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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — International stock markets turned mostly higher today as they juggled positive U.S. economic news and weakness in Europe, China and Japan. Wall Street futures point to gains at the opening. Benchmark U.S. crude oil rose above $76 a barrel. The dollar fell against the yen and edged ahead against the euro.
UNDATED (AP) — A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that companies that offer health insurance see it as a key tool to attract workers and keep them on the job, but that doesn't mean they're not looking to economize. The poll finds 86 percent citing the cost of coverage as a main factor in picking a plan. Eight in 10 companies that offer insurance said they do so mainly because it's the right thing to do.
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank is edging toward large-scale bond purchases called quantitative easing in an effort to boost the EU's economic recovery, but questions are being raised, given Japan's return to recession despite doing the same thing. Few economists think it will provide a magic solution. European Central Bank head Mario Draghi says the chief monetary authority for the eurozone is willing to "step up the pressure" and broaden its stimulus efforts.
TOKYO (AP) — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved the lower house of Japan's parliament today paving the way for a general election next month. The move is widely seen as an attempt by Abe to shore up support for his government after a series of finance-related scandals hit his newly named Cabinet this fall. Abe is portraying the election as a referendum on his economic revitalization policies, known as Abenomics, and the postponing of the tax increase.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Negotiations over a new contract for dockworkers at 29 West Coast ports took an unexpected turn Thursday, as the union insisted on "small table" talks while employers decried the "extended break." The full teams for the longshoreman's union and the association representing trans-ocean shipping lines and operators of port terminals aren't scheduled to meet again until Dec. 2. The maritime association called the development a "slowdown tactic" — a pointed reference to their complaints that dockworkers are deliberately dragging as they load and unload ships.
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