US producer prices rose 0.2% last month on higher energy costs

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. wholesale inflation rose last month on higher energy prices. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that its producer price index — which tracks inflation before it hits consumers — rose 0.2% last month from November, down from a 0.4% gain the month before. Compared to a year earlier, producer prices were up 3.3%, down from a 3% year-over-year increase in November. The increases were slightly less than economists had forecast.

US TikTok users flock to Chinese app Xiaohongshu in protest with TikTok ban looming

HONG KONG (AP) — As the threat of a TikTok ban looms, some U.S. TikTok users are flocking to Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu – making it the top downloaded app in the U.S. The self-described "TikTok refugees" landed on Xiaohongshu as an alternative to TikTok. Supreme Court justices are due to rule on a law that stipulates TikTok must be divested from its Chinese parent company ByteDance by Jan. 19 or face a ban in the U.S. over national security concerns. After the justices seemed inclined to let the law stand, masses of TikTok users began creating accounts on Xiaohongshu, which in English means "Little Red Book." The app combines e-commerce, short video and posting functions and is popular in China and among Chinese diasporas, with over 300 million users.

Jack Daniels' parent Brown-Forman is cutting its workforce and closing its barrel-making plant

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Spirits giant Brown-Forman Corp. says it's reducing its global workforce by about 12% and closing its barrel-making plant in Louisville. The cost-cutting moves come as American whiskey producers face challenges from changing consumer trends and tariff threats. Brown-Forman's actions are projected to reap $70 million to $80 million in annualized cost savings. The company says it plans to reinvest part those savings in its growth strategy. Brown-Forman is based in Louisville and its flagship brand is Jack Daniel's. It says its cooperage, where its barrels are made, will close by April 25, affecting about 210 hourly and salaried employees.

Google faces more scrutiny as UK watchdog flexes new digital competition powers

LONDON (AP) — Britain's competition watchdog says it's investigating Google's search ad business, adding to global scrutiny that the U.S. tech giant is facing. The Competition and Markets Authority said it will examine whether Google is weakening competition by stifling innovation, giving preference to its own services or exploiting user data. Using new powers to investigate competition in digital markets, the watchdog said it would determine whether Google should be given "strategic market status" that would require imposing remedies to change its behavior. The regulator said it will look in particular at Google's role in shaping the development of new artificial services and interfaces such as "answer engines," in ways that "limit the competitive constraint they impose on Google Search."

USDA documented insects and slime at Boar's Head plants, records show

U.S. food inspectors documented unsanitary conditions at several Boar's Head deli meat plants, not just the Jarratt, Virginia, factory that was shut down last year. That's according to newly released federal documents in response to an Associated Press records request. An outbreak of listeria food poisoning tied to the plant sickened more than 60 people and killed 10. The reports show problems at Boar's Head plants in Indiana, Arkansas and another in Virginia. Inspectors documented meat and fat residue on equipment and walls, dripping condensation, mold, insects and other problems. U.S. Agriculture Department officials say they put stronger measures in place to control listeria. The company says the violations "do not meet our high standards."

Southwest pausing some hirings, internships as the airline looks to reduce costs

Southwest Airlines is hitting the pause button on some of its hirings, internships and employee events this year as the company looks to lower costs. The Dallas-based company plans to limit discretionary costs, including pausing the Southwest Rallies for this year. But Southwest said it will continue to evaluate its hiring needs on an ongoing basis to determine when it makes the most sense to restart hiring. The company has been under pressure after an investor urged Southwest to improve its performance.

The tax deadline for some small businesses affected by disasters in 2024 is drawing near

NEW YORK (AP) — The tax deadline for some small businesses affected by severe weather in 2024 is drawing near, the IRS is reminding owners. Small businesses in all or parts of 14 states and 2 territories that received extensions to file their 2023 returns due to natural disasters will need to file in 2025. Depending on their location, some have a Feb. 3 deadline. For others, it's May 1. The IRS grants tax extensions to small businesses and others affected severe weather like hurricanes and tornadoes or natural occurrences like earthquakes if they're designated a disaster by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.