What's at stake in the Supreme Court case on transgender health careTravis Kelce's "package" gets internet talking: 'Must have been cold'
Thousands of protesters marched through Barcelona on Saturday demanding lower rents in Spain's second city. Barcelona, which has already taken action to stop the spread of holiday rental apartments, is the latest Spanish city to see protests for cheaper housing. Backed by left-wing parties and unions, the demonstrators gathered in central Barcelona behind a giant banner declaring "Lower the rents". "Today a new political cycle starts concerning housing," Carme Arcarazo, spokesperson for the Catalan Tenants Union, the main organiser, told reporters. "Investors must not be allowed to come to our cities and play with the apartments like a game of Monopoly," she added. The union would target "profiteers" who are taking "half of our salaries", Arcarazo said. The demonstrators demanded a 50 percent cut in rents, leases with an unlimited term and a ban on "speculative" sales of buildings. They threatened to start a rent strike. An estimated 22,000 people took part in a similar demonstration in Madrid on October 13. Campaigns have been launched in other cities. According to the Idealista specialised website, rental prices per square metre have risen 82 percent across Spain over the past decade. The average salary has gone up by 17 percent in that time, according to the national statistics institute. Facing pressure over a housing crisis, the government in 2023 passed legislation calling for more social housing, greater restrictions on rents in high demand areas and penalties for owners who do not occupy properties. But rents have continued to rise while the government has battled city and regional authorities to get some parts of the law applied. vid-vab/tw/jm
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has scripted a landslide victory in Maharashtra. It has won (leading) in over 130 seats on its own while the Mahayuti alliance got 225 seats - way more than the required halfway mark of 145. Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Election Results Jharkhand Election Results Bypoll Election Results This was in stark contrast to BJP's big setback during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Just six months back, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP had an ambitious target of 400 plus seats. But the party failed terribly and the saffron party could not even cross the majority mark, winning only 240 seats in the Lok Sabha, down from 303 in 2019. However, BJP's recent historic wins in Haryana and Maharashtra reflect a strategic shift in its approach, focusing on local dynamics and effective leadership. Focus on State Leadership Moving beyond its reliance on the "Modi wave," the BJP recalibrated its strategy by emphasizing state leadership and regional issues. PM Modi, who previously spearheaded most campaigns, adopted a more restrained role this time. In Haryana, he conducted four rallies, and in Maharashtra, 10 rallies, while balancing his schedule with a three-country trip during the campaign’s final phase. In Haryana, the BJP replaced Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayab Saini as CM just months before the elections. Saini's development-focused governance paid off, leading the party to victory. Similarly, in Maharashtra, the campaign highlighted the Eknath Shinde-led state government’s achievements and welfare schemes. 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BJP chief JP Nadda emphasized better coordination, and in Maharashtra, deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis actively sought RSS support. The RSS mobilized small teams of swayamsevaks across the state to engage with local communities. These teams held group discussions on topics like Hindutva, governance, and public welfare without overtly endorsing BJP, subtly shaping public opinion in its favor. Leveraging Hardline Hindutva BJP brought Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath into the campaign, who energized supporters with his fiery rhetoric, including the slogan “Batenge toh katenge.” PM Modi also rallied voters with his call, “Ek hi toh safe hai,” consolidating the party’s core voter base. Welfare Politics Taking cues from its Madhya Pradesh win, the Eknath Shinde-led government launched the populist Ladki Bahin Yojana, targeting women voters. The scheme aimed to benefit 2.25 crore women, representing 55% of the total female population. Mahayuti leaders, including Shinde, Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, emphasized that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would halt welfare programs if elected. This narrative helped consolidate voter trust in BJP’s development agenda. In Haryana, Nayab Saini’s brief tenure as CM saw significant welfare measures. These included increasing gram panchayat spending limits from ?5 lakh to ?21 lakh and reforming electricity billing by eliminating minimum charges. Saini also introduced the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna, providing free rooftop solar installations for economically weaker sections. BJP’s strategic pivot—from focusing solely on PM Modi’s popularity to leveraging state leadership, welfare initiatives, and RSS support—has delivered impressive results. These wins in Haryana and Maharashtra underline the party’s adaptability in addressing local voter concerns while maintaining its ideological core. Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Poll Results Highlights 2024 Jharkhand Poll Results Highlights 2024 (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )NoneFord, GM, Stellantis, and other US automakers and suppliers have invested nearly $146 billion over the past three years in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of electric vehicles according to the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan. But in MAGAmerica, much of that investment could be wasted if the incoming enfant terrible decides to gut the exhaust emissions rules hammered out between the Biden administration and the auto industry last year. The New York Times reports that automakers aren’t pouring money into EVs any more. Instead, they are mounting lobbying campaigns designed to convince the incoming occupant of the Offal Office not to tear up that agreement — something he has promised to do. That conversation would require diplomatic finesse, the Times says, which is an understatement if there ever was one. Trump still holds grievances against some of the automakers, who he thinks betrayed him because during his first term when they supported Obama-era auto emissions rules instead of the ones he was proposing. Lobbyists and officials from several car companies say the automakers want the Biden regulations to remain largely intact, with some changes such as more time for compliance and lower penalties for companies that don’t meet the requirements. It’s not that they love the current rules, but they are trying to pay for their transition to electric cars with profits from their conventional cars. If the rules get tossed overboard, they fear other companies that have not invested heavily in electric cars could undercut their prices with devastating consequences. If that were to happen, potentially 1.1 million jobs in the automotive sector could be at risk. The current regulations affect vehicles starting in model year 2027 and become more stringent through 2032. Automakers will be able to comply by selling a mix of gasoline powered cars, hybrids, EVs, or cars powered by hydrogen. Trump insists on calling these regulations an electric car mandate, even though they are an “all of the above” solution that Republicans profess to adore. The EPA estimates that as a result of the current rules, about 56 percent of new passenger vehicles sold would be electric and another 16 percent would be hybrids by 2032. That’s up from about 9 percent and 11 percent today. Companies that don’t meet the new restrictions would face substantial penalties or could purchase “emissions credits” from companies that have exceeded the standards by selling more EVs. Tesla, which makes only electric vehicles, has earned billions of dollars by selling emissions credits to other automakers. It collected $2.1 billion in the first nine months of this year alone — 43 percent of its net profit . During Tesla’s early years, the credits were a critical source of revenue that may have helped stave off bankruptcy for the company. John Bozzella is the president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents 42 car companies that produce nearly all the new vehicles sold in the United States. In a letter to Trump on November 12, he wrote that for the auto industry to remain “successful and competitive,” it needs “stability and predictability in auto-related emissions standards.” That is undoubtedly true, but since Trump is notorious for not reading things — like the daily intelligence briefing — it is doubtful the letter will have much impact. Automakers plan car models years in advance and have already designed the cars they expect to sell in 2028 under the assumption that the emissions rules would still be in place. “The worst thing of all for the automakers, even worse than a difficult regulation, is a back and forth swing every four years. The regulations determine that all automakers have to follow the same rules,” said Stephanie Brinley, of S&P Global Mobility. Virtually all auto executives expect electric vehicles to displace gasoline cars eventually. If American carmakers give up on their EV plans now, they risk being overtaken by carmakers from Europe and China , or so the thinking goes. CleanTechnica ‘s Zach Shahan and Scott Cooney discussed this at length in a recent YouTube discussion. The companies are treading lightly when it comes to the the policies they would like to see from the incoming administration. Many are concerned Trump might hold a grudge against them because they opposed his first term efforts to erase the Obama EV rules. “Given their track record with Trump, I don’t know how much sway the autos will have in terms of the decision the president makes,” said Thomas Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, a conservative research group, who served on the first Trump administration’s transition team. Among Trump’s biggest grievances is a 2019 legal agreement that four of the world’s largest automakers — Ford, Volkswagen, Honda, and BMW — secretly struck with the state of California to reduce their tailpipe emissions according to stringent limits set by that state. The move enraged Trump, since it came as his administration was attempting to revoke California’s authority to set its own rules. To exact revenge, his administration filed an antitrust investigation into those automakers. Later on, two more companies — Stellantis and Volvo — joined the companies that sided with California. Mary Barra, the chief executive of GM, has shown herself to be the most malleable when it comes to positioning her company to take advantage of changes in the political winds. She met with Trump in his first weeks in office and urged him to weaken the pollution standard. She also had her company join the administration’s legal proceedings against the California deal. But just weeks after Biden’s election in 2020, she reversed course by dropping GM’s legal support of the Trump administration in its suit against California, and cheered Biden’s electric vehicle agenda. In a letter to environmental groups, Barra wrote, “President-elect Biden recently said, ‘I believe that we can own the 21st century car market again by moving to electric vehicles.’ We at General Motors couldn’t agree more.” She further cemented her relationship with Biden in 2022 when GM hired his niece, Missy Owens, to be the company’s head of ESG. Perhaps the kindest thing one can say about Barra is that she is a flexitarian when it comes to politics. The Trump inauguration committee has asked GM to provide about 250 vehicles for VIPs during the inauguration, which the company intends to support “in a big way,” according to a person familiar with the matter. We don’t know yet if any of those vehicles will be electric, but don’t bet on it. The manufacturers hope to impress on Trump that many of their new manufacturing facilities and battery plants, which are generating jobs and tax revenue, are in states like Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina that he won in this year’s election. When he was last in office, there were fewer that 6 such facilities. Now, there are over three dozen, most of them in so-called red states whose elected officials rather like the employment opportunities they provide. But that assumes Trump is rational, which he is not. One wildcard in all of this is Elon Musk, the carpetbagger from South Africa who is primarily focused on removing government obstacles to self-driving cars, which he says are vital to Tesla’s future. As for the emissions standards, Tesla prepared in advance for their elimination, said Rohan Patel, who served as vice president of global policy for Tesla before stepping down earlier this year. “They predicted that if a Republican won, no matter how influential Elon was, the rule would be weakened for sure or potentially go away,” he said. Musk has also made it clear he will not fight to preserve the $7,500 tax credit for buyers of electric vehicles that is provided by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Why? Because getting rid of it could bankrupt other automakers in years to come and make him richer, not because it will benefit America. See how this works now? The people get dumped on while the oligarchs get wealthier. The EV tax credit was designed to make EVs more competitive with gasoline-powered vehicles and has been a particular target of Trump. “In my view, we should end all government subsidies, including those for EVs, oil and gas,” Musk said on X last week. Getting rid of the tax credit might damage Tesla, but it would hurt Ford, GM and others more. During an earnings call in July, Musk said, “I think it would be devastating for our competitors and for Tesla slightly.” He is salivating at the prospect of his competitors being devastated. Who cares if tens or hundreds of thousands lose their jobs? Tough cookies for them, right? According to Autoblog , the repeal of the EV tax credit is being championed by billionaire oil mogul Harold Hamm, who leads Trump’s energy policy transition team, along with North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum , who is scheduled to be the next Secretary of the Interior. Naturally, oil and gas subsidies will not be removed, no matter what Musk thinks. Trump is 100 percent transactional. Anything he does has to reflect credit on him or enrich him personally. Musk and Trump had a bromance in 2017 that fell apart after about 6 months. Will this new love affair last even that long? Musk says he wants to get rid of all subsidies, but if he tries to mess with those that benefit oil, methane, and coal interests, he will provoke a withering backlash from those industries. The heads of the major car manufacturers must be having sleepless nights trying to understand how Elon came to be in charge of their fates. US consumers should plan for a glut of enormous pickup trucks and gargantuan SUVs. Lower prices? Forget about it. The automakers have to recoup their $146 billion investment in EVs somehow, and profits from those gas guzzlers is how they plan to do it. Brace yourself for price increases on conventional cars once the EV tax credit is demolished, and get ready for a time when 7- and even 8-year car loans are common. Buckle up and enjoy the ride. This is what America wanted and now it is going to get it — in spades. CleanTechnica's Comment Policy LinkedIn WhatsApp Facebook X Email Mastodon Reddit
Hoops star Nurse joins Athletes Unlimited aiming to rebound from ‘rocky’ two years
Celebrate the dedication of the agency's top dogs from across the country WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today released the 2025 TSA Canine Calendar, an annual tradition honoring the agency's more than 1,000 explosives detection canines working across the United States. The 2025 TSA Canine Calendar is now available for immediate download. TSA uses canines as a critical component of its multilayered security strategy. Each year, about 300 new canine recruits complete an intensive 16-week training program at the TSA Canine Training Center , located at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas. During training, these highly skilled canines are paired with their handlers, master the art of detecting a variety of explosives odors, and socialize to adapt to busy transportation environments before reporting to their permanent duty stations. The 2025 TSA Canine Calendar highlights 13 extraordinary canines selected from more than 80 entries submitted by TSA teams nationwide. Each month features photos and fun facts about these canine heroes. This year's lineup includes: Argo: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) Arina: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) Badger: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) Barni: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Bely: Charleston International Airport (CHS) Beny: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) Birdie: Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) Bruno: Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) Carlo: Kansas City International Airport (MCI) Dodo: Portland International Airport (PDX) Hary: Richmond International Airport (RIC) Kipper: San Diego International Airport (SAN) Smokie: Dallas Love Field (DAL) The calendar features Cutest Canine Contest winner, Barni, a five-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer explosives detection canine at San Francisco International Airport. Barni combines a calm and professional demeanor with a sweet and playful side and enjoys chasing squirrels, greeting his four-legged co-workers and playing fetch with a squeaky ball. TSA canines and their handlers are vital in detecting explosives and deterring threats across all transportation modes. These teams exemplify dedication, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to transportation security and keeping the traveling public safe. For a behind the scenes look at what it is like to be an explosives detection canine handler, see our Explosives Detection Canine Handler video. Visit TSA.gov for more information about TSA's Explosives Detection Canine Program. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tsa-unleashes-its-2025-canine-calendar-download-now-302319831.html SOURCE Transportation Security Administration
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have no plans to pitch prized prospect Andrew Painter in spring training games as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The 21-year-old Painter hurt his elbow during spring training in 2023 and had surgery that July 25 with Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Painter was the 13th overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft and signed for a $3.9 million bonus. “He'll throw but not plan on pitching” in games, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Monday. “We're going to push the innings back.” Dombrowski said Painter will build up at some point in the minor leagues and could make his major league debut at some point in the summer. Painter made six starts and allowed four runs in the Arizona Fall League. He struck out 18 batters in 15 2/3 innings after he sat out each of the last two seasons. Painter sprinted through Philadelphia’s system in 2022, going 6-2 with a 1.48 ERA in 26 appearances spread across two Class A teams and Double-A Reading. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLBThe Dallas Cowboys ruled out right guard Zack Martin and cornerback Trevon Diggs with injuries on Saturday, one day prior to a road game against the Washington Commanders. Martin has been dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries and didn't practice at all this week before initially being listed as doubtful to play on Friday. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texans. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Diggs has been dealing with groin and knee injuries. He was listed as questionable on Friday before being downgraded Saturday. Diggs, 26, has 37 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games this season. The two-time Pro Bowl pick led the NFL with 11 picks in 2021 and has 20 in 57 games. The Cowboys elected not to activate receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) for the game. He returned to practice earlier this week and he was listed as questionable on Friday. Dallas activated offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe) and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) off injured reserve Saturday, placed safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) on IR and released defensive end KJ Henry. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) was previously ruled out. Tight end Princeton Fant was elevated from the practice squad to replace him. Cornerback Kemon Hall also was elevated from the practice squad. --Field Level Media
By the time the Vaigai reaches Attrankarai in Ramanathapuram district, it also beings sewage, waste and pollutants from shrimp farms. | Photo Credit: L. BALACHANDAR The team from Madurai Nature Cultural Foundation checking pollution level in Vaigai river in Madurai. | Photo Credit: R. ASHOK Trickling down the Varushanad hills near Valipparai village in Theni district, Vaigai river begins to take shape. Here, the water rippling over smooth pebbles on the riverbed is crystal clear. Fit for drinking, say the villagers and the team from Madurai Nature Cultural Foundation (MNCF), who were on a survey mission, drank the cool and sweet water before a sample was taken for testing. Within 24 hours, the test was done at Water Quality Testing Laboratory, Water Watch Centre, The DHAN Academy, Madurai, and the result was shocking. As per the Central Pollution Control Board, water quality has been classified into A, B, C, D, and E category. The water taken from Valipparai was of D grade, which means it is fit only for wildlife and fisheries. This came as a shock for the MNCF people who were on a six-day continuous study from August 28 to September 2, right after the end of south west monsoon season when there was water flow in the river. Apart from chemical fertilizers being used in the coffee plantation in the region, another major factor for contamination were the villagers themselves. Valipparai has conservancy workers, but no place to dispose of the waste. The garbage collected is heaped near the river and with no Under Ground Drainage (UGD) scheme, sewage is let into the river. This place is home to smooth coated otter, which as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a vulnerable species. But as pollution level rises, will the otter still call this place home, is a question. The Vaigai river basin covers an area of 7,009.13 sq km. It originates from Varushanadu valley and flows northwards through Kandamanayakkanur. Numerous tributaries like Theniyar that joins Suruliyar joins the Vaigai near Kottaipatti. Thereafter, Vaigai flows east and then takes the south east direction till it joins Bay of Bengal. Varattar, Nagalar, Varahanadhi, Manjalar, Marudhanadhi, Sirumaliar and Sathayar that originate in Palani hills are the main tributaries that join Vaigai along its course. Uppar river originates in the Alagar hills and joins Vaigai near Manamadurai. The length of Vaigai river up to Ramanathapuram big tank is 266.71 km and from Ramanathapuram big tank to the sea it is 28.40 km. The total length of the river from its origin to sea is about 295.11 km. As pointed out by an expert from Dhan Foundation, the river is seasonal. The flowing period can be said to be about four months in a year and this too depends on climatic conditions and rainfall in the catchment areas. After Vaigai dam was built and the parallel Periyar canal was established, the flow of water has been diverted to the canal thus resulting in less flow in the river. This creates a unique problem, especially when one takes into account the pollution level in the river as sewage stagnation is more during most of the months when there is nil flow. The river course has urban settlements like Madurai, Cumbum, Uthamapalayam, Bodinayakkanur, Theni, Periyakulam, Manamadurai, Paramakudi and Ramanathapuram and also a large number of rural settlements that are highly populated. Some of the settlements have no Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and some like Madurai that have STPs do not function to its full capacity. Fingers are pointed at unfinished UGDs in almost all these areas that have led to untreated sewage being let into the river. The MNCF team has identified 197 pipes or canals bringing sewage into Vaigai at 177 spots from Valipparai village to Attrankarai in Ramanathapuram district where Vaigai joins the sea. As a result, out of the 36 samples collected by MNCF - 31 were collected in Vaigai river, 1 each in Suruliyar, Manjalar and Varahanadhi - nearly five samples from Vaigai river were below E grade and those collected from Suruli, Varahanadhi and Manjalar were D grade. Tamildasan of MNCF says that what is imperative is not smart cities but smart villages. “By cleaning Vaigai along Madurai alone we cannot achieve complete success as protection of the river should start from the source,” he says and adds that waste and sewage management not just in cities but also in villages should be the moot point. There are no major polluting industrial units near Vaigai and the only major pollutants are household waste and sewage. Setting up STPs for urban areas is surely a costly affair that may run to few crores, but STPs in villages with less population can be done within few lakhs, says S. Praveen Kumar, a Dhan faculty member. Use of simple technology can bring about a significant change in water quality, he says. The river, though seasonal, has not just an utilitarian connection with the people living on its banks but it also has an emotional and cultural tie. In ancient Tamil literature, Vaigai has been mentioned as ‘vaiyai’ and it has been mentioned more than 80 times in Sangam literature. The oldest inscription discovered in 1961 tells of Senthan Maran, a Pandya king, of 6th century BCE, building a sluice across Vaigai. The oldest ‘seppedu’ (copper plate grant) mentioning the river is from the period of Viswantha Nayakkar (1529-64 CE) that tells of grants given to Telugu speaking people in the region of Suruli Nadhi and Vaigai. There are 16 places along the river where people celebrate Alagar’s entry into the waterbody during the Chithirai festival. It is this cultural connection that can be used to leverage people’s participation in conservation of the river, say conservationists. A river cannot be studied in isolation, the riverine ecosystem is of paramount importance. A healthy biosphere will keep the river healthy, says N. Karthikeyan of MNCF. Ancient literature points to numerous trees lining the riverfront, but with concretisation of the riverbanks the trees have all been cut and the green cover has been lost. “We recorded 80 ancient temples located about 1 km from the bank of the river but Thala Maram or sacred trees associated with these temples have all been lost. Trees act as a natural filter of pollutants, reduce soil erosion, and they not just regulate flow of water but also increase groundwater level and provide habitats for wildlife and fish,” he adds. At Attrankarai village, where the backwaters should have had a thriving mangrove, what remains are very scant flora associated with mangroves. The MNCF team noted an unrestrained growth of Prosopis juliflora throughout the course and with water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) flourishing in many spots indicating the presence of sewage. The wetland bird distribution also establishes the health of the river as they are responsive to environmental changes. As the amount of sand in the river has decreased with increase in accumulation of mud and waste, the number of fish has also decreased. This has resulted in sightings of low numbers of piscivorous bird species like Kingfishers, terns and egrets while those eating worms and snails like open-billed storks, ibis and water fowl were found in large numbers. With the health of Vaigai being important for sustainable development of the cities and towns that depend on it, experts feel that it is time town planners thought out of the box. Villages near the river course should become a focal point of nascent rural planning and performance evaluation of STPs in urban areas should be strictly enforced. The State government should have a strict river policy so that all stakeholders are answerable for their actions, they say. Published - November 24, 2024 06:56 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp RedditNone
Avior Wealth Management LLC Buys Shares of 3,575 iShares MSCI Canada ETF (NYSEARCA:EWC)United Airlines travelers with lost luggage have a new tool to track their bags. If the lost bag has an Apple AirTag in it, that information can now be passed directly to United, the airline announced Thursday. The new feature, called Share Item Location, allows travelers with an AirTag or other Find My network accessory to share the location with the airline’s customer service team to help locate their luggage in the event it’s misplaced. United says more than 99% of its customers pick up their luggage without a hitch. The feature is now available with iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 or macOS 15.2. “Apple’s new Share Item Location feature will help customers travel with even more confidence, knowing they have another way to access their bag’s precise location with AirTag or their Find My accessory of choice,” said David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer. Travelers on United whose bags do not arrive at their destination can file a delayed baggage report with United and share the link to the item’s location either through the United app or via text message. After the report has been submitted, customer service agents will be able to locate the item on an interactive map alongside a timestamp of a recent update. The shared location will be disabled after a customer has the bag, and customers can also stop sharing the location of the item at any time on their own. The location link will also automatically expire after seven days. Using AirTags or other tracking devices on luggage is increasingly popular among frequent travelers, with a significant boom following the 2022 Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown , which displaced thousands of travelers over Christmas and into 2023, alongside much of their belongings. United says lost bags are rare, with more than 99% of its customers arriving with their bags. It says the new technology will help those with lost bags to recover them more quickly because the airline will have more information about them. Apple previously announced the new service will also be integrated at other air carriers, including Delta Air Lines. Others include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
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TikTok's future uncertain after appeals court rejects its bid to overturn possible US ban A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January - is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Investors may wonder whether the time to buy Amazon ( AMZN -0.64% ) has come and gone. While the company played key roles in pioneering the e-commerce and cloud computing industries, its market cap is now around $2.1 trillion. Given its massive size, investors could reasonably wonder whether relatively smaller growth stocks would make better investments now. Yet further research shows why investors should not write Amazon off as a mature, slow-growth stock just yet. Three factors indicate that it can still deliver market-beating returns despite its size. 1. Amazon's growth businesses First, investors should understand that they should not look to Amazon's online sales business for rapid expansion. With that part of the business logging single-digit percentage revenue growth for the past several quarters, it is likely not driving increases in Amazon stock. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a different story. It continues to be the cloud infrastructure industry's leader. Additionally, its ability to apply artificial intelligence (AI) and run AI workloads gives it a critical role in today's tech industry. Moreover, its revenue for the first three quarters of 2024 grew by 18% to $79 billion, outpacing the company's 10% overall growth. Most importantly, 62% of Amazon's operating income came from AWS, demonstrating why it's arguably the most critical segment to the company's growth story. Nonetheless, it is likely not the only part. Within its North America and international segments, it operates digital advertising businesses, third-party seller services, and subscription services that are growing revenues at double-digit percentage levels. Although Amazon does not reveal the separate operating incomes of these businesses, they are likely helping to drive the company's growth. 2. The balance sheet Not surprisingly, the benefits of Amazon's growth businesses extend to its balance sheet. The company's liquidity is a staggering $88 billion, a level matched by few other companies. Admittedly, the $58 billion Amazon carries in long-term debt diminishes that liquidity somewhat. Still, it is largely low-interest debt with maturity dates decades into the future. Thus, one can assume that Amazon will probably earn returns from its cash and equivalents stockpile that exceed the interest rates it's paying, which should further bolster its balance sheet. Moreover, Amazon generated $48 billion in free cash flow over the last 12 months. Cash flows at those levels give it tremendous flexibility to invest in its enterprises or buy new businesses without diminishing its liquidity. Thus, Amazon can afford to maintain its leadership positions in the cloud and AI while it continues to innovate in the businesses tied to e-commerce. 3. Valuation While it continues to innovate, one sign that the company may have begun to mature is its valuation. Amazon stock historically traded at elevated P/E ratios as it either took losses or accepted reduced profitability to invest more capital back into its businesses. So investors used to Amazon trading at P/E ratios of between 50 and 120 may be surprised to find that its earnings multiple has fallen to about 43. Moreover, that has happened during a period when the company is reaping the benefits of its investments. In the first nine months of 2024, the company's net income was $39 billion, almost twice as much as its profit of $20 billion during the same period last year. Analysts believe its net income growth will slow to 20% in 2025. Still, given Amazon's history of high valuations, investors may want to capitalize on today's lower earnings multiple by adding shares. Investing in Amazon stock Ultimately, instead of viewing Amazon's massive market cap as a reason to treat it as a value stock, investors should continue to buy Amazon for growth. Despite its overall size, Amazon includes AWS and many comparatively smaller growth businesses that can keep its revenue growth in the double-digit percentages. Moreover, its staggering liquidity and free cash flow should help keep these businesses and any future enterprises it pursues vibrant. Finally, Amazon's valuation has fallen relative to its P/E ratios of the past. With its revenue and earnings growth expected to remain robust, growth investors can likely still beat the market by buying and holding Amazon stock.
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