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What you’ll read?

• American Airlines Partners Exclusively with Citi for Credit Cards.

• JetBlue Adjusts Routes to Boost Profitability.

• Today in AI & Tech

• U.S. Announces $988M Arms Aid for Ukraine.

  and more…

BUSINESS

CFPB Accuses Comerica Bank of Mishandling Federal Benefits Program.

The CFPB filed a lawsuit against Comerica Bank, alleging it mishandled the Direct Express prepaid card program by disconnecting 24 million customer calls, charging unjustified ATM fees, and neglecting fraud complaints. The program, serving Social Security beneficiaries, has been managed by Comerica since 2008. Comerica denies wrongdoing, asserting it acted under federal oversight and plans to defend its record.

JetBlue Adjusts Routes to Boost Profitability.

JetBlue Airways is cutting unprofitable routes, ending service to cities like Miami, Milwaukee, and San Jose, and redeploying its Mint business class planes to higher-demand markets. It will also scale back Europe routes, such as reducing JFK-Paris flights starting summer 2025, while exploring new opportunities. The carrier aims to lower costs and focus on profitable markets.

American Airlines Partners Exclusively with Citi for Credit Cards.

American Airlines finalized a deal with Citigroup, ending its partnership with Barclays. The airline expects a 10% annual growth in revenue from its co-branded credit card program, which generated $5.6 billion in the past year. Citi will handle card sign-ups starting in 2026, with the transition benefiting both parties significantly.

Executive Safety Under Scrutiny After CEO's Tragic Death.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot while walking to an investor event, highlighting the growing risks executives face even during routine tasks. His death in Manhattan has prompted companies to reevaluate executive protection amid rising threats fueled by social media and political polarization. Security experts argue the tragedy was preventable with proper measures, sparking urgent discussions on enhancing safety for corporate leaders. Many firms are now increasing protections, especially for upcoming high-profile events.

TECH

Today in AI & Tech

Apple Leverages AWS AI Chips to Boost Efficiency and Explore Pretraining.

Super Micro Computer announced on Friday that it has been granted an extension by Nasdaq until February 25 to file its delayed annual and quarterly reports. The AI server maker's shares rose 5% in extended trading following the news. After failing to submit its annual report in August, Super Micro hired BDO USA as its auditor and submitted a compliance plan. The company aims to meet the February deadline to retain its Nasdaq listing. Additionally, Super Micro began a search for a new finance chief amid an investigation into its accounting practices.Super Micro Gets Nasdaq Extension to File Reports, Shares Rise 5%

U.S. Congressman Urges FERC to Support AI Data Centers Co-Located with Power Plants.

U.S. Congressman Jay Obernolte has called on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to expedite rules allowing AI data centers to be directly connected to power plants, emphasizing national security and global AI competitiveness. In a December 5 letter, Obernolte argued that co-located data centers, which can access energy more quickly and efficiently, are vital for reducing grid strain, improving resilience, and cutting carbon emissions. The proposal comes amid debates over how such facilities could impact the reliability of the U.S. electrical system, following FERC’s rejection of a request to expand an Amazon data center at a nuclear plant.

Ant Group Appoints Cyril Han as CEO Amid Efforts to Revive Growth.

Ant Group has announced that Cyril Han, the company’s president and finance chief, will succeed Eric Jing as CEO starting March 1, 2025, while Jing will remain as chairman. The leadership change comes as the company, which operates Alipay, aims to rejuvenate growth following regulatory crackdowns on China’s tech sector. The announcement coincided with Ant Group’s 20th anniversary celebrations, where founder Jack Ma discussed the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the coming years, marking a rare public appearance after the company’s halted IPO in 2020.

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Other

Biden Welcomes Syrian Transition, Warns of Risks.

President Joe Biden hailed the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, calling it a historic opportunity but cautioning about risks during the transition. He pledged U.S. support for Syria’s neighbors, ongoing efforts against ISIS, and help for Syrians in building a sovereign government. Biden emphasized vigilance over rebel groups and committed to securing the release of American journalist Austin Tice, believed to be alive.

Trump’s Wealth-Packed Second Term Team Sparks Debate.

Donald Trump’s incoming administration includes several billionaires like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, marking an unprecedented concentration of wealth among top appointees. While many supporters view Trump’s billionaire status as a strength, critics raise concerns over potential financial conflicts and risks to his populist image. With nominees’ fortunes dwarfing those of previous administrations, scrutiny over their wealth is intensifying.

Qatar Unfazed by U.S. LNG Export Expansion Amid Global Competition.

Qatar’s energy minister, Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, expressed confidence about increased U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports under President-elect Donald Trump, citing a global demand for additional gas supply. Highlighting the long lead time for LNG projects, he emphasized that market forces like supply, demand, and project viability would regulate competition. Kaabi also raised concerns about the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, warning it could deter investments and burden European companies with higher costs.

U.S. Announces $988M Arms Aid for Ukraine.

The United States unveiled a $988 million arms package for Ukraine, focusing on buying ammunition for HIMARS, drones, and artillery maintenance. This nearly halves the $2.21 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds, prioritizing industry purchases over U.S. stock drawdowns. Since 2022, U.S. aid to Ukraine has exceeded $62 billion.at a policy shift could prioritize financial interests over public welfare and national security.

Pharrell Williams Reflects on McDonald’s Firing and Iconic Jingle Success.

Before his music career soared, Pharrell Williams was fired from three McDonald’s locations due to lack of interest in the job. Ironically, he later co-produced McDonald’s iconic "I’m Lovin’ It" jingle, which became a cultural staple. Williams credits finding inspiration in his work for transforming him into a self-proclaimed workaholic, urging others to align their careers with their passions for sustained motivation and fulfillment.

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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Sarah