And we do say good morning to you on this holiday monday. Im kendis gibson. And im marci in for dianne ma said owe. We begin with the passing of George Michael. We got the word overnight who said he died of Heart Failure at his home in england on Christmas Day. Michael had not been ill. We have more on the pop icons life and career. Reporter the stunning death of George Michael brings a sudden end to one of pop musics most brilliant careers. He was just 53, his publicist said he died peacefully at home. He was one half of wham his first solo album, 1987s faith sold more than 21 million copies and he enjoyed several hit singles. My music is reflected parts of the music that i listen to and some of my favorite albums would not be things that anyone expected. I know what my limitations are. Reporter his career included brushes with the law, overdangerous driving, drug use and public sexual behavior. I dont inhale any of that. Its dangerous. I dont inhale any of that. You give people music
Capitol, brussels. In the heart of the city, passengers walked along the track after the explosion. Belgiums Prime Minister has appealed for calm and solidarity. This is what we know so far. Belgiums Prosecutor Says a blast at brussels was probably a suicide attack. Two explosions went off at the terminal, and there has been one explosion at malbec station at the metro underground network. At least 34 people have been killed and many more have been injured. The major of brussels says 20 of those deaths were in the explosion at mel beck station. Paul brennan is close to the metro station, neave barker is at the airport. This is his report. Reporter this video was taken just a few moments after the explosions at brussels airport. Eyewitnesss say they felt the blast. I saw a light flash, and a big explosion, and then people started to scream and started to run, and it was at that point we realized there was something going on. Translator we were having lunch on the fourth floor when we he
Terror threat level, shutting down all Public Transportation in belgium. Belgiums federal Prosecutor Says he believes one of the two explosions were caused by a suicide bomber. As far as the subway bombing, at least 15 dead, dozens wounded. A few days ago in brussels one of the main suspects in the paris attacks was arrested. What do you make of the reaction to the market . I have been watching the futures since before the attack. You never want to say its difficult to relate the two, the markets resilience is surprising. We were at the highs yesterday. If theres a reason to sell, you could say this. I dont see gold spiking. The dollar is stronger. A couple of earnings reports that are negative. Travel has been part of the renaissance of this market. Particularly the airlines. It is almost bizarre how muted the market is to this. After paris, the market came back. Theres a recovery period. And theyre looking not to sell but to buy. Is that correct . Listening to fabulous coverage earli
Good morning, america. To our viewers in the west. Who are just joining us right now. We have been live across the country all morning long on the latest on the terror attacks in brussels, belgium. Around 8 00 a. M. , that was the scene at the airport as it unfolded. Two attacks. Two explosions at the Brussels Airports. You see the passengers running for their lives. Theres the damage right there. Another attack at the metro in the city this morning. At least two explosions hit that airport. Another rocked that metro station. At least 31 people killed. 187 injured. All airport and Public Transportation in brussels has been shut down and the terror level at its highest, maximum, the u. S. Embassy is advising americans there in brussels to shelter in place. Alert levels here in the United States have been raised as well. Theres the scene at penn station in new york city. The president is expected to address the attacks shortly from cuba. Full coverage right now beginning with abcs Alex M
Thanks very much. We have a puzzle here. I have the rapid update of gdp in the Fourth Quarter but the data which leads to a downgrade also makes economists optimistic. Here is the data. Q4 tracking 2 . That is down 0. 3 because of the data this morning. Q3 gdp 2. 1 . Thats tracking right now. Here is the Fourth Quarter outlook. Bank of tokyo mitsubishi at the high end at 2. 8 . Goldman sachs, barclays at 2 . Atlanta fed gdp, 1. 8 . Morgan stanley at 0. 9 . Here is the data that brought down the growth forecast despite the down grades though some see reasons for optimism for the Holiday Shopping season. Jobless claims ticking down 12,000 to 260,000. Thats back in that low range weve had before making people optimistic about consumers have jobs for the Holiday Season. Durable goods up better than expected, 3 , and here is the big numbers here. Personal income up 0. 4 but spending doesnt keep pace. Up just 0. 1 which can only mean one thing. The savings rate ticks up. 5. 6 . So whats the