Verizon buying Frontier in $20B deal to strengthen fiber network

( ) -q-21- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “from fiber products.”

Verizon is buying Frontier Communications in a $20 billion deal that helps to strengthen its fiber network.

[CutID: <Cuts> VERIZON-FRONTIER-house-q-FRIam.mp3
Time: 21s
Title: VERIZON-FRONTIER-house-q-FRIam
Out-cue: from fiber products]

TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

————————
VERBATIM: Verizon Communications says the transaction will also help it in the area of artificial intelligence. Frontier has concentrated heavily on its fiber network capabilities over about the last four years, investing $4.1 billion upgrading and expanding its fiber network. It now gets more than half of its revenue from fiber products.

Health officials forced to deal with uninspected pharmaceutical plants

( ) -q-27- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “of overseas travel.”

U.S. health inspectors are still struggling to address a massive backlog of pharmaceutical plants that went uninspected during disruptions caused by COVID-19.

[CutID: <Cuts> PHARMACEUTICAL-PLANTS-house-q-FRIam.mp3
Time: 27s
Title: PHARMACEUTICAL-PLANTS-house-q-FRIam
Out-cue: of overseas travel]

TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

—————————–
VERBATIM: According to an analysis of government data by the Associated Press, roughly 2,000 drug manufacturing sites around the world have not had a Food and Drug Administration inspection for quality since before the pandemic. The FDA considers plants that have gone more than five years without an inspection to be a significant risk. Agency officials say their work has been hampered by difficulties recruiting and retaining inspectors, who face a grueling schedule of overseas travel.

Google is blasted by UK watchdog for its digital ads

( ) -v-34- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “std.”

Google is being slammed by U.K. regulators who say it’s taking advantage of its dominance in digital advertising to thwart competition in Britain. Correspondent Jeremy House reports.

[CutID: <Cuts> GOOGLE-UK-house-v-FRIam.mp3
Time: 34s
Title: GOOGLE-UK-house-v-FRIam
Out-cue: std]

——————————
VERBATIM: The new claims ratchet up pressure that the tech giant is facing on both sides of the Atlantic over its “ad tech” business practices. The Competition and Markets Authority said that the U.S. company gives preference to its own services to the detriment of online publishers and advertisers. Google is a major player throughout the digital ad ecosystem, providing services for publishers, tools for advertisers and an exchange where both sides come together to buy and sell ads in real time at auctions. The company disputed the allegations…JH reporting.

Lamar Jackson Rallies Ravens, But Falls 27-20 to the Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes thought for a moment that the Chiefs were headed to overtime. So did Ravens counterpart Lamar Jackson, who had found Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone with no time left for a touchdown that appeared to tie the game. Bernie Bennett has this report.

Navy Secretary Violated Law By Endorsing Biden On Overseas Trip

Trump Says Musk Would Oversee New Government Efficiency Commission

Applications for US jobless benefits fall modestly last week as layoffs remain relatively low

( ) -q-24- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “by historic standards.”

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week.

[CutID: <Cuts> JOBLESS-CLAIMS-house-q-THUam.mp3
Time: 24s
Title: JOBLESS-CLAIMS-house-q-THUam
Out-cue: by historic standards]

TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. The total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits declined by 22,000 to 1.84 million for the week of August 24.

——————————
VERBATIM: The Labor Department says jobless claims fell by 5,000 to 227,000 for the week ending August 31. That’s less than the 230,000 new filings analysts were expecting. The four-week average of claims fell by 1,750 to 230,000. Weekly filings for unemployment benefits, which are considered a proxy for layoffs, remain low by historic standards.

For many investors and intellectuals leaving China, it’s Japan — not the US — that’s the bigger draw

( ) -q-23- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “and rich culture.”

Well-heeled Chinese are moving to Japan in droves.

[CutID: <Cuts> CHINA-JAPAN-house-q-THUam.mp3
Time: 23s
Title: CHINA-JAPAN-house-q-THUam
Out-cue: and rich culture]

TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Immigration policies favor highly skilled professionals, and Japan has less of the sharp anti-immigrant backlash sometimes seen in Western countries.

————————–
VERBATIM: They’re buying up homes and harboring hopes for opportunities. Some are scholars and artists. Others are dot-com entrepreneurs. So many wealthy Chinese have bought apartments in luxury high-rises in Tokyo that some areas have been dubbed “Chinatowns,” or “Digital Chinatowns.” Japan’s proximity to China is a plus, as well as the country’s ease of living and rich culture.

Maui wildfire report details how communities can reduce the risk of similar disasters

( ) -q-27- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “fire-resistant materials.”

A report on the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century details steps communities can take to reduce the likelihood that grassland wildfires will turn into urban conflagrations.

[CutID: <Cuts> MAUI-WILDFIRE-house-q-THUam.mp3
Time: 27s
Title: MAUI-WILDFIRE-house-q-THUam
Out-cue: fire-resistent materials]

TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

————————–
VERBATIM: The report is from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety examined the 2023 fire that destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii. Researchers found that a layered approach to fire mitigation can help protect communities. Key steps include fuel breaks between wildland areas and the edge of towns and making sure that homes on the perimeter of a community are built with defensible space and fire-resistant materials.

CEOs of Albertsons and Kroger says shoppers would see lower prices after merger

( ) -v-33- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “std.”

The chief executive officers of Kroger and Albertsons present their case in court for what would be the largest grocery chain merger in U.S. history. Correspondent Jeremy House reports.

[CutID: <Cuts> ALBERTSONS-KROGER-house-v-THUam.mp3
Time: 33s
Title: ALBERTSONS-KROGER-house-v-THUam
Out-cue: std]

—————————–
VERBATIM: Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen and Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran (SAHN kar ahn) have insisted that merging would allow the two supermarket companies to lower prices and more effectively compete with retail giants like Walmart and Amazon. The Federal Trade Commission is seeking a preliminary injunction to block the $24.6 billion deal. The commission and labor union leaders allege the merger would eliminate competition, lead to a decline in workers’ wages and benefits, and raise grocery prices for consumers.

House To Vote On Bill Linking Budget Budget CR To Election Integrity

JD Vance Says Nation Is In A Constitutional Crisis Under Biden/Harris

Hyundai unveils 2025 electric SUVs aiming for broader appeal with improved range, charging options

( ) -q-20- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “revealed the price.”

Hyundai is aiming to broaden the appeal of its Ioniq 5 electric SUVs with 2025 models boasting improved battery range and additional charging options.

[CutID: <Cuts> HYUNDAI-EVs-house-q-WEDam.mp3
Time: 20s
Title: HYUNDAI-EVs-house-q-WEDam
Out-cue: revealed the price]

TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. During the first half of this year, the Ioniq 5 was the second-best selling electric vehicle in the U.S. that wasn’t a Tesla. Hyundai says its latest Ioniq 5s have increased range from 220 to 240 miles compared to last year’s base model.

——————————
VERBATIM: The South Korean automaker unveiled the new EVs on Tuesday in Savannah, Georgia, a few miles from Hyundai’s huge new factory. The facility will begin producing the vehicles before the year’s end. The new EVs are compatible with Tesla’s Supercharger battery charging stations. Hyundai hasn’t yet revealed the price.

COVID-19 government disaster loans saved businesses, but saddled survivors with debt

( ) -v-33- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “std.”

Some small businesses are having trouble paying off loans related to the COVID-19 crisis. Correspondent Jeremy House reports.

[CutID: <Cuts> COVID-19-LOANS-house-v-WEDam.mp3
Time: 33s
Title: COVID-19-LOANS-house-v-WEDam
Out-cue: std]

———————–
VERBATIM: In 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans were a lifeline for small businesses. A Small Business Credit Survey report from the 12 Federal Reserve banks shows that small businesses that haven’t paid off their COVID disaster loans are in worse shape than other small businesses. Most of the disaster loans have a 30-year term with a 3.5% interest rate. With lower interest rates than typical loans, the loans were provided for working capital and other normal operating expenses…JH reporting.

Hedge fund Elliott Investment Management steps up pressure on Southwest Airlines’ management

( ) -q-21- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “board of directors.”

A hedge fund that’s been urging Southwest Airlines to dump its CEO and chairman says it has acquired enough of the company’s stock to call a special meeting of shareholders.

[CutID: <Cuts> ELLIOTT-SOUTHWEST-house-q-WEDam.mp3
Time: 21s
Title: ELLIOTT-SOUTHWEST-house-q-WEDam
Out-cue: board of directors]

TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Elliott blames Southwest’s leadership for a sharp drop in Southwest’s stock price over the last three years.

————————-
VERBATIM: The move gives Elliott Investment Management more leverage in its proxy fight heading into a meeting with Southwest officials next week. The hedge fund said in a regulatory filing that it now owns at least 10% of Southwest’s stock. That gives it the ability to call for a special meeting where shareholders could consider candidates for the airline’s board of directors.

“Wrecking Ball”: Republican Senator Blasts Harris Actions Toward Israel

Israeli Journalist Says Hamas Wants Destruction, Civilian Deaths In Gaza

Decision Desk: Republicans Likely to Recapture Senate Majority

Volkswagen aims to cancel a no-layoffs pledge and won’t rule out closing plants in Germany

( 9a ) -q-22- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “criticized the possibility.”

Volkswagen says it’s not getting the cost reductions that it needs.

[CutID: <Cuts> VW-LAYOFFS-house-q-TUEam.mp3
Time: 22s
Title: VW-LAYOFFS-house-q-TUEam
Out-cue: criticized the possibility]

TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

————————————
VERBATIM: Because of this, the car maker won’t rule out plant closings in its home country Germany. CEO Oliver Blume is also saying the company needs to end its job protection promise in effect since 1994 which bars layoffs through 2029. Germany’s industrial union and VW’s top employee representative have sharply criticized the possibility.

A decision on a major policy shift on marijuana won’t come until after the presidential election

( ) -q-27- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “positions on marijuana.”

A decision on whether to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug in the U.S. won’t come until after the November presidential election.

[CutID: <Cuts> ELEX-2024-MARIJUANA-house-q-TUEam.mp3
Time: 27s
Title: ELEX-2024-MARIJUANA-house-q-TUEam
Out-cue: positions on marijuana]

TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

——————–
VERBATIM: The timeline raises the chances this could be a potent political issue in the closely contested race. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has set a hearing date to take comment on the proposed historic change in federal drug policy for December 2. The hearing date means a final decision could well come in the next administration. That could put a new spotlight on former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris’ positions on marijuana.

Clearview AI fined $33.7 million by Dutch data protection watchdog over ‘illegal database’ of faces

( ) -q-22- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “against the fine.'”

The Dutch data protection watchdog has issued facial recognition startup Clearview AI with a fine of $33.7 million.

[CutID: <Cuts> CLEARVIEW-AI-house-q-TUEam.mp3
Time: 22s
Title: CLEARVIEW-AI-house-q-TUEam
Out-cue: against the fine]

TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. The agency said that building the database and insufficiently informing people whose images appear in the database amounted to serious breaches of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation.

———————————
VERBATIM: The fine centers on Clearview AI’s creation of what the agency called an “illegal database” of billion of photos of faces. The Netherlands’ Data Protection Agency also warned Dutch companies that using Clearview’s services is also banned. The data agency said that Clearview “has not objected to this decision and is therefore unable to appeal against the fine.”

Business Observers Say AI May Not Be The Job Killer Many Fear

There may be good news for workers who fear they’ll lose their jobs because of Artificial Intelligence. The recent experiences of a number of companies suggests that AI may not prove to be the job killer that many people have feared. Instead-business observers say-the technology might turn out to be more like major technological breakthroughs of the past — the steam engine, electricity, the internet: That is, eliminate some jobs while creating others. And probably making workers more productive in general, to the eventual benefit of themselves, their employers and the economy.

Japan wants its hardworking citizens to try a 4-day workweek

( ) -q-28- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “paid annual leave.”

Japan’s government is trying to address a worrisome labor shortage by coaxing more people and companies to adopt four-day workweeks.

[CutID: <Cuts> JAPAN-WORK-WEEK-house-q-MONam.mp3
Time: 28s
Title: JAPAN-WORK-WEEK-house-q-MONam
Out-cue: paid annual leave]

TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. The labor ministry recently started offering free consulting, grants and a growing library of success stories as further motivation.

—————————–
VERBATIM: Japan is a nation so hardworking its language has a term for literally working oneself to death. The country’s government first expressed support for a shorter working week in 2021. The concept has been slow to catch on, however. Hoping to produce more takers, especially among small and medium-sized businesses, the government launched a “work style reform” campaign that promotes shorter hours and other flexible arrangements along with overtime limits and paid annual leave.

AI may not steal many jobs after all

Artificial intelligence is beginning to allow many employers to automate functions long performed by human workers. The recent experiences of a number of companies suggest however, that AI may not prove to be the job killer that many people have feared. Instead, the technology might turn out to be more like major technological breakthroughs of the past — the steam engine, electricity and the Internet. The bottom line, while AI may eliminate some jobs, it’s creating others.