AFN NEWS 

Thursday, October 25, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. Five packages sent to high-profile Democrats are being analyzed at the FBA’s lab in Virginia. Federal investigators turned to figure out who’s behind the threat. “The investigation involves six devices meant for George Soros, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Eric Holder, Maxine Waters, and John Brennan, the intended recipient at CNN. The pipe bomb-like devices appeared to have been made the same way, leading investigators to believe they were sent by the same person or group, while investigators said they made no conclusion. They have noted all the intended recipients are critics of President Trump and frequent subjects of his attack.” ABC’s Aaron Katersky. President Trump calls the devices egregious conduct. “The full weight of our government is being deployed to conduct this investigation and bring those responsible for these despicable acts to justice.” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on CNN says there’s no place for violence against the media. “Obviously, what’s happened here is directed for political purposes” Capitol police confirmed they’re investigating a suspicious package found at a facility that screens congressional mail before it goes to Capitol Hill. 

2) President Trump headed to Wisconsin for a campaign rally but earlier signed a law targeting the nation’s opioid epidemic. “The President says he has focused on arresting opioid dealers and helping those are already addicted, and that the stop act he’s just signed will help.” “We’re going to end it or we’re going to at least make an extremely big dent.” The new law gives State $6 billion for prevention, treatment and research as well as giving the post office power to stop even from sending deadly fentanyl through the mail. Andy Field, ABC News, Washington.

3) Police say two people are dead following a shooting at a grocery store outside of Louisville, Kentucky. They say the suspect isn’t in custody.

4)  Another sell-off on Wall Street, the Dow loses more than 2% on disappointing earnings news. You’re listen to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, stocks taking another beating on Wall Street Wednesday. The Dow falling into negative territory for the year after sinking more than 600 points. The S&P 500 also erasing its gains for the year, and the NASDAQ is saying its worst percentage loss since 2011. Investors selling after mixed profiteer reports and new worries about the cost of higher interest rates. There’s one reason why they’re worried rising mortgage rates, putting their heart on housing. New home sales plunging 5 and 1/2% in September to a two-year low. // Looks like Santa’s in readiness to work this year. Consumers telling the National Retail Federation their plan to spend a little more than 1,000 bucks during a holiday season. That’s around 4% more than last year. // A lot of kids are giving their mom and dad the vice of remorse. More than half of parents surveyed by the company CompareCards say they let their children borrow their credit cards for online purchases and get this. Nearly half of them regret doing so afterwards. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Charles Payne.

AFN NEWS 

Thursday, October 18, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Chuck Sivertsen. State Department affirms to ABC News that the same day Secretary of State Pompeo arrived in Saudi Arabia’s capital. That nation transferred $100 million to the U.S. for what was called stabilization projects in Syria. The Saudis agreed to provide the funds in August but the timing is raising questions because of allegations that the Saudis killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Saudi consulate in Turkey. That’s what Pompeo went to Riyadh to talk about it. Whereas reporters asking the president how can the world learn the truth about Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance if Saudi Arabia is investigating itself. “No, they’re just, they’re great, very talented people. They’re not investigating themselves.” Turkey’s officials indicating evidence that the Saudis murdered Khashoggi inside the Istanbul Consulate. President Trump saying this is like the Kavanaugh hearings, saying the Saudis are guilty until proved innocent. Andy Field, ABC News, Washington.

2) More than 2,000 Honduran migrants traveling through Guatemala are headed to the U.S. the day after President Trump warned Central American governments they risk losing aid if they don’t do something to stop them. “People coming up in caravans. We have to stop them even though the laws are terrible. The laws are terrible. Our laws are terrible. They’re laughingstock all over the world.”

3) President Trump at today’s Cabinet meeting also asking all to come to the next meeting with proposals for 5% budget cuts, saying he believes the reductions could be done easily.

4) California officials are announcing the rollout of an earthquake early-warning system called ShakeAlert to warn people across California, Oregon and Washington about a significant earthquake before the shaking starts. Alerts to go out to public transportation systems, schools, hospitals, utilities and more. Congressman Adam Schiff, California, Democrat. “We feel those systems will work on the extensive urgency. We don’t want to have to wait until there’s a collapse or tragedy to get this done.” Ultimately, officials want the system to mass-alert everybody on their cellphones. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, the major averages closing in the red for another wobbly session on Wall Street, the Dow taking a hit from losses by IBM and Home Depot. IBM’s shares funking as a result of the company missing revenue expectations for its third quarter while Home Depot was downgraded by Credit Suisse. The Dow closing down 92 points, the NASDAQ down 3, S&P 500 down a point. // And shares of Caesars Entertainment soaring around 11% on heavy volume after a report that Tilman Fertitta, the billionaire owner of Golden Nugget Casinos and the NBA’s Houston Rockets, is interested in a merger deal. // And Netflix stocks shooting up around 5% after the company reported a big increase in subscribers, which relieved investors after the stock has plumped over the summer. The video-streaming service adding 7 million subscribers worldwide from July through September, far above the company’s expectations. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS 

Thursday, October 11, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. It’s still a dangerous major hurricane and now comes fear that thousands didn’t escape the rough of Hurricane Michael. U.S. Northern Command General Terrence O’Shaughnessy says Hurricane Michael exploded into a Category-4 hurricane so quickly many Florida residents may have never left their homes. “And we're not seeing the numbers in the shelters, and we're not seeing the numbers necessarily going away, so it’s my, my concern right now is there’s many people in harm’s way.” The National Guard prepared to search house by house for people trapped by debris. A fear could be far worse than any recent storms. Andy Field, ABC News, Washington. Michael still Category 3 is moving into Alabama and Georgia with a 125-mile-an-hour wind, and already residents are getting a feel for the destruction that was left behind. As ABC’s Pete Combs reports from Panama City Beach, Florida, “Some people starting to venture out, starting to take a look at the damage. That in itself could be dangerous because powerlines are still down and there are a lot of tree limbs that are just barely hanging onto the trees or stuck in the wires, and that means it’s very, very dangerous for people to be walking around here.” Hundreds of thousands are without power, and some homes have been moved completely off their foundations.

2) The Dow and the NASDAQ losing more than 3% today, market strategist Matthew Miskin with John Hancock says the reason is the declining tech stocks. “These technology companies are hugely dependent on foreign revenues and foreign business and have been performing in the way that’s really showing lack of response to the slowing global growth.” White House Spokeswoman Sarah Sanders says in the statement that the fundamentals of the economy will remain incredibly strong.

3) New York State Police charged the operator of Prestige Limousine with criminally negligent homicide for the weekend crash that killed 20 people. Police say the driver shouldn’t have been behind the wheel and the vehicle shouldn’t have been on the road. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, on Wall Street, the Dow marking its worst day since February with the decline of more than 800 points as investors are worried about rising interest rates and corporate earnings slowing down. Among the biggest decliners today, tech stocks which have been among the biggest winners for the past 12 months. The Dow closing down 832 points. NASDAQ down 315, S&P 500 down for the fifth straight session. It’s the longest losing since November of 2016, closing down 95 points. // And retired Americans who collect Social Security can look forward in 2019 to the biggest increase in benefits in seven years with the benefits likely rising about 2.8% next year, based on the formula that determines annual cost-of-living adjustments in Social Security which would mark the biggest gain since a 3.6% advance back in 2012. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS 

Thursday, October 4, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. The FBI has identified the suspect in Utah tied to the letters that caused a ricin scare. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says William Clyde Allen III is now in custody. “The FBI has made a contact with the suspect and is questioning him. The Pentagon top spokesperson says an analysis of the two envelopes sent to the Pentagon has determined the substance inside was not ricin but castor seeds.” ABC’s luis Martinez.

2) The FBI could finish the background investigation into Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh as early as today. “Once the Senate receives the FBI’s conclusions on Brett Kavanaugh, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will file, what’s called file cloture, basically taking the first step in the process that gets lawmakers to the Kavanaugh confirmation vote. Once he filed the procedural motion, the Senate and the House will let a day go by before it can hold the actual vote. Stephanie Ramos, ABC News, Washington.”

3) USA Weightlifting CEO Phil Andrews, one of several Olympic sports leaders, to testify before Senate panel about changes being made to protect athletes from abuse. “Weigh-in in our sport can now be done within a singlet or fully closed. That has also been suggested to our international federation for discussing where we’re discussing that in less than a month.” The hearing holds a number of sex abuse scandals across several sports.

4) An effort to raise awareness of what’s been called the silent enemy plaguing veterans. “Covering the National Mall, thousands of small American flags placed by the group of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America to bring awareness to veteran’s suicide. More than 5500 flags represent each military and veterans’ suicide so far this year, an average of 20 suicides every day, according to new data from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The veterans group hopes this effort will spark action by leaders in Washington. Elizabeth McLaughlin, ABC News, the Pentagon.”

5) Chicago Cubs’ infielder Addison Russell has accepted a 40-game suspension under MLB’s domestic violence policy. You’re listing to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, on Wall Street, the major averages closing slightly higher with the Dow notching its 15th record close of the year. Among the gainers today, banks and big technology companies were high, dividend stocks fell. The Dow closing up 54 points, NASDAQ up 26, S&P 500 up 2. // And shares of Barnes & Noble jumping in the extended session after announcing its foreign strategic alternative has to evaluate selling itself, following interest from multiple parties. // And Eldorado Resorts completing a purchase of Atlantic City’s Tropicana casino. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission still has to approve a full casino license for Eldorado. The deal is part of $1.85 billion acquisition of Tropicana Entertainment that billionaire investor Carl Icahn agreed to back in April. The Tropicana recently improving its performance in Atlantic City to place behind only the Borgata in terms of annual gambling revenue. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.