52-48? Senate Republicans Eyeing Wide Majority In 119th Congress

Meta’s third-quarter profit surges 35%

( ) -v-33- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “std.”

Meta Platforms has posted stronger-than-expected third-quarter results fueled by its advertising revenue growth and its push to incorporate artificial intelligence. Correspondent Jeremy House reports.

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VERBATIM: Despite the strong results, the Instagram and Facebook parent company warned that it expects a significant acceleration in infrastructure spending next year. For the three months ending on September 30, the Menlo Park, California, company earned $15.69 billion, or $6.03 per share. That’s up 35% from $11.58 billion, or $4.39 per share, in the same period a year earlier. Revenue rose 19%. JH reporting.

Samsung reports ‘major’ progress in supply deal for AI chips

( ) -q-27- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “weaker U.S. dollar.”

Samsung Electronics has reported progress on a major supply deal for artificial intelligence-focused chips, aiming to reassure investors following a slowdown in semiconductor profits during the last quarter.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: The South Korean technology giant says its operating profit for the July-to-September period increased by more than 277% from a year earlier to $6.65 billion. But the figure represented a 12% decline from the second quarter. Samsung attributed the decline largely to one-off costs such as provision of employee incentives in its computer chip division and the effects of a weaker U.S. dollar.

US applications for jobless benefits fall as layoffs remain at healthy levels

( ) -q-20- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “to 236-thousand, 500.”

Fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, declined by 26,000 to 1.86 million for the week of October 19.

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The Labor Department reports jobless claim applications fell by 12,000 to 216,000 for the week of October 26. That’s fewer than the 227,000 analysts forecast. The four-week average of weekly claims fell by 2,250 to 236,500.

Microsoft reports quarterly sales up 16% to $65.6 billion

( ) -q-25- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “company’s annual revenue.”

Microsoft reports its quarterly sales grew 16% to $65.6 billion as the company sought to assure investors its huge spending on artificial intelligence is paying off.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: The company has spent billions of dollars to expand its global network of data centers and other physical infrastructure required to develop AI technology. That technology would compose documents, make images and serve as a lifelike personal assistant at work or home. Microsoft’s CEO says as a result, AI-related products are now on track to contribute about $10 billion to the company’s annual revenue.

Senator Cruz Holds Two Point Lead Over Challenger Alred In Texas Poll

Senator Fischer of Nebraska says Opponent “Independent” In Name Only

Google’s moneymaking machine still pumping out massive profits

( ) -q-28- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “declared illegal monopolies.”

Google is still thriving while the company navigates through a pivotal shift to artificial intelligence and battles regulators trying to topple its internet empire.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: The latest evidence of Google’s prosperity emerged with the release of its corporate parent Alphabet’s results for the July-to-September period. Both Alphabet’s profit and revenue increased at a brisker pace than industry analysts predicted. That was thanks primarily to a moneymaking machine powered by Google’s ubiquitous search engine. But, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over Google after both its search engine and Android apps stores were declared illegal monopolies.

Iran lifts its ban on imports of new iPhone models in place since last year

( ) -q-27- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “many young Iranians.”

Iranian authorities have lifted a ban on imports of new iPhone 14, 15 and 16 models by the U.S. tech giant Apple.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: The ban had been in place since 2023. The Telecommunications Minister says the problem of registering new iPhone models on the Iranian market was “solved” and that Iran’s president backed the efforts of the communication ministry toward that goal. Following the 2023 ban, iPhone 13 and older versions could still be imported amid high demand for items that remain a status symbol among many young Iranians.

SCOTUS Sides With VA Effort To Clean Up Voter Rolls

“A Spiritual Issue”: Pastor Jack Hibbs Says Christians Who Don’t Vote Shirking Their Civil and Spiritual Duties

Another delay at start of the Dungeness crab season in California.

A proposal to shutter three VW pants in Germany

( ) -q-24- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “layoffs through 2009.”

The head of Volkswagen’s works council says the company has informed employee representatives that it wants to close at least three plants in Germany.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: Employee council chief Daniela Cavallo said at a meeting with Volkswagen workers that management also plans cuts at other sites. Volkswagen said in early September that auto industry headwinds mean it can’t rule out plant closures in its home country. The company added it must drop a job protection pledge in force since 1994 that would have barred layoffs through 2029.

Indian, Spanish leaders launch India’s first private military aircraft plant

( ) -q-29- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “an industrial powerhouse.'”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez have inaugurated India’s first private military aircraft plant.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Sanchez was welcomed to India on Monday with a roadshow in Gujarat state’s Vadodara city where hundreds cheered and waved banners.

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VERBATIM: It’s a boost to New Delhi’s ambitions of growing local manufacturing in its defense and aerospace industries. The Tata Aircraft Complex is the manufacturing hub which will produce the Airbus C-295 transport military aircraft in collaboration with Airbus Spain. The plane will be deployed by the Indian air force. Sanchez said the project was a triumph of Modi’s vision “to turn India into an industrial powerhouse.”

Florida Sues AG Garland For Hampering Assassination Plot Investigation

Majority Of California Voters Favor New Crime Measure

Intelligence Chairman Warns Domain Registrars To Check Foreign Election Interference

Optimistic Republicans Map Out First 100 Days Plan For New Congress

Coke’s quarterly revenue and volumes fall but still beat expectations

( ) -q-24- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “polled by FactSet.”

Coca-Cola says its third-quarter revenue fell as sales volumes flattened or declined around the world.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. The company said it raised prices 10% in the July-September period, partly due to hyperinflation in markets like Argentina.

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VERBATIM: Despite the discouraging revenue news, the company still beat Wall Street’s forecasts. Officials say they expect full-year organic revenue to rise 10%, which is at the high end of its previous guidance. The Atlanta beverage giant said its revenue fell 1% to $11.9 billion. That still beat Wall Street’s forecast of $11.6 billion, according to analysts polled by FactSet.

Tesla posts surprise $2 billion Q3 profit, up 17% from a year ago

( ) -q-24- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “aging vehicle lineup.”

Tesla’s third-quarter net income rose 17.3% on stronger electric vehicle sales.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House. An optimistic CEO Elon Musk predicted the company would achieve up to 30% sales growth next year. After the results were announced, Tesla’s stock soared almost 12%.

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VERBATIM: The performance changed the trajectory of the year for the Austin, Texas, company, which had seen sales and profits decline in the first two quarters. Tesla says it made $2.17 billion from July through September, more than the $1.85 billion profit a year ago. The earnings came despite price cuts and low-interest financing that helped boost sales of the company’s aging vehicle lineup.

Intel scores fresh win against EU

( ) -q-24- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “smaller rival AMD.”

Chipmaker Intel has won a fresh victory in a long-running battle against European Union competition watchdogs.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: The E-U’s top court confirmed a lower tribunal’s decision to overturn a billion-euro antitrust penalty. The Court of Justice says it upheld the decision to annul the fine issued more than a decade ago. The case dates back to 2009, when the Commission slapped Intel with the 1.06 billion euro fine for allegedly using illegal sales tactics to shut out smaller rival AMD.

Housing on the ballot: Harris, Trump push different plans for tackling housing affordability crisis

( ) -q-29- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “first-time homebuyers.”

Millions of Americans can’t afford to buy a home or rent a suitable apartment, making housing a central issue for voters in the upcoming presidential election.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Economists say the campaigns’ platforms offer some good ideas, but no sure fixes to the housing market’s longstanding challenges.

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VERBATIM: The Harris and Trump campaigns have laid out plans aimed at boosting home construction. GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump says he would give tax incentives for homebuyers and cut “unnecessary” regulations on home construction, among other moves. Harris says she would also give tax incentives to build 3 million additional homes and rentals, and $25,000 in down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.

Starbucks reports weak quarterly results despite the arrival of Pumpkin Spice Latte season

( ) -q-24- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “China and elsewhere.”

It’s been a disappointing start to Pumpkin Spice Latte season for Starbucks.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. The results were preliminary. Starbucks plans to release full results for the July-September period and to host a conference call with investors on October 30.

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VERBATIM: The Seattle coffee giant reports weaker-than-expected sales in its fiscal fourth quarter, which ended on September 29. It also said it would suspend financial guidance for its 2025 fiscal year to give its new Chairman and CEO time to assess the business. Starbucks said its fourth-quarter revenue fell 3% as it saw weaker customer traffic in the U.S., China and elsewhere.

Taxpayers will get bigger standard deductions in 2025, but with smaller boosts than recent years

( ) -q-27- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “the year prior.”

U.S. taxpayers will again see higher standard deductions for 2025, allowing them to shield more of their money from taxation on future returns.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. The IRS makes such adjustments for each tax year to account for inflation, which has recently been on a downward trend. But Americans are still feeling some key price pressures.

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VERBATIM: The Internal Revenue Service detailed the increases in its annual inflation adjustments. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately in tax year 2025, the standard deduction is rising to $15,000 — up $400 from 2024. And for couples who file jointly, that standard deduction will be $30,000 for 2025, an $800 jump from the year prior.