AP Business Digest

Here are the AP's top business stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit AP Newsroom's Coverage Plan.

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UPCOMING

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US PAID SICK LEAVE

DESCRIPTION: Eight months after voters approved it, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe is expected to sign legislation Thursday repealing a measure providing paid sick leave to workers and inflationary adjustments to the minimum wage.

UPCOMING: By 07/10/2025 4:30 p.m. EDT, Text, Alternate Headlines, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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US--MICROSOFT-OUTLOOK OUTAGE

Is Outlook down? Thousands of users report issues accessing their email

SUMMARY: Several thousand Microsoft Outlook users ran into issues with the email platform Wednesday night and Thursday morning, with some reporting problems like loading their inboxes or signing in. Microsoft 365's status page first said that it was investigating an issue with Outlook on Wednesday night, and later shared it was deploying a fix. But affected systems aren't fully back online yet -- with the company noting that it encountered a problem with its initial remedy. Microsoft did not immediately provide further information about what had caused the outage. As of around 10 a.m. ET, nearly 2,200 users worldwide had reported issues with Outlook, formerly also Hotmail, to outage tracker Downdetector.

WORDS: 181 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 10:23 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8959e47f46b75ef47670b6aa3fc95d5d&mediaType=text

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US-BE WELL-WORKING WELL-HEALTHY SNACKING

Making healthy snacks a habit when afternoon energy slumps strike at work

SUMMARY: Sticking to healthy snacks during workdays can be tough, especially with busy schedules and tempting treats nearby. Experts suggest focusing on snacks high in protein, like Greek yogurt or hard-boiled eggs, to stay fuller longer. Pairing proteins with complex carbs, such as crackers or fruit, provides both quick and lasting energy. Crunchy options like veggies with hummus, roasted chickpeas, or unsalted nuts can satisfy cravings. Preparing snacks in advance, like pre-sliced veggies or homemade smoothies, makes healthy choices easier. Occasional indulgences are fine, but balance is key. Experts emphasize mindful eating and portion control to maintain energy and wellness.

WORDS: 1142 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 10:21 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:436535e7e6b942cbe542cc3e1b9738dd&mediaType=text

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EU--NETHERLANDS-RUSSIA-ASML

Russian convicted of breaching sanctions by sharing knowhow from tech giant ASML

WORDS: 407 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 10:12 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e34383a9156895967828c60d40b3cfb7&mediaType=text

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FINANCIAL MARKETS

Wall Street is off to a sluggish start while Delta soars on stronger outlook

SUMMARY: Stocks are off to a sluggish start on Wall Street, while Delta Air Lines led a rally in airline stocks after releasing a solid outlook for the rest of 2025. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% in early trading Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 55 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.4%. The Nasdaq, which is heavily weighted with big technology companies, set an all-time high the day before. Cereal maker WK Kellogg soared after agreeing to be acquired by Nutella maker Ferrero Group. Copper prices rose.

WORDS: 468 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 10:11 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6c4b36029125cb5dd0ee2eedbd0a238a&mediaType=text

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EU--FRANCE-FASHION-BIRKIN BAG AUCTION

Jane Birkin's original Hermès bag is up for auction in Paris

SUMMARY: The original Birkin bag created by Hermès for Jane Birkin in 1984 is up for auction in Paris. Sotheby's expects the iconic bag to sell for hundreds of thousands of euros on Thursday. The Birkin bag is now a symbol of luxury. It was born from a chance encounter between Birkin and Hermès' then head Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight in the 1980s. Birkin sketched her ideal handbag on an airplane sickness bag after spilling her belongings. The design became one of the world's most exclusive accessories with high prices and long waiting lists to cement its place in fashion history.

WORDS: 722 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 10:03 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1eef2cb531cd16705ef4ae65ddb5ec41&mediaType=text

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US--AP POLL-CHILD CARE

Most US adults say child care costs are a 'major problem,' a new AP-NORC poll finds

SUMMARY: A new poll shows most Americans see child care costs as a major issue, and majorities support the federal government offering free or low-cost day care and requiring employers to provide paid family leave. But a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows opinions differ on how to address the problem of child care and the government's role. About two-thirds back free day care and employer-paid leave, but only half prioritize federal action. Lawmakers have expanded child tax credits and benefits, but debates continue over funding and the best approach to support families.

WORDS: 1070 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 10:02 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3683d97e5861f3411bcdf810cea3c35f&mediaType=text

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EU-MED--GLOBAL AIDS REPORT

UN says if US funding for HIV programs is not replaced, millions more will die by 2029

SUMMARY: A new U.N. AIDS agency report says the sudden withdrawal of U.S. funding has caused a "systemic shock" to the global effort against AIDS and HIV. Years of American-led investment into AIDS programs has reduced the number of people killed by the disease to the lowest levels in more than three decades. U.S. aid has also bought lifesaving medicines for some of the world's most vulnerable people and rolled out testing and prevention services across Africa. The UNAIDS report released Thursday says if U.S. funding is not replaced it could lead to more than 4 million AIDS-related deaths and 6 million more HIV infections by 2029.

WORDS: 833 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 9:57 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e66658aa00bb5769f4ae260bcc22cbd4&mediaType=text

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AS--US-ASEAN-RUBIO

Rubio says U.S. and Russia have exchanged new ideas for Ukraine peace talks

SUMMARY: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. and Russia have exchanged new ideas for Ukraine peace talks after he met with his Russian counterpart in Malaysia on Thursday. He said he and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed a "new and different approach" Thursday. He did not elaborate. Rubio said President Donald Trump has been increasingly frustrated that "there's not been more flexibility on the Russian side" to bring about an end to the conflict. He said there need to be a roadmap moving forward and that he and Lavrov shared some ideas on what that might be.

WORDS: 1146 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 9:56 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ca7569c363260b1a63bae12153fa7dd3&mediaType=text

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EU--RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR

Russia blasts Kyiv with another missile and drone barrage, killing at least 2

SUMMARY: Ukrainian officials say that Russia pounded the capital with yet another major missile and drone attack. At least least two people were killed in the attack overnight into Thursday. The strikes caused fires across Kyiv a day after the heaviest aerial attack of the war so far. An official in Kyiv said at least 22 people were wounded in the latest barrage. Russia has recently sought to overwhelm Ukraine's air defenses with major attacks that include increasing numbers of decoy drones. The pressure has caused alarm among Ukrainian officials who are uncertain about continuing vital military aid from the United States and U.S. President Donald Trump's policy toward Russia.

WORDS: 1110 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 9:51 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d16f45fdbb8fbd0152c7a2c7c5d3cf9f&mediaType=text

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EU--BRITAIN-RETAILERS-HACKED

UK arrests four people over cyber attacks on Marks & Spencer, Co-op and Harrods

SUMMARY: UK police have arrested four people for cyberattacks targeting major British retailers Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods. The National Crime Agency announced the arrests on Thursday, identifying the suspects as three British individuals aged 17 to 20 and a 19-year-old Latvian man. They face charges of blackmail, money laundering, and violating the Computer Misuse Act. Marks & Spencer reported the April attack disrupted online orders and cost the company over $400 million. Co-op said the breach exposed customer data and disrupted payments. Harrods also restricted online access after a May attack. The incidents are linked to an organized crime group.

WORDS: 144 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 9:48 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9f9ea474a42acd147b81c5a7ff3ff05d&mediaType=text

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US--TESLA-SHAREHOLDER MEETING

Tesla announces Nov annual meeting under pressure from shareholders, but may still be skirting law

SUMMARY: Tesla has scheduled an annual shareholder meeting for November, one day after it came under pressure from major shareholders to do so. Billionaire Elon Musk's company said in a regulatory filing on Thursday that the meeting would be held Nov. 6, but that may prove troublesome because it comes nearly three months after it is required to do so under state law in Texas, where the company is incorporated. The annual meeting, given Tesla's fortunes this year, has the potential to be a raucous event and it is unclear how investors will react to the delay, which is rare for major U.S. corporations.Tesla shares have plunged 27% this year, largely due to blowback over Musk's affiliation with President Donald Trump, as well as rising competition.

WORDS: 444 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 9:40 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ce3e7da4ec6ccf0e8c5e30772af53540&mediaType=text

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US--KELLOGG-FERRERO

Nutella maker Ferrero plans to buy century-old cereal maker WK Kellogg for $3.1 billion

SUMMARY: Italian confectioner Ferrero, known for brands like Nutella and Kinder, is buying the century-old U.S. cereal company WK Kellogg in a deal valued at approximately $3.1 billion. The Ferrero Group said Thursday it will pay $23 for each Kellogg share. The transaction includes the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of WK Kellogg Co.'s portfolio of breakfast cereals across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Kellogg was founded in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1906. It makes Fruit Loops, Special K, Frosted Flakes and Rice Krispies. The deal still needs the approval of WK Kellogg's shareholders.

WORDS: 244 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 9:31 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a148780f0abe5ee39f1c5450204e41e8&mediaType=text

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EU--EUROPE-AI CODE

EU unveils AI code of practice to help businesses comply with bloc's rules

SUMMARY: The European Union has released a code of practice on general purpose artificial intelligence to help thousands of businesses in the 27-nation bloc using the technology comply with the bloc's landmark AI rule book. The EU code is voluntary and complements the EU's AI Act that's taking effect in phases. The code focuses on three areas: transparency requirements for providers of AI models that are looking to integrate them into their products; copyright protections; and safety and security of the most advanced AI systems. The AI Act's rules on general purpose artificial intelligence are set to take force on Aug. 2.

WORDS: 390 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 9:30 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a3df6a1a8789eea7fcd17bffc750e291&mediaType=text

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UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

US applications for jobless benefits fall to 227,000 last week, remain at historically healthy level

SUMMARY: U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, remaining in the historically healthy range of the past couple years. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims for the week ending July 5 fell by 5,000 to 227,000, fewer than the 238,000 that analysts forecast. Applications for unemployment aid are viewed as representative of layoffs. The four-week average of claims, which evens out some of the weekly volatility, fell by 5,750 to 235,500. The total number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits for the week of June 28 rose by 10,000 to 1.97 million. That's the most since November of 2021.

WORDS: 375 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 8:47 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9fd2ae4cd30ed6179c0a9f6558e242d5&mediaType=text

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EU--ITALY-UKRAINE RECOVERY

European leaders announce new equity fund for Ukraine and urge investment even as war accelerates

SUMMARY: European leaders are urging private business and equity funds to not be afraid to invest in rebuilding Ukraine now even as Russia accelerates its war. They spoke on Thursday as they opened an annual Ukraine recovery conference. They made announcements about a new equity fund and public-private partnerships amid uncertainties of the U.S. commitments to Kyiv's defense. The conference is expected finalize individual deals of guarantees and grants to unlock more than 10 billion euros or around $12 billion in investments. The European Commission announced the creation of the largest equity fund to date to support Ukraine. The conference opened as Russia pounded Ukraine's capital with another major missile and drone attack overnight.

WORDS: 1018 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 8:39 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4839838daea216e7190ac295d7ab2e6b&mediaType=text

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EU--EUROPE-TIKTOK

TikTok faces fresh European privacy investigation over China data transfers

SUMMARY: TikTok is facing a fresh European Union privacy investigation into user data transferred to China. The Irish Data Protection Commission opened the inquiry as a follow up to a previous investigation that ended earlier this year with a 530 million euro ($620 million) fine. The watchdog is investigating after TikTok told it incorrectly during the previous probe that it didn't store European user data in China. It's looking at the lawfulness of the data transfers under the EU's strict privacy regulations. TikTok did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

WORDS: 322 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 8:07 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5f1dcb8187a1c90c1ea10c287beb06f2&mediaType=text

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EU--EUROPE-CONFIDENCE VOTE

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen comfortably survives a confidence vote

SUMMARY: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has comfortably survived a vote of no confidence. An overwhelming number of European Union lawmakers on Thursday rejected a censure motion against her. The motion contained a mix of allegations against von der Leyen including text messaging privately with the boss of vaccine maker Pfizer during the COVID-19 pandemic, misuse of EU funds and interference in elections in Germany and Romania. But 360 lawmakers voted against it during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Only 175 were in favor and 18 chose to abstain. Von der Leyen was not present for the vote.

WORDS: 590 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 7:12 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:29da2f0b639bcbe2169ee8e963d4de2d&mediaType=text

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ML--MIDEAST WARS-YEMEN

Rescuers search for missing crew from Red Sea attack as US alleges Yemen rebels 'kidnapped' them

SUMMARY: Rescuers have found four more crew members from the ship Eternity C, which Yemen's Houthi rebels sank in the Red Sea. The attack, involving gunfire and explosive drones, killed at least three crew members. The EU naval mission reported Thursday that 10 survivors have been rescued so far, but 12 remain unaccounted for. The U.S. Embassy in Yemen accuses the Houthis of kidnapping surviving crew members. The rebels claim to have rescued some and provided medical care, but the Houthis have held mariners captive in the past.

WORDS: 638 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 6:57 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c9aae2a3f3b2b6dfaf24ff8c2091cf20&mediaType=text

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ML--MIDEAST-WARS-YEMEN-EXPLAINER

What to know as Yemen's Houthi rebels launch new, more violent attacks on ships in the Red Sea

SUMMARY: Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched a violent new wave of attacks on ships in the Red Sea, sinking two vessels and killing crew members. The assaults beginning over the weekend mark an escalation in their campaign tied to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Backed by Iran, the Houthis have long targeted shipping in the region, disrupting trade and causing significant losses. Experts say the recent attacks involved advanced tactics, including drones and missiles. Despite prior ceasefires and international airstrikes, the Houthis remain capable of carrying out such operations, raising concerns about escalating violence and instability in the region.

WORDS: 1193 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 5:01 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1cd31b8f97dacf49cb5c4228208d419e&mediaType=text

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GROK-CHATBOT

Musk's xAI scrubs inappropriate posts after Grok chatbot makes antisemitic comments

SUMMARY: Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company is taking down antisemitic comments and other "inappropriate posts" made by its Grok chatbot, including some praising Adolf Hitler. Grok was developed by Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI and pitched as an alternative to what he called "woke AI" rivals like Google's Gemini or OpenAI's ChatGPT. It has been stoking controversy with its responses since Musk announced it was being improved significantly. It shared several antisemitic posts, including the trope that Jews dominate Hollywood. It also appeared to praise Adolf Hitler, according to screenshots of another post that has now apparently been deleted.

WORDS: 822 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 12:54 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d745a7e3d0a7339a1159dc6c42475e29&mediaType=text

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US--TRUMP-TARIFFS

Trump tariffs goods from Brazil at 50%, citing 'witch hunt' trial against country's former president

SUMMARY: President Donald Trump is singling out Brazil for import taxes of 50%, citing its treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro. The announcement Wednesday shows that personal grudges rather than simple economics are one of the driving forces behind the U.S. leader's use of tariffs. Bolsonaro is charged with trying to overturn his 2022 election loss. Trump has described Bolsonaro as a friend and hosted the former Brazilian president at his Mar-a-Lago resort when both were in power in 2020. Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said in a statement that Trump's tariff would trigger a retaliatory law and that the country "will not accept being taken for granted by anyone."

WORDS: 1414 - MOVED: 07/10/2025 12:36 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:958bafd5f28d600eb0dd55fa8e942f64&mediaType=text

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