National Business - The Morning Sun

FILE - The seal of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seen before an FCC meeting to vote on net neutrality, Dec. 14, 2017, in Washington. The FCC on Thursday, April 25, 2024 restored “net neutrality” rules that prevent broadband internet providers such as Comcast and AT&T from favoring some sites and apps over others.. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Net neutrality restored as FCC votes to regulate internet providers

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The FCC on Thursday restored rules to prevent broadband internet providers such as Comcast and AT&T from favoring some sites and apps over others — for instance, by slowing or blocking certain … more

By DAVID HAMILTON | 4/25/24

Mining giant BHP Billiton makes $39 billion bid for Anglo American to expand copper operations

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Shares in U.K.-based mining giant Anglo American have surged after it received a 31 billion-pound ($39 billion) takeover bid from rival BHP Billiton. The deal would create the world’s biggest … more

By PAN PYLAS | 4/25/24

FILE - A BNSF locomotive heads south out of Oklahoma City, Sept. 14, 2022. BNSF will become the second major freight railroad to allow some of its employees to report safety concerns anonymously through a federal system without fear of discipline, the Federal Railroad Administration announced Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

BNSF becomes 2nd major railroad to sign on to anonymous federal safety hotline for some workers

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BNSF will become the second major freight railroad to allow some of its employees to report safety concerns anonymously through a federal system without fear of discipline. The Federal Railroad … more

By JOSH FUNK | 4/25/24

FILE - A sign for the Chipotle restaurant in Pittsburgh's Market Square is pictured Feb. 8, 2016. Last week, the Newport Beach, California-based Mexican chain asked its U.S. and Canadian employees to temporarily select another protein option for their meals to preserve its supply of chicken. But the chain said Thursday, April 25, 2024, that employees can go back to eating chicken again. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

Chipotle reverses protein policy, says workers can choose chicken once again

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Chipotle says its employees can choose chicken again. Last week, the chain asked its U.S. and Canadian employees to temporarily select another protein for their work meals to preserve the company's … more

By DEE-ANN DURBIN | 4/25/24

The TikTok law kicks off a new showdown between Beijing and Washington. What's coming next?

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TikTok is gearing up for a legal fight against a U.S. law that would force the social media platform to break ties with its China-based parent company or face a ban. A battle in the courts will … more

By DIDI TANG and HALELUYA HADERO | 4/25/24

An "Under Contract" sign is displayed at a home in Wilmette, Ill., Thursday, March 28, 2024. On Thursday, April 25, 2024, Freddie Mac reports on this week’s average U.S. mortgage rates. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Average long-term US mortgage rate climbs for fourth straight week to highest level since November

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The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed this week to its highest level since late November, another setback for home shoppers in what’s traditionally the housing market’s busiest time of … more

By ALEX VEIGA | 4/25/24

FILE - In this picture provided by Swedish Coast Guard, a leak from Nord Stream 2 is seen, on Sept. 28, 2022. A Chinese container ship remains to be the prime suspect in causing damage last year to a Baltic Sea gas pipeline running between NATO members Finland and Estonia which was reopened this week after multimillion-euro repair work, (Swedish Coast Guard via AP, File)

A Chinese ship remains the focus of the investigation into Baltic Sea gas pipeline damaged last year

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Authorities in Finland say a Chinese container ship remains the focus of an investigation into what caused damage last year to a Baltic Sea gas pipeline between NATO members Finland and Estonia. It … more

By JARI TANNER | 4/25/24

FILE - David Pecker, chairman and CEO of American Media, speaks at an event, Jan. 31, 2014 in New York. Testimony by the former National Enquirer publisher at Donald Trump's hush money trial this week has revealed an astonishing level of corruption at America's best-known tabloid and may one day be seen as the moment it effectively died. On Thursday, April 25, 2024 Pecker was back on the witness stand to tell more about the arrangement he made to boost Trump's presidential candidacy in 2016, tear down his rivals and silence any revelations that may have damaged him. (Marion Curtis via AP, File)

8 years after the National Enquirer's deal with Donald Trump, the iconic tabloid is limping badly

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Catch and kill. Checkbook journalism. Secret deals. Testimony by former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker during former President Trump's hush money trial has been shocking even for people who … more

By DAVID BAUDER | 4/25/24

FILE - A person pushes the doorbell on his Ring doorbell camera, July 16, 2019, at his home in Wolcott, Conn. The Federal Trade Commission is sending $5.6 million in refunds to consumers as part of a settlement with Amazon-owned Ring, which was charged with failing to protect private video footage from outside access. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

FTC sends $5.6 million in refunds to Ring customers as part of video privacy settlement

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The Federal Trade Commission is sending more than $5.6 million in refunds to consumers as part of a settlement with Amazon-owned Ring, which was charged with failing to protect private video footage … more

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS | 4/25/24

Acting United States Secretary of Labor Julie Su poses for a photo, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Atlanta. Su says workers at southern auto plants should be free to unionize without employer or political interference, even as some southern states pass new laws meant to inhibit organized labor. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

U.S. labor secretary says UAW win at Tennessee Volkswagen plant shows southern workers back unions

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Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su says workers at southern auto plants should be free to unionize without employer or political interference, even as some southern states pass new laws meant to … more

By JEFF AMY | 4/25/24

FILE - A Congolese miner sifts through ground rocks to separate out the cassiterite, the main ore that's processed into tin, in the town of Nyabibwe, eastern Congo, Aug. 16, 2012. Congo’s government is questioning Apple about the tech company’s knowledge of “blood minerals” from a conflict zone in the African country that could be smuggled into supply chains. A group of international lawyers representing Congo said Thursday, April 25, 2024, that it sent letters to Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and its French subsidiary this week raising concerns about human rights violations involving the minerals extracted from mines in the country’s war-torn east. (AP Photo/Marc Hofer, File)

Congo questions Apple over knowledge of conflict minerals in its supply chain

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Congo’s government is questioning Apple about the tech company’s knowledge of “blood minerals” from a conflict zone in the African country that could be smuggled into supply chains. It's … more

By GERALD IMRAY | 4/25/24

Amazon cloud computing unit plans to invest $11 billion to build data center in northern Indiana

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Amazon’s cloud computing unit Amazon Web Services plans to invest $11 billion to build a data center in northern Indiana that will create at least 1,000 new jobs. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb … more

4/25/24

FILE - A Union Pacific worker walks between two locomotives that are being serviced in a railyard in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Dec. 15, 2023. Union Pacific reports earnings on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Funk)

Union Pacific's first-quarter profit creeps up 1% as railroad limits expenses

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Union Pacific's first-quarter profit crept 1% higher and topped Wall Street expectations as the railroad tightened up on expenses even though it delivered slightly less freight. The Omaha, … more

By JOSH FUNK | 4/25/24

A hiring sign is displayed at a restaurant in Chicago, Monday, March 11, 2024. On Thursday, April 25, 2024, the Labor Department reports on the number of people who applied for unemployment benefits last week. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

US applications for jobless claims fall to lowest level in 9 weeks

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Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week as the labor market continues to hold up despite higher interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve in its bid to curb inflation. The … more

By MATT OTT | 4/25/24

FILE - A line of Southwest Air Boeing 737 jets are parked near the company's production plant while being stored at Paine Field Friday, April 23, 2021, in Everett, Wash. Southwest Air reports earnings on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Southwest will limit hiring and close 4 after a 1Q loss. American Airlines is also losing money

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American and Southwest airlines both say they lost money in the first quarter, and they're responding by trying to cut costs. Southwest said Thursday it will limit hiring, offer voluntary time off to … more

4/25/24

General Robert Brieger, chairman of the EU's Military Committee talks to the media during a press conference after a meeting with the Cyprus national guard chief Georgios Tsitsikostas at the Defense Ministry in capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The European Union's top military official says a frigate that's part of an EU military mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant shipping has destroyed a drone launched from an area in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels. Brieger said the downing of the drone took place Thursday morning. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

EU military officer says a frigate has destroyed a drone launched from Yemen's Houthi-held areas

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A top European Union top military officer says a frigate that’s part of an EU miliary mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant shipping has destroyed a drone launched from an area in Yemen … more

4/25/24

Atkins weight loss products are seen on sale at a Kroger supermarket, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Marietta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?

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New weight loss drugs are reshaping a dieting industry built on eating less and exercising more. The arsenal of drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, has proven … more

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO | 4/25/24

FILE - The Marshall Steam Station coal power plant operates March 3, 2024, near Mooresville, N.C. A rule issued April 24, 2024, by the Environmental Protection Agency would force power plants fueled by coal or natural to capture smokestack emissions or shut down. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)

Tough new EPA rules would force coal-fired power plants to capture emissions or shut down

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A rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency would force power plants fueled by coal or natural gas to capture smokestack emissions or shut down. The new limits unveiled Thursday on … more

By MATTHEW DALY | 4/25/24

President Joe Biden speaks to the North America's Building Trade Union National Legislative Conference, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

As Biden celebrates computer chip factories, voters wait for the promised production to start

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President Joe Biden has a great economic story to tell voters a decade from now — less so in 2024. On Thursday, the Democratic president will head to upstate New York to celebrate Micron … more

By AAMER MADHANI and JOSH BOAK | 4/25/24

Ship comes under attack off coast of Yemen as Houthi rebel campaign appears to gain new speed

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A ship traveling in the Gulf of Aden has come under attack, the latest assault likely carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels over Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The attack comes … more

By JON GAMBRELL | 4/25/24