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What you’ll read?

• Stellantis CEO Steps Down Amid Board Disputes.

• Senate Subcommittee Criticizes Airlines Over Seat and Bag Fees.

• Today in AI & Tech

• Maersk Advances Decarbonization with Green Methanol Vessels.

  and more…

BUSINESS

Stellantis CEO Steps Down Amid Board Disputes.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has resigned due to differences with the board, effective immediately. His leadership, praised for the 2021 merger that created Stellantis, faced criticism for underperformance in 2024, especially in the U.S. market. Stellantis has launched a search for a new CEO, aiming for a decision by mid-2025, while an interim committee led by Chairman John Elkann will oversee operations. Cost-cutting measures and declining sales have strained relations with unions and U.S. dealers.

Senate Subcommittee Criticizes Airlines Over Seat and Bag Fees.

U.S. airlines collected $12.4 billion in seat selection fees between 2018 and 2023, with United alone earning $1.3 billion from seat fees in 2022, surpassing baggage fee revenue. Airlines have added premium seating options to boost income while eliminating change fees on standard tickets. Budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier faced scrutiny for paying gate agents to enforce bag policies. A Dec. 4 Senate hearing will address these "junk fees," a target of the Biden administration's consumer protection efforts. Airlines defend their practices as competitive and transparent.

Small Business Confidence Rises Amid Political and Economic Shifts.

Voter shifts during economic struggles are mirrored in the Q4 2024 CNBC|SurveyMonkey Small Business Survey, where confidence surged to 62 from 51 in Q3. This optimism, driven by Republican business owners, contrasts with a dip in Democratic sentiment. Concerns about tariffs and inflation persist, but fewer see inflation as their top risk, and trust in the Federal Reserve's inflation control has grown.

Bernadette Joy’s $1 Rule Simplifies Smart Spending.

After tackling $300,000 in debt by 2020, Bernadette Joy developed the "$1 rule" to guide guilt-free spending. Featured in her book Crush Your Money Goals, the method suggests that an item is worth buying if its cost per use is $1 or less. The rule helps avoid impulsive purchases, encourages thoughtful gift-giving, and prioritizes meaningful experiences over overspending, especially during the holidays.

TECH

Today in AI & Tech

AI's Potential to Reduce U.S. Fiscal Deficit Through Healthcare.

AI could help alleviate the U.S. fiscal deficit by improving healthcare efficiency, according to Brookings economists. They project AI may lower the deficit by 1.5% of GDP by 2044, primarily through better preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment. While adoption faces regulatory and structural hurdles, AI's transformative potential could reduce waste, enhance access, and boost productivity, despite challenges in implementation and incentives.

Elon Musk Escalates Legal Battle Against OpenAI’s For-Profit Transformation.

Elon Musk, xAI, and Shivon Zilis have filed for a federal injunction to halt OpenAI's transition to a fully for-profit entity, citing violations of antitrust and racketeering laws. The complaint alleges OpenAI and Microsoft restricted competitor funding and misused sensitive data, hindering xAI’s capital access. OpenAI and Microsoft deny the claims, as Musk's xAI continues expanding its AI efforts amid intensifying industry competition.

AI Transforms Lives of Visually Impaired, Enhancing Independence and Daily Functionality.

Louise Plunkett, who lives with Stargardt disease, uses AI tools like "Be My AI" to navigate tasks such as identifying objects and reading text, reducing her reliance on others. Similarly, tools like WeWalk's smart cane and Google Gemini's multimodal AI provide tailored solutions for accessibility, empowering users with enhanced independence and freedom. Experts agree that AI is revolutionizing support for blind and low-vision communities, offering transformational benefits despite occasional limitations.

Open Enrollment is Here — Find Health Plans for $0 Monthly Premiums*

The 2025 Open Enrollment Period is from November 1, 2024 to January 15, 2025. It's your one time a year to add, switch, or drop your health insurance plan. Finding the right plan can be time consuming and stressful. Healthcare.com makes it easy by connecting you to top insurers like United Healthcare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and many more. In 2025, you may qualify for $0 premiums or annual premium savings exceeding $800*. Find plans that fit you and your budget with Healthcare.com.

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Other

FDA Pick and Neuralink Updates: Health and Tech at a Crossroads.

President-elect Donald Trump nominated Dr. Marty Makary as FDA commissioner, a move easing concerns in the biotech sector. Known for his critiques of healthcare inefficiencies, Makary supports innovation and patient choice but faces scrutiny for controversial stances during the pandemic. Meanwhile, Neuralink announced its "CONVOY Study," testing brain-computer interfaces for controlling robotic arms, alongside its ongoing international trials to aid paralyzed patients. Both developments highlight intersections of regulation and groundbreaking health technologies.

Maersk Advances Decarbonization with Green Methanol Vessels.

Maersk unveiled the A.P. Møller, its ninth dual-fuel methanol ship, in Southeast Asia, advancing its goal to decarbonize shipping. Running on green methanol, these vessels can cut up to 280 tons of CO2 daily and significantly reduce sulfur emissions. With 25 such vessels planned by 2027, Maersk aims to save 1.5 million metric tons of CO2 by replacing 12 traditional ships. Methanol adoption is growing industry-wide, with about 170 vessels on order, but challenges like higher costs and regulatory support remain critical for scaling up.

Trump Names Massad Boulos as Adviser for Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs.

President-elect Donald Trump appointed Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-American businessman and father-in-law to Tiffany Trump, as senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Boulos played a key role in engaging Arab American voters in Michigan, helping Trump win swing states. Trump's administration picks signal a continued pro-Israel stance, sparking controversy over Middle Eastern policy directions.

It's a Wrap!

Thank you for joining us in this journey through the latest updates and insights. Your engagement and support mean the world to us. We hope you found this newsletter both informative and inspiring. Stay tuned for more exciting news and stories in our next edition.

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Warm regards,
Sarah