US and UK announce sanctions over China-linked hacks on officials, lawmakers and election watchdog
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The US and UK have announced sanctions against a company and two individuals linked to the Chinese government over cyberattacks targeting officials, lawmakers, and the UK's election watchdog. The hack may have gained access to information on tens of millions of UK voters held by the Electoral Commission. The US Treasury Department sanctioned Wuhan Xiaoruizhi Science and Technology Company Ltd., and named two Chinese nationals, Zhao Guangzong and Ni Gaobin, affiliated with the company. The two individuals were involved in cyberoperations targeting US critical infrastructure sectors. The US Justice Department charged Zhao, Ni, and five other hackers with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and wire fraud. APT31, the Chinese cyber group involved, has previously been accused of targeting US presidential campaigns and Finland's parliament. British cybersecurity officials said APT31 hackers conducted reconnaissance activity against British parliamentarians critical of Beijing. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for evidence-based claims and said cybersecurity issues should not be politicized. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described China as the greatest state-based threat to the UK's economic security.
#Sanctions #Cyberattacks #China #Us #Uk #Elections #Hackers
US and UK announce sanctions over China-linked hacks on officials, lawmakers and election watchdog
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The US and UK have announced sanctions against a company and two individuals linked to the Chinese government over cyberattacks targeting officials, lawmakers, and the UK's election watchdog. The hack may have gained access to information on tens of millions of UK voters held by the Electoral Commission. The US Treasury Department sanctioned Wuhan Xiaoruizhi Science and Technology Company Ltd., and named two Chinese nationals, Zhao Guangzong and Ni Gaobin, affiliated with the company. The two individuals were involved in cyberoperations targeting US critical infrastructure sectors. The US Justice Department charged Zhao, Ni, and five other hackers with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and wire fraud. APT31, the Chinese cyber group involved, has previously been accused of targeting US presidential campaigns and Finland's parliament. British cybersecurity officials said APT31 hackers conducted reconnaissance activity against British parliamentarians critical of Beijing. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for evidence-based claims and said cybersecurity issues should not be politicized. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described China as the greatest state-based threat to the UK's economic security.
#Sanctions #Cyberattacks #China #Us #Uk #Elections #Hackers
Baltimore Key Bridge collapse live updates: Largest crane on Eastern Seaboard to help clear channel
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A cargo ship struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning, causing a near-total collapse of the span and halting vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore. Six construction workers are believed to have fallen from the collapsing bridge into the frigid waters of the Patapsco River below. The bodies of two of the victims have been recovered so far, while four remain missing and are presumed dead. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore described the scope of the disaster as a freight nearly the size of the Eiffel Tower with the Key Bridge resting on top of it, and shipping containers ripped in half as if they were papier-maché. President Joe Biden plans to visit Baltimore next week with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. The Biden administration approved $60 million in emergency relief funds for rebuilding the bridge. The Chesapeake 1000 crane, capable of lifting roughly 2.2 million pounds at a time, arrived at the bridge to help with the recovery efforts. At least one large vehicle is still submerged under the murky Patapsco River, believed to belong to the crew that was working on the bridge at the time of the collapse. Recovery efforts are ongoing to find the missing victims and clear the blocked channel for the reopening of the Port of Baltimore.
#Baltimore #KeyBridge #BridgeCollapse #CargoShip #ConstructionWorkers #PatapscoRiver #PortOfBaltimore #Maryland #WesMoore #JoeBiden #RecoveryEfforts
https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/baltimore-key-bridge-collapse/?id=108500215
Biden fundraiser with Obama, Clinton sees jokes and some protests over war
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Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton joined President Joe Biden for a star-studded fundraiser in New York City, raising over $26 million for Biden's re-election. The event featured a conversation moderated by comedian Stephen Colbert and saw interruptions from pro-Palestine protesters. Biden criticized former President Donald Trump and highlighted his achievements as president. The discussion touched on topics such as democracy, foreign policy, and the Israel-Gaza conflict. Obama and Clinton expressed support for a two-state solution and the legitimacy of Palestinian statehood. Clinton also criticized Trump's economic policies. The event included performances by Queen Latifah, Lizzo, and others. The Biden campaign hopes the fundraiser will energize the Democratic Party ahead of the general election.
#Biden #Obama #Clinton #Fundraiser #Protests #War
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun to step down
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Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun will step down at the end of the year. Calhoun will continue to lead Boeing through the end of 2024. The move comes amid fallout from a high-profile safety failure onboard an Alaska Airlines flight in January. Board Chair Larry Kellner plans to forgo nomination for an additional term. Steve Mollenkopf will immediately take over as Boeing board chair and lead the search for a new chief executive. Calhoun began his tenure in the aftermath of a previous safety scandal involving the grounding of Boeing 737 Max aircraft. The renewed scrutiny over the incident includes an investigation by a federal safety regulator and a criminal investigation by the Department of Justice. Calhoun called on the company to focus on openness and a total commitment to safety and quality. This is a developing story.
#Boeing #DaveCalhoun #Ceo #Resignation #SafetyFailure #AlaskaAirlines #737Max #LarryKellner #SteveMollenkopf
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/boeing-ceo-dave-calhoun-step/story?id=108465621
US commerce secretary hails progress at year's first meeting of Indo-Pacific trade grouping
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U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo praised the progress made by the 14 countries in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity after the group held a ministerial meeting to discuss proposed guidelines for regional commerce. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework was launched in May 2022 and its members include Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam. The group aims to advance resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness. Raimondo commended progress on documents setting guidelines for supply chain, clean economy, and fair economy measures. However, the statement did not mention progress on the trade pillar. The next top-level meeting of the group is scheduled to take place in Singapore on June 6.
#UsCommerceSecretary #Indo-pacificEconomicFramework #RegionalCommerce #Trade #SupplyChains #CleanEconomy #FairEconomy #Asia #Singapore
Inflation expected to have slowed significantly in January
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The report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is expected to show that inflation has slowed significantly in January. Economists expect prices to have increased 2.9% over the year ending in January, marking a slowdown from the previous month's annual pace of 3.4%. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, is expected to have increased 3.7% over the same period. Inflation remains above the Federal Reserve's target of 2%. The U.S. economy has defied the central bank's efforts to slow it down, with strong job growth and consumer sentiment. The Fed risks a rebound of inflation if it cuts interest rates too quickly. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has celebrated the decline of inflation but cautioned about the risks of an overheated economy.
#Inflation #Economy #FederalReserve #InterestRates #UsBureauOfLaborStatistics
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/inflation-expected-slowed-significantly-january/story?id=107155046
What to know about Usher and his kids following his Super Bowl performance
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Usher, the R&B legend, recently headlined the Super Bowl halftime show. He is a father of four children. Usher shares his eldest child, Usher Raymond V, with ex-wife Tameka Foster. Usher has been in a relationship with Jennifer Goicoechea since 2019, and they have two children together, Sovereign and Sire. Usher's second child with Foster is Naviyd. Sovereign is Usher's third child and the first with Goicoechea. Usher announced the birth of his youngest child, Sire Castrello Raymond, in October 2021. Sire is named after Goicoechea's grandfather, Champ Castrello.
#Usher #SuperBowl #HalftimeShow #Family #Children
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/usher-kids/story?id=107027006
Trump says he'd 'encourage' Russia 'to do whatever the hell they want' if a NATO country didn't spend enough on defense
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Former President Donald Trump said he wouldn't protect a NATO nation that didn't contribute enough defense funds and he'd "encourage" Russia "to do whatever the hell they want." Trump made these comments at a campaign event in Conway, South Carolina. He also falsely suggested that NATO contributions come in the form of loans. NATO leaders agreed in 2006 that member countries would commit to a minimum of 2% of their GDP for military readiness. The White House called Trump's comments "appalling and unhinged," and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg criticized them, saying they "undermine all of our security."
#DonaldTrump #Nato #Russia #DefenseSpending
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-russia-nato-defense-funds/story?id=107136736
The economic surge feels like a drag? Your state may be underperforming
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Consumer sentiment stands well below pre-pandemic levels. The U.S. economy has been performing well, but Americans remain sour. The disconnect between economic performance and sentiment may be due to elevated prices and partisan reluctance to acknowledge success under Biden. The economic performance varies between states and localities, with some facing higher expenses. The best-performing states have better-than-average unemployment, GDP growth, and gas prices. The worst-performing states, including California, New York, and New Jersey, have lower growth, higher unemployment, and higher gas prices. The variation in economic conditions across states and localities contributes to the gap between economic sentiment and performance. Attitudes about the economy have improved, but consumer sentiment remains below pre-pandemic levels. Voters prefer Trump over Biden on handling the economy. The Biden campaign touts the current state of the economy as a winning record. The variation in economic conditions across states and localities could explain the gap between economic sentiment and performance.
#Economy #ConsumerSentiment #StateEconomies #EconomicPerformance #Biden #Trump
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/economic-surge-feels-drag-state-underperforming/story?id=106997917
Appeals court rejects Trump's immunity claim in federal election interference case
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A three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals has rejected former President Donald Trump's claim of presidential immunity in his federal election interference case. The judges stated that for the purpose of this criminal case, Trump is considered citizen Trump and does not have immunity. Trump had sought the dismissal of the case on the grounds of absolute immunity from prosecution for actions taken while serving as president. The Supreme Court had previously denied a request to immediately take up Trump's claims of immunity, and the issue may still go before the Supreme Court depending on the appeal.
#DonaldTrump #PresidentialImmunity #FederalElectionInterference #U.s.CourtOfAppeals #SupremeCourt
Stock market today: Asian stocks mostly fall as Chinese shares skid despite moves to help markets
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Asian stocks were mostly lower on Monday, with Chinese shares leading the declines. The main index in the smaller market in Shenzhen sank 5.4% but then rapidly recovered to trade 1.7% lower. The Shanghai Composite index slipped more than 2% before recovering some lost ground. U.S. futures declined and oil prices were higher. The Securities Regulatory Commission in Beijing pledged to crack down on abuses and protect small investors. Last week, Chinese stocks capped their worst week in five years. Former President said he might impose a tariff of more than 60% on imports of Chinese goods if he is re-elected. By mid-afternoon Monday, the Shanghai Composite index was down 0.2% at 2,725.54. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.6% to 15,630.63. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index climbed 0.6% to 36,390.31. P/ASX 200 sank 1% to 7,623.30. South Korea’s Kospi shed 0.6% to 2,599.62. On Friday, Big Tech stocks once again carried Wall Street to a record, even though the majority of stocks fell due to renewed worries about risks of a hot economy. Big gains for Meta Platforms and Amazon helped drive the S&P 500 index up by 1.1% and closed at 4,958.61. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by a more modest 0.3% to 38.654.42. And the Nasdaq jumped 1.7% to 15,628.95.
#StockMarket #AsianStocks #ChineseShares #MarketRegulator #Investors
US economy adds staggering 353,000 jobs in January
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The US economy added 353,000 jobs in January, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate remained steady at 3.7%. This is a significant increase in job growth and indicates a positive trend in the economy. The report was released on February 2, 2024.
#UsEconomy #JobGrowth #UnemploymentRate #BureauOfLaborStatistics
https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/us-economy-adds-staggering-353000-jobs-january-106900902
What the surprisingly strong jobs report means for inflation and interest rates
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U.S. employers hired 353,000 workers in January, nearly twice as many as expected. The unemployment rate remained at 3.7%. The strong jobs report indicates a robust and sustained recovery after the pandemic. The Federal Reserve's fight against inflation may be challenged by the strong economy. Inflation remains higher than the Fed's target rate of 2%. Interest rate cuts may be delayed due to the hot economy. The Fed risks a rebound of inflation if rates are cut too quickly. The next opportunity for the Fed to cut rates will be in March.
#JobsReport #Inflation #InterestRates #Economy #FederalReserve
US jobs report for January is likely to show that steady hiring growth extended into 2024
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The US jobs report for January is expected to show that employers added 177,000 jobs, with a jobless rate of 3.8%. The job market defied predictions of a recession and instead saw strong job growth in 2023, with an average of 225,000 jobs added per month. Layoffs have not significantly impacted the overall job market, and the unemployment rate has remained below 4% for two straight years. Consumer sentiment and inflation expectations have improved, and the economy is expected to be a key factor in the 2024 presidential election. Economists predict a "January jobs boomlet" with 250,000 added jobs, driven by seasonal factors and hiring in healthcare and state/local governments. The rate of Americans quitting their jobs has slowed, suggesting less wage pressure. Hiring has slowed from previous years but remains steady, which is seen as positive by the Federal Reserve. Chair Jerome Powell indicated that rate cuts may begin later this year.
#UsJobsReport #HiringGrowth #Economy #UnemploymentRate #Inflation #PresidentialElection
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/us-jobs-report-january-show-steady-hiring-growth-106887552