National Business - The Morning Sun

FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference in Miami, on May 9, 2023. The Treasury Department is warning that state laws that restrict banks from considering environmental, social and governance factors could harm efforts to address money laundering and terrorism financing. The Associated Press obtained a copy of a letter sent Thursday to lawmakers. The letter single out a law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in May that says it would be an “unsafe and unsound practice” for banks to consider non-financial factors when doing business. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

Treasury warns that anti-woke banking laws such as those in Florida are national security risk

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department is warning that state laws that restrict banks from considering environmental, social and governance factors could harm efforts to address money laundering … more

By JOSH BOAK | 7/19/24

FILE - This combination of photos shows Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich at the Moscow City Court in Moscow and the Sverdlovsk Regional Court in Yekaterinburg, from top left to right, on April 18, 2023, Sept. 19, 2023, Oct. 10, 2023, and from bottom left to right, on Dec. 14, 2023, April 23, 2024, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo, File)

How Russia’s espionage case against Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich unfolded

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Here are key developments in Russia’s case against Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was convicted on Friday of espionage charges in an unusually rapid trial in the country's … more

By The Associated Press | 7/19/24

Republican presidential candidate and former president, Donald Trump, speaks during the final day of the Republican National Convention Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

From a media perspective, it was a tale of two Trump speeches — and long enough for both

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From a media perspective, Donald Trump failed to stick the landing at the Republican convention that nominated him as its presidential candidate for a third time. His acceptance speech, which … more

By DAVID BAUDER | 7/19/24

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, left, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic leave after a press conference at the Serbia Palace in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, July 19, 2024. Scholz visits Serbia to discuss a tentative deal with the Balkan country for the controversial excavation of lithium, a critical substance in making batteries for electric vehicles. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Germany's chancellor praises lithium deal with Serbia that could reduce Europe's dependency on China

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has praised a tentative deal between the European Union and Serbia that paves the way for the disputed excavation of lithium. It's a mega project that could reduce … more

By DUSAN STOJANOVIC | 7/19/24

FILE - An American Express card is shown on Jan.18, 2024, in Atlanta. American Express reports earnings on Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)

Cardmember spending drives American Express second quarter profits soaring 39%

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American Express said second quarter profits jumped 39% as the credit card company benefitted again from a broad increase in cardmember spending as well as more of its customers carrying a balance. … more

By KEN SWEET | 7/19/24

FILE - A sign for Microsoft offices is seen, May 6, 2021, in New York. Microsoft Corp. has agreed to pay $14.4 million to settle allegations that the global software giant retaliated and discriminated against employees who took protected leave, including parental and disability, the California Civil Rights Department announced Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Microsoft users worldwide report widespread outages affecting banks, airlines and broadcasters

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Microsoft says users worldwide may be unable to access various Microsoft 365 apps and services, in a widespread outage reportedly connected to the U.S. cybersecurity company Crowdstrike. The cause, … more

By CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-McLAY | 7/19/24

Transit Workers take part in a guided relaxation class Friday, May 17, 2024, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. The class, held at a union hall for New York City transit employees, has emerged as one of several ways in which transportation workers around the country are trying to manage their fear and anxiety over a rise in violent crime on subways and buses. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Yoga, meditation and prayer: Urban transit workers cope with violence and fear on the job

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Transit workers around the country are managing their fear and anxiety over a rise in violent crime on subways and buses. Concern has grown after a series of brutal attacks in recent months against … more

By CATHY BUSSEWITZ | 7/19/24

FILE - This combo of images provided by EA Sports, shows the video game covers for the new standard edition College Football 25, left, and Deluxe Edition College Football 25, featuring Texas' Quinn Ewers, Colorado's Travis Hunter, and Michigan's Donovan Edwards. EA Sports College Football 25, among the most highly anticipated sports video games of all time, has flooded the market as gamers who waited more than a decade for the franchise's next installment rush to play it. (EA Sports via AP, File)

EA Sports College Football 25, among most anticipated sports video games in history, hits the market

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EA Sports College Football 25, among the most highly anticipated sports video games of all time, has flooded the market. The game officially launched Friday, with EA Sports increasing its server … more

By RYAN KRYSKA | 7/19/24

Tucker Carlson speaks during the Republican National Convention Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

15 months after his firing, Tucker Carlson returns to Fox News airwaves with a GOP convention speech

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Tucker Carlson was back on Fox News Channel airwaves Thursday. He spoke at the Republican National Conventipon 15 months after being unceremoniously dumped by the cable network. Fox carried Carlson's … more

By DAVID BAUDER | 7/18/24

FILE - A brigade from the Electric Power Authority repairs distribution lines damaged by Hurricane Maria in the Cantera community of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Oct. 19, 2017. A federal judge overseeing a drawn-out debt-restructuring process for the power company ordered all parties to mediation on Wednesday, July 10, in the latest attempt to break an impasse that has sparked widespread anger and frustration. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti, File)

US announces $325 million in funding to boost Puerto Rico solar projects as power outages persist

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The U.S. government says $325 million in federal funds will be available for solar and battery storage installations across Puerto Rico as the U.S. territory struggles with chronic power outages. The … more

By DÁNICA COTO | 7/18/24

FILE - Awards, including an Emmy, are displayed at Netflix headquarters Los Gatos, Calif. on March 7, 2024. Netflix reports earnings on Thursday, July 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Liedtke, File)

Netflix's subscriber and earnings growth gather more momentum as password-sharing crackdown pays off

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Netflix’s subscriber and earnings growth accelerated in its latest quarter as the video streaming service benefits from a crackdown on freeloading viewers, an expansion into advertising and an … more

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE | 7/18/24

FILE - The Stellantis sign is seen outside the Chrysler Technology Center on July 19, 2021, in Auburn Hills, Mich. Stellantis said Thursday, July 18, 2024, that it's recalling certain 2017 through 2021 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrids, mainly in North America. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Stellantis tells owners of over 24,000 hybrid minivans to park outdoors due to battery fire risk

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Stellantis is telling owners of more than 24,000 plug-in hybrid minivans to park them outdoors away from buildings, and to stop charging them due to the possibility of battery fires. The company said … more

7/18/24

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, sixth from right, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, and state, local, and labor officials participate at the groundbreaking for "America's Green Gateway," the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility in Long Beach, Calif., on Thursday, July 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Long Beach breaks ground on $1.5B railyard expansion at port to fortify US supply chain

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U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other officials paid a visit to the port of Long Beach to break ground on a $1.5 billion railyard expansion project that will more than triple the … more

By JAIMIE DING | 7/18/24

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives for the Opening of Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Thursday, July 18, 2024. Ramaphosa is due to open a new parliamentary term to mark the official start of business for his 11-party coalition government. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)

South African president says new coalition government is united in tackling unemployment and poverty

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has opened a new parliamentary term. It comes nearly two months after an historic election result reshaped the country’s politics and led to the formation of … more

By GERALD IMRAY | 7/18/24

Boeing case puts a spotlight on plea agreements involving corporate defendants

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Prosecutors are expected to give new details Friday about Boeing's plea deal in a case stemming from two deadly crashes of 737 Max jetliners. That's when the Justice Department hopes to file the … more

By DAVID KOENIG | 7/18/24

Parliament members convene during the vote for the lower house president in the National Assembly, Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Paris. France's influential lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, held its opening session Thursday to elect a speaker after chaotic snap elections called by President Emmanuel Macron produced a hung legislature. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A centrist or a communist? France's new lawmakers to pick a speaker as political turmoil persists

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France’s influential lower house of parliament the National Assembly is holding its opening session to elect a speaker after a chaotic early election produced a hung legislature. Two figures … more

By SYLVIE CORBET | 7/18/24

This photo provided by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows the Bissell Steam Shot Handheld Steam Cleaner. Some 3.3 million steam cleaners are being recalled across North America due to a burn hazard that has resulted in more than 150 injuries reported by consumers. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, Thursday, July 18, 2024, select models of Bissell-branded “Steam Shot Handheld Steam Cleaners” can spew hot water or steam while the products are in use or being heated. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission via AP)

Over 3 million steam cleaners are under recall because they can spew hot water and cause burns

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Some 3.3 million steam cleaners are being recalled across North America due to a burn hazard that has resulted in consumers reporting more than 150 injuries. According to the U.S. Consumer Product … more

7/18/24

FILE - New graduates line up before the start of the Bergen Community College commencement at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J, May 17, 2018. The Education Department announced Thursday, July 18, 2024, that it is cancelling an additional $1.2 billion in student loans for borrowers who work in public service. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Biden administration cancels another $1.2 billion in student loans for public service workers

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The Biden administration is cancelling an additional $1.2 billion in student loans for borrowers who work in public service through changes to an existing forgiveness program. The relief for roughly … more

By ANNIE MA | 7/18/24

This illustration provided by Reynolds American in June 2024, shows packaging for the Vuse Alto e-cigarette. The U.S. The Food and Drug Administration authorized sales of Vuse Alto, the best-selling e-cigarette, on Thursday, July 18, 2024, allowing Reynolds American to keep its reusable e-cigarette on the market for years to come. (Reynolds American via AP)

FDA OKs best-selling e-cigarette Vuse Alto, but only in tobacco flavor

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Federal health officials have authorized sales of Vuse Alto, the best-selling e-cigarette in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration made the decision Thursday, allowing Reynolds American to keep … more

By MATTHEW PERRONE | 7/18/24

FILE - A view of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, March 11, 2020. The Vatican insisted Thursday, July 18, 2024, at the close of a trial in London that it was the victim of a years-long fraud over its investment in a London property, arguing that one of its main brokers by no means acted “in good faith.” (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

Not good faith: Vatican rejects broker's claims at the close of a London trial over luxury property

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The Vatican is insisting at the close of a trial in London that it was the victim of a years-long fraud over its investment in a London property. The Vatican submitted a final concluding statement on … more

7/18/24