Musk could become history's first trillionaire as Tesla shareholders approve giant pay package

NEW YORK (AP) — The world’s richest man was just handed a chance to become history’s first trillionaire. Elon Musk won a shareholder vote on Thursday that would give the Tesla CEO stock worth $1 trillion if he hits certain performance targets over the next decade. The vote followed weeks of debate over his management record and whether anyone deserved such unprecedented pay, drawing heated commentary from small investors to giant pension funds and even the pope. It was a resounding victory for Musk, showing that investors still have faith in him as the car company struggles with plunging sales and profits.

The FAA's order to cut flights nationwide due to the government shutdown is set to take effect

The Federal Aviation Administration's order to scale back flights nationwide because of the government shutdown starts Friday. Flights at 40 major airports including in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago will be cut. The FAA says its goal is to reduce flights by up to 10% to ease pressure on unpaid air traffic controllers. Hundreds scheduled for Friday already have been canceled. The impact is expected to be felt across the U.S. air transportation system, affecting both passengers and package deliveries.

Trump is ramping up a new effort to convince a skeptical public he can fix affordability worries

WASHINGTON (AP) — Expect to hear President Donald Trump talk a lot about affordability in coming months. The White House is adjusting its messaging strategy after voters in this week's elections said the economy was their biggest concern. Trump says his team is doing a “great job on affordability,” promoting a new plan to lower the cost of anti-obesity drugs. But data shows prices for groceries and electricity bills are climbing. Part of the plan will be a push to educate people ahead of tax season about new tax cuts. The White House also hopes the Federal Reserve will do more to cut interest rates.

Travelers brace for chaos as US government shutdown threatens holiday flights

NEW YORK (AP) — Travelers across the U.S. are facing potential chaos as a government shutdown threatens to disrupt flights nationwide. The Federal Aviation Administration has announced a reduction in air traffic at 40 airports starting Friday, causing concern for those with upcoming travel plans. This includes major hubs like Atlanta, Denver, and San Francisco. With Thanksgiving approaching, many are worried about cancellations and delays. Some travelers are opting to drive instead of risking flight issues. Others are booking backup reservations or finding alternative routes.

These are the airports that will reduce flights during the government shutdown

The Federal Aviation Administration is forcing airlines to cut 10% of their flights at 40 of the busiest airports across the nation to reduce pressure on air traffic controllers during the ongoing government shutdown and ensure that flying remains safe. The cuts will start to take effect on Friday. Travelers should check with their airlines to see if their flight has been affected. The airports impacted cover the busiest across the U.S. — including Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco. Multiple airports will be affected in some of the biggest cities, including New York, Houston and Chicago.

China's exports fall 1.1% in October, hit by a 25% drop in shipments to the US

HONG KONG (AP) — China has reported that its exports contracted in October, hit by a 25% drop in shipments to the United States. Persisting trade tensions with Washington may get a respite in the final quarter of the year after President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed last week to de-escalate the trade war between the two largest economies. But trade friction still appears to be casting a pall on demand elsewhere. The customs data released Friday showed a 1.1% drop in China's global exports in October compared to a year earlier following an 8.3% increase in September. Imports rose 1% last month from the year before, compared with 7.4% growth in September.

The FAA is slashing flights because of the shutdown. Here's what travelers can expect

Travelers can expect to see fewer flights to many major U.S. cities starting Friday morning. That's when the Federal Aviation Administration says it will reduce traffic across 40 airports to ease the load on the nation’s air traffic controllers. The head of the FAA says the unprecedented move is necessary to keep air travel safe as traffic controllers show increasing signs of stress and fatigue while working unpaid during the longest government shutdown on record. Airlines are required to offer refunds to passengers, but secondary costs, such as food and hotel accommodations, might not be covered.

Deep in Trump country, coal miners with black lung say government is suffocating the 'working man'

OAK HILL, W.Va. (AP) — Lisa Emery, a respiratory therapist, is deeply concerned about West Virginia coal miners suffering from black lung disease. She sees miners as young as 45 needing double lung transplants due in part to increased silica dust exposure. A rule that would cut exposure to the toxic substance was approved last year but is now in jeopardy. Retired miners are demanding action from President Trump, who promised to put more workers underground. The silica rule faces opposition from industry groups citing costs. Meanwhile, miners continue to suffer, with some feeling forgotten and struggling with severe health issues.

Democrats consider prolonging the shutdown as Republicans prepare new bills without health care fix

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans are moving to try to end the government shutdown by preparing a new bipartisan package of funding bills and daring Democrats to vote for it. But it was unclear if their plan would work as many Democrats said they would continue to hold out for an extension of expiring health care subsidies. Senate Democrats have now voted 14 times not to reopen the government. They left their second caucus meeting of the week Thursday with few answers about how they would proceed. Still, lawmakers in both parties were feeling urgency to act.