Top officials from self-driving car companies Waymo and Tesla are headed to the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday as lawmakers consider the future of federal regulation in the growing industry. 

“We believe Congress has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure American leadership in this industry by creating a national AV legislative framework that sets a high safety standard for this industry,” Waymo Chief Safety Officer Mauricio Peña will say in his written testimony at the hearing. “Greater certainty will unlock even more investment and prevent bad actors from undermining public trust in this novel, life-changing technology.”

The hearing comes at a time when a growing number of cities and states are allowing self-driving technology like Waymo. But skepticism of autonomous vehicles remains amid some highly publicized recent incidents involving Waymos. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into Waymo late last year after at least 19 incidents of Waymos driving past stopped school buses in Austin.

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Self-driving car companies like Waymo are going to be in the spotlight before the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

And last week, a Waymo struck a student in Santa Monica, California.

“We’re doing over 400,000 trips a week, which means that these are edge cases,” Justin Kintz, Waymo’s head of global public policy, told FOX News in an interview. On the Santa Monica incident specifically, Kintz said the result was likely better because a Waymo, instead of a car driven by a person, was involved.

“We immediately identified the pedestrian, began braking immediately. So traveling at 17 mph, the Waymo driver did a hard break and reduced our speed to under six mph before contact was made,” Kintz said. “By contrast, our model showed that an attentive human driver would have been going about 14 mph, which makes a big difference.”

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Kintz added Waymo is cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board and the NHTSA as they investigate that crash.

Waymo and Tesla are likely to have a sympathetic ear in Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas. He touted the potential for autonomous vehicles to reduce traffic, cut crashes and help people with disabilities gain independence in a statement ahead of Wednesday’s hearing. But, he said, “A confusing mix of federal and state laws makes it much more difficult to bring safer, more advanced autonomous vehicles to market.”

Cruz added: “This hearing will examine how outdated regulations are holding back lifesaving technology – and what Congress can do to fix it.”

Sen. Ted Cruz has praised self-driving vehicles in the past. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., also on the Commerce Committee, was more cautious in an interview with Fox News Monday night. 

“I hear from people back home and they want to understand safety. They want to understand, a lot of sort of the practical questions, understand the technology,” Schmitt said. “There’s privacy issues, of course, that are going to be involved. So we’ll see. It’s an emerging issue.”

Kintz said national safety standards could help Americans adopting self-driving tech feel more confident when they get in one of the cars. He said it would also prevent “a crazy patchwork of regulations, which could really slow the development of the technology.”

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Sen. Eric Schmitt, pictured when he was attorney general of Missouri, expressed caution in an interview with Fox News on Monday night. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg / Getty Images)

Peña, Waymo’s chief safety officer, will also warn that “Chinese competitors are scaling rapidly with heavy state support, and – second to Waymo – the largest AV fleets in the world are operated by Chinese AV companies.”

“In the absence of U.S. leadership on a national AV legislative framework, Chinese AV competitors will fill the gap and set the safety and technical standards for the rest of the world,” Peña will add in his prepared testimony. 

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Peña will be joined by Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy and Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association CEO Jeff Farrah at the witness stand Wednesday.

Fox News Digital’s Bonny Chu contributed to this report.

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of AMD either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Finding common ground in fashion between parents and teenagers can feel like navigating a minefield. Teens are exploring their identities, often pushing boundaries, while parents strive to instill values of appropriateness, budget consciousness, and style that lasts beyond a single season.

Despite these differing priorities, there are spaces where both generations can meet in the middle—where style, practicality, and personality converge. The key is understanding the motivations behind clothing choices and creating opportunities for collaboration rather than conflict.

Understanding the Teen Fashion Mindset

Teen fashion is as much about self-expression as it is about trends. Adolescents are experimenting with colors, textures, and silhouettes to communicate identity, social belonging, and mood. Peer influence is particularly strong; clothing choices often reflect what friends and influencers deem stylish. While this can lead to clashes with parental sensibilities, it also opens opportunities for guidance rather than outright restriction.

Parents, meanwhile, can benefit from recognizing that fashion for teens is not superficial. Wearing certain brands or adopting particular styles is part of a social language. Approaching wardrobe decisions with curiosity rather than judgment allows parents to guide teens toward quality choices that align with both personal style and practicality.

Practical Strategies for Bridging the Style Gap

Collaboration is the most effective strategy when navigating fashion disagreements. One approach is to create a shared “style mission,” where both parents and teens articulate what they value in clothing. Parents may prioritize durability, versatility, or modesty, while teens may emphasize individuality, trendiness, or comfort. By identifying overlapping priorities, both parties can focus on pieces that satisfy multiple criteria.

Shopping together can also foster compromise. When both generations engage in selecting clothes, it becomes an educational experience. Parents can introduce teens to classic staples that form the backbone of a versatile wardrobe, while teens can demonstrate how to modernize these pieces with accessories, layering, or creative styling. This method not only reduces conflict but also builds essential decision-making and budgeting skills in adolescents.

The Role of Brands and Retailers

Brands play a critical role in facilitating this middle ground. Retailers offering a wide range of styles, quality, and price points can appeal to both parents and teens. Stores that emphasize clean designs, versatile collections, and trend-conscious lines help families discover pieces that satisfy both parties.

One example is Zara https://traffordcentre.co.uk/shop/zara, known for offering contemporary, well-made clothing at accessible price points. Zara’s collections often feature neutral staples, seasonal statement pieces, and items that adapt easily to different styles. This versatility allows parents to feel confident in the durability and appropriateness of a purchase, while teens can enjoy the fashionable edge that makes them feel socially aligned and self-expressive.

Embracing Comfort and Sustainability

Another area of convergence is comfort. Teenagers value clothing that allows them to move freely, engage in sports, or simply relax without restriction. Parents, increasingly aware of long-term health and well-being, appreciate garments that provide comfort and support proper posture. Prioritizing comfort does not mean sacrificing style; well-designed clothing can satisfy both criteria.

Sustainability is emerging as a shared concern across generations. Many retailers, including Zara, are incorporating sustainable materials and responsible production practices. This focus resonates with parents who prioritize ethical consumption and teens who often view eco-conscious choices as part of a progressive identity. Selecting items that align with sustainability values becomes a unifying factor, making the shopping experience collaborative rather than combative.

Encouraging Personal Expression Within Boundaries

Teens thrive when they have a sense of ownership over their wardrobe choices. Parents can encourage individuality by offering structured flexibility—clear boundaries on appropriateness, cost, or functionality combined with freedom to personalize. This method respects the teen’s developing autonomy while ensuring that purchases are practical and sustainable.

A practical technique is to allow teens to create outfit combinations from a core wardrobe of approved basics. By introducing a range of mix-and-match staples, such as neutral jeans, classic jackets, and versatile tops, parents provide a framework for style that meets household expectations. Teens can then express creativity through layering, accessories, or selective trend-driven pieces, achieving balance and reducing conflict over every shopping trip.

Building Confidence Through Fashion

Clothing is more than fabric; it shapes how individuals are perceived and how they perceive themselves. For teens, mastering personal style boosts confidence, social competence, and self-awareness. Parents benefit when their children feel secure and competent in their choices, fostering positive parent-child interactions around shared activities like shopping, outfit planning, and event preparation.

By approaching fashion as a collaborative journey rather than a series of disagreements, families reinforce mutual respect. Open communication, shared experiences, and thoughtful selection of retailers help both generations develop an appreciation for aesthetics, quality, and social nuance. Parents learn about current trends and youth culture, while teens gain insights into longevity, budgeting, and versatile wardrobe building.

Making Fashion a Shared Experience

Ultimately, successful intergenerational fashion collaboration relies on empathy, communication, and strategic compromise. Selecting clothing together, exploring versatile brands, and emphasizing comfort, sustainability, and personal expression ensure that both parents and teens feel heard and respected. Fashion becomes a tool for connection rather than conflict.

In practice, families might designate specific shopping trips as joint excursions, using stores like Zara as destinations where everyone can find items that meet shared criteria. Teens can explore trends without overstepping parental comfort zones, and parents can guide choices toward quality, sustainability, and practicality. Over time, these shared experiences build a foundation of trust, understanding, and fun.

Conclusion

Fashion does not have to be a battleground between parents and teens. By understanding each generation’s motivations, embracing flexibility, and prioritizing collaborative shopping experiences, families can cultivate a wardrobe that satisfies style, comfort, and practicality. Retailers like Zara offer the versatility needed to bridge generational divides, providing pieces that both parents and teens can appreciate.

Through open dialogue, structured choice, and mutual respect, fashion becomes more than clothing—it evolves into a shared journey of self-expression, confidence, and connection. Parents and teens may not always agree on every detail, but by focusing on common ground, they can create wardrobes and memories that reflect both individuality and harmony. In the end, fashion for everyone is not only possible but a rewarding way to strengthen family bonds.

The Welsh first minister has sparked controversy after urging the public to stop watching Netflix and instead go to the pub in order to support struggling hospitality businesses.

Speaking in the Senedd, Eluned Morgan said consumers needed to “get out of their homes” and use pubs, restaurants and cafés if they wanted them to survive, following the Welsh Government’s announcement of a one-year business rates discount for the sector.

Her comments came after ministers confirmed a 15 per cent business rate discount for pubs, restaurants, cafés and live music venues in Wales for the 2026–27 financial year. The measure is intended to help around 4,400 businesses facing rising costs, but the scheme will last for just one year.

England, by contrast, has introduced a longer package of support. Under plans announced by the UK Government, pubs and live music venues in England will receive a 15 per cent discount from April, with business rates frozen for a further two years.

During a heated exchange in the Senedd, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth warned that the hospitality sector in Wales was facing an “existential crisis” and called for urgent reform of the business rates system.

In response, Morgan said government support alone could not save the sector.

“If people want to see those businesses succeed, they need to use them,” she said. “They need to stop buying things online. They need to get out of their homes and stop watching Netflix.

“They need to stop buying that bottle of wine at home and go out to the pub. You can’t expect the state to step in and do the work that the public should be doing.”

Opposition parties reacted angrily, accusing the first minister of blaming the public rather than addressing structural pressures on hospitality.

Ap Iorwerth later said Morgan was “completely out of touch” and had a habit of “blaming others instead of taking responsibility for the government’s own failures”.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar said the first minister had previously blamed Brexit and Donald Trump for economic difficulties in Wales and was now “blaming Welsh citizens and Netflix”.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds added: “People are not willingly choosing Netflix over the high street. They are being forced indoors because prices keep rising and wages are not.”

The Welsh Government defended the one-year duration of the scheme, saying decisions for 2027-28 and beyond would be for the next Senedd, with Welsh elections due in three months.

Finance secretary Mark Drakeford said ministers recognised hospitality and music venues were “facing real pressures, from rising costs to changing consumer habits”, and argued the rate cut would provide meaningful short-term relief.

Trade body UKHospitality Cymru welcomed the inclusion of restaurants and cafés but said it was “notable” that the relief only runs for a single year. It also warned that hotels, which face some of the largest increases, have been excluded entirely.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in Wales also welcomed the discount but cautioned that rising property valuations could still force pubs to close.

Business rates in Wales are set by the Welsh Government and collected by local authorities, with some firms facing sharp increases following revaluations.

Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.

Lancashire business plans national rollout of tech that is ‘fundamental evolution’ of its work

A wifi and IT provider to holiday parks and leisure venues has won a “seven-figure” investment to continue its UK expansion. Preston-based Infinium Group will use the backing from North West fund manager River Capital to scale up its EDGE platform and to “accelerate nationwide growth”.

Infinium was founded in 2002 by CEO Peter Miles and CTO Dan Massey and today designs, installs and operates wifi networks for holiday home and lodge parks. The River Capital investment will support the national rollout of Infinium EDGE, which Infinium says is a “fundamental evolution” of its business model.

EDGE lets park operators take wifi services to individual lodges and cabins. It says the systems allows small and mid–size operators to offer “robust, future proof connectivity to access enterprise grade wifi infrastructure without the burden of capital intensive installations”.

The Lancashire firm says there is a “substantial opportunity” for its to win new business at more of the UK’s 5,000 holiday and lodge parks, which encompass 438,000 pitches.

River Capital’s investment is a combined package of equity funding from River Capital’s North West Equity Fund, alongside mezzanine debt from the new River Capital Mezzanine Fund. The investment will see Andrew Peters, former chief executive of Telefonica UK, join the board as chair, while leisure sector finance specialist Mark Evans will also join the board.

Mark Borzomato, CEO of River Capital, said: “Infinium is exactly the type of established, sector-specialist business we seek to support. Under the direction of Peter and Dan, the company has built a solid reputation over more than two decades, demonstrating deep technical expertise and strong customer relationships in a niche market – customer feedback as part of our commercial due diligence was exceptional. The EDGE solution addresses a clear market opportunity and positions Infinium to capture growth across a broader segment of holiday park operators. We are excited and look forward to working with Peter, Dan and the team.”

John Gray, investment director for the River Capital Mezzanine Fund, said: “This investment demonstrates the complementary nature of River Capital’s debt and equity suite of products. We view the core business as a solid foundation, with the EDGE opportunity representing a highly attractive growth driver—an outlook supported by due diligence confirming strong market appetite and a highly capable management team.”

Paul Billingham and Greg Rawsthorne of Knight Corporate Finance advised Infinium management on the transaction and also provided commercial due diligence support. Mike Murphy (Weightmans) provided legal support for River Capital Private Equity and Denise Walker and Joanna Sproson (Glenville Walker) for River Capital Mezzanine.

Financial and tax due diligence was led by Rowan Porter and Michael Spencer (MHA), and management due diligence was led by Paul Quinn (Quinn Partnership). Legal support for management was provided by Richard Robertson of Napthens.

Second phase of former colliery site transformation praised as ‘truly transformational’

Councillors have approved the second and larger phase of the regeneration of Parkside Colliery in Newton-le-Willows.

Parkside Regeneration, the joint venture tasked with delivering the redevelopment of Parkside Colliery, has welcomed approval of the company’s hybrid application for the scheme’s larger second phase.

At its meeting on Tuesday night, St Helens Council’s planning committee resolved to grant detailed consent for enabling and infrastructure works, with building designs to be dealt with under a future reserved matters application. A further 1.6m square feet of logistics and manufacturing space can now be developed – subject to the discharge of a Section 106 agreement and planning conditions – alongside more than 800,000 square feet already consented for the scheme’s first phase.

“This has been a complex process and I’m grateful to all the parties who have helped shape a compelling application, particularly the St Helens Borough Council planning service, whose guidance and support has been invaluable,” explained John Downes, executive chair of developer Langtree, one half of the project joint venture with St Helens Council.

“We’re on site with the clearance works for the project’s first phase and this consent will give added momentum to our work on local supply chain engagement, labour recruitment and schools engagement. It’s particularly pleasing to see our extensive investment in public open space and landscaped trails given detailed consent.

“Phase two will give the project a different complexion, with the addition of manufacturing space. This will boost the variety, type and earnings potential of jobs on site and enable occupiers to tap into another facet of the area’s skills-base. St Helens, and Newton-le-Willows in particular, is a manufacturing heartland and the perfect place to bring advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs.”

The scheme’s second phase is expected to add around £70 million per annum to the borough’s economic output.

Cllr Richard McCauley, cabinet member for regeneration at St Helens Council, said: “The Parkside Regeneration is a truly transformational development that has been decades in the making and it will generate lasting opportunities for the people of Newton-le-Willows, St Helens borough, and for the wider Liverpool City Region as its forms a core part of the LCR Freeport.

“The phase two development shows a continued commitment to social value, ensuring residents and businesses in our borough will directly benefit for generations to come, alongside the inclusion of measures to protect local communities and the environment. Approval of the Parkside Regeneration phase two application is a major step forward in our support for a strong, thriving, inclusive and well-connected local economy, as outlined in our borough strategy and inclusive growth strategy, and I am excited to see the development progress.”

Parkside sits within Liverpool City Region Freeport, which offers occupiers a wide range of tax benefits, of particular attraction to manufacturing companies with capital-intensive fit-out requirements. The new Parkside Link Road takes vehicles efficiently onto the national motorway network and to the port of Liverpool via Junction 22 of the M6 and via the M62.

The first of a planned series of ‘meet the buyer’ events was held in the autumn for local sub-contractors keen to supply the site as building work ramps up. More than 80 interview sessions were conducted at the event, which was held at the Brewdog Stadium, for work relating to the forthcoming groundworks for phase one development at Parkside. The successful bidder is expected to be announced imminently.

Almost 200 firms are registered with the project, with support provided to applicants with regards to main contractors’ pre-qualification requirements. Any business still wishing to register can do so via https://parksidem6.com/local-suppliers/

Spawforths is the planning consultant for the scheme, with Curtins advising on highways, Chroma as project managers, Fletcher Rae the architects and TPM Landscape the landscape architects. Cundall are the structural and civil engineers.