Things To Do In SW Florida

By STAN CHOE, Associated Press Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are shaking Friday as President Donald Trump’s trade war with China escalates further and U.S. households get more worried about it. Gold’s price is rising, the U.S. dollar’s value is falling and other financial markets are also swinging in indications of fear about where the U.S. economy will ultimately fit in the world’s.

The S&P 500 was up a modest 0.1% in midday trading, but only after veering repeatedly between earlier gains and losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 31 points, or 0.1%, as of 11:45 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.1% higher. Both also swung earlier, with the Dow going from a loss of nearly 340 points to a gain of 220 and back.

The shaky trading came after China announced Friday that it was boosting its tariffs on U.S. products to 125% in the latest tit-for-tat increase following Trump’s escalations on imports from China.

The repeated U.S. tariff increases “on China has become a numbers game, which has no practical economic significance, and will become a joke in the history of the world economy,” a Finance Ministry spokesman said in a statement announcing the new tariffs. “However, if the US insists on continuing to substantially infringe on China’s interests, China will resolutely counter and fight to the end.” read more

Tickets for this summer’s Destination D23 gathering at Walt Disney World will go on sale Monday.

The three-day event is held by D23, the official Disney fan club, and will include a 1980s/1990s concert, nods to the 25th anniversary of “The Emperor’s New Groove,” a new Disney Archives exhibit and multiple panels and presentations.

Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney will be held Aug. 29-31 at Coronado Springs Resort, a shift from the Contemporary Resort location of previous editions.

“The Walt Disney Archives Presents: Charting the Course, Disney’s Global Stories & Inspirations” exhibit will include items such as Dwayne Johnson’s costume from “Jungle Cruise,” animation models for “The Lion King” and “Mulan” and original puppets from Epcot’s “Tapestry of Nations” parade, which was part of Disney World’s turn-of-the-millennium celebrations.

Disney World: Baby giraffe Tucker takes first look around savanna

On Aug. 30, there will be a “New Groove”-based event called D23 Kuzcotopia Night at Typhoon Lagoon water park with snacks, photo ops and exclusive entertainment. read more

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS

NEW YORK (AP) — Publishers Clearing House, a decades-old marketing and sweepstakes company known for doling out large “Prize Patrol” checks, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

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In an announcement this week, PCH said it was using the bankruptcy process to “finalize a shift away” from its legacy business of direct-mail, retail merchandise and magazine subscriptions. The company is hoping to instead transition to a “pure digital advertising” model, where it will continue to offer free-to-play entertainment and prizes. read more

By MATTHEW PERRONE

WASHINGTON (AP) — Weeks after ordering all Food and Drug Administration employees back into the office, the agency is reversing course, allowing some of its most prized staffers to work remotely amid worries that recent layoffs and resignations could jeopardize basic functions, like approving new medicines.

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An internal email obtained by The Associated Press states that FDA leadership are “allowing review staff and supervisors to resume telework” at least two days a week. The policy shift was confirmed by three FDA staffers who spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal agency matters. read more

By BERNARD CONDON

NEW YORK (AP) — As stocks tanked on tariff fears, Marjorie Taylor Greene showed her faith in the president not just with words but dollar bills.

The Republican congresswoman, an avid supporter of the Trump administration’s trade policies, not only bought stocks last week as others dumped them in a panic — she scooped up some of the biggest losers.

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Lululemon, Dell Computer, Amazon, the parent of Restoration Hardware and a few others hit hard by Trump’s tariff threats were down 40% on average late last week when she pounced. read more