Apple said Friday it will ban vaping-related apps from its App Store and has removed all 181 vaping-related currently available. The sale of tobacco and vaping cartridges has never been allowed through the App Store. The newly banned apps are instead a mix of store apps, games and hardware companion apps that let users regulate things like the lighting and heating of vape pens. “We’ve updated our App Store Review Guidelines to reflect that apps encouraging or facilitating the use of these produc

Why Amazon’s protesting the military cloud contract that went to MicrosoftAmazon is challenging the Defense Department over a major contract that went to Microsoft. Aaron Gregg, Washington Post reporter, joins “Squawk Box” to discuss.

Nvidia – Nvidia reported adjusted quarterly earnings of $1.78 per share, beating the consensus estimate of $1.57, while the graphics chipmaker’s revenue also beat Wall Street forecasts. Applied Materials – Applied Materials beat estimates by 4 cents with adjusted quarterly earnings of 80 cents per share, while the maker of semiconductor manufacturing equipment also saw revenue beat estimates. Nike – Nike announced an 11% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it to 24.5 cents per share from

“There is a trade war, there is a technology war, there is a geopolitical war, and there could be capital wars. And how that’s approached is going to determine what our futures are like,” Dalio said at the annual gala of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations in New York. The U.S. and China are in the middle of an extended trade war during which both countries have imposed import duties on billions of dollars’ worth of each other’s goods. But for Dalio, China’s success is the result of w

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced it will stop financing for fossil fuel energy projects, after its board reached agreement on a new energy lending policy following a meeting on Thursday. “Following a long discussion we have reached a compromise to end the financing by the EU Bank of unabated fossil fuel projects, including gas, from the end of 2021,” Andrew McDowell, the EIB’s vice-president in charge of energy, said. According to EIB figures, funding for fossil fuel projects amo

A significant portion of sales during this year’s Singles Day shopping event in China came from spending on credit, according to estimates from analysts. For example, Alibaba-affiliate Ant Financial has a product called Huabei, which provides users with a revolving line of credit or installment purchase plans. The increased use of credit products was most apparent this past Monday, known as Singles Day in China. Their popularity, in addition to overall use of credit cards, was more apparent duri

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend a welcome ceremony with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, in London, Britain, June 3, 2019. U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to Britain for the meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization from Dec. 2 to 4, the White House said in a statement on Friday. Trump intends to discuss defense spending and addressing threats “emanating from cyberspace, those affecting our critical infrastructure and telecommunications n

U.S. retail sales rebounded in October, but consumers cut back on purchases of big-ticket household items and clothing, which could temper expectations for a strong holiday shopping season. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales gaining 0.2% in October. Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, retail sales increased 0.3% last month. Data for September was revised lower to show the so-called core retail sales slipping 0.1% instead of being unchanged a

Leader of the Brexit Party, Nigel Farage, speaks at the launch of the Brexit Party general election campaign at The Emmanuel Centre on November 1, 2019 in London, England. Sterling hit a 10-day high against the dollar on Friday afternoon after reports that Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party will now not contest an additional 43 seats in next month’s U.K. general election. On Monday, Farage had said his party wouldn’t contest any of the 317 seats won by the ruling Conservative Party at the last election

Regulations surrounding political ads are ‘a mess,’ WSJ reporter saysTwitter is expected to unveil its policy today on banning political ads from its platform. Steve McMahon, CEO and co-founder of Purple Strategies, and Emily Glazer, Wall Street Journal reporter, join “Squawk Box” to discuss.

Under Armour borrowed business from future quarters to hide slowing demand in 2016, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission have been investigating the Baltimore-based company over its accounting practices. In 2016, Under Armour leaned on retailers to take goods early, former executives in sales, logistics, merchandising and finance told the Journal. Here’s the full statement from Under Armour: We are aware of recent media cover

The White House on Friday released a memorandum of an April 21 phone call between President Donald Trump and then-Ukrainian President-elect Volodimyr Zelenskiy. “I’d like to invite you to the White House. But the description at the time from the White House is not matched by memorandum. Trump also did not underscore the “unwavering support of the United States for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity – within its internationally recognized borders,” as the White House claimed. The Whi

White House chief economic advisor Larry Kudlow speaks with reporters on the driveway outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, July 26, 2019. The United States and China are getting close to a trade agreement, White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said on Thursday, citing what he called very constructive talks with Beijing about ending a 16-month trade war. Kudlow told the audience he had just come from a meeting of the top Trump administration trade officials and was more opt

Trading Costco here may be worth the cost. Despite its recent sideways trading, the ETF’s chart looks “strong,” with a nearly 21% gain year to date, Gordon said. Given Costco’s strength, Gordon wanted to put on a bullish trade through the company’s Dec. 12 earnings report. “We did put on a hedge with our customers [Wednesday] in the TLT,” Gordon said. The XLP, or the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF, closed down less than 1% on Thursday.

Mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro, Head of Italy’s far-right League (Lega) party, Matteo Salvini and President of Veneto Luca Zaia visit Venice during high tide in St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) on November 15, 2019 in Venice, Italy. A new exceptional high tide of 160 cm was registered today at 11.20 am. Sirens wailed across Venice from the early morning hours, warning of the impending high tide, and the crypt beneath St. Mark’s Basilica was swiftly inundated. A flooded St. Mark’s square (Pia

Risk-reward in the UK offers an ‘outstanding opportunity,’ strategist saysStuart Roden, former chairman of Lansdowne Partners, says he sees opportunities in the U.K. after Brexit.

Taylor Swift accuses Scooter Braun of ‘tyrannical control’ over her musicTaylor Swift’s public feud with music industry executives Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun continued Thursday when she claimed on social media they were “exercising tyrannical control” and blocking her from performing her old music at the American Music Awards, where she will be honored with the Artist of the Decade Award on Nov. 24. CNBC’s “Squawk Box” crew discuss.

U.S. government debt prices retreated on Friday as investors grew more optimistic about a U.S.-China trade agreement. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to price, rose to around 1.8428%, the first day of gains since Monday. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was also higher at around 2.3238%. Larry Kudlow, the White House economic adviser, said Thursday that Washington is getting close to a trade deal with Beijing. His comments have followed recent report

U.S. stock index futures were higher Friday after White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said China and the U.S. were getting close to reaching a trade deal. ET, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 104 points, indicating a positive open of more than 106 points. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures were also higher. Both the Dow and S&P 500 were poised to hit record highs at the open. The S&P 500 and Dow are up 3.4% and 2.8%, respectively, over the past month.

Professionals with expertise in data analytics, virtual assistance programming and machine learning are enjoying lucrative remote working opportunities, according to a new report highlighting the fastest-growing freelance jobs. Demand for data analytics professionals rose 58.9% last quarter, making it the most sought-after skill right now, according to freelance online marketplace Freelancer in its new Fast 50 jobs report. But then for your depth and your breadth, you’ll have a virtual workforce