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Friday's Afternoon Update

Dow plunges triple digits to three-month low after oil rout

U.S. stocks traded sharply lower Friday after a slew of disappointing U.S. data, a fresh plunge in oil to below $30 a barrel and a sell-off in Chinese stocks that added to mounting concerns about slowing global growth. More at CNBC, Marketwatch and CNN.

Florida House eyes $1 billion in tax cuts

The House intends to offer a $1 billion tax-cut package that includes Gov. Rick Scott's call to reduce a tax on commercial leases and holding a back-to-school sales tax "holiday." More at the Tampa Bay Business Journal and Flagler Live.

Is Cuba ready for boom of American tourism?

The streets of Havana have always had their own rhythm. It's the flow that's changed now that they are teeming with tourists. And now when Cubans look out their windows, the faces they see are increasingly American. More at CBS.

Deadline to file income taxes is April 18 this year

Taxpayers nationwide will get a few days' grace this year to file their returns thanks to a little-known holiday in the nation's capital. And the head of the IRS promises 1,000 more customer services representatives will be available to ease waiting times on information lines. More at the AP.

In email blitz, Uber threatens to pull out of Miami-Dade

The ride-hailing company sent emails urging its tens of thousands of Miami-Dade customers to contact their county commissioners to oppose legislation that Uber says would make it “impossible” for the app-based ride service to continue operating in the county. More at the Miami Herald.

Space Business
Dream Chaser Mini Shuttle

cameras NASA on Thursday awarded one of three new contracts to resupply the International Space Station to Colorado-based Sierra Nevada Corp., whose Dream Chaser mini-shuttle will be prepared at KSC for unmanned launches and likely landings on the spaceport’s former shuttle runway.

» More from Florida Today

Out of the Box
Universal Studios: You Can Now Buy Part of the Park

cameras Are you in the market for a flying cow? A store at Universal Studios may be able to help. Right on ground level at the theme park's new Williams of Hollywood Prop Shop is the once-aloft bovine that appeared in the somewhat comical climactic scene of Twister, the attraction that closed in November.

» More from the Orlando Sentinel