NEWS

AP-Summary Brief-Business   December 27, 2023 The year in clean energy: Wind, solar and batteries grow despite economic challenges Led by new solar power, the world added renewable energy at breakneck speed in 2023, a trend that if amplified will help Earth turn away from fossil fuels and prevent severe warming and its effects. China, Europe, and the U.S. each set records for a single year, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. China’s additions dwarfed those of all other countries. By the end of 2023, the world will also have added enough wind energy to power nearly 80 million […]

AP-Summary Brief News   December 27, 2023 On foot and by donkey cart, thousands flee widening Israeli assault in central Gaza DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Thousands of Palestinian families are fleeing from the brunt of Israel’s expanding ground offensive into Gaza’s few remaining, overcrowded refuges. The movement comes as the military launches heavy strikes across the center and south of the territory. Palestinian health officials say dozens of people have been killed. The fleeing families arrive on foot or riding donkey carts loaded with belongings. A stream of people flowed into Deir al-Balah — a town that normally […]

AP-Summary Brief-Business   January 3, 2024 Federal Reserve minutes: Officials saw inflation cooling but were cautious about timing of rate cuts WASHINGTON (AP) — 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 rate unchanged for the third straight time and signaled that they expected to cut rates three times in 2024. According to the minutes of their Dec. 12-13 meeting, Fed officials indicated in their own interest-rate forecasts that a lower benchmark rate “would be appropriate by the end […]

AP-Summary Brief News   January 3, 2024 Iran says at least 95 were killed in blasts at a ceremony honoring slain general DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran says twin bomb blasts killed at least 95 people at an event honoring a prominent Iranian general slain in a U.S. airstrike in 2020. Iranian state media called the attack, which wounded more than 200, “terroristic.” No one has immediately claimed responsibility for what appears to be the deadliest militant attack to target Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution. The blasts on Wednesday struck an event marking the fourth anniversary of […]

AP-Summary Brief-Business   January 4, 2024 Federal Reserve minutes: Officials saw inflation cooling but were cautious about timing of rate cuts WASHINGTON (AP) — 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 rate unchanged for the third straight time and signaled that they expected to cut rates three times in 2024. According to the minutes of their Dec. 12-13 meeting, Fed officials indicated in their own interest-rate forecasts that a lower benchmark rate “would be appropriate by the end […]

AP-Summary Brief News   January 4, 2024 One attack, two interpretations: Biden and Trump both make the Jan. 6 riot a political rallying cry WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump plans to spend the third anniversary of the Capitol riot by campaigning in Iowa as he tries win back the White House. The former Republican president has two events planned for Saturday in the leadoff voting state Iowa as he marks the anniversary of what he has called “a beautiful day.” President Joe Biden will be at a site near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on Friday where he’s expected to press his […]

AP-Summary Brief-Business   January 8, 2024 Congressional leaders announce an agreement on spending levels, a key step to averting shutdown WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders have reached an agreement on overall spending levels for the current fiscal year that could help avoid a partial government shutdown later this month. House Speaker Mike Johnson is hailing the agreement in a letter to colleagues as “the most favorable budget agreement Republicans have achieved in over a decade.” President Joe Biden says the agreement is one step closer “to preventing a needless government shutdown and protecting important national priorities.” Lawmakers needed an agreement […]

AP-Summary Brief News January 8, 2024 Israeli strike kills an elite Hezbollah commander in the latest escalation linked to the war in Gaza BEIRUT (AP) — An Israeli airstrike has killed an elite Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon. It’s the latest in an escalating exchange of strikes along the border that have raised fears of another Mideast war even as the fighting in Gaza exacts a mounting toll on civilians. A Lebanese security official said Monday’s strike on an SUV killed a commander in a secretive Hezbollah force that operates along the border. Hezbollah identified the slain fighter as Wissam […]

AP-Summary Brief-Business   January 9, 2024 Airlines say they found loose parts in door panels during inspections of Boeing Max 9 jets PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Federal investigators are learning more about how a door panel flew off an Alaska Airlines jetliner last week. National Transportation Safety Board officials said Monday that the door panel slid up before flying off the plane. And they’re looking into whether four bolts that were supposed to help hold the panel in place might have been missing when the plane took off. Those comments came after Alaska Airlines and United Airlines reported finding loose […]

AP-Summary Brief News January 9, 2024 In Israel, Blinken looks to planning for post-war Gaza as bombardment, fighting continue to rage TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is holding talks in Israel as he seeks a plan for Gaza’s post-war future. Israeli troops meanwhile pushed ahead in the beleaguered territory where heavy bombardment and fighting shook refugee camps and hampered efforts to get relief to the population. The U.N. says Israel had repeatedly rejected planned convoys of medicine and other supplies to northern Gaza. Those killed in latest strikes include seven members of the family […]

AP-Summary Brief-Business   January 10, 2024 Alaska Airlines cancels flights on certain Boeing planes through Saturday for mandatory inspections Alaska Airlines is canceling all flights on Boeing 737 Max 9 planes until Saturday while it waits for new instructions on how to inspect and fix the planes. The airline said Wednesday that could mean canceling up to 150 flights a day. Federal officials grounded Boeing Max 9s after a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines jet in midflight on Friday night. Alaska and United Airlines are the only U.S. carriers affected by the grounding. Engine maker Cummins to repair, replace […]

AP-Summary Brief News January 10, 2024 Video appears to show the Israeli army shot 3 Palestinians, killing 1, without provocation BEIT RIMA, West Bank (AP) — Security camera video from a West Bank village shows a young man standing in a central square when he is suddenly shot and drops to the ground. Seconds later, two others rushing to his aid are also hit, killing a 17-year-old, just before an Israeli military jeep arrives. An Associated Press review of the video and interviews with the two wounded men indicate that Israeli soldiers opened fire on the three although they did […]

AP-Summary Brief-Business   January 11, 2024 New funds will make investing in bitcoin easier. Here’s what you need to know NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly a dozen new bitcoin funds began trading in U.S. markets for the first time Thursday, providing increased access to the cryptocurrency for everyday investors. ETFs give investors a way to get in on trading in oil, gold, corporate bonds and now bitcoin without actually having to own a barrel of oil, a bar of gold, or a bitcoin. That means you don’t have to find a place to store them. These funds closely track the […]

AP-Summary Brief News January 11, 2024 Friendly fire may have killed their relatives on Oct. 7. These Israeli families want answers now KIBBUTZ BE’ERI, Israel (AP) — Relatives of civilians killed at a kibbutz in southern Israel during the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas are demanding the military immediately investigate signs that some may have been killed by Israeli security forces as they battled militants holding hostages. The military has said it will conduct a thorough investigation of all events that day once the war is over. But that’s not soon enough for some family members of 13 people killed […]

AP-Summary Brief-Business   January 12, 2024 US intensifies oversight of Boeing, will begin production audits after latest mishap for planemaker The Federal Aviation Administration says it will increase oversight of Boeing and audit the production of the 737 Max 9 jetliner after a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines plane in midflight last week. It was the latest in a string of mishaps at the troubled aircraft maker. The FAA said Friday that it would judge whether Boeing and its suppliers followed approved quality procedures. The agency also indicated that it is reconsidering its longstanding practice of relying on employees […]