AFN NEWS

Thursday, June 27, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. The stage is set and the candidates are ready as ten Democratic presidential hopefuls square off tonight in the first debate of the 2020 campaign. “The number of candidates on stage and the debate format mean the Democrats here have little time to make a mark, about eight minutes each if the moderator sticks to 60-second answers and 30-second follow-ups over two hours. This registered Democrat’s hopeful substance over flash. ‘In the time frame, what they got right now is not gonna be enough in detail. It’s gonna be rather high probably, I think.’ Even after two nights and four hours of the debate, Americans would have only heard from 4/5 of the crowded field. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, Miami.”

2) On Capitol Hill, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is commanding his chamber for passing a measure sending emergency, humanitarian relief to the southern border. “I am glad that the bipartisan Senate border supplemental has passed with an overwhelming vote, I commend Chairman Shelby, senators and the members of the Appropriations Committee for breaking the long gap.” The final vote 84-4, senators voted down a $4.5 billion House bill that addressed the conditions of detention centers where migrant children are held. Lawmakers have to reconcile the bills.

3) President Trump is on his way to Japan for the G20 summit.

4) There’s a new problem that could delay the Boeing 737 MAX from getting recertified. “There’s no sign that the Boeing 737 MAX is close to being approved to fly passengers again now, a possible new problem with the plane. The FAA confirming it has found a potential risk involving the aircraft that Boeing must mitigate. It comes as the FAA evaluates updates to the MAX software meant to prevent the nose-down issue that played the role in two deadly crashes. The FAA saying it will allow the plane to fly again once it deems it’s safe to do so.” ABC’s Alex Stone.

5) Stocks closed mostly lower on Wall Street. The Dow slid 11 points, the S&P dropped 4, the NASDAQ gained 25. You’re listening to ABC News.

………………………………………..

From the Fox Business Network; on Wall Street stocks closing mixed as investors wait for a possible trade deal with China. Among the gainers today, tech and energy companies, while real estate and utilities were among the laggers. The Dow falling 11 points, the NASDAQ up 25, S&P 500 down 4. // And as the summer begins, who’s thinking about going back to school? Apparently Target is and already getting in gear for the season and expanding its uniform selection with the Cat & Jack kids line and launching a new tween girl brand with clothes, school supplies and more. Target will also be having new Back to College sections in more than 700 stores near college campuses. // And although the economy appears to be robust, many Americans are feeling skittish as they look to the future. With 40% of people polled by Bankrate.com saying that they feel the next recession has already begun or will begin within the next 12 months. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, June 20, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. Federal authorities say a terror plot in Pittsburgh has been thwarted. Prosecutors have charged a suspect to the ISIS sympathizer with terrorism offences. “Mustafa Alowemer came to the United States as a refugee from Syria two years ago. In recent months, court records said he came in contact with an FBI undercover and discussed a plan to bomb a church on the North Side of Pittsburg. Federal prosecutor said Alowemer wanted to support the cause of ISIS and take revenge for ISIS brothers in Nigeria. The FBI has been increasingly concerned that angry, disaffected people are considering attacks against houses of worship.” ABC’s Aaron Katersky.

2) Former Trump aide Hope Hicks has finished her closed-door testimony with the House Judiciary Committee investigating possible obstruction of justice by the President, but Democrats including California Congressman Ted Lieu expressed frustration with Hick’s claiming absolute immunity and refusing to answer questions about the Trump presidency. “There’s no such thing as absolute immunity. The White House is just making stuff up and they are not asserting executive privilege, which actually is a thing. They’re afraid to assert it, so we’re gonna go to court. We’re gonna win and then we just make Hope Hicks come back again.” President Trump tweeted that Democrats were putting Hicks to hell.

3) A House panel heard impassioned testimony earlier on the idea of slave reparations. Something, Republican Sen. Lindsey graham says, won’t help overcome America’s original sin. “We’re so far removed from the event. It was the original sin of the country, and I think let’s just make it more a perfect union rather than looking backward, because I don’t know where it stops.” It was Congress’ first hearing on reparations in more than a decade.

4) Mexico’s senators voted to ratify a new free trade agreement with the U.S. and Canada. It’s the first of the three countries to sign off.

5) Stocks rose modestly on Wall Street after the Federal Reserve signaled it could cut interest rates in the future. The Dow gained 38 points, S&P added 9. You’re listening to ABC News.

…………………………………………..

From the Fox Business Network; on Wall Street, the major averages closing in the green after the Federal Reserve left its key interest rates unchanged and signaled that no cuts are coming for this year unless economic conditions weaken. Fed Chair Jerome Powell, “In light of increased uncertainties and muted inflation pressures, we now emphasize that the committee will closely monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook and will act as appropriate to sustain the expansion with a strong labor market and inflation near its 2% objective.” The Central Bank is also penciling in one interest rate cut for next year, with the Dow rising 38 points, NASDAQ up 33, S&P 500 up 9. // And Panera Bread making a move to expand beond the breakfast and lunch crowd. The chain announcing that they will be testing its new dinner-centric menu in restaurants in Lexington, Kentucky in July before expanding to locations in Providence, Rhode Island in September. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, June 13, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Chuck Sivertsen. Moving ahead with contempt, hours after the White House asserted the executive privilege over census documents, the House panel votes to hold two administration officials in contempt of Congress. “In a 24-to-15 vote nearly along party lines, the House Oversight Committee voted to hold Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in contempt for defying congressional subpoena related to the 2020 citizenship question. Michigan Congressman Justin Amash was a loner Republican to vote in favor of the resolution. Prior to the vote, President Trump under the request of the Justice Department exerted executive privilege over the subpoena documents. The Committee vote now sends the contempt solution to the full House. Monica Salandy, ABC News, Washington.”

2) House Judicial Chair Jerrold Nadler announcing that former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks has agreed to testify in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation on June 19th. Earlier this month, the White House instructed Hicks not to cooperate with committee subpoena.

3) President Trump hosted Poland’s President at the White House, where he announced the U.S. will send 1,000 more service members to that country. “This year our nations mark 100 years of diplomatic relations. The U.S.-Polish alliance is stronger by far than ever before.” President Trump says Poland is also buying more than 30 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets from the U.S.

4) Arrests were made in the attempted murder of the former Boston Red Sox slugger. “Dominican authorities said they arrested a gunman who shot David Ortiz and then held up the gun. Police said it was used in the shooting. Police said they found it buried near where they located one of the suspects. Five have been detained and the sixth was being sought. Police said there was a bounty on Ortiz’s head of less than $8,000. In Boston where Ortiz remains in the intensive care, his wife said the former Red Sox star was able to sit up and take some steps.” ABC’s Aaron Katersky.

5) The major indexes ended the day mostly lower around Wall Street. The Dow lost 44, the NASDAQ 30. You’re listening to ABC News.

…………………………………………..

From the Fox Business Network; on Wall Street, stocks closing lower amid a continuing cloud of trade uncertainty between the U.S. and China. Among the laggers today, tech, financials and energy companies which fell as the price of crude oil continues to decline. With the Dow falling 43 points, the NASDAQ down 30, S&P 500 down 6. // And shoppers are buying more yoga pants of Lululemon in the first quarter. Shares of the apparel retailer spiking in the extended session after beating sales and profit expectations with the company saying it continues to see momentum across its businesses. // And General Motors is making a hefty investment and will be spending $150 million, so it can rev up production of heavy-duty pickup trucks at its Flint, Michigan, assembly plant. The money will be used for improve the factory’s conveyor system and for other equipment to boost output. The factory builds heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups which are all-new for the 2019 model year. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, June 6, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. Family members who lost loved ones in the care of Ohio doctor William Husel reacting to the murder charges. He is facing for the fentanyl overdose death of 25 patients. Christopher Thomas’ mom Jan died in his care. “I don’t have any ill will or anything toward him, just even knowing why he did it, probably isn’t going to affect me, because I love my mom so much, it doesn’t matter.” Husel pleaded not guilty in court today as his lawyer says he was trying to provide comfort care.

2) The Trump Administration announcing it’s suspending the use of fetal tissue in the research conducted by government scientists. A senior administrational official tells ABC News it was the President’s call to end medical research by government scientists using human fetal tissue from elective abortions. The announcement is coming from the Health and Human Services Department overriding the opinion of the government top medical scientist who says scientific benefits come from fetal tissue research. The practice has been used for decades by the government to research arranged medical issues like childhood cancer and the Zika virus. __, ABC News, the White House.

3) The top diplomats in Mexico met with Vice President Pence and the Secretary of States at the White House, trying to reach a last-minute deal to avoid tariffs. Five percent tariffs on all imported Mexican goods are set to begin on Monday.

4) Money in the $19 billion disaster aid bill on President Trump’s desk can help residents recover from flooding. “Acting FEMA Director Pete Gaynor says thousands of flooded Americans can recover flood losses with just help from Uncle Sam. “FEMA will not make you whole but we’ll in a hurry encourage flood insurance because that will get you back to normal faster.” FEMA’s average flood payout, only about $ 3,000. Expensive private flood insurance often pays more than $100,000 in aid. Andy Field, ABC News, Washington.”

5) Stocks closed higher on Wall Street for the second day in a row. The Dow added 207 points, the S&P gained 23, the NASDAQ rose 48. You’re listening to ABC News.

…………………………………………..

From the Fox Business Network; on Wall Street, stocks closing in the green as investors are growing even more confident as the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates this year to jump-start the economy; with the Dow rising 207 points, the Nasdaq up 48, S&P 500 up 23. // And shares of Stitch Fix soaring in the extended trading session after the online personal styling company beats earnings and sales expectations for its recent quarter. Its active clients -- people who received a box of clothing increasing 17% year over year. // And if you need a fashion recommendation, Amazon is launching an AI-powered shopping feature called “StyleSnap.” It helps shoppers figure out their wardrobe. Users can upload a photo of an outfit that they like on the Amazon app and StyleSnap will suggest items from the site that match their look. Members of the Amazon Influencer Program are eligible for commissions on purchases that they drive. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, May 30, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. The White House says it’s time to move on after two years special counsel Robert Mueller breaks the silence about the Russia investigation, but White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders says there was no new information. “There was no real news in there. He reiterated the points that he’d already made in the report, and we agree with them. There was no collusion. There was no conspiracy. We consider this case closed.” Mueller said he didn’t have the option of charging President Trump with obstruction because of Justice Department policy. “It explains that under longstanding department policy, a president cannot be charged with a federal crime while he is in office. That is unconstitutional.” With that statement, even more Democratic presidential candidates are calling for impeachment. Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, many other top candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination are calling for Congress to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Trump. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders says he will go along with impeachment if the House Judiciary Committee initiates those proceedings, and front runner Joe Biden says impeachment might be unavoidable.” ABC’s Pete Combs in Atlanta.

2) Tornado cleanup is under way in Douglas County, Kansas. Public works director Keith Browning, “The most part of debris was cleared last night, other debris was just pushed out of the pavement. Today we’re concentrating on picking up that debris from the right of way.” The National Weather Service says an EF-4 tornado stayed on the ground in Kansas for nearly 32 miles before lifting.

3) Israel’s Parliament voted to dissolve itself, sending the country into an unprecedented second snap election this year despite winning the election in April. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a government before the midnight deadline.

4) Stocks slid on Wall Street but investors once again favoring bonds over worries about slow economic growth. The Dow lost 221 points, the S&P fell 19, the NASDAQ gave up 60 points. You’re listing to ABC News.

…………………………………………..

From the Fox Business Network; uncertainty is setting Wall Street. Investors who are already worrying about trade with China really hit the panic after the special counsel for the Russia investigation made comment about his finals. Now while investors are worried about stocks, more than three in four Americans tell Bankrate.com they are experiencing financial regret and their biggest regret is not saving enough money. Meanwhile, one in five people have no plan to address the issue. // Good news. If you’re flying this summer, according to the J.D. Power, airline satisfaction just hit the highest level in history. Newer planes, better ticket value, and improved check-in time are among the reason why. // Well, this might prove that we are really addicted to our mobile devices. There’s a new report out from the company Common Sense Media. It finds more than a third of teens and more than a quarter of parents wake up at least once a night to check their device for something other than the time. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Connell McShane.