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Rush Enterprises, Inc. Adopts $150 Million Stock Repurchase ProgramMore Hydrogen Maritime Trials Surface From Sargasso Sea

DETROIT (AP) — In the waning days of President Joe Biden's administration, the government's highway safety agency is proposing voluntary safety guidelines for self-driving vehicles. But a rule from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration putting the plan in place won't be approved before the end of Biden's term in January and likely will be left to whoever runs the agency under Republican Donald Trump. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whom Trump has named to co-lead a “Department of Government Efficiency” to cut costs and regulations, has floated the idea of him helping to develop safety standards for self-driving vehicles — even though the standards would affect Tesla's automated driving systems. At present there are no federal regulations that specifically govern autonomous vehicles, and any regulation is left to states. However, self-driving vehicles must meet broad federal safety standards that cover all passenger vehicles. Under the agency's proposal, released on Friday, automakers and autonomous vehicle companies could enroll in a program that would require safety plans and some data reporting for autonomous vehicles operating on public roads. To apply companies would have to have independent assessments of their automated vehicle safety processes, and there would be requirements to report crashes and other problems with the vehicles. Companies would have to give NHTSA information and data on the safety of the design, development and operations of the vehicles. The agency would decide whether to accept companies into the program. But auto safety advocates say the plan falls short of needed regulation for self-driving vehicles. For instance, it doesn't set specific performance standards set for the vehicles such as numbers and types of of sensors or whether the vehicles can see objects in low-visibility conditions, they said. “This is a big bunch of nothing,” said Missy Cummings, director of the autonomy and robotics center at George Mason University and a former safety adviser to NHTSA. “It’ll be more of a completely useless paperwork drill where the companies swear they’re doing the right thing.” Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said one of the few good things about the plan is that companies will have to report data on crashes and other problems. There have been reports that the Trump administration may want to scrap a NHTSA order that now requires autonomous vehicle companies to report crashes to the agency so it can collect data. A message was left Friday seeking comment from the Trump transition team on crash reporting requirements. Brooks said the incoming administration probably will want to put out its own version of the guidelines. NHTSA will seek public comment on the plan for about 60 days, then the plan would have to wind its way through the federal regulatory process, which can take months or even years. “It is important that ADS (Automated Driving System) technology be deployed in a manner that protects the public from unreasonable safety risk while at the same time allowing for responsible development of this technology, which has the potential to advance safety,” the proposed rule says. The agency concedes that in the future, there may be a need for NHTSA to set minimum standards for self driving vehicle performance that are similar to mandatory safety standards that govern human-driven cars. But the agency says it now doesn't have data and metrics to support those standards. The voluntary plan would help gather those, the proposal said.Flowserve Corp. stock outperforms competitors on strong trading day

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Control Bionics inks strategic dealsControversial Allegations Stir Diplomatic Row in PakistanAP Business SummaryBrief at 1:14 p.m. EST

WATCH: Chilling moment Dele Farotimi was arrested by police in Lagos

Israel approves proposed ceasefire with Lebanon's HezbollahAs businesses in Johannesburg gear up for 2025, aligning workforce strategies with organizational objectives is paramount. Partnering with the right recruitment agency can significantly enhance talent acquisition efforts, streamline recruitment processes, and ensure access to top-tier candidates. This guide offers insights into selecting a recruitment agency in Johannesburg that aligns with your company's goals. Understanding your workforce needs in 2025 As Johannesburg businesses prepare for a rapidly evolving market in 2025, understanding the city's unique workforce dynamics is crucial. Tailoring your recruitment strategy to meet these demands ensures your organization remains competitive and agile. Identify emerging skill gaps Analyse your industry's trends and determine the critical skills needed to align with future objectives. In Johannesburg, sectors like technology, finance, and logistics are experiencing high demand for specialized expertise. Define flexible workforce models Evaluate whether permanent, temporary, or contract roles are most suited to your goals. Balancing these options can help you stay adaptable in an unpredictable business environment. Account for seasonal hiring trends Johannesburg's economic landscape often includes seasonal peaks, particularly in retail, tourism, and manufacturing. Planning for these fluctuations will help you secure the right talent when it's needed most. Taking these steps ensures that your hiring approach aligns seamlessly with Johannesburg's workforce landscape in 2025. Evaluating recruitment agencies Choosing the right recruitment agency is a critical step toward building a workforce that supports your business objectives. In Johannesburg, where industries are diverse and competitive, a... Partnered ContentPublished 4:29 pm Tuesday, November 26, 2024 By Data Skrive The college basketball schedule on Wednesday is sure to please. Our computer model has provided picks against the spread for 10 games, including the Cornell Big Red taking on the Syracuse Orange at Imperial Arena. Watch men’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Bet on this or any men’s college basketball matchup at BetMGM. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .Is Enron back? If it's a joke, some former employees aren't laughing

Last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by his wife and a powerful delegation made up of some cabinet members and captains of industry, paid a three-day state visit to France. The visit was at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. It was President Tinubu’s first official visit to France whose former colonies encase Nigeria. It was also the first visit by a Nigerian leader in two decades. Interestingly, France occupies a pride of place in the annals of Nigeria’s diplomatic peregrinations. The relationship between Nigeria and France dates back to October 1, 1960, when the former gained independence from Britain. France can be said to have enjoyed close diplomatic ties with Nigeria ab initio. However, their romance suffered a major setback barely a year later when Nigeria, under the late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, severed ties with France in protest against testing its atomic bomb in the Sahara Desert. The fledgling ties suffered yet another setback during the 30-month Nigerian Civil War – 1967 to 1970 – when President Charles De Gaule threw his weight behind the secessionist regime led by Colonel Chukwuemeka Ojukwu. The French leader also facilitated the French mercenaries to fight on the side of the rebel forces, leading to the loss of many lives on the Biafran side. After the two major setbacks, the relationship between the two nations, separated by socio-linguistic differences, have enjoyed an excellent rapport over the years. Today, a forgiving Nigeria is France’s top trading partner in sub-Sahara Africa. Presently, there are over 100 French firms operating in Nigeria with more than 10,000 employees in critical sectors such as oil and gas, infrastructure and telecommunications. Without a doubt, President Tinubu’s visit is expected to engender more layers of economic cooperation as evidenced by a flurry of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed by the two countries, thus marking a significant turning point in the quest to strengthen economic bond between them. Perhaps, one of the critical MoUs was the collaboration between the two countries to explore Nigeria’s neglected cash cow – the solid minerals sector – wittingly or unwittingly left in the hands of illegal operators. This sector ranks second to crude oil but because of poor regulatory framework and lack of control, the nation is yet to enjoy maximum benefits from the resources. It is public knowledge that some unscrupulous private jet owners are also neck-deep in the pillaging of the resources as they smuggle the national assets to foreign countries. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and France’s Inter-Ministerial Delegate of Critical Ores and Metals, Mr. Benjamin Gallezot, signed the MoU on behalf of their two countries. The partnership is intended to focus on the development of critical minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are key to advancing clean energy technologies. The two countries will also collaborate on research, training, and student exchanges to promote knowledge transfer. Another critical component of the agreement is the commitment to sustainable mining activities, aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the mining sector. The MoU also includes co-financed joint extractive projects, ensuring diversification and security of critical minerals while supporting energy transition projects. Furthermore, the partnership will seek to remediate over 2,000 abandoned mining pits across Nigeria, given France’s expertise in sustainable mining. It will also engender diversification and promotion of the critical minerals value chain in both countries. Also on the card was a Letter of Intent signed between Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the French Development Agency (AFD) CEO, Remi Rioux. The agreement focuses on long-term collaboration to support Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It is believed that the partnership will go a long way in facilitating funding for key areas such as infrastructure development, agriculture, food security, healthcare, and human capital development. The AFD has, in addition, committed to providing over €300 million in financial and technical assistance across all Nigerian regions, focusing on energy transition, sustainable agriculture, and the improvement of agro-logistic hubs. The agreement emphasises the importance of removing fiscal barriers and ensuring efficient project implementation to enhance mutual trade between the two nations. On the sideline of the visit was the formal inauguration of the operations of two of Nigeria’s leading banks, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Zenith Bank, in France. Internationalising their operations in an advanced economy like France will, no doubt, take their portfolios to higher heights. In his remarks on the occasion, the Chairman of UBA, Mr. Tony Elumelu, said, “Expanding into France is a natural progression, with Paris serving as our European Union hub, as we continue to bring Africa and the world together, through innovative financial solutions. Paris will join London, New York and Dubai, as a critical component of our unique global network.” On the whole, President Tinubu’s visit to France could not have come at a better time when his administration is currently grappling with daunting economic challenges arising from several years of decay and poor governance. It is hoped that all the agreements reached will be pursued to their logical conclusions. They should not end up as paper tigers.

US proposes voluntary guidelines for self-driving vehicles in waning days of Biden administration

US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems? DALLAS (AP) — Delta and United Airlines have become the most profitable U.S. airlines by targeting premium customers while also winning a significant share of budget travelers. That is squeezing smaller low-fare carriers like Spirit Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday. Some travel industry experts think Spirit’s troubles indicate less-wealthy passengers will have fewer choices and higher prices. Other discount airlines are on better financial footing but also are lagging far behind the full-service airlines when it comes to recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Most industry experts think Frontier and other so-called ultra-low-cost carriers will fill the vacuum if Spirit shrinks, and that there's still plenty of competition to prevent prices from spiking. Bitcoin ticks closer to $100,000 in extended surge following US elections NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin is jumping again, setting another new high above $99,000 overnight. The cryptocurrency has been shattering records almost daily since the U.S. presidential election, and has rocketed more than 40% higher in just two weeks. It's now at the doorstep of $100,000. Cryptocurrencies and related investments like crypto exchange-traded funds have rallied because the incoming Trump administration is expected to be more “crypto-friendly.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. Australia rejects Elon Musk's claim that it plans to control access to the internet MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian Cabinet minister has rejected X Corp. owner Elon Musk’s allegation that the government intends to control all Australians' access to the internet through legislation that would ban young children from social media. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Friday that Musk’s criticism was “unsurprising” after the government introduced legislation to Parliament that would fine platforms including X up to $133 million for allowing children under 16 to hold social media accounts. The spat continues months of open hostility between the Australian government and the tech billionaire over regulators’ efforts to reduce public harm from social media. Parliament could pass the legislation as soon as next week. Oil company Phillips 66 faces federal charges related to alleged Clean Water Act violations LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oil company Phillips 66 has been federally indicted in connection with alleged violations of the Clean Water Act in California. The Texas-based company is accused of discharging hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater containing excessive amounts of oil and grease. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment on Thursday. Phillips is charged with two counts of negligently violating the Clean Water Act and four counts of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act. An arraignment date has not been set. A spokesperson for the company said it was cooperating with prosecutors. US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment U.S. regulators want a federal judge to break up Google to prevent the company from continuing to squash competition through its dominant search engine after a court found it had maintained an abusive monopoly over the past decade. The proposed breakup floated in a 23-page document filed late Wednesday by the U.S. Justice Department calls for Google to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions designed to prevent Android from favoring its search engine. Regulators also want to ban Google from forging multibillion-dollar deals to lock in its dominant search engine as the default option on Apple’s iPhone and other devices. What you need to know about the proposed measures designed to curb Google's search monopoly U.S. regulators are proposing aggressive measures to restore competition to the online search market after a federal judge ruled that Google maintained an illegal monopoly. The sweeping set of recommendations filed late Wednesday could radically alter Google’s business. Regulators want Google to sell off its industry-leading Chrome web browser. They outlined a range of behavioral measures such as prohibiting Google from using search results to favor its own services such as YouTube, and forcing it to license search index data to its rivals. They're not going as far as to demand Google spin off Android, but are leaving that door open if the remedies don't work. Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it heads for a winning week NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks gained ground on Wall Street, keeping the market on track for its fifth gain in a row. The S&P 500 was up 0.4% in afternoon trading Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 351 points and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%. Retailers had some of the biggest gains. Gap soared after reporting quarterly results that easily beat analysts' estimates. EchoStar fell after DirecTV called of its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. European markets were mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. Crude oil prices gained ground. Apple and Google face UK investigation into mobile browser dominance LONDON (AP) — A British watchdog says Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers. The watchdog's report Friday recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year. The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker’s tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. The CMA’s report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers “the clearest or easiest option.” Apple said it disagreed with the findings. German auto supplier Bosch to cut 5,500 jobs in further sign of carmakers' woes FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Germany's technology and services company Bosch is cutting its automotive division workforce by as many as 5,500 jobs in the next several years, in another sign of the headwinds hitting the German and global auto industries. The company cited stagnating global auto sales, too much factory capacity in the auto industry compared to sales prospects and a slower than expected transition to electric-powered, software-controlled vehicles. Some 3,500 of the job reductions would come before the end of 2027 and would hit the part of the company that develops driver assistance and automated driving technologies. About half those job reductions would be at locations in Germany. At least 15 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 15 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 160,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat this week after Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, which can cause life-threatening infections. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration.Leo Colimerio scores 27 to help Queens University hold off Gardner-Webb 85-83

Health Economics Outcomes Research (HEOR) Services Market Size: Strong Growth Ahead (2024-2032)

AP Business SummaryBrief at 1:14 p.m. EST