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NEW YORK (AP) — Ikea’s U.S. division is raising the minimum wage for thousands of its retail workers, pegging it to the cost of living in each location, instead of its competition. The 17 percent average raise, expected to be announced Thursday, is the Swedish...

In this June 23, 2014 photo, job seekers and recruiters meet during a job fair in Philadelphia. The Labor Department releases weekly jobless claims on Thursday, June 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) In this June 23, 2014 photo, job seekers and recruiters meet during a job fair in...

In this June 5, 2014 photo, Conquisia Tyler, right, gives change to a customer at Sam’s Club in Bentonville, Ark. The Commerce Department releases personal income and spending for May on Thursday, June 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Sarah Bentham) In this June 5, 2014 photo, Conquisia...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages declined this week, hovering near historically low levels. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate for a 30-year loan eased to 4.14 percent from 4.17 percent last week. The average for the 15-year mortgage...

NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market sank early Thursday following a disappointing report on Americans’ spending last month. Bed Bath & Beyond and banks were among the biggest losers. KEEPING SCORE: A half hour after the opening bell, Dow Jones industrial average...

CLEVELAND (AP) — Authorities in Cleveland say a man collapsed and died outside a courtroom minutes after a judge sentenced him to 60 days in jail for trying to restrain and kiss a 14-year-old girl. The coroner’s office was expected to determine why 51-year-old Miguel Aybar...

BOSTON (AP) — Three dozen people were transported to the hospital and as many as 50 others were treated or evaluated at the scene during a an electronic dance music show in Boston featuring Swedish disc jockey Avicii. No one appeared to have life-threatening injuries,...

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Guzzlers prevailed Thursday as New York’s highest court refused to reinstate New York City’s ban on the sale of big sodas, ruling that the city’s health department overstepped its bounds when approved the 16-ounce cap on sugary...

Barbara Brown poses for a photo on the front step of her home that now sits about one foot off the surface of her lawn, Saturday, June 21, 2014, in Reno, Texas. Brown said that the top of the step once sat about four inches off the surface of her lawn. Brown said she believes the...

CLEVELAND (AP) — A northeast Ohio man who had previous arrests for domestic violence against his wife has pleaded guilty to strangling her. Prosecutors say 55-year-old Kenneth Booker was sentenced to 19 years in prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to of involuntary...