Bitcoin briefly hits an all-time high, less than two years after FTX scandal

( ) -q-22- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “ETF’s in January.”

Bitcoin has hit an all-time high less than two years after the collapse of the crypto exchange FTX severely damaged faith in digital currencies and sent prices plunging.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Gains in recent months have been fueled by the anticipation and eventual U.S. approval of bitcoin exchange traded funds earlier this year, which provided access to a much broader class of investors.

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VERBATIM: The world’s largest cryptocurrency jumped 4% this week and briefly surpassed $68,800 on Tuesday. That’s according to CoinMarketCap. That price is just above bitcoin’s previous record set in November 2021. The price for bitcoin has surged about 60% since the approval of bitcoin ETFs in January.

China’s manufacturing activity contracts for 5th straight month

( ) -q-28- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “50.7 in January.”

An official survey of factory managers shows manufacturing in China contracted for a fifth consecutive month in February.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: It’s a reflection of persistent weakness in China’s economy ahead of annual legislative meetings where officials are expected to boost policy support. The official purchasing managers index fell to 49.1 in February from 49.2 the month before. Meanwhile, the non-manufacturing PMI, which measures activity in sectors such as services and construction, rose to 51.4 from 50.7 in January.

Health care tech company hack leads to billing delays, security concerns

( ) -q-25- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “are using workarounds.”

A massive U.S. health care technology company says it was attacked by the ransomware group ALPHV, also known as Blackcat.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: Change Healthcare first acknowledged the attack last week. It is affecting health care providers across the country. Mostly it is threatening the security of patients’ information and paychecks for medical workers, and also may disrupt discharging patients from the hospital. The American Hospital Association says the attack is affecting patients’ ability to get the medications they need, though pharmacies are using workarounds.

European inflation eases to 2.6% as energy prices and food inflation drop

( ) -q-31- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “is taking time.”

Inflation just keeps dropping in Europe.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Food inflation eased to 4% from 5.6%, offering some relief to people on modest incomes who spend more of their pay on necessities than the well-off. Another factor was energy prices, which fell by 3.7%

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VERBATIM: The consumer price index for Europe fell to 2.6 in February from 2.8% the month before. Falling oil and gas prices played a role, and food inflation isn’t as bad as it was. Inflation is now far below its peak of 10.6% in October 2022, which it hit after Russia cut off most supplies of natural gas and sent energy prices through the roof. But the return of inflation to 2%, the goal set by the European Central Bank, is taking time.

US applications for jobless benefits rise but remain historically low despite recent layoffs

( ) -q-28- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “most since November.”

More Americans applied for jobless benefits last week.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: The Labor Department says applications for unemployment benefits rose by 13,000 to 215,000 for the week ending February 24th. Despite the increase, layoffs remain historically low even as more high-profile companies have announced job cuts this year. In total, 1.9 million Americans were collecting jobless benefits during the week that ended February 17, up 45,000 from the previous week and the most since November.

Better protecting Americans’ personal data is the goal of an executive ordered signed by President Biden

( ) -q-27- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “Americans’ sensitive data.”

President Biden has signed an executive order aiming to better protect Americans’ personal data.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. The goal is to make sure the safeguards do not limit legitimate commerce around data.

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VERBATIM: That data includes everything from biometrics and health records to finances and geolocation from foreign adversaries like China and Russia. The order seeks to authorize the attorney general and other federal agencies to prevent the large-scale transfer of Americans’ personal data to what the White House calls “countries of concern.” It also erects safeguards around other activities that can give those countries access to Americans’ sensitive data.

NYC’s plan to ease gridlock and pump billions into mass transit? A $15 toll for Manhattan drivers

( ) -q-24- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “congestion parking schemes.”

New York city officials are hoping to get people out of their cars and onto mass transit.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Those international cities include London, Stockholm, Milan and Singapore.

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VERBATIM: Between bridge and tunnel tolls and parking fees, it can already cost a lot to drive a car into Manhattan. The Big Apple is close to implementing a plan that would use license-plate readers to turn all of Manhattan south of Central Park into one giant toll zone. If the plan is finalized, New York would become the first U.S. city to join a handful of others globally with similar congestion pricing schemes.

Biden administration to investigate national security risks posed by Chinese-made ‘smart cars’

( ) -q-26- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “to national security.”

The Biden administration will investigate potential national security risks posed by Chinese-made “smart cars” that can gather sensitive information about Americans driving them.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: The probe could lead to new regulations aimed at preventing China from using sophisticated technology in electric cars and other so-called connected vehicles to track drivers and their personal information. While the action stops short of a ban on Chinese imports, President Biden said he is taking unprecedented steps to safeguard Americans’ data. He said Chinese cars could flood the U.S. market, posing risks to national security.

Starbucks and Workers United, long at odds, say they’ll restart labor talks

( ) -q-21- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “with the company.”

Starbucks and the union organizing its U.S. workers say they have agreed to begin talks with the aim of reaching labor agreements.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. In separate statements, Starbucks and Workers United said they have a shared commitment to establishing a positive relationship with their workers.

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VERBATIM: The announcement was a breakthrough for the two sides, which have been at odds since Workers United first organized baristas at a Starbucks store in Buffalo, New York, in late 2021. Workers have voted to unionize at more than 370 company-owned Starbucks stores in the U.S. However, none of those stores has reached a labor agreement with the company.

US and UK hit Iranian deputy commander and Houthi member with sanctions

( ) -q-20- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “business with Americans.”

The U.S. and United Kingdom have sanctioned a deputy commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a Houthi militant member.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: The U.S. has also sanctioned firms registered in Hong Kong and the Marshall Islands, along with two ships. One of those ships transported $100 million in Iranian commodities to China. The sanctions block access to U.S. property and bank accounts and prevent the targeted people and companies from doing business with Americans.

EPA awards $1 billion to clean up toxic waste in third cash infusion for Superfund program

( ) -q-28- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “Greenville, South Carolina.”

The Environmental Protection Agency says 25 toxic waste sites in 15 states will be cleaned up as part of a $1 billion infusion to the federal Superfund program.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: The money is the third and last installment in $3.5 billion allocated under the 2021 infrastructure law signed by President Biden. It will help clear a backlog of hazardous sites such as old landfills, mines and manufacturing facilities targeted by the 44-year-old Superfund program. Sites slated for cleanup include a former smelting plant in East Helena, Montana and an old textile mill in Greenville, South Carolina.

California utility will pay $80M to settle claims its equipment sparked devastating 2017 wildfire

( ) -q-21- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “two canyon locations.”

Southern California Edison will pay $80 million to settle claims on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. The Thomas fire burned across 439 square miles in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. State officials say it is the seventh largest blaze in California history.

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VERBATIM: The claims are connected to a massive wildfire that destroyed more than a thousand homes and other structures in 2017. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says the utility agreed to the settlement without admitting wrongdoing or fault in connection with the Thomas fire. Investigations found utility equipment sparked the fire in two canyon locations.

Jacob Rothschild, financier from a family banking dynasty, dies at 87

( ) -q-25- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “a keen environmentalist.”

Jacob Rothschild, the financier and philanthropist from the Rothschild banking dynasty, has died at 87.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Rothschild’s family announced his death in a statement without giving details. He was chairman of the board of trustees at London’s National Gallery and chair of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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VERBATIM: Rothschild began his career at NM Rothschild & Sons in 1963, before he broke away from the family bank to start businesses and charitable organizations. He was chairman of Rothschild Investment Trust, now RIT Capital Partners, until 2019. His family described him as a passionate supporter of charitable Jewish causes and a keen environmentalist.

Norfolk Southern urges shareholders to reject activist investor’s takeover plan at the railroad

( ) -q-27- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “major freight railroads.”

Norfolk Southern wants its shareholders to back its current management team and strategy and reject a bid from a group of investors to take control of the railroad.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Ancora wants to hire former UPS executive Jim Barber and former CSX chief operating officer Jamie Boychuk to run the the railroad.

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VERBATIM: Norfolk Southern has urged shareholders to reject Ancora Holdings’ eight board nominees. The railroad also nominated two new board members of its own — a former Amtrak CEO and a former U.S. Senator — to offer fresh perspective without derailing its current plan. Ancora argues that Norfolk Southern hasn’t done nearly enough to improve its efficiency because its profits and operations continue to lag those of other major freight railroads.

High Court Hears Arguments On Ways States Regulate User Content Guidelines On Social Platforms

The Supreme Court is taking up challenges to state laws that could affect how social media platforms regulate content posted by their users. The court is hearing arguments over laws adopted by Republican-dominated legislatures and signed by Republican governors in Florida and Texas in 2021. While the details vary, both laws aimed to address conservative complaints that the social media companies tilt to the left and censor users based on their viewpoints, especially on the political right. The cases are among several the justices have grappled with over the past year involving social media platforms, such as X, Facebook and TikTok

Students Return To UGA Classes Days After Fatal Shooting

Students returning today to U-G-A after classes canceled due to a high profile murder. A 22-year-old nursing student killed by an Illegal Alien…and the Governor of Georgia demanding answers from the Biden Administration. SRN’s Laura Winters reports from Atlanta.

ATT To Issue $5 Refunds To Customers Impacted By Network Outage

AT&T says it will give affected customers $5 each to compensate for last week’s network outage. Many customers were left without cellphone service for hours on Thursday. The company now says on its website that customers will get a $5 credit on their account within two billing cycles. The credit doesn’t apply to AT&T Business, prepaid service or Cricket, its low-cost wireless service. AT&T blamed the outage on an error in coding, and says it was not the result of a cyberattack.

Consumers Change Shopping Habits Amid Inflationary Prices

Consumers are pushing back against inflationary prices by changing the way they shop. Fed up with prices that remain about 19% higher-on average-than where they were before the pandemic, consumers are fighting back. In grocery stores, they’re shifting away from name brands to store-brand items, switching to discount stores or simply buying fewer items like snacks or gourmet foods. The trend has been most visible with food and everyday consumer goods like napkins and paper towels. More Americans are opting for used cars as well, forcing some dealers to provide incentives for new car buyers.

Germany’s businesses downbeat about coming months

Germany’s businesses remain mired in pessimism. The pessimism comes despite a small uptick in the latest Ifo institute survey of business sentiment, which rose slightly to 85.5 points in February from 85.2 points in January. Europe’s largest economy struggles with shortages of skilled labor, slower global trade, and political squabbling. Economists say there’s little likelihood of an upturn soon in Germany’s economy.

California is forging ahead with food waste recycling

( ) -q-22- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “they can use.”

Two years after California launched an effort to keep organic waste out of landfills, the state is behind on getting food recycling programs up and running.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. By 2025, the state seeks to slash by 75% the amount of organic waste it sends to landfills from 2014 levels.

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VERBATIM: CalRecycle’s director Rachel Wagoner says about three-quarters of communities are currently collecting organic waste from homes. It’s hard to change people’s longstanding behavior quickly and some communities have faced delays setting up organic waste hauling contracts due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, some of those that ramped up collection now have more compost than they can use.

How to use new generative AI search sites

( ) -q-29- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “accuracy and reliability.”

A lot people think Google searches are getting worse.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Studies by researchers suggest the quality of traditional Google search results is indeed declining. Now, chatbots powered by generative artificial intelligence, including from Google itself, are shaking up how search works.

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VERBATIM: While Google has been the one-stop shop for decades, its longtime dominance has attracted a flood of spammy links and AI-generated junk content fueled by “search engine optimization” techniques. Meanwhile, the rise of generative AI chatbots is giving people new and different ways to look up information.That pushes down genuinely useful results. But because the technology is so new, there are concerns about chatbots’ accuracy and reliability.

Jobless benefits applications fall again as labor market powers on

( ) -q-22- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “cool the economy.”

The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits fell to its lowest level in five weeks.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: The dropoff comes even as more high-profile companies announce layoffs. The Labor Department reports applications for unemployment benefits fell by 12,000 to 201,000 for the week ending February 17th. Weekly unemployment claims have remained at historically low levels in recent years, despite efforts by the U.S. Federal Reserve to cool the economy.

Japan’s Nikkei stock index breaks its 1989 record, hits all-time high

( ) -q-22- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “post-war economic boom.”

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index has surged past the record it set in 1989 before its financial bubble burst, ushering in an era of faltering growth.

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Out-cue: post-war economic boom]

TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Stock prices have been rising in recent months, even as the economy slipped into recession. Foreign investors, who account for a large share of trading volume, plunged in seeking bargains thanks to the yen’s weakness against the U.S. dollar.

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VERBATIM: The index closed Thursday at over 39-thousand, up 2.2%. It had been hovering for weeks near 34-year highs. The Nikkei 225’s previous record was 38,916, set on December 29, 1989. That’s more than a generation ago, at the height of Japan’s post-war economic boom.

Fed minutes: Officials worried that inflation progress could stall

( ) -v-33- WASHINGTON (Correspondent Jeremy House) “into a recession.”

Federal Reserve officials acknowledged at their most recent meeting in January that there had been “significant progress” in reducing inflation. Correspondent Jeremy House has more on the story.

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VERBATIM: Despite the encouraging news, some of the policymakers expressed concern that strong growth in spending and hiring could disrupt that progress. In minutes from the meeting, most Fed officials also said they were worried about moving too fast to cut their benchmark interest rate before it was clear that inflation was sustainably returning to their 2% target. Only “a couple” were worried that the Fed might keep rates too high for too long and cause the economy to slow more than necessary, or even slip into a recession…JH, Washington.