AFN News October 3, 2019

AFN NEWS

Thursday, October 3, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. Ten years in prison, that’s the sentence the Dallas jury handed a former police officer, Amber Guyger, for the murder of her neighbor. “Amber Guyger could have gotten life in prison for the killing of Botham Jean last year. This jury deliberated for less than an hour and a half before deciding that she should spend ten years behind bars. It took six hours for the same panel to find her guilty of murder. Guyger stared straight ahead as the verdict was read, turned very briefly to look toward the gallery, and then quickly walked out of the court room. She’d be required to serve at least half of her sentence before she is eligible for parole. Jim Ryan, ABC News, Dallas.

2) President Trump and the President of Finland held a joint news conference at the White House today, but most of the questions President Trump fielded were focused on a whistleblower complaint, which says he pressed the Ukraine’s leader to investigate the family of rival Joe Biden. “President Trump calling the Ukrainian phone-call investigation a hoax but says he will cooperate with House investigators. “Well, I will always cooperate. This is a hoax. This is the greatest hoax. This is just a continuation.” But the President’s Secretary of State is already resisting letting staffers testify or hand over documents related to that call, for the President asking to investigate rival Joe Biden. Andy Field, ABC News, Washington.

3) In an exclusive interview, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tells ABC News she heard a surprise in President Trump’s voice when they talked before she launched an impeachment inquiry based on a whistleblower complaint. “I think the President knows the argument that can be made against him and he’s scared, and so he’s trying to divert attention from that.” The New York Times is reporting that former House Intelligence Committee Chair, that, rather, that House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff learned about the outlines of the whistleblower complaint concerns before any former complaint was filed.

4) Sources say at least seven people are dead after a World War II plane crashed today at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut.

5) Stocks plummeted on Wall Street. You’re listening to ABC News.

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“I’m Charles Payne and this is the Fox Business Report.” Stocks posting another round of sharp losses sparked by a private-sector employment report combined with the weak manufacturing report from yesterday, which have intensified anxieties about the economic slowdown. The Dow falling 494 points, the NASDAQ down 123, S&P 500 down 53. // And FanDuel is buying in. Its owner Flutter Entertainment is purchasing PokerStars owner Stars Group for about $6 billion creating an online gambling giant. The move comes as Internet and app betting is taking hold in the U.S. // And Walmart is the latest store to stop selling the popular heartburn treatment Zantac and its own brand version of the medication after the FDA warned about its potential link and its ingredients to cancer. CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid have already pulled Zantac products from their shelves. With your Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky invested in news.

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.