Markets
Shutdown Could Wipe Out Economic Growth in Q1
White House chief economic official Lawrence Kudlow has recently described the USA economy as "strong", and predicted a 3 percent growth rate for the first quarter. Hassett noted that the economy should make up any lost ground once the government reopens. Hassett on Wednesday also brushed off concerns that a prolonged shutdown could lead to a credit downgrade for the U.S. [Full Article...]
Microsoft says its Bing search engine blocked in China
China has banned another American technology, and this time it is Microsoft's Bing. Search engines are always a hot topic. The search engine's home page too remains inaccessible from within mainland China. Following the project being made public, 1,000 Google employees signed a letter in August that called for the search company to abandon its efforts to create the censored Chinese search e... [Full Article...]
There Will Be No Sweethearts Candies Sold This Valentine's Day
The company told CNBC that it expects to relaunch Sweethearts next year and Necco wafers are expected to be back sometime this year. "There are a lot of manufacturing challenges and unanswered questions at this point, and we want to make sure these brands meet consumer expectations when they re-enter the market", said Spangler's chairman and CEO, Kirk Vashaw. [Full Article...]
FAA Grounds Flights in New York-Area Airports Due to TSA Shortages
Air traffic controllers , Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents , transportation security and law enforcement officers, safety inspectors, air marshals and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents have all been caught up in the shutdown, leaving airports understaffed and raising questions about the current safety of the nation's aviation system, according to the joint statement from... [Full Article...]
US orders its embassy staff to leave Venezuela
The top United States diplomat urged all OAS members to rebuke Maduro's "now-defunct" and "criminally-incompetent" government, saying that "each of us must live up to our calling to promote and defend democracy" in Venezuela. Juan Guaido , the other Venezuelan president. He added that "Brazil will support politically and economically the process of transition so that democracy and social peace... [Full Article...]
Vladimir Putin offers support to embattled Venezuelan president
The US also says it stands ready to ship $20 million in humanitarian assistance to the beleaguered country, where petroleum riches have failed to prevent a dire economic crisis. The Trump administration Wednesday recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the South American country's interim president, a move that shows the US support of the opposition leader, but also lead to the cutting ties ... [Full Article...]
Passengers On Board Canadian Plane Fall Sick Right After Boarding
Airport firefighters were called and the plane was evacuated. A spokesperson of the airport said it could be a ventilation problem in the plane. "The airline is leading its own investigation to determine the source of the problem". The rest were scheduled to board another Air Transat flight in the late afternoon. Lapierre did not know if the hospitalized passengers would be able to make the flig... [Full Article...]
S&P, Dow set to open lower after Commerce Secretary Ross's trade comment
Market jitters over a potential slowdown went deeper, after White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said Wednesday that the United States could possibly see zero growth for the first quarter this year, if the government shutdown lasts throughout the quarter. [Full Article...]