AFN News September 26, 2019

AFN NEWS

Thursday, September 26, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. Speaking moments ago at the United Nations, President Trump touted the work he has done at the general assembly this weekend and says it’s been overshadowed by House Democrats impeachment probe at his summer phone call with the leader of Ukraine. “The Democrats did this hoax during the United Nations week. It was perfect, because this way it takes away from the tremendous achievements that we’re taking care of doing, and that we’re involved in.” Earlier, the White House publicly released an account of the summer call with the Ukraine’s leader that prompted a whistleblower complaint. President Trump continues to defend his call with the President of Ukraine, this time doing it, seated next to him, had their meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly “You know, there was no pressure, and you know that, and by the way, you know there was no pressure. All you have to do is see it what went on on the call.” But a memo about that call released by the White House shows the President repeatedly encouraged the Ukrainian leader to work with his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and Attorney General William Barr to investigate Vice President Joe Biden and his son. Karen Travers, ABC News, the White House.

2) Republicans including Sen. Lindsey Graham are defending the President, calling the impeachment inquiry insane. “How many people will find this to be overreached? How many people will believe this is just revenge? And that people will not be, will not accept this well.” Meanwhile, members of the House and Senate intelligence committees set the chance to view the full and redacted version of the complaint in a secure room on Capitol Hill. A redacted version will be released to committee members tomorrow.

3) Public Health officials in Massachusetts confirmed a man in his 70s has died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), making the 11th case nationwide. Triple E is a mosquito-borne virus potentially fatal.

4) Stocks finished the day higher. The Dow ahead 163 points, the NASDAQ gaining 84. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network; on Wall Street, stocks closing in the green after the President voiced optimism about a trade deal with China. “And they wanna make a deal very badly. It could happen, could happen, it could happen, it could happen sooner than you think.” The President speaking to reporters today at the U.N. U.S-China trade negotiations are set to resume next month in Washington, D.C. With the Dow rising 163 points, the NASDAQ up 84, S&P 500 up 18. // And another encouraging report about the economy. New home sales rising 7.1% in August. The sign of the housing market may be getting a boost from the lower mortgage rate. The median price of the new home rising 2.2% to $328,400 in August from a year ago. Home sales are the strongest in the West, rising 16.5% and in the South, rising 6%, while declining in the Northeast and Midwest. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN News September 19, 2019

AFN NEWS

Thursday, September 19, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. For the second time this year, the Fed is cutting its benchmark interest rates. “Fed Chairman Jerome Powell telling reporters; while a rate-drop was not on their radar four months ago, ‘we’ve seen additional signs of weakness abroad and a resurgence of trade policy tensions, including the imposition of additional tariffs. Plus, global growth outlook has weakened notably in Europe and China. Additionally a number of geopolitical risks, including Brix, remain unresolved.’ This analyst noting the Fed cut rates twice in three months. ‘I think the likelihood is that they would go again this year.’ Senior U.S. economist, NatWest, Kevin Cummins. Chuck Sivertsen, ABC News.”

2) Stocks closed mostly higher. The Dow added 36, the S&P gained a point, but the NASDAQ lost 10.

3) President Trump says he is moving to increase financial sanctions on Iran over the attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil installations. “We have to do something. We’ll do it without hesitation.” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who’s in Saudi Arabia called the attack an act of war against the Kingdom by Iran but Iran denied the involvement.

4) An American Airlines mechanic accused of sabotaging a flight could be a terrorist sympathizer. “Abdul-Majeed Alani told investigators he sabotaged the navigation system on American Flight 2834 from Miami to the Bahamas in July, because he wanted to get overtime pay to fix it. Federal prosecutors in Miami revealed they found an ISIS propaganda video on Alani’s cellphone, and a judge denied bond out of fear Alani could be a danger to the community. He’s charged with willfully damaging an aircraft. It’s possible those charges change when Alani next appears in court on Friday.” ABC’s Aaron Katersky in New York.

5) The Justice Department says a Florida man has been indicted on several charges for allegedly cyberstalking and threatening a black activist in Charlottesville, Virginia who intended to run for city council. The indictment alleges Daniel McMahon expressed white supremacist views on social media and threatened the candidate with physical harm. McMahon’s attorney denied all the allegations. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network; on Wall Street, the major averages closing mixed after the Federal Reserve announced they will cut its benchmark interest rates a quarter percentage point in line with market expectations, with the Dow rising 36 points, the Nasdaq down 9, S&P 500 up a point. // And some good news for Microsoft shareholders. The tech giant’s board approving a dividend hike by 11% to 51 cents a share and $40 billion in new share repurchases. Microsoft shares spiking on the news after hours. // And Roku stocks tumbling close to 14% after a media giant enters its race. Comcast making a move that undercuts the makers of streaming-media players and announcing that will be giving away its Xfinity Flex box for free to those who subscribe to the cable operator’s internet-only plan. Flex will allow customers to watch streaming services on their TV sets. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN New September 12, 2019

AFN NEWS

Thursday, September 12, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Scott Goldberg. A tentative settlement related to the nation’s opioid crisis. Sources familiar with the agreement tell ABC News that more than 20 states, 2,000 municipalities and OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma have reached a tentative deal to settle outstanding opioid claims. If approved, Purdue would reportedly pay up to $12 billion over time. The family that owns the company, the Sacklers, will give up control.

2) The Trump Administration is moving to ban flavored e-cigarettes that made an outbreak of vaping-related deaths in a surge in underage vaping. The Food and Drug Administration intends to finalize enforcement guidance which will require that any flavored e-cigarette products be removed from the market. H.H.S. Secretary Alex Azar says tobacco flavored e-cigarette will still be available to adults, but he says if kids start using those, the FDA will take action.

3) President Trump scores a win at the appellate level on asylum claims. “Less than 48 hours after lower court issued nationwide stop on the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to prevent asylum cases involving migrants to travel through Mexico, now the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal is avowing the asylum policy to go into effect in Texas and New Mexico. It means along the border in those two states only. The authorities there will not accept asylum requests from any non-Mexican citizens.” ABC’s Alex Stone.

4) September 11th remembrance is continuing in the nation’s capital. “Former President George W. Bush, Secretary Rumsfeld and the current Defense Secretary placing a wreath at the Pentagon’s 9/11 memorial surprising some visitors there, while they paid their own respects to the victims killed by hijackers who flew a jet into the building 18 years ago. Mr. Bush and the former Defense Secretary hugging victims’ family members and bowing their heads in a moment of silence.” ABC’s Andy Field.

5) On Wall Street, the Dow gained 228. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network; the Food and Drug Administration’s developing guidelines to remove all e-cigarette flavors from the market except for tobacco. Now the move comes as hundreds of people are said to be getting sick after using vaping devices. // A bit weak rally for stocks on Wall Street, the Dow closing back about 27,000, less than a percent now for its all-time high. The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ also finishing higher Wednesday. // Now, listen up! If you drive a GM vehicle, the automaker recalling nearly 3 and 1/2 million various pickup trucks and SUVs from 2014 to 2018. Now apparently this is an issue with vacuum pumps that could be causing breaking problems. // And the Strong National Museum of Play announcing the finalists for the Toy Hall of Fame. Some of these finalists include Care Bears, the coloring book, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox cars and, of course, My Little Pony. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Connell McShane.

AFN News September 5, 2019

AFN NEWS

Thursday, September 5, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. Gaining strength, forecasters say Hurricane Dorian has strengthened a little in the tracks at the Eastern Seaboard off Georgia with sustained winds of 110 miles per hour within the category 2 storm. Officials are bracing the Dorian disaster. “Long convoys of utility trucks are right now driving from Florida to for Georgia and the Carolinas to be ready in case Dorian deals a hard blow. FEMA Acting Director Peter Gaynor here in Georgia says his help is ready to move in. ‘Right now, about 10,000 federal and national guards troops activated in four states.’ The concerns could be severe flooding. Swift-water rescue teams are on standby as well. Alex Stone, ABC News, Savannah, Georgia.” South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is telling residents to heed the warning. “My message today is if you are still in an evacuation zone, you still have time to get out but the time to get out is running out.” Dorian will be close enough to both Carolinas coast to bring near hurricane-force wind, storm, surge and flooding through Friday morning. As for the Bahamas, the death toll stands at seven.

2) The Defense Department is repurposing billions in funding to pay for President Trump’s border wall. “About half of the 3.6 billion dollars being reprogramed for the wall was for military projects here at home, the other half in locations overseas. Among them, $400 million which had been set aside for reconstructing facilities in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Also there are nine school projects affected. In total, 127 projects are being deferred or delayed.” ABC’s Trevor Ault in Washington.

3) British opposition parties are rejecting Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s call for an October-15 election, saying they won’t back a snap poll unless the government takes a no-deal exit from the European Union off the table.

4) The Dow closed up 237 points today. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network; Stocks closing higher, following even political tensions in Hong Kong. Among the leading sectors today energy and technology, the Dow rising 237 points, the Nasdaq up 103, S&P 500 up 32. // And shares of Slack Technologies plunging after hours after the workplace communications company issued its first earnings report as a public company. Its results beating Wall Street estimates but it forecasts a slightly larger-than-expected loss for its current quarter. // And shares of American Eagle Outfitters tumbling over 11 and 1/2 percent today after a slow start at the back-to-school season led to worse-than-expected sales for its second quarter. The apparel retailer also says it will be launching a beauty business before the holiday season. Now its CEO is not providing many details and saying whether the business will be internally developed or it’s considering acquiring another brand. Currently, American Eagle offers a few beauty products that are mostly sold on line.  With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN News August 29, 2019

AFN NEWS

Thursday, August 29, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. We have breaking news out of Washington. Your voice, your vote, another Democratic candidate is out of the race. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand tweeting she is ending her campaign. She failed to meet the threshold to qualify for the ABC News presidential debate in two weeks.

2) Hurricane Dorian is moving northeast to Puerto Rico as a category one storm carrying 80-mile-per-hour winds. Forecasters say it could increase to the CAT 3 strength before making landfall in the Southeast. “At this point, Dorian can make landfall anywhere from Miami to Tybee Island, Georgia. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry says, ‘We’re still a day or two for making any decisions about any evacuations.’ And for those thinking about profiteering during the storm, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody says “Don’t.” “People can jack up the price of the product when people are trying to get emergency supplies.” Her state officials get ready for Dorian. FEMA says its threat needs several thousands more emergency workers even as President Trump moves to cut the agency’s budget. Pete Combs, ABC News.

3) Swedish teen climate phenom Greta Thunberg has arrived in New York City, following a two-week trans-Atlantic trip on a zero-emission boat. “This Friday, I’m going to join as school striking young people outside the U.N., which they have been doing for every Friday now for more than half a year.” Thunberg will address the U.N. Climate Action Summit next month.”

4) A record-setting race car driver has died. “__ __.” “__ I’m Jessi.” Jessi Combs was a member of the Mythbusters team and also a legend in the car racing world dubbed ‘the fastest woman on 4-wheels.’ Combs died in an attempt to break her own land speed record in a jet car. The accident happened on the Alvord Desert in Oregon where Combs set a record in 2013, reaching speed of 398 miles per hour. The crash is under investigation. Jessi Combs was 39. Jason Nathanson, ABC News, Hollywood. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network; stocks climbing as investors shrugged off inverted yield curve in the U.S.-China trade worries, with the Dow rising 258 points, the NASDAQ up 30, S&P 500 up 19. // And McDonald’s is introducing a new anti-harassment training program for its workers in the U.S. with 2,000 U.S. franchisees providing the training to some 850,000 employees with online and in-person training beginning in October. McDonald’s will educate workers about harassment and bullying. // And shares of Fitbit spiking 6% after launching its latest smartwatch Versa 2, adding Amazon’s voice assistant Alexa, online payments, and music storage in a bid to compete strongly with Apple’s smartwatches. Its retail for 200 bucks will be available in stores September the 15th. // And sneaker retailer Puma is hitting the Big Apple and opening a brand new flagship store on Fifth Avenue. The 18,000-square-foot space spans two levels and marks its first bricks-and-motor location in New York City and the first of its kind in North America. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.