Political gridlock, corporate shifts, and tech developments shape today’s major stories in the US and beyond.
Washington may have reopened after the shutdown, but the partisan divide behind it is still disrupting everything from climate policy to ESG rules.
In the tech and business world, Tesla edges closer to long-awaited CarPlay support, Tata Steel pushes for renewed import tariffs amid rising Chinese competition, and Disney delivers a mixed quarter with streaming as its standout performer.
A glance at the major developments on Thursday.
US shutdown ends, divisions persist
The US government may have reopened after the shutdown, but the political rift behind it is still very much alive.
The shutdown itself was costly, economists estimate up to $14 billion in lost activity that’s gone for good, plus roughly $50 billion in delayed government spending and disrupted services.
These divisions aren’t just a political headache; they’re spilling into areas like sustainable finance and climate policy.
ESG and climate disclosure rules have become flashpoints, and the Biden administration’s climate agenda is facing strong pushback from the Republican-led government.
All of this gridlock makes it harder to move forward on transparency and sustainability standards, leaving investors and companies trying to navigate a regulatory landscape that feels increasingly unpredictable.
Tesla moves toward CarPlay support
Tesla is reportedly working on adding Apple CarPlay to its vehicles, something Tesla drivers have been asking for for years.
Right now, Teslas use their own software and don’t support CarPlay at all, but the company has been looking into ways to make it work.
If everything goes smoothly, the feature could roll out in the next few months, though nothing is finalized, and delays are still possible.
For now, some owners rely on third-party wireless adapters to get CarPlay running next to Tesla’s system, but those workarounds aren’t officially supported.
Bringing native CarPlay to Teslas would be a big upgrade, giving drivers access to familiar iPhone apps for navigation, music, messages, and more, all directly on the car’s main screen.
Tata Steel seeks tariff extension
Tata Steel is asking the Indian government to extend import tariffs on certain steel products, arguing that the domestic industry needs protection from a growing wave of imports, especially from China.
The tariffs, which were originally put in place to keep cheap imports in check, have recently expired.
Tata Steel says that if they aren’t renewed, the Indian market could be hit by a fresh surge of foreign steel.
CEO T.V. Narendran pointed out that demand in India is still strong, thanks to sectors like autos, oil and gas, railways, and construction.
But he also warned that global oversupply continues to pose a real threat.
With international markets still volatile, the company wants the tariff safeguards extended so Indian steelmakers can stay competitive.
Disney reports mixed Q4 results
Disney posted mixed results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.
Adjusted earnings per share slipped 3% to $1.11, and revenue came in flat at $22.5 billion, a bit below expectations as declines in traditional TV and content licensing continued to weigh on the business.
The bright spot was streaming. Revenue in that segment rose 8%, and Disney+ and Hulu together hit 196 million subscribers.
Disney’s Experiences division also had a standout quarter, delivering record operating income thanks to strong theme park attendance and the launch of new cruise ships.
Looking at the full fiscal year, Disney managed a 3% increase in revenue to $94.4 billion and a solid 19% jump in adjusted EPS to $5.93.
Much of that strength came from its direct-to-consumer growth and successful franchises like Lilo & Stitch.
The post Evening digest: US gridlock deepens, Tesla CarPlay plans, Disney’s mixed Q4 appeared first on Invezz