AP Business Digest

Here are the AP's top business stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit AP Newsroom's Coverage Plan.

--------------------

NEW AND DEVELOPING

--------------------

CB--HAITI-US-COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS

FAA extends ban on US commercial flights to Haiti's capital because of risk from gangs

SUMMARY: A Federal Aviation Administration ban on U.S. commercial flights to Haiti's capital has been extended to March 7, 2026. The ban had expired on Monday. The FAA notes that Haitian gangs now control 90% of Port-au-Prince as well as nearby strategic routes and border areas. The FAA said in a statement Friday that Haitian foreign terrorist organizations maintain access to small arms and unmanned aircraft systems capable of reaching low-altitude phases of flight. In May, the U.S. government designated a powerful gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm as a foreign terrorist organization.

WORDS: 246 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 10:28 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:356bee7f9653220194b6fc65978f7de5&mediaType=text

___

PNC-FIRSTBANK-MERGER

PNC to buy FirstBank for $4.1B, expanding to Arizona, Colorado

SUMMARY: PNC Financial plans to buy Colorado-based FirstBank for $4.1 billion. The acquisition gives PNC a substantial presence in the Colorado banking market and Arizona. FirstBank, typically branded as 1stBank, is a midsized bank with 120 retail branches and roughly $26 billion in assets. The banks disclosed that stockholders owning 45.7% of FirstBank shares have already voted in favor of the merger. PNC has been on an acquisition streak in recent years, aiming to become a major player in retail banking. This deal will make PNC the largest bank in the Denver market and expand its presence in Arizona.

WORDS: 213 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 10:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6fd63cc0be72571e05e9a93d0799ea5f&mediaType=text

___

AF--CONGO-CASH CRISIS

A rebel-held Congolese city uses damaged banknotes due to a cash shortage

WORDS: 829 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 10:02 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0dd9668ef5c7e30663044a5bfea17dd7&mediaType=text

___

IMMIGRATION-RAID-HYUNDAI-PLANT

South Koreans feel betrayed after hundreds of workers were detained in a plant raid in Georgia

SUMMARY: South Korea's foreign minister has departed for the U.S. to finalize steps for the return of several hundred South Korean workers detained last week in a massive immigration raid in Georgia. The trip comes as the raid has caused confusion, shock and a sense of betrayal among many in South Korea, a key U.S. ally. South Korea announced Sunday the U.S. agreed to release the detained workers, saying it would send a charter plane to bring them home once final administrative steps are completed.

WORDS: 1017 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 9:59 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:24d990562f5ac20e7d3e983a77a4f7ff&mediaType=text

___

EU--RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR

Ukraine shows diplomats damage after Russia's largest aerial attack since invasion

SUMMARY: Ukrainian officials have led 60 foreign diplomats on a tour of damaged government offices in Kyiv. This follows Russia's largest aerial attack on Ukraine since its full-scale invasion began over three years ago. On Sunday, more than 800 drones and decoys were used in the assault, killing four people, including a mother and her infant. The attack hit Kyiv's main government building for the first time. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko condemned the attack as a mockery of diplomatic efforts. Ukraine and European leaders are urging Washington to increase economic sanctions on Russia.

WORDS: 566 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 9:54 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c9bb9ab63dbdacca42f69414d29f6ff5&mediaType=text

___

FINANCIAL-MARKETS

Stocks tick higher as Wall Street drifts near its record levels

SUMMARY: Stocks are ticking higher ahead of a week with several data reports that could dictate by how much or even whether the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its next meeting in a week. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% and was just below its record set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 11 points, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.6%. AppLovin and Robinhood Markets helped lead the market after learning they will join the S&P 500 index later this month. Trading across the broader market was relatively quiet ahead of several updates coming later this week on the job market and inflation.

WORDS: 664 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 9:52 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:da08c5849f567c0be41f6282edb2f679&mediaType=text

___

AS--INDONESIA-PROTESTS

Indonesian leader fires ministers of finance and security after deadly protests

WORDS: 515 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 9:45 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3776bd9365804cda9f7c3f85b2104502&mediaType=text

___

AS--NEPAL-PROTEST

Nepal police shoot and kill at least 17 people protesting a social media ban

SUMMARY: Police in Kathmandu have opened fire on protesters demonstrating against a government ban on social media, killing at least 17 people and wounding dozens more. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Nepal's capital to express anger over a government decision to block most social media platforms. Protesters pushed through barbed wire, pushing back police who responded by opening fire. Authorities say companies like Facebook and YouTube failed to register and submit to oversight. Rights groups have criticized the move as a tool for censorship and an attempt to curb freedom of expression.

WORDS: 440 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 9:33 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1ac9efd7d2f28783cc9f2be60edfa1da&mediaType=text

___

EU--NORWAY-ELECTION

Norway votes in a closely fought election with the future of a wealth tax in focus

SUMMARY: Norwegians are heading to the polls in the main day of voting for a new parliament, after a campaign in which the future of a wealth tax that dates to the late 19th century has been a central issue. About 4.3 million people in the Scandinavian nation are eligible to vote for the new 169-member parliament, or Storting. A close outcome is expected between a center-left bloc led by the Labor Party of Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and a right-wing bloc. Official results are expected Tuesday, and they are likely to be followed by weeks of negotiations to build a coalition and agree on Cabinet positions.

WORDS: 476 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 9:12 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:598fb2c8392afa3f3a6948ef06e4a777&mediaType=text

___

AF--MALI-FUEL BLOCKADE

Armed group linked to al-Qaida sets fuel trucks ablaze as it blockades imports to Mali

WORDS: 404 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 8:56 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8ec3906c16721ee128718d9f2c21c1d4&mediaType=text

___

ENT--HOWARD STERN-SIRIUSXM

Howard Stern returns to SiriusXM radio show after trolling listeners

SUMMARY: Radio host Howard Stern has returned to SiriusXM. The 71-year-old tapped Andy Cohen to pretend Monday to be a fill-in host before taking over his show. In joining the company in 2006, Stern became one of the highest-paid personalities in broadcasting and gave a massive boost to the nascent satellite radio business. The stunt comes after weeks of promos promised a big reveal following swirling speculation that his show would be canceled. SiriusXM in the years after Stern joined has become home to top podcasts like "Call Her Daddy" and "SmartLess." But its subscriber base has been slowly contracting.

WORDS: 669 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 8:53 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d77219bc02eadf1a2604876352e95db1&mediaType=text

___

US--ECHOSTAR-SPACEX

Musk's SpaceX spends $17 billion to acquire spectrum licenses from EchoStar

SUMMARY: Elon Musk's SpaceX has reached a deal worth about $17 billion with EchoStar for spectrum licenses that it will use to beef up its Starlink satellite network. The transaction for EchoStar's AWS-4 and H-block spectrum licenses includes up to $8.5 billion in cash and up to $8.5 billion in SpaceX stock. SpaceX will make approximately $2 billion in cash interest payments on EchoStar debt through November 2027. EchoStar said that it believes the spectrum sales will resolve recent inquiries from the Federal Communications Commission about the rollout of 5G technology in the U.S.

WORDS: 237 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 8:41 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:98875d3efa06242b0af80399dd3e0ca8&mediaType=text

___

BKL--UNRIVALED-INVESTMENTS

Unrivaled women's basketball league now valued at $340M million after landing more celebrity funding

SUMMARY: Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart's 3-on-3 women's basketball league, Unrivaled, has gained significant investment from big names in sports. On Monday, the league announced a valuation of $340 million after closing its Series B investment round led by Bessemer Venture Partners. Investors include Serena Williams' venture capital firm, Trae Young, and others. Unrivaled, founded in 2023, offers top players a U.S. offseason option while boosting their WNBA incomes. The league's first season ended in March with high viewership and sold-out games. Unrivaled plans to start its second season in January 2026.

WORDS: 430 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 8:39 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:eafe5db556b593ed1680c7a886973b27&mediaType=text

___

HOUSING-SELLERS UNDER PRESSURE

Shortage of homebuyers forces many sellers to lower prices or walk away as sales slump drags on

SUMMARY: The housing market is becoming more buyer-friendly after years of sharply rising prices. Many Americans still can't afford homes, but those who can are finding that they have leverage to press sellers for better deals, such as lower prices and cash for closing costs and home improvements. Home prices are down or rising slowly, especially in the South and West. The market has been in a slump since 2022, with mortgage rates climbing. More homes are on the market, and listings are staying unsold longer. Sellers are reducing prices, but affordability remains a challenge. Only 28% of homes are within reach of median-income buyers, and high mortgage rates aren't helping.

WORDS: 1296 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 8:19 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6a2ae673d0c93e98b69d3c6b99925124&mediaType=text

___

AS--PHILIPPINES-FLOOD CONTROL- CORRUPTION

Explosive testimony identifies legislators, officials in Philippine flood-control corruption inquiry

SUMMARY: A wealthy business couple has identified several Philippine congressmen and public works officials, alleging they forced them to pay huge kickbacks so they could secure lucrative flood-control projects from the government in explosive testimony during a nationally televised Senate investigation. The corruption scandal has sparked outrage in the Philippines. The construction company owners testified under oath in a Senate committee inquiry Monday that at least 17 members of the House of Representatives demanded kickbacks from them of about 25% of the total cost of each approved flood-control project. They did not provide details or evidence. Some of the legislators they identified immediately denied the allegations.

WORDS: 596 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 7:39 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:61deba5e59f9bc5fac1800a660591c35&mediaType=text

___

SOC--TOTTENHAM-OWNERSHIP

Tottenham says club is 'not for sale' after rejecting 2 expressions of interest

WORDS: 296 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 6:22 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f8d3ba0d3f0cf6a12dda20344599da93&mediaType=text

___

AS--CHINA-TRADE

China's export growth slows in August as US tariffs and trade tensions bite

SUMMARY: China's customs agency reports that the country's exports grew last month, but at a slower pace than in recent months. Exports reached $321.8 billion in August, a 4.4% increase compared to the same month last year. This was down from a 7.2% jump in July. China's large trade surplus has become a contentious issue with major trading partners, including the U.S. and the European Union. President Donald Trump has imposed 30% in additional tariffs on imports from China since taking office early this year. The two countries are in talks to try to reach a trade agreement.

WORDS: 455 - MOVED: 09/08/2025 3:56 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ec1b7138131622ff13bbd23775445b69&mediaType=text

___