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Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Clock ticking on TikTok with US shutdown looming over sale deal
TikTok could be forced to cease operations in the United States if China does not approve a proposed sale of the platform, according to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Speaking on CNBC, Lutnick emphasized the urgency of reaching a deal and asserted that control of TikTok's algorithm and technology must rest with Americans. 'China can have a little piece or ByteDance, the current owner, can keep a little piece. But basically, Americans will have control,' Lutnick said. 'If [China doesn't] approve it, then TikTok is going to go dark, and those decisions are coming very soon.' The short-form video app, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, is used by approximately 170 million Americans. A law passed in 2024 required ByteDance to either divest TikTok's U.S. assets or face a shutdown by January 19, unless substantial progress was made. Although President Donald Trump extended the deadline by 90 days to September 17, legal and political challenges have stalled negotiations. A plan had been in development earlier this year to spin off TikTok's U.S. business into a separate, American-owned company. However, progress halted after China signaled it would not approve the sale, especially following Trump's announcement of new tariffs on Chinese imports. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently sent letters to tech companies like Apple and Google, indicating that the Justice Department would not pursue enforcement actions against them for continuing to host TikTok. The letters cite Trump's conclusion that an immediate shutdown could hinder his ability to manage national security and foreign affairs. Some Democratic lawmakers have questioned Trump's authority to extend the deadline and argue that any deal reached must fully comply with U.S. law. TikTok has not issued a public comment on the situation as of yet.
West Australian
20-07-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Big miners accuse union of ‘bully tactics' as Pilbara wage fight continues
WA's big miners are crying foul over union claims they have breached Labor's 'same job, same pay' laws before a ruling has been made in the State. The Minerals Council of Australia has lodged a formal complaint with the Fair Work Ombudsman, accusing the Electrical Trades Union of making 'clearly false', and potentially unlawful, representations to workers as it tries to gain a foothold in the Pilbara. Unions won a test case against BHP in the Fair Work Commission two weeks ago to enforce 'same job, same pay' laws on a coal mine in Queensland's Bowen Basin, adding $66 million to the mining giant's wages bill. But though no applications have been successful in WA, the ETU was threatening legal action against sub-contractors in the State as far back as April. In one email sent to multiple labour hire companies obtained by The West Australian, north-west organiser Kevin O'Donnell warned a company it was 'in breach' of the new legislation. The controversial laws — which received fierce opposition from the resources sector — aim to ensure that labour hire workers receive the same pay and conditions as directly employed staff if the Fair Work Commission rules that they're performing equivalent work. 'The ETU will vigorously defend members pay and conditions and use the full force of our legal team to do so if need be,' the ETU email said. The Minerals Council of Australia has now made a formal complaint, arguing those emails breach Section 345 of the Fair Work Act that prohibits 'knowingly or recklessly' making a 'false or misleading' representation about workplace rights. Minerals Council chief executive Tania Constable said the union was attempting to pressure companies into submission. 'This is further evidence of some unions misusing the vast new powers within the legislation to bully their way into the Pilbara,' she said. 'This has nothing to do with workers or wages, it is solely about expanding union power. 'The actions of the ETA in blatantly misrepresenting the law shows the lengths that certain unions will go to in order to abuse such powers.' ETU state secretary Adam Woodage was yet to receive a copy of the complaint on Sunday but said the union won't back down. 'It's extremely disappointing that the MCA has made no effort to contact the ETU or myself directly,' he said. 'It speaks volumes of their attitude towards workers and their unions that represent them. 'The MCA needs to learn we aren't going away and will continue to advocate and defend our members interests.' The ETU has recently filed applications urging the Fair Work Commission to enforce 'same job, same pay' on Chevron's Barrow Island LNG facility, and accused the American-owned oil company of 'playing contractors off against one another'. If successful, sub-contractors Ventia could be forced to increase maintenance wages by $80,000 per year.
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
US owners have taken over half of the Scottish Premiership – what's in it for them?
A club that plays in red, white and blue was always ripe for American investment. The arrival of Andrew Cavenagh and the San Francisco 49ers as Rangers' new owners has the potential to shake up a Scottish top division that has been won by Rangers' fierce rivals, Celtic, in 13 of the last 14 seasons. It's not just at the top, however, where American money is reshaping Scottish soccer. Six of the Scottish Premiership's 12 clubs are now American-owned. The 49ers' purchase of Rangers wasn't even the only US takeover of a Scottish club this summer: Calvin Ford, the great-great-grandson of Henry Ford, completed a deal to buy Livingston. Scotland's top division is now just one club away from having a majority of American owners. The trend started in 2013 when Tim Keyes and John Nelms turned up at Dundee. Five years later, Mark Ogren bought Dundee United. More recently, Bournemouth owner Bill Foley invested in Hibernian, who have been owned by the Gordon family since 2019, while St Johnstone were bought by Adam Webb. All Americans and all bullish on the untapped potential of Scottish soccer. Of course, American investment in soccer is not unique to Scotland. Half of the Premier League's 20 clubs now under US ownership following Dan Friedkin's takeover of Everton in September, adding the film producer's name to a list that includes Foley, Fenway Sports Group, the Glazers, Stan Kroenke, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, Wes Edens, John Textor and Shahid Khan. Nine EFL clubs, including Birmingham City and Wrexham, are also American-owned, offering a lower on-ramp for those without the funds to go toe-to-toe with a sovereign wealth fund. The on-ramp to get into Scottish soccer is even lower, partially explaining why so many American millionaires have looked north of the England/Scotland border to invest. While the 49ers were able to snag a majority ownership stake in Rangers for £150m ($200m), New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has agreed to pay more than that (£190m/$254m) for a smaller share (44.9%) in Crystal Palace, a club that finished 12th in the Premier League last season. Friedkin had to pay over £400m ($535m) for Everton who have spent the last few seasons flirting with relegation. Rangers can only look enviously over Hadrian's Wall at the self-proclaimed Best League In The World and its associated riches, but they do have access to European soccer. Indeed, the Govan club made a run to the Europa League final three seasons ago and played in the Champions League two seasons ago, earning tens of millions in the process. Today there are more Scottish teams in Europe than ever before, largely due to the creation of the Conference League. The likes of Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Motherwell and St Mirren were previously locked out of continental competition on account of Celtic and Rangers' strength, all have qualified for the Conference League in recent seasons, giving them a path to continental football and associated financial rewards. Sign up to Soccer with Jonathan Wilson Jonathan Wilson brings expert analysis on the biggest stories from European soccer after newsletter promotion This along with the rise of multi-club ownership has changed the investment landscape in Scottish soccer. Hibernian are part of Foley's Black Knight network that includes Bournemouth, Auckland FC and FC Lorient. Brighton owner Tony Bloom recently acquired a stake in Hearts that puts the Edinburgh club under the same umbrella as the Premier League club and Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise. Aberdeen have a partnership with Atlanta United. And now, with the 49ers purchase, Rangers have a connection with Leeds United. But which club sits higher in the hierarchy? Scottish fans are insecure about their position in the food chain and the growth of multi-club ownership has only exacerbated that anxiety. Not every new American owner has been welcomed with open arms. Motherwell supporters last year voted against a takeover by US-based Erik and Courtney Barmack, a former Netflix vice-president and a Snap Inc executive. Foley, too, has faced questions. Should Hibernian really be a feeder club to Bournemouth, a team with an average attendance of just over 11,000 last season that had until fairly recently played most of its history in the lower leagues? Perhaps not, but this is the reality of the modern game. It's also an indication of how Scottish soccer needs help. It's been 40 years since a team not called Celtic or Rangers won the title. A study commissioned by the Scottish FA last year said the sport is 'significantly underachieving' in youth potential compared to other countries of a similar size. Just 12% of all minutes in the Scottish Premiership last season were given to players age 21 or under. And while more Scottish teams are involved in Europe, none made it past the group stage of the most recent Conference League, a fact made starker by Irish side Shamrock Rovers' run to the knockout phase last season. The hope was that the new third-tier competition would give Scottish clubs a platform to reach new heights. Instead, it has exposed just how far off the required standard they are. There's no guarantee American money will change any of this. Nelms has been in charge at Dundee for over a decade, but has yet to turn the club into the talent factory he originally planned. St Johnstone suffered relegation for the first time in 16 years last season not long after the arrival of new owners. Their fans expected more. The history of Scottish soccer and the passion of its fans is part of what makes it so attractive to outsider investors. So too is the sense that the Scottish game, with some new ideas and renewed ambition, could be something more. The American dream has taken on a tartan tinge.
India Today
05-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Trump says TikTok deal talks with China could begin next week
US President Donald Trump said that discussions with China over a potential deal involving TikTok are expected to start as early as Monday or Tuesday. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said the US "pretty much" has a deal in place and suggested talks could include Chinese President Xi Jinping or a representative.'I think we're gonna start Monday or Tuesday talking to China, perhaps President Xi or one of his representatives, but we pretty much have a deal,' Trump said. advertisementHe also mentioned the possibility of a personal meeting with Xi, saying either leader might travel to the other's country after they extended mutual invitations last month. The announcement comes after Trump signed his third executive order, delaying the enforcement of a potential ban on TikTok in the US. This order gives its China-based parent company, ByteDance, until September 17 to finalise the divestiture of its US operations. The popular short-video app has over 170 million users in the United States.A deal to spin off TikTok's US business into a new, majority American-owned company had been progressing earlier this year but was stalled after China pushed back, particularly in the wake of Trump's announcement of new tariffs on Chinese imports. Trump acknowledged that any final deal would likely need Beijing's asked about China's willingness to agree, Trump said, 'I'm not confident, but I think so.' 'President Xi and I have a great relationship. I think the deal is good for China and good for us,' he responded with a statement thanking both President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, pledging to continue working with Vance's office to finalize an first intervened in the matter shortly after returning to office, following a Supreme Court ruling upholding the TikTok ban. He issued an initial executive order, followed by a second one in April, setting a June 19 deadline. The latest extension, issued in June, marks the third delay, giving ByteDance another 90 days to reach a deal or face a US ban.- Ends
Hamilton Spectator
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Kyle Walker ends 8-year spell with Man City by moving to Burnley
BURNLEY, England (AP) — England right back Kyle Walker ended his eight-year stint at Manchester City by moving to Burnley on Saturday in a deal reportedly worth 5 million pounds ($6.8 million). The 35-year-old Walker joins an American-owned team that has just been promoted to the Premier League and is coached by Scott Parker, his former Tottenham and England teammate. Walker has been a great at City, winning six league titles and the Champions League since his 2017 move from Spurs, but lost his place in the team last season and went on loan to AC Milan. He kept his place in the England squad, though, playing in the team's last game — a 3-1 loss to Senegal last month — to move onto 96 caps. 'When I spoke to Scott and heard about his plans for next season, it was an opportunity I jumped at,' said Walker, who has signed a two-year deal. 'He's done an amazing job here, guiding the club back to the Premier League with a 100-point haul, and now we're looking forward, together, at being back in the greatest league in the world. 'Burnley had a tremendous campaign last season, built on an incredible defensive record, and I can't wait to come in and add my experience and quality to what looks an exciting squad.' ___ AP soccer:
