Feb 15 Japan loses spot as world's third-largest economy, slips into recession By Yuri Kageyama, Associated Press The government reported the economy shrank at an annual rate of 0.4% in October to December, though it grew 1.9% for all of 2023. Japan's economy was the 2nd largest until 2010, when it was overtaken by China's. Continue reading
Feb 14 Proposed TikTok ban for children fails in Virginia's Legislature By Sarah Rankin, Associated Press Lawmakers questioned why the General Assembly should single out one company at a time of rising concern from parents and lawmakers about the effect of social media on youth. Continue reading
Feb 13 U.S. inflation sees slight decline but remains above Fed target By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press The costs of physical goods, including clothing, used cars and prescription drugs, fell for a third straight month. Lower prices for goods are the key driver that is cooling inflation. Continue reading
Feb 13 WATCH: White House holds briefing as consumer inflation continues to steadily lower By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press Consumer inflation in the United States cooled last month yet remained elevated in the latest sign that the pandemic-fueled price surge is only gradually and fitfully coming under control. Continue reading
Feb 12 Super Bowl bets placed online surged this year, verification company says By Wayne Parry, Associated Press Data from GeoComply shows the number of verification checks it carried out over the weekend increased by more than 22 percent from last year. Continue reading
Feb 09 Farmers in Italy, Spain and Poland protest over European Union policies By Ciarán Giles, Monika Scislowska, Associated Press The actions follow similar ones in other EU member nations in recent weeks with farmers complaining that the 27-nation bloc's environmental and other policies are a financial burden and make their products more expensive than non-EU imports. Continue reading
Feb 08 Inflation is nearly back to 2 percent. So why isn't the Federal Reserve ready to cut rates? By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Inflation, as measured by its preferred gauge, rose in the second half of 2023 at an annual rate of about 2 percent — the Fed's target level. Continue reading
Feb 08 More Republicans support spending on child care, saying it's an economic issue By Moriah Balingit, Associated Press As federal pandemic aid dries up, Republican state lawmakers are embracing plans to support child care as a workforce issue — and even making it central to their policy agendas. Continue reading
Feb 07 DEA reverses decision stripping drug distributor of licenses for fueling opioid crisis By Joshua Goodman, Jim Mustian, Associated Press As part of the settlement announced Wednesday, Morris & Dickson Co. agreed to admit wrongdoing, comply with heightened reporting requirements and surrender one of its two certificates of registration with the DEA. Continue reading
Feb 07 Thousands of Spanish farmers stage a 2nd day of tractor protests over EU policies By Ciarán Giles, Raf Cassert, Associated Press Spanish farmers blocked highways and caused traffic jams to demand changes in European Union farming policies. They are also calling for more funds and measures to combat production cost hikes and severe drought. Continue reading