>>Job Openings Unexpectedly Rise
(New York, NY) -- New data shows the number of job openings in the U.S. are up unexpectedly. The Labor Department said Tuesday there were nine-million job openings in December. Most economists say job openings right now are at a healthy level. The Feds use this data to determine if there should be any additional rate hikes to help curb inflation.
>>Fed Not Expected To Lower Rates Just Yet
(Undated) -- The Federal Open Market Committee kicks off its first meeting of the year today. It's a two-day event that culminates with an announcement on the future of interest rates Wednesday. Most analysts are predicting no rate change at the moment, but a March rate cut is very much still in the conversation.
>>Toyota Recalls Older Models
(Undated) -- Toyota is asking the owners of 50-thousand older model vehicles to get immediate recall repairs for potentially fatal faulty airbags. The recall affects some 2003-04 Corollas and 2004-05 RAV4 with Takata air bag inflators. More than 67 million Takata inflators have been recalled since 2009 after causing at least 30 deaths and hundred of injuries.
>>Prime Video Begins Running Commercials
(Seattle, WA) -- Amazon Prime Video is starting to air commercials on the streaming service. Users who didn't agree to pay an extra two-99 a month for the ad-free option, started to see limited advertisements Monday. The company said in September the extra charge will allow them to continue "investing in compelling content." >>Verdict Expected This Week In Trump's Civil Fraud Trial In NY (New York, NY) -- A verdict is expected as soon as this week in Donald Trump's civil fraud trial in New York. State Attorney General Letitia James wants a Manhattan judge to order Trump to pay a 370-million dollar fine in her case against the former president, which accuses him of falsely inflating the value of real estate in order to get more favorable loans.
>>First Human With Neuralink Implant Recovering
(Undated) -- Elon Musk says the first human to receive a Neuralink cybernetic brain implant is recovering. The company, founded by Musk, aims to eventually use the implants to control electronic devices and allow people with paralysis to regain motor function. Musk hopes the implants could help people with diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The tech billionaire posted on X that the implant was put in a human for the first time on Sunday.
>>Amazon and iRobot Deal Off
(Undated) -- Amazon is pumping the brakes on its iRobot purchase. On Monday, both companies revealed that they mutually agreed to call off the deal citing "no path to regulatory approval in the European Union." As a result, Amazon will have to fork over 94-million dollars to the robotic vacuums maker due to a termination fee. As for iRobot, the company said around 350 employees will be laid off, and its CEO, Colin Angle, is stepping down.
>>Rep. Gottheimer Ramps Up Efforts To Keep AM Radio In Electric Vehicles
(Paramus, NJ) -- New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer is ramping up efforts to keep AM radio in electric vehicles. Speaking at a Tesla dealership Monday, the Democrat called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require the sticker prices of electric cars without AM to include warnings that they're unsafe in certain emergencies. Gottheimer also said there's broad, bipartisan support for a bill ensuring that AM is included in a car's features at no additional cost to customers. Gottheimer accused automakers like Tesla of putting families' safety at risk just to save a few bucks, saying it's been essential during major disasters like 9-11 and Superstorm Sandy, as well as inclement weather.
