China factory activity shrinks for first time in over two years, 2019 looks tougher

China's factory activity contracted for the first time in over two years in December, highlighting the challenges facing Beijing as it seeks to end a bruising trade war with Washington and reduce the risk of a sharper economic slowdown in 2019.

from Reuters: Business News https://reut.rs/2TiB1Is

China's services activity picks up in December: official PMI

Growth in China's services industry picked up in December after a two-month slowdown, an official survey showed, offering some respite for the slowing economy though the outlook remains gloomy as domestic and external risks to growth rise.

from Reuters: Business News https://reut.rs/2CGn15z

Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman talks 2019 housing trends

Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman talks 2019 housing trends



The U.S. is on track to finish the year with an annual decline in home sales for the first time since 2014.

The Latest: Tribune says newspapers hit by computer virus

The Latest: Tribune says newspapers hit by computer virus



The Latest on a computer virus that has affected the printing and delivery of newspapers across the nation (all times local): 11 p.m. Tribune Publishing says a computer virus disrupted production of the Chicago Tribune and its other newspapers across the country, the Chicago Tribune reports .

US investigating CenturyLink internet outage, 911 failures

US investigating CenturyLink internet outage, 911 failures



U.S. officials and at least one state said Friday that they have started investigations into a nationwide CenturyLink internet outage that has disrupted 911 service.

Tesla names Oracle's Ellison to board in SEC settlement

Tesla names Oracle's Ellison to board in SEC settlement



Tesla is naming Oracle's Larry Ellison and an executive from Walgreens to its board as part of a settlement with U.S. regulators who demanded more oversight of CEO Elon Musk.

Army looks for a few good robots, sparks industry battle

Army looks for a few good robots, sparks industry battle



The Army is looking for a few good robots.

Seoul says personal info of 1,000 NKorean defectors stolen

Seoul says personal info of 1,000 NKorean defectors stolen



South Korea said Friday it's responding to a hacking attack that stole the names and addresses of nearly 1,000 North Korean defectors who resettled in the South.

4 Trends IT Pros Need to Watch in 2019

4 Trends IT Pros Need to Watch in 2019



Prediction pieces are often the bane of the new year.

A list of the biggest data leaks

A list of the biggest data leaks



From Facebook to Marriott, here are the biggest companies that have suffered breaches over last year.

These cars will be killed off in 2019

These cars will be killed off in 2019



Several vehicles will be discontinued thanks to the uptick in demand for SUVs and crossovers.

Facebook to refund advertisers over child porn ad support

Facebook to refund advertisers over child porn ad support



Apps linking to inappropriate chats were reportedly supported by ads run by Facebook and Google’s ad networks.

How Sen. Orrin Hatch Shaped America's Health Care In Controversial Ways

How Sen. Orrin Hatch Shaped America's Health Care In Controversial Ways
Republican Orrin Hatch is leaving the Senate after 42 years. He led bipartisan efforts to get more kids and AIDS patients health care. He also thrived on donations from the drug industry.

Way Beyond Pluto, An Icy World Is Ready For Its Close-Up

Way Beyond Pluto, An Icy World Is Ready For Its Close-Up
Minutes after the turn of the new year, NASA's New Horizons probe will fly by a minor planet in the most distant exploration of a world ever attempted.

Is Coconut Oil All It's Cracked Up To Be? Get The Facts On This Faddish Fat

Is Coconut Oil All It's Cracked Up To Be? Get The Facts On This Faddish Fat
In the past few years, enthusiasts have touted coconut oil as the next great health food. But it contains high levels of saturated fat, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

When Too Cute Is Too Much, The Brain Can Get Aggressive

When Too Cute Is Too Much, The Brain Can Get Aggressive
Adorable babies and cute puppies can make us happy. But researchers say their cuteness can be so overwhelming that it unleashes some ugly thoughts.

Bangladesh PM Wins 3rd Term After Violent Election, Accusations Of Rigging

Bangladesh PM Wins 3rd Term After Violent Election, Accusations Of Rigging
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her ruling alliance handily won Sunday's general election, which saw at least 17 people killed during voting. The main opposition party rejects the results.

Brent crude rises but set for first yearly drop since 2015

Oil prices rose about 2 percent on the final day of the year on Monday, mirroring gains in stock markets, but were on track for the first annual decline in three years amid lingering concerns of a persistent supply glut.

from Reuters: Business News https://reut.rs/2QcSWOK

Russia detains American in Moscow over suspected spying

Russia's domestic security service (FSB) said on Monday it had detained an American citizen suspected of spying in Moscow.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2VhO6U0

Four terrorism suspects to appear in Dutch court

Four men suspected of belonging to a terrorist organization will appear in court on Monday, two days after being arrested in Rotterdam, a prosecution spokesman said.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2QamOew

Russian apartment block blast kills three, dozens missing: agencies

Russian rescuers were on Monday searching for people still trapped under the rubble of a city apartment block that partly collapsed in a suspected gas blast, killing at least three, RIA said.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2RqSEbw

Iran says Afghan Taliban arrived in Tehran, held peace talks

Iran said Taliban representatives from Afghanistan negotiated with Iranian officials in Tehran on Sunday, as the Islamic Republic seeks to advance peace talks in the neighboring country to curb the influence of other Islamist groups.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2RkjGBu

UPDATE 2-Tokyo court says extends detention of Nissan's Ghosn until Jan 11

* He has denied the allegations (Adds Nissan comment, background)

from Reuters: Company News https://reut.rs/2RoI3hk

European shares in tentative New Year's Eve rise after bruising 2018

European shares were slightly higher in early deals on Monday as soothing comments from Washington and Beijing about trade frictions between the world's top two economies provided some salve for investors after a bruising year in equity markets.

from Reuters: Company News https://reut.rs/2GPzEzr

Bangladesh's PM Hasina wins third straight term; opposition cries foul

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has won a third straight term, sealing a landslide with almost all the seats in parliament, officials said on Monday, while the opposition rejected the result as rigged and called for a fresh vote.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2VkO9P2