AFN News January 9

AFN NEWS

Thursday, January 9, 2020　

1) From ABC News, I’m Michelle Franzen. In Iraq, reports of two rockets fired landing somewhere inside the so-called Green Zone in Baghdad where the U.S. embassy and other diplomatic offices are located. It comes as the U.S. and Iran took a step back from recent escalations following Iran’s missile strikes into U.S. bases in Iraq. Those strikes in response to the U.S. drone strike that killed Iran’s top general.

2) Earlier today President Trump said Iran must change its position on nuclear weapons and attacks. President Trump said the United States will immediately impose what he called powerful economic sanctions on Iran. “These powerful sanctions will remain until Iran changes its behavior.” The U.S. already has sanctions on Iran putting in place, since President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear agreement. Those penalties have had a crippling effect on Iran’s economy. Karen Travers, ABC News, the White House.

3) ABC’s senior foreign correspondent Ian Pannell is in Erbil, Iraq and says the threat to the U.S. is not over. “We’re certainly hearing from the leader of one of those organizations that is prescribed by the United States as a terrorist organization. They’re saying that the Iranians have had sanctions. Now it’s time for the Iraqi militias to respond. That may calm this conciliatory message.”

4) On Capitol Hill, lawmakers were briefed for the first time today on the Trump Administration’s claims that General Qasem Soleimani posted an imminent threat. Democrats remain skeptical, and following one briefing, GOP Senator Mike Lee of Utah lashed out. “What we were told over and over again was… Look, this action was necessary. This was a bad guy. We had to do it, and we can’t have division. We can’t have dissension within our ranks, within our government or else. It sends the wrong signal to Iranians. And just, I think that’s completely wrong.”

5) The investigation into the Ukrainian International Airlines flight that crashed shortly after takeoff in Tehran continues. Ukrainian intelligence points to the likelihood of a catastrophic event like an engine blowing up. You’re listening to ABC News.

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“I’m Maria Bartiromo and this is the Fox Business Report.” The major averages closing in the green and paring gains in the final minutes of trading on reports of sirens and blasts in Baghdad. Only the NASDAQ closed at a record high today. Among the gainers, banks and tech companies, while energy companies lagged as oil prices fell. The Dow winners; Apple, UnitedHealth and Microsoft. The Dow decliners; Boeing, Walgreens and Chevron. The Dow rising 161 points, the NASDAQ up 61, S&P 500 up 16. // And the Dow would have closed higher today. It was the worst for Boeing. Its shares falling 1.5% after the crash of 737-800 jet, not a MAX, near Tehran. // And shares of Apple closing up over 1%, hitting a new all-time high. The tech giant announcing that its new service has reached 100 million monthly active users, and customers spent more than $1.4 billion in the App Store between Christmas and New Year. That’s your Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in news.

AFN News January 2

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.

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“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.

AFN News December 19, 2019

AFN NEWS

Thursday, December 19, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Dave Packer. A six-hour war of words is under way on the House floor as the lawmakers explain why they are for or against impeaching President Trump. “Members of Congress continue to debate the case for or against impeachment. Republicans like Alabama representative Mike Rogers are blasting the impeachment as a political sham. ‘The matter before the House today is based solely on a fundamental hatred of our President.’ Democrats like Pennsylvania representative Madeleine Dean said the President has demonstrated a clear pattern of wrongdoing. ‘When is it every right for the President to coerce foreign power to interfere in our elections?’ The Chamber will move to a final vote on the impeachment later today. Jordyn Phelps, ABC News, Capitol Hill.” President Trump will be at an election rally in Michigan, talking to supporters at the time the House is expected to vote.

2) Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham says he plans on holding hearings next year to examine FISA warrants. “If it’s not a system problem, that tells me that the people in the Carter Page case got drunk with power, had a personal agenda, and may have acted on it. If it’s a systematic abuse, it tells me that the FISA process needs to be dramatically reformed. Either way, it’s bad.” That is Graham’s announcement. He is in response to the DOJ inspector general report that found errors in the warrants FBI agent drafted to conduct surveillance on former Trump campaign aide Carter Page. *FISA= Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

3) In Oregon, one person dead, two others injured, stabbed at a shopping center near Portland. A suspect in custody. Derrick Easley is the manager of Sprint Store in that shopping center. “Something like this to happen, you know, on a Wednesday. It’s wild and shocking to see them.” So far no words on the motive

4) And up the coast in Washington State, an elementary school-aged child in King County died from the flu. It’s the first reported pediatric flu death in that county since 2009. Health officials say the child was previously healthy and died from flu complications. Five other deaths from the flu have been confirmed in Washington State this season. You’re listening to ABC News.

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- I’m Maria Bartiromo and this is the Fox Business Report. -

Stocks finishing mixed with the Dow snapping a five-session winning streak and the NASDAQ notching a new record high. Among the gainers today, energy and real estate companies while industrials lagged. The Dow winners; Boeing, UnitedHealth and Nike. The Dow decliners; 3M, Disney and Procter & Gamble. The Dow falling 28 points, the NASDAQ up 4, S&P 500 down a point. // One of the big laggards today on Wall Street, delivery giant FedEx. Its shares tanking 10%, after reporting 40% drop in quarterly profits and cutting its earnings targets for the fourth time this year due to weak global economic conditions and higher expenses. // And General Mills rising over 2% after the owner of Cheerios and Betty Crocker reported better-than-expected quarterly results strongly boosted by its pet food divisions. Sales of its Blue Buffalo pet food rising 16%, making up for weaker snack bar and yogurt sales. That’s your Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in news.

AFN News December 12, 2019

AFN NEWS

Thursday, December 12, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. History in the making tonight on Capitol Hill. The House Judiciary Committee will begin what’s known as a markup hearing on two articles of impeachment against President Trump. “Prime-time impeachment committee debates will feature Democrats saying they’re upholdin the rule of law and Republicans insisting the President was not given a fair hearing and did nothing impeachable. The arguments could last till midnight with the committee returning Thursday for another daylong markup. It’s likely the full House will debate and vote on the two articles of impeachment sometimes next week.” ABC’s Andy Field. The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing from Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz today about his report on FBI’s decision to investigate the 2016 Trump campaign. Horowitz says while there were some mistakes, the probe was not prompted by political bias.

2) Learning more about yesterday’s deadly standoff between police and two gunmen in New Jersey City, New Jersey; the suspects, three civilians and a police officer were killed when the shooters pulled up in the U-Haul truck and opened fire at kosher deli. The authorities are searching the vehicle. “They did locate in that, among other items that I won’t be discussing, a pipe bomb - improvised explosive device. What I will say is that it was examined, it’s down at the FBI laboratory right now. It was a viable device, meaning it could be device that would have exploded. It was again of a pipe bomb design, not complicated but sophisticated in the sense that time and effort went into creating it.” Special agent in charge for the FBI Gregory Ehrie.

3) Harvey Weinstein settled civil suits filed by numerous accusers. “Harvey Weinstein and his bankrupt, namesake film studio have agreed to settle civil claims with women who have accused him of sexual misconducts. We’re told that total settlement is $47 million with about 2/3 going to the accusers and the rest to lawyers. There is no admission of wrongdoing required on Weinstein part.” ABC’ Aaron Katersky.

4) Time Magazine naming Greta Thunberg as its Person of the Year. You’re listening to ABC News.

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“I’m Maria Bartiromo and this is the Fox Business Report.”

The major averages closing in the green after the Fed announced it was leaving a benchmark interest rate unchanged in the range of 1.5 and 1.75% in signal that is expected to keep low rates steady through next year. Among the Dow winners today; Apple, Disney and United Technologies. The Dow decliners; Boeing, Home Depot and Chevron. The Dow rising 29 points, the NASDAQ up 38, S&P 500 up 9. // One of the big Dow laggards today, Home Depot. Its shares closing down 2% after the home improvement chain lowered its sales forecast into next year. The move comes three week after it cut its sales forecast for this year. And one of the Dow winners today; Apple. Its shares hitting an all-time high after an Evercore analyst said that the tech giant will make a strong showing next year, and despite the stock’s huge gain for this year, he says there will be continuing momentum for Apple.

That’s your Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in news.

AFN News December 5, 2019

AFN NEWS

Thursday, December 5, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Michelle Franzen. The House Judiciary Committee set a wrap-up testimony in today’s first public hearing. The focus today, the definition of an impeachable offense. According to the constitution, the witnesses - legal scholars. “The question of whether President Trump should be impeached for asking Ukraine to investigate a political rival. Harvard law’s Noah Feldman says it was first considered at the constitutional convention in 1787.” “If the President cannot be impeached (quote) ‘He will spare no efforts or means whatever to get himself reelected,’ but Jonathan Turley at George Washington University testified this case is legally weak. ‘The bribery theory being put forward is as flawed in the 18th century as it is in this century.’ As Democrats pressed ahead, Turley warned first impeachment has failed. Aaron Katersky, ABC News.”

2) The partisan back and forth between Democrats and Republicans on the committee also want to display. ABC’s Terry Moran with details, “I don’t have to have remembered when I was a kid watching the Watergate-era, Judicial Committee debating the impeachment of Richard Nixon. They were sharply divided - Republicans for Nixon, Democrats against, but there was a deep respect for the process. That wasn’t about sand in the gears. That was about doing the duty that the committee has under the Constitution and the rules of the House. It was a very different approach by Republican.”

3) Former President Jimmy Carter is out of the hospital. The Carter Center says the 95-year old is back home today after being treated for a urinary tract infection.

4) Minnesota State Attorney General Keith Ellison announcing the state is filing its suit against big vaping company Juul joining other states cracking down on vaping products. “We’re using the power of the Minnesota attorney general’s office to bring a lawsuit against Juul Labs on behalf of the state and people of Minnesota.” Ellison said Juul lured in young people with the same marketing tactics that the tobacco industry employed in the 1990s. Federal and State investigations continue in the lung illnesses and deaths related to e-cigarette products. You’re listening to ABC News.

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“I’m Maria Bartiromo and this is the Fox Business Report.”

On Wall Street, the major averages snapping a three-session losing streak and closing higher on reports that the U.S. and China are still working toward the phase one trade deal. Among the gainers today, trade sensitive tech stocks and financials. The Dow winners, Apple, 3M and UnitedHealth. The Dow decliners, Boeing, Visa and Cisco. With the Dow rising 147 points, the NASDAQ up 46, S&P 500 up 20. // And shares of Campbell Soup spiking around 2% today after the soup, simple meals and snack company reported that profits rose for its recent quarter but the sales declined with soup sales falling. Now the food maker attributed the drop to the timing of shipments tied to the later-than-normal Thanksgiving holiday. However, Campbell’s U.S. soup businesses gained market share for the first time in ten quarters in the indicator of progress with the business.

That’s your Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in news.