Energy in America

Sharply lower oil prices are sending ripples through the global economy, lending more spending power to consumers shopping for Christmas gifts and making fuel cheaper for people in poorer countries.

America is the world's biggest energy producer.

As temperatures drop and winter looms, homeowners and property managers are sweeping chimneys, insulating pipes and swapping screens for storm windows.

Concerns about overproduction have roiled the oil market.

Asian markets fell on Wednesday after a trade dispute between the U.S. and China stalled a weekend meeting, dimming hopes that it could be resolved once their leaders meet.

Stocks are skidding Tuesday morning, putting the market back into the red for the year, as weak results from retailers and mounting losses for big technology companies compound the market's losses from the day before.

North Dakota regulators are backing away from targets for capturing the natural gas produced from oil drilling.

___ Tech giants plunge again, pushing market into red for year NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks skidded again Tuesday as weak results from retailers and mounting losses for big technology companies pushed the market back into the red for the year.

The latest on developments in financial markets (all times local): 9:35 a.m.

The special agent in charge of the FBI's Richmond division is retiring from the bureau and going to work for Virginia's largest electric utility.

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund are into their final round of talks over an $8 billion bailout package Islamabad seeks from the international lending agency to overcome the country's economic woes.

China's president will visit the Philippines for the first time in a high point of a love-hate relationship with an American treaty ally with offers of infrastructure loans and new accords to prevent clashes and possibly explore for oil and gas in the disputed South China Sea.

Asian stocks slid Tuesday after tech losses dragged down Wall Street and Nissan's chairman was arrested on charges of financial misconduct.

Environmental groups say 10 utility companies are responsible for the majority of premature deaths caused by emissions from coal-fired power plants in Europe.

A lawmaker says disgruntled police and prison guards have stormed Papua New Guinea's Parliament in a pay dispute that stemmed from an international summit hosted by the South Pacific island nation last weekend.

Renewed losses for technology companies are taking U.S. stock indexes slightly lower Monday morning.

The North Carolina Utilities Commission has approved the proposed merger of troubled South Carolina utility SCANA with Dominion Energy.