king is earning about $680,000 per game in 2024-25; if he was paid by the 3-pointer only, he’d be getting about $161,908 every time he makes one of those this season for Golden State. NBA | Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Celtics: Brown is starting a five-year deal worth around $285 million, and Tatum will start a five-year deal next year worth around $314 million. At those rates, Boston would be paying their two best players (at their current scoring paces) around $27,406 for every point scored. To compare — Larry Bird, for his career, made about $1,100 per point. NHL | Leon Draisaitl, Oilers: He’ll start a contract next year with Edmonton that will pay him an average of $14 million a season over eight seasons. At his current rate of scoring, he’d be earning roughly $119,393 for every goal or assist over that span. NHL | Igor Shesterkin, Rangers: Shesterkin just got the richest extension for a goalie at $92 million over eight years. At his current averages, every time he makes a save for New York, he’ll be earning $5,084. MLS | Lionel Messi, Inter Miami: Based just on his MLS guaranteed salary, Messi got just over $1 million per goal this season ($20.4 million, 20 goals). His full deal with Inter Miami is worth at least $150 million for 21⁄2 years — Messi made $229 every second he was on the field in the 2024 regular season. Golf | Scottie Scheffler, PGA: Scheffler’s official earnings in 2024 were $29,228,357 (plus an Olympic gold medal, which is priceless). And that doesn’t include $34,037,500 million in bonuses and unofficial earnings, including $25 million for winning the FedEx Cup. Add it all up, and that meant the world’s No. 1 player earned about $11,243 per shot he took this season. Get local news delivered to your inbox!ENVESTNET INC. ANNOUNCES MAKE-WHOLE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE AND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES UNDER ITS 0.75% CONVERTIBLE NOTES DUE 2025 AND 2.625% CONVERTIBLE NOTES DUE 2027
Trump's lawyers rebuff DA's idea for upholding his hush money convictionMajor stock indexes on Wall Street drifted to a mixed finish Friday, capping a rare bumpy week for the market. The S&P 500 ended essentially flat, down less than 0.1%, after wavering between tiny gains and losses most of the day. The benchmark index posted a loss for the week, its first after three straight weekly gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.1%, ending just below the record high it set on Wednesday. There were more than twice as many decliners than gainers on the New York Stock Exchange. Gains in technology stocks helped temper losses in communication services, financials and other sectors of the market. Broadcom surged 24.4% for the biggest gain in the S&P 500 after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. The company also raised its dividend. The company's big gain helped cushion the market's broader fall. Pricey stock values for technology companies like Broadcom give the sector more weight in pushing the market higher or lower. Artificial intelligence technology has been a focal point for the technology sector and the overall stock market over the last year. Tech companies, and Wall Street, expect demand for AI to continue driving growth for semiconductor and other technology companies. Some tech stocks were a drag on the market. Nvidia fell 2.2%, Meta Platforms dropped 1.7% and Google parent Alphabet slid 1.1%. Among the market's other decliners were Airbnb, which fell 4.7% for the biggest loss in the S&P 500, and Charles Schwab, which closed 4% lower. Furniture and housewares company RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, surged 17% after raising its forecast for revenue growth for the year. All told, the S&P 500 lost 0.16 points to close at 6,051.09. The Dow dropped 86.06 points to 43,828.06. The Nasdaq rose 23.88 points to 19,926.72. Wall Street's rally stalled this week amid mixed economic reports and ahead of the Federal Reserve's last meeting of the year. The central bank will meet next week and is widely expected to cut interest rates for a third time since September. Expectations of a series of rate cuts has driven the S&P 500 to 57 all-time highs so far this year . The Fed has been lowering its benchmark interest rate following an aggressive rate hiking policy that was meant to tame inflation. It raised rates from near-zero in early 2022 to a two-decade high by the middle of 2023. Inflation eased under pressure from higher interest rates, nearly to the central bank's 2% target. The economy, including consumer spending and employment, held strong despite the squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. A slowing job market, though, has helped push a long-awaited reversal of the Fed's policy. Inflation rates have been warming up slightly over the last few months. A report on consumer prices this week showed an increase to 2.7% in November from 2.6% in October. The Fed's preferred measure of inflation, the personal consumption expenditures index, will be released next week. Wall Street expects it to show a 2.5% rise in November, up from 2.3% in October. The economy, though, remains solid heading into 2025 as consumers continue spending and employment remains healthy, said Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY. “Still, the outlook is clouded by unusually high uncertainty surrounding regulatory, immigration, trade and tax policy,” he said. Treasury yields edged higher. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.40% from 4.34% late Thursday. European markets slipped. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.1%. Britain’s economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.1% month-on-month in October, following a 0.1% decline in September, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. Asian markets closed mostly lower.