Trump says he 'won't be extorted' by Democrats, shuns negotiations as shutdown drags on
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he “won’t be extorted” by Democrats to reopen the government, making clear that he has no plans to negotiate as the government shutdown will soon enter its sixth week. In an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes” that aired on Sunday, Trump predicted that Democrats will eventually capitulate to Republicans. Trump’s comments signal that the shutdown could continue to drag on for some time as federal workers, including air traffic controllers, are set to miss additional paychecks and as there is uncertainty over whether 42 million Americans who received federal food aid will be able to access the assistance.
Flight delays persist as government shutdown leads to air traffic controller shortages
Flight delays are continuing at U.S. airports amid air traffic controller shortages as the government shutdown enters its second month. Newark airport in New Jersey was experiencing delays of two to three hours on Sunday. George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Chicago O’Hare were also seeing dozens of delays and one or two cancellations. Other delays were being reported at major airports in Los Angeles and Miami.
South Korean president calls for aggressive AI spending in budget speech
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for tripling government spending artificial intelligence infrastructure and technology in a budget speech to the legislature. Lee also called for lawmakers to approve a planned 8.2% increase in defense spending next year, which he said would help modernize the military’s weapons systems and reduce its reliance on the United States as the allies’ military chiefs met in Seoul for annual security talks.
A major question for the Supreme Court: Will it treat Trump as it did Biden?
WASHINGTON (AP) — A major question hangs over the Supreme Court’s closely watched case on President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs: Will the conservative majority hold the Republican president to the same exacting standards it used to limit his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden? Key legal principles at the heart of conservative challenges to major initiatives in the Biden years are driving the arguments in the legal fight against Trump’s tariffs. The case is set for arguments at the high court on Wednesday. The businesses and states that sued over the tariffs are name-checking the three Trump-appointed conservative justices whose votes they hope to attract to stop a centerpiece of his economic agenda.
Tylenol, Kleenex, Band-Aid and more put under one roof in $48.7 billion consumer brands deal
Kimberly-Clark is buying Tylenol maker Kenvue in an approximately $48.7 billion cash-and-stock deal, creating a massive consumer health goods company. The combined company will have a huge stable of household brands under one roof, putting Kenvue’s Listerine mouthwash and Band-Aid side-by-side with Kimberly-Clark’s Cottonelle toilet paper, Huggies and Kleenex tissues. It will also generate about $32 billion in annual revenue. The deal is expected to close in the second half of next year it it's approved by shareholders from both both companies.
Microsoft to ship 60,000 Nvidia AI chips to UAE under US-approved deal
WASHINGTON (AP) — Microsoft has announced it will ship Nvidia's advanced AI chips to the United Arab Emirates. The U.S. Commerce Department approved the deal in September. The company plans to send over 60,000 Nvidia chips, including the advanced GB300 Grace Blackwell chips, for use in UAE data centers. This move seems to contradict former President Donald Trump's recent comments about restricting exports of advanced chips. The UAE's access to these chips is linked to its pledge to invest $1.4 trillion in U.S. energy and AI projects. Microsoft's announcement is part of its $15.2 billion investment in UAE technology.
Starbucks sells 60% stake in China business in $4 billion deal
Starbucks is forming a joint venture with Chinese investment firm Boyu Capital to operate Starbucks stores in China. Under the agreement announced Monday, Boyu acquire a 60% interest in Starbucks' retail operations in China, which is valued at $4 billion. Starbucks will retain a 40% interest in the joint venture and will own and license the Starbucks brand. Starbucks entered China almost 30 years ago and has been credited with growing a coffee culture in the country. But in recent years, the Seattle coffee giant has struggled to compete with cheap, fast-growing Chinese startups like Luckin Coffee.
AI darlings prop up Wall Street as most other stocks fall
NEW YORK (AP) — Nvidia and other AI superstar stocks propped up Wall Street. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% Monday, even though the majority of stocks within the index fell. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.5%. Nvidia was the strongest force lifting the market, much as it has been throughout 2025. Another AI winner, Amazon, rallied after announcing a deal with OpenAI. They helped offset a big loss for Kimberly-Clark, which fell after saying it would buy Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol. Stock indexes ended mixed in Europe following a stronger finish in Asia.
OpenAI and Amazon sign $38 billion deal for AI computing power
SEATTLE (AP) — OpenAI and Amazon have signed a $38 billion deal to run OpenAI's systems on Amazon's cloud services. OpenAI will access hundreds of thousands of Nvidia's AI chips through Amazon Web Services. The deal was announced Monday, just days after OpenAI changed its partnership with Microsoft. Last week, California and Delaware regulators allowed OpenAI to move forward with a new business structure to raise capital and make a profit. Amazon stated that the demand for computing power has surged due to AI advancements. OpenAI will start using AWS immediately, with plans to expand further by 2027.
Trump's not going to the Supreme Court hearing on tariffs. But his treasury secretary will be there
WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says he plans to take a “ringside seat” at the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday. That's when the justices are set to hear arguments on whether President Donald Trump overstepped federal law in setting many of his sweeping tariffs. Trump had said he wanted to go to the arguments in person. But this weekend, he ruled it out, saying he didn't want to be a distraction. Bessent told Fox News Channel the case was critical, calling it a “matter of national security.” Lower courts have said Trump overstepped his powers when he set the tariffs, but left them in place pending the Supreme Court’s decision.
