Dow turns positive for year: Erases 2,000-point plunge

Talk about a stunning turnaround. The Dow turned positive for the year on Thursday, erasing a scary start to the year that at one point had the index down as much as 1,974 points in just the first three weeks of 2016. More from Money and CNBC.

Obama’s trip to Cuba provokes strong emotions

Symbolic, an effort to burnish his legacy and prevent his Cuba policies from being reversed once he leaves office, a chance to nudge Cuba toward more openness, or simply ill-conceived and a reward for the Castro regime. Whatever you think about President Barack Obama’s trip to Cuba, it clearly provokes strong emotions. [Source: Miami Herald]

NASA’s "Journey to Mars" begins with a thousand steps

At Kennedy Space Center, indeed all of Cape Canaveral, and worldwide for that matter, spaceflight and human-spaceflight facilities and organizations are incubating private, commercial-space programs to get to and do anything in Earth’s lower orbit and perhaps beyond. [Source: Florida Politics]

Deal with Amazon might save Staples-Office Depot merger

Online marketplace giant Amazon might be working out a deal to buy Office Depot's corporate business unit and clear the way for the Federal Trade Commission to approve the Staples-Office Depot merger. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

World economy grows without growth in global warming pollution

Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions held steady for the second year in a row while the economy grew, according to the International Energy Agency. [Source: Scientific American]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida Bar members shouldn't ignore marketplace changes [Florida Bar News]
Bar President Ramón Abadin spoke to the Board of Governors about challenges facing the legal profession, particularly in a rapidly evolving market.

› Numbers show link between drug company payments and how doctors write prescriptions [Tampa Bay Times]
A larger share of doctors in Florida have accepted freebies or payments from pharmaceutical and medical device companies than in all but seven other states, according to a new analysis by ProPublica.

› Texting wrinkles access to Florida public records [Florida Today]
When Florida’s public records law was approved 40-some years ago, people were still using typewriters and rotary dial telephones.

› On eve of Ultra Music Festival, the dance-music craze is slowing down [Miami Herald]
At first glance, the throbbing hubbub of Miami Music Week and the Ultra Music Festival, one of the marquee events on the global dance music calendar, looks as vibrant as ever.

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› Osceola praises $15M state funding for sensor project [Orlando Sentinel]
Osceola County is hailing a new line in the state budget for a $15 million contribution to the under-construction Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center.

› N.J. has lost its wealthiest resident to Florida [NJ.com]
New Jersey's wealthiest man may be making a common Northeast move: a relocation to the tax-friendly state of Florida, a report says.

› Palm Beach International Boat Show opens [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The boating showcase, which runs through Sunday along the Intracoastal Waterway on Flagler Drive, will feature more than $1 billion worth of yachts, boats and accessories, organizers say.

› FPL Submits $1.3 billion Proposal To PSC [WFSU]
Millions of Florida Power and Light customers would see higher monthly bills if regulators approve the investor-owned utility’s $1.3 billion proposal.