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Ford Motor shows off new high-tech HQ. It has a ‘crown jewel’ showroom and room for 4,000 employees

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Ford Motor Company is showing off its new world headquarters building in Dearborn, Michigan. The new HQ is double the size of its old one with room for twice as many employees. It has seven restaurants, design studios and fabrication shops. And, of course, cars. According to Ford Land’s brand manager, the “crown jewel” of the new building is a massive showroom. Ford gave media tours of the new world headquarters this past week. And it is to be the site of a grand-opening celebration on Sunday. Ford’s current headquarters is known as “The Glass House.” It opened in 1956. The plan is for it to be demolished.

Trump, like Biden before him, finds there’s no quick fix on inflation

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s problems with fixing the high cost of living might be giving voters a feeling of déjà vu. Just like President Joe Biden, Trump says lower prices are just around the corner. Trump says Republicans need to do a better job explaining his policies. But he also blames Biden for the economic problems.

Samsung and other South Korean firms pledge larger domestic investments after US tariff deal

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Samsung Electronics and other major South Korean companies have announced new domestic investment plans. This comes after a meeting with President Lee Jae Myung, who hopes to counter concerns about prioritizing U.S. investments under a recent trade deal. Samsung plans to invest $310 billion over five years to expand domestic operations, including a new production line at its Pyeongtaek hub. Hyundai Motor Group also plans to invest $86.3 billion from 2026 to 2030 in research and development. SK Group and shipbuilders Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai also announced plans to increase domestic investments.

Brazilian coffee, beef and tropical fruit will still be tariffed 40%, says Brazil’s vice president

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin says Brazilian goods like coffee, beef and tropical fruits will still face a 40% tariff in the U.S. This comes despite President Donald Trump’s decision to remove some import taxes. On Friday, Trump scrapped levies announced in April, calling it ‘Liberation Day,’ to boost the U.S. economy. However, in July, he imposed an additional 40% tariff, partly due to the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Alckmin notes that while some products like orange juice now have zero tariffs, the extra tariff on others remains high. He calls for further corrections.

Former Fed governor’s stock trades violated the central bank’s ethics rules

A former Federal Reserve governor who retired in August listed several stock trades in her financial disclosure documents for 2024 that violated the central bank’s ethics rules. The transactions are outlined in a report released Saturday by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, which reviewed Adriana Kugler’s financial disclosures after the Fed referred them to its inspector general earlier this year. Fed officials are barred from investing in individual stocks, bonds or cryptocurrencies. Kugler listed trades of individual stocks, including Apple, Southwest Airlines and Caterpillar. Some trades happened during blackout periods when the Fed’s policymaking committee meets. The report notes some trades were made by Kugler’s spouse without her knowledge.

Future data centers are driving up forecasts for energy demand. States want proof they’ll get built

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Utilities are producing eye-popping forecasts about the amount of electricity they’ll need to power massive new data centers that are feeding the fast-growing AI economy. But the forecasts are setting off alarm bells about whether they can be trusted. One question is whether utilities are counting speculative data center projects that may never get built. Some worry regular ratepayers could be stuck with paying for unnecessary power plants. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission wants to know how grid operators determine that a project is viable, while states are trying to find out what’s in utilities’ forecasts and weed out speculative projects.

Disney reaches new deal with YouTube TV, ending a blackout that lasted over two weeks

NEW YORK (AP) — Disney and YouTube TV have reached a new deal to bring channels like ABC and ESPN back to the Google-owned livestreaming platform. The agreement ends a blackout for customers that dragged on for about two weeks. Both sides say that restoration has already begun. Disney content went dark on YouTube TV the night of Oct. 30 after the two sides failed to reach a new licensing deal. YouTube TV subscribers were left without Disney channels on the platform — notably disrupting coverage of top college football matchups and professional sports games, among other news and entertainment offerings. Other Disney-owned content removed from YouTube TV included channels like NatGeo, FX, Freeform, SEC Network, ACC Network and more.

Trump scraps tariffs on beef, coffee and tropical fruit in a push to lower grocery store prices

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced the removal of U.S. tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruits and other commodities. This move comes amid pressure to address high consumer prices. Trump had focused on tariffs to boost domestic production and the U.S. economy. However, recent off-year elections showed economic concerns as a top issue, with Democrats gaining wins. Inflation remains a challenge despite Trump’s claims to have vanquished it. The administration insists tariffs weren’t a major factor in rising grocery prices. Democrats and industry groups argue this move acknowledges the impact of Trump’s tariffs on consumers. “We just did a little bit of a rollback on some foods like coffee,” Trump said later Friday night.

A slowing wartime economy pushes the Kremlin to tap consumers for revenue

Russia’s economy has slowed after two years of robust growth fueled by the war in Ukraine. That’s opening a hole in the Kremlin’s budget, and President Vladimir Putin is looking for money to cover the deficit. It’s clear where he’ll get it: from an increase in value-added tax paid by consumers on purchases. The rate is rising from 20% to 22%. The government also has proposed increasing taxes on spirits, wine, beer, cigarettes and vapes. Muscovites are greeting the changes with grumbling and shrugs. The economic slowdown and tax increases are signs that Russia will face harder choices in the months ahead, between military spending and consumer welfare, after 3 1/2 years of war against Ukraine.