WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden won’t enforce a ban on the social media app TikTok that is set to take effect a day before he leaves office, a U.S. official says. That leaves TikTok’s fate in the hands of President-elect Donald Trump. Congress last year in a law signed by Biden required that TikTok’s…… MORE
American consumers wrapped up the year in a spending mood, shopping for all sorts of merchandise from furniture to clothing, and eating out at restaurants, according to the latest government snapshot. The figures, announced Thursday, marked a clear sign that consumers are still able and willing to shop, and the data bodes well for 2025…… MORE
LONDON (AP) — U.K.-based oil company is cutting 4,700 jobs worldwide and a further 3,000 contractor roles as part of a cost-saving drive. CEO Murray Auchincloss sent an email to staff on Thursday that has been seen by The Associated Press. Auchincloss said that the job losses “account for much of the anticipated reduction this…… MORE
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision could come Friday in the case about whether TikTok must shut down in a few days under a federal law that seeks to force its sale by the Chinese company that owns the social media platform. TikTok is used by 170 million people in the U.S. The…… MORE
General Motors will be banned for five years from disclosing data that it collects from drivers to consumer reporting agencies as part of a settlement with the government to resolve claims that the automaker shared such data without consumers’ permission. GM and subsidiary OnStar, which operates a roadside assistance service, will be banned from sharing…… MORE
SpaceX has caught its Starship rocket back at the pad following liftoff. But the spacecraft launched on top Thursday was destroyed. Elon Musk’s company confirmed the loss just minutes into the flight from the southern tip of Texas. The spacecraft’s engines shut down one by one, and contact soon was lost. SpaceX says it will…… MORE
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Treasury nominee Scott Bessent is facing sharp questions from both Democrats and Republicans on tax policy, tariffs, China, Russia sanctions and the future of an IRS tax filing system that Republicans have called to be cut. Bessent sat in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday for his confirmation hearing.…… MORE
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a deal to return Hamas-held hostages in the Gaza Strip has been reached. The announcement came a day after Netanyahu’s office said there were last minute snags in talks to free hostages in return for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners.…… MORE
Photo Courtesy of AP WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet is quickly taking shape, with his nominees moving through confirmation hearings despite Democratic opposition. Among them is Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, whose nomination appeared to be on shaky ground just weeks ago. However, after a tense Senate hearing that focused on…… MORE
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump is committed to “finding a way to preserve TikTok” as the app awaits a Supreme Court decision on a potential U.S. ban, according to his pick for national security adviser, Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida. Waltz made the remarks Wednesday during an appearance on FOX News. Last week, the Supreme…… MORE
