National Business - The Morning Sun

Pedestrians pass the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 in New York. The S&P 500 was lower in midday trading after pulling to the brink of its all-time high set roughly two years ago. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)

Wall Street's hopes for rate cuts may be too optimistic, like they've been so many times before

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Even when everyone agrees the interest-rate cuts that Wall Street craves so much are coming, there’s still room for potential disappointment. Cuts to rates can supercharge markets, and stock and … more

By STAN CHOE | 1/4/24

Police investigate burnt Japanese coast guard aircraft at Haneda airport on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. A transcript of communication between traffic control and two aircraft that collided and burst into flames at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport showed that only the larger Japan Airlines passenger flight was given permission to use the runway where a coast guard plane was preparing for takeoff. (Kyodo News via AP)

Successful evacuation from burning Japan Airlines jet highlights dogged devotion to safety

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The swift and safe evacuation of a Japan Airlines jet that caught fire after hitting a Coast Guard aircraft while it was landing Tuesday at Tokyo’s Haneda airport reflects the carrier's dogged … more

By ELAINE KURTENBACH and MARI YAMAGUCHI | 1/4/24

President Joe Biden speaks about his economic agenda at the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden administration announces $162 million to expand computer chip factories in Colorado and Oregon

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The Biden administration is providing $162 million to Microchip Technology to support the domestic production of computer chips. It's the second funding announcement tied to a 2022 law designed to … more

By JOSH BOAK | 1/4/24

Achia Nila, founder of 'Women in Digital' technology center addresses a workshop at a university in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dec. 26, 2023. Nila said many youngsters feel frustrated with corruption and bureaucracy and prefer to migrate to other countries because of “better opportunities”. Ahead of the Jan. 7 vote being boycotted by the main opposition, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is trying to woo the country’s first-time voters by carrying forward her government’s “Digital Bangladesh” project and promising a “smart Bangladesh” by 2041. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

Young voters in Bangladesh dream of a future free from political chaos as the nation votes Sunday

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For decades, political battles in Bangladesh have been fought on the streets by parties led by two powerful women. But there are signs of a generational change as the country of 169 million heads … more

By JULHAS ALAM and AL-EMRUN GARJON | 1/3/24

FILE - Attorney Gail Evans, of the Center for Biological Diversity's Climate Law Institute, speaks about pollution from oil and natural gas development and frustration with state oversight of the industry outside the state First District Court in Santa Fe, N.M., on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. A bill to ban oil and gas production within a mile (1.6 kilometers) of schools and daycare centers across New Mexico is among the first published proposals as the state legislature prepares for a 30-day session that could bring an overhaul to fundamental oil and gas regulations, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)

New Mexico considers setback requirements for oil wells near schools and day care centers

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A bill to ban oil and gas production within a mile (1.6 kilometers) of schools and day care centers across New Mexico is among the first published proposals as the state Legislature prepares for a … more

By MORGAN LEE and SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN | 1/3/24

In this image taken from video, 13-year-old player named Willis Gibson reacts after playing a game of Tetris. Gibson, who in late December became the first player to officially “beat” the original Nintendo version of the game. By breaking it, of course. Technically, Gibson — aka “blue scuti” in the gaming world — made it to what gamers call a “kill screen,” a point where the Tetris code glitches, crashing the game. (Willis Gibson via AP)

13-year-old gamer becomes the first to beat the 'unbeatable' Tetris — by breaking it

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The falling-block video game Tetris has met its match in 13-year-old Willis Gibson. In late December, he became the first player to officially beat the original Nintendo version of the game — by … more

By DAVID HAMILTON | 1/3/24

FILE - Graffiti that reads in Spanish: "Milei traitor" in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dec. 21, 2023. Milei has drastically cut spending to end the fiscal deficit and contain inflation of almost 161% annually, including devaluing the peso more than 50%, dismissing public employees, suspending public works and reducing transportation and energy subsidies. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

Argentine court suspends labor changes in a blow to President Milei's economic plan

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A court in Argentina has delivered a blow to labor rule changes announced by President Javier Milei as part of sweeping deregulation and austerity measures aimed at reviving the country’s … more

1/3/24

File - Unsold 2023 Charger sedans and Challenger hardtops sit at a Dodge dealership on June 18, 2023, in Littleton, Colo. Undeterred by high prices, rising interest rates, autoworker strikes and a computer chip shortage that slowed assembly lines, American consumers still bought 15.5 million new vehicles last year, 11% more than in 2022. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

US new vehicle sales rise 12% as buyers shake off high prices, interest rates, and auto strikes

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American consumers bought 15.6 million new vehicles last year. The numbers indicate car buyers were undeterred by high prices, rising interest rates, autoworker strikes and a computer-chip shortage … more

By TOM KRISHER | 1/3/24

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) catches a pass for a first down against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Firefighters battling large fire at the home of Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill

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Firefighters were battling a blaze at the home of Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill on Wednesday afternoon, according to WSVN News in South Florida. The house, which is located in Southwest Ranches … more

1/3/24

FILE - The container ship COSCO Development is guided under the Talmadge Bridge, May 11, 2017, in Savannah, Ga, as the vessel sails up the Savannah River to the Port of Savannah. The Georgia Department of Transportation said Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, that it has chosen a general contractor to oversee a $189 million project to raise Savannah's towering suspension bridge so that larger cargo ships can pass underneath and reach the city's busy seaport. (Steve Bisson/Savannah Morning News via AP, File)

Georgia agency awards contract to raise Savannah bridge to accommodate bigger cargo ships

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A Georgia state agency has chosen a general contractor to oversee a $189 million project to raise Savannah's towering suspension bridge so that larger cargo ships can pass underneath and reach one of … more

By RUSS BYNUM | 1/3/24

File - Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve, Dec. 13, 2023, in Washington. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve releases minutes from its mid-December meeting, when it kept its key short-term interest rate unchanged for a third straight time and signaled possible rate cuts in 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Federal Reserve minutes: Officials saw inflation cooling but were cautious about timing of rate cuts

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The Federal Reserve’s policymakers concluded last month that inflationary pressures were easing and that the job market was cooling. In response, the officials chose to leave their key interest … more

By PAUL WISEMAN | 1/3/24

* FILE - Attendees look at the electric Han EV sedan from Chinese automaker BYD during the Auto Shanghai 2023 show in Shanghai on April 19, 2023. YD Co., based in the southern China tech hub of Shenzhen, dethroned Texas-based Tesla Inc. as the top seller of electric cars in the last three months of 2023, according to sales figures released by the companies this week.(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

China's BYD is rivaling Tesla in size. Can it also match its global reach?

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A less flashy Chinese electric vehicle maker is fast closing the gap with Tesla, the longtime, market-leading pioneer. BYD Co., based in the southern China tech hub of Shenzhen, dethroned Texas-based … more

By KEN MORITSUGU | 1/3/24

A worker handles labels at an Amazon same-day delivery shipping center in Woodland Park, N.J., on December 18, 2023. On Wednesday, the Labor Department reports on job openings and labor turnover for November. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

US job openings fell slightly in November but remain high by historical standards

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America’s employers posted 8.8 million job openings in November, down slightly from October and the fewest since March 2021. But demand for workers remains strong by historical standards. The … more

By PAUL WISEMAN | 1/3/24

FILE - Giant wind turbine blades for the Vineyard Winds project are stacked on racks in the harbor, July 11, 2023, in New Bedford, Mass. The joint owners of the Vineyard Wind project, Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, announced Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, the first electricity from one turbine at what will be a 62-turbine wind farm 15 miles (24 kilometers) off the coast of Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Two large offshore wind sites are sending power to the US grid for the first time

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For the first time in the United States, turbines are sending electricity to the grid from the sites of two large offshore wind farms. The joint owners of the Vineyard Wind project, Avangrid and … more

By JENNIFER McDERMOTT | 1/3/24

Disney reaches agreement with ValueAct, secures its support for company's board nominees

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Disney has reached a confidentiality agreement with activist investor ValueAct Capital Management, garnering its support for the company’s board nominees as it continues to deal with a proxy battle … more

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN | 1/3/24

This photo provided by Toyota shows the GR Corolla. A buffed-up version of the Corolla, the GR version boasts 300 horsepower, wide-body fenders and a customizable all-wheel-drive system. (Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. via AP)

Edmunds recommends the best vehicles for achieving your New Year's resolutions

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Most of us struggle with making those New Year’s resolutions stick. This year, add some fuel — or even electricity — to your personal improvement fire with cars that can help you see your goals … more

By DAN FRIO | 1/3/24

Stick To Your Investment Plan in 2024

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Don’t get on the unicycle. My friend is a comedic magician in Branson. One of his gigs is to get people to attempt to ride a unicycle while he steals their watch and shows it to the crowd … more

Dr. Richard Baker, Fervent Wealth Management | 1/3/24

FILE - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at a news conference on the Minnesota economic and budget forecast in St. Paul, Minn., Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. Almost every U.S. state has cut taxes in some way in the past three years. But that trend may be slowing as many states head into their 2024 legislative sessions with lagging tax revenues. (Renée Jones Schneider/Star Tribune via AP, FILE)

State tax cutting trend faces headwinds from declining revenues and tighter budgets

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Almost every U.S. state has cut taxes in some way in the past three years. But that trend may be slowing as many states head into their 2024 legislative sessions with lagging tax revenues. Every … more

By DAVID A. LIEB | 1/3/24

FILE- Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greets the gathering during an interaction with journalists after official election results gave her a third straight term, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dec. 31, 2018. The elections in Bangladesh are all about one person: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Analysts predict that since the main opposition party is staying out of the Jan. 7 vote, the 77-year-old leader is practically guaranteed her fifth term in office. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath, File)

Sheikh Hasina once fought for democracy in Bangladesh. Her critics say she now threatens it

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The elections in Bangladesh are all about one person: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Analysts predict that since the main opposition party is staying out of the vote Sunday, the 76-year-old leader is … more

By KRUTIKA PATHI and JULHAS ALAM | 1/2/24

File - Students make their way through the Sather Gate near Sproul Plaza on the University of California, Berkeley, campus March 29, 2022, in Berkeley, Calif. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is available for the 2024-2025 school year, three months later than usual. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

What to know about changes to this year's FAFSA application for college students

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A new version of the federal student aid application known as the FAFSA is available for the 2024-2025 school year, but only on a limited basis as the U.S. Department of Education works on a … more

By ADRIANA MORGA | 1/2/24