S&P 500 has best day since June as stocks rally on Wall Street
The 2.4% jump in the benchmark index Monday followed back-to-back weekly losses and came as investors were relieved to see long-term interest rates easing lower in the bond market.
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Artificial intelligence panel urges U.S. to boost tech skills amid China’s rise
Executives from Google, Microsoft, Oracle and Amazon are among the 15 members of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, which released its final report to Congress on Monday.
WHO: ‘Premature’ and ‘unrealistic’ to think pandemic will end soon
Dr. Michael Ryan, director of WHO’s emergencies program, said he was reassured by emerging data that vaccines appear to be helping curb the virus’ explosive spread, but he warned against complacency, saying nothing was guaranteed in an evolving epidemic.
U.S. manufacturing activity jumps to three-year high
The Institute for Supply Management reported Monday that its gauge of manufacturing activity rose to a reading of 60.8% last month, 2.1 percentage-points above the January level of 58.7%.
U.S. spending on construction projects rises 1.7%
Despite an economy that’s been battered for nearly a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, historically low interest rates and city dwellers seeking more space in the suburbs and beyond has boosted home sales.
Senate Democrats consider changes to House virus relief bill
Party leaders hoping to salvage a minimum wage increase have abandoned one proposal aimed at pressuring big companies to boost workers’ pay.
Indianapolis not-for-profit leader named National Spelling Bee chief
J. Michael Durnil served as CEO of the Indianapolis-based Simon Youth Foundation from December 2010 until last month.
U.S. safety agency investigating engine fires in top-selling Toyota SUV
A Toyota spokesman would not answer questions about whether the SUVs should be parked outdoors until the matter is resolved, but said the company is cooperating in the probe.
Biden team readies wider economic package after virus relief
During the presidential campaign, Joe Biden pledged to deploy $2 trillion on infrastructure and clean energy, but the White House has not ruled out an even higher price tag.
Fraud overwhelms pandemic-related unemployment programs
In Indiana, Kentucky and Maryland, officials have said that for certain weeks in the new year, at least two-thirds of the claims they received were classified as suspicious due to problems verifying identities.
Duke Energy closing southern Indiana power plant early
The utility’s R. Gallagher power plant, which boasts twin smokestacks that have long towered over the Ohio River city of New Albany, was scheduled to be retired in 2022, but will now close much earlier.
J&J’s one-dose shot cleared, giving U.S. third COVID-19 vaccine
J&J initially is providing a few million doses and shipments to states could begin as early as Monday. By the end of March, J&J has said it expects to deliver 20 million doses to the U.S., and 100 million by summer.
House passes $1.9T pandemic bill on near party-line vote
The massive measure heads to the Senate, where Democrats seem bent on resuscitating their minimum wage push and fights could erupt over state aid and other issues.
Third U.S. vaccine could raise question: Which shots are best?
The nation is poised to get a third vaccine against COVID-19, with a Johnson & Johnson one-dose shot on the edge of FDA approval. Health experts say the best vaccine choice is the one that’s available.
U.S. consumers boost spending 2.4% as income jumps
Friday’s report from the Commerce Department also showed that personal incomes, which provide the fuel for spending, jumped 10% last month, boosted by cash payments most Americans received from the government.
COVID-19 bill must drop minimum wage hike, arbiter decides
The finding by Elizabeth MacDonough, the chamber’s nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, means Democrats face an overwhelmingly uphill battle to boost the minimum wage this year because of solid Republican opposition.
Costco to raise starting hourly wage to $16, end hazard pay
The starting wage scale puts Costco above competitors, including Amazon, Target and Best Buy, which have $15 minimum wages.
Mr. Potato Head drops the mister, sort of
Toy maker Hasbro created confusion Thursday when it announced that it would drop the “Mr.” from the iconic toy’s name in order to be more inclusive, then seemed to contradict itself later in the day.
NCAA reveals COVID-19 contingency plans for hoops tourneys
Under a contingency plan released Thursday, the top four teams left out of March Madness will serve as potential replacements for any teams that are unable to participate due to COVID-19 issues.
UPDATE: Olympics gymnastics coach kills himself after being charged
Gold medal-winning coach John Geddert, who was suspended by Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics, during the Larry Nassar scandal, took his own life Thursday after being charged with two dozen crimes, including forms of human trafficking.