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WASHINGTON (AP) — Most economists are optimistic about the latest unemployment figures to be released Friday morning. Experts tell FactSet that in December the economy likely added 200,000 jobs, keeping the jobless rate at a low 5 percent for a third straight month. Stronger customer demand has given most businesses confidence to hire even though some sectors. Most analysts expect solid U.S. consumer spending to offset weakness overseas.
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese stocks have been volatile Friday, and other Asian markets are rebounding after a plunge in Chinese prices rattled global markets. The Shanghai Composite Index is up 2.4 percent after swinging between gains and losses. Trading in Chinese stocks was suspended Thursday after a key index plunged 7 percent. On Thursday, the Dow sank 2.3 percent, the S&P 500 lost 2.4 percent and the Nasdaq dropped 3 percent.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Two people authorities say have ties to the Islamic State group have been arrested on terrorism-related charges in California and Texas. One is a Syrian refugee charged with lying to federal investigators about his travels to the civil war in that country. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says, "This is precisely why I called for a halt to refugees entering the U.S. from countries substantially controlled by terrorists."
STARKE, Fla. (AP) — Florida has executed a former carnival worker convicted of killing three Tampa Bay-area women. Oscar Ray Bolin was pronounced dead by lethal injection Thursday night at Florida State Prison in Starke. His execution had been delayed by a few hours until the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a final appeal. Bolin ended up marrying a member of his defense team while on death row.
PHOENIX (AP) — Bus drivers in Phoenix are calling for a strike, after their union rejected a contract offer. A city transportation official says the drivers have turned down the company's "last and best offer." A strike will likely disrupt bus service throughout Phoenix with thousands of college football fans expected to be in the city leading up to Monday night's national championship game between Clemson and Alabama. A Public Transit Department spokesman says officials are working to arrange contingency service.
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