Another stock milestone: Most boring market in decades

NEW YORK (AP) — This year’s run to a record for the stock market has been one of the least eventful in decades. The last time stocks sailed through such an easy first seven months was in 1972. But don’t get too comfortable: Many professional investors expect a bumpier ride ahead.

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Google exec denounces employee’s views on female workers

NEW YORK (AP) — Silicon Valley’s efforts to promote workforce diversity haven’t yielded many results – unless you count a backlash at Google, where a male engineer blamed biological differences for the paucity of female programmers. Google’s just-hired head of diversity, Danielle Brown, responded with her own memo, saying that Google is “unequivocal in our belief that diversity and inclusion are critical to our success.”

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US consumer credit rose at slower pace in June

WASHINGTON (AP) — American consumers increased their borrowing at a slower pace in June as the category that includes auto and student loans posted the smallest gain in a year. The Federal Reserve says overall consumer credit rose by $12.4 billion in June, down from May’s $18.3 billion increase.

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NYC mayor promote millionaires’ tax to fix transit woes

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has officially rolled out a proposal for a millionaires’ tax to help fix the subways and aid low-income commuters. The proposal faces significant challenges. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Republicans who control the state Senate have strongly resisted efforts to raise taxes on the wealthy in recent years.

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Iran signs its biggest-ever car deal with France’s Renault

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran has signed the country’s biggest-ever car deal to build tens of thousands of cars annually under a joint venture with French automobile manufacturer Groupe Renault, buoying its manufacturing industry in defiance of the Trump administration’s moves to isolate the country. The deal follows the lifting of sanctions after Iran’s 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers. It’s expected to create about 3,000 jobs.

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Poached eels: US strikes at illegal harvests as value grows

BREWER, Maine (AP) — Changes in the worldwide fisheries industry have turned live baby American eels into a commodity that can fetch more than $2,000 a pound at the dock. But the big demand and big prices have spawned a black market wildlife officials say is jeopardizing the species. Authorities have launched a crackdown on unlicensed eel fishermen and illicit sales along the East Coast. Baby eels are often sold to Asian aquaculture companies to be raised to maturity and sold to restaurants.

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Judge: IBM owes Indiana $78M for failed welfare system

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A judge has ruled that IBM owes Indiana $78 million in damages stemming from the company’s failed effort to automate much of the state’s welfare services. Indiana and IBM Corp. sued each other in 2010 after then-Gov. Mitch Daniels cancelled the company’s $1.3 billion contract to privatize and automate the processing of Indiana’s welfare applications following numerous complaints. New York-based IBM says it will appeal the judge’s decision.