Senate approves bill to end the shutdown, sending it to the House

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed legislation to reopen the government, bringing the longest shutdown in history closer to an end after a small group of Democrats struck a deal with Republicans. The shutdown could last a few more days as members of the House, which has been on recess since mid-September, return to Washington to vote on the legislation. President Donald Trump has signaled support for the bill, saying Monday that “we’re going to be opening up our country very quickly.” The final 60-40 Senate vote broke a grueling stalemate that lasted more than six weeks as Democrats demanded that Republicans negotiate with them to extend health care tax credits. The Republicans never did.

Shutdown to leave mark on US economy from lost paychecks, canceled flights

WASHINGTON (AP) — The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history appears to be nearing an end, but not without leaving a mark on an already-struggling economy. About 1.25 million federal workers missed at least one or two paychecks. Thousands of flights have been canceled. Government contract awards have slowed and some food aid recipients have seen their benefits interrupted. Most of the lost economic activity will be recovered when the government reopens, as federal workers receive back pay. But some canceled flights won’t be retaken, missed restaurant meals won’t be made up, and some postponed purchases by workers will not happen at all.

Air travelers face frustration as FAA's further drop in flights takes effect

Air travelers could face more frustration as U.S. airports need to meet a higher FAA target for reducing flights. The FAA ordered airlines to drop 4% of flights at 40 major airports due to staffing issues. After canceling over 7,900 flights since Friday, the goal rises to 6% on Tuesday and 10% on Friday. Controller shortages continue to cause delays, with freezing weather adding to the disruptions. The Senate passed legislation to reopen the government, but the bill still needs House approval.

China's 'Singles' Day' shopping festival a gauge of Beijing's effort to get consumers to spend more

HONG KONG (AP) — China's largest online sales festival, dubbed Singles' Day, is getting longer as retailers try to entice frugal shoppers to spend more. During this year's five-week festival, which will end later this week, analysts expect shoppers to focus on good deals on necessities and other more affordable goods while avoiding big ticket items. Singles' Day, launched by e-commerce giant Alibaba, has expanded outside China. Back home, it gradually has been losing its importance as families cut back on extras due to a prolonged property downturn, lagging wages and economic uncertainty. It remains to be seen if the appetite for spending may finally be recovering

The number of infant botulism cases tied to baby formula has climbed to 15. Here's what to know

A California health official says an outbreak of botulism tied to ByHeart baby formula has now sickened at least 15 infants in 12 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.

Trump says Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has 'lost her way' for criticizing his foreign policy focus

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday pushed back on criticism from Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene that he is spending too much time on foreign affairs and not enough on inflation. Trump told reporters his Republican ally has “lost her way.” The dispute reflects a fundamental challenge within Trump’s coalition after last week’s elections, in which the high cost of living was a top concern for voters in the New Jersey and Virginia governor races. Trump maintains that inflation has been defeated. But Greene says grocery prices remain too high and the president needs to focus on that rather than his recent emphasis on foreign affairs.

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.

Warren Buffett warns 'Father Time' is catching up but he trusts Berkshire Hathaway successor

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Billionaire Warren Buffett warned shareholders Monday that many companies will fare better than his Berkshire Hathaway in the decades ahead as Father Time catches up with the 95-year-old icon, but he reassured them that he remains confident in his successor. Buffett reflected on life in a new letter to shareholders where he announced $1.3 billion in new charitable gifts to the four family foundations run by his children. Buffett said that “through dumb luck, I drew a ridiculously long straw at birth” by being born in Omaha, Nebraska, where he met many lifelong friends. He said he has been fortunate to have his life saved three times by doctors who lived nearby while managing to avoid the kind of calamities that often cut life short.

Rallies for Nvidia and Big Tech help Wall Street nearly erase last week's loss

NEW YORK (AP) — Big Tech and other superstars of the U.S. stock market rallied, and Wall Street recovered most of its loss from last week. The S&P 500 climbed 1.5% Monday and clawed back nearly all its drop from last week, which was its first weekly loss in four. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 381 points, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 2.3% for its best day since May. Nvidia was by far the strongest force lifting the market. It was a powerful rebound after Nvidia and other winners of the frenzy around artificial-intelligence technology led last week’s drop. The U.S. market's rally followed gains for stock indexes around the world.

Wendy's to close hundreds of US stores in bid to halt falling profit

Wendy’s plans to close hundreds U.S. restaurants over the next few months to boost its profit and make its remaining stores more appealing. The Dublin, Ohio-based chain said during a conference call with investors last week that it planned to begin closing restaurants in the fourth quarter of this year. The company said it expected a “mid-single-digit percentage” of its U.S. stores to be affected.  Wendy’s has 6,011 U.S. restaurants. If 5% of those were impacted, it would mean 300 store closures. Wendy's interim CEO Ken Cook said last Friday that the company believes closing underperforming locations will help improve traffic and profitability at its remaining U.S. restaurants.