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Judge hears closing arguments on whether Google's advertising tech constitutes a monopoly ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The Justice Department and Google have made their closing arguments in a trial alleging Google’s online advertising technology constitutes an illegal monopoly. The arguments in federal court Monday in northern Virginia came as Google already faces a possible breakup of the company over its ubiquitous search engine. The Justice Department says it will seek the breakup of Google to remedy its search engine monopoly. The case in Virginia focuses not on the search engine but on technology that matches online advertisers to consumers on the internet. A judge is expected to rule by the end of the year. ‘Busiest Thanksgiving ever’: How the TSA plans to handle record air travel DALLAS (AP) — The Thanksgiving travel rush is expected to be bigger than ever this year. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million people in the U.S. will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday — most of them by car. Thanksgiving Day falling so late this year has altered traditional travel patterns. At airports, the Transportation Security Administration says it could screen a record number of U.S. air travelers on Sunday. Meanwhile, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration says a shortage of air traffic controllers could cause flight delays. Transportation analytics company INRIX says roads could be congested on Monday with both commuters and returning holiday travelers. Macy’s says employee hid up to $154 million in expenses, delaying Q3 earnings Macy’s says it’s delaying the release of its fiscal third-quarter earnings results after it discovered an up to $154 million accounting-related issue. The company did provide some preliminary results for its third quarter, including that net sales fell 2.4% to $4.74 billion. It anticipates reporting its full third-quarter financial results by Dec. 11. Newsom says California could offer electric vehicle rebates if Trump eliminates federal tax credit SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California could offer state tax rebates for electric vehicle purchases if the incoming Trump administration eliminates the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Gov. Gavin Newsom says Monday he'll propose creating a new version of the state’s successful Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, which was phased out in 2023 after funding nearly 600,000 new cars and trucks. Officials didn’t say how much the program would cost or how the rebates would work. Newsom’s proposal is part of his plan to protect California’s progressive policies ahead of Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s second term. But a budget shortfall could complicate California’s resistance efforts. Warren Buffett gives away another $1.1B and plans for distributing his $147B fortune after his death OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by handing out more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations Monday, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it’s possible that Buffett’s children could die before giving it all away. Buffett said he has no regrets about his decision to start giving away his fortune in 2006. Stock market today: Dow hits another record as stocks rise NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose, with those benefiting the most from lower interest rates and a stronger economy leading the way. The S&P 500 climbed 0.3% Monday to pull closer to its record set two weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 440 points to its own record set on Friday, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3%. They got a boost from easing Treasury yields after President-elect Donald Trump said he wants hedge-fund manager Scott Bessent to be his Treasury Secretary. Smaller companies can feel a big boost from easier borrowing costs, and the Russell 2000 index of small stocks finished just shy of its record. Workers at Charlotte airport, an American Airlines hub, go on strike during Thanksgiving travel week CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — American Airlines says it doesn’t expect significant disruptions to flights this week as a result of a labor strike at its hub in Charlotte, North Carolina. Service workers there walked out Monday during a busy week of Thanksgiving travel to protest what they say are unlivable wages. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services authorized the work stoppage. Union spokesperson Sean Keady says the strike is expected to last 24 hours. The companies contract with American Airlines to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. The companies have acknowledged the seriousness of a strike during the holiday travel season. At the crossroads of news and opinion, 'Morning Joe' hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting The reaction of those who defended “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Trump sounds almost quaint in the days of opinionated journalism. Doesn't it makes sense, they said, for hosts of a political news show to meet with such an important figure? But given how “Morning Joe” has attacked Trump, its viewers felt insulted. Many reacted quickly by staying away. It all reflects the broader trend of opinion crowding out traditional journalist in today's marketplace, and the expectations that creates among consumers. By mid-week, the show's audience was less than two-thirds what it has typically been this year. Eggs are available -- but pricier -- as the holiday baking season begins Egg prices are on the rise again as a lingering outbreak of bird flu coincides with high demand during the holiday baking season. The average price for a dozen eggs in U.S. cities was $3.37 in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was up 63% from October 2023, when a dozen eggs cost an average of $2.07. Avian influenza is the main culprit. The current bird flu outbreak that began in February 2022 has led to the slaughter of more than 111 million birds, mostly egg-laying chickens. But the American Egg Board says egg shortages at grocery stores have been isolated and temporary so far. Detroit's iconic Renaissance Center could see 2 towers razed in $1.6B redevelopment plan DETROIT (AP) — Two towers at Detroit’s iconic Renaissance Center would be razed and the complex converted to a mix of housing and offices under an ambitious $1.6 billion plan announced on Monday. GM will move its headquarters out of the complex next year. The towers are a symbol of Detroit, with aerial views often shown on television sports broadcasts. GM announced that it would join forces with the Bedrock real estate development firm and Wayne County to turn the partially vacant property into a roughly 27-acre entertainment complex across the Detroit River from Windsor, Ontario. Bedrock would invest at least $1 billion, with roughly $250 million more coming from GM and another $250 million in public money, possibly from the state of Michigan.
SINGAPORE: The deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban is Jan 19, 2025 – one day before Donald Trump’s inauguration. Having vowed to “save TikTok” on the campaign trail, the big question now is how the next United States president might do it and if he can. Many in Singapore will recall TikTok’s CEO Chew Shou Zi facing off with Republic senator Tom Cotton earlier this year. “I’m Singaporean,” he repeatedly answered, when asked if he holds a Chinese passport or is a member of the Communist Party of China. A concern widely shared among American lawmakers is that ByteDance is subject to Chinese law requiring cooperation on intelligence and national security matters and could be forced to use its popular video app and user data for nefarious purposes. In April, President Joe Biden signed a law that bans TikTok if ByteDance does not sell its American operations to a company that is not controlled by a nation deemed a “foreign adversary”. Legislation that Congress passes is, of course, still binding even if there’s a change in the presidency. But TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain, with several possible scenarios. SCENARIO 1: A PARTIAL SALE WITHOUT TIKTOK ALGORITHM Beijing has said it would oppose a forced sale, which it characterised as “bullying”. Recently passed Chinese export controls restrict the transfer of technology like the algorithm that powers the social media platform. Assuming the sale of the TikTok algorithm is off the table, an alternative deal could entail selling other assets, including user data, but not the core technology. This may be the least likely scenario. TikTok without the algorithm is like a sports car without an engine – a far less attractive investment. TikTok’s likely price tag would put it beyond the reach of all but a few potential buyers, and those like Meta, which already own related businesses, could face antitrust challenges. SCENARIO 2: COURTS OVERTURN BAN ON FIRST AMENDMENT GROUNDS It’s possible that Trump may not need to act to get his preferred outcome. TikTok has challenged the ban’s constitutionality in an appeals court – on the basis that it infringes on free expression. It’s an unusual case: A company with Chinese roots arguing for Americans’ First Amendment rights , with the US Department of Justice defending the potential ban of an app that half of Americans use. Government lawyers have asked the court for a December decision to allow time for appeals before the January deadline. If litigation drags on past Trump’s inauguration, the Justice Department under the new administration could drop its defence of the law. If the legal challenge lands at the US Supreme Court, there’s no need to invoke accusations that the conservative majority may overturn the ban based on political considerations. Plenty of free speech jurisprudence supports a sceptical view of the ban. SCENARIO 3: REPEAL OF THE “SALE-OR-BAN” LAW If TikTok’s legal challenges fail, a ban is still far from inevitable. The Trump administration could attempt to rally lawmakers to amend or repeal the law. Overturning legislation isn’t a trivial matter. Both houses of Congress would have to pass any changes. Though Republican majorities will control both the Senate and the House of Representatives come January, and deference to Trump is high, a repeal could create an awkward test of loyalty. Ardent Trump supporters, including his choice for Secretary of State, Senator Marco Rubio, were outspoken in arguing for the law. Trump enters office constitutionally limited to one final four-year term. In contrast, lawmakers seeking re-election in the years ahead may suffer for flip-flopping at Trump’s whim. SCENARIO 4: NON-ENFORCEMENT President Trump could instruct the Justice Department to hold off on enforcement of the ban. Although a presidential administration has broad discretion to set federal law enforcement priorities, ignoring recently passed legislation – with robust bipartisan support – would be a controversial move. The ban would prohibit app stores from allowing users to download the app. So a non-enforcement policy would create legal uncertainty for stakeholders like Apple and Alphabet. The law appears to allow some leeway to delay or avoid enforcement. Trump’s team could exploit an apparent loophole and argue that TikTok’s efforts to insulate Americans’ user data from ByteDance’s control mean it is no longer “controlled” by a foreign adversary. CHANGING TIDES What happens next is difficult to predict. But the political will to enact a TikTok ban appears to have waned. In August, a Pew opinion poll showed support for a ban has fallen to around one-third of Americans, down from a peak of one-half over a year before. Since then, TikTok has become more ingrained in Americans’ lives. Biden’s campaign had an account even as the president was signing the legislation. Vice President Kamala Harris’s and Trump’s campaigns were both active on the platform. Though it was a divisive election, so far, there have been fewer criticisms of social media platforms for failing to curb misinformation compared to previous years. During his first term, Trump issued an executive order that would have banned the app, but the courts blocked it. He has reversed his position since March, charging that a ban would help the platforms of TikTok’s competitor Meta, which he called an “enemy of the people”. Meta’s Facebook had restricted Trump’s account for two years after the Jan 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. Observers noted that his opposition to a ban came after a meeting with a Republican Party mega-donor who has a substantial investment in ByteDance. After his election, Trump spokespersons have said he would keep his promise to prevent a ban. NO SMOKING GUN Are Americans right not to worry about TikTok? Those with concerns appear to focus less on what TikTok has done than what it could do. Indeed, we all intuitively understand that digital data is easily transferred or manipulated. Before the bill’s passage, US intelligence officials briefed senators on the threat that TikTok poses. Some lawmakers called for the public release of some of the content, but it remains classified. TikTok had been working behind the scenes to address concerns about its corporate structure and data storage with a secretive US government committee that deals with foreign investments with national security implications. Government officials backed away from negotiations, saying any breaches of an agreement would be difficult to detect. Given the scarcity of public evidence that TikTok has systematically misused user data or shared it with Chinese authorities, scrutiny has focused on hypotheticals – whether Chinese authorities could gain access to information about individual users, tweak its algorithm to paint a distorted picture of news events, or use insights about users’ interests to shape public opinion. During the court hearings this year, appellate judges asked what could happen if US-China tensions escalated into military action. Escalation – intentional or not – doesn’t seem out of the question, given Trump’s hawkish Cabinet appointments. It’s worth noting that just this month, Canada, a nation generally less confrontational on the world stage than its southern neighbour, ordered TikTok to shutter its Canadian offices due to “national security risks”. The authorities did not, however, restrict Canadians’ use of the app. Though the authorities did not reveal the intelligence behind their decision, the former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, David Vigneault, said it’s “very clear” that because of the app’s design, Canadians’ user data “is available to the government of China”. Given that American political will to implement a ban appears to be faltering and possibilities to manoeuvre around it are still alive, I wouldn’t count on a ban materialising any time soon. For better or worse, our feeds may continue to feature videos made in the USA, including those that president-elect Trump posts for his 14 million followers. Dr Mark Cenite is Associate Dean (Undergraduate Education) at Nanyang Technological University’s College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. He teaches media law and artificial intelligence law at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information.