National Business - The Morning Sun

FILE - European Union and Western Balkan leaders watch a performance after a group photo at the EU-Western Balkans Summit, in Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. Leaders from the European Union and the Western Balkans are holding an annual summit in Albania’s capital to discuss the six countries’ path to membership in the bloc. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, File)

European Union leaders to hold a summit with Western Balkans nations to discuss joining the bloc

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Leaders from the European Union and the Western Balkans will hold an annual summit in Albania’s capital to discuss the path to membership in the bloc for the six countries of the region. The main … more

By LLAZAR SEMINI | 10/16/23

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, centre, arrives at Beijing's airport ahead of the Belt and Road Forum in the Chinese capital on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. (Jade Gao/Pool Photo via AP)

Leaders from emerging economies are visiting China for the 'Belt and Road' forum

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A stream of leaders of emerging market countries are arriving in Beijing for a meeting organized by the Chinese government that will mark the 10th anniversary of its Belt and Road Initiative. … more

10/15/23

FILE - Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a photo prior to their talks in Beijing, China, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. Russian President Putin is expected to meet this week with Chinese leaders in Beijing on a visit that underscores China’s economic and diplomatic support for Moscow during its war in Ukraine. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

Putin's visit to Beijing underscores China’s economic and diplomatic support for Russia

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to meet this week with Chinese leaders in Beijing on a visit that underscores China’s support for Moscow during its war in Ukraine. The countries have … more

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN | 10/15/23

This undated photo provided by Jane Friedman shows Stephen Rubin posing for a picture in his kitchen in West Hampton, N.Y., Rubin, a longtime publishing executive with an eye for bestsellers and a passion for music and public life who helped launched the career of John Grisham, among others, and released such blockbusters as “The Da Vinci Code” and “Fire and Fury,” has died, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. He was 81. (Jane Friedman via AP)

Stephen Rubin, publisher of 'The Da Vinci Code' and other blockbusters, dies at 81

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Stephen Rubin, a longtime publishing executive with an eye for bestsellers and a passion for music and public life, has died. He was 81. Rubin helped launched the career of John Grisham among others … more

By HILLEL ITALIE | 10/15/23

FILE - A sign for Eli Lilly & Co. stands outside their corporate headquarters in Indianapolis on April 26, 2017. A new study finds that the medicine in the diabetes drug Mounjaro helped people with obesity or who are overweight lose at least a quarter of their body weight. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Drug used in diabetes treatment Mounjaro helped dieters shed 60 pounds, study finds

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A new study finds that the medicine in the diabetes drug Mounjaro helped people with obesity or who are overweight lose at least a quarter of their body weight. That's about 60 pounds on average. The … more

By JONEL ALECCIA | 10/15/23

Taylor Swift arrives at the world premiere of the concert film "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, at AMC The Grove 14 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour’ dances to No. 1 at the box office, eyeing 'Joker' film record

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Movie theaters turned into concert venues this weekend as Swifties brought their dance moves and friendship bracelets to multiplexes across the country. The unparalleled enthusiasm helped propel … more

By LINDSEY BAHR | 10/15/23

The Google sign is shown over an entrance to the company's new building in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. If government regulators prevail in the biggest U.S. antitrust trial in a quarter century, it's likely to unleash drastic changes designed to undermining the dominance of the Google search engine that defines the internet for billions of people. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)

What Google’s antitrust trial means for your search habits

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If government regulators prevail in the biggest U.S. antitrust trial in a quarter century, it’s likely to unleash drastic changes designed to undermining the dominance of the Google search engine … more

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE | 10/15/23

FILE - The Supreme Court is seen on June 30, 2023, in Washington. Charles and Kathleen Moore are about to have their day in the Supreme Court over a $15,000 tax bill they believe is unconstitutional. The Redmond, Wash., couple claim they had to pay the money because of their investment in an Indian company from which, as Charles Moore, 62, said in a sworn statement, they “have never received a distribution, dividend, or other payment.” But significant parts of the story they have told to reach this point seem at odds with public records. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

A couple with powerful help is asking the Supreme Court for a ruling that could affect a wealth tax

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Charles and Kathleen Moore are about to have their day in the Supreme Court over a $15,000 tax bill they believe is unconstitutional. The Washington state couple claim they had to pay because of … more

By MARK SHERMAN | 10/15/23

FILE - Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D-Ill., addresses the crowd before President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the economy, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at the Old Post Office in Chicago. The Democratic governor and multibillionaire has been lavished with hundreds of gifts from around the world, ranging from a $950 bottle of Japanese whiskey to 35 cents — a quarter and dime, to be exact.(AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File))

Booze, beads and art among unclaimed gifts lavished upon billionaire Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker

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Governors receive many gifts. They come from fans and admirers, grateful constituents and appreciative advocates. An Associated Press review of records from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office show … more

By JOHN O'CONNOR | 10/15/23

Football supporters show a banner before the start of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Brentford at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

Man United sale: Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim is withdrawing his bid - AP source

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Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is withdrawing his offer to buy Manchester United, a person with knowledge of the process told The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of … more

By JAMES ROBSON | 10/14/23

Quinn Byrne, 5 left, shops with her mother, Jamie Byrne, at a Learning Express store in Lake Zurich, Ill., Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. While still in its early phase, a growing number of toy marketers are embracing MESH — or mental, emotional and social health — as a designation for toys that teach kids skills like how to adjust to new challenges, resolve conflict, advocate for themselves, or solve problems. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Amid a mental health crisis, toy industry takes on a new role: building resilience

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As more children emerge from the pandemic grappling with mental health issues, their parents are seeking ways for them to build emotional resilience. And toy companies are paying close attention. … more

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO | 10/14/23

EMBARGOED HOLD FOR RELEASE - FILE - California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during an interview with Politico in Sacramento, Calif., Sept. 12, 2023. On Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, Newsom announced he signed a law that will increase the minimum wage for health care workers in the state. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

California Gov. Newsom signs law to slowly raise health care workers’ minimum wage to $25 per hour

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a law to raise the minimum wage for health care workers. The law Newsom signed Friday will raise the minimum wage to $25 per hour over the next decade. This is … more

By ADAM BEAM | 10/13/23

FILE - This photo provided by Lynne Buckner shows a Kings River pryg, a springsnail found in 13 isolated springs around Thacker Pass, 200 miles northeast of Reno, Nev., on April 7, 2022. Environmentalists in an ongoing legal battle with the Biden administration over a lithium mine being built in Nevada are poised to return to court with a new approach accusing federal wildlife officials of dragging their feet on a year-old petition seeking endangered species protection for the tiny snail that lives nearby. (Lynne Buckner via AP)

Environmentalists warn of intent to sue over snail species living near Nevada lithium mine

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Environmentalists are poised to return to court in an ongoing legal battle with the Biden administration over a Nevada lithium mine. Their latest argument accuses federal wildlife officials of … more

By SCOTT SONNER | 10/13/23

File - Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick leaves the Phillip Burton Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in San Francisco on June 28, 2023. Microsoft, which owns the Xbox gaming system, closed its $69 billion deal to buy game-maker Activision Blizzard on Friday. It marks the end of an era for Kotick, who's led the Southern California maker of Call of Duty since 1991. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)

Microsoft spent two years trying to buy Activision Blizzard. For Xbox CEO, that was the easy part

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After two years co-piloting the biggest acquisition in video game history past an onslaught of challenges, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer now moves on to his next quest: making Microsoft’s takeover of … more

By MATT O'BRIEN | 10/13/23

FILE - A page from the 2019 U.S. Medicare Handbook is displayed on Nov. 8, 2018, in Washington. Open enrollment for Medicare opens Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, and seniors could have dozens of options to choose from. During the enrollment period, which ends Dec. 7, people will have the opportunity to choose between traditional Medicare and privately run Medicare Advantage plans in their area, as well as prescription drug plans. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Annual window to shop for Medicare Advantage plans returns on Sunday

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Open enrollment for Medicare opens Sunday, and seniors could have dozens of options to choose from. During the enrollment period, which ends Dec. 7, people will have the opportunity to choose between … more

By TOM MURPHY | 10/13/23

FILE - Shoppers are silhouetted as they walk toward a Best Buy store after doors opened at 5 a.m., Nov. 26, 2021, in Lone Tree, Colo. Best Buy is saying goodbye to movie-watching with physical discs. The consumer electronics retailer plans to phase out its DVD and Blu-ray sales by early 2024 — with physical movies set to be sold in-stores and online as they are today through the holidays. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)

Goodbye to more DVDs? Best Buy plans to phase out sales of physical movies in the coming months

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Best Buy is saying goodbye to movie-watching with physical discs. The consumer electronics retailer plans to phase out its DVD and Blu-ray sales by early 2024 — with physical movies set to be sold … more

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS | 10/13/23

FILE - SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher poses for a portrait, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, at the SAG-AFTRA offices in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

Q&A: SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher reacts to Hollywood studios breaking off negotiations

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Fran Drescher said Thursday that she is baffled and disappointed that Hollywood studios abruptly broke off talks this week with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio … more

By KRYSTA FAURIA | 10/13/23

Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates after a play against the New York Liberty during the second half in Game 1 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

WNBA holding its own against NFL, MLB, with finals broadcast during busy sports calendar

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The WNBA is competing for viewers during one of the busiest times on the sports calendar and the league is holding its own. Through two WNBA Finals games, the series between the Las Vegas Aces and … more

By JOE REEDY | 10/13/23

FILE - Kaiser Permanente frontline healthcare workers picket outside the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. Unions representing 75,000 health care workers who recently held a strike against industry giant Kaiser Permanente over wages and staffing shortages have reached a tentative agreement with the company. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

Kaiser Permanente reaches a tentative deal with health care worker unions after a recent strike

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Unions representing 75,000 health care workers who recently held a strike against industry giant Kaiser Permanente over wages and staffing shortages have reached a tentative agreement with the … more

By The Associated Press | 10/13/23

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is pictured on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

'Barbenheimer' was a boon to movie theaters and a headache for many workers. So they're unionizing

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In the movie industry, it isn't just actors and writers who have been battling management. Movie theater workers also have been taking action. Over the past two years, employees have formed or … more

By HILLEL ITALIE | 10/13/23