AFN
NEWS
Thursday, January 2, 2020
1)
From ABC News, I’m Michelle Franzen.
At the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, most of the Iranian-backed militia have pulled
away from the compound. U.S. troops earlier today using tear gas to disperse those
crowds. It comes after two days of escalations. ABC’s Aaron Katersky says the U.S.
embassy is now closed. “The U.S. embassy in Baghdad suspended all public
consular operations, and the statement said U.S. citizens are advised to not
even approach the embassy. It comes after Iran-backed militiamen breached the
compound, destroyed the reception area and sprayed graffiti on the walls. They’ve
fully retreated but the embassy, one of the most heavily fortified diplomatic
missions in the world, said it would remain closed to the public until further
notice.”
2)
The State Department also says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has postponed his week trip to Ukraine to monitor the situation
back home.
3)
Pro-basketball’s governing body, the NBA says former commissioner David Stern has died nearly three weeks
after suffering a brain hemorrhage. Here, Stone talking to ESPN back in September. “The thing I take pride in is the number of
millionaires that the NBA has made and developed, not just the owners getting
wealthier because of the asset appreciation, but the players getting contracts
that are off the charts.” Stern became the NBA’s fourth commissioner back in
1984. He was 77 years old. *ESPN = Entertainment and Sports Programming Network
4)
In New Jersey this hour, tens of thousands gathering at MetLife Stadium for a Jewish event with a heavy security presence,
following recent anti-Semitic attacks.
They include the deadly shooting at a kosher market in Jersey City in early
December and a stubbing attack at a Hanukkah
celebration last week at a rabbi’s house north of New York City.
5)
Starting in February, truck rental company U-Haul says they will no longer hire
people who use nicotine. The policy implemented in 21 states. U-Haul chief of
staff Jessica Lopez, “We want each existing
team members who uses nicotine and/or tobacco products to know that their job is
not in jeopardy.” That’s if they are hired before February. You’re listening to
ABC News.
…………………………………………..
“I’m
Maria Bartiromo and this is the Fox Business Report.” It was a stellar
year on Wall Street, and many investors wonder whether the economy will still
be robust next year. Steve Sadove,
Mastercard Senior Adviser, said they were entering the New Year on solid footing.
“Ultimately the consumers speak with their wallets. Right now, they are telling
us unemployment is low, confidence is high. They are coming into next year with
their fairly good amount of momentum.” And there are positive signs. “I feel
terrific that we may get resolution on this tariff situation that plays into
the consumer. As we go into next year, we’re in a political year. You usually
tend to have, you’re not gonna have a dramatic thing happening with the consumer.”
And on Wall Street, stocks had their best year since 2013 with S&P 500 jumping
close to 30%, as everything from shares of tech companies to bank, all have not
significant gains. That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Hilarie
Barsky,
invested in news.
