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Congress approves plan to avoid government shutdown amid Republican divisions

Jan

Congress approves plan to avoid government shutdown amid Republican divisions

The US Congress narrowly avoided a partial government shutdown on Friday, after weeks of partisan wrangling over federal spending limits and debt ceiling extensions. The crisis came as Republicans, responding to pressure from former President Donald Trump, debated proposals to raise the debt limit while addressing broader fiscal concerns. President of the Chamber Mike Johnsona Republican, he managed to push a plan through his chamber, which is narrowly controlled by his party, while also securing enough bipartisan support to pass it in the Democratic-majority Senate. Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Johnson expressed cautious optimism: “We have a plan.…

Trump threatens EU with trade deficit tariffs and calls for more US energy purchases

Jan

By Jean Thompson

International

Trump threatens EU with trade deficit tariffs and calls for more US energy purchases

President-elect Donald Trump ramped up his rhetoric on trade on Friday, warning the European Union that it must significantly reduce its trade deficit with the United States by buying more American oil and gas or face tariffs. “I told the European Union that it must make up for its huge deficit with the United States by buying our oil and gas on a large scale. Otherwise, it will just be tariffs,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform shortly after 1 pm ET. The trade deficit between the United States and the EU in goods and services amounted to 131.3…

Neuralink wins approval for new brain implant study aimed at restoring mobility and digital freedom

Jan

By Jean Thompson

Science and Technology

Neuralink wins approval for new brain implant study aimed at restoring mobility and digital freedom

Neuralink, the brain technology startup founded by Elon Musk, announced that it has received approval to launch a new feasibility study using its experimental brain implant and robotic arm technology. This initiative, called FIRST studywill evaluate the safety and functionality of the company's wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) and its surgical robot. The study is specifically aimed at helping people with tetraplegia-a severe form of paralysis: controls external devices using only their thoughts. The announcement was made via Neuralink's social media channels, where the company described the study as a significant step toward advancing its technology. “This is the first step…

Rohit Chopra testifies before Congress as CFPB takes legal action against Zelle

Jan

By Jean Thompson

Investments and Business

Rohit Chopra testifies before Congress as CFPB takes legal action against Zelle

Rohit Chopra, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), testified before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in late November 2023, addressing ongoing consumer financial protection issues. A few weeks later, the CFPB stepped up its efforts by filing a lawsuit against Zelle, a major peer-to-peer payments network, and its three largest operators – JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo – for failing to fight fraud. and adequately compensate victims. The lawsuit marks a significant step in the CFPB's broader campaign to hold financial institutions accountable for fraud-related customer losses. According to the…