Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stock indexes are rising in afternoon trading on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 29 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.8%. Japanese automakers Honda Motor and Nissan Motor said they are talking about combining in a deal that might also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse? Researchers and watchdog groups say the emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce detailed and novel online reviews has put merchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory. Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. But AI-infused text generation tools enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice is illegal in the U.S. and becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season, when many people rely on reviews to buy gifts. A tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews says AI-generated reviews have multiplied. Romanian lawmakers narrowly approve new pro-European coalition during period of political turmoil BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian lawmakers have voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move on Monday could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election. Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in the 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party, the center-right National Liberal Party, the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. President Klaus Iohannis swore in the new government on Monday night. Government regulators close investigation into Ford Focus recalls Government safety regulators are closing an investigation into two previous recalls of the Ford Focus after determining that Ford Motor Co. has satisfied its concerns. Ford recalled around 1.5 million Ford Focus sedans from the 2012-2018 model years in 2018 because they could lose power. The issue was a malfunctioning canister purge valve and software that didn’t adequately detect when it was stuck open. Ford fixed the software in two separate recalls, but after cars continued to stall, the government opened an inquiry last year. Earlier this fall, Ford offered to replace the canister purge valve on all of the vehicles, satisfying regulators' concerns. AI will eavesdrop on world's wildest places to track and help protect endangered wildlife PUERTO JIMÉNEZ, Costa Rica (AP) — A biologist hid 350 audio monitors across Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests to spy on endangered spider monkeys in order to help protect them. But she had to go back to collect the data and feed those sounds into artificial intelligence systems that can recognize monkey calls. Now tech giant Microsoft's philanthropic arm is hoping to supercharge AI-assisted wildlife research with new solar-powered devices that can capture sounds, images and other wilderness data for a year or more without human intervention. Researchers say more AI wildlife surveillance is urgently needed to monitor the health of species at risk of extinction.THAAP screens award-winning documentary ‘All That Breathes’winner 777 。

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The latest environmental, social and governance (ESG) information can be found at avistacorp.com . SPOKANE, Wash., Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Avista (NYSE: AVA) published its latest Corporate Responsibility report and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) information on its corporate website, avistacorp.com . The content reports on Avista’s operations and includes commitments in four areas: environment, people, customers and communities, and ethical governance. The latest report includes progress updates regarding Avista’s aspirational goals for Clean Energy, for workplace Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity, for Supplier Diversity, and the publication of Avista’s current Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) 2023 Employer Information Report EEO-1 Consolidated Report. The website also provides links to Avista’s continued reporting on a series of key ESG reporting frameworks and industry specific ESG disclosures and metrics that include new reports adhering to the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and the American Gas Association (AGA) ESG and sustainability reporting frameworks. “Our mission is to enable vibrant communities through safe, responsible, and affordable energy. Avista’s annual Corporate Responsibility Report is an opportunity for us to provide information and concrete examples that demonstrate our company’s commitments to our stakeholders in support of this mission. From ensuring robust energy supply and delivery systems, partnering in the shared clean energy economy, inspiring engaged and thriving employees, to committing to financial strength, these are just some of the ways we are delivering upon our mission,” said Avista CEO Dennis Vermillion. Avista’s Corporate Responsibility report and ESG disclosures can be found here and at avistacorp.com. About Avista Corp. Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission, and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 418,000 customers and natural gas to 382,000 customers. Our service territory covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.7 million. AERC is an Avista subsidiary that, through its subsidiary AEL&P, provides retail electric service to 17,000 customers in the city and borough of Juneau, Alaska. Our stock is traded under the ticker symbol “AVA”. For more information about Avista, please visit www.avistacorp.com. Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation. To unsubscribe from Avista’s news release distribution, send reply message to dalila.sheehan@avistacorp.com. SOURCE: Avista Corporation Contact: Media: Lena Funston (509) 495-8090 lena.funston@avistacorp.com Investors: Stacey Wenz (509) 495-2046 stacey.wenz@avistacorp.com Avista 24/7 Media Access (509) 495-4174

The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman's Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union's executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November's election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”It is with heavy hearts that the nation mourns the passing of one of its most respected leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh , who left us on a poignant Thursday morning. A luminary in Indian politics and an economic visionary, Dr. Singh’s journey came to an end at AIIMS, Delhi, where he had been receiving treatment for persistent health issues following multiple bypass surgeries. Born on September 26, 1932, Dr. Singh’s life was a testament to dedication and service, having served as the Prime Minister of India twice. Yet, beyond his tenure as Prime Minister, it is his unparalleled contribution to India’s economic transformation that people hold in the highest regard. Dr. Manmohan Singh is hailed as the father of economic liberalization and reforms in India. In a historical stride back in 1991, the very year he entered the Rajya Sabha on a Congress ticket, he introduced transformative economic policies that opened the country’s closed economy to the global market. As the Finance Minister, Dr. Singh took bold steps to dismantle decades-old barriers, ushering India into a new era of economic progress. This pivotal year not only redefined the Indian economy but also set a foundation for future growth. After serving as the Finance Minister until 1996, Dr. Singh faced electoral challenges, including a defeat in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections. Undeterred, his resilience led him to ascend as the 13th Prime Minister of India in 2004 under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. He not only completed his term but went on to serve a second term from 2009 to 2014. His leadership, marked by steadfastness and a calm demeanor, saw India through critical times on the global stage. Also Read: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Passes Away At 92, Breathes His last In Delhi AIIMS Among his many accomplishments during his tenure, Dr. Singh’s efforts to eliminate the bureaucratic ‘Licence Raj’ stand out. He worked tirelessly to lower taxes and encourage foreign investments, spearheading an era often referred to as the golden phase of Indian economic growth. His collaboration with then Finance Minister P. Chidambaram in 2004 brought about significant economic reforms that bolstered India’s global standing. India mourns the loss of a stalwart. Manmohan Singh’s legacy as a scholar-statesman and his unwavering commitment to economic revival will always inspire us. #RIPManmohanSingh #Legacy — India Live News (@indialivenews) December 26, 2024 Dr. Singh’s demeanor was often described as humble and soft-spoken, yet he carried an aura of wisdom and intellect that was acknowledged not just domestically but globally. He was more than just a politician; he was an academic, an economist, and above all, a servant of the people. His policies enabled millions of Indians to dream bigger and aspire to a better quality of life. As India reflects on the profound impact of Dr. Singh’s work, his legacy continues to inspire future generations to pursue economic progress blended with social justice. His vision and tenacity laid the groundwork for subsequent economic frameworks that have propelled India into the league of global economic players. Today, we don’t just mourn a leader; we celebrate the life of a man whose courage and austerity shaped an entire era of Indian policy-making. In his passing, the heart of India beats with gratitude and a promise to carry forward his invaluable contributions to the nation. Also Read: Manmohan Singh Death Live Updates: Tributes Pour In, PM Modi Mourns His Demise Written By Aditya Mallick