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🚨 White House says NJ sightings are not of drones 🚨 Feds address foreign involvement theories 🚨Retiterate: No threat to public safety Federal officials say people in New Jersey are just seeing things. That are not drones, that is. The White House says the drones that have been sighted over New Jersey since November may all be planes. During Thursday's press briefing, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said there is no evidence to suggest they pose a national security or public safety threat. Kirby also said they do not appear to have any foreign connections. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are using "sophisticated sophisticated electronic detection technologies" to determine their origin, Kirby said. "We have not been able to, and neither have state or local law enforcement authorities, corroborate any of the reported visual sightings. To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully," Kirby said. Response to Iranian theory "The United States Coast Guard is providing support to the state of New Jersey and has confirmed that there is no evidence of any foreign-based involvement from coastal vessels," Kirby said. That appears to be an indirect comment about the con tention of Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-NJ, 2ns District, about drones coming from an Iranian drone mothership. "There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any re stricted airspace," Kirby said. "We certainly take seriously the threat that can be posed by manned aircraft systems which is why law enforcement and other agencies continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reports even though they have uncovered no malicious activity or intent at this particular stage." ALSO READ: NJ county runs out of money, can't pay public safety workers Benchmark for action against drones? The Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County earlier this week confirmed 11 sightings over base property. The FAA has instituted a no-drone zone over the arsenal and President-elect Donald Trump's golf club in Bedminster where he stays while in New Jersey. Kirby also echoed the suggestion of several legislators to extend and expand counter-drone authorities so threats can be better mitigated. When asked if there is any benchmark for when the military might take an action Kirby reiterated that there is no threat to the public. "If the president as Commander-in-Chief believed based in the information he'd been given that there was a national security threat at play here, or even a public safety threat here, he would issue the appropriate directives to not only law enforcement but the military if needed," Kirby said. What do they really know about the drones? The bottom line from Kirby was that they still don't know what exactly people are seeing. A federal ban on the use of drones is not imminent. "I cannot characterize definitively what these sightings are. I can just go back to what I said at the opening. We've looked at the imagery, we can't corroborate some of the reported sightings through our own expert analysis using sophisticated detection techniques. But that doesn't mean we're putting our pen down this afternoon and calling it a day," Kirby said. Assemblyman Brian Bergen, R-Morris, called Kirby an "idiot" during an appearance on Fox News. He accused the Biden Administration of ignoring serious national concerns. Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom A sad, desolate look at NJ's Old Monmouth Mall It was the last Christmas Eve for New Jersey's Monmouth Mall in Eatontown before major redevelopment began. Here's what it looked like on that day in 2023, the final Christmas season the enclosed mall would ever see. Gallery Credit: Mike Brant A list of NJ malls where you can get photos with Santa for the 2024 holiday season The annual New Jersey tradition is back for the 2024 holiday season, along with pet photos, special events, exclusive sensory sessions, and more. Malls are listed in alphabetical order. Gallery Credit: Mike Brant Items you're most likely to lose over the holidays in NJ These are the top items most New Jerseyans are most likely to lose, according to you. Gallery Credit: Mike Brant
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Sunday, December 15, 2024 As the global travel industry steadily moves into a post-pandemic era, business travel is surging back with renewed energy. However, the travel landscape has changed significantly, bringing new costs, challenges, and opportunities for companies and travel managers alike. The latest FCM Consulting Q3 2024 Business Travel Report sheds light on the state of corporate travel, revealing that while prices are rising, travel has also become more predictable. This predictability offers companies a chance to adopt proactive strategies, manage costs, and maximize the value of every business trip. Bonnie Smith, General Manager of FCM South Africa, underscores this dual reality. “Yes, travel is getting more expensive, but it’s also becoming more predictable,” she says, urging travel managers to seize the moment for smarter, data-driven travel planning. Her advice comes as corporate travel faces rising business class fares, increased hotel rates, and crowded flights across key global hubs like London, New York, and Dubai. The pandemic-induced lull in global travel has now given way to a travel surge. Airports, once eerily empty, are now bustling with travelers. Passenger demand grew by 8.6% in August 2024 compared to the previous year, leading to an 86.2% flight load factor — the percentage of available seats that are filled with passengers. Business travelers are feeling this pressure firsthand. Business class fares have seen a 6% to 8% increase from 2023, adding strain to corporate budgets. While economy fares have dipped by 1% to 4%, this offers little relief to companies that prioritize comfort, speed, and productivity for their executives. The days of “last-minute Larry” bookings are over, says Bonnie Smith. Companies delaying their bookings risk paying significantly higher prices. Strategic planners are urged to book early to avoid price hikes and secure seats on crowded flights. Last-minute bookings, especially to high-demand destinations like New York, London, and Dubai, will likely be met with sky-high ticket prices and limited seating options. Hotel rates have also surged, further adding to the cost burden on business travelers. According to the FCM report, the average price of a hotel room in Johannesburg jumped 14%, while the cost of a stay in New York City now averages $490 per night — a 15% increase. North America saw a 6.8% rise in hotel prices, while South America experienced a staggering 25.4% increase. Rates in Europe also climbed by 5.3%, reflecting the heightened demand for business travel accommodation. While the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia saw slight price declines, these regions remain competitive business destinations that require strategic planning. With soaring hotel bills, companies are being advised to reconsider their accommodation strategies. Business hotels located just outside major city centers often offer lower rates and better facilities for productivity. “Some of the best business hotels are just a short ride from the city center,” says Smith, emphasizing that location is not everything. To navigate these rising hotel rates, companies are encouraged to work with Travel Management Corporations (TMCs), which negotiate corporate rates with hotel chains and offer greater flexibility in booking terms. Travel Management Corporations (TMCs) will play a vital role in helping companies navigate the turbulent travel landscape of 2025. TMCs leverage their buying power to secure better rates on flights, hotels, and car rentals, offering flexibility and support when plans change. Bonnie Smith highlights the benefits of using a TMC: “We’re booking thousands of room nights and flights, which means better rates and more flexible terms for our clients.” By consolidating purchasing power, TMCs can negotiate exclusive corporate deals that individual companies could not secure on their own. Additionally, TMCs offer centralized booking systems, allowing companies to track travel expenses, monitor employee movements, and enforce company travel policies. This helps organizations optimize their travel budgets while enhancing employee safety and compliance. Despite rising costs, 2025 offers an unprecedented opportunity for companies to be more strategic with travel. Booking ahead and locking in rates for flights and hotels will be essential for cost control. Early bookings not only secure lower rates but also guarantee better availability of business class seats and preferred hotel rooms. Companies that invest in travel technology and data analytics can gain a competitive edge. By tracking pricing trends and forecasting demand, travel managers can make better-informed decisions. The rise of predictive travel technology allows companies to anticipate price hikes and secure bookings at the right time. According to FCM, proactive planning could become the key to thriving in the 2025 corporate travel space. The “early bird” approach has never been more relevant. Booking flights, hotels, and car rentals months in advance will no longer be a suggestion — it will be a necessity. There is, however, a glimmer of hope. Airlines have announced plans to expand seat availability by 1.8% globally and by 2.1% in Africa in the first half of 2025. While this increase will create more flight options, it does not necessarily mean cheaper fares. As demand for face-to-face meetings remains high, ticket prices are expected to stay elevated. To take advantage of new route announcements, travel managers are encouraged to maintain close relationships with airline representatives or collaborate with their TMCs. Airlines often bundle new routes with promotional rates or corporate deals, providing companies with a chance to lock in early-bird discounts. The companies that succeed in 2025’s travel landscape won’t be the ones with the biggest budgets — they’ll be the ones with the smartest strategies. Proactive planning, early bookings, and the support of TMCs will be essential. By locking in rates early, tracking data trends, and leveraging TMC-negotiated deals, companies can minimize costs while maximizing the value of each business trip. Savvy companies will also diversify their accommodation choices, booking hotels outside city centers or selecting properties with better facilities for productivity. The ability to adapt and stay ahead of changing trends will define success in 2025. Business travel in 2025 will be shaped by rising costs, but also by newfound predictability. Companies that adopt strategic planning, leverage TMCs, and use predictive travel tools will be better positioned to control costs and enhance value. With early bookings, smarter accommodation choices, and greater access to predictive pricing data, companies can turn the challenges of 2025 into a competitive advantage. From crowded airports and pricier hotels to smarter booking strategies, the future of business travel belongs to the well-prepared. As airlines expand seat capacity and TMCs offer better rates, companies have every reason to plan ahead and travel smarter. The early bird truly gets the window seat — and the savings. Read Travel Industry News in 104 different regional platforms Get our daily dose of news, by subscribing to our newsletters. Subscribe here . Watch Travel And Tour World Interviews here . Read more Travel News , Daily Travel Alert , and Travel Industry News on Travel And Tour World only.SACRAMENTO, Calif. , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Reviver ® is proud to support the Winter Fest SoCal Car Show and Toy Drive, bringing joy to children and families in need. This past weekend, the Winter Fest SoCal Car Show and Toy Drive in Pomona, California , brought together car enthusiasts from across Southern California to celebrate the holidays and of course, all things cars. Attendees celebrated the season by decking out their cars, motorcycles and trucks, and supporting a good cause. This year's Winter Fest supported the Community Family Guidance Center (CFGC). CFGC helps southeast Los Angeles County's under-served children and their families heal from trauma, abuse, emotional, behavioral and mental health issues through proven interventions and compassionate guidance. "We're proud to partner with our community and fellow auto enthusiasts to make the holidays brighter for those who need it most," said Reviver Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston . "Together, we can help create joy and ensure that every child experiences the magic of the season." If you missed Winter Fest or are not local to Los Angeles County , there are still many ways to give back. Reviver is inviting the community to join in spreading holiday cheer wherever they are by supporting a local toy drive . ABOUT REVIVER ® Reviver ® is a technology company on a mission to modernize the driving experience. As developer of the world's first digital license plate platform, Reviver products transform the license plate into a connected vehicle platform, enabling consumers and commercial businesses to digitize vehicle registration renewals and experience a growing set of personalization, convenience, and safety features, all managed through a mobile or web app interface. Reviver's digital license plates are legal for sale in Arizona and California , along with Texas for commercial fleet vehicles. Ten additional states are in various stages of adoption. Founded in 2009, Reviver is headquartered in Northern California , and is the official patch partner of the Sacramento Kings and the official innovation partner of the Sacramento Kings and Golden 1 Center. To purchase an RPLATE click here . To learn more about the RPLATE, click here . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reviver-helps-drive-the-spirit-of-giving-this-holiday-season-302336678.html SOURCE ReviverBoeing struggles to make best-selling plane again
LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — Max Brooks' 26 points helped UMass-Lowell defeat Dartmouth 92-83 on Saturday. Brooks added nine rebounds and four steals for the River Hawks (8-4). Quinton Mincey added 20 points while going 7 of 10 from the floor, including 3 for 5 from 3-point range, and 3 for 4 from the line while he also had six assists. Martin Somerville shot 3 for 10 (2 for 5 from 3-point range) and 4 of 7 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points, while adding six rebounds. The Big Green (4-6) were led by Connor Amundsen, who posted 28 points and six assists. Cade Haskins added 16 points for Dartmouth. Jayden Williams also recorded 11 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Canada set to spend over $1B on borderConsumers in the United States scoured the internet for online deals as they looked to take advantage of the post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon with Cyber Monday. Even though e-commerce is now part and parcel of many people's regular routines and the holiday shopping season, Cyber Monday — a term coined in 2005 by the National Retail Federation — has become the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to the deals and the hype the industry has created to fuel it. Adobe Analytics, which tracks online shopping, expected consumers to spend $13.2 billion Monday — a record, and 6.1% more than last year. That would make it the biggest shopping day for e-commerce for the season — and the year. Online spending was expected to peak between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday night, per Adobe — reaching an estimated $15.7 million spent every minute. For several major retailers, a Cyber Monday sale is a dayslong event that began over the Thanksgiving weekend. An Amazon Prime delivery person lifts packages while making a stop Nov. 28, 2023, in Denver. Amazon kicked off its sales event right after midnight Pacific time on Saturday. Target's two days of discount offers on its website and app began overnight Sunday. Walmart rolled out its Cyber Monday offers for Walmart+ members Sunday afternoon and opened it up to all customers three hours later, at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Consumer spending for Cyber Week — the five major shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday — provides a strong indication of how much shoppers are willing to spend for the holidays. Many U.S. consumers continue to experience sticker shock after the period of post-pandemic inflation, which left prices for many goods and services higher than they were three years ago. But retail sales nonetheless remain strong, and the economy kept growing at a healthy pace. At the same time, credit card debt and delinquencies are rising. More shoppers than ever are also on track to use "buy now, pay later" plans this holiday season, which allows them to delay payments on holiday decor, gifts and other items. Many economists also warned that President-elect Donald Trump's plan to impose tariffs next year on foreign goods coming into the United States would lead to higher prices on everything from food to clothing to automobiles. A FedEx delivery person carries a package from a truck Nov. 17, 2022, in Denver. The National Retail Federation expects holiday shoppers to spend more this year both in stores and online than last year. But the pace of spending growth will slow slightly, the trade group said, growing 2.5% to 3.5% — compared to 3.9% in 2023. A clear sense of consumer spending patterns during the holiday season won't emerge until the government releases sales data for the period, but some preliminary data from other sources shows some encouraging signs for retailers. Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights, noted that discounts from Thanksgiving onward "exceeded expectations" and online spending throughout Cyber Week is on track to cross a record $40 billion mark combined. U.S. shoppers spent $10.8 billion online on Black Friday, a 10.2% increase over last year, according to Adobe Analytics. That's also more than double what consumers spent in 2017, when Black Friday pulled in about $5 billion in online sales. Consumers also spent a record $6.1 billion online on Thanksgiving Day, Adobe said. Meanwhile, software company Salesforce, which also tracks online shopping, estimated that Black Friday online sales totaled $17.5 billion in the U.S. and $74.4 billion globally. Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks in-person and online spending, reported that overall Black Friday sales excluding automotive rose 3.4% from a year ago. A United Parcel Service driver sorts deliveries July 15, 2023, on New York's Upper West Side. E-commerce platform Shopify said its merchants raked in a record $5 billion in sales worldwide on Black Friday. At its peak, sales reached $4.6 million per minute — with top categories by volume including clothing, cosmetics and fitness products, according to the Canadian company. Toys, electronics, home goods, self-care and beauty categories were among the key drivers of holiday spending on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to Adobe. "Hot products" included Lego sets, espresso machines, fitness trackers, makeup and skin care. Other data showed physical stores saw fewer customers on Black Friday, underscoring how the huge crowds that were once synonymous with the day after Thanksgiving are now more than happy to shop from the comfort of their homes. RetailNext, which measures real-time foot traffic in stores, said its early data showed store traffic on Friday was down 3.2% in the U.S. compared to last year, with the biggest dip happening in the Midwest. Sensormatic Solutions, which also tracks store traffic, said its preliminary analysis showed retail store traffic on Black Friday was down 8.2% compared to 2023. Grant Gustafson, head of retail consulting and analytics at Sensormatic Solutions, noted that in-store traffic was getting spread across multiple days since many retailers offered generous discounts before and after Black Friday. "Some of the extended Black Friday promotions really ended up leading to a little bit of a softer day-of traffic than expected," Gustafson said. In 2024, staying small on purpose seems to be paying off big for small businesses. They're keeping operations small and targeting niche, highly specialized customers. And some business owners find this strategy results in more time, energy, and money to intentionally capitalize on unique, small cap opportunities. The data tells the story of growth in small businesses for the year. According to NEXT , the Small Business Administration (SBA) reports awarding 38,000 SBA 7(a) loans under $150,000: double the amount they awarded in 2020. Here are the related small-business trends paying off in 2024. Commercial real estate agent Ryan Beckenhauer of Market Real Estate in Boulder, Colorado, has noticed that small businesses are growing smaller, and that their office and warehouse spaces are starting to reflect that as they shop for business space. In commercial real estate, many small business owners gravitate toward industrial condos and other flexible spaces. These are small-scale industrial spaces with a 90:10 or 80:20 split of warehouse to office. "More individuals are leveraging skills acquired at larger organizations to venture out on their own," explains Beckenhauer. And he goes on to say that they don't need a large commercial space as they make that leap to start a business. His clients include engineers, consultants, builders and other tradespeople. Beckenhauer's clients like the flexibility of being out of an office and being close to their inventory and workshop space. "The clients want to see and touch the finishes," he says. Small business owners both rent or buy these spaces. But he's seeing his clients opt to own industrial condos to stabilize costs due to rent increases in Boulder. And because these spaces are smaller, it can be easier for new buyers to qualify for financing. Mariana Alvarez, owner of Controller Works , an online bookkeeping and advisory firm, has noticed that small business owners outsource financial support services because they don't want to increase headcount. "Outsourcing gives them the possibility of having access to the knowledge and the skills of a CFO without having to pay for the salary," she says. "They don't have to manage or deal with the workload, employment taxes , and all that comes with it," says Alvarez. Additionally, many small business owners in fields like construction are family-owned, and this makes it easier for business owners to hand off delicate financial work to a trusted person with financial experience. Every small business has recurring tasks that can benefit from some level of artificial intelligence automation . And Alvarez sees a lot of value in using AI for small business bookkeeping. She explains that you can automate the data entry on Quickbooks. "When you create rules, as long as you create the rules correctly, it pretty much does itself," says Alvarez. From there, you can lean on financial experts to help you analyze the data and make more informed decisions. She uses AI as a background resource when guiding her accounting clients. "I believe that we still need the human-to-human interaction that comes with more perspective for financial analysis," she explains. According to the SBA , 77% of consumers feel that human interaction is still required for a positive customer experience. People turn to small businesses every day for a human experience. According to Arvind Rongala, CEO of Edstellar , small business workers can show up for their customers but still use AI for routine tasks like customer queries. "This balance allows companies to scale their operations without losing the personal touch that makes them unique. It's important to remember that AI isn't there to replace the human element—it's there to enhance it," he says. "By really focusing on one very small weakness that Amazon has, I've been able to carve out a successful business by offering something different," says Lou Harvey owner of Tank Retailer , a retailer of commercial water and fuel tanks. "When you read our customer reviews, many of them actually mention me by name because of how much we focus on customer service and go the extra mile." One of Harvey's most successful business strategies this year has been to lean into his small, niche market and offer the kind of customer experience that large retailers like Amazon don't. "Any small weaknesses that Amazon has (however small those weaknesses may be) needs to become a strength of a smaller business focusing on a niche market," says Harvey. Harvey has his company's customer service phone number front and center on the website to help earn customer trust. "I prominently feature our phone number, and a real person always answers the phone (usually it's me)," says Harvey. Lucie Voves, CEO and founder of Church Hill Classics , an online, woman-owned diploma framing company that uses sustainable materials, has noticed an uptick in customers seeking services from a business on a mission. "This year, we've seen a growing inclination for consumers to actively seek out and support small businesses owned by women and minorities," says Voves. When consumers shop small, they choose to make their dollars count. "Customers are fueled by a desire to promote social impact through purchasing power," says Voves. Long gone are the days of online retailers "building it and they will come." In 2024 we've seen more small businesses than ever turn to social commerce to sell directly on social media platforms like Instagram Shopping , Facebook Marketplace , and TikTok . Small business owners are turning toward influencers, social media ads, and organic content to target their customers. Mike Vannelli of Envy Creative creates online ads for businesses, and he has seen his clients succeed on TikTok of late. "I've seen businesses, especially in retail, use TikTok's short-form video format to make their products go viral. Think of it as word-of-mouth marketing on steroids," says Vannelli. He uses the platform's algorithm to push a company's content to the right audiences, and it works because TikTok loves storytelling. "I know small brands that use behind-the-scenes videos, customer testimonials, and even playful challenges that tap into trends to humanize their products and build trust," explains Vannelli. To stand out on TikTok, he says, smaller brands need to embrace authenticity and emotional connection. Show your team, share your journey, and involve your community in content creation. This story was produced by NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.
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