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NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are getting off to a weak start following disappointing economic news from China and Japan. Asian markets closed lower after learning China's exports slumped 18 percent in February and Japan lowered its estimate for fourth-quarter economic growth.
OAK BROOK, Ill. (AP) — McDonald's says a key sales metric dropped 1.4 percent in the U.S. in February amid tough winter weather. Global sales at locations open at least 13 months dipped 0.3 percent. In the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific region, sales declined 2.6 percent mostly on softness in Japan as well as weakness in Australia and a shift in the timing of the Chinese New Year. Europe was a bright spot, with sales up 0.6 percent on a strong performance in the U.K. and growth in France.
NEW YORK (AP) — Sbarro says it's filing for Chapter 11 reorganization, in the struggling pizza chain's second trip through bankruptcy court in less than three years. The filing comes shortly after it closed 155 of its U.S. locations. It still has more than 800 locations worldwide. Sbarro had also filed for bankruptcy protection in April 2011 and emerged a few months later.
NEW YORK (AP) — American Airlines and JetBlue Airways Corp. are ending an agreement that allowed travelers to add connections to their itinerary on each other's aircraft. The termination of the interline sales agreement is effective Monday. The companies also say they're ending a reciprocal frequent flyer program accrual agreement. Travelers won't earn miles or points when traveling on eligible routes run by the other airline beginning April 1.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Here's an online force that's growing: Black Twitter. It's a corner of the social media giant where an unabashedly black spin on life gets served up, 140 characters at a time. Sometimes Black Twitter turns activist, and when it does, things happen. Tweets helped scuttle a book deal for a juror who helped acquit Florida neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. Black Twitter also led to the demise of Zimmerman's attempt to star at celebrity boxing.
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