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TOKYO (AP) — Global shares are mostly higher today, supported by strong corporate earnings and the Federal Reserve's decision to pause its slow-moving campaign to raise interest rates. Asian shares have gotten a boost from Samsung's report of record quarterly profit and sales. In early trading in Europe, France's CAC 40 is up, German's DAX is down and Britain's FTSE 100 is flat. Japan's Nikkei, Hong Kong's Hang Seng, South Korea's Kospi and the Shanghai Composite index all closed in positive territory.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Officials say the rides at the Ohio State Fair won't be running until they're determined to be safe. On Wednesday evening, one person was killed and seven others were injured when the fair's Fire Ball ride broke apart while swinging back and forth, sending people flying. Video captures the accident, and screams are heard as passengers are thrown to the ground. The company Amusements of America calls the Fire Ball "one of the most popular thrill rides on the AOA Midway."
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Samsung Electronics is about to unseat Intel Corp. as the world's largest semiconductor maker for the first time. Samsung has reported record high quarterly profit and sales today. Analysts say it likely nudged aside Intel in the April-June quarter as the leading maker of semiconductors, the computer chips that are as much a staple of the 21st century wired world as crude oil was for the 20th century.
SINGAPORE (AP) — Amazon has introduced express delivery in Singapore in its first direct effort to win over Southeast Asian digital natives and new internet users. The American e-commerce company says it'll begin operating a 100,000 square foot distribution facility in the wealthy island nation. It promises to deliver tens of thousands of items within two hours for free, if customers spend at least 40 Singapore dollars, which is about $29.52.
BARTLETT, Tenn. (AP) — Millions of eyes will be fixed on the sky when a total solar eclipse crosses the U.S. in August, and it's likely many of them will be safely behind the special glasses churned out by a Tennessee company. American Paper Optics has ramped up production for this year's eclipse and expects to make 50 million paper and plastic eclipse glasses. John Jerit, the company's CEO and president, says they began preparing about two years ago.
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