SpaceX starship rocket breaks up in space, disrupting air traffic
A SpaceX Starship exploded minutes after launch from Texas, forcing airline reroutes over the Gulf of Mexico and setting back Elon Musk’s rocket program.
Elon Musk stands to gain from his ties to President-elect Trump, with Tesla shares surging post-election. Trump's policies, including deregulation and tariffs on Chinese imports, could benefit Musk’s businesses, including Tesla and SpaceX.
Billionaire Elon Musk stands to gain significantly from his relationship with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, having been one of Trump’s key supporters during the 2024 campaign.
After Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, Tesla shares soared nearly 15%, adding around $120 billion to the company’s market value. Musk contributed millions to Trump’s campaign, and Trump has proposed a government efficiency commission led by Musk to reduce federal spending.
Musk's influence is expected to grow further, given his substantial role as a U.S. Department of Defense contractor through his Starlink broadband system and as Tesla's CEO.
Musk has benefited from policies that Trump opposed, such as the solar and electric vehicle (EV) credits in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Trump’s push to reduce EV mandates could potentially benefit Tesla more than its competitors due to the company’s high sales volume.
A group representing the EV industry expressed its willingness to collaborate with Trump, who has pledged to reverse many of the pro-EV policies of the Biden administration.
'HEDGED HIS BETS'
“Musk basically hedged his bets by his association with Trump and likely will get favorable treatment from the Trump administration,” said Dennis Dick, trader at Triple D Trading.
Regulatory approval for Full Self Driving will be a challenge for Tesla, but Musk is likely to secure approvals faster with Trump’s support. Shares of EV companies Lucid Group (LCID.O) and Rivian Automotive (RIVN.O) dropped 5.3% and 8.3%, respectively. Trump's promised tariffs on Chinese imports, especially on EVs, could shield Tesla from competition, analysts said. Shares of China's BYD (002594.SZ) fell 2.3% overnight.
It’s unclear how Musk will address conflicts of interest in sectors like auto, space, health, and AI, or whether he’ll leverage them under a Trump administration’s hands-off regulatory approach.
A role overseeing deregulation would give Musk influence over U.S. policy on AI, space exploration, and EVs, said Mamta Valechha, consumer analyst at Quilter Cheviot.
Musk may use his influence to reduce regulatory oversight. He’s criticized federal reviews of SpaceX and wants faster approval of his autonomous driving technology.
Musk is also a proponent of carbon-free energy, as Tesla is a major supplier of solar systems and batteries. Trump has promised to eliminate the offshore wind industry and rescind unspent funds under the Inflation Reduction Act, Biden’s climate law. However, Republican-led states have benefited from the law; Musk is building his second U.S. EV factory in Texas.
Reports of a two-month halt in Azerbaijani gas supplies to Serbia are false. Despite a technical issue at Shah Deniz Alpha, Shah Deniz Bravo ensures steady exports, with supplies set to resume soon. BP confirms no damage or environmental impact.
Coast Guard divers Chuck Fox and Corey Smith from the US Cutter *Polar Star* successfully repaired a leaking shaft in the freezing waters of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.
Azerbaijan has temporarily halted its contracted natural gas supply to Bulgaria following a technical issue at BP's Alpha platform in the Shah Deniz gas field.
As we welcome the new year, it’s time to focus on species needing urgent conservation in 2025. From delicate lizards to mighty hornbills and massive sharks, all face the threat of extinction.
Over 100 Paris 2024 Olympic medals were returned due to quality issues linked to EU regulations and an untested varnish formula. The IOC has pledged to replace all defective medals.
Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket early Thursday, marking a key milestone in the satellite launch industry. The rocket, featuring a reusable first stage, lifted off from Cape Canaveral, positioning Blue Origin as a competitor to SpaceX in commercial space exploration.
Apple lost its position as China’s top smartphone seller in 2024, with Vivo and Huawei surpassing it after a 17% drop in shipments, marking its largest-ever annual decline. Rising competition, Huawei’s comeback, and shifting consumer trends challenge Apple’s market position.
Meta to cut 5% of staff, focusing on "low performers," while boosting AI investments. Restructuring continues as 2023's "Year of Efficiency" impacts thousands of roles.
RedNote, a Chinese lifestyle app known as Xiaohongshu, has seen a surge of over 500,000 TikTok users amid U.S. ban concerns. The platform, often called China’s Instagram, is exploring global expansion as it gains unexpected international attention.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has affirmed that Britain will establish its own approach to artificial intelligence regulation, emphasising the importance of testing and understanding AI before implementing a proportionate and grounded regulatory framework.
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