AP National Business

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic’s central bank has increased its key interest rate by three-quarters of a point in an effort to tackle soaring inflation. Thursday’s hike to 4.5% was the sixth straight increase since June, and analysts expected it. The bank, which considers high consumer prices a major threat, also had indicated it

By ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writer Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose for the third straight month in November, reflecting strong demand, low mortgage rates and intense competition for a relatively low number of properties on the market. The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that existing homes sales rose 1.9% last month from

By DAMIAN J. TROISE AP Business Writer Stocks wavered between small gains and losses in muted trading on Wall Street Wednesday ahead of the Christmas holiday. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.2% and the Nasdaq was little changed. The Russell 2000, a measure of small-company stocks, fell 0.3%. A mix

VIENNA (AP) — Austria has announced a slate of new measures aimed at slowing the spread of the omicron variant, including closing restaurants earlier and imposing stricter entry requirements from countries where the variant is already dominant. Katharina Reich, co-leader of the country’s new coronavirus crisis team, said after a meeting between national leaders and

By PAUL WISEMAN AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer confidence rose this month as Americans shrugged off concerns about rising prices and COVID’-19′s highly contagious omicron variant. The Conference Board, a business research group, said Wednesday that its consumer confidence index — which takes into account consumers’ assessment of current conditions and the

By JOSH FUNK Associated Press ELK CREEK, Neb. (AP) — One day, a mining company hopes to dig up rare materials in one corner of Nebraska that would be used to make steel and aluminum stronger. But first, the 10-person company has to raise more than $1 billion. The high price tag is one of

The Associated Press Stocks are wavering between small gains and losses in the early going on Wall Street Wednesday in muted trading heading into the Christmas holiday. The S&P 500 was little changed shortly after the opening bell, as was the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The Nasdaq slipped 0.1% and the Russell 2000, a measure

By REFUGIO RUIZ and FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ Associated Press AYOTLAN, Mexico (AP) — When Jesús Solís noticed the waters of the reservoir where he had spent his entire life beginning to darken and a rotten odor taking hold, he was overcome with fear. Within weeks those initial concerns were confirmed as tens of thousands of dead

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a 2.3% rate in the third quarter according to a third and final estimate of the nation’s economic growth for that period.  But prospects for a solid rebound going forward are being clouded by the rapid spread of the latest variant

By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press ROME (AP) — Italian Premier Mario Draghi says his government has accomplished most of what it set out do in fighting the pandemic and restoring economic growth. His words are a first signal of his willingness to run for the Italian presidency and return the running of the government back

The European Union and the United Kingdom have struck a fishing deal on their shared stocks. But environmentalists say fish will continue to be overexploited under the new post-Brexit rules. The agreement Wednesday is separate from the spat between France and Britain over licenses for French fishermen to operate off the U.K.’s crown dependencies of

By TOM KRISHER AP Auto Writer ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — The US has opened a formal investigation into the potential for Tesla drivers to play video games on a center touch screen while the vehicle is in motion. The action follows a complaint to the agency that Teslas equipped with “gameplay functionality” allow games to

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Commission has proposed rules to better detect shell companies and prevent them from receiving tax benefits. The EU’s executive arm said Wednesday that the measures would help national authorities identify shell companies through a filtering system based on criteria such as income, transactions and management. EU estimates show tax dodging

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV Associated Press MOSCOW (AP) — A Japanese space tourist says he felt his 12-day mission to the International Space Station was too short and he would love to stay a week more. Fashion tycoon Yusaku Maezawa, his producer Yozo Hirano and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin blasted off to the station in a

By ARITZ PARRA Associated Press MADRID (AP) — Spaniards looking for a respite from the pandemic’s gloom have found some cheer with a rite that for more than two centuries has marked the beginning of the festive period: the country’s bumper Christmas lottery, known as “El Gordo,” or “The Fat One.” The draw, held annually

By LAURA MCMULLEN of NerdWallet It’s not too late to give presents or extra gratuity to the regular service providers in your life. For people you typically pay directly, such as a housekeeper or hairstylist, give a generous year-end tip up to the amount of a single service. For other professionals, like teachers, opt for

The European Union and the United Kingdom have reached a deal on their shared fisheries stocks. But environmentalists insisted that even after Brexit takes hold, fish will continue to be overexploited. The agreement Wednesday stands apart from the spat between France and Britain over licenses for French fishermen to operate off the U.K.’s crown dependencies

By TOM KRISHER AP Auto Writer ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — The U.S. government has opened a formal investigation into Tesla allowing drivers to play video games on a center touch screen while vehicles are moving. The probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covers about 580,000 electric cars and SUVs from 2017 through 2022.

LONDON (AP) — Premier League club Arsenal’s promotion of fan tokens broke advertising regulations and have been banned in Britain for taking advantage of consumers’ inexperience in cryptocurrencies. The London team said fan tokens were used to encourage participation and were different to cryptocurrencies, which are virtual currencies used as a means of payment. The