U.S. new-vehicle inventory expected to rise again in 2024, forecast says
U.S. new-vehicle inventory is expected to reach a four-year high in 2024 amid easing supply-side constraints and stagnant consumer demand.
Axiom Space, SpaceX aim to launch crew of 4 to space station today
Axiom Space and SpaceX are set to kick off a busy year for human spaceflight with a Space Coast launch planned for this evening.
The commercial Ax-3 mission is set to lift off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket topped with the Crew Dragon Freedom making its third ever flight to space targeting liftoff at 5:11 p.m. with a backup opportunity Thursday at 4:49 p.m.
Axiom Space will begin pre-launch coverage on its YouTube page beginning at 3:15 p.m.
The Space Launch Delta 45 weather squadron forecasts better than 95% chance for good conditions, and 90% in the event of a 24-hour delay and 75% in the event of a 48-hour delay.
On board are former NASA astronaut and Axiom chief astronaut Michael López-Alegría acting as mission commander leading three European customers: Italian Air Force Col. Walter Villadei, who will act as pilot, and mission specialists Alper Gezeravcı of Turkey and ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt of Sweden. It’s the first all-European commercial crew to space with López-Alegría having both U.S. and Spanish citizenship.
Overdraft fees could drop to as low as $3 under new Biden proposal
By KEN SWEET and CORA LEWIS (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — The cost to overdraw a bank account could drop to as little as $3 under a proposal announced by the White House, the latest effort by the Biden administration to combat fees it says pose an unnecessary burden on American consumers, particularly those living paycheck to paycheck.
The proposed change by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would potentially eliminate billions of dollars in fee revenue for the nation’s biggest banks, which were gearing up for a battle even before Wednesday’s announcement. Exactly how much revenue depends on which version of the new regulation is adopted.
Banks charge a customer an overdraft fee if their bank account balance falls below zero. Overdraft started as a courtesy offered to some customers when paper checks used to take days to clear, but proliferated thanks to the growing popularity of debit cards. So, for instance, a $10 debit card transaction could cost a bank customer $40 if their balance goes below zero.
How to watch, participate in FTC CARS Rule session Jan. 18
Auto dealers seeking more information about the Federal Trade Commission’s upcoming CARS Rule regulating car dealership advertising and finance and insurance practices can attend a virtual FTC open meeting featuring the topic Jan. 18.
Stellantis cuts 539 temp workers
The cutback comes after Stellantis agreed to a new UAW contract giving the workers pay increases and an easier path to full-time status.