Ford halts Lightning production, repurposes EV plants

 

Detroit — Ford announced this week it will stop producing the all‑electric F‑150 Lightning, take about a $19.5 billion charge, repurpose several EV facilities to produce gasoline trucks and battery energy storage, and lay off roughly 1,600 workers at a Kentucky battery plant while shifting focus to hybrids and smaller...

Corporations Announce Buybacks, Acquisitions, Dividends, and Partnerships

 

United States — Corporations across sectors announced financial and strategic actions this week, including share repurchases, dividends, asset acquisitions, credit reaffirmations, and partnerships. On Dec. 15–16, Momentus canceled a deferred stockholders' meeting; Sezzle and Planet Fitness announced large repurchase programs; NewLake declared a $0.43 quarterly dividend; Vireo agreed to buy...

Salvation Army drives, donations, expansion across communities

 

United States. Local news outlets reported this week on Salvation Army fundraising, donations, and program developments across communities. Mayo Clinic pledged a $50,000 match in Rochester to support a $200,000 red-kettle goal. A Tucson toy store donated remaining inventory to support local children after closing. Pottsville organizers reported volunteer shortages...

US Seizes Venezuelan Tanker, Exports Drop, Sanctions Tighten

 

Washington, U.S. forces seized a Venezuelan supertanker in early December, asserting the vessel carried sanctioned crude linked to an oil network supporting Hezbollah and Iran’s IRGC. Authorities unsealed a warrant signed in late November and Coast Guard executed the seizure after helicopter-borne boarding. Shipping data shows only Chevron-chartered tankers sailed...

US Launches Pax Silica to Secure AI Chains

 

Washington, the United States recently launched Pax Silica, a coalition of allied nations to secure silicon supply chains critical to artificial intelligence and semiconductors. The State Department said leaders signed a declaration at the inaugural summit on Friday to reduce coercive dependencies, protect critical minerals and align economic-security approaches. Partners...

Multiple Companies Release Quarterly Results Showing Mixed Outcomes

 

United States. Multiple publicly traded companies reported quarterly financial results this week, with mixed outcomes. Netskope posted a fiscal third-quarter GAAP loss of $453.1 million but beat adjusted-per-share estimates and revenue forecasts. RH, Broadcom, Quanex and Mitek released respective quarterly results, with Broadcom reporting $8.52 billion net income and revenue...

New Jersey Declares Emergency Over Propane Supply Disruption

 

TRENTON, New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy declared state of emergency this Thursday after a service interruption at a propane distribution facility in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania disrupted deliveries and threatened winter heating supplies. The executive order, effective at 9 a.m. Friday, temporarily relaxes federal hours-of-service limits for commercial carriers moving propane,...

Court settlement returns permanent charters to NASCAR teams

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Federal court proceedings concluded Thursday when NASCAR and two race teams settled a 14-month antitrust lawsuit over new charter agreements, ending a nine-day trial. Plaintiffs 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, co-owned by Michael Jordan and others, reached terms that restore permanent charters and introduce an evergreen...

Companies announce listings, sale, grants, opening, fiscal change

 

United States — Companies announced capital moves, acquisitions, openings and filings. On Dec. 11, HIVE Digital Technologies listed on the Colombian Stock Exchange, expanding Latin American markets access. Luminar agreed to sell Luminar Semiconductor to Quantum Computing Inc. for $110 million. Dime awarded a grant to Accompany Capital on Dec....

Trump announces $12B aid; farmers express continuing concerns

 

RANDOLPH, Minn. The Trump administration announced $12 billion in one-time payments Monday to U.S. farmers affected by low commodity prices, rising input costs and reduced exports after China halted agricultural purchases during the trade war. Farmers and local producers said the payments provide temporary relief but will not resolve structural...