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NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are moving higher in afternoon trading. Gains among blue chip stocks have been strong enough to life the Dow into positive territory for the year. It was up about 1 percent in afternoon trading, while the S&P and the Nasdaq are some more modest gains. The Federal Reserve's decision to leave interest rates unchanged is having an impact, with the dollar losing strength. That's boosting gold and oil prices, with benchmark U.S. crude approaching $40 a barrel in New York.
WASHINGTON (AP) — New data suggests January's slowdown in the job market was likely temporary. The Labor Department says while hiring fell, U.S. employers advertised more open positions in January. Openings jumped nearly 5 percent to 5.5 million, the most since July.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Transportation officials and automakers say they've agreed to make automatic braking standard in nearly all cars within six years. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration chief Mark Rosekind says the voluntary agreement with 20 car manufacturers means that the important safety technology will be available more quickly than if the government had gone through the lengthy process of issuing mandatory rules. Automatic braking systems use cameras, radar and other sensors to see objects that are in the way, and slow or stop a vehicle if the driver doesn't react.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is removing Cuba from the list of countries considered security risks because of insufficient security in their ports. That should reduce the hassle for U.S. cruise ships, cargo vessels and even ferries traveling back and forth between the U.S. and Cuba. Ships will no longer be automatically subject to onerous security measures before re-entering American ports and will not have to be boarded by the U.S. Coast Guard. However, the Coast Guard still can conduct random checks.
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Obama administration has canceled a disputed oil and gas lease just outside Glacier National Park that's on land considered sacred to the Blackfoot tribes of the U.S. and Canada. The cancellation is expected to be challenged in federal court by a Louisiana company seeking to drill for oil and gas on the 6,200-acre site. Blackfoot leaders say the leases were illegally issued in 1982.
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