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Banks upbeat on US consumer despite bank profit declines, inflation and rising debt levels 01/12/2024 06:27pm • NEW YORK (AP) — The biggest banks in the country posted strong profits last year, helped by higher interest rates and a strong economy, despite having to deal with the lingering industry costs of last year's banking crisis that caused the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. All th Some Americans will get their student loans canceled in February as Biden accelerates his new plan 01/12/2024 03:38pm • WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will start canceling student loans for some borrowers in February as part of a new repayment plan that's taking effect nearly six months ahead of schedule. Loan forgiveness was originally set to begin in July under the new SAVE repayment plan, but it’s NC--Greater Mid-Atlantic Â鶹´«Ã½ Digest 1 p.m. 01/12/2024 01:14pm • Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up for select stories. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s complete coverage of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, and the rest of the world, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org Questions about cov Speaker Johnson insists he's sticking to budget deal but announces no plan to stop partial shutdown 01/12/2024 12:52pm • WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson insisted Friday he is sticking with the bipartisan spending deal he struck with the other congressional leaders, but offered no clear path for overcoming hard-right opposition within his own party to prevent a partial government shutdown next week. John Dozens of Kenyan lawyers protest what they say is judicial interference by President Ruto 01/12/2024 11:27am • NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenyan lawyers Friday demonstrated peacefully in Nairobi against what they say is judicial interference by President William Ruto, who has said he will disregard court orders from allegedly corrupt judges blocking his key development projects. In recent days, Ruto has also re IRS says it collected $360 million more from rich tax cheats as its funding is threatened yet again 01/12/2024 08:02am • WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS says it has collected an additional $360 million in overdue taxes from delinquent millionaires as the agency's leadership tries to promote the latest work it has done to modernize the agency with Inflation Reduction Act funding that Republicans are threatening to chip awa BlackRock buys Global Infrastructure Partners in $12 billion deal 01/12/2024 06:58am • BlackRock is buying independent infrastructure fund manager Global Infrastructure Partners in a cash-and-stock deal valued at more than $12 billion. The deal announced Friday includes $3 billion in cash and approximately 12 million shares of BlackRock. About 30% of the total consideration, all in st China's exports rise 2.3% in December amid uneven recovery, while consumer prices edged lower 01/12/2024 02:28am • HONG KONG (AP) — China's exports grew slightly for a second consecutive month in December even as deflationary pressures persisted, according to official data released Friday that underscored the uneven nature of the country’s economic recovery from the pandemic. Demand for Chinese exports has Pakistan says the IMF executive board approved release of $700 million of $3B bailout 01/11/2024 02:08pm • ISLAMABAD (AP) — The International Monetary Fund's executive board approved Thursday the release of $700 million of a $3 billion bailout for cash-strapped Pakistan, the finance ministry said. The bailout is meant to enable Pakistan to emerge from one of the worst economic crises in its history. In Speaker Johnson is facing conservative pushback over the spending deal he struck with Democrats 01/11/2024 12:14am • WASHINGTON (AP) — As Speaker Mike Johnson gathered House Republicans behind closed doors Wednesday to sell the spending deal he reached with Democrats, one thing quickly became clear: many GOP lawmakers weren't buying it. Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio left early, saying he'd had enough. “I’m n West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, known for quirky speeches, gives his final one before US Senate run 01/10/2024 09:39pm • CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice once rejected a legislative budget by showing a plate of cow dung he brought from a farm to the state Capitol on a silver platter. He hoisted the hind end of his pet English bulldog in the House chamber in response to criticism. And he was al Personal Finance Predictions for 2024 01/10/2024 07:00pm • Are you wondering what to expect on the personal finance front in 2024? After a tumultuous two years, the economy is showing signs of stability, but we're not out of the woods yet. Here are six 2024 predictions from financial experts: 1. Interest Rates Will DropIn December, the Federal Open Market C The 7 Best REIT ETFs to Buy for 2024 01/10/2024 07:00pm • The benefits of owning income-producing real estate are well known. Real estate can provide tax advantages, current income and a great potential for capital appreciation over time. Unfortunately, direct ownership of commercial real estate is out of reach for most people. Too often, the costs associa For IRS, backlogs and identity theft problems remain, but there is 'cautious optimism' watchdog says 01/10/2024 05:23pm • WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS is still too slow in processing amended tax returns, answering taxpayer phone calls and resolving identity theft cases, according to an independent watchdog within the agency. While there is “cautious optimism" for an agency that has excavated itself from tens of milli Federal judge says Alabama can conduct nation’s 1st execution with nitrogen gas; appeal planned 01/10/2024 04:42pm • MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama will be allowed to put an inmate to death with nitrogen gas later this month, a federal judge ruled Wednesday, clearing the way for what would be the nation’s first execution using a new method the inmate’s lawyers criticize as cruel and experimental. U.S. Dis