Ribbon-cutting set

Ribbon-cutting set

BOARDMAN

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony for JS Interior Innovations, 7087 West Blvd., #6, at 10:30 a.m. Monday.

Its parent company, Joseph Sylvester Construction, now in its 60th year of business, recognized the need to offer contract furniture along with professional design and building services. JS Interior Innovations offers many lines of office furniture including cubicles, adjustable work-height tables, conference-room tables, task lighting, acoustic panels and dry-erase boards.

JS Interior Innovations is the only locally owned and operated contract furniture dealer with a local showroom.

Showroom hours of operation are by appointment only. Business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Obama skeptical of China’s promises

WASHINGTON

Skeptical of Chinese assurances on cyberspying, President Barack Obama on Friday laid out a fresh threat of sanctions for economic espionage emanating from China, even as he and President Xi Jinping pledged their countries would not conduct or support such hacking.

“The question now is: Are words followed by action?” Obama said, standing alongside Xi at a White House news conference.

Obama’s wariness underscored deep U.S. concerns about what officials say is China’s massive cyber campaign to steal trade secrets and intellectual property from American companies. Though China publicly has denied being behind such activities, U.S. officials say their counterparts in Beijing have begun to take the matter more seriously, as well as the potential impact on ties with Washington.

Consumer sentiment at its lowest in a year

WASHINGTON

Worries about the global economy pushed American consumers’ spirits to the lowest level in almost a year, the University of Michigan reported Friday.

The university’s consumer sentiment index fell to 87.2 this month from 91.9 in August. The third-straight monthly drop left the index with its weakest reading since October 2014.

Richard Curtin, chief economist for the survey, said consumers are disturbed by signs of trouble in the Chinese economy, the world’s second-biggest, and continued economic stress in Europe.

US Chamber starts Cuba trade council

WASHINGTON

Amid a surge in interest in U.S. investment opportunities in Cuba, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced Friday it is launching a council aimed at removing trade barriers and improving business ties between both countries.

Leaders of the U.S.-Cuba Business Council said they will work with Congress as well as the public and private sectors in both countries to create jobs and advocate for reforms in the U.S. and Cuba.

President Barack Obama has eased economic restrictions since announcing his vision for improved U.S.-Cuban relations nine months ago, although a trade embargo remains in place.

Staff/wire reports