NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks have surged on Wall Street. The S&P 500 rose 29 points, or 1.1 percent, to 2,775. The Dow was up 443 points, or 1.7 percent, to 25,883. And the Nasdaq added 45 points to 7,472. Benchmark U.S. crude oil futures ended higher closing at $55.59 a barrel, up a $1.18.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. industrial production fell 0.6 percent in January, a decline caused in large part by an 8.8 percent plunge in the making of motor vehicles and auto parts. Manufacturing of wood products, computers, electrical equipment, apparel and chemicals fell while Utility output rose 0.4 percent due to winter natural gas usage.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Federal authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Virginia. EQM Midstream Partners says in filings that the pipeline joint venture had received a grand jury subpoena for documents Monday. Last month, two local attorneys called for a federal investigation into whether pipeline crews violated laws by continuing construction on the 300-mile (483-kilometer) pipeline after a permit suspension.
DALLAS (AP) — Major U.S. airlines say they will soon change their ticketing process to give passengers an option to identifying themselves as male or female. The gender option on airline sites will soon include choices such as "Mx." or "undisclosed". The airlines say they are making the change to be more inclusive in dealing with a diverse population of travelers.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (ahn-DRAYS' mahn-WEHL' LOH'-pez OH'-brah-dohr) has announced a $3.9 billion bailout for the country's cash-strapped, state-owned oil company and promised it an additional $1.6 billion in revenue, making it a rescue package of up to $5.5 billion. Lopez Obrador has made rescuing Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, a centerpiece of his first 100 days in office, launching an offensive against fuel theft gangs that drill illegal taps into Pemex pipelines.
