AP National Business

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech government has agreed to further ease coronavirus restrictions as the wave of infections caused by the highly transmissible omicron variant has been receding. Health Minister Vlastimil Valek says that all limits on the number of people attending any public gatherings, including sports matches and concerts, will be lifted on March

By MICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers for Donald Trump’s longtime finance chief, Allen Weisselberg, are asking a judge to throw out tax fraud charges against him, arguing New York prosecutors targeted him as punishment because he wouldn’t flip on the former president. In court papers filed Tuesday, Weisselberg’s lawyer said

By COLLEEN BARRY AP Fashion Writer MILAN (AP) — The Italian fashion world has opened a Milan Fashion Week that brought the return of Russian buyers after two years and the easing of pandemic travel restrictions. An agreement with the government brokered by the Italian National Fashion Chamber allowed Russians who were vaccinated with the

By LORNE COOK Associated Press BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union has agreed to slap sanctions on Russia’s defense minister and a top presidential adviser. The measures also target companies, banks and hundreds of Russian lawmakers who voted to recognize the independence of separatist parts of Ukraine. Wednesday’s sanctions will freeze the assets of those

By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press HARDIN, Mont. (AP) — Economists say the costs of climate change are growing as global warming happens more quickly than expected and its impacts become better understood — from crop losses due to drought, to lessened worker productivity because of the heat. The Biden administration wants to put a price

By LORNE COOK Associated Press BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union sanctions against Russia have taken effect. They target senior government officials, companies and hundreds of lawmakers who voted in favor of recognizing the independence of separatist parts of southeast Ukraine. Wednesday’s sanctions will freeze the assets of those listed and a ban on them traveling

By DAMIAN J. TROISE and ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writers NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks fell in afternoon trading on Wall Street Wednesday, extending a day-earlier slump as tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue. The S&P fell 1% as its correction deepened. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.7% and the Nasdaq fell 1.4%. Retailers

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Several hundred people opposing COVID-19 mandates have staged a protest rally in Bulgaria’s capital. They waved national flags and banners of the nationalist Revival party which organized the protest. The demonstrator chanted “Resignation” and ”Freedom” and called on the government to step down over its “failure to handle the health crisis.”

By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Britain promised to hit Russia with “powerful” sanctions over its military confrontation with Ukraine. But the slim sheaf of measures announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson has disappointed allies and critics alike. The U.K. has slapped asset freezes and travel bans on three wealthy Russians and sanctioned

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street Wednesday, a day after the benchmark S&P 500 index slumped into a “correction,” or 10% below its record high. The S&P is up 0.8% at the open, the Nasdaq is up 0.9% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 0.7%. Investors continued to

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Lowe’s Cos., the nation’s second-largest home improvement chain, offered an upbeat annual outlook after reporting strong fiscal fourth-quarter results that showed a still sizzling housing market. The report follows a robust report from larger rival Home Depot. Lowe’s, based in Mooresville, North Carolina, said that

By JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The leader of Spain’s main opposition party is set to meet fellow conservative heavyweights with his future at risk amid an ugly clash with a Popular Party rival. The meeting scheduled late Wednesday comes a day after the party’s secretary-general stepped down and the calls from

By WAYNE PARRY Associated Press ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — A new report predicts that banning smoking in Atlantic City’s casinos could cost 2,500 jobs and nearly 11% of casino revenue. The Casino Association of New Jersey released a report Wednesday from an independent gambling research firm supporting the casinos’ longstanding contention that eliminating smoking

By NICK YEKIKIAN Edmunds It isn’t hard to see that the writing is on the wall for the V8-powered performance coupe. Tightening fuel economy and emissions standards, rising gas prices and the arrival of performance-oriented electric vehicles all point to the end of this famous automotive recipe. Whether it’s their distinctive rumbly soundtrack or sleek

NEW YORK (AP) — Global stock markets and Wall Street futures rebounded Wednesday from jitters over Western sanctions on Russia in response to President Vladimir Putin’s authorization to send soldiers into eastern Ukraine. In New York, futures for the benchmark S&P 500 index rose 0.8% and the same for the Dow Jones Industrial Average was

Automotive parts maker Tenneco is being taken private by funds managed by affiliates of private equity firm Apollo in an all-cash deal valued at about $7.1 billion. The transaction includes the assumption of Tenneco’s debt. Apollo will pay $20 per Tenneco Inc. share. Tenneco will continue to operate under its name and brand. The deal

By CHALIDA EKVITTHAYAVECHNUKUL Associated Press BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand will ease some entry requirements for foreign visitors as it balances a rising number of coronavirus cases with the need to rebuild its pandemic-damaged economy. Beginning March 1, fully vaccinated visitors must take a RT-PCR test on arrival and spend their first night at an approved

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 330,000 Mustangs in the U.S. to fix backup camera displays that go blank or become distorted. The recall covers cars from the 2015 to 2017 model years. Documents posted Wednesday by U.S. safety regulators say the rear view camera wiring can become loose or damaged, causing the