Flight cancellations and delays worsen as government shutdown drags on

NEW YORK (AP) — Airports across the U.S. are experiencing significant disruptions due to the ongoing government shutdown. The Federal Aviation Administration has reduced flights as some air traffic controllers who have gone without pay for weeks have stopped showing up for work. The Senate took a first step toward ending the shutdown Sunday, but final passage could still be several days away and experts have said it will take time for flights to go back to normal even after the government reopens. Over the weekend, airlines canceled thousands of flights, with more cancellations expected, including at major airports like Newark and Atlanta.

Preliminary tests find germ that causes botulism in ByHeart baby formula

California health officials say tests show that ByHeart baby formula linked to a botulism outbreak contained the type of bacteria that produces the toxin that has sickened at least 13 infants in 10 states. No deaths have been reported. The most recent cases were confirmed in November. Consumers should stop using ByHeart powdered infant formula immediately. ByHeart officials this weekend recalled two lots of the company's Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. Botulism is a rare but serious disease that can cause paralysis and death. Symptoms can take weeks to develop.

What's in the legislation to end the federal government shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — A legislative package to end the government shutdown appears on track. A handful of Senate Democrats joined with Republicans to advance the bill after what's become a deepening disruption of federal programs and services. But hurdles remain. Senators are hopeful they can pass the package as soon as Monday and send it to the House. What’s in and out of the bipartisan deal has drawn criticism and leaves few senators fully satisfied. The legislation includes funding for SNAP food aid and other programs while ensuring backpay for furloughed federal workers. But it fails to fund expiring health care subsidies Democrats have been fighting for, pushing that debate off for a vote next month.

Wall Street follows global markets higher as the US Senate takes steps to end the shutdown

Wall Street pointed toward strong gains before markets opened as a bipartisan deal to end the federal government shutdown gained traction in the Senate, though it lacked any clear resolution to expiring health care subsidies that Democrats have been fighting for. Rising hopes for an end to the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history pushed futures for the S&P 500 0.9% higher early Monday, while Dow Jones futures gained 0.4%. Nasdaq futures climbed 1.5% on the strength of the technology sector. Health insurers were among the losers early Monday. Cigna, UnitedHealth Group and Humana all fell between 1% and 2% in premarket.

Flight cuts from government shutdown strain a supply chain that's already stretched thin

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration has announced a 10% reduction in flight capacity across 40 major U.S. airports. This could strain air cargo as the holiday season approaches. FedEx and UPS have major hubs at affected airports, including Indianapolis, Memphis, and Louisville. The reduction impacts domestic flights, not global ones. Shipping companies like FedEx are adjusting plans to ensure shipments continue smoothly. Smaller, high-value goods are more likely to be transported by air. Experts say the supply chain could slow, but airlines have become adept at managing such disruptions. The impact should be manageable unless reductions deepen.

Tesla Cybertruck executive leaving the Musk-led automaker

The executive leading Tesla’s Cybertruck business is leaving the Elon Musk-led automaker after eight years. Siddhant Awasthi, the program manager for Tesla’s Cybertruck and Model 3, said on LinkedIn that it wasn’t an easy decision to depart the company. He did not provide details on what he will be doing next. Awasthi said he began as an intern at Tesla and was involved in “ramping up Model 3, working on Giga Shanghai, developing new electronics and wireless architectures, and delivering the once-in-a-lifetime Cybertruck - all before hitting 30. The icing on the cake was getting to dive back into Model 3 work toward the end.”

Infant botulism in 10 US states linked to formula being recalled

Federal and state health officials are investigating 13 cases in 10 U.S. states of infant botulism linked to baby formula that is being recalled. The Food and Drug Administration says ByHeart Inc. agreed to begin recalling two lots of the company’s Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. All 13 infants were hospitalized after consuming formula from the two lots. No deaths were reported. The formula is sold online and through major retailers. Infant botulism is caused by a bacterium that produces toxins in the large intestine. The cases occurred in Arizona, California, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington.

Landmark Paris Agreement set a path to slow warming. The world hasn't stayed on it

BELEM, Brazil (AP) — The world has seen faster climate change than expected since the Paris Agreement a decade ago. Scientists say Earth's warming has outpaced efforts to reduce fossil fuel pollution that came out of the 2015 accord. This issue will be a focus of this week's UN climate talks in Brazil. There has been some progress like cheaper renewable energy and increased electric vehicle sales. But warming's harms have overwhelmed those gains. Extreme weather events such as major Atlantic hurricanes have increased since 2015. More than 7 trillion tons of ice have melted. The seas have risen by enough water to fill 30 lakes the size of Lake Erie.

China rolls out its version of the H-1B visa to attract foreign tech workers

HONG KONG (AP) — China has a new visa scheme that is creating job opportunities for foreign professionals, part of its effort to attract global talent and gain an edge in global technology. The K-visa, similar to the H-1B visa in the United States, targets skilled science and technology workers. Tighter U.S. immigration policies and uncertainties around the H-1B visa system have made China relatively more appealing. However, language barriers, quality of life issues and internet censorship remain challenges. Analysts say the K-visa may help China attract more talented professionals from India and Southeast Asia, but the U.S. still holds a competitive edge.

Russian strikes hit an apartment building and energy sites in Ukraine, killing 4

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian authorities say that a Russian drone has hit an apartment building in eastern Ukraine and four people have been killed and 12 others wounded. The attack in Dnipro was part of a larger missile and drone barrage targeting energy infrastructure across the country. A worker at an energy company in Kharkiv was also killed. Ukrainian forces shot down many drones and missiles. But several locations were struck. Authorities have switched off power in several regions because of the attacks. Fighting for the strategic city of Pokrovsk has reached a key stage. Both Kyiv and Moscow are trying to influence international support.