AP- News May 10, 2024 Heavy fighting in Gaza’s Rafah keeps aid crossings closed, sends 100,000 civilians fleeing RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A United Nations official says heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants on the outskirts of the southern Gaza city of Rafah has left crucial nearby aid crossings inaccessible and caused over 100,000 people to flee north. Israel’s plans for a full-scale invasion of Rafah appear to be on hold for now. The United States is deeply opposed to that and is stepping up pressure by threatening to withhold arms. But even the more limited incursion […]

AP-Summary Brief-Business May 10, 2024 Your tax refund could be bigger this year. Here’s what to do with it NEW YORK (AP) — The average taxpayer is getting a $2,852 refund, $75 more than last year. That’s based on the most recent IRS data. So what should you do with that money? Experts generally advise putting it toward debt, loans and savings, but, for many people, that’s unrealistic. Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at Credit Karma, says a tax refund is typically the biggest extra windfall of the year. She says one in four people see it as free money […]

AP- News May 9, 2024 First shipment of aid to the US-built floating pier in Gaza departs from Cyprus NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — A shipment of humanitarian aid has left a port in Cyprus and is on its way to the U.S-built pier in Gaza, the first delivery to the newly built ramp, according to Cyprus’ foreign minister. The U.S. vessel, loaded with much needed humanitarian assistance, departed from the Larnaca port with the aim of transferring as much aid to Gaza as possible through the maritime corridor. The trip comes some two months after U.S. President Joe Biden gave […]

AP-Summary Brief-Business May 9, 2024 Union push pits the United Farm Workers against a major California agricultural business A battle is underway in California between a unit of the Wonderful Co. and United Farm Workers over how a group of workers organized under a recently-enacted labor law. Since the law took effect, four groups of farm workers have filed to unionize including the workers at Wonderful Nurseries in Wasco, Calif. Experts say more are expected to do so. Farmers are concerned the filings will affect how they run their businesses. California has a lengthy history of protecting farm workers’ right […]

AP- News May 7, 2024 Israel seizes Gaza’s vital Rafah crossing, but the US says it isn’t the full invasion many fear CAIRO (AP) — Israeli troops have seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing in what the White House described as a limited operation. Fears are mounting of a full-scale invasion of the southern city and cease-fire talks with Hamas remain on a knife’s edge. The U.N. warned of a potential collapse of the flow of aid to Palestinians from the closure of Rafah and the other main crossing into Gaza at a time when officials say the […]

AP-Summary Brief-Business May 7, 2024 TikTok sues US to block law that could ban the social media platform TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance are suing the U.S. federal government over a law that would ban the popular video-sharing app unless it’s sold to another company. The lawsuit filed on Tuesday may be setting up what could be a protracted legal fight over its future in the United States. The popular social video company alleged the law, which President Joe Biden signed as part of a larger $95 billion foreign aid package, is so “obviously unconstitutional” that the sponsors […]

AP- News May 6, 2024 Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Gaza’s Rafah ahead of an expected assault JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli army has ordered some 100,000 Palestinians to begin evacuating from the southern city of Rafah in Gaza. That signals that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent and would further complicate efforts to broker a cease-fire. The looming operation in Rafah has raised global alarm and Israeli’s closest allies have warned against it. More than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering in the city and a high number of deaths is feared. On Monday, the […]

AP-Summary Brief-Business May 6, 2024 Stock market today: Wall Street inches higher with more corporate earnings on the way Wall Street is pointing toward gains early to kick off a quiet week for economic data but another full slate of corporate earnings. Futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are both 0.4% higher before the bell Monday. Meat processor Tyson Foods rose 2.6% in premarket after it easily beat profit expectations, though it fell a hair short of sales forecasts. Shares in Spirit Airlines slid 3.5% before the bell after the budget airline came up short […]

AP- News May 3, 2024 Israel-Hamas war protests close on a handful of US campuses as arrests exceed 2,300 NEW YORK (AP) — Demonstrations have ceased at a small number of U.S. universities after school leaders struck deals with pro-Palestinian protesters. The agreements this week have fended off possible disruptions of final exams and graduation ceremonies. The negotiations at schools including Northwestern and Rutgers stand out amidst the chaotic scenes playing out on campuses nationwide. More than 2,300 people have been arrested since April 17. Deals have included commitments by universities to at least review their investments in Israel, a […]

AP-Summary Brief-Business May 3, 2024 US employers scaled back hiring in April. How that could let the Fed cut interest rates WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s employers pulled back on their hiring in April but still added a decent 175,000 jobs in a sign that persistently high interest rates may be starting to slow the robust U.S. job market. Last month’s hiring gain was down sharply from the blockbuster increase of 315,000 in March. Yet the moderation in the pace of hiring, along with a slowdown last month in wage growth, will likely be welcomed by the Federal Reserve, which […]

AP- News April 30, 2024 NEW YORK (AP) — Standoffs between pro-Palestinian protesters and U.S. college administrators appear to be coming to a head. Columbia University in New York limited campus access after protesters took over a building early Tuesday. The school promised that they would face expulsion. Police moved to clear an encampment at Yale University in Connecticut. But at Northwestern University, near Chicago, school officials and protesters have reached agreement to allow demonstrations through the end of spring classes. Protesters on campuses nationwide are angry about the Israel-Hamas war and its mounting death toll. Cease-fire negotiations appear to […]