COST Financial News

National Association of Home Builders CEO Jim Tobin provides professional analysis of the U.S. housing market following a tumble in demand as rates tick higher. 

Paramount has held recent talks with Comcast about joining forces in streaming through a partnership or joint venture, among several potential strategic options the entertainment company is pursuing, said people familiar with the situation. Paramount’s flagship service, Paramount+, is home to “Star Trek" programming, originals like “1883" from superproducer Taylor Sheridan and simulcasts of CBS football games, while Comcast’s Peacock is known for live soccer and football, originals like “Poker Face," and a deep library with shows such as “The Office." Bringing the two streaming apps under one roof could produce significant cost savings—from spending on programming to marketing—and create a more in-depth offering for consumers, especially with regard to live sports.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Paramount Global (PARA) held discussions with Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) recently regarding joining forces in streaming through a partnership or joint venture.

(Updated — February 16, 2024 11:09 AM EST)

UK Home Office has announced a new ballot for the India Young Professionals Scheme. The upcoming draw is set to begin on February 20, 2024, and end on February 22, 2024. This initiative allows successful applicants, aged between 18-30, to reside, work, and study in the United Kingdom for a duration of 24 months. During the ballot period, starting at 2.30 pm on February 20, 2024, and ending at 2.30 pm on February 22, 2024, eligible Indian nationals with a bachelor's degree or higher can participate. The criteria also include having savings of at least GBP 2,530, with no dependent children under 18. Once selected, individuals have 90 days to apply for the visa, pay the associated fees, including the immigration health surcharge, and provide biometrics. You must travel to the UK within 6 months of applying for your visa. Think you check all the immigration boxes? Find out In 2024, a total of 3,000 slots are allocated for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa. The majority of these spots will be offered in the upcoming February 2024 ballot, with the remaining places available in a July 2024 ballot.

Jairam Ramesh on Friday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over farmers' protest, alleging that the Center is doing injustice to them. Interacting with media persons in Rohtas, Ramesh said, «When the Modi government brought three black laws, the farmers sat on strike for almost a year. After that, the government withdrew the laws and made many promises to the farmers. These promises have not been fulfilled till date». He was referring to three laws that the Modi government had passed in June 2020, stating that those would bring reforms to the farm sector. However, cultivators started protesting against the legislations in November and ended their agitation after Parliament repealed the three laws in the same month next year. «Now, when the farmers are coming to Delhi again, the Central government is raining tear gas shells on them and spreading nails on their path. The Modi government is committing huge atrocities on them and doing injustice to the farmer bodies of the country,» said the Congress general secretary.

By Gursimran Mehar and Ananya Mariam Rajesh

(Reuters) — A Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) labor group on Friday sent a letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), calling on the company to disclose costs arising from anti-union campaigns, which the alliance estimates to be at least $240 million.

Americans pulled back their spending in January after splurging during the holiday season

Greek farmers angry at high production costs say they will step up a roadblock campaign and take their protests to Athens, after rejecting government-proposed concessions

Ford's top executive says that last fall’s contentious United Auto Workers’ strike changed the company's relationship with the union to the point where it will “think carefully” about where it builds future vehicles

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose this week to its highest level in 10 weeks, a setback for prospective homebuyers ahead of the spring homebuying season

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has his attention fixed on Chinese competitors as the automaker’s launch of its electric vehicle strategy begins in earnest

Cleveland-Cliffs is shutting down a northern West Virginia tin production facility indefinitely and plans to lay off 900 workers

National Association of Home Builders CEO Jim Tobin provides professional analysis of the U.S. housing market following a tumble in demand as rates tick higher. 

National Association of Home Builders CEO Jim Tobin provides professional analysis of the U.S. housing market following a tumble in demand as rates tick higher. 

Cattle rancher Shad Sullivan discusses how calls for a reduction in meat consumption could impact the nation on 'The Bottom Line.'

Air Canada AC.TO lifted forecast for its 2024 core profit on Friday, as Canada’s largest carrier benefits from resilient demand for international travel.

Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:TXRH) reported a slight earnings beat in its fourth quarter, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.08, surpassing the analyst estimate by $0.02. The company's revenue matched expectations at $1.16 billion, aligning with the consensus estimate. Shares of the restaurant chain rose over 5% following the announcement, indicating a positive investor response to the company's performance.

South African Tourism Board on Friday said it is expecting to welcome 1 lakh tourists from India this year, breaching the pre-COVID level. It is focusing on travellers from tier II cities to tap the huge potential in the smaller cities. Click & check your eligibility for immigration Find out «We hosted over 79,000 Indian travellers in 2023, which is 82 per cent of the pre-Covid levels. In 2019, 95,000 Indian visitors travelled to South Africa, and this year, we are expecting the footfalls from India to cross 1,00,000 tourists.

MOSCOW (Reuters) — The Russian rouble weakened on Friday after the federal prisons service said jailed opposition politician Alexei Navalny was dead. The central bank's decision to hold its key interest rate at 16% also nudged the currency lower.