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U.S. stocks rebounded Monday, recovering from Friday’s selloff, as an initial surge in oil prices on renewed Iran-Israel fighting eased after Iran said it had ended its strikes against Israel. The Nasdaq composite rose more than 1% in…
3 MIN READSouth Korea's benchmark KOSPI index plunged 8.3% on Monday as investors dumped semiconductor shares amid renewed doubts about artificial intelligence profitability and concerns that the U.S. Federal Reserve could raise interest rates. The…
3 MIN READAsian currencies traded mixed against the U.S. dollar on Monday as investors adjusted to growing expectations of a Federal Reserve interest-rate increase following a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report.
3 MIN READAnalysts offered mixed assessments of the auto and transport sector on Monday, with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, surging demand related to artificial-intelligence data centers, and shifting airline capacity shaping the…
3 MIN READGermany has withdrawn from the tri-national Future Combat Air System stealth-fighter project, ending a two-decade effort to build a next-generation combat aircraft and dealing a setback to European defense ambitions as the United States…
3 MIN READNorth Korea's economy expanded 3.7% in 2024, its fastest growth in eight years, fueled by arms sales to Russia, troop deployment payments, and increased trade with China, according to estimates from South Korea's central bank and analysts…
3 MIN READNippon Steel plans to invest $2 billion to $2.5 billion over three years to replace the 88-year-old hot-strip mill at U.S. Steel's Mon Valley Works near Pittsburgh, a project that company executives said will keep the aging plant operating…
4 MIN READThe Pentagon on Monday added roughly two dozen Chinese companies — including e-commerce and cloud giant Alibaba, search and AI firm Baidu, and electric vehicle maker BYD — to its annual list of businesses the U.S. identifies as aiding…
4 MIN READA 25-year-old Houston man is accused of using a fake boarding pass to board a United Airlines flight at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in mid-May, then hiding in a restroom as the plane taxied toward the runway, according to court…
3 MIN READIntesa Sanpaolo launched a takeover offer for Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena on Monday, setting up a bidding war with Banco BPM, which had proposed a merger of equals. Shares of Monte dei Paschi jumped 12% on the news, while Intesa fell…
3 MIN READTrading begins Friday in SpaceX's initial public offering, the largest stock sale of its kind in history, in a milestone that is expected to make founder Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire and open one of the most closely held…
3 MIN READMajor U.S. stock indexes mostly rose Monday as semiconductor stocks rebounded sharply, with Intel shares surging 11% on reports that Google and Nvidia are considering Intel as a backup chip-making option. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% to close at…
3 MIN READOil prices rose sharply on Monday after Iran fired missiles at Israel for the first time since a fragile ceasefire between the countries and the United States took effect in April. The global benchmark Brent crude jumped 2.6% to $95.50 a…
3 MIN READOpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has confidentially filed paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission to begin the process of an initial public offering, the company said Monday. The filing tests investor appetite for a…
3 MIN READ
Vail Resorts on Monday lowered its full-year net income forecast for the second time, citing historically challenging weather conditions across the western United States that cut skier visits by nearly 16% in its fiscal third quarter.
3 MIN READMeta Platforms Inc. on Monday launched a free, five-week workforce academy to train workers to build its data centers, guaranteeing graduates a job at a Meta construction site. The company committed $115 million to the program this year,…
3 MIN READThe Taxpayer Inspector General reported Monday that the IRS provided addresses for nearly 47,000 people to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under a data-sharing agreement, but that the matching process was inconsistent and…
3 MIN READThe Atlanta Hawks and head coach Quin Snyder agreed to a multiyear contract extension on Monday, the team announced, securing the coach who has led the franchise to measurable improvement in each of the past three full seasons.
3 MIN READFirefighters in central Kentucky rescued a cow that was spotted stranded in a lake near Danville on Sunday morning, the Boyle County Fire Department said.
3 MIN READShares of European semiconductor companies posted mixed results on Monday, days after a broad selloff in AI-related stocks, as renewed Middle East tensions added to investor uncertainty. Dutch chip-equipment maker ASML Holding fell 1% and…
5 MIN READBolivia's deepening political crisis has exposed the risks of managing foreign investment through opaque agreements and weak oversight, with Chinese-linked infrastructure and mining projects facing complaints over delays, quality problems…
3 MIN READAn estimated 206 Afrikaner refugees have resettled in Ohio under the Trump administration's program for white South Africans, but they have encountered major obstacles from state driving laws that require $500 and up to nine months to…
3 MIN READInitial public offerings deliver average first-day gains of about 19% for investors who buy at the offering price, but historical data shows that buying an IPO at the end of its first trading day and holding it for three years…
3 MIN READChristmas Day won the Epsom Derby by 3 lengths on June 7 at Epsom Downs as the race favorite, Benvenuto Cellini, was ruled a non-starter after stewards found his hind leg was caught in the starting gate. The victory was trainer Aidan…
3 MIN READThe Wall Street Journal’s Markets A.M. newsletter on Monday raised the classic question of whether the market has peaked, after a tech stock wipeout on Friday and a spike in oil prices following renewed Middle East conflict. The newsletter…
4 MIN READU.S. food ingredients maker Ingredion has agreed to acquire British rival Tate & Lyle for £2.7 billion ($3.6 billion) in cash, a deal that could eliminate nearly 500 jobs and marks another high-profile exit from the London stock market.
3 MIN READGray whales, once rare in San Francisco Bay, are increasingly appearing in the waterway as climate change reduces their Arctic food supply — a shift that has put them in the path of ship traffic and killed seven of 16 whales seen in the…
4 MIN READA group of prominent British chefs including Tom Kerridge, Thomasina Miers, and Tommy Banks have publicly endorsed Andy Burnham for prime minister after the Labour candidate pledged to cut VAT on hospitality from 20% to 10%.
3 MIN READStock markets across Asia-Pacific fell sharply on Monday, with South Korea's KOSPI index sliding nearly 9% before trading was briefly halted, as investors reacted to a confluence of risks including a flare-up in Middle East hostilities,…
3 MIN READNvidia has ranked No. 1 in The Wall Street Journal's inaugural Best Companies for the Future list, a ranking that evaluates S&P 500 companies on AI readiness, innovation, talent readiness, financial fitness, resilience, and agility. The…
3 MIN READGold edged higher in early Asian trading Monday, with spot prices rising 0.5% to $4,349.71 an ounce, as a research team at United Overseas Bank projected the precious metal would climb back toward the $5,000 threshold by early next year.
3 MIN READPepsiCo is operating 35 driverless trucks on public roads in Arizona, becoming the first major U.S. consumer-goods company to deploy autonomous trucks at commercial scale. The trucks, outfitted with sensors and computers from…
3 MIN READThe U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed two additional cases of New World screwworm in Texas on Monday, bringing the total to at least three detections since the parasite was first found in a calf last week — the first U.S. cases in…
4 MIN READAmericans have not stopped spending since the Iran war drove gasoline prices higher, but many are subtly altering their buying routines — shopping less at clothing and furniture stores, changing how they fill up at the pump — and…
3 MIN READA remark by India's Supreme Court Chief Justice calling many young people "parasites" and "cockroaches" has ignited a satirical political movement that is giving voice to millions of frustrated Indian youth. The Cockroach Janta Party, born…
4 MIN READPresident Trump's pattern of using social media posts and public statements to move oil prices, interest rates, and currencies has reshaped how investors approach markets, according to traders and analysts. A single afternoon of posts last…
4 MIN READFormer U.S. Sen. Bob Packwood, an Oregon Republican who was forced from office in 1995 after the Senate ethics committee investigated allegations of sexual misconduct by more than two dozen women, has died at age 93. Packwood's death on…
3 MIN READGraham Platner, a military combat veteran who was a political unknown less than a year ago, has surged to the front of Maine’s Democratic Senate primary race on a platform of taxing the wealthy and offering government-funded healthcare to…
5 MIN READFive people were injured in a mass stabbing at New York City's Penn Station on Sunday evening, and a male suspect is in custody, officials said.
3 MIN READRaj Bhakta, a former contestant on NBC's "The Apprentice," is giving away the Green Mountain College campus in Poultney, Vermont, after abandoning plans for a resort development. Bhakta, who bought the 115-acre property in 2020 for less…
4 MIN READA year-long BBC investigation has found that organized crime has deeply infiltrated Britain's High Streets, with thousands of shops serving as fronts for money laundering, illegal tobacco sales, and drug dealing. The National Crime Agency…
3 MIN READCheap, fast electric dirt bikes known as e-motos have become some of the most popular motorcycles in the United States, drawing a wave of young riders while prompting police crackdowns and new legislation from New York to Illinois. The…
5 MIN READA farmer and former congressional candidate from rural Virginia argues that Democrats can regain trust with rural and working-class voters by thinking differently about their grievances, talking more plainly, and focusing on collaborative…
3 MIN READU.S.-stock mutual funds and exchange-traded funds have posted an 11.5% total return so far in 2026, driven by a two-month rally in chip-company shares that has pushed the S&P 500 through its strongest nine-week winning streak in 75 years,…
3 MIN READA long trade war with China is under way, and President Donald Trump's scattershot tariff strategy is the wrong approach to confronting Beijing's export dominance, according to trade analyst Eduardo Porter in an analysis published Saturday…
3 MIN READFORT RECOVERY, Ohio — While President Trump's approval ratings have slipped nationally amid economic concerns and the Iran war, a core group of supporters in deep-red Ohio say they remain firmly in his camp. In interviews with the Wall…
3 MIN READThe average vehicle on U.S. roads is about 13 years old, a historic high, as drivers hold onto cars longer due to high prices, elevated interest rates and improved vehicle durability. The shift is reshaping the economics of the auto…
3 MIN READInternational companies are pulling out of Cuba in accelerating numbers, dealing a blow to the island’s collapsing economy as the Trump administration tightens sanctions. Mastercard and Visa transactions by non-U.S. visitors will be…
4 MIN READThe U.S. and Iran have struggled for weeks to finalize a preliminary agreement to end their war, with Tehran's demand for early access to tens of billions of dollars in frozen assets emerging as a central obstacle, according to officials…
3 MIN READNew York moved closer to becoming the first US state to enact a moratorium on large datacenters this week after the state legislature approved a one-year ban on the facilities that power the AI boom. The measure now heads to Governor Kathy…
3 MIN READSteve Hilton, a British-born Republican and former Fox News host, is banking on California's unusual primary rules and widespread voter discontent to advance in the governor's race, with early returns showing him in a tight battle for…
3 MIN READA Bethlehem, Pennsylvania police officer who resigned less than a year after joining the force to appear as a contestant on the reality dating show Love Island USA has drawn criticism from city officials and divided residents in his…
3 MIN READFord Motor Co., Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Lowe's Foundation and BlackRock Foundation have announced roughly $400 million in new spending this year aimed at training more Americans for skilled trades jobs, as employers face a deepening…
3 MIN READBillionaire father-and-son hoteliers Robert and Blake Rowling are waging a takeover fight for the Greenbrier, the historic West Virginia resort owned by U.S. Sen. Jim Justice. The Rowlings, who own Omni Hotels & Resorts, paid $289 million…
5 MIN READU.S. employers added 172,000 jobs in May, roughly double what forecasters had expected, and the unemployment rate held at 4.3%, the Labor Department reported Friday. The data offers a fresh signal of labor-market resilience even as…
3 MIN READThe Nasdaq composite index fell 4.2% on Friday, its worst day in more than a year, as a stronger-than-expected May jobs report raised the prospect of higher interest rates and earnings guidance from chip maker Broadcom fueled worries that…
3 MIN READSouth Korea's presidential office said Friday there has been no major change to its plan to build nuclear-powered submarines domestically, as Seoul and Washington resumed talks on nuclear cooperation and the transfer of wartime operational…
3 MIN READThe Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool began refilling on Friday after a weeks-long project to resurface and repaint the basin to a shade President Trump calls 'American flag blue,' drawing mixed reactions from visitors who said the color…
3 MIN READHealth Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to overhaul the U.S. food system has stalled amid resistance from food companies and Trump administration officials, who warn that new regulations could further increase grocery prices,…
3 MIN READSenior U.S. officials have discussed having the federal government take equity stakes in major artificial-intelligence companies, according to people familiar with the matter, after OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman pitched the idea to the…
3 MIN READAttorneys general from as many as 10 states are preparing to file an antitrust lawsuit in the coming weeks to block the proposed $111 billion merger of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, according to reports from the Los…
3 MIN READIllinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs delivered a certificate to Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday, authorizing the pontiff to reclaim $8.65 that had been sitting in Illinois' unclaimed property account — a sum once held by the…
3 MIN READThe Russell Microcap index has surged 21% year-to-date, nearly doubling the S&P 500's gain and far outpacing the 6% rise in the largest mega-cap stocks, according to analysis from The Wall Street Journal. The divergence, driven by…
3 MIN READStifel analysts initiated coverage of FedEx Freight, the newly independent less-than-truckload carrier spun off from FedEx on June 1, citing a recovery in the U.S. industrial economy that could boost freight demand. The analysts said the…
3 MIN READCryptocurrency markets entered 'extreme fear' territory Friday as Zcash plunged 27% on news of a coding exploit, while European technology stocks fell and major companies released mixed earnings updates. The crypto fear index dropped to 17…
4 MIN READThe Bureau of Land Management awarded oil and gas leases on five tracts totaling about 72,000 acres in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's coastal plain on Friday, drawing winning bids of $3.7 million in what critics described as tepid…
3 MIN READCrude oil futures settled lower Friday as market expectations of a resolution to the U.S.-Iran conflict outweighed supply concerns, but analysts warned that the real supply crunch could arrive by early July. West Texas Intermediate fell…
3 MIN READResidents of Utah and Maryland can now plug solar panels directly into a standard wall outlet to offset home electricity use, and seven additional states have passed laws this year to legalize the practice, according to state legislation…
3 MIN READCrude palm oil fell for a second session Friday amid weakness in soybean oil and soft export demand, while Lynas Rare Earths appointed an interim CEO and analysts issued varied calls on mining stocks including BHP, Deep Yellow and…
3 MIN READThe number of employed Argentines age 65 and older increased 12.7% over the past two years, as President Javier Milei's fiscal austerity measures eroded the purchasing power of pensions and pushed a growing number of retirees back into the…
3 MIN READMore than 60,000 Wall Street Journal readers tested their personal finance knowledge against high school students in a quiz based on the National Personal Finance Challenge, the Journal reported Friday. The Mt. Hebron High School team from…
3 MIN READU.S. natural gas futures fell 1.7% on Friday to $3.278 per million British thermal units, giving back gains from the previous two sessions as traders assessed a below-average weekly storage injection that highlighted tightening supply in…
3 MIN READThe former town manager of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, was indicted on May 11 on a felony embezzlement charge for allegedly using taxpayer money to pay for personal expenses including hotel stays, restaurant meals and ammunition,…
4 MIN READActor and television personality Mario Lopez will host the first-ever Presidential 1776 Award national finals, a civics competition for high school students, airing June 30 on CBS. The event, presented by the U.S. Department of Education…
3 MIN READSpaceX is set to go public with a $1.75 trillion valuation, but the rocket and satellite company lost a crucial advantage on Thursday when S&P Dow Jones Indices said it would not fast-track the shares into the S&P 500 index. Without…
4 MIN READNew York City's new commissioner of consumer and worker protection, Samuel AA Levine, is launching an aggressive campaign against junk fees and deceptive subscription practices, warning that the United States has suffered a decades-long…
3 MIN READAn analysis of state and federal records reveals that approximately half of California's tested waterways are contaminated with pesticides classified as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or Pfas. The review identifies the chemical…
3 MIN READSavneet Talwar, a tenured art therapy professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, was suspended from teaching and placed under investigation after a student complained about an assigned case study that mentioned violence…
3 MIN READAs SpaceX prepares for its initial public offering this month, investors are looking beyond Elon Musk's company to other space economy players. Rocket Lab, a Nasdaq-listed launch provider, has emerged as a leading contender with a growing…
3 MIN READJapan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Friday that the government aims to defend the yen's credibility by strengthening the economy, signaling a strategic shift away from direct currency intervention as the yen weakens to near 160 against the dollar despite record spending.
Berenberg analysts reported Wednesday that Ferrari dealers across regions have given poor reviews to the styling and pricing of the Italian automaker's new Luce electric vehicle, though early order intake is expected to meet market volume expectations. Separately, Macquarie analysts said NIO is likely to sustain its profit and growth momentum this year due to a robust product cycle and cost improvements.
SpaceX has filed plans for an initial public offering valuing the company at $1.78 trillion, a price that would make it the largest stock market flotation in history but that financial data firm Morningstar says leaves the company "significantly overvalued."
The USDA confirmed Wednesday that a calf in Zavala County, Texas, tested positive for New World screwworm, the first U.S. livestock detection of the flesh-eating parasite since 1966. The finding creates a new challenge for ranchers already contending with the smallest national cattle herd in decades and record-high beef prices.
Crude oil futures fell roughly 3% on June 4 as a tentative ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon raised hopes for U.S.-Iran negotiations that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though analysts cautioned that Iran-backed Hezbollah is not party to the deal and that full normalization of oil flows faces months of logistical hurdles.
The U.S. economy has intensified its K-shaped divide under President Donald Trump, with wealthy Americans benefiting from a booming stock market while lower-income households face rising inflation, stagnant wages, and soaring gas prices, according to analysts and economic data.
The largest U.S. banks plan to launch a tokenized deposit network in the first half of 2027, an effort to counter the threat from crypto companies and stablecoins, according to a person familiar with the plan reported by The Wall Street Journal.
A growing number of young Americans are spending money frivolously with little regard for future financial consequences, a trend dubbed 'doomspending' that reflects deepening anxiety about the economy and a loss of faith in traditional savings pathways, according to a recent survey and commentary by trend forecasters.
Gold edged higher in early trading Thursday as the U.S. dollar softened, lowering the price of the precious metal for overseas investors. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $4,451.07 an ounce, with traders eyeing upcoming U.S. labor data and Middle East developments for monetary policy clues.
American Airlines said it is temporarily suspending service on selected routes in August and September, citing elevated jet fuel costs amid the ongoing U.S. war with Iran. The Texas-based carrier said affected travelers will be offered alternative arrangements or refunds.
A 49-year-old Sacramento man was arrested over the weekend after attempting to pass through a security checkpoint at Sacramento International Airport carrying what federal authorities described as an explosive device powerful enough to damage an aircraft, along with a torch lighter, knife, zip ties and other items.
US officials have arrested Jamshid Ghomi, a dual US-Iranian citizen, accusing him of using his technology company to smuggle sensitive computer systems to Iran, including to the country's nuclear and military establishment. Ghomi, 63, was detained during a raid on his home in the Los Angeles area and faces up to 20 years in prison.
Federal and state authorities raided a South Carolina metal casting plant on Wednesday, detaining 48 workers on alleged immigration violations and arresting two company managers on charges of knowingly hiring immigrants in the U.S. illegally, state Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Thursday.
Honolulu's bike-share system Biki has lost more than 800 bikes since its launch nearly a decade ago, with vandalism and wear reducing its fleet of 1,000 to just 478 by the end of April, according to city officials.
U.S. and international aviation authorities have issued new guidelines for carrying rechargeable lithium-ion portable battery chargers on flights following a series of smoke and fire incidents, the Associated Press reported June 4.
Several leading artificial intelligence companies, including OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceX, are moving toward initial public offerings this year at valuations reaching into the trillions of dollars, according to the Associated Press. The companies are seeking access to public equity markets to fund an intensifying race to develop and deploy AI technology, but some analysts warn the sector may be overheating.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers Tuesday that South Korea's treatment of American companies, including regulatory actions against Meta and Coupang, has hampered Washington's ability to conclude a trade agreement with Seoul.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a record 50,687.07 on Thursday, rising 875 points as healthcare and financial stocks surged, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite edged lower after Broadcom's AI demand guidance missed expectations, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Three mule deer have been captured on camera using the partially completed $20 million wildlife bridge over Route 97 in Siskiyou County, the first documented use of California's first over-highway wildlife crossing designed to reduce animal-vehicle collisions.
The National Transportation Safety Board said the captain of a United Airlines flight from Venice, Italy, was flying too slow and too low before the Boeing 767 struck a light pole and a tractor-trailer while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on May 3. None of the 231 people aboard were injured; the truck driver suffered minor injuries.
U.S. income inequality has widened significantly over the past five decades, with households at the 90th percentile earning 12.6 times as much as those at the 10th percentile in 2024, up from 8.7 times in 1976, according to Census Bureau data cited by the Wall Street Journal. In an article published June 4 as part of its 'USA250' series, five economists offered competing visions for addressing the divide as artificial intelligence reshapes the economy.
California and New York have scaled back their climate policies in recent days, while Republican-led states continue to dominate renewable energy deployment, according to Energy Information Administration data and reporting by The Guardian.
President Trump will use the Defense Production Act, a Cold War-era statute that grants sweeping wartime powers to accelerate domestic industrial output, to provide $700 million in grants to more than a dozen coal-fired power plants across the United States, according to a White House announcement. Environmental groups condemned the move, calling it a taxpayer-funded handout to an industry that researchers estimate contributed to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths over two decades.
Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday announced a ten-year national artificial intelligence strategy, pledging more than C$2bn ($1.4bn) on computing infrastructure, talent retention, and workforce training as Canada seeks to reduce dependence on foreign technology providers.
The Securities and Exchange Commission last week proposed withdrawing a 2024 regulation that would have required publicly traded companies to disclose greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related business risks, beginning the final stage of dismantling a rule that never took effect.
A South Carolina man bought a $3 scratch-off ticket while driving a family member to a medical appointment and won a $75,000 prize, lottery officials said.
Paraguay is positioning itself as a stable investment destination as companies and investors restructure their supply chains amid mounting global uncertainty, according to analysis published June 4 by United Press International. Paraguayan economist Federico Sosa argues that the country's clean energy, fiscal discipline, and regional connectivity are drawing attention from investors seeking diversification away from Asian exposure.
Nearly 80% of Americans reported a problem with a service or product in 2025, and about two-thirds of those experienced 'rage' about it, according to the National Consumer Rage survey published Thursday by Customer Care Measurement & Consulting and Arizona State University's WP Carey School of Business.
The Guardian, a British national daily, launched a callout Thursday asking Americans to share their experiences with difficult consumer situations, from faulty products and refund issues to unresponsive customer service.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off this week across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament has been co-hosted by three nations. The unprecedented arrangement comes after months of fractious relations among the three neighbors over tariffs, immigration enforcement, and political rhetoric, raising questions about whether the monthlong event will ease tensions or deepen them.
Andrew Left, a prominent short seller known for betting against companies including Evergrande, was convicted of securities fraud on June 2, a verdict that has unsettled the activist investing community and raised new questions about how prosecutors can police traders’ public statements.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday accused the sons of former President Jair Bolsonaro of acting as “traitors to the nation” by lobbying the United States to impose a 25% tariff on Brazilian goods and take action against Brazil’s PIX instant payment system.
U.S. private employers added 122,000 workers in May, ADP reported Wednesday, topping consensus forecasts and marking the strongest month of hiring since President Donald Trump returned to office. The payroll processing firm's monthly employment report showed gains in most sectors, led by education and health services.
The Trump administration has announced new import taxes of 10-12.5% on 60 trading partners — including the UK, the EU, Canada, and Japan — citing their failure to address the use of forced labor in goods imported into the United States.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia warned the Australian dollar could decline against the U.S. dollar following the release of first-quarter GDP data Tuesday, as the bank forecasts flat economic growth that may reduce the likelihood of further Reserve Bank of Australia interest rate hikes.
Oil futures rose Wednesday as U.S.-Iran peace talks showed signs of faltering, with analysts warning that the longer the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, the tighter the physical market will become heading into peak summer demand. West Texas Intermediate crude settled up 1.7% at $93.76 a barrel, while Brent crude rose 1.1% to $96.00.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has aligned with R-Calf, a smaller rancher group long considered fringe by the beef industry, on policies to break up major meatpacking companies, mandate country-of-origin labels, and loosen federal regulations on ranchers, marking a shift in Washington from the powerful agriculture lobby toward a more populist, anti-corporate stance in the cattle sector.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.2% to 51,307.79 on Wednesday as Stellantis unveiled ambitious financial targets through 2030 that analysts said could face skepticism from investors given the softer industry growth environment. Separate Market Talks reports covered a potential Ferrari manual gearbox model launch, weak second-quarter Renault registrations in France, and Castlelake's potential strategy to break up easyJet if it pursues a takeover.
Medtronic posted a profit of $1.24 billion for its fiscal fourth quarter, with net sales climbing 9.9% to $9.81 billion, exceeding analyst estimates as demand for cardiovascular devices and neuroscience products drove growth.
AI market-research platform AlphaSense has reached a $7.5 billion valuation in a new funding round, nearly doubling its previous $4 billion mark from 2024, as investors pour capital into artificial-intelligence tools for the financial-services sector.
The European Commission on Wednesday proposed a wide-ranging technology sovereignty package aimed at reducing the European Union's dependence on non-EU tech companies, with measures targeting semiconductors, cloud services, data centers and artificial intelligence. The proposals, which require approval from the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, come as trade and geopolitical tensions between the EU and the Trump administration have intensified.
A survey of more than 300 federal probationary employees fired during Donald Trump's second term found that 95% reported ongoing mental health effects, with nearly half experiencing PTSD-like symptoms and a quarter now taking new medications to manage their conditions.
Country music star Garth Brooks is considering selling his music catalog for roughly $2 billion, in what would be among the largest deals for an individual artist’s catalog, according to people familiar with the matter.
Oil prices climbed on Wednesday as U.S. forces said they defeated Iranian missiles and drones and conducted self-defense strikes, developments that could complicate U.S.-Iran negotiations and risk reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil waterway. Meanwhile, most Asian equity markets rose after fresh developments in artificial intelligence lifted the S&P 500 to a ninth straight day of gains, with Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average breaking past 68,000 for the first time.
Prolonged disruption of energy supplies from the Middle East due to the Iran war would deal a severe blow to the global economy, sending some countries into recession and spreading inflation and higher unemployment, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said in a report Wednesday.
Spanish hotel chain Meliá will cease operations at 15 of the 34 hotels it manages in Cuba, citing corporate responsibility and external factors that have affected the operation, legality and security of the establishments, according to Cuban state website Cubadebate. The decision, announced May 26, deals a fresh blow to the island's tourism sector weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order expanding sanctions.
Elevated gasoline prices, fueled by the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, drove a 33% year-over-year jump in hybrid vehicle sales in May, according to data from Motor Intelligence, as American car buyers sought fuel savings without the lifestyle changes required by fully electric vehicles.
Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, setting it ablaze as the city prepared to host President Vladimir Putin's annual international economic forum. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the drones flew more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) to hit the terminal.
Ben Black, the Senate-confirmed head of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), had years of personal and business interactions with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to emails released by the Department of Justice. A review of more than 5,000 records from Epstein's private correspondence shows Black invested in a company alongside Epstein in 2011 and that the two men had a relationship for several years afterward, including Epstein telling a friend he attended Black's 30th birthday party.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis on Tuesday vetoed a bill that would have banned companies from using surveillance pricing to set wages and consumer prices, rejecting what would have been the strongest such measure in the nation.
More than 50 bills introduced across half of U.S. states in 2026 seek to restrict retailers from using personal data to set individualized prices, a practice researchers warn could let companies charge more during emergencies or to consumers with urgent needs. Maryland in April became the first state to ban food retailers from using personal data to set higher prices, while New York and California are pursuing similar restrictions.
Ford is recalling almost 420,000 vehicles in the U.S. because of a seat belt retractor issue that could prevent the belts from retracting or extending, increasing the risk of injury in a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Chinese beef traders on Wednesday began purchasing Brazilian beef certified as free of illegal deforestation, under a landmark agreement that marks the first such certification for Brazil's beef industry. The Beef on Track certification, developed by the agriculture and conservation group Imaflora, rates supply chains across four tiers verifying the beef is free of illegal deforestation, activity in protected or Indigenous areas, and slave-like labor.
Global data centers consumed more electricity in 2025 than all but 10 countries, producing carbon emissions comparable to Argentina, according to a United Nations University report released Wednesday.
Lloyds Banking Group apologized Wednesday after an IT glitch left thousands of customers across its brands — Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Scottish Widows and MBNA — unable to make payments, send money or access their accounts through mobile apps and websites for more than three hours.
Nissan has signed a non-binding agreement to explore contract manufacturing vehicles for Chinese state-backed automaker Chery at its Sunderland plant, a move that would safeguard around 6,000 jobs and mark the first mass-market Chinese car production in Britain.
The UK government will provide £1.3bn in public funding to help Comcast build Universal’s first European theme park on a former brickworks site near Bedford, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced Wednesday.
SpaceX has set an estimated share price of $135 for its upcoming initial public offering, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, valuing the company at roughly $1.75 trillion. The company expects to begin trading on the Nasdaq on June 12 in what would be the largest IPO ever, aiming to raise $75 billion.
Chinese intelligence operatives are using legitimate employment websites including LinkedIn, Indeed and Upwork to pose as recruiters and trick UK government and military staff into disclosing state secrets, MI5 warned Wednesday in a rare joint bulletin issued by the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday stripping civil service job protections from approximately 8,000 senior federal workers earning up to nearly $200,000 annually, the White House and Office of Personnel Management said. The order classifies the employees as "influencing" government policy, making them at-will workers subject to removal without cause.
The longest winning streak in a year has pushed the S&P 500 above 7,600, but financial researchers say the party for volatile, high-flying stocks may be nearing an end. Decades of research into the “Low Beta Anomaly” suggest that boring, low-volatility stocks—long ignored by momentum-chasing investors—are historically due for a sharp reversal that could beat the market on a risk-adjusted basis.
Novo Nordisk has launched its oral Wegovy obesity pill in the United Arab Emirates, marking the drugmaker's first expansion of the pill version beyond the United States. Separately, Canadian generic-drug manufacturer Apotex Health moved toward an initial public offering seeking roughly C$1 billion, while WELL Health Technologies closed two major clinic acquisitions and raised its earnings outlook above analyst consensus.
A chicken on the loose in a Kentucky neighborhood led an animal control officer and residents on a chase Friday night that ended with the fugitive fowl taking a swim in a neighbor's pool before being captured.
CBS fired veteran 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley on Tuesday night after he challenged new leadership at the program, accusing editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and executive producer Nick Bilton of attempting to inject political bias into stories. The dismissal is part of a broader shake-up at CBS News under new owners David and Larry Ellison, who have made concessions to the Trump administration.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday of abandoning welfare reform, pointing to the absence of a welfare bill from the government's legislative agenda and citing leaked private messages from a senior minister that she said revealed Labour's internal resistance to cutting benefits.
A UK parliamentary bill that would impose fines on airlines for damaging or losing wheelchairs and failing disabled passengers passed its second reading in the House of Lords on Tuesday, with Paralympic champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson calling it a "significant opportunity" to transform air travel for disabled people.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander met with Peter Mandelson's lobbying firm Global Counsel within weeks of becoming a minister in July 2024 but did not publicly declare the meeting for about 20 months, newly released government documents show. The meeting was only added to transparency logs in March 2025 after MPs ordered the publication of Mandelson's contacts with ministers.
Dollar General on Tuesday reported a $444.1 million profit for its fiscal first quarter, up 13% from a year ago, as the discount retailer opened new stores and continued drawing budget-conscious consumers. Earnings of $2 per share topped the $1.89 analysts had expected, and the company raised its full-year profit forecast.
Oil prices pulled back from overnight gains Tuesday after the Lebanese embassy in the U.S. said it received confirmation that Hezbollah has accepted a U.S.-proposed partial ceasefire, easing fears of a broader Middle East conflict. Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate futures each fell about 0.9% in early European trading, to $94.14 and $91.31 a barrel respectively.
The S&P 500 rose 0.1% to a record close Tuesday, extending its winning streak to nine consecutive sessions — the longest such run in over a year. The rally, driven by surging demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure, lifted all three major U.S. indexes to fresh records for the fifth straight trading day.
Pride organizations across the U.S. are struggling to secure enough corporate sponsorships to fund their annual June events after a wave of big-name brands pulled back, with large groups cutting budgets and others facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in shortfalls. Sponsors commonly cite economic instability and the Trump administration’s moves against diversity, equity and inclusion programs, with government contractors particularly concerned about potential consequences.
The Wall Street Journal reported June 2 that an AI-driven memory chip supply crunch is deepening, easyJet shares jumped on takeover interest, and bitcoin slid to a near two-month low, as a series of market-moving developments swept global equities. Research firm TrendForce said the three major memory-chip makers—Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and Micron—are likely to sharply increase prices for high-bandwidth AI memory in 2027 as surging demand strains production capacity. Goldman Sachs raised its operating profit forecasts for Samsung Electronics through 2028, projecting sustained growth driven by artificial intelligence demand that is outpacing supply growth. Investment firm Castlelake said any takeover offer for British budget carrier easyJet would value the airline at least $4.12 billion, sending its shares roughly 10% higher despite analyst skepticism about a deal's prospects.
Index providers are rewriting rules to add the largest initial public offerings to their benchmarks within days of trading, a change that analysts and academics warn could force index funds to buy tens of billions of dollars in newly listed stock at inflated prices.
S&P Global Ratings revised its outlook on Blackstone Secured Lending Fund to stable from positive on Tuesday, citing risks from potential artificial-intelligence disruption to the fund's $2.9 billion software portfolio and a broader deterioration in asset quality. The rating action came alongside a Morgan Stanley warning that Australian bank valuations look likely to keep falling and fresh data showing bitcoin exchange-traded funds have shed more than $3 billion over the past three weeks.
A blistering second-quarter rally in U.S. tech stocks, fueled by artificial intelligence optimism, has left Wall Street professionals caught between caution and the fear of losing their jobs if they miss out, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Tuesday.
Insurers that provide coverage to executives and boards of private-credit firms are bracing for a wave of lawsuits and regulatory actions, according to insurance executives and industry data cited by the Wall Street Journal. Some insurers have begun raising premiums, with several executives estimating that double-digit increases from a year ago could arrive soon, and coverage terms are tightening for renewals and new policies.
Victoria's Secret swung to a $47.7 million first-quarter profit and raised its full-year sales forecast after a 15% sales gain driven by bras, the company said Tuesday. The retailer earned 56 cents a diluted share, beating Wall Street estimates, compared with a loss of $1.7 million, or two cents a share, a year earlier.
Philip Morris International said Tuesday it will book a roughly $500 million impairment charge in the second quarter to reduce the carrying value of its investment in Canadian affiliate Rothmans Benson & Hedges, reflecting updated financial projections after a multibillion-dollar settlement last year.
Genco Shipping & Trading's board on Tuesday unanimously rejected Diana Shipping's revised unsolicited buyout offer of $24.80 per share, saying it continues to undervalue the company and its assets.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang predicted Tuesday that Marvell Technology could become the next trillion-dollar semiconductor company, citing surging demand for artificial-intelligence hardware driven by the rise of autonomous AI agents. Huang made the forecast during a joint appearance with Marvell CEO Matt Murphy at the Computex trade show in Taipei.
STMicroelectronics shares surged 8.2% in European trading Tuesday after the chip maker raised its 2026 data-center revenue target to about $1 billion, more than doubling its prior forecast. The company said demand for artificial-intelligence infrastructure continues to boom.
Nvidia plans to sell personal-computer chips that bundle its AI-computing hardware with a central processor, directly challenging the x86-based dominance Intel and Advanced Micro Devices have held for roughly five decades. Shares of Nvidia, Microsoft, Dell, HP and Arm all rose Monday following the announcement, which the company detailed at a trade show in Taiwan.
SMBC Nikko Securities strategist Makoto Noji warned Tuesday that Japan faces the risk of a historic yen collapse, driven by a potential prolonged oil price surge and government fiscal loosening that would deepen the burden of inflation already squeezing Japanese households.
A federal jury in Los Angeles convicted short seller Andrew Left of securities fraud on Monday, finding the founder of Citron Research used his social media platform and reputation to manipulate stock prices for quick profits. Left, 55, was found guilty on most of 17 counts and faces sentencing Aug. 31.
Blackstone raised $13.1 billion for its Blackstone Capital Partners Asia III fund, exceeding the $10 billion target and reaching its hard cap, the New York-based alternative asset manager said Monday. The fund is Blackstone's largest Asia-focused private equity vehicle and more than double the size of its predecessor.
Volkswagen has begun rolling out the first vehicles developed under its "in China, for China" strategy, a $3.5 billion bet on locally designed cars aimed at regaining ground in the world's largest auto market after years of erosion by Chinese electric-vehicle makers.
People Incorporated, the media and digital conglomerate led by Barry Diller, proposed Monday acquiring the remaining stake it does not own in MGM Resorts, in a deal valuing the casino operator at approximately $12.4 billion. Diller, 84, said the bid is a deliberate wager on physical entertainment and gaming at a time when many corporate investors are shifting capital into artificial-intelligence ventures.
Canada's economy contracted at a 0.1% annualized rate in the first quarter of 2026, a second straight quarterly decline that badly missed expectations. Prime Minister Mark Carney attributed the weakness to deliberate policy decisions aimed at restructuring the economy to reduce dependence on U.S. trade. The reading triggered recession talk among traders, though most economists said the label is premature.
Canada has formally requested a renewal of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), proposing a 16-year extension of the North American free trade pact as the July 1 deadline to renegotiate the deal approaches. Canada-US Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc submitted the renewal notice Tuesday while in Washington for talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
The Trump administration on Monday proposed a 25% tariff on a range of Brazilian imports, citing unfair trade practices involving digital services, intellectual property, and environmental enforcement. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the action follows a Section 301 investigation launched at President Donald Trump's direction and comes amid ongoing talks between Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The United States on Tuesday sanctioned Iran's largest digital asset platform, Nobitex, along with three other exchanges, the Treasury Department announced, accusing the platforms of processing more than half of Iran's digital asset revenue and supporting a broad sanctions evasion network.
Police in Bakersfield, California, were negotiating Tuesday night with a man holding several people hostage inside a building that houses a Chase bank branch and a school district office. Officers responded to a bomb threat call around 1 p.m. and found the man had barricaded himself inside with multiple community members.
U.S. crude oil exports averaged 5.6 million barrels per day in May, a record high driven by strong demand from Asian and European refiners amid Middle East supply disruptions from the Iran war, according to data from analytics firm Kpler.
The U.S. military said it fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of an unladen oil tanker sailing toward Iran after the vessel's crew ignored repeated warnings over 24 hours, the latest enforcement of the naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz that began April 13.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday that U.S. job openings rose to 7.6 million in April, the highest level in nearly two years, as the labor market showed resilience amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war. The figure beat economists' expectations by nearly 800,000 and marked a sharp reversal from the gradual softening many forecasters had projected.
Asian hotel chain Archipelago International has ended its operations in Cuba under the Aston brand, becoming the third international hospitality operator to exit the island in less than a week ahead of a Friday deadline for foreign companies to end business dealings with GAESA, the military-run conglomerate that controls much of Cuba's tourism sector.
The United States and South Korea opened the first day of inaugural security talks Tuesday focused on Seoul's push to acquire nuclear-powered conventionally armed submarines and revise the bilateral nuclear energy pact, marking the formal start of long-delayed high-level consultations.
New York and five other states sued the Trump administration on Tuesday over a nearly $1bn deal to pay French energy company TotalEnergies to abandon an offshore wind project off the coast of New York, arguing the agreement is unlawful.
A group of Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and Representative Bobby Scott, are opposing a Trump administration proposal that would allow 401(k) retirement plans to invest in cryptocurrency, private credit, and private equity, arguing the change would expose American workers' savings to excessive risk.
Florida lawmakers on Tuesday approved a constitutional amendment for the November ballot that would dramatically overhaul the state’s property-tax system, significantly reducing the tax bill for many homeowners and creating potential funding challenges for local governments, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff warned Tuesday that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence could create a permanent global underclass, with developing nations and countries outside the AI supply chain facing mass job displacement and insufficient tax revenue to cushion the blow.
The Bank of England has shortlisted 18 British wildlife species to appear on the next series of banknotes, replacing historical figures including Sir Winston Churchill. The public has until July 3 to vote for their favorites.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, fans across the 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada express a mix of excitement and deep reservations over ticket prices, political tensions and logistics concerns, according to a series of dispatches published June 2 by The Guardian. The tournament, which kicks off June 11, will be the first co-hosted by three nations and features a record 104 matches.
Former Republican congressman George Santos, who served four months in federal prison before President Trump commuted his sentence, is under investigation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Justice Department for insider trading on the prediction market site Kalshi, according to three people with direct knowledge of his trades who spoke to NPR. Santos allegedly misled the public about his plans to attend President Trump's State of the Union address and then bet on his own absence, turning a profit in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Hyperliquid, a decentralized crypto platform founded three years ago by former Hudson River Trading quantitative trader Jeff Yan, has become a 24/7 trading venue where Wall Street traders place leveraged bets on perpetual futures for crude oil, stock indexes, and pre-IPO companies including SpaceX, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Tuesday. The exchange and its associated blockchain generated roughly $800 million in total revenue last year and have attracted a growing user base seeking access to derivatives markets outside regular trading hours.
Shake Shack scaled back its second-quarter financial guidance on Tuesday, projecting revenue of $415 million to $420 million and same-store sales growth of 2.5% to 3%, as Chief Executive Rob Lynch cited macroeconomic uncertainty and a competitive landscape weighing on the burger chain's outlook.
Signet Jewelers, the owner of Kay, Zales, and Jared, reported higher first-quarter sales and lifted the low end of its full-year outlook Tuesday, as adjusted earnings topped analyst estimates. The company also announced a $50 million stock buyback.
Wall Street Journal Chief China Correspondent Lingling Wei reported Tuesday that a technical paper behind Huawei Technologies Co.’s recent “Tau Law” announcement reveals the company acknowledges it cannot break through the U.S.-led export-control barrier on advanced chipmaking equipment. Independent semiconductor analyst Jimmy Goodrich said Huawei’s goal of matching cutting-edge chip performance by 2031 leaves a realistic gap of six to eight years, not the three years implied by the company’s public framing.
Nearly 300 immigrants detained at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, have described spoiled food, inadequate medical care, and physical abuse in accounts smuggled to journalists, as a labor and hunger strike enters its second week.
British American Tobacco on Tuesday reduced its forecast for global cigarette industry sales volumes this year, projecting a steeper decline of about 2.5%, but raised its growth expectations for new categories such as vapes and nicotine pouches as the company accelerates its shift toward non-combustible products.
Stephen Curry has signed an endorsement deal with Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning, the Golden State Warriors guard announced on his business website Thirty Ink. The 38-year-old NBA star is free to partner with a new retail brand after ending a 12-year deal with Under Armour in 2025. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The dollar rose in early Monday trading after the U.S. and Iran exchanged military strikes over the weekend, lifting safe-haven demand for the greenback even as currency markets focused on diverging central-bank policy signals from Europe, Japan and the United Kingdom.
U.S. stock futures pointed higher on Monday, extending May's record-setting rally, as oil prices jumped after the U.S. and Iran exchanged a fresh round of military strikes. Brent crude rose more than 3% after the U.S. said it struck Iranian air-defense sites in retaliation for Tehran's downing of an American drone, while Israel expanded its ground invasion of Lebanon, further complicating cease-fire negotiations.
Chip stocks powered the S&P 500 up 16% across April and May, marking the index's strongest two-month surge matched only four times since 1950 and pushing Wall Street benchmarks to a series of records as artificial-intelligence spending accelerates.
Gold futures dropped more than 1% on Monday as a firmer U.S. dollar and fresh military strikes between Washington and Tehran over the weekend deepened uncertainty around ongoing negotiations, while oil prices surged more than 3% on renewed supply concerns.
Strategy, the bitcoin-hoarding firm founded by Michael Saylor, sold 32 bitcoin for roughly $2.5 million last week, marking its first sale since late 2022. The company said it used the proceeds to fund distributions on its preferred stock, according to a regulatory filing.
Anthropic filed confidentially for an initial public offering, pulling ahead of rival OpenAI in the race to list publicly, as Goldman Sachs analysts warned that the AI-driven memory shortage will persist through at least 2028 in market talk across the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors on Monday.
Alphabet Inc. announced Monday it will issue $80 billion in equity to finance the expansion of its artificial intelligence infrastructure. The parent company of Google said it will sell $10 billion in stock directly to Berkshire Hathaway and raise the remaining $70 billion through various market offerings this year.
Celebrity investor Ron Baron is counting on Elon Musk to lift his largest fund out of a 2026 slump, with SpaceX and Tesla stakes representing nearly half of his assets as clients pull money from actively managed mutual funds.
The Wall Street Journal reported June 1 that newly released Justice Department files detail Bill Gates's association with Jeffrey Epstein, prompting the billionaire to publicly acknowledge two extramarital affairs referenced in Epstein's emails and leading Microsoft to alter its longstanding annual summit plans.
U.S. natural gas futures pulled back from overnight highs on June 1, falling 2.4% to $3.211 per mmBtu, as rising temperature forecasts for June tempered early-session gains while maintaining broader market support.
Nearly 1,000 United Auto Workers members went on strike at an American Axle plant in Three Rivers, Michigan, early Monday, halting production of axles used in General Motors' heavy-duty and midsize pickup trucks. Workers are at an impasse with the company over a new labor contract, saying their pay has not recovered from deep wage cuts they accepted in 2008 to keep the plant open.
Oil prices rose on June 1 as negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz entered their eighth week without a resolution, with West Texas Intermediate crude climbing 2.1% to $89.20 a barrel and Brent crude gaining 1.7% to $92.66 a barrel.
JetBlue Airways raised its second-quarter revenue outlook Monday, citing strong travel demand across all geographies as the carrier works to offset fuel costs that have climbed above its prior expectations.
Wise Group shares fell to a near 18-month low after a report said Belgian prosecutors are investigating the cross-border payments company for potential money laundering involving €500 million in transactions. Shares dropped 9.2% in European trading on June 1, and fell more than 10% premarket in New York.
Berkshire Hathaway will expand its footprint in the U.S. housing sector through a $6.8 billion cash acquisition of Taylor Morrison Home Corp., the conglomerate announced on June 1. The deal, which values the homebuilder at $72.50 per share, signals how new leadership intends to deploy the company's massive balance sheet while maintaining the long-term orientation established during Warren Buffett's tenure.
China's State Council announced new rules Monday that prohibit unauthorized exports or use of state-restricted goods, technology, services and data, tightening Beijing's scrutiny of outbound capital flows amid escalating technology competition with the United States. The rules, approved in April and set to take effect in July, also ban indirect transfers of restricted technology through cross-border personnel deployments, training programs or technical guidance.
China's manufacturing purchasing managers index dropped to 50 in May, down from 50.3 in April, according to an official survey released Sunday by the National Bureau of Statistics. The reading indicates a halt in factory expansion, raising questions about the resilience of the world's second-largest economy as it navigates the ongoing Iran war and pressure on global demand.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York researchers said Monday that the pandemic-era shift toward remote work is connected to an increase in unemployment among younger workers, estimating that approximately 64% of the jobless rate rise among recent college graduates ties directly to the distributed work model.
Former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned Sunday that a single act of political interference in monetary policy could permanently destroy public trust in the central bank, delivering the message while accepting the 2026 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award in Boston.
Democratic lawmakers and labor advocates are meeting with Midwest autoworkers in union halls across five states, aiming to win back blue-collar voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections as offshoring concerns and tariff impacts mount in the Rust Belt.
UK motorists are facing their highest fuel prices since the US-Israel war with Iran began on 28 February 2026, with Brent crude reaching $126 a barrel and petrol hitting 158.5p a litre on 19 May. The RAC motoring group warned that pump prices could climb further unless there is a sustained resolution to the conflict, which has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and disrupted global energy markets. The UK government has postponed a planned fuel duty rise and offered targeted relief for freight and heating oil users as wholesale volatility continues to ripple through the economy.
Global government bond yields rose across major markets Monday as uncertainty over U.S.-Iran peace talks persisted. A retaliatory Iranian attack on a U.S. military base in Kuwait underscored the fragility of negotiations, even as both sides signaled willingness to reach a deal.
Eurozone households expected consumer prices to rise 4% over the next 12 months in April, unchanged from March and well above levels recorded before the conflict in the Middle East, according to a European Central Bank survey published Friday.
Jersey's children's commissioner and a new cost-of-living report are raising alarms ahead of the island's June election, with a quarter of households classified as low-income and residents warning that high housing and grocery prices are forcing families to consider leaving the island.
Businesses have begun receiving tariff refunds following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found President Donald Trump lacked the constitutional authority to levy broad import taxes, but the repayment process faces uncertainty after the administration announced plans to appeal a judge's order expanding refund eligibility.
The Trump administration on Monday issued a new rule requiring most Medicaid enrollees ages 19 through 64 to work, participate in job training, or perform community service for at least 80 hours per month to maintain their health coverage, implementing a provision of the president's tax and spending law signed in July. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published the interim final rule as an "emergency" measure, giving states until Jan. 1 to comply. Patient advocacy groups and Democrats immediately condemned the policy.
Meituan, China's largest food-delivery platform, reported a net loss of 6.83 billion yuan ($1.01 billion) for the first quarter of 2026, marking its third consecutive quarterly loss as a price war with Alibaba Group and JD.com continues to erode the Beijing-based company's profitability.
Soaring fuel prices driven by the war with Iran are threatening the peak summer tourism season across Southeast Asia, straining economies in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia that depend heavily on international visitors, the Associated Press reported. Elevated jet fuel costs and ceasefire uncertainties have prompted flight cancellations and higher ticket prices just as the region's busiest travel period approaches.
Private-equity firms are turning to a recovering initial public offering market to exit a backlog of nearly 33,000 unsold portfolio companies, betting on the strongest start to a year by total deal value since 2021 to clear a logjam that has weighed on fundraising.
Spiro, an electric vehicle company operating across Africa, secured $215 million in equity financing on Monday to expand its battery-swapping infrastructure and mobility services on the continent. The investment round drew backing from institutional investors in Europe and Africa, including Denmark’s Impact Fund.
White Castle said Monday it has permanently added a meat-free slider to its menu, making the Columbus, Ohio-based chain the latest fast-food company to expand its plant-based offerings even as the broader veggie-burger market faces a sales downturn.
Major consulting firms and government agencies are mandating generative AI usage for staff and tying it to promotion tracks, even as internal confusion over implementation and expected returns leaves employees and mid-level managers uncertain about the technology's workplace role.
Anthropic filed confidential IPO papers on Monday, putting the maker of the Claude chatbot on a path to beat ChatGPT parent OpenAI to a public listing. The filing and Nvidia's simultaneous move into the personal-computer market together lifted AI-linked technology stocks across the board.
New military clashes between the U.S. and Iran sent crude oil prices surging Monday, pushing the benchmark U.S. contract up 5.5% to $92.16 a barrel and raising fresh fears about inflation. The spike lifted the yield on the 10-year Treasury note to 4.475%, up from 4.452% on Friday. Despite a broad equity sell-off, technology and energy gains lifted all three major stock indexes to new record closes.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise accelerated its long-term financial targets by two years after reporting second-quarter revenue of $10.68 billion, a 40% increase driven by surging demand for AI compute infrastructure.
FedEx Freight CEO John Smith said autonomous tractor-trailer technology is ready for commercial use but regulatory approval remains the biggest hurdle, in an interview published by the Wall Street Journal on Sunday. Smith spoke shortly after FedEx Freight began trading as a standalone company following its spinoff from FedEx, becoming North America's largest less-than-truckload carrier with $8.7 billion in annual revenue.
Oura released a redesigned smart ring focused on a smaller form factor after users requested a less obtrusive wearable, Chief Executive Tom Hale said in a June 1 interview with The Wall Street Journal.
Castlelake, a US investment fund that primarily lends to the airline industry, has made a possible takeover approach for easyJet, the British budget carrier said on June 1. EasyJet characterized the approach as "highly opportunistic," signaling that it believes the bid undervalues the company at a moment when European airlines face uncertainty driven by the Iran war's impact on jet fuel prices and consumer booking patterns.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is proposing to halt its annual collection of employee demographic data and revoke a decades-old regulation that authorized employers to take voluntary steps to correct race and gender disparities in their workforces.
Guadalupe Higuera, a Phoenix software developer, used a Department of Energy calculator to compare the cost of keeping his 2016 Jeep Wrangler against buying a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox electric vehicle, finding that the switch reduces his carbon emissions by 80 percent and matches the Jeep's cost of ownership within five years.
Barry Diller's People Inc. offered Monday to acquire the remaining shares of MGM Resorts for $48.30 per share in cash, in a nonbinding proposal that would take the casino operator private and value the company at roughly $12.4 billion.
Nearly 1,000 United Auto Workers members at the American Axle manufacturing facility in Three Rivers, Michigan, walked off the job early Monday after contract negotiations expired without an agreement.
Shares in the international money transfer service Wise dropped more than 10% on Monday after the company confirmed it is responding to queries from Belgian prosecutors investigating its anti-money-laundering controls. Wise said the Brussels prosecutor’s office inquiries remain incomplete and no specific findings have been shared with the company to date.
People Inc, the digital media company chaired by Barry Diller, announced Monday it has proposed to acquire the remaining shares of casino operator MGM Resorts International in a deal that values the company at more than $18 billion. The offer of $48.30 per share in cash represents a premium of roughly 10.6% over MGM's Friday closing price of $43.67.
A Chicago-based developer has reached an agreement in principle to sell a Fisher Island property to Miami-Dade county for approximately $400 million, more than double the $180 million it paid for the land less than a year ago, potentially leaving county taxpayers with a $220 million bill over a Depression-era fuel depot that services the world's busiest cruise port.
Belgian prosecutors are investigating UK money transfer company Wise over suspicions that criminals used its accounts to facilitate illicit fund movements. The probe focuses exclusively on the firm's European operations and is nearing its conclusion, authorities confirmed Sunday.
OpenAI has offered nine major UK banking institutions access to its GPT-5.5 Cyber security tool, providing an alternative access pathway as rival Anthropic blocks financial firms from previewing its Claude Mythos model.
Wealth advisors and family offices are expanding specialized retreats for heirs of the ultra-rich as the United States navigates a historic period of wealth creation and intergenerational transfer. Programs like the Austin-based seminar hosted by peer network R360 aim to prepare college-age attendees for financial, emotional, and social challenges tied to inherited fortunes that could otherwise vanish across generations.
OpenAI and Anthropic are both preparing to go public, and the order in which they reach the stock market could materially affect their futures and the next phase of the artificial-intelligence investment boom, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. The two AI heavyweights are competing not only on technology but also for investor capital in a market where timing carries outsized weight.
Joel Greenblatt's 'Magic Formula,' a simplified stock-picking strategy that once backtested at 31% annualized returns, has underperformed the S&P 500 on a rolling five-year basis since 2016, according to a Stockholm University researcher — a decline the researcher attributes to both strategy crowding and a broader market rotation away from value investing.
Uber Technologies plans to launch a robotaxi program in Munich, Germany, partnering with Israeli artificial-intelligence startup Autobrains Technologies and Nvidia to deploy autonomous vehicles on European roads pending regulator approval.
Market analysts issued updated ratings and sector assessments for major auto and transport companies on June 1, with investment firms evaluating the potential impact of a Castlelake bid for easyJet, Chinese electric-vehicle chip developments, and shifting strategies for Australian aviation and auto-accessories firms.
Ofcom has launched an investigation into Royal Mail after nearly a quarter of first-class mail failed to arrive on time in the year to March, in the latest regulatory action against the UK's universal postal service.
EasyJet formally rejected a potential takeover bid from US investment fund Castlelake on Monday, calling it "highly opportunistic" and citing stock prices depressed by Middle East conflict and rising jet fuel costs. Castlelake disclosed it is considering an offer valuing the Luton-based budget carrier at a minimum of £3.06bn ($3.89bn).
The United Kingdom's government has proposed creating a national database that would allow airlines to share information on disruptive passengers and potentially bar them from flying with any carrier. Officials from the Department for Transport plan to meet with airlines this month to discuss how the scheme would work.
Oil prices climbed more than 3% on Sunday after the U.S. and Iran exchanged fresh military strikes over the weekend, with both sides still negotiating a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after seven weeks of talks. Brent crude rose 3.1% to $93.95 a barrel while WTI futures gained 3.5% to reach $90.40, bouncing from their lowest levels since mid-April.
USA Rare Earth announced Monday it plans to invest more than 175 million euros ($204.1 million) through 2030 to expand metal, alloy, and magnet production in France, part of a broader U.S. push to secure alternative sources of rare earth elements outside China.
US private credit firm Castlelake is weighing a takeover bid for easyJet that would value the European budget airline at about £3bn, the companies said Monday. easyJet rejected the overture as "highly opportunistic," saying its share price was temporarily depressed by Middle East instability and rising jet fuel costs.
The fourth round of the 2026 French Open begins June 1 at Roland-Garros, headlined by Madison Keys, Flavio Cobolli and Félix Auger-Aliassime as the tournament advances into its second week.
Singapore-based GLP is planning to raise as much as $3 billion through an initial public offering in Hong Kong, with the listing targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026, according to people familiar with the matter.
Nearly 1,000 United Auto Workers walked off the job Monday at American Axle's plant in Three Rivers, Michigan, halting production of axles that supply General Motors' full-size and midsize pickup trucks. The strike, which UAW President Shawn Fain announced in a Sunday livestream, centers on workers' demands for higher pay and limits on forced weekend overtime at a plant where wages have not recovered from deep cuts made 18 years ago.
South Korea's exports grew at the fastest pace in more than four decades in May, reaching a record $87.75 billion as surging demand for artificial intelligence chips outweighed global geopolitical headwinds, preliminary trade ministry data released Monday showed.
Samsung Electronics' market capitalization reached approximately $1.23 trillion based on its latest common-share closing price, and analysts are raising the possibility that the South Korean technology giant could approach a $2 trillion valuation fueled by artificial intelligence demand, a major memory-chip upcycle and deepening partnerships with AI companies.
UK house prices have fallen for the first time this year as rising market interest rates and geopolitical instability in the Middle East weaken buyer confidence, according to Nationwide data.
Home care workers across the United Kingdom are absorbing hundreds of pounds in monthly fuel costs that their employers' mileage rates do not fully cover, as petrol and diesel prices continue to rise. A South Yorkshire-based carer said she spends up to £400 per month on fuel to visit elderly clients, while care industry leaders said most employers cannot afford to match the government's recommended mileage rates because councils and the NHS do not pay enough for homecare services.
The Environmental Services Association has called for a refundable deposit of up to £5 on vapes purchased in the UK, arguing the scheme would reduce fires in waste facilities and increase recycling rates one year after disposable vapes were banned.
Sky UK is ending its joint venture with United Arab Emirates-backed IMI over the Sky News Arabia channel, transitioning to a brand licensing arrangement that relinquishes operational control amid growing internal concerns over the channel's coverage of the war in Sudan.
The Trump administration is making access to critical minerals and sensitive health data a condition for resuming U.S. foreign health aid in sub-Saharan Africa, prompting several nations to reject or stall negotiations over terms they say compromise national interests and citizen privacy.
A shortage of Scotch bonnet peppers, driven by extreme weather, disease, and pests, is forcing Caribbean hot sauce manufacturers to cancel orders, raise prices, and scramble for alternative ingredients as demand for the region's signature condiment continues to grow globally.
A family-owned property group that sells temporary housing to local councils for homeless people is part of a broader business network accused of exploiting loopholes to avoid millions in property taxes, according to a Guardian investigation published May 31. The report highlights overlapping ownership within the Schreiber dynasty, whose members control a nationwide commercial portfolio.
A UK recruitment executive who repurchased the assets of his collapsed company despite it owing £2.9 million has fallen behind on promised payments to creditors, shortly after his restructured firm announced it would fund an all-expenses-paid staff trip to Las Vegas.
Meta legal action forced former Facebook executive Sarah Wynn-Williams to sit silently on stage during an hour-long event at the Hay festival on May 31, 2026, after the company's lawyers warned that speaking could trigger $50,000 fines.
The UK government's pledge to invest £4.4 billion in Plymouth's Devonport dockyard over the next decade is set to transform the city, with council estimates projecting up to 25,000 new jobs in the maritime and defense sector. Labour councillor Tudor Evans, leader of Plymouth city council, said the investment will "give Plymouth as a whole a pay rise" as the port city undergoes its largest regeneration since the post-Second World War rebuilding.
Arm's chief executive, Rene Haas, is in line for a compensation package that could exceed $1 billion if the chip designer hits market capitalization milestones stretching to $2 trillion by 2031, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
An explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in China's Shanxi province killed 82 people on May 22, ending a decade of safety improvements and marking China's deadliest coal mining disaster in more than 15 years.
Lidl is preparing to open its first-ever pub in Dundonald, east Belfast, a venture that required navigating one of Europe's most restrictive alcohol licensing systems and has renewed debate over whether Northern Ireland's century-old rules governing who can serve drinks need reform.
Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has proposed cutting employers' National Insurance contributions and approving new North Sea oil and gas licensing to address youth unemployment and increase tax revenue.
Tomato prices have increased roughly 40% over the past year according to the latest Consumer Price Index, the steepest jump of any food product tracked, as a staple of American kitchens becomes the newest flashpoint in a long-running affordability squeeze felt across grocery aisles from coffee to beef.
Wall Street pushed further into record territory on Friday, as the S&P 500 rose 0.2% for its seventh straight gain and the benchmark index closed out its ninth consecutive winning week — the longest such streak since 2023. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.7% and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.2%, with all three major indexes setting all-time highs for the fourth day in a row.
An Associated Press investigation published Thursday found that for-profit residential treatment centers for teenagers across the United States are systematically tapping into federal special education money by contracting with individual school districts, often across state lines, drawing millions in taxpayer funds while operating with minimal federal oversight.
Shrey Parikh, a six-year spelling bee competitor, overcame pre-word nerves and a deep field of finalists to win the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday, defeating Ishaan Gupta in a lightning-round tiebreaker that the Associated Press called record-breaking.
Artificial intelligence company Anthropic said Thursday it raised $65 billion in private funding that pushes its valuation to $965 billion, vaulting the five-year-old maker of the Claude chatbot past chief rival OpenAI in market value and reported revenue.
A measure of inflation closely watched by the Federal Reserve accelerated to 3.8% in April from a year earlier, the Commerce Department reported Thursday, the highest level since May 2023 and a sign that price pressures are intensifying under the weight of energy costs and tariffs.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose by 5,000 last week to 215,000, though layoffs remain near historic lows even as the Iran war casts uncertainty over the U.S. economic outlook, the Labor Department reported Thursday.
The U.S. Postal Service announced Thursday it has finalized a multi-year, $10 billion agreement to handle last-mile delivery for DHL eCommerce, the e-commerce arm of German logistics giant DHL.
The European Union fined Chinese online retailer Temu €200 million ($232 million) on Thursday after an investigation found the platform exposed consumers to illegal and hazardous products, the Associated Press reported.
Crews have recovered the remains of six of nine workers missing after a massive chemical storage tank ruptured at a Longview paper mill, bringing the death toll from the disaster to 11, officials said Thursday.
A federal judge in Baton Rouge ruled he cannot order Louisiana to improve dangerously harsh working conditions for prisoners forced to labor in extreme heat at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, citing a recent appellate court decision that altered the standard for proving cruel and unusual punishment.
TOKYO — Chinese robotics companies took center stage Thursday at the opening of the Humanoids Summit Tokyo, showcasing dexterous mechanical hands and agile humanoid machines that underscored China's growing dominance in a field Japan and the United States once pioneered.
U.S. prosecutors charged a Google software engineer with insider trading on Wednesday, alleging the employee used confidential company search data to win more than $1.2 million in wagers on the prediction platform Polymarket.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that his department has prepared the design for a new $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump, anticipating legislation in Congress to put the president on a new denomination of U.S. currency.
Tilman Fertitta, the billionaire hospitality mogul and U.S. ambassador to Italy, is acquiring Caesars Entertainment in a deal valued at $17.6 billion, the Associated Press reported Wednesday. Fertitta Entertainment will pay $5.7 billion and assume nearly $12 billion of Caesars' debt, creating one of the largest gaming empires in the country.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine suspended a sales-tax exemption for data centers on Wednesday, citing projections that show the cost of the break has soared far beyond original estimates, as the AI-driven data center boom intensifies scrutiny of subsidies for the energy-hungry facilities.
The United States will need at least three years to replenish stockpiles of Tomahawk cruise missiles and Patriot and THAAD air-defense interceptors heavily expended during the Iran war, according to an analysis released Wednesday by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The CSIS report warns that depleted inventories have created a window of vulnerability for any potential future conflict with China.
The median pay package for chief executives of S&P 500 companies rose 6% to $17.7 million in 2025, while the typical employee at those firms earned $89,744, a 4.7% increase, according to an Associated Press survey released Wednesday.
Nine spellers advanced to the finals of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee on Wednesday, reviving a long-running debate over whether success depends more on mastering language roots or on rote memorization of the dictionary.
A chemical tank rupture at a Washington paper mill killed at least 11 people and left nine others missing — all presumed dead — after it released more than 500,000 gallons of caustic white liquor, authorities said Wednesday. The tank failure at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview occurred during a shift change Tuesday morning, prompting one of the deadliest U.S. industrial accidents in years.
Brazil’s federal government announced on May 27 a $75 million investment to pave the BR‑319 highway that cuts through the Amazon rainforest. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the project will create “the most modern road in the world,” while also unveiling a new environmental‑protection plan to monitor a 50‑kilometer strip on each side of the road. The announcement comes as environmental groups warn the road could accelerate deforestation and undermine climate goals.
U.S. defense contractors will need at least three years to restock heavily depleted inventories of Tomahawk cruise missiles and Patriot and THAAD air defense interceptors. The finding comes from a new analysis released Wednesday by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Travelers holding airline miles and credit card rewards points will find their balances don't stretch as far this summer, as jet fuel prices elevated by the Iran war drive up airfares and baggage fees, according to travel experts and Labor Department data.
Cities and regional planning agencies across the United States are replacing traditional blacktop parking lots with porous concrete panels, native plants, and recycled materials, a shift driven by worsening heat and storm runoff that conventional asphalt magnifies.
Graham Platner, the presumptive Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, aired a campaign ad on the cable station that broadcasts Boston Red Sox games attacking the team’s ownership over private equity — then saw the ad pulled midway through the game and quickly used the removal to amplify his populist message.
PayPal said its core online checkout business is barely growing and will require “significant changes” to fix, as the San Jose, California-based payments pioneer faces intensifying competition from Apple Pay, Shopify, buy now, pay later services and peer-to-peer payment apps. PayPal’s stock has fallen nearly 40% in the past 12 months and roughly 80% over five years.
Mondelez International announced Tuesday that Oreo is releasing BTS‑themed sandwich cookies with purple wafers and a creme filling that tastes like hotteok, a popular Korean street‑food pancake, in over 80 markets worldwide. The limited‑edition cookies, designed by the seven members of the K‑pop supergroup, go on sale online June 1 and in stores June 8.
New York lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban the use of potassium bromate in food, putting a century-old baking additive at the center of a debate over the future of the state’s pizza and bagels. The legislation, which now goes to Gov. Kathy Hochul, targets a chemical considered a possible carcinogen and already prohibited in the European Union, Canada, and several other countries.
Argentine authorities seized more than 700 marine animals trafficked from Kenya at Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport, conservation groups said, in what they described as a major bust of exotic wildlife destined for the ornamental aquarium trade. The April 26 seizure, disclosed Tuesday by the Associated Press, involved tropical fish and invertebrates including surgeonfish, puffer fish, lionfish, octopuses and starfish. Many of the animals arrived dead after 120 hours in transit, while survivors showed severe signs of stress.
Ferrari on Monday rolled out its first fully electric car, the Luce, showing the model to Italy’s President and Pope Leo XIV, but the leap into battery power came as other luxury automakers retreat from ambitious electrification plans and the debut drew market skepticism.
Federal water managers are weighing a plan to release cold water from deep inside Lake Powell through Glen Canyon Dam, a move designed to cool the Colorado River and protect the threatened humpback chub from predatory fish, but one that would slash hydropower output because the dam’s turbines draw from warmer upper waters, according to agency officials and documents reviewed by the Associated Press.
Ball State University will pay $225,000 to settle a federal lawsuit filed by Suzanne Swierc, a former employee who was fired after posting a critical comment about conservative activist Charlie Kirk on her private Facebook page, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Tuesday.
The Brazilian government said Wednesday it will spend $75 million to upgrade the BR-319 highway running through the Amazon rainforest, a project environmental groups warn will accelerate deforestation and climate change. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva simultaneously unveiled an environmental protection plan that he said would make the road 'the most modern in the world' from an environmental standpoint, and challenged foreign critics to visit and see the safeguards.
BP abruptly removed Chairman Albert Manifold on Tuesday, less than a year into his tenure, after the board uncovered what it described as serious governance and conduct issues. The board was “surprised and disappointed” by the matters, senior independent director Amanda Blanc said in a statement.
Recruiters inundated with AI-generated job applications are deploying artificial intelligence of their own to handle the surge, using chatbots to conduct screening interviews via phone, text and video. The practice, documented in new research by the hiring platform Glasshouse, shows a growing number of job seekers facing AI interviews — and a significant share walking away from the process entirely.
U.S. stock indexes closed at all-time highs on May 27 after oil prices dropped sharply as the ceasefire between the United States and Iran appeared to hold. The S&P 500 edged up to 7,520.36, the Dow gained 182 points to 50,644.28, and the Nasdaq composite closed at 26,674.73, all records.
Massachusetts has become the first state to recognize a union for ride-hailing app drivers, after state officials certified the App Drivers Union as the bargaining representative for nearly 70,000 Uber and Lyft drivers. The certification, which labor leaders called the largest private-sector organizing win since Ford autoworkers unionized in 1941, follows a 2024 ballot measure that created a first-in-the-nation framework allowing drivers to bargain collectively while remaining independent contractors.
Solar and wind projects now account for the majority of new energy developments across Africa, with 173 of the 322 projects announced in 2025 being solar, according to industry data. The shift reflects falling technology costs, rising fuel import bills linked to the Iran war, and policy changes that are accelerating distributed renewable generation.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee opened its preliminary rounds Tuesday in Washington for the first time in 15 years, moving from a suburban Maryland convention center to historic Constitution Hall. Spellers and their families offered mixed reviews of the new venue, praising its cultural significance while navigating tightened security, shuttle-bus logistics, and the unexpected proximity of a White House fencing crew preparing for a June 14 UFC event.
PayPal Holdings Inc. is confronting its toughest test in nearly three decades as the company’s flagship branded‑checkout segment posted a modest 2% gain in the first quarter, prompting investors to warn that “significant changes” will be needed to revive growth. The slowdown comes as rivals such as Apple’s Apple Pay, Shopify and buy‑now‑pay‑later firms like Klarna and Affirm have chipped away at PayPal’s roughly 9% share of U.S. e‑commerce payments, with Apple now surpassing the online‑checkout leader. After a board‑approved shake‑up that removed CEO Alex Chriss in February, former HP Inc. chief executive Enrique Lores was named interim CEO and outlined a plan to reorganize the firm into three divisions and lean more heavily on artificial‑intelligence tools.
Mondelez International announced that Oreo will roll out a limited‑edition, BTS‑themed cookie line featuring purple‑colored wafers and a creme center flavored to mimic Korean hotteok, a popular street‑food pancake. The cookies will be available online on June 1 and reach stores on June 8, with sales slated for more than 80 markets worldwide. BTS said the partnership lets the group “share a taste of home with the world,” while Mondelez chief marketing officer Martin Renaud emphasized the need to stay authentic to Korean culture while appealing to a broad consumer base.
Ferrari has unveiled its first fully electric car, the Luce, to Italy’s President and Pope Leo XIV, but the company’s arrival in the battery-only luxury segment has been met with skepticism from markets and auto critics. The unveiling came as some automakers scale back electrification plans amid uneven demand in key regions, and Ferrari’s stock dropped in Milan after the news.
A woman fired by Ball State University over a Facebook post criticizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk will receive $225,000 to settle a lawsuit, her attorneys said Tuesday. The ACLU said the university retaliated against Suzanne Swierc for speaking as a private citizen on a matter of public concern.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite closed at all-time highs Tuesday as Wall Street caught up with global gains on optimism over U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations, while oil prices rose 3.5% on continued fighting in the region.
BP said it has ousted Chairman Albert Manifold after what the oil company described as serious concerns about governance oversight and conduct. The board named Ian Tyler as interim chair effective immediately, and BP said it would search for a new chairman. BP also reported a slide in its shares after the announcement.
The 98th Scripps National Spelling Bee concludes Thursday night at Constitution Hall in Washington, marking the competition’s return to the nation’s capital and the debut of a new television host. The three-day event, which began Tuesday, will crown its 111th champion from a field of the country’s top young spellers, according to the Associated Press.
Global stocks mostly rose Monday as oil prices fell more than $4 after U.S. President Donald Trump said talks to end the Iran war were progressing. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 2.9%, while trading was closed in the U.S. for Memorial Day and in parts of Asia for holidays. The U.S. is close to a deal that officials said would end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and involve Iran giving up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
John Hancock’s Vitality program rewards life insurance customers with points for healthy behaviors such as going to the gym, buying healthy foods, tracking sleep, and getting preventive screenings. The program converts those points into perks and tier upgrades, including digital prize-wheel rewards, as it aims to encourage longer-term behavior change. NPR spoke with policyholders, the company’s CEO, and a cardiologist who helped shape the program.
Diners are staying home more often as restaurant meals grow pricier, and one Austin restaurant is trying to make sit-down dining easier to afford. L’Oca d’Oro introduced a Tuesday “pay-what-you-will” night, letting customers choose what they pay for the food menu. The restaurant adds a 20% service charge on the chosen total, which the owners say supports staff living wages and benefits.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee begins Tuesday and runs through Thursday night in Washington, where the nation’s top young spellers compete in preliminaries, quarterfinals and semifinals before the finals. This year’s 98th bee is set to take place at Constitution Hall and will be hosted on television by Mina Kimes.
The travel industry condemned a threat by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in so-called “sanctuary cities,” saying the move could jeopardize international flights. The U.S. Travel Association and major airline industry groups urged the administration not to reduce Customs staffing at major airports, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said it “doesn’t make sense” to restrict travel based on political views.
Global shares mostly rose and oil prices sank more than $4 a barrel on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations to end the war with Iran were moving forward. Regional officials told The Associated Press the United States is close to reaching a deal that would end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and see Iran give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Global stock markets advanced Monday while oil prices dropped more than $4 a barrel, driven by President Donald Trump's statement that negotiations to end the war with Iran are moving forward.
Wall Street finished another week of gains Friday as the S&P 500 added 0.4% for its eighth straight winning week, while a University of Michigan survey showed consumer sentiment falling to a record low. Energy prices driven by the war with Iran and rising inflation expectations weighed on households, even as major companies reported results that beat analysts.
The Justice Department has granted former President Donald Trump, his sons and the Trump Organization blanket immunity from any pending Internal Revenue Service audits, ending a $10 billion lawsuit the president filed after a 2018 leak of his tax returns. The settlement, released Tuesday, bars the IRS from examining the former president’s current tax filings while a $1.8 billion fund was set aside to compensate people the president claims were improperly investigated. Tax policy experts say the unprecedented move could erode confidence that tax rules apply equally to all Americans.
President Donald Trump traveled to the Hudson Valley on Friday to promote the tax law he signed last year, appearing with Rep. Mike Lawler and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman ahead of a competitive House race. At Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York, Trump began with material he said was about the economy but veered into voter identification, crime, transgender women in sports and a new name for Democrats before returning to taxes.
Treasury bond yields rose sharply this week, with 30-year rates topping 5%, and economists say the move reflects persistent inflation, larger government deficits and a political shift toward populism that limits deficit reduction. NPR’s Scott Simon spoke with Wall Street Journal economics commentator Greg Ip about what higher long-term rates could mean for consumers, retirement savings and government budgets.
Europe’s oil and gas prices will remain above pre-Iran-war levels at least through the end of 2027, European Union and eurozone officials said Friday. The guidance came as eurozone finance ministers met, with EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis citing energy costs behind a higher inflation forecast for this year.
Kansas wheat farmers are facing a near-collapse this season as record drought, hotter temperatures, and rising input costs cut yields and quality, with the crop forecast to be the smallest since 1972. Growers in the Plains region also report damage from wheat streak mosaic virus and barley yellow dwarf virus, along with higher fertilizer and diesel costs tied in part to tariffs and global pressures.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office urged drivers to avoid Chevron stations over Memorial Day weekend, arguing the oil company charges more than unbranded alternatives. In posts shared this week, Newsom’s staff said Chevron averaged more than 60 to 80 cents per gallon above unbranded options, citing an analysis by a group within the state’s energy commission.
Airline miles and points may buy fewer flights and perks this summer as higher jet-fuel costs push up airfares and add fees, according to travel and credit-card rewards experts. The Associated Press reports that airfares in April were 21% higher than a year earlier, citing the U.S. Labor Department.
President Donald Trump on Friday oversaw the White House swearing-in of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair, signaling he wants Warsh to help boost the economy while saying the central bank will remain independent. The ceremony, held in the East Room and administered by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, came amid heightened market and inflation worries tied to the war with Iran and Trump’s prior pressure on Jerome Powell to cut rates.
Higher gasoline and airfare costs are reshaping how many Americans approach the Memorial Day-to-summer travel stretch, with some travelers scaling back and shifting to shorter trips or cheaper lodging. The changes come as fuel prices rise amid the Iran war and broader inflation pressures, industry and government data show.
The Michigan House on Thursday passed a bill that would give Mackinac Island authority over ferry services, including prices for fares, parking, and baggage handling. The legislation now goes to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and it would take effect only if a majority of island residents approve the charter amendment.
House Homeland Security Committee members held a hearing on Wednesday about ways to modernize the Transportation Security Administration as the Trump administration seeks to shift screening work to private contractors at about 250 smaller U.S. airports. The discussion turned on whether TSA officers would keep getting paid during future government shutdowns and on how airport screening should be funded and staffed.
New York lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban the flour additive potassium bromate, which some bakers say helps dough rise faster and produce the familiar texture of city pizza and bagels. The measure, awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature, has split the baking industry between health concerns and worries that changing a long-used ingredient could force widespread menu and process adjustments.
The high-stakes trial between Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that the two billionaires agreed on a fundamental reality: developing artificial intelligence would require billions of dollars annually — far more than either had initially imagined. The testimony and evidence, presented in a San Francisco courtroom this week, raised the uncomfortable question of whether anything other than commercial interests can ultimately steer the future of AI.
After nearly a year deployed, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, last weekend, bringing about 3,500 sailors home. Families crowded the pier as the ship’s tour stretched from the coast of Venezuela to the Red Sea, where the carrier launched F/A-18s to support U.S. operations in the war involving Iran.
Chile has begun building a new border “shield” on parts of its frontier with Peru and Bolivia, a project the new far-right President José Antonio Kast has framed as a hardline response to migration. In northern Chile, crews are digging trench sections along the boundary while Chilean officials say illegal entry attempts have declined in recent months.
President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive order to develop a U.S. deep‑sea mining industry has ignited a wave of investor funding and soaring stock prices, while federal agencies accelerate permitting for seabed leases ranging from American Samoa to Alaska. At least nine companies are now in talks with the government for access to polymetallic nodules and other marine minerals.
Elite spellers say Scott Remer has been crucial to their wins, as the only full-time spelling bee coach charges as much as $180 an hour. Remer’s students can also earn him a performance-based bonus tied to top-10 finishes at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which begins Tuesday and runs through Thursday in Washington.
Estee Lauder has ended merger talks with Puig that would have combined brands including Clinique, Charlotte Tilbury and Jean Paul Gaultier, the company said Friday. Estee Lauder CEO Stéphane de la Faverie said in a prepared statement late Thursday that the New York-based firm remains confident as a standalone company.
Parking lots can trap heat and worsen stormwater runoff, especially as climate change intensifies hotter weather and heavier downpours. Now, cities and other groups across the U.S. are testing alternatives to traditional asphalt, including porous materials, vegetation and shading, and designs that help rain soak into the ground. The changes are intended to cool surfaces and reduce polluted runoff that can flow into waterways.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has outlined 30-foot-high steel bollard wall plans for a 175-mile stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border in West Texas and said no such physical wall is planned inside Big Bend National Park, while a separate project would add vehicle barriers, sensors and patrol roads. Local officials in Brewster County, the surrounding communities and several advocacy groups say the details have changed and argue the work could harm the park’s wildlife and dark skies.
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto announced a new regulation that will centralize export control for coal, palm oil and iron alloys under a newly registered state-owned enterprise starting in stages this year. The move, Prabowo said, aims to strengthen oversight and curb under-invoicing, transfer pricing and diversion of export proceeds, with global implications for suppliers and buyers.
Everlane said it is being acquired by Shein, the fast-fashion giant founded in China, in a deal announced to employees by Everlane CEO Alfred Chang. Analysts said the acquisition could help Everlane financially as sales slow and debt rises, but warned the association may be jarring for core Everlane customers.
Single Gen Z women are buying more homes than single Gen Z men, according to National Association of Realtors data covering July 2024 to June 2025. In that period, single Gen Z women accounted for 35% of homebuyers in their generation, compared with 18% for single Gen Z men. The survey also found that the share of all first-time buyers across ages fell to the lowest level on record going back to 1981.
The travel industry condemned Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin after he reiterated a threat to withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in “sanctuary cities,” a move the industry says could disrupt international flights. The U.S. Travel Association said Mullin confirmed in a meeting that he is considering the change, which the group and major airlines called detrimental to travel and tourism.
The federal jury at a trial in Oakland, California, dismissed Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI after finding it missed a statutory deadline, leaving no verdict on the merits. Testimony during the three-week case, pitting Musk against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, offered a detailed look at how executives weighed the costs of building and scaling artificial intelligence.
President Donald Trump visited New York on Friday to support Rep. Mike Lawler’s re-election campaign, appearing at an event at Rockland Community College and touting the tax law he signed last year. The speech, meant to focus on the economy, quickly veered into topics including voter identification, crime in cities, transgender women in sports and the opposition party’s name, “Dumocrats,” before returning to taxes and take-home pay.
Wall Street extended its streak of weekly gains Friday as the S&P 500 rose 0.4% and finished its eighth straight winning week, the best such run since 2023. The rise came even as a University of Michigan survey showed U.S. consumer sentiment falling to a record low, with inflation expectations worsening. Concerns over oil prices tied to the war with Iran and higher global bond yields added to uncertainty for stocks and other assets.
The Internal Revenue Service has agreed to drop pending probes into whether Donald Trump properly paid federal taxes, resolving a lawsuit over the leak of his tax returns. Tax experts said the settlement’s broad immunity terms are unusual and could weaken public confidence in tax enforcement.
Walmart reported a 7.3% rise in first‑quarter sales to $177.75 billion, driven by brisk in‑store purchases and a 26% surge in online orders. The company, however, cautioned that a volatile economic backdrop — highlighted by soaring gasoline prices after the Iran war — could curb growth in the coming quarter. Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey said higher fuel costs have already squeezed profit margins and may force price adjustments if the trend persists.
The Trump administration loosened federal rules on refrigerants used in grocery-store cooling systems and air-conditioning equipment, the Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday. President Donald Trump said the step would “substantially lower costs for consumers” by delaying restrictions on which refrigerants U.S. businesses and families can use.
President Donald Trump oversaw the White House swearing-in of Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve chair on Friday, calling for an economy-focused approach while insisting the central bank would remain independent. The ceremony also raised questions because Trump has pushed for greater influence over the Fed and had previously criticized Jerome Powell for resisting rate cuts.
EU officials said Europeans should expect oil and gas prices to remain above pre-Iran war levels at least through the end of 2027, alongside an upward trajectory for prices of other goods. European Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde also pointed to lingering inflation pressure even if the Middle East conflict ends now.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office urged drivers to avoid Chevron stations over Memorial Day weekend, saying the company charges more than unbranded gas. The office cited an analysis by a group within the state’s energy commission.
Brittney Brown, a biologist at Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, has signed a $485,000 settlement after she was fired over a social media repost involving conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his death. The settlement, she said, covered backpay and damages and came as her case challenged how the agency disciplined employees for political speech.
The Texas Board of Nursing suspended the nursing license of Camp Mystic co-director Mary Liz Eastland, a registered nurse and the camp’s medical officer, citing inaction during last year’s catastrophic Guadalupe River flood. The board said allowing Eastland to continue practicing would pose a “continuing and imminent threat to public welfare,” according to an order signed Tuesday by executive director Kristin Benton.
Three federal contracts totaling more than $3.1 billion have been awarded for the first-ever construction of border walls in West Texas’s Big Bend region, but the Trump administration has disclosed few details about the project’s shifting route and timeline, according to reporting by Marfa Public Radio and the Associated Press.
When the Scripps National Spelling Bee gets underway in Washington on Tuesday, a 32-year-old former speller in an aloha shirt will be watching closely from offstage. Scott Remer is the only full-time, professional spelling coach in the country, and his students — including the last two national champions — are once again among the favorites to reach the finals.
Shein is buying Everlane, the California-based apparel brand known for minimalist basics and a pitch of “ethical factories” and “radical transparency,” NPR reported. Everlane’s CEO Alfred Chang said the deal is meant to open “a bigger chapter,” while adding that Everlane will remain “an independent brand.” The companies did not disclose deal size, and Shein and Everlane will now face questions about whether their tie-up will change Everlane’s appeal.
Drivers heading into the Memorial Day weekend face elevated gasoline prices, with AAA reporting the national average for a gallon at $4.55, a four-year high. Gasoline prices have stayed high since the start of the war in Iran, and economists and advocates say the pressure is pushing some Americans to consider more fuel-efficient options or alternatives to driving.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday he may release his current tax returns after a legal team agreement with the Justice Department. The deal would permanently drop tax claims against Trump, his family and associates and would bar the government from pursuing or prosecuting current tax examinations tied to the case.
El gobierno de Estados Unidos aceptó retirar de forma permanente sus reclamos fiscales contra el presidente Donald Trump como parte de un acuerdo para poner fin a una demanda que él presentó contra el IRS por la filtración de sus declaraciones fiscales, según un documento divulgado por el Departamento de Justicia. El arreglo impide que el gobierno investigue o procese no solo a Trump, sino también a sus hijos y a la Organización Trump por auditorías fiscales actuales, de acuerdo con el texto.
US stocks rose Thursday after oil prices reversed course and Treasurys yields eased, lifting sentiment and narrowing earlier losses. The S&P 500 edged up 0.2%, the Dow gained 276 points, and the Nasdaq climbed 0.1% as investors reacted to swings in Brent crude and the bond market.
SpaceX on Wednesday disclosed plans for an initial public offering that could become one of the largest stock sales ever, with Elon Musk seeking to take the company public while it continues to post large losses. A U.S. filing shows SpaceX lost $2.6 billion from operations last year on $18.7 billion in revenue, and Musk’s proposed compensation is tied to milestones including a permanent human colony on Mars. SpaceX said it will begin pitching investors, known as a “road show,” 15 days after its prospectus becomes public.
Ohio’s largest tax break for data centers has cost the state far more than forecast, according to new figures shared by the Ohio Department of Taxation. In 2024, the sales tax exemption cost about $554.9 million, the department said; in 2025, it rose to about $1.5687 billion. State lawmakers have been debating whether to end the incentive, and Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed a move to do so.
Nvidia reported Q1 results that beat Wall Street expectations, driven by demand for its high-end AI chips, and forecast revenue near $91 billion for the current quarter. The company earned $58.32 billion ($2.39 per share) in the February-April period, while revenue jumped 85% to $81.62 billion. Shares were slightly lower after hours after closing at $223.47 on Wednesday.
Memorial Day marks the traditional start of the U.S. summer travel season, but higher fuel prices and broader inflationary pressures are changing how Americans get away. The AP reports that some families are replacing long trips with shorter weekends and cheaper alternatives as gas, airfares and other travel costs rise. Many travelers are also contending with fewer flight options and added travel disruptions, making planning harder.
Gen Z single women have a larger share of homebuyers than Gen Z single men, even as the overall share of U.S. homes bought by first-time buyers fell to the lowest level on record. The National Association of Realtors said survey data for July 2024 to June 2025 show Gen Z single women accounted for 35% of homebuyers in their generation, compared with 18% for single Gen Z men.
Airline miles and points from credit cards and loyalty programs may not stretch as far this summer as higher jet-fuel costs drive up airfare and some airline fees, the Associated Press reported May 23. The AP cited Labor Department data showing April airfares were 21% higher than a year earlier and said airlines increasingly use dynamic pricing for flights priced in points.
Confused about whether the Trump administration plans a new border wall in the Big Bend region? U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s latest plans call for 30-foot-high steel bollard walls along about 175 miles of the border in Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties, while CBP says it is not planning a similar wall inside Big Bend National Park.
Cities across the U.S. are testing alternatives to traditional asphalt parking lots to reduce heat buildup and limit stormwater runoff, as climate change worsens both problems, the Associated Press reported. A Hampton Roads planning agency in Virginia replaced a crumbling asphalt lot with a design using porous concrete panels, native plants and recycled materials. Similar efforts are underway or being considered in places including New Orleans, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Denver.
Estee Lauder and perfume and cosmetics maker Puig have ended merger talks that would have combined brands including Clinique and Jean Paul Gaultier under one owner, the companies said Thursday. The New York-based Estée Lauder Cos. said talks with Puig, which oversees brands such as Dr. Barbara Sturm and Jean Paul Gaultier, did not result in an agreement, and its CEO said the company remains confident as a standalone business.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved the design for a 250-foot triumphal arch President Donald Trump wants built at an entrance to Washington, a key step in the project that does not set a construction timeline, the commission said Thursday. Trump told reporters he thought the vote was “fantastic,” and said, “we’re the only important and major city that doesn’t have one.”
Federal officials approved the Dakota Access oil pipeline’s Missouri River crossing segment, ending a legal fight that stretched back to 2016 and 2017 protests near the North Dakota prairie. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it granted a key easement so the pipeline can keep operating under added leak-detection and groundwater monitoring conditions.
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto announced a regulation that will shift exports of coal, palm oil and iron alloys to a new state-owned enterprise starting this year, with global supply-chain implications. The plan, presented to parliament Wednesday, requires private firms to hand over import and export transactions to the entity from June to August, with full management expected by September.
A bill passed by New York lawmakers would ban potassium bromate, an additive used by some flour makers to speed dough production and improve texture for pizza and bagels, and it now awaits Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature. Bakers, pizza shops and bagel sellers are already preparing for changes that could affect cost, workflow and what they call the city’s iconic taste and chew.
Scott Remer, described by his students as the most influential National Spelling Bee coach of the past decade, charges $180 an hour for private lessons and takes a performance-based share of some prize winnings. Remer, who has coached five national champions and has worked with at least 29 spellers in each of the past four bees, is preparing for this year’s bee in Washington. The coaching market around him ranges from higher-priced, full-time instruction to less expensive options taken by competitors and their families.
Everlane, the San Francisco-based retailer known for ethically sourced apparel, is being acquired by Shein, the fast-fashion giant founded in China. CEO Alfred Chang confirmed the deal in a letter to employees, according to The Associated Press.
SpaceX has filed prospectus documents for a proposed initial public offering that it says could be the largest ever, with Elon Musk’s plan tied to milestones for a future compensation package. The filing includes detailed financial figures, expected lockup periods for investors, and a stated goal of establishing a large, permanent population on Mars.
U.S. stocks rose Friday, capping an eighth consecutive weekly gain as falling oil prices and strong retail earnings helped Wall Street look past a fresh drop in consumer confidence. The S&P 500 added 0.4%, nearing its record high, while the Dow rose 294 points and the Nasdaq edged up 0.2%.
Senate Republicans left Washington without voting Thursday on a roughly $70 billion bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies, as frustration grew over whether to block a new $1.8 billion settlement fund tied to compensating Trump allies. The dispute followed a Justice Department announcement this week and a tense meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Democratic and Republican leaders said.
The Internal Revenue Service has agreed to drop all pending investigations into whether President Donald Trump paid his fair share of federal taxes as part of a legal settlement, a move tax law experts described as highly unusual and possibly without precedent. The agreement, reached on Tuesday, resolves a lawsuit Trump filed against the agency over the leak of his tax returns, placing the president in the rare position of securing immunity from a tax authority within his own administration.
Walmart reported strong first-quarter sales on Thursday as inflation-weary U.S. consumers across income levels turned to the discounter for low-priced groceries and quick delivery. But the retailer offered a weaker-than-expected forecast for the current quarter, citing economic uncertainty, and its shares fell roughly 7%.
Elevated gasoline and jet fuel costs, driven in part by the Iran war, are reshaping Memorial Day travel plans across the United States, with families trading long-distance trips for bike rides, beaches, and hiking trails closer to home. The shift is visible in spending data and interviews with travelers who say they are calibrating summer plans to stay within budgets strained by higher pump prices and airfares.
President Donald Trump oversaw the White House swearing-in of new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh on Friday, using the ceremony to call for help stimulating the economy while asserting that the central bank's independence would be preserved.
European Union officials said Friday that oil and gas prices in Europe will remain above their pre-Iran-war levels until at least the end of 2027, driving inflation to a revised forecast of 3.1 percent this year and warning that energy-driven price increases will gradually spread to other goods.
U.S. stocks extended their rally to an eighth consecutive winning week on Friday, the longest since 2023, even as the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index plunged to a record low and households braced for higher inflation driven by the war with Iran.
Walmart executives said they plan to use tariff refunds to lower prices as shoppers respond to higher fuel costs. The retailer’s chief financial officer, John David Rainey, said customer behavior at Walmart gas stations points to “stress.”
Walmart reported a robust first‑quarter, with U.S. comparable sales up 4.1% and online sales jumping 26%, but the retailer warned that soaring gasoline prices and broader economic uncertainty could curb growth later this year. Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey said the drop in gasoline gallons purchased at Walmart and Sam’s Club stations — falling below ten gallons per visit for the first time since 2022 — signals stress for many American shoppers. Analysts had expected higher profit forecasts, but Walmart’s outlook for the next quarter fell short of Wall Street predictions, sending the stock down about 7% on Thursday.
Wall Street bounced back Wednesday as pressure eased in bond markets and oil prices fell from recent highs. The S&P 500 rose 1.1% for its first advance in four days, while the Dow gained 645 points and the Nasdaq jumped 1.5%.
Kansas wheat farmers say record drought and hotter-than-average temperatures, plus higher input costs tied to fertilizer, diesel fuel and tariffs, are pushing the region’s wheat crop toward its worst production levels since 1972. In Montezuma, Kansas, Orville Williams, 76, said the season is “not going to be a good year,” while Kansas State agronomist Romulo Lollato said the conditions can raise bread prices or reduce access to overseas markets. Federal estimates project the smallest U.S. wheat crop in terms of production since 1972, at 1.56 billion bushels this year.
US stocks wavered Thursday before rising again as oil prices reversed course, easing some pressure from the bond market. The S&P 500 rose 0.2%, the Dow gained 0.6% and the Nasdaq edged up 0.1% after Brent crude briefly topped $109 a barrel and then settled at $102.58. Oil has been yo-yoing as markets weigh how long Iran’s war has kept the Strait of Hormuz shut, affecting supply flows.
A bipartisan House Homeland Security hearing on Wednesday highlighted plans to privatize airport screening at roughly 250 smaller U.S. airports while Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have faced weeks of work without pay during recent government shutdowns. Committee Chairman Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R‑NY) said TSA officers logged a total of 119 shutdown‑impacted days between the 2025 and 2026 shutdowns, amounting to roughly 40 % of the fiscal year, yet continued to carry out one of the nation’s most critical security missions. Lawmakers also confronted President Donald Trump’s FY 2027 budget proposal, which would allocate $477.3 million for private contractors to take over screening at the targeted airports and cut more than 4,500 TSA positions to save $529.3 million in compensation and benefits. Critics warned that the move could jeopardize aviation safety and undermine the morale of a workforce already strained by pay uncertainty.
Republicans’ approval of President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy has fallen since February, an AP-NORC poll released May 20 finds, even as many GOP voters continue to support his approach. At the same time, the poll finds Trump’s approval rating on immigration is higher among Republicans than his approval on the economy.
The U.S. military said it boarded an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of trying to violate the American blockade. The boarding follows President Donald Trump’s Monday decision to call off renewed strikes on Iran, and comes as Republican allies and opponents battle over the war approach at home.
Florida officials will pay $485,000 to a biologist who was fired by the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission after she reposted a meme about conservative activist Charlie Kirk on social media following his death, the biologist and an attorney said Thursday. Brittney Brown reached a settlement with agency directors that includes backpay, damages and attorney costs, according to the lawsuit.
At least nine companies are in talks with the U.S. government for access to seabed minerals a year after President Donald Trump signed an executive order pushing to build a domestic deep-sea mining industry from scratch, an Associated Press review found. Federal regulators have raced to fast-track a permitting process, and sections of seafloor from American Samoa to Alaska could be auctioned for mining this summer, but a close examination of the companies involved reveals uncertain track records and unanswered questions about how the minerals would be processed.
Elon Musk announced plans for SpaceX to raise money by taking the company public, according to a U.S. filing made public this week. The prospectus shows SpaceX is still losing billions of dollars even as it lays out a path tied to milestones, including support for projects to put people on the moon and Mars.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved the design for a triumphal arch President Donald Trump wants built at an entrance to Washington, a key step in the project’s process that does not set a construction timeline. At the White House, Trump said the commission’s vote was “fantastic,” adding that “we’re the only important and major city that doesn’t have one.”
SpaceX has filed a 250-page prospectus for what could be the largest initial public offering in history, revealing plans for interplanetary travel and spending that exceeds the economic output of some countries. The IPO is expected to raise approximately $75 billion and could make company founder Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire, according to the document reviewed by the Associated Press.
The Trump administration on Thursday loosened federal rules requiring grocery stores and air-conditioning companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cooling equipment, a step that President Donald Trump said would help lower grocery costs. The move relaxes Biden-era restrictions on hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, emitted by refrigerators and other appliances.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved the design for the 250-foot triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants built in the nation's capital, a key procedural step that does not guarantee construction begins soon. The vote on Thursday came despite overwhelming public opposition to the project, one of several the president is pursuing to leave his mark on Washington's monumental landscape.
Federal officials reversed course and will allow Pennsylvania to spend more than $700 million to expand high-speed internet in rural areas, clearing a dispute over state labor law that had threatened the funding for roughly 130,000 homes and businesses, state officials said Wednesday.
The cost of Ohio’s sales tax exemption for data centers reached $1.6 billion in 2025, more than 11 times what state budget forecasters had projected, newly released data from the Ohio Department of Taxation show. The exemption, which shields big tech companies from paying the state’s 5.75% sales tax on equipment and construction, also cost $555 million in 2024—four times the initial estimate—and stripped $166.8 million from local sales tax collections that year.
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced on Wednesday that a newly formed state-owned enterprise will assume control of all exports of thermal coal, palm oil and iron alloys by September, a sweeping state takeover that analysts say could shake global commodity markets.
Shein, the Chinese fast-fashion behemoth known for ultra-low prices and rapid turnover of styles, is acquiring Everlane, the San Francisco-based retailer built on promises of ethical sourcing and sustainability, according to a letter from Everlane’s CEO obtained by The Associated Press. The deal marries two brands that represent opposite ends of the apparel industry’s values spectrum.
Estée Lauder Companies and Spanish fragrance and fashion house Puig have ended merger discussions that would have brought brands including MAC, Clinique, Charlotte Tilbury, and Jean Paul Gaultier under single ownership, Estée Lauder confirmed Thursday night. Shares of Estée Lauder jumped more than 12% in early trading Friday following the announcement.
One year after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to launch a deep-sea mining industry, businesses have secured millions in investor funding and federal regulators are moving to accelerate permitting processes.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted final approval Thursday for the Dakota Access oil pipeline to operate its Missouri River crossing, concluding a decade-long regulatory and legal battle sparked by widespread protests in North Dakota. The pipeline will continue running under new monitoring conditions.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office on Thursday urged drivers to skip Chevron-branded fuel over the Memorial Day weekend, pointing to a state analysis that found the oil company charges 60 to 80 cents more per gallon than unbranded alternatives. The call came as Chevron posted signs at its California stations blaming the state's climate policies for the high cost of gas.
The Indonesian government announced Wednesday that a newly created state-owned enterprise will take over all exports of coal, palm oil and iron alloys by September, a sudden move analysts described as a hostile takeover of major commodity industries set to ripple across global supply chains.
The U.S. Department of Education fired thousands of workers last year, but the agency’s Office of Federal Student Aid is now adding about 380 new employees, according to internal documents obtained by NPR. The hires come as the Education Department seeks to shift some federal student-aid work to other agencies through new interagency agreements.
Maine beach businesses say Memorial Day—the unofficial start of summer—arrives with uncertainty as fewer Canadian visitors book trips amid U.S.-Canada tensions and high fuel prices.
SpaceX is set to fly a heavily redesigned Starship on Friday after scrubbing a planned launch at the last minute, as the company prepares for a potential initial public offering. The new rocket will use dozens of new Raptor 3 engines and features upgraded avionics, satellites and test ports aimed at future in-space refueling, developments that analysts say could affect investor appetite for the IPO. The launch comes less than a month before investors expect SpaceX to price its offering.
The NTSB said a flaw linked to the engine mount on Boeing’s MD-11 grew unnoticed as federal regulators allowed the inspection schedule to be relaxed for longer periods, and that the FAA approved the change after reviewing a request from Boeing. The agency’s two-day hearing focused on why key safety information about the bearing and metal sheath problems did not get the attention it required before the Louisville crash killed 15 people.
Donald Trump disclosed thousands of stock trades in a report filed with a federal ethics agency, according to the Associated Press. The disclosure includes purchases in companies that could be affected by the administration’s decisions, including Nvidia after Trump approved its chips for sale to China. The report also lists holdings and trades tied to U.S. defense suppliers.
New York lawmakers have passed a bill that would prohibit a flour additive used to speed up dough and make New York-style pizza and bagels. The measure, which would be signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, is expected to spark changes for pizzerias and bagel shops statewide if it becomes law. The debate over the additive, potassium bromate, pits concerns about health risks against worries about cost and product identity.
Japan’s exports rose 14.8% in April from a year earlier, driven by a surge in semiconductor shipments, according to Japan’s Finance Ministry data released Thursday. Imports also increased, but oil imports fell sharply as the war in Iran disrupted supply routes including the Strait of Hormuz.
Single Gen Z women are buying more homes than single Gen Z men, even as first-time homebuyers overall make up the smallest share on record, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. In a survey covering July 2024 through June 2025, single Gen Z women accounted for 35% of all homebuyers in their generation, while single Gen Z men were 18%. The gap shows up against a broader slowdown: the share of U.S. homes bought by first-time buyers sank to the lowest level on record going back to 1981.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered lawmakers to convene for a special session Thursday in Juneau to consider a natural gas line bill, a move made one day after the deadline for the regular session. The House and Senate had been working Tuesday on different versions of the gas-line legislation before shifting back to committee and procedural steps.
Graduates at several U.S. college commencements have interrupted speakers and issued stadium-wide boos when the topic turned to artificial intelligence and its impact on jobs, according to interviews and polls cited by the Associated Press. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt drew repeated jeers at the University of Arizona’s ceremony for a keynote that discussed how AI will affect “every profession” and “every classroom.”
Federal officials approved a key easement allowing the Dakota Access oil pipeline to continue operating its Missouri River crossing in North Dakota, a decision that comes nearly a decade after the Standing Rock protests. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the pipeline will keep operating but with conditions focused on leak detection and groundwater monitoring.
Media scion James Murdoch has struck a deal with Vox Media to acquire New York magazine, the Vox Media Podcast Network and the Vox editorial brand, according to a report by the Associated Press. The transaction, expected to close within weeks, will be structured through James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems, which will acquire about half of Vox Media’s divisions.
Trains resumed on the Long Island Rail Road after a deal ended a strike that shut down the busiest U.S. commuter rail system, officials said. The first trains left New York City’s Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal shortly after noon Tuesday, with full service planned for the evening rush home.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office urged drivers to avoid filling up at Chevron stations over Memorial Day weekend, saying the company’s branded fuel routinely costs more than “unbranded” alternatives. The office cited an analysis by a group within the state energy commission, while a Chevron spokesman said the signs are part of a customer-education campaign.
Nvidia reported quarterly earnings and revenue that surpassed Wall Street forecasts, citing strong demand for its high-end AI chips. In results for the February-April period, the company earned $58.32 billion, or $2.39 per share, and revenue rose 85% to $81.62 billion.
Ohio’s sales-tax exemption for large data centers cost the state $1.6 billion in lost revenue in 2025, according to updated “actuals” shared by the Ohio Department of Taxation. The estimate is far higher than what state tax forecasters projected when lawmakers built the state budget.
Pennsylvania can move forward with spending more than $700 million to expand high-speed internet in rural areas after federal officials removed a wage-and-worker-classification condition tied to state prevailing wage law, the AP reported May 21.
Samsung Electronics’ labor union in South Korea said Wednesday it will delay a planned 18-day strike after reaching a last-minute, government-mediated wage deal with management. Union leader Choi Seung-ho said union members will vote on the tentative agreement from May 22 to May 27.
President Donald Trump’s executive order promising to create a U.S. deep-sea mining industry has helped spur a rush of company interest, with investors pouring money into projects and regulators preparing to streamline permits. In an Associated Press review, at least nine companies are in talks with the government for access to seabed minerals from American Samoa to Alaska.
In the year since President Donald Trump signed an executive order to build a deep-sea mining industry in the United States, investors have backed companies, stock prices have risen, and regulators have moved to speed up permitting. An Associated Press review found at least nine companies are in talks with the government for access to seabed minerals, with lease areas from American Samoa to Alaska potentially up for auction this summer and fall.
As Memorial Day kicks off the start of the U.S. summer travel season, higher fuel prices and other travel costs are pushing some Americans to scale back trips or choose cheaper, shorter getaways. An AP report highlights families trading longer vacations for local beaches and hikes, citing rising gas prices, higher airfare costs, and other inflation pressures.
The U.S. government will permanently drop tax claims against President Donald Trump, according to a settlement addendum posted Tuesday that expands a deal resolving Trump’s IRS-related lawsuit over the leak of his tax returns. The document says the government will be “forever barred and precluded” from examining or prosecuting Trump, his sons and the Trump organization’s current tax examinations, and from looking into Trump’s family, affiliates and others.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday ordered the Legislature to convene a special session starting Thursday, one day after the regular session deadline, to consider a bill advancing a North Slope natural gas line that he has declared his top priority in his final months in office.
House Homeland Security lawmakers held a hearing on Wednesday on how to “modernize” the Transportation Security Administration, as the Trump administration pushes to shift airport screening to private contractors at about 250 smaller airports. The discussion included bipartisan concerns about keeping TSA officers paid during government shutdowns and ensuring the agency has technology to carry out security work.
US stocks wavered Thursday as oil prices swung again, but all three major indexes erased earlier declines after Brent crude fell sharply. The S&P 500 rose 0.2%, the Dow gained 0.6% and the Nasdaq edged up 0.1%, according to data reported by the Associated Press.
U.S. stocks rose Wednesday after pressure eased from the bond market and oil prices gave back some of their earlier gains, the Associated Press reported. The S&P 500 climbed 1.1% for its first rise in four days, and the Dow and Nasdaq also gained. The rebound came as the 10-year Treasury yield fell to 4.67% from 4.67% late Tuesday, while Brent crude settled lower.
The U.S. military said Wednesday it boarded an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of trying to violate an American blockade. The boarding of the M/T Celestial Sea came after President Donald Trump postponed renewed military strikes on Iran while negotiations proceed. The action also drew attention to mounting political pressure on Trump over shipping disruptions that have contributed to higher gasoline prices.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered Alaska lawmakers to convene in Juneau for a special session on Thursday to consider House Bill 381, a natural gas taxation measure tied to an LNG pipeline project. The order came one day after the deadline for the regular session, as House and Senate lawmakers paused negotiations over competing versions of the bill.
The bond market, a typically steady corner of Wall Street, is flashing warning signals as yields rise to multi-year or even multi-decade highs. The higher borrowing costs are weighing on stocks and influencing policy expectations as investors watch the Federal Reserve, inflation data and oil prices tied to the Iran war.
US stocks fell again Tuesday, giving back part of a rally that had pushed major indexes to recent highs. The S&P 500 slid 0.7% for a third straight day, while the Dow fell 322 points and the Nasdaq lost 0.8%, as Treasury yields rose after markets reacted to persistent inflation. Nvidia, due to report results Wednesday, and technology stocks were among the biggest drags.
Oregon voters on Tuesday rejected a gas tax increase and related fee changes passed last year by Democratic lawmakers. The outcome, decided through a referendum, was widely framed as a win for Republicans who put the measures to voters as prices at the pump rose amid the war with Iran. Republican state Sen. Bruce Starr said he was “not surprised at all that Oregonians have rejected a completely unpopular tax increase.”
President Donald Trump took reporters to a construction platform Tuesday to showcase the White House ballroom he is building on the former East Wing site, as lawmakers spar over a $1 billion request for security upgrades tied to the project. The Senate parliamentarian ruled the money could not be included in a bill funding immigrant enforcement agencies for three years, and some Republican lawmakers balked at the price in an election year. Trump said the ballroom would be funded by donors rather than taxpayers and described security features including a roof he said is “drone-proof.”
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is moving to stop collecting the demographic data companies have been required to submit under the EEO-1 system, NPR reported May 20. Under the longstanding requirement, employers with 100 or more workers send the federal government information about employees’ race, ethnicity and sex to help the EEOC investigate discrimination claims. The move, which NPR says has been discussed in connection with the Trump administration’s approach, drew concerns from former and outside civil-rights attorneys about losing a key tool for building cases.
SpaceX filed financial information with regulators as it prepares for a potential initial public offering in mid-June, according to NPR reporting. The documents describe blockbuster spending tied to rockets and to the company’s AI business, as well as large losses across two major units during the first quarter.
The National Transportation Safety Board said a flaw tied to engine mounting parts went unnoticed on a UPS MD-11 before a crash last year that killed 15 people. In testimony during a two-day hearing, NTSB officials and aviation experts described how an inspection schedule had been relaxed after Boeing sought to check critical parts less often, with the FAA approving the change after a month-long review.
The order, signed by President Donald Trump in Washington Tuesday, directs regulators and agencies to look for signs that people without legal status are opening accounts or obtaining loans. But it is less sweeping than earlier reporting suggested, offering guidance to banks rather than making citizenship-data collection mandatory.
President Donald Trump disclosed thousands of stock trades in a report filed with a federal ethics agency, including purchases tied to companies that could be affected by his policy decisions, according to the Associated Press. The filing shows more than 3,600 buy and sell orders over three months, with an average of about 50 trades per day when markets were open. The report also includes trades that critics say raise conflict-of-interest concerns, while a Trump family spokesperson said third parties manage the portfolio without input from the president or his organization.
New York’s Long Island Rail Road resumed service after a deal reached to end a strike that shut down the country’s busiest commuter rail system, with the first trains leaving Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal shortly after noon Tuesday. Officials said full service was planned for the evening rush home, and Gov. Kathy Hochul said the agreement would not increase fares or taxes, though contract details were to be released only after union members approve them. Riders and labor representatives described the impact of the shutdown on commuters and began briefing workers on the contract terms ahead of expected ratification votes.
Japan's exports increased by 14.8% in April compared to the previous year, according to Finance Ministry data released on Thursday. The increase highlights the country's robust trade despite concerns about oil and gas supplies due to the ongoing war in Iran.
Media scion James Murdoch has agreed to acquire New York magazine and Vox Media’s podcast network and editorial brands, with a deal expected to close within weeks, according to The Associated Press. Under the arrangement, Lupa Systems—Murdoch’s media company—will take on three Vox Media divisions and operate them as a subsidiary called Vox Media.
Graduates in multiple U.S. universities have booed speakers who discussed artificial intelligence during commencement addresses, signaling anxiety about how AI may affect jobs and education. In a keynote at the University of Arizona, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt drew repeated jeers when he warned that AI would reach “every profession, every classroom, every hospital, every laboratory, every person and every relationship you have.” Other ceremonies saw similar pushback when speakers presented AI as a “next industrial revolution” or a tool to “deal with” and apply.
A new analysis projects a significant decline in Affordable Care Act enrollment due to rising healthcare costs and the expiration of subsidies. The KFF report estimates that nearly 5 million Americans could lose their ACA coverage this year.
El gobierno de Estados Unidos retirará “de forma permanente” sus reclamos fiscales contra el presidente Donald Trump como parte de un acuerdo ligado a una demanda de 10.000 millones de dólares por filtraciones de declaraciones fiscales, informó el martes el Departamento de Justicia. El documento del acuerdo también indica que el gobierno queda “para siempre impedido y excluido” de examinar o procesar auditorías fiscales actuales de Trump, de sus hijos y de la Organización Trump.
Nvidia reported Q1 earnings and revenue that topped Wall Street expectations, citing strong demand for its high-end AI chips. The company earned $58.32 billion, or $2.39 per share, for the February-April period and said it expects current-quarter revenue of about $91 billion.
POET and Antora Energy have launched a 5 gigawatt-hour thermal energy storage system adjacent to POET’s ethanol plant in Big Stone City, South Dakota, with the companies saying it will absorb excess wind power that would otherwise be limited by grid capacity. The storage technology is designed to capture low-cost energy as heat in insulated blocks and convert it to steam for use at the ethanol facility, officials said.
Samsung Electronics’ labor union said it will hold off on a planned strike after a last-minute wage deal with management was reached through government-mediated negotiations in South Korea. Union leader Choi Seung-ho said members will vote on the tentative agreement from May 22-27, after the union had earlier planned to begin an 18-day strike.
Single Gen Z women are outpacing single Gen Z men in buying homes, according to National Association of Realtors survey data covering July 2024 to June 2025. Women accounted for 35% of Gen Z homebuyers who were single, compared with 18% for single men, even as overall first-time homebuying across all ages hit the lowest level on record going back to 1981. The trend also appears in older decades, with single women’s share peaking at 22% in 2006 and single men’s share peaking at 12% in 2010, according to NAR data.
SpaceX announced plans for what could be one of the biggest initial public offerings ever, as Elon Musk takes the company public despite years of heavy losses. A regulatory filing shows SpaceX lost $2.6 billion from operations last year on $18.7 billion in revenue, with losses continuing early this year.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he may release his current tax returns after his legal team reached a deal with the Justice Department that includes permanently dropping certain tax claims against him and others. The Justice Department said the government is “forever barred and precluded” from pursuing or prosecuting current tax examinations tied to Trump’s finances, and the settlement was meant to resolve Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit over an alleged leak of his tax returns.
Target on Wednesday reported the biggest jump in comparable sales in four years, with customers spending across key categories as the retailer rolls out changes after a new CEO took over in February. The company lifted its annual outlook, but investors reacted to a still-cautious forecast as shares fell about 5%.
The United States is suspending its participation on the Permanent Joint Board on Defense with Canada, a bilateral military cooperation body that has operated continuously since 1940, the Pentagon announced Monday. Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby accused Canada of failing "to make credible progress on its defense commitments."
The U.S. government has permanently agreed to drop all tax claims against President Donald Trump and to bar the Internal Revenue Service from any future examination or prosecution of Trump, his adult sons, and the Trump Organization, according to a settlement addendum made public Tuesday. The one-page document signed by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was quietly posted to the Justice Department's website a day after the broader settlement resolving Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns was announced.
San Francisco Bay launched an AI-powered detection network this week designed to track whales day and night, as a spike in whale deaths linked to a marine heat wave has pushed California officials and researchers to seek faster ways to prevent ship strikes.
The bond market, typically a quiet corner of Wall Street measured in hundredths of a percentage point, is rumbling again. Yields on government bonds have climbed to levels not seen in years or decades, driven by uncertainty over oil prices tied to the U.S.-Iran war and by mounting concerns about large and growing U.S. government debt.
The Associated Press reports that at several U.S. university commencements this spring, graduates have booed speakers who discuss artificial intelligence, voicing anxiety over job prospects. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was repeatedly jeered during his keynote address to about 10,000 University of Arizona graduates over the weekend when he said AI “will touch every profession.”
Nationwide enrollment in the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace could fall by nearly 5 million people this year, a decline of more than 20%, according to a new analysis from the healthcare research nonprofit KFF. Those who remain covered face higher costs, with the average enrollee’s deductible rising more than $1,000 and monthly premiums climbing $65. The projected drop-off, far steeper than initial federal data indicated, stems from the Jan. 1 expiration of enhanced subsidies that had helped the vast majority of enrollees pay for coverage, and could become a decisive issue in this year’s midterm elections.
Scientists have dropped the most extreme worst-case and best-case global warming scenarios from their updated projections, reflecting growth in renewable energy that has lowered the highest emission forecasts but not enough to keep the internationally agreed 1.5°C warming limit within reach.
The U.S. government will permanently drop tax claims against President Donald Trump under a settlement document made public Tuesday, expanding an earlier deal tied to Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit over leaks of his tax returns, according to the Justice Department addendum. The document says the government is “forever barred and precluded” from examining or prosecuting Trump, his sons and the Trump organization’s current tax examinations.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on May 18 announced the creation of an "Anti-Weaponization Fund" worth nearly $1.8 billion, a program Democrats have criticized as unconstitutional and corrupt, as part of a deal to resolve Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns.
U.S. stocks bounced back Wednesday, with the S&P 500 rising 1.1% for its first gain in four days after easing yields in the bond market and falling oil prices provided relief from the recent sell-off.
The U.S. Senate confirmed former New Mexico congressman Steve Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management on Monday, handing President Donald Trump the agency director needed to expand mining and drilling on federal territories while rolling back previous conservation measures.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday took reporters to the construction site of the White House ballroom he is building on the former East Wing, shouting over the noise of heavy equipment as he defended the project that has encountered resistance in Congress. The administration has requested $1 billion for security additions on the White House campus, including the ballroom, but the Senate parliamentarian has ruled the proposal cannot be included in a bill funding immigrant enforcement agencies, and several Republican lawmakers have balked at the cost amid an election year where voters are grappling with high prices from the Iran war and disruptions to oil supplies.
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected appeals from pharmaceutical companies challenging the federal government's authority to negotiate prices for high-cost drugs in Medicare, leaving in place lower court rulings that upheld the program created by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
President Donald Trump placed more than 3,600 stock trades during the first three months of 2026, according to a federal ethics filing, including as much as $6 million in Nvidia and shares of defense contractors whose profits his administration has directly influenced through policy decisions on chip exports and military spending. The volume of trading — exceeding 100 transactions per week — breaks with the practice of recent presidents who avoided holding individual stocks whose value they could affect.
A new AP-NORC poll finds that Republicans' approval of President Donald Trump's handling of the economy has dropped to about 6 in 10, down from roughly 8 in 10 in February before the war with Iran began, while Republican support for the president's immigration policies remains higher, according to the survey.
Oregon voters went to the polls Tuesday to choose party nominees for governor, U.S. Senate and House seats, and to decide a ballot measure that would raise gas taxes and vehicle fees to fund transportation infrastructure projects. Incumbent Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek, facing nearly two dozen challengers in her primary, has made President Donald Trump a central target of her reelection campaign.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Sweden this week for a NATO foreign ministers meeting, as European allies grow increasingly concerned about U.S. plans to cut troop levels in Europe and President Donald Trump's shifting stance on the alliance. The meeting comes against a backdrop of the ongoing Iran war and rising global energy prices.
President Donald Trump on Monday announced that more than 600 generic medications are being added to TrumpRx, the government’s discounted-drug website aimed at easing costs for patients. The expansion, he said, is made possible through partnerships with other online pharmacies, including Amazon Pharmacy, GoodRx and Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs.
The Justice Department announced the creation of a $1.776 billion fund Monday to compensate allies of President Donald Trump who claim they were targeted for prosecution for political purposes, resolving his lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns. Democrats and government watchdogs immediately criticized the arrangement as unconstitutional, while acting Attorney General Todd Blanche framed it as a necessary corrective measure against the weaponization of law enforcement.
Michigan State University trustees must sign an updated board ethics policy by this weekend after approving the changes 5-3 during a special Sunday night meeting. The new policy outlines fiduciary duties, prohibits undermining board decisions, and establishes penalties for noncompliance, drawing sharply divided reactions from board members and observers.
The United States government has permanently withdrawn tax claims against President Donald Trump, his children, and the Trump Organization as part of a settlement resolving a $10 billion lawsuit over the leak of Trump's tax returns. The agreement, signed by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, permanently bars the Internal Revenue Service from examining or processing current audits of the president and his family.
A South Dakota-based biofuels producer and a California energy startup have begun operations on one of the world's largest thermal energy storage systems, situated directly adjacent to an ethanol processing facility in Big Stone City. The 5-gigawatt-hour installation absorbs excess, low-cost electricity generated by nearby wind turbines and converts it into heat within carbon blocks for later dispatch.
ISO New England, the nonprofit operator of the region's power grid, projects electricity demand will grow by about 9% over the next decade, reversing a two-decade trend of falling consumption as more households adopt heat pumps and electric vehicles, according to a May 1 report.
Trains are rolling again on the Long Island Rail Road after a deal was reached to end a strike that shut down the busiest commuter rail system in the United States.
Negotiators on Monday reached a tentative agreement to end the strike that shut down the Long Island Rail Road, North America's busiest commuter rail system, according to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Samsung Electronics' labor union on Wednesday said it will hold off on launching a planned strike and put a tentative wage deal with management to a vote, easing immediate concerns about potential disruptions at the world's largest memory chip maker. The deal was reached after a last-minute government-mediated negotiation over how much bonus payouts must reflect the company's soaring profits driven by the global artificial intelligence boom.
Google announced a new proactive AI assistant, Gemini Spark, and a suite of agentic AI tools at its annual I/O developers conference Tuesday, marking a major push into autonomous AI systems as the company's user base for its existing AI app more than doubled in a year.
A federal jury in Oakland, California, on Monday rejected Elon Musk's claims against OpenAI, ruling that Musk filed his lawsuit too late to challenge the ChatGPT maker's shift from a nonprofit to a for-profit structure. The verdict allows OpenAI, valued at $852 billion, to proceed toward what could be one of the largest initial public offerings in history, but testimony during the trial raised questions about the credibility of both Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky lost his Republican primary Tuesday to Ed Gallrein, a challenger endorsed by President Donald Trump, in what the Associated Press described as the most expensive U.S. House primary in history.
U.S. stock markets slipped further from record highs on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, as Treasury yields climbed and oil prices fluctuated amid ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The S&P 500 fell 0.7% for a third straight loss, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 322 points (0.6%), and the Nasdaq Composite sank 0.8% to 25,870.71. The Associated Press reported that rising bond yields and volatile oil prices are pressuring investors across sectors.
ISO New England, the regional grid operator, projects electricity demand across New England will rise by about 9% over the next decade, a forecast released May 1. The operator said electrification of heating and transportation is still driving growth, but it expects the pace to be more conservative than in its previous annual forecast. Maine’s energy efficiency programs remain in place, according to Efficiency Maine’s executive director, as federal incentives for heat pumps and electric vehicles have shifted since 2025.
Oregon voters on Tuesday rejected a gas tax increase and related fee changes that Democratic lawmakers passed last year, a result Republicans portrayed as a rebuke timed amid rising pump prices from the war with Iran. Democrats’ Gov. Tina Kotek and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley won their primary races, while state Sen. Christine Drazan won the GOP gubernatorial nomination to face Kotek in November.
The economics newsletter “Planet Money” says a widening divide between college-educated women and men without four-year degrees is reshaping U.S. dating and marriage patterns. It points to a new working paper that links declining marriage rates to the struggles of many men who do not attend college, and to “assortative mating” by education and earning potential.
The U.S. stock market extended its retreat from all-time highs on Tuesday, with major indexes posting a third straight day of losses, as bond markets rattled by high inflation and oil-price swings tied to the Iran war continued to pressure equities.
Japan's economy expanded at an annualized rate of 2.1% in the January-March quarter, the government said Tuesday, marking a second consecutive quarter of growth driven by consumer and business spending.
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected appeals from pharmaceutical companies challenging the federal government’s authority to negotiate Medicare prescription-drug prices. The justices left in place rulings by a federal appeals court in Philadelphia that dismissed the companies’ claims.
TOKYO — Japan’s economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.1% in the January-March quarter, the government said Tuesday, citing resilient consumer demand even as energy prices rise amid the war in Iran. Real GDP rose 0.5% from the previous quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, marking the second straight quarter of growth.
Home Depot’s first-quarter profit fell from a year earlier, but the home-improvement retailer beat Wall Street expectations as it saw support from both homeowners stocking up for spring and professional customers. The company said demand remained relatively similar to fiscal 2025 despite increased consumer uncertainty and housing affordability pressure.
US stocks fell again Tuesday, giving back more of a record-setting rally as bond markets priced in higher inflation and sent Treasury yields higher. The S&P 500 lost 0.7% for a third straight day of declines, while the Dow fell 0.6% and the Nasdaq dropped 0.8%, setting up a fresh focus on technology earnings ahead of Nvidia’s results.
Hungary said it would block the European Union's 20th sanctions package against Russia unless Russian oil shipments resumed through a pipeline crossing Ukraine. The announcement, delivered by Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in a video posted to social media, threatened to derail the bloc's coordinated response to Moscow's invasion. Szijjártó declared that Hungary would withhold consent from the sanctions, which require unanimity from all 27 EU member states. Hungary also announced it would block a 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) EU loan package intended to help Ukraine meet military and economic needs for the next two years.
Home Depot reported a decline in first-quarter profit compared to a year ago, but results still exceeded Wall Street forecasts as purchases by professional contractors and spring buying by homeowners offset pressure from a sluggish housing market.
New Hampshire Public Radio reported that a weeklong program is teaching high school students historic building techniques, aiming to help address a shortage of tradespeople who can repair older structures. NPR’s report followed students at Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, New Hampshire, where they learned methods such as timber framing and shingle replacement.
President Donald Trump said Monday that more than 600 generic medications are being added to TrumpRx, the government’s discounted-drug website. The expansion, announced at the White House, would increase the site’s catalog nearly sevenfold beyond its initial launch in February.
On May 19, 2026, Oregon voters rejected a 6‑cent‑per‑gallon gas‑tax increase and associated fees that Democratic lawmakers had passed the previous year, delivering a victory for Republicans who had mounted a referendum campaign amid soaring pump prices linked to the war in Iran. The measure, known as Measure 120, appeared on the ballot after Republican state Sen. Bruce Starr, who helped lead the campaign, said Oregonians were “not surprised” by the outcome. The rejection came as Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley easily won their primaries, while Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan secured the GOP gubernatorial nomination.
Negotiators reached an agreement Monday to end the strike that halted Long Island Rail Road service, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said. Hochul said the deal will not raise fares or taxes and will give employees fair wages, though she said the contract details would be released after union members vote.
ISO New England projected on May 1 that electricity use across its grid will rise about 9% over the next decade, as more people adopt heat pumps and electric vehicles. The independent nonprofit’s latest annual forecast is more conservative than last year’s estimate, in part because of changes in federal climate and energy policies, the report said.
Trains resumed on the Long Island Rail Road on Tuesday after a deal was reached to end a strike that shut down the busiest commuter rail system in the U.S., officials said. The first trains departed from New York’s Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal shortly after noon, with full service planned for the evening rush home.
In January, French President Emmanuel Macron wore sunglasses at the Davos summit to address a medical issue with his right eye, but the eyewear sparked viral memes, an AI-generated spoof video set to "Top Gun" music, and a stock jump for the glasses' French maker. U.S. President Donald Trump joked about the shades during his Davos address. "Those beautiful sunglasses," Trump said. "What the hell happened?" The moment illustrates how a single visual choice can become a global phenomenon with real economic consequences—all within days.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary on January 21 dismissed Elon Musk's idea of purchasing the budget airline, brushing off insults as a public feud escalated over whether to install Starlink satellite Wi-Fi on aircraft. O'Leary told an Irish radio station that Musk was "an idiot" for suggesting the technology would be viable for Ryanair's operations. Musk fired back on X, calling O'Leary an "utter idiot" and an "imbecile," and polled his followers on whether he should buy the airline—with 76.5% responding yes.
In April, Federal Judge Richard Leon ruled that above-ground construction of a $400 million White House ballroom cannot proceed without congressional approval, restricting work to below-ground facilities including a bunker and national security infrastructure planned for the site where the East Wing was demolished.
Federal contractors are blasting and bulldozing Native American sacred sites — including a mountain revered by the Kumeyaay Nation, a 1,000-year-old geoglyph in Arizona, and a shrine atop a New Mexico peak — as the Trump administration accelerates border wall construction under waivers of environmental and cultural laws, tribal leaders and government records show.
Indigenous leaders on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border say federal contractors blasting and bulldozing for new border-wall sections have damaged or desecrated sacred and cultural sites, including Kuuchamaa Mountain in California. The Associated Press reported that the construction has accelerated after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security waived cultural and environmental laws.
A Minnesota quartz CEO and Trump donor, Marty Davis, has asked the U.S. government to impose broader tariffs on imported quartz slabs, setting up a high-stakes decision for President Trump after the U.S. International Trade Commission recommended up to 40% tariffs and import quotas. Davis and domestic manufacturers argue the measures are needed for “free and fair trade” and to protect American production jobs, while competitors say the tariffs will raise costs for small fabricators, homebuilders and homeowners. The dispute has also spilled into a wider political fight over whether the Trump administration picks winners.
China has agreed to ramp up purchases of U.S. agricultural products such as beef and poultry following President Donald Trump’s summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing, the White House announced. The agreements call for China to buy about $17 billion per year in U.S. farm goods during 2026 and at that level for 2027 and 2028, and to restore access for U.S. beef and resume poultry imports from bird-flu-free U.S. states.
The sudden shutdown of Spirit Airlines in early May, coupled with jet fuel price spikes driven by the Iran war, is eliminating the cheapest flight options for budget-conscious U.S. travelers just before the summer season, industry experts say.
Asian stocks fell and oil prices surged Monday after President Donald Trump warned Iran that "the Clock is Ticking" on stalled negotiations to end the war, the latest escalation in a conflict that has kept the Strait of Hormuz mostly closed and sent energy costs soaring. The sell-off across Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney and a jump in crude prices reflected investor fears of a wider conflict, as a weekend drone strike on a UAE nuclear plant compounded anxieties.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Sunday that U.S. arms purchases are “the most important deterrent” to prevent regional conflict after President Donald Trump raised doubts about continued U.S. support. Lai said the U.S. has legal obligations to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself and said arms sales and security cooperation help sustain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Spirit Airlines shut down in early May, and a lawyer for the defunct budget carrier apologized in bankruptcy court to price-conscious passengers who may now struggle to find affordable alternatives. The collapse comes as airlines face higher jet fuel costs and more competition just before the summer travel season begins.
Asian shares mostly retreated Monday while oil prices rose after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran that negotiations over a permanent end to the war have stalled. U.S. futures fell more than 0.6%, and the dollar rose against the yen.
A photograph from a funeral in Lebanon captures the collision of grief and armed ritual in a conflict zone. The image documents the burial of Pierre Mouawad, a Lebanese Forces party official, and his wife, killed in an Israeli strike on their apartment in a Christian village east of Beirut. Emilio Morenatti, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Associated Press photographer, captured the moment: armed mourners firing weapons skyward as the coffins passed through the crowd.
In mid-April, leaders of France and Britain announced plans to assemble a multinational maritime security force in the Strait of Hormuz, seeking to ensure permanent freedom of navigation in a waterway that carries a fifth of the world's oil. The initiative, announced at a Paris gathering of roughly 50 countries and international organizations, would operate independently of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Iran and would deploy 'as soon as conditions allow,' according to Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain.
The Boeing Co. secured a 200-aircraft order from China, reopening a market that was once central to its growth, President Donald Trump and the company announced Friday following Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Boeing confirmed the order but did not specify the aircraft models or delivery timeline. Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, said China also reserved the right to buy up to 750 Boeing planes and that General Electric would supply hundreds of engines, though GE did not immediately comment.
Starbucks said Friday it will lay off 300 corporate employees and close several U.S. offices as part of its ongoing effort to streamline operations under Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol. The cuts affect support functions such as marketing, human resources and supply chain management. No coffeehouse employees are impacted, the company said.
Colorado became the first U.S. state to adopt paid neonatal intensive care leave in January, offering parents up to 12 additional weeks when a newborn requires intensive care. A more modest unpaid leave measure takes effect in Illinois next month, and advocates are now pressing for a federal bill to add NICU protections to the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Negotiators for the Long Island Rail Road and five striking unions worked past 10:30 p.m. Sunday, trying to avert a Monday commute disruption for hundreds of thousands of riders, after the nation’s largest commuter railroad shut down early Saturday, the Associated Press reported.
Mikala Sposito, a 21-year-old student at Washtenaw Community College in Michigan, will become the first woman to represent the United States in welding at the WorldSkills competition in Shanghai this September, after winning the USA Weld Trials in Huntsville, Alabama.
Negotiators reached a deal Monday to end the strike that stalled service on the Long Island Rail Road, New York’s busiest commuter rail system, the Associated Press reported. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the deal will not raise fares or taxes and will provide employees fair wages, though she said she cannot disclose contract details until union members vote.
Starbucks said Friday it will lay off 300 corporate employees in the United States and close some regional offices as part of its ongoing turnaround under CEO Brian Niccol. The company said no coffeehouse employees are affected, and it is reviewing parts of its corporate structure outside the U.S.
As neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, stays lengthen after difficult births, parents across the U.S. say they need guaranteed time to care for their newborns. Colorado became the first state to adopt paid NICU leave in January, offering up to 12 weeks, and Illinois is set to begin providing 10 to 20 days of unpaid leave next month.
Negotiators were working into the night Sunday to try to end a strike that has shut down the Long Island Rail Road, North America’s largest commuter rail system, as the first weekday morning commute loomed. Unions representing rail workers and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority resumed talks earlier in the day, with the National Mediation Board and Gov. Kathy Hochul pressing for a deal before Monday.
President Donald Trump said on May 15 that Boeing will make its first major sale to China in nearly a decade after his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The companies said China agreed to buy 200 aircraft, and Trump said China reserved the right to buy as many as 750, while Boeing later confirmed the 200-plane order.
A 21-year-old welding student from Dexter, Michigan, has been selected to represent the United States at WorldSkills in China, becoming the first woman to do so. Mikala Sposito earned the spot by winning the USA Weld Trials in Alabama, and she plans to continue building her training through competitions leading up to the event in September.
In mid-April, the satirical news outlet The Onion submitted a proposal to a Texas state court seeking an exclusive temporary license to operate the conspiracy-focused platforms of Alex Jones as a parody site. The proposal comes as Jones' company, Free Speech Systems, faces liquidation to satisfy more than $1 billion in defamation judgments owed to relatives of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims.
Apple announced on Monday that John Ternus, a 50-year-old hardware engineering veteran who has spent nearly his entire career at the company, will become chief executive in September. Ternus replaces Tim Cook, who transformed Apple into a $4 trillion tech giant during 15 years as CEO and will transition to executive chairman. The succession comes as Apple faces pressure to catch up in artificial intelligence.
Union officials announced early Saturday that workers on New York's Long Island Rail Road had walked off the job, shutting down North America's busiest commuter rail system after contract talks with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority collapsed. The strike halts the LIRR, which carries roughly 250,000 weekday riders between New York City and its Long Island suburbs, forcing commuters to seek alternative routes or work from home.
Long Island Rail Road workers are on strike, union officials said early Saturday, paralyzing the busiest commuter rail system in North America. The work stoppage follows contract talks with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that ended Friday without an agreement, and unions said negotiations have not resumed.
President Donald Trump returned from a state visit to China to face an accelerating inflation rate, growing political pressure over rising costs, and criticism that his administration is not focused on Americans' economic pain.
U.S. stocks fell from all-time highs Friday, joining a worldwide selloff, as a sharp retreat in artificial-intelligence shares collided with rising oil prices linked to the ongoing Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Jerome Powell has stepped down as chair of the Federal Reserve after eight years marked by a post-pandemic inflation surge, the sharpest interest rate increases in decades, and persistent clashes with the Trump White House over the central bank's autonomy. Powell was named chair pro tempore on Friday until his successor Kevin Warsh is sworn in, and said he will remain on the governing board until he is confident the Fed's independence is fully restored.
BEIRUT — Lebanon’s already battered economy is sinking deeper as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and renewed fighting with Hezbollah drive up prices, shutter businesses and displace 1.2 million people, according to government officials and residents.
U.S. consumer prices rose 3.8% in April from a year earlier, driven by surging energy costs linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that the consumer price index climbed 0.6% month-over-month, reflecting a continued squeeze on household budgets despite a slight cooling from March's pace.
President Donald Trump returned from a Chinese state visit to economic pressure at home, with consumer inflation rising to 3.8% in April, according to the U.S. Labor Department’s data as reported by The Associated Press. As voters head into primaries before the November general election, Trump’s trip to Beijing and his remarks about Iran and trade deals are fueling debate over how he will address rising prices.
Jerome Powell, who is stepping down as chair of the Federal Reserve after eight years, leaves behind a record shaped by post-pandemic inflation, sharp interest-rate increases and an ongoing effort to protect the Fed from political interference. In his final days, Powell said he would keep serving on the central bank’s board until he was confident the Fed’s independence had been restored, after being named chair pro tempore until his successor, Kevin Warsh, is sworn in. An AP analysis of Powell’s tenure also highlights his decision to push back against a Justice Department investigation in January and his efforts to keep monetary policy focused on the Fed’s mandates.
Los trabajadores del Long Island Rail Road de Nueva York comenzarán una huelga el sábado 16 de mayo, según líderes sindicales, después de que las negociaciones con la Autoridad Metropolitana de Transporte (MTA) terminaran el viernes sin un nuevo contrato. El paro detendrá el sistema ferroviario de cercanías más utilizado de Norteamérica, afectando a los aproximadamente 250.000 viajeros diarios que se desplazan entre Long Island y Manhattan.
Lebanon’s economy is deteriorating as a nominal truce between Israel and Hezbollah reduces fighting but does not stop strikes, Associated Press reported Friday, May 15. Business owners and families in Beirut’s southern suburbs described rising prices, job losses and fuel costs, while Lebanon’s economy minister said the war could mean a loss of about 7% of gross domestic product.
Beef consumption in Argentina has fallen to its lowest level in two decades as households cut back amid sharply higher beef prices and weaker purchasing power under libertarian President Javier Milei. In Buenos Aires, some butchers and consumers say they are shifting toward chicken and pork as red meat becomes harder to afford.
U.S. stocks fell from record highs on Friday as higher oil prices pushed up Treasury yields and rattled the bond market, contributing to a worldwide drop in equities. The S&P 500 fell 1.2%, the Dow slid 537 points, and the Nasdaq sank 1.5%, with AI and other technology shares leading the declines.
Many Americans are feeling the effects of hotter inflation as a prolonged war with Iran pushes energy prices higher. In weekly and monthly data released this week, the Labor Department reported rising consumer and wholesale inflation, while jobless-claims filings increased but stayed historically low.
A Moscow arbitration court has ordered the Brussels-based clearing house Euroclear to pay 18.2 trillion rubles (€249.7 billion) in compensation to the Russian Central Bank, ruling that the bank was unlawfully barred from managing assets frozen under European Union sanctions.
Governments across India and Southeast Asia are accelerating plans to blend transportation fuels with agricultural biofuels after the Iran war disrupted crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked residents to conserve fuel as domestic prices rise and regional supply chains strain under the conflict.
A Moscow court ruled for Russia’s central bank in its lawsuit against Euroclear, the Belgium-based clearing house that holds large amounts of Russian assets frozen by the European Union. The case sought 18.2 trillion rubles ($249.7 billion) in damages, Russian media reported.
Iran war-related disruptions to oil and shipping have pushed higher energy costs across parts of Asia, encouraging renewed interest in blending ethanol and other biofuels into transportation fuel. In India, drivers and households coping with higher cooking fuel and gasoline expenses described paying more and facing changes to what is available at pumps.
Back-to-back storms in March brought Hawaii's worst flooding in two decades, causing an estimated $50 million in damage across nearly 2,000 farms on Oahu's North Shore and leaving the state's small-scale growers struggling to recover without crop insurance.
Hawaii farmers on Oahu’s North Shore are struggling after back-to-back storms in March brought the state’s worst flooding in two decades, leaving some farms wiped out and reducing what they can sell at farmers markets. The damage threatens local agriculture and the island supply chain, officials said.
Workers on New York's Long Island Rail Road went on strike early Saturday after contract negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority ended without an agreement, suspending service on North America's most heavily used commuter rail system.
Walmart and Amazon are pouring billions into faster online-order deliveries for rural U.S. shoppers, a market both retailers once saw as too sparsely populated and remote to serve profitably. The battle has intensified as rising rural incomes and remote-work migration swell the populations of small towns and exurban communities, creating an annual retail opportunity worth roughly $1 trillion.
The Associated Press laid off 20 U.S.-based journalists on Friday, completing a restructuring announced last month that shifts the news organization’s focus away from print journalism and toward visual journalism and technology clients, the union representing AP staff said.
U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg met with President Irfaan Ali and other top Guyanese officials this week to explore U.S. investment in the South American nation's bauxite reserves, as the Trump administration intensifies its focus on Latin America's energy and mineral resources. The visit, announced Friday, comes amid an oil boom that has elevated Guyana's geopolitical importance and as U.S. officials express concerns about Chinese companies securing lucrative state contracts.
Fisk University President Agenia Clark on May 15, 2026, unveiled a $900 million plan to transform the historically Black university’s Nashville campus, including a 100,000-square-foot data and technology center, as new polling shows widespread national opposition to such facilities.
Officials and lawmakers in at least six states are pushing back against proposed utility rate increases, arguing that cash-strapped residents should not bear the cost of a booming AI data center expansion that is pushing utility profits to record highs.
Per capita beef consumption in Argentina — long one of the world’s highest — fell to 44.5 kilograms in April 2026, its lowest level in at least 20 years, as soaring prices, a reduced cattle supply and President Javier Milei’s economic overhaul push households toward cheaper proteins.
Walmart and Amazon are expanding fast online delivery in rural parts of the United States as competition intensifies for customers in small towns and remote communities. The push is driven in part by longer travel distances and higher per-package costs in rural areas, but also by shifting demographics and improving delivery technology, Amazon executives said.
The Associated Press laid off 20 U.S.-based journalists on Friday, according to the News Media Guild, as part of a restructuring announced last month that shifts the news organization away from print journalism and toward visual journalism and other revenue sources.
U.S. Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg met with Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali and other senior officials in Georgetown to discuss business opportunities tied to the South American country’s bauxite and other natural resources, according to the Associated Press. The visit comes as the Trump administration looks to Latin America for energy and minerals amid global supply pressures.
Fisk University in Nashville announced a $900 million plan to transform its North Nashville campus, including a 100,000-square-foot data and technology center, a student center and a new sports arena. President Agenia Clark said the proposal, dubbed “Quantum Leap,” will be submitted to Metro for approval. The plan drew fresh attention to nationwide data-center concerns including power, water, noise and air quality, and Clark said Fisk’s theme is “do no harm.”
In several U.S. states, governors, attorneys general and regulators are challenging proposed electric utility rate increases amid higher electricity bills that critics link to a surge in data-center demand from the artificial intelligence boom. Officials in at least six states have moved to block or reshape rate hikes, arguing that cash-strapped residents are being asked to pay for large utility profits while power grids face major modernization needs.
Berkshire Hathaway more than tripled its investment in Alphabet and bought more than $2.6 billion worth of Delta Airlines stock as Greg Abel settles into his role as CEO, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate also disclosed a new stake in Macy’s and sold other holdings including Visa, Mastercard, Domino’s Pizza, Amazon and United Healthcare.
Berkshire Hathaway more than tripled its investment in Google parent Alphabet and bought over $2.6 billion in Delta Air Lines stock during the first quarter of 2026, the first portfolio disclosures since Greg Abel succeeded Warren Buffett as CEO at the start of the year.
More than a year after a ceasefire halted the deadliest war in Gaza’s recent history, a community of tech freelancers is coding through the wreckage — designing apps, editing photos and debugging code from bombed-out coworking spaces, as the battered enclave’s remote-work economy defies collapse. Freelancers on platforms like Upwork and Freelancer.com are providing desperately needed income and an escape from the impoverished and largely destroyed Gaza Strip, where over 72,700 people were killed in the war sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, according to local officials, and most of the 2 million population was displaced.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks announced his resignation Thursday, effective immediately, in an interview with Fox News. He told the outlet it was "just time" to step down and that he felt he had gotten the agency "back on course" after what he described as prior chaos at the southern border.
U.S. retail sales rose just 0.5% in April, a sharp slowdown from March’s revised 1.6% jump, as surging gasoline prices tied to the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz shutdown ate into household budgets and curtailed discretionary spending, Commerce Department data showed Thursday.
Jerome Powell stepped down as chair of the Federal Reserve after eight years, ending a tenure shaped by post-pandemic inflation, a sharp rise in interest rates, and a prolonged fight over the Fed’s independence amid political pressure. In a look at his legacy, economists described both the central bank’s pivot to tightening as inflation spread and its earlier delay as the pandemic fallout intensified.
Retail sales rose 0.5% in April, slowing from March, as higher gas prices tied to the Iran war left less money for discretionary spending. Economists said tax refunds helped cushion the impact, but they warned that spending could weaken more sharply once the refund flow fades.
New Mexico’s oil income has surged as fighting tied to Iran has tightened global supply, creating a fiscal boost that Democrats running for governor see as politically and ethically complicated. In interviews, Deb Haaland said she wants to use the money while recognizing the human cost abroad, while rival Sam Bregman argued for one-time cash payments and additional tax relief.
Wall Street rose to more records Thursday as Cisco Systems reported stronger-than-expected profits and revenue, helping push the S&P 500 to an all-time high for a second straight day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed back above 50,000 for the first time since the war with Iran began, while the Nasdaq Composite also set a record.
Honda reported its first full-year loss, blaming heavy costs tied to its electric-vehicle strategy. The company said it expects to return to profit in the fiscal year ending March 2027, while Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe said Honda will keep developing future technologies including EV battery research.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 50,000 for the first time since the Iran war began, as a surge in artificial-intelligence profits pushed U.S. stock indexes to all-time highs on Thursday. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite also set records, with Cisco Systems leading the gains after reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly results and issuing an upbeat forecast.
An unidentified vessel was seized and taken toward Iranian waters off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, while an Indian-flagged cargo ship sank off Oman after an attack, as tensions escalated in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the choke-point for a fifth of global oil trade. The incidents came amid Iranian claims of sovereignty over the waterway and just days after U.S. forces disabled Iranian tankers trying to breach a blockade.
The Ohio Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to decide whether Cuyahoga County violated the state constitution by seizing homes over small tax debts and keeping the surplus equity — a practice a class-action lawsuit calls widespread and unconscionable.
Cuba’s national power grid collapsed early Thursday, severing electricity to all eastern provinces from Guantánamo to Ciego de Ávila, authorities said, while residents in Havana faced rolling blackouts that stretched to 24 consecutive hours. The failure is the latest symptom of an energy crisis that has crippled the island’s aging infrastructure amid a prolonged economic downturn and tightening U.S. sanctions.
The Senate unanimously passed legislation Thursday that would allow U.S. Capitol Police officers to extend their service until age 62, while the House has already approved a companion bill raising the age to 65, as the force struggles with a staffing crisis that its chief has called potentially “catastrophic” and threats against lawmakers continue to spike.
Cuba’s national power grid suffered a major failure early Thursday, cutting electricity to the island’s eastern provinces, authorities said. The state-run Electric Union said power was lost from Guantánamo to Ciego de Ávila, as residents in Havana continued facing rolling outages.
Gaza’s digital freelancers are rebuilding their online work after months of bombardment, blackouts and bank restrictions, relying on coworking spaces, solar power and alternative payment channels to keep clients abroad supplied. In Gaza City, 44-year-old programmer Tarik Zaeem said remote coding helps him focus on work instead of daily survival pressures.
The Ohio Supreme Court on May 14 agreed to hear a challenge brought by three former homeowners who say Cuyahoga County took the “surplus equity” after foreclosing on their properties for unpaid property taxes. The plaintiffs’ class action does not contest the foreclosures themselves, but instead argues that counties win title to houses worth more than the tax debts and do not compensate the displaced owners. The case could shape how property tax enforcement works in Ohio ahead of an election year.
Tensions escalated near the Strait of Hormuz after a ship anchored off the United Arab Emirates was seized and sent toward Iran, while an attack near Oman sank another cargo vessel, authorities said Thursday. The incidents occurred as U.S.-Iran negotiations over keeping the strait open remained a sticking point and as Donald Trump met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday proposed rescinding a 2024 rule that required coal-fired power plants to treat toxic heavy metals leaching into groundwater, arguing the regulation is too costly as electricity demand surges from data centers powering artificial intelligence. Environmental groups warned the move would permit hundreds of millions of pounds of neurotoxins and carcinogens to enter drinking water sources.
Dropbox’s chief people officer said Thursday the San Francisco-based cloud storage company remains fully committed to its virtual-first staffing model, having met all its financial goals since adopting the policy in 2020, even as a growing number of employers demand workers return to physical offices.
President Donald Trump has halted U.S. offshore wind development through lease buybacks and construction orders, even as the global industry added enough capacity in 2025 to power 10.2 million homes, according to industry data.
Surging global oil prices as war disrupts the Strait of Hormuz have delivered an estimated $850 million revenue windfall to New Mexico, creating a political conundrum for a state where Democrats control the levers of power while campaigning on climate action and opposing the war.
Honda Motor Co. reported the first full-year loss in its history Thursday, booking a 423.9 billion yen ($2.7 billion) deficit, as heavy spending on electric vehicles collided with President Donald Trump’s rollback of environmental regulations and tariffs on imported vehicles.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a sweeping clean electricity strategy Thursday that aims to double the country’s grid by 2050, saying electrification is the path to affordability, competitiveness and net-zero emissions. The plan, which carries an estimated price tag of more than one trillion Canadian dollars, would overhaul the nation’s power system with a mix of hydro, nuclear, wind, solar, natural gas and other sources.
French authorities allowed asymptomatic passengers off a British cruise ship in Bordeaux late Wednesday after confirming a norovirus outbreak that has sickened 60 passengers and four crew members. The operator, Ambassador Cruise Line, said those unaffected could disembark and shore excursions would continue as planned Thursday, while sick passengers remained onboard under medical care.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday proposed a revised $350 billion state budget for his final year in office, turning a projected deficit into a balanced plan driven by a revenue windfall from the booming stock market and artificial intelligence sector. The 2026-27 fiscal plan, released May 14, avoids deep cuts and adds targeted taxes on digital services as Newsom eyes a potential 2028 presidential run.
Layoffs are piling up across the technology and industrial landscape, and the words "artificial intelligence" are appearing alongside an increasing number of the announcements. At least six major companies — Cisco, Block, Dow, Pinterest, Lufthansa and Meta — have disclosed plans to shed more than 20,000 jobs this year, with several explicitly pointing to AI as a driver of the cuts, according to a review of recent corporate disclosures. While corporate explanations vary and AI is rarely the sole stated reason, the trend is unnerving workers across sectors.
PORT ISABEL, Texas — A housing authority in Port Isabel sent a letter in February warning residents that the Trump administration would require proof of legal status within 30 days or face eviction, prompting a rapid exodus from public housing. The authority later sent a “clarification” saying such proof was not required, but half the residents had already left by the end of the month.
The U.S. government has agreed to settle a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit that accused Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani, of concealing an alleged bribery scheme tied to a major solar project in India, according to court filings published Thursday. The settlement, which does not include an admission of wrongdoing, would require Adani to pay $6 million in civil penalties and his nephew $12 million.
French authorities allowed passengers unaffected by a norovirus outbreak on the British cruise ship Ambition to disembark in Bordeaux, while others remained on board, according to the operator and French health officials. The ship had been ordered to keep more than 1,700 passengers and crew aboard before authorities later changed course.
Layoffs have been piling up in the tech sector, and the words “artificial intelligence” are appearing in more job-cut notices, the Associated Press reported. AP highlighted recent examples from Cisco, Block, Dow and Lufthansa, where companies cited AI alongside other factors such as restructuring and macroeconomic headwinds. Even when executives point to future roles, workers say the linkage between AI and cuts is adding to uncertainty about job prospects.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks announced his resignation Thursday, effective immediately, in the latest shake-up of officials overseeing President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the decision, while the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday proposed a revised state budget with no deficit for his final year in office and the following year, laying out a $350 billion spending plan. Newsom said higher-than-expected revenues would prevent a budget shortfall, while the proposal seeks to protect major programs and avoid large cuts as negotiations begin in Sacramento.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a clean electricity strategy Thursday that he said will double Canada’s electricity grid by 2050 and lower energy costs for most households. Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa, Carney linked the plan to challenges including U.S. tariffs, higher energy costs tied to the war in Iran and the impacts of climate change.
Clashes erupted Thursday in La Paz, Bolivia, as police used tear gas to disperse a crowd of miners trying to breach the government palace and miners set off small dynamite charges. The violence marked the latest incident during a second week of nationwide unrest challenging President Rodrigo Paz’s administration.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Dropbox Chief People Officer Melanie Rosenwasser said the company does not plan to return most employees to offices, instead keeping a “virtual-first” staffing model. Rosenwasser described how Dropbox uses quarterly in-person gatherings, asynchronous communication, and structured meeting practices to support a distributed workforce.
VIENNA (AP) — The Eurovision Song Contest final lineup was set after Thursday’s second semifinal, with 5 more countries qualifying and 5 eliminated ahead of Saturday’s show. Fifteen acts competed for 10 spots in the second semifinal, as juries and viewers across the contest’s member countries voted.
Offshore wind is gaining momentum worldwide, even as the Trump administration has moved to stop U.S. offshore wind projects and buy back federal leases, according to an Associated Press rundown. The United States has three operating offshore wind farms, while three more began delivering power or preparing to fully open after construction resumes following lawsuits.
Miners set off small dynamite charges and attempted to storm Bolivia’s government palace in La Paz on Thursday, drawing tear gas from riot police in the latest violent turn of nationwide unrest that has now entered its second week. The demonstrations began as labor and agricultural protests but have since broadened into calls for President Rodrigo Paz to step down.
North Carolina voters are weighing the effects of President Donald Trump's signature tax legislation against a continued climb in inflation as they prepare to cast ballots in the upcoming midterm elections. The economic tug-of-war is reshaping the political landscape in the battleground state, where retirees, service workers, and small-business owners report diverging impacts on their finances.
The Senate voted 54-45 on Wednesday to confirm Kevin Warsh as chairman of the Federal Reserve, installing President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the world’s most powerful central bank at a moment of rising inflation, internal division, and open questions about the Fed’s independence.
The U.S. Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee, Kevin Warsh, to lead the Federal Reserve, replacing Jerome Powell as chair. Warsh was confirmed Wednesday in a largely party-line 54-45 vote and is set to take over the central bank at a time when inflation has stayed above the Fed’s 2% target and the Fed’s policy decisions have drawn unusually deep internal divisions.
Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet in Beijing this week, seeking to stabilize economic ties after a 2025 tariff war that sharply reduced bilateral trade and forced global supply chains to reconfigure.
A monthslong U.S. naval blockade and ongoing wartime disruptions have driven Iran's annual inflation to 53.7%, collapsing the rial and pushing millions into poverty as the government urges citizens to endure economic pain for the conflict.
Technology shares led U.S. indexes to fresh records Wednesday, offsetting broad losses across other sectors as new inflation reports signaled persistent price pressures and dimmed prospects for Federal Reserve rate cuts.
U.S. producer prices surged 6% in April from a year earlier, the steepest increase in more than three years, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz drove energy costs sharply higher and intensified pressure on businesses from trucking companies to appliance makers to raise prices.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh to chair the Federal Reserve, replacing Jerome Powell after a contentious selection process that saw President Donald Trump publicly pressure the central bank for lower interest rates and his Justice Department investigate the Fed. Warsh, a former Fed governor and Stanford fellow, takes the helm as the central bank grapples with inflation driven partly by the U.S.-led war with Iran, which began in February and has sent energy prices higher. Powell, whose term as governor runs to 2028, said he would remain on the board, citing Trump's “unprecedented” attacks on the Fed's independence.
US grocery prices jumped 2.9% in April from a year earlier, the steepest increase since August 2023, as higher fuel costs tied to the Iran war, trade tariffs on imported produce and persistent drought pushed food costs higher across the country, the Labor Department reported Tuesday.
Jerome Powell steps down as chair of the Federal Reserve after eight years that saw inflation surge after the pandemic and unemployment fall to decades lows. The Associated Press examined the themes that shaped his tenure, including the Fed’s delayed rate increases, the later sharp tightening, and Powell’s efforts to protect the central bank’s independence.
Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met in Beijing on May 13 to seek ways to repair economic damage from a tariff war that pushed U.S.-China trade into freefall. The talks focused on keeping the relationship stable, with only modest policy announcements expected and an effort to extend a trade truce reached last October.
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz has tightened global energy supplies and contributed to economic pain worldwide, as the war and a U.S. naval blockade continue. Within Iran, soaring prices for food and medicine and job losses are testing the Islamic Republic’s ability to endure and to absorb the shocks of the conflict, an economist said. The strain has also coincided with internet shutdowns and protests earlier this year.
Wholesale inflation measures came in hotter than expected in April, with producer prices up 1.4% from March and rising 6% from a year earlier, the Labor Department reported May 13. The report cited higher energy costs linked to the Iran war as a driver, and economists said it could raise pressure on companies to pass expenses to consumers.
Grocery prices rose in April, but the jump was not just driven by higher gasoline tied to the Iran war, according to U.S. government data and industry estimates. Food prices for items eaten at home rose 2.9% from a year earlier, while restaurant and other prepared-meal costs pushed overall food up 3.2% in the past year, the Labor Department reported Tuesday.
President Donald Trump wants to suspend the federal gasoline tax as U.S. fuel prices strain household budgets during the war with Iran. Lawmakers have discussed legislation that could pause the tax through Oct. 1, but economists say drivers likely would not see the full tax rate drop immediately at the pump.
Senate confirms Kevin Warsh as next chair of the Federal Reserve, putting a former governor in charge as the central bank faces inflation pressure and a fresh political fight over rate cuts. The move follows delays tied to a Justice Department investigation that North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis had demanded be dropped. Under an unusual arrangement, Jerome Powell said he will remain on the Fed’s board after his chair term ends, extending through 2028.
Tech stocks powered Wall Street to record highs Wednesday even as many U.S. stocks fell after fresh inflation reports raised fresh questions about interest-rate cuts. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to a record close, helped by megacap chip and semiconductor gains, while the Dow slipped and the Nasdaq hit its own high.
Tokyo-based Calbee Inc. said Wednesday it is shifting 14 of its snack products to black-and-white packaging, a move the company attributes to supply-chain disruptions caused by the war in Iran and the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump is pressing Congress to suspend the federal gasoline tax as the war with Iran keeps U.S. pump prices near $4.50 a gallon, but analysts say any savings for drivers would be modest and the move could drain billions from highway and transit programs.
The U.S. government has agreed to settle an SEC lawsuit accusing Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew of misleading investors about alleged bribery tied to Adani Green Energy’s solar project in India, according to court filings published Thursday. The settlement would require Adani to pay $6 million in civil penalties and his nephew to pay $12 million, the filings say.
U.S. hotel operators say the surge in World Cup bookings they anticipated has not materialized, with room demand in most of the 11 host cities running flat or below typical spring levels, according to an April survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Operators blame high ticket prices, visa delays and international travel concerns for the slow bookings, as short-term rental platforms like Airbnb report stronger demand.
United Airlines flight attendants ratified a new five-year labor contract on Tuesday, securing an average 31% pay increase this summer and boarding pay for the first time at the carrier, the Association of Flight Attendants said.
SEOUL — A South Korean startup is strapping cameras onto hotel workers as they fold napkins and wipe glasses, harvesting their motions to build an AI brain that could one day power humanoid robots in factories and homes. The project, led by RLWRLD, is part of the country's effort to lead the global market for "physical AI" by leveraging its deep pool of skilled manufacturing and service workers, even as labor unions warn the same technology could disrupt the very workforce providing the training data.
A 5.5-carat fancy vivid blue-green diamond known as the “Ocean Dream” sold for more than 13.5 million Swiss francs ($17.3 million) at Christie’s auction in Geneva on Wednesday, setting what the auction house called a record for a stone of its kind.
NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — The Gateway Development Commission has begun assembling massive tunnel-boring machines that will dig a new $16 billion commuter rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River, marking a major milestone in one of the largest U.S. mass transit projects in generations. The new tunnel aims to relieve a chokepoint on the Northeast Corridor and replace the existing century-old tunnel severely damaged by Superstorm Sandy.
Alibaba’s cloud and artificial intelligence revenue surged 38% in the January-March quarter, but heavy spending on AI infrastructure pushed the Chinese tech giant to an operating loss, the company reported Wednesday.
Allegiant Air said Wednesday it has completed its purchase of Sun Country Airlines, finalizing a deal that merges two low-cost carriers at a turbulent time for the budget airline industry following the recent collapse of rival Spirit Airlines. The combined airline will operate about 195 aircraft serving nearly 175 cities and more than 650 routes, Allegiant said.
PORT ISABEL, Texas — A public housing authority in this South Texas town told residents in February that a Trump administration proposal would require proof of legal status within 30 days or families could be evicted. Within weeks, many residents had left public housing, advocates and residents said, even after the authority later sent a “clarification.” The episode offers a snapshot of how a proposed federal immigration rule could affect housing for families with at least one ineligible member.
The promised economic boost from the World Cup has not yet matched expectations for U.S. hotels, according to an April survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Room bookings have been lighter than expected in many of the 11 U.S. host cities, as international fan travel concerns and visa wait worries weigh on demand. The World Cup opens June 11 in Mexico City.
RLWRLD, a South Korean robotics startup, is wiring workers at sites including Lotte Hotel Seoul, CJ and Lawson to capture how people perform tasks. The company says the motion and force data will help train robot “brains” that could expand from industrial sites to homes.
Hill County in rural Texas approved a one-year pause on construction of new data centers in unincorporated areas, commissioners said Tuesday, citing public safety and public health concerns. The board voted 3-2 on the moratorium as residents raised questions about noise, water use and the scale of a proposed development. State leaders have faced a separate pushback in other Texas counties where moratorium efforts have been rejected.
Donald Trump llegó a Beijing el miércoles para conversaciones con el presidente chino Xi Jinping sobre la guerra en Irán, el comercio y las ventas de armas de Estados Unidos a Taiwán, según la Casa Blanca y reportes de AP. El encuentro central está previsto para el jueves con conversaciones bilaterales y un banquete formal.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd reported a 38% increase in AI and cloud revenue for the January-March quarter, as it pushed deeper into artificial-intelligence products and services. The company also reported overall revenue rose 3% to 243 billion yuan, while operations posted an 848 million yuan loss, highlighting costs tied to AI expansion.
Allegiant Air said Wednesday it completed its purchase of Sun Country Airlines, finalizing a deal that combines two low-cost carriers as jet-fuel costs strain budget airlines after Spirit’s shutdown. The Las Vegas-based company said the transaction closed following required regulatory and shareholder approvals.
Japanese snack maker Calbee said it will change the packaging on some products to black-and-white starting May 25, citing disruptions from the Iran war that affect a supply of ingredients used in colored ink.
NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — Giant tunnel-boring machines have arrived for a new Hudson River rail tunnel project connecting New Jersey to Manhattan, as workers prepare to start drilling later this year. The project, led by the Gateway Development Commission, is expected to cost $16 billion and is designed to reduce congestion on one of the nation’s busiest passenger rail corridors.
United flight attendants ratified a new five-year labor contract on Tuesday that will provide their first pay increases in six years, along with boarding pay, the union said. The agreement covers nearly 30,000 flight attendants at United and includes average pay increases this summer plus $741 million in retroactive pay, according to the Association of Flight Attendants.
U.S. consumer prices climbed 3.8% in April from a year earlier, the largest annual increase in three years, as the war with Iran sent gasoline prices sharply higher, the Labor Department reported Tuesday. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.6% from March, with core inflation — which strips out volatile food and energy costs — up a milder 2.8% from a year ago.
The U.S. consumer price index rose 3.8% in April from a year earlier, the Labor Department reported Tuesday, as gasoline prices climbed during the 10-week war with Iran. The increase follows a 3.3% year-over-year rise in March and comes at a time when many Americans are already grappling with high living costs.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates President Donald Trump's proposed Golden Dome missile defense system would cost $1.2 trillion over 20 years, far surpassing the $175 billion price tag Trump cited last May, according to a report released Tuesday.
President Donald Trump departs Tuesday for a summit in Beijing with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with both sides signaling a desire to extend a fragile trade truce and keep the world’s two largest economies talking. The talks are expected to yield only modest policy announcements — likely a renewal of the October cease-fire and Chinese commitments to buy American soybeans, beef, and Boeing aircraft — but the summit’s primary goal is stability, not sweeping change, according to U.S. officials and analysts.
Wall Street’s record-breaking rally stalled Tuesday as a sharp pullback in AI chip stocks and another climb in crude oil prices prompted a pause. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% from its all-time high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 56 points (0.1%), and the Nasdaq composite sank 0.7% from its own record. Some of the heaviest falls hit companies that had surged on the artificial-intelligence boom, while Brent crude jumped 3.4% to settle at $107.77 a barrel as a fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire threatened to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed to oil tankers. A separate report showed U.S. inflation accelerated more than economists had forecast in April, raising fresh questions about when the Federal Reserve might cut interest rates.
The Iran war’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz has cut off bunker fuel supplies to the global maritime industry, driving up prices at the world’s largest refueling hub and raising fears that higher shipping costs will spread through supply chains to consumers, industry officials and analysts told The Associated Press. Shipping companies are reducing speeds and exploring alternative fuels, but the energy shock is expected to hit Asian economies hardest and then ripple outward.
President Donald Trump plans to fly to Beijing for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week, aiming to keep the U.S.-China economic relationship steady while limiting prospects for new, sweeping policy announcements. Trump has said the United States is “making a lot of money” from trade with China, and the meeting is expected to focus on extending a trade truce reached last October. Officials also have teed up discussion of a new government-to-government Board of Trade to manage economic issues and reduce the chances of tariff escalation.
President Donald Trump traveled to Beijing for meetings with Xi Jinping this week, and a delegation of U.S. technology, aerospace and finance executives joined him aboard Air Force One, the White House said. The group included Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, among others.
Wall Street reversed course Tuesday after a record run, with the S&P 500 slipping 0.2% from its all-time high while the Nasdaq fell 0.7% from its own record. Oil prices rose as the war with Iran added risk to supplies, and Treasury yields climbed as traders priced in the possibility of higher-for-longer rates.
Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are preparing for a highly anticipated summit, with both nations signaling they want to keep recent stability intact, but analysts see little chance of resolving longstanding disputes over trade, technology, Taiwan and Iran, according to a preview published by The Associated Press.
President Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are preparing to meet in Beijing for talks that both sides say will keep U.S.-China relations broadly stable, even as major flashpoints remain on the agenda. The discussions are expected to touch trade, technology and chip restrictions, Taiwan, and the war in Iran, with China seen by some as a possible mediator.
A supply crunch for bunker fuel—used to power ships—has emerged as the Iran war disrupts access to the Strait of Hormuz, with Asia’s major refueling hub, Singapore, facing rising prices and dwindling reserves. Shipping companies have begun slowing vessels and adjusting routes and schedules to manage the cost shock, while some plan to order ships that can run on alternative fuels.
Michigan is demanding repayment of a $35 million loan from the American Center for Mobility, a nonprofit autonomous vehicle testing facility in Ypsilanti Township that supporters say is critical to keeping the state's auto industry competitive as self-driving technology accelerates. The $1.62 million annual payment sought by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. would wipe out the $1.59 million surplus the 340-acre facility posted last year, according to its 2025 audit.
Brazil's agriculture ministry said Tuesday that the European Union has decided to block the country's animal product exports beginning in September, a move that threatens one of Brazil's key markets just weeks after the historic EU-Mercosur free trade agreement tentatively took effect.
Michigan is demanding repayment of a $35 million loan to the American Center for Mobility, a Ypsilanti Township test facility for autonomous vehicles, supporters say the demand could threaten the nonprofit’s finances. Negotiations with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. are ongoing, while a state senator and mobility advocates urge the state to forgive or delay the debt.
Brazil said Tuesday the European Union has moved to block its animal product exports starting from September, days after the EU-Mercosur free trade deal entered into force provisionally. Brazil’s agriculture ministry said it was “received ‘with surprise’” and that Brazil will try to reverse the decision after talks with EU officials.
Nissan Motor Corp. narrowed its annual loss to $3.4 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, as the Japanese automaker continued to struggle under U.S. tariffs, inflation, and competition from Chinese manufacturers. CEO Ivan Espinosa said the company is entering a phase of growth and expects to return to profitability in the current year.
Nissan cut its fiscal-year losses but remained in the red as the company cited U.S. tariffs, inflation and intensifying competition, according to its results released Wednesday. CEO Ivan Espinosa said Nissan sees “clear signs” of a turnaround as the company plans cost cuts and new model launches.
Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic push Wednesday to overturn several Trump-era policy changes at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, preserving the agency’s sharply diminished role under acting director Russell Vought.
Malaysia’s top maritime enforcement official on Wednesday pushed back against accusations that authorities are ignoring a long-running scheme that lets Iran evade U.S. sanctions by transferring oil between tankers near the country’s coast. The U.S.-based advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran says waters off southern Malaysia have become a key hub for ship-to-ship transfers involving Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet” — aging tankers that disable tracking systems and falsify identities to conceal the origin of crude destined largely for China.
Soaring fuel costs triggered by the Iran war are pushing consumers and governments across Asia toward rooftop solar power at an accelerating pace, with installations in the Philippines surging 70% and China poised to dominate the global supply of solar equipment.
The European Union’s energy commissioner said Wednesday that the bloc faces a possible longer-term jet fuel shortage as fighting around the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt oil supplies from a region that typically handles a fifth of the world’s petroleum.
A surge in fuel prices linked to the Iran war is pushing consumers in energy-stressed parts of Asia toward rooftop solar, benefiting China as the world’s largest solar technology supplier, the Associated Press reported. In the Philippines, where the conflict has heightened costs and raised worries about power reliability, a survey found a sharp rise in solar installations and customer interest after Feb. 28.
Malaysia’s maritime enforcement agency says Iranian-linked tankers have been exploiting “jurisdictional gaps” for ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned oil near its waters, but it rejected allegations that it has ignored the problem. U.S.-based monitors say the Eastern Outer Port Limits off Johor has become a hub for Iran’s “shadow fleet” transfers. Indonesia, which shares a maritime boundary in the area, said it is reviewing the legality of the activity.
Workers began preliminary surveys and geotechnical testing Monday at the proposed site for a Triumphal Arch sought by President Donald Trump in Washington, the Associated Press reported. The work is being carried out between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery as part of steps the administration said are needed before any final authorization to build. The proposal, which would be about 250 feet tall, has drawn opposition including a federal lawsuit.
Turkey removed a restriction on direct trade with Armenia on Wednesday, a symbolic step toward normalizing relations between the two neighbors whose border has been closed for decades. The move allows shipments between the countries to list their final destination or origin as Turkey or Armenia even when passing through a third country, lifting a prior prohibition, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
Workers began preliminary surveys and testing Monday at the proposed site of a 250-foot Triumphal Arch sought by President Donald Trump, adding a new step to the contentious project as a federal lawsuit seeks to block construction. The site, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, was fenced off with pink survey flags, and the work was disclosed in a court filing Thursday in the ongoing suit.
Japanese technology investor SoftBank Group Corp. reported Wednesday that profit for the fiscal year through March surged nearly fivefold to 5 trillion yen ($32 billion), lifted by massive gains from its AI investments. Sales rose 8% to 7.8 trillion yen ($50 billion), the company said.
The automotive experts at Edmunds have laid out four strategies for hybrid-car shoppers to minimize the extra upfront cost and maximize long-term fuel savings, in guidance shared with The Associated Press. With gasoline prices remaining elevated, the tips aim to help buyers navigate the tradeoff between a higher purchase price and lower operating expenses by favoring models with short payback periods, high fuel economy, used-car options, and three-row SUV variants.
NAIROBI, Kenya — French and African leaders on Tuesday announced more than $11 billion in renewable energy investments across the continent, spanning sustainable aviation fuel, hydropower, solar and wind projects, during the France-Africa Summit in Kenya's capital. The commitments emerged from a closed-door CEO forum attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Kenyan President William Ruto and leaders from more than 30 African nations, alongside executives from major energy and industrial companies.
The U.S. Office of the Trade Representative has opened an inquiry into Brazil's wildly popular PIX instant payment network, alleging its government-run, fee-free structure unfairly undercuts American credit card giants like Visa and Mastercard.
Tokyo-based SoftBank Group said Wednesday that annual profit for the fiscal year through March rose to 5 trillion yen, nearly five times the previous year, as its AI investments generated gains.
Brazil’s instant payment system PIX has come under scrutiny from the U.S. government, with an inquiry opened by the Trump administration’s Office of the U.S. Trade Representative that alleges the system creates unfair competition for U.S. credit card operators. The review comes as PIX remains widely used in Brazil for everyday transactions, from small purchases to large payments, and as Brazilian authorities continue to confront fraud risks tied to stolen phones and instant transfers.
Gas prices and rising vehicle costs are pushing more shoppers to consider hybrids, and Edmunds says it’s important to choose the right model to recoup the added upfront cost. In 2026, the automaker-selection process should start with looking at payback periods, not just sticker prices, before moving to fuel-economy benchmarks and shopping strategies like used or certified pre-owned.
French and African leaders on Tuesday announced more than $11 billion in renewable energy investments across Africa, unveiled during a closed-door CEO forum in Nairobi alongside the France-Africa Summit. The commitments, involving companies including TotalEnergies, EDF, Kenya Airways and Rubis Energy, cover projects from sustainable aviation fuel to solar, wind, hydropower and clean cooking, as leaders discuss green industrialization and expanding electricity access.
Turkey removed a restriction on direct trade with Armenia on Wednesday, a move intended as a symbolic step toward improved relations between the longtime rivals. Armenia welcomed the change, which Turkish officials said reflects ongoing technical and bureaucratic work toward reopening their shared border.
Paris announced a financial shift in its Africa relations Tuesday at the close of the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya, with French President Emmanuel Macron unveiling a €23 billion ($27 billion) investment plan for the continent’s energy, artificial intelligence and agriculture sectors. The summit, co-hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto, drew 30 African leaders to Nairobi, where Ruto declared that future partnerships must rest on “sovereign equality, not on aid or charity.”
Online marketplace eBay on Tuesday rejected an unsolicited $56 billion takeover offer from video game retailer GameStop, calling the proposal "neither credible or attractive" in a letter from its board chairman to GameStop's Ryan Cohen.
Amazon is rapidly expanding its 30-minute delivery service, Amazon Now, to dozens of U.S. cities, the company confirmed Monday. The e-commerce giant, which pioneered two-day shipping with Prime in 2005, now operates small-format “microhubs” stocking about 3,500 everyday items — from bananas to toilet plungers — that can reach customers’ doorsteps in a half-hour or less for an extra fee. The service, already live in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Denver, Minneapolis, Phoenix and Orlando, is expected to arrive in New York City by the end of the year. Prime members pay $3.99 per order, while non-members pay $13.99, with a $1.99 small-basket fee for orders under $15.
GameStop’s unsolicited bid to buy eBay was rejected by eBay, which said the proposal is “neither credible or attractive,” according to a letter from eBay Chairman Paul Pressler to GameStop co-founder Ryan Cohen. The companies have been in takeover talks after GameStop disclosed earlier this month it was pursuing a deal worth $56 billion on paper, targeting eBay as a vehicle to compete with Amazon.
Amazon is preparing to expand its “Amazon Now” service that aims to deliver certain items in 30 minutes or less for an extra fee, the company said. The ultrafast option is already operating in multiple countries and in a number of U.S. metro areas, and it starts at $3.99 for Prime members, according to Amazon.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced 23 billion euros ($27 billion) in new investments in Africa as a partnership summit in Nairobi closed on Tuesday. Speaking at the Africa Forward Summit with Kenyan President William Ruto, Macron said 14 billion euros would come from French companies and 9 billion euros from African entities.
President Donald Trump inspected the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Thursday, days after ordering it repainted a shade he calls “American flag blue,” as his administration pushes a sweeping overhaul of Washington landmarks that has drawn legal challenges, preservationist opposition, and questions about the president’s priorities amid a volatile ceasefire with Iran and rising consumer costs.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has focused on high-profile changes to public spaces in Washington in recent days, including ordering the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool repainted a color he has described as “American flag blue,” according to a report published this week. He has also discussed transforming a Washington golf course into a premium, championship-caliber facility, as disputes and lawsuits over preservation and environmental impacts have continued.
U.S. employers added a surprisingly strong 115,000 jobs in April, far surpassing the 65,000 economists had forecast, as the labor market proved more resilient than expected to the economic shock of the Iran war, the Labor Department reported Friday. The unemployment rate held at 4.3%.
American businesses are facing mounting costs from the ongoing Iran war, and a growing number of economists expect a U.S. recession within the next year, according to a survey released Monday by the National Association for Business Economics.
U.S. employers added 115,000 jobs in April, nearly double the 65,000 forecasters had expected, the Labor Department reported Friday, keeping the unemployment rate at a low 4.3% even as the war with Iran drives up fuel costs and uncertainty. The stronger-than-expected hiring, together with a stock market that approached an all-time high and a surge in workers voluntarily quitting their jobs, suggested the economy is withstanding the four-month-old conflict better than many had anticipated.
The Labor Department reported that US employers added 115,000 jobs in April, beating economists’ expectations even as the Iran war disrupted global oil supplies and pushed gasoline prices above $4.50 a gallon. The unemployment rate held at 4.3%, and the report showed healthcare and transportation leading hiring while manufacturers cut jobs.
Nearly half of American business economists say the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran has hurt their operations, including through higher energy prices, according to a survey released Monday by the National Association for Business Economics. The conflict, which began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, has contributed to an energy crisis and price pressures that economists say could worsen for hiring and investment in coming months.
China’s exports rose 14.1% in April from a year earlier, the Chinese government said Saturday, a surge that comes days before a planned meeting next week between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. The data beat analysts’ estimates and marked a significant improvement from March’s 2.5% year-on-year growth, as trade tensions and higher U.S. tariffs continue to weigh on relations.
China’s exports of passenger cars surged in April as carmakers pushed further into overseas markets while domestic sales continued to fall, an industry group said Monday. Exports rose nearly 85% from a year earlier to about 796,000 vehicles, with new energy passenger vehicle exports up more than 120% to roughly 420,000 units, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The April export gain comes as passenger car sales at home fell 25.5% to 1.3 million vehicles for the sixth straight month of year-on-year declines, CAAM data showed.
U.S. employers added 115,000 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate held at 4.3%, the Labor Department reported May 8. At the same time, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.37% and weekly jobless claims increased to 200,000 for the week ending May 2, according to Labor Department data. The reports arrived as markets weighed the economic fallout from the war with Iran.
U.S. stocks rose to record highs Friday after a jobs report pointed to continued strength in the labor market, even as fighting in the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil prices higher. The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% to an all-time high after U.S. employers added 115,000 more jobs than they cut last month.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday defended the Trump administration’s new sanctions on Cuba, including a sweeping designation against the military-run business conglomerate GAESA, which experts said could deter foreign investment and deepen the island’s economic crisis.
President Donald Trump said Monday he will move to suspend the federal gasoline tax, a step he cannot take alone, as surging fuel prices driven by the Iran war pressure American households and raise alarms among Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. Congress would have to approve the suspension, and lawmakers from both parties have signaled openness to the idea while some Republicans express reservations about the loss of highway trust fund revenue.
The Treasury Department is directing U.S. banks to monitor for Iranian money laundering networks that use shell companies and cryptocurrency to smuggle sanctioned oil, according to a department report released Monday, as the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran teeters on what President Donald Trump called 'life support.'
Oil prices rallied above $104 a barrel on Monday after President Donald Trump said the U.S.-Iran ceasefire was on “life support,” while U.S. stocks drifted to yet more all-time highs amid strong corporate earnings.
U.S. stocks rose to all-time highs on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq notching records, as a surprisingly strong jobs report overshadowed investor anxiety over elevated oil prices and renewed military action in the Strait of Hormuz. Employers added 115,000 jobs in April, nearly double what economists had forecast, extending the market's winning streak to six weeks.
Oregon voters will decide whether to repeal a gas-tax increase in the May 19 primary, a referendum that pits the state's need for road-repair funding against the highest gasoline prices since the Iran war began. The Democratic-controlled Legislature raised the tax last fall to pay for transportation projects; Republicans gathered 250,000 signatures to put the increase before voters.
Asian governments are exhausting early fuel rationing measures as the prolonged Iran war drives global oil prices toward $120 a barrel, triggering widespread subsidy cuts and threatening economic growth across the region. The United Nations Development Programme warns the crisis may cost the Asia-Pacific $299 billion and push 8.8 million people into poverty.
A state appeals court on Thursday upheld most of Michigan’s rules limiting local control over large renewable energy projects, while rejecting two provisions that legal challengers argued exceeded the state’s regulatory authority. The Michigan Court of Appeals panel found that state regulators followed proper legal processes when implementing the 2023 law, but ruled on two specific points in favor of dozens of local governments that sued over the permitting framework.
Stocks across Europe and Asia showed mixed results on Monday, while oil prices jumped more than 2% after President Donald Trump rejected Iran's response to a U.S. peace proposal. The rejection, posted on social media, heightened uncertainty over a conflict that has disrupted critical oil shipping routes.
President Donald Trump said Monday that the Iran ceasefire is on 'life support' after rejecting Tehran's latest proposal, which regional officials said included limited nuclear concessions. Trump also proposed suspending the federal gas tax to ease pain at the pump from surging fuel prices tied to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Ethiopia’s push to adopt electric vehicles has accelerated sharply, with more than 115,000 EVs now on its roads, as fuel shortages and soaring prices tied to the Iran war strain the country’s economy and drive a broader African shift toward cleaner transport.
President Donald Trump said Monday that he would move to suspend the federal gasoline tax to help Americans deal with surging fuel prices tied to the Iran war. But the Associated Press reported that he cannot suspend the tax on his own and that Congress would have to approve any change.
The U.S. Treasury Department asked U.S. banks and other financial institutions to monitor for suspected Iranian money laundering networks that use their funds to smuggle sanctioned oil through shell companies and crypto-linked channels, according to Treasury and a related report released Monday. The guidance comes as President Donald Trump said the Iran ceasefire is on “life support” after he rejected Tehran’s latest proposal to end the war.
Oil prices rose Monday as the war with Iran threatens to drag on longer, even as U.S. stocks edged toward more records. Brent crude settled up 2.9% at $104.21 after President Donald Trump said the U.S.-Iran ceasefire is on “life support.” Stocks, meanwhile, were supported by expectations of resilient profits and an economy that has held up despite costly gasoline and tariffs.
Myanmar miners have discovered an 11,000-carat ruby near Mogok, a gem-mining hub in the country’s upper Mandalay region, according to state media reported May 8. The ruby, described as the second-largest ever found by weight in Myanmar, was unearthed in mid-April shortly after the traditional New Year festival, and was later examined by President Min Aung Hlaing at his office in Naypyitaw.
Asia is facing a prolonged energy squeeze as the Iran war continues to disrupt fuel flows and strain budgets across the region, the AP reports. Governments that initially rationed power, redirected gas to households and leaned on subsidies are now seeing those measures run out. Economists and analysts warn that the second wave of impacts could push millions toward poverty and slow economic growth.
A Michigan appeals court upheld most of the state’s rules limiting local control over renewable energy projects, while narrowing aspects that critics said went too far. The three-judge panel agreed Michigan regulators largely followed proper procedures for implementing a 2023 law that allows the Public Service Commission to approve large wind, solar and battery projects despite local objections. The ruling clarifies deadlines for local approvals and who qualifies as an “affected local unit,” both of which could shape how projects move through the permitting pipeline.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration’s decision to impose new sanctions on Cuba, including measures targeting GAESA, a military-run business conglomerate. In remarks Friday, Rubio said the sanctions were aimed at GAESA, and not at Cubans, as the administration also moved to widen authorities that can reach foreign partners.
Miners in Myanmar have unearthed an 11,000-carat ruby near Mogok, a conflict-battered hub responsible for most of the world's supply, with the massive gem presented to President Min Aung Hlaing, state media reported Friday.
A Washington-based nonprofit filed a federal lawsuit Monday seeking to stop the Trump administration's ongoing repainting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, arguing the project violated historic preservation laws by proceeding without required reviews on one of the most iconic sites on the National Mall.
South Dakota tourism officials say rising gasoline prices could prove an unexpected boost for the state’s visitor industry, as travelers opt for regional driving trips over expensive flights. The state, which relies heavily on Midwest and neighboring-state tourists, expects a strong summer season anchored by the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, though some operators remain cautious about broader economic headwinds.
The Federal Aviation Administration has approved Boeing's proposed repairs for the MD-11 cargo fleet, allowing FedEx to resume flying the aircraft days after the planes were grounded following a fatal crash in Louisville.
Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes were essentially flat in April, holding at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million, the National Association of Realtors reported Monday. The median sale price rose 0.9% from a year ago to $417,700, an all-time high for the month, extending a 34-month streak of annual price increases despite a multiyear slump in transactions.
Google has agreed to pay $50 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit brought by Black employees who alleged the company engaged in a pattern of systemic discrimination in hiring, pay, and advancement. The settlement, announced in May 2025, received final court approval this week and includes commitments for pay equity analyses, pay transparency, and limits on mandatory arbitration, according to the plaintiffs’ attorneys.
Young Americans have lost confidence in the job market at a pace not seen since the Great Recession, with the share who say it is a good time to find work in their area dropping 27 percentage points since 2023, according to a new Gallup World Poll released Monday. The decline has produced the largest gap in job-market optimism between young and old of any country surveyed, as older Americans’ views remained relatively stable.
China's exports surged 14.1% in April from a year earlier, official data showed Saturday, significantly beating analyst estimates and accelerating from a modest 2.5% expansion in March, as a planned summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing next week looms over trade relations.
China’s passenger car exports surged nearly 85% from a year earlier in April to about 796,000 vehicles, while domestic sales fell for a sixth straight month, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported Monday. The simultaneous export boom and domestic contraction highlight the diverging pressures on the world’s largest auto market, as anemic consumer demand at home pushes Chinese carmakers to expand aggressively overseas.
California is preparing to launch its first registered teacher apprenticeship program this fall, offering aspiring educators a pathway to earn a wage and a teaching credential simultaneously, even as the state grapples with a persistent shortage of fully-qualified teachers. Nearly 16,000 instructors entered California classrooms without full credentials last school year, roughly 5% of the workforce, according to the state Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Meanwhile, a $18 million federal grant that would have expanded teacher residencies in the Central Valley was rescinded by the Trump administration, jeopardizing pipeline programs in high-need districts like Hanford.
A San Francisco startup has placed an AI agent in charge of a Stockholm coffee shop in what it calls a controlled experiment into autonomous business management. The agent, dubbed Mona and powered by Google’s Gemini, oversees everything from hiring and ordering to electricity contracts — while human baristas still pull the shots.
President Donald Trump on Monday nominated David Cummins to lead the Transportation Security Administration after the agency’s bruising experience during the longest partial government shutdown in history. The TSA has been overseen by acting administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill since the shutdown ended late last month, as travelers reported long security lines and delays during the funding lapse.
A Washington-based nonprofit filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the Trump administration from repainting the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool a blue color and to require restoration of historic elements, arguing federal preservation laws were bypassed. The suit, filed Monday against the Interior Department and the National Park Service, says the work proceeded without relevant reviews. Trump said Monday the pool would reopen “sometime next week” and called the project “highly sophisticated stuff,” while Interior’s Katie Martin said the work will make the capital “a shining beacon.”
South Dakota tourism officials say higher gas prices could boost road-trip travel as Americans look for shorter, regional vacations. Tourism Secretary Jim Hagen said the state has outperformed others when fuel costs were high or rising, pointing to surveys that show many people plan to travel this summer.
Oregon Democrats’ gas tax increase is headed to voters on Oregon’s May 19 primary ballot, with Republicans pushing a referendum just as the war with Iran has driven up pump prices across the United States. The measure, approved by Oregon’s Democratic-controlled Legislature and Gov. Tina Kotek last year, will ask whether to repeal the increases in the state gas tax and related transportation fees.
Las bolsas mundiales registraron movimientos mixtos el lunes, mientras el petróleo se disparó más de 2% tras el rechazo del presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, a la respuesta de Irán a la última propuesta de Washington para poner fin a la guerra en Irán. Wall Street había cerrado el viernes con nuevos máximos, y el impulso se trasladó parcialmente a otros mercados.
FedEx began flying grounded Boeing MD-11 cargo planes again after the FAA approved Boeing’s proposed fix for the aircraft type, the AP reported. The planes were grounded after a UPS MD-11 crash in November 2025 outside Louisville that killed three pilots and 12 people on the ground.
Existing U.S. home sales were essentially flat in April, another soft reading for the housing market during what’s typically its busiest spring season, the National Association of Realtors said Monday. The median home price rose 0.9% from a year earlier to $417,700, a national record for any April, as home affordability remained a hurdle. Lawrence Yun, the NAR’s chief economist, said the spring homebuying season through April offered no year-over-year increase.
Young Americans are much less likely than older adults to say it is a good time to find a job where they live, according to a new Gallup World Poll analysis released Monday. In the United States, 43% of people ages 15 to 34 said it is a good time to find work in their local job market, versus 64% of those 55 and older.
California is rolling out its first registered apprenticeship program for teachers this fall, aiming to help students earn a wage while working toward a credential. The effort arrives as the state grapples with persistent staffing gaps, including teachers entering classrooms without full preparation.
Stockholm’s Andon Café is operating as a “controlled experiment” with an AI agent called “Mona” overseeing much of the business, while human baristas still brew coffee and serve customers. The startup behind the project, Andon Labs, says the goal is to test ethical questions raised by AI running hiring, inventory and other workplace tasks. Patrons can still place questions to the agent by telephone inside the cafe.
Ethiopia is pushing a faster transition to electric vehicles as fuel shortages and soaring prices, amplified by the Iran war, ripple through transport and daily life across Africa. The Associated Press reports that Ethiopia has expanded EV use to about 8% of its national fleet, while government moves to restrict new fossil-fuel vehicle imports and subsidize energy costs aim to buffer consumers from external supply shocks.
Google has reached a $50 million settlement with Black employees who alleged systemic racial disparities in hiring, pay and advancement, including claims of steering them into lower-level and lower-paid roles. The settlement was announced in May 2025 and received final approval this week, according to the terms described by civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
Rapid City-based Pete Lien & Sons canceled a graphite drilling project in South Dakota’s Black Hills after opposition from Native American tribes and local groups. In a letter provided to the U.S. Forest Service, the company withdrew its plan of operations for the project near a sacred site known as Pe’Sla.
President Donald Trump has nominated government-contracting executive David Cummins to head the Transportation Security Administration, the agency announced Monday, tapping an outsider to steady an agency battered by the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history.
Nintendo’s annual profit jumped 52 percent to 424 billion yen ($2.7 billion) for the fiscal year ending in March, powered by strong sales of the Switch 2 console, the Japanese video-game maker said Friday. The company also announced it is raising the Switch 2 price in Japan and the United States, citing challenging business conditions.
Bolivia is seeing more people switch to electric cars as gasoline shortages and higher fuel prices follow the end of long-standing subsidies. The Associated Press reports that some residents in and around La Paz, including in El Alto, are importing electric vehicles and seeking alternatives to long lines and costly repairs.
As fuel supply disruptions tied to the war in Iran spill into Bangladesh, people in the capital Dhaka are spending more time waiting for gasoline and diesel, reducing income for workers and small business owners, according to interviews reported by the Associated Press. The shortages have prompted government austerity measures, raised the operating costs for factories and transport, and threatened export earnings, especially in the garment sector.
President Donald Trump will travel to Beijing this week for a state visit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the White House said Sunday, a trip that comes amid heightened tensions from the Iran war and lingering trade disputes from his first term. The visit, scheduled to include a welcome ceremony, a tour of the Temple of Heaven, and a state banquet, is Trump’s first foreign trip since the outbreak of hostilities with Iran and marks a potential test of the personal bond Trump has frequently touted with Xi.
U.S. forces fired on and disabled two Iranian oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday after exchanging fire with Iranian forces overnight, the latest escalation to strain a tenuous month-old U.S.-Iran ceasefire. The United Arab Emirates separately reported a ballistic missile and drone attack that wounded three people, as satellite images revealed a large oil slick spreading from Iran’s main crude export terminal.
Soaring energy costs driven by the war in Iran are cutting household incomes and slowing economic growth in Bangladesh, where fuel shortages have forced the government to ration supplies and reduce industrial output, and the World Bank and Asian Development Bank have both slashed their forecasts for the import-dependent nation.
Saudi oil giant Aramco reported a 25% jump in first-quarter profit on Sunday, earning $32.5 billion as the Iran war disrupted global energy supplies and forced the company to push more shipments through a cross-desert pipeline to the Red Sea.
President Donald Trump will travel to Beijing this week to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with White House officials saying the two sides plan to discuss a new Board of Trade and cooperation on sectors including energy, aerospace and agriculture. The trip comes as a war involving Iran threatens to add friction to U.S.-China diplomacy and trade negotiations.
Aramco said its first-quarter profit rose 25% as the Iran war disrupted oil supplies and contributed to higher prices. The Saudi state-owned company also said it shifted some exports to its East-West Pipeline to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, which has been disrupted by the conflict.
Barataria Preserve, a mostly freshwater marsh site about 20 miles south of New Orleans, was badly damaged by Hurricane Ida in 2021 and closed to visitors for long-needed repairs, the Associated Press reported. Five years later, the National Park Service has begun rebuilding work, including removing old boardwalks and replacing them with materials designed to resist flooding.
The Trump administration has reached a proposed settlement in an antitrust case against a data-sharing company for the meatpacking industry, the Department of Justice announced Friday. The deal aims to bring down grocery prices by forcing Agri Stats to share nonpublic data with U.S. buyers.
The Trump administration has reached a proposed settlement in an antitrust case targeting a company that collects and shares nonpublic data for the meatpacking industry, federal officials said Friday. The Justice Department said the case, first brought by the Biden administration, was intended to curb practices it alleged helped drive up grocery prices.
Tesla issued two separate recalls on May 8, 2026 covering more than 200,000 vehicles, including 173 Cybertrucks with a wheel-stud defect that could lead to loss of control, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported.
A free solar-powered charging station that opened in early April in Santa Clara, Cuba, is providing residents a way to charge electric vehicles, cook meals, and power devices amid chronic blackouts and fuel shortages, the Associated Press reported.
Repeated fuel shortages, a cost-doubling end to gasoline subsidies, and a contamination scandal are pushing a small but growing number of Bolivians to abandon fossil-fuel vehicles for electric cars, according to Bolivian drivers, industry experts, and government data.
Nintendo said Friday its profit rose 52% in the last fiscal year, helped by solid sales of its Switch 2 and related software. The company also raised the Switch 2 price in Japan to 59,980 yen from 49,980 yen, effective May 25, and said it expects lower profit for the year through March 2027.
Santa Clara, Cuba, opened a free, solar-powered charging station known as a “solinera” in early April, giving residents a way to recharge devices and vehicles amid chronic blackouts and a severe shortage of gasoline. The station, installed with solar panels and batteries, is drawing crowds who say it has eased daily travel and business losses tied to unreliable power.
Tesla is recalling 173 Cybertrucks for a wheel-related issue that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says could lead to wheel-stud separation, raising the risk of a crash. The automaker is also recalling more than 200,000 other electric vehicles after a software issue can temporarily disable the rearview camera image.
President Donald Trump said Thursday that the European Union must approve last year's bilateral trade framework by July 4 or face higher tariffs, extending an earlier deadline he had set on auto imports. The announcement followed what Trump described as a 'great call' with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, though he expressed frustration that the European Parliament had not finalized the agreement.
Lower-income Americans sharply cut their gasoline consumption in March yet still spent more at the pump as the spike in gas prices following the Iran war widened economic inequalities, according to research released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Higher-income households, by contrast, increased their gas spending with barely any reduction in consumption, a pattern the report said was more pronounced than after the 2022 Russia-Ukraine shock.
President Donald Trump said the European Union has until July 4 to approve a trade framework reached last year, warning of higher U.S. tariffs if the European Parliament does not finalize it. The announcement followed a Thursday “great call” with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and came after Trump previously threatened higher tariffs on EU autos.
Shipping companies are facing rising costs and uncertainty as hundreds of vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf more than two months into the Iran war, with the Strait of Hormuz blocked and President Donald Trump abruptly pausing a short-lived guided-exit attempt. With over 1,550 vessels and 22,500 mariners trapped, shipping giants warn that even if a ceasefire holds, the return to normal will take months and the risks from Iranian speedboats and drones remain high.
Apple introduced the iPhone 16 lineup on Monday, billing the new phones as the first built "from the ground up" for the company's artificial-intelligence features. The "Glowtime" product showcase in Cupertino, California, also included updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods lineups, with new health-monitoring capabilities featured across several devices.
The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.37% this week, Freddie Mac reported Thursday, marking the second straight weekly increase and returning borrowing costs to levels last seen four weeks ago as the bond market churns on oil-driven inflation fears from the war with Iran.
McDonald’s reported first-quarter sales that exceeded Wall Street expectations Thursday, lifted by a renewed focus on value meals and limited‑time offers. But CEO Chris Kempczinski warned that elevated gasoline prices and consumer anxiety over the Iran war could dampen demand in the months ahead, especially for the chain’s most price‑sensitive customers.
Toyota Motor Corp. said its fiscal-year profit fell 19% to 3.85 trillion yen ($25 billion) as tariffs under President Donald Trump reduced annual operating income. The automaker reported global vehicle sales climbed to about 9.6 million units while it also cited unfavorable currency trends and war-related shipping disruptions.
Whirlpool said Thursday that the Iran war is driving a “recession-level industry decline” that has shaken consumer confidence, contributing to a nearly 10% revenue drop and a 7% fall in North American major-appliance sales. The Michigan-based company announced price increases in April and July to address inflationary cost pressures after posting a first-quarter loss of $82 million.
A split federal appeals panel ruled Thursday against 10% global tariffs President Donald Trump imposed after a Supreme Court loss, saying the tariffs were “invalid” and “unauthorized by law.” The Court of International Trade in New York said Trump exceeded the tariff power Congress allowed under the governing statute after small businesses sued.
McDonald’s posted better-than-expected first-quarter results, but its CEO said high gas prices and consumer anxiety over the Iran war could weigh on demand this spring. The company’s value-focused strategy helped drive sales, while it flagged continued softness for lower-income customers.
Mortgage rates rose for a second straight week as bond-market volatility persisted, with surging oil prices tied to the Iran war stoking inflation worries, Freddie Mac said Thursday. The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbed to 6.37%, up from 6.30% last week, while the 15-year rate also moved higher.
A federal court in New York ruled Thursday that the 10% global tariffs President Donald Trump imposed after a Supreme Court defeat are illegal, siding with small businesses that argued the president exceeded his trade authority.
Whirlpool Corp. announced a nearly 10% drop in first-quarter revenue and a 7% decline in North American major appliance sales, citing consumer pullback amid a recession-level industry decline linked to the ongoing Iran war. The Michigan-based manufacturer, which produces about 80% of its major appliances domestically, lowered its full-year earnings outlook by half and suspended its dividend after posting an $82 million quarterly loss.
The average price of regular gasoline in the United States surged 31 cents in a week to $4.54 a gallon Wednesday, according to AAA data, a level 52% higher than before the war with Iran began. The war has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, stranding oil tankers and disrupting the flow of a fifth of the world’s crude oil, keeping crude prices elevated. Oil prices dipped below $100 a barrel Wednesday on renewed ceasefire hopes, but experts warn that even a lasting resolution would take months to restore normal fuel supplies and bring pump prices down.
Gasoline prices in the U.S. climbed over the past week, spiking to an average of $4.54 a gallon Wednesday, according to AAA data. The Associated Press reports the increase reflects how deepening fighting linked to Iran has kept oil supplies constrained near the Strait of Hormuz, where a significant share of the world’s crude normally passes.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced “Project Freedom” to guide ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, but the effort was paused days later as negotiations on ending the Iran war continued. Shipping companies say the uncertainty is still translating into costly delays, higher insurance and fuel bills, and risk concerns for crews transiting the narrow waterway.
The Pentagon has halted critical reviews for over 250 proposed onshore wind energy projects across more than 30 states, according to the American Clean Power industry association, bringing new land-based wind development to a near-standstill.
The American Clean Power industry association said the Pentagon has stopped completing national security reviews that would let more than 250 new onshore wind farms move forward on private land. The Pentagon said its siting “clearinghouse” is evaluating land-based wind projects so they do not impair national security or military operations.
New Jersey Transit is lowering a planned $150 round-trip fare to MetLife Stadium for the upcoming World Cup to $105, following a directive from Gov. Mikie Sherrill to find alternative funding to cushion the cost for fans.
A White House official told the National Capital Planning Commission on Thursday that painting the Eisenhower Executive Office Building’s granite exterior white would cost at least $7.5 million, as preservationists, historians, and more than 2,000 public comments urged the commission to reject the proposal.
U.S. stocks retreated from all-time highs on Thursday, pulled lower by a volatile session in crude oil as investors weighed shifting signals about diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war. Brent crude yo-yoed between $96 and $102 a barrel before settling at $100.06, down 1.2%, amid conflicting statements from Pakistan and Iran on the prospects for a ceasefire that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a tentative budget agreement Thursday that would impose a new recurring tax on luxury second homes in New York City — but the deal does not include the broad income‑tax increases on the wealthy that Mayor Zohran Mamdani and progressive activists have demanded. The proposed pied‑à‑terre tax would apply to homes valued at more than $5 million and is projected to raise at least $500 million a year for the city, Hochul said.
WOODS HOLE, Mass. — Scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are breeding fast-growing kelp varieties that could one day fuel ships and aircraft without petroleum, but the emerging industry is caught in a commercial choke point: energy companies will not invest without guaranteed supply, and farmers will not expand without confirmed buyers. Recent advances in selective breeding have yielded kelp strains that produce up to three times more biomass than conventional types, and a process called hydrothermal liquefaction can refine the seaweed into biofuel that releases fewer greenhouse gases than fossil fuels. Still, the path from laboratory promise to commercial reality faces inconsistent government support, regulatory barriers, and a persistent question of whether kelp’s economic future lies in fuel at all.
A $3.8 billion California program to convert motels into homeless housing during the pandemic produced thousands of new units but also left roughly 3,000 promised homes unfinished, a CalMatters investigation has found, with one contractor facing federal fraud charges and dozens of projects stuck in limbo.
A New York City pilot program is testing plug-in batteries that power window air conditioners during peak demand, offering a renter-friendly way to reduce strain on the electric grid and earn cash rebates, the Associated Press reports.
U.S. stocks slipped Thursday, pulling away from record levels as Brent crude prices swung on renewed uncertainty over efforts to end the Iran war. Brent settled at $100.06 a barrel, down 1.2%, after falling to near $96 and later topping $102 as markets weighed whether proposals could lead to an agreement.
Green cells grown from kelp are being developed into fast-growing strains that could eventually be processed into biofuel for ships and aircraft, researchers say. The work, funded earlier through a U.S. Department of Energy program, faces a bottleneck in scaling farms and securing stable buyers, especially after federal support faded.
Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz has kept the waterway effectively closed since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, while a U.S. naval blockade has not loosened Iran’s control, according to reporting Friday by the Associated Press. The disruption has driven up fuel prices, left ships and mariners stranded in the Persian Gulf, and raised risks of hunger as fuel and fertilizer shipments face delays.
A renter-friendly pilot in New York City is testing plug-in battery units that can run window air conditioners during the hottest hours, aiming to reduce strain on the electric grid during peak demand. The program, backed by Con Edison and operated by Every Electric, is expanding to more than 1,000 homes this summer and offers cash rebates to participants.
California’s Homekey program, launched under Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2020, awarded more than $3.8 billion to convert hotels and other buildings into homeless housing, but a new investigation finds outcomes ranged from immediate successes to long delays and failures. In Los Angeles, one nonprofit said it took over a former motel without sufficient vetting, and a yearslong construction backlog left the property vacant. Across the state, advocates and local officials said the program’s speed came with thinner oversight, leaving some projects stalled and raising questions about the next phase, Homekey+.
Apple used its “Glowtime” product showcase in Cupertino, California, to spotlight Apple Intelligence as it unveiled the iPhone 16 lineup and detailed new features coming with the next iOS update. The company also previewed upgrades to its Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods products, including new audio features and hearing-aid capabilities for AirPods Pro 2.
New York is expected to impose a new tax on multimillion-dollar second homes in New York City, under a tentative agreement announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The proposal would target so-called pied-à-terres worth more than $5 million and is intended to help address New York City’s budget deficit, but it stops short of broad income tax increases on the state’s wealthiest residents.
New Jersey Transit is reducing a planned $150 round-trip train fare to MetLife Stadium for World Cup matches to $105, state officials said May 7. The move follows outcry over the steep cost of getting to East Rutherford for the tournament, which begins June 13 and runs through July 19.
President Donald Trump’s proposal to repaint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building near the White House white could cost at least $7.5 million, a White House official said as federal review bodies began considering the plan. Ryan Erb, who oversees construction operations and facilities for the White House Office of Administration, told the National Capital Planning Commission the estimate is preliminary and that the White House is testing paint on granite samples from a Maine quarry.
Oil prices fell and global stock markets rose Wednesday as investors weighed signals that the United States and Iran could be nearing a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. Brent crude fell 7.8% to $101.27 a barrel, while the S&P 500 climbed 1.5% to another record, helped by major-company earnings. The day’s market moves came after President Donald Trump said the strait could be “OPEN TO ALL” if Iran accepts a reported agreement.
Federal prosecutors in New York have charged Vladimir Sklarov, who used multiple aliases, with stealing about $450 million from Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego through a sham stock-backed loan scheme tied to the Astor name. Prosecutors said Sklarov was arrested in Chicago on Saturday after an indictment was unsealed in federal court in New York. A detention hearing is scheduled for Friday in federal court in Chicago, court records show.
Toyota Motor Corp. reported a 19% decline in profit for the fiscal year ended March 2026, posting 3.85 trillion yen ($25 billion) versus nearly 4.8 trillion yen a year earlier. The company said U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump erased about 1.4 trillion yen ($9 billion) from its operating income. Despite the profit hit, Toyota sold nearly 9.6 million vehicles worldwide, up from roughly 9.4 million the prior year, and its quarterly profit jumped 23% to 817 billion yen.
Disney reported a stronger-than-expected quarterly performance as its streaming business and U.S. theme-park spending helped offset declines in international tourism, according to a Wednesday update. The Walt Disney Co. said Experiences operating income rose 5% in the quarter, even as overall attendance at its U.S. parks fell 1% year over year because fewer overseas visitors came to the resorts.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose to 200,000 in the week ending May 2, the U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday, but the level remains near historically low levels. The Labor Department said the previous week’s figure was revised up to 190,000.
DoorDash said it expects to spend more than $50 million in the second quarter on gas price relief for its delivery drivers. The San Francisco-based company linked the payments to a sharp increase in gas prices attributed to the Iran war.
Corpus Christi City Council voted to begin preliminary talks with a private company, AXE H2O, about building a desalination plant for the Coastal Bend as drought pressures mount. Seven months after the city axed its own desalination effort and with a water shortage projected within months, council members also advanced a separate groundwater proposal.
AirAsia is ordering 150 Airbus A220-300 jets in a deal valued at about $19 billion at list prices, Airbus said. The airline announced the order Thursday at an Airbus factory in Mirabel, Quebec, where Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney attended, and deliveries are due to begin in 2028.
A late spring snowstorm swept across parts of Colorado on Wednesday, closing schools and disrupting travel as slushy roads and slick conditions prompted warnings from the National Weather Service. The storm eased through the day, but officials said winter impacts could continue in the form of additional snow and rain.
Tens of millions of taxpayers penalized by the IRS during the coronavirus pandemic for filing late or failing to pay may qualify for penalty refunds or abatements, the national taxpayer advocate said Tuesday. Relief is not automatic, and most taxpayers need to file a claim by July 10, after a federal court ruled late last year that COVID-19 emergency laws extended certain filing deadlines.
Oil prices sank and major stock markets rallied worldwide on Wednesday as investors weighed hopes the United States and Iran are nearing an arrangement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, easing a key pressure point for global fuel costs and inflation. The shift followed remarks by President Donald Trump that the strait could be “OPEN TO ALL” if Iran accepts a reported U.S. agreement.
A federal indictment unsealed in New York says Vladimir Sklarov, who used multiple aliases, ran a bogus stock-backed loan scheme that authorities say helped him steal about $450 million from Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego. Prosecutors said Sklarov used the Astor family name and false claims of financial backing to convince Salinas to provide the loan in 2021.
President Donald Trump will host Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the White House on Thursday for talks on shared economic and security issues, a White House official said, as the two leaders work to mend a relationship strained by steep U.S. tariffs and the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro over an alleged coup plot.
U.S. employers advertised 6.87 million job openings in March, barely changed from 6.92 million in February, but a pickup in hiring and voluntary quits signaled underlying strength in the labor market before the full economic consequences of the Iran war took hold, the Labor Department reported Tuesday. The monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey captured a moment when the U.S. economy appeared to be stabilizing after a rocky 2025. However, economists cautioned that the outlook has already shifted as the conflict that began Feb. 28 pushes oil above $100 a barrel, threatens higher inflation, and raises the prospect of tighter monetary conditions and a global recession.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday called on the United States and the European Union to set aside tariff threats and work toward stability, after President Donald Trump announced plans to raise duties on European cars and trucks to 25% this week. Speaking during a visit to Armenia, Macron said allies should “rather send a message of stability and confidence” at a time of global geopolitical strain.
The Orleans Parish School Board voted 6-1 to accept an agreement with the city of New Orleans resolving a 2019 lawsuit that challenged how the city handled taxes and other money tied to the district. Under the settlement, the city will lower sales-tax collection fees and eliminate them for property taxes, and it will stop skimming school-board funds to cover pension obligations, district officials said.
Disney reported second-quarter profit and revenue that beat expectations, citing strength in its streaming business and spending at U.S. theme parks that offset weaker international tourism. The company said attendance at its U.S. parks declined 1% from a year earlier as overseas visitor numbers fell, and it expects improvement in the current quarter. The Walt Disney Co. also warned that inflation and energy prices could strain consumers.
DoorDash said Wednesday it expects to spend more than $50 million in the second quarter on gas price relief for delivery drivers, citing a sharp rise in fuel costs tied to the Iran war. The company made the announcement as it reported first-quarter results that fell short of some analyst expectations for revenue, even as orders remained strong.
President Donald Trump will host Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Thursday for talks on shared economic and security issues, a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the meeting has not been officially announced. The planned visit comes as Trump and Lula have worked to mend ties since Trump returned to the White House last year.
Macron said Europe and the United States have “much better things to do” than tariff threats over vehicles, after Donald Trump announced higher duties on European cars and trucks. Speaking Tuesday at a summit in Armenia, Macron urged “reason” to prevail and said he hoped stability would replace the escalation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU and U.S. have a deal, and the bloc is prepared for multiple scenarios.
Employers posted 6.87 million job openings in March, essentially unchanged from 6.92 million in February, according to Labor Department data. Hiring improved even as layoffs rose, a pattern the report said could shift as the economy absorbs the impact of the Iran war that began Feb. 28.
The average U.S. price for regular gasoline jumped 31 cents in the past week to $4.48 per gallon, AAA reported Tuesday, rising 50% since the war with Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and stranded a fifth of the world’s crude oil. A temporary fall in prices during a mid-April ceasefire lull has reversed as fighting continues and the Trump administration’s blockade of Iranian exports tightens global supply.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was pausing the latest U.S. effort to guide stranded vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz while Iran and the United States seek a deal to end their war in the Middle East. At the same time, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, met China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, in Beijing, according to Xinhua.
The price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the United States rose 31 cents over the past week, reaching an average of $4.48 on Tuesday, AAA said. The increase follows a mid-April period when drivers saw prices fall for nearly two weeks as conflict signals appeared to soften, but the war’s impact on global oil supply has pushed prices back up.
President Donald Trump’s deals with pharmaceutical companies to lower some U.S. prescription drug prices to levels charged in other countries could save $529 billion over the next 10 years, according to White House economists. The White House also estimated federal and state governments could save a combined $64.3 billion over the decade on Medicaid. Democrats have questioned the projections and urged the administration to disclose more details about the agreements.
The White House estimates that President Donald Trump’s deals with pharmaceutical companies to tie U.S. prescription drug prices to those paid in other countries could save the economy $529 billion over the next 10 years, according to an analysis obtained by The Associated Press. The projection is the first economy-wide estimate behind a policy that forms a core part of Trump’s pitch to voters heading into November’s midterm elections, as cost-of-living anxiety deepened by the Iran war weighs on the electorate.
The White House says President Donald Trump’s pharmaceutical deals that would link some U.S. prescription drug prices to what other countries pay could save $529 billion over 10 years. The analysis, produced for the White House Council of Economic Advisers, projects savings for patients and governments and would apply as more drugs come under the policy ahead of the November midterm elections. Democratic lawmakers, however, have said the figures are difficult to verify and may be offset by higher costs for drugs not covered.
U.S. stocks climbed to new all-time highs on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both setting records, as a retreat in oil prices and a fresh wave of stronger-than-expected corporate earnings lifted investor sentiment. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to finish at 7,259.22, surpassing its prior peak from the end of last week, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 356 points and the Nasdaq jumped 1%, according to the Associated Press.
A federal bankruptcy judge on Tuesday authorized Spirit Airlines to begin liquidating its remaining assets, days after the carrier abruptly cancelled all flights and stranded tens of thousands of passengers when a final rescue deal with the Trump administration collapsed.
Corpus Christi City Council voted May 6 to begin preliminary talks with a Houston-based company about building a privately financed desalination plant for the Coastal Bend area, after voting earlier to cancel its own desalination effort. The move comes as the city faces a worsening drought and leaders estimate a potential water emergency by September.
The IRS may owe a refund or require the termination or abatement of certain penalties for some taxpayers penalized for filing late, failing to pay, or missing estimated tax payments during the COVID-19 period. A federal court decision extended the deadline for filing returns in the case and taxpayers have been urged to act quickly—most need to file a claim by July 10.
Spirit Airlines has stopped flying and on Tuesday secured court approval to begin dismantling the airline and liquidating its remaining assets. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane authorized the plan after a hearing in New York, clearing the way for the carrier to wind down business operations.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a discrimination lawsuit against The New York Times on Tuesday, saying the newspaper passed over a white male editor for a promotion in favor of a less-qualified woman to meet diversity goals. The EEOC says the complaint alleges gender and racial discrimination under Title VII, and the New York Times said it will defend itself “vigorously.”
U.S. stocks rose to record highs Tuesday as oil prices gave back part of their sharp Monday increases and companies continued reporting bigger profits for the start of 2026 than analysts expected. The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% to a new record after topping its prior all-time high from last week, and the Dow and Nasdaq also reached fresh highs.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday authorized its first fruit-flavored e-cigarettes intended for adult smokers, a policy shift after months of appeals from the vaping industry. The agency said the products it approved—mango and blueberry varieties plus two menthol versions—are for adult users who are quitting or cutting back on cigarettes.
Zambia’s foreign affairs minister said the United States is tying a $2 billion health assistance deal to access to the country’s critical minerals, calling allegations by outgoing U.S. ambassador Michael Gonzales “mischievous” and “undiplomatic.” Mulambo Haimbe made the comments after the departing ambassador said Zambian leaders “abdicated their responsibilities” by diverting funds and ignoring U.S. overtures.
More than two dozen foreign workers have been killed in the Gulf and Israel since the United States and Israel went to war with Iran in February, according to an Associated Press report, and the conflict has trapped tens of millions of other migrants between deadly working conditions and the prospect of returning to countries already reeling from soaring fuel and food prices.
Iran’s war has left foreign workers in Gulf states facing a stark choice between staying in jobs that pay more or returning home as conflict-driven price spikes strain already-poor countries, an Associated Press investigation reports. The story centers on Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, a Bangladeshi man who worked in Saudi Arabia for 15 years and died after a missile struck his workers’ camp on March 8.
Oil prices sank and global stock markets rallied Wednesday as investors bet the United States and Iran may be nearing a deal that would allow ships to deliver crude from the Persian Gulf again. In the hopes-driven rebound, Brent crude fell 7.8% to $101.27 a barrel, while the S&P 500 climbed 1.5% to another record. In Asia, Seoul’s Kospi jumped more than 6% and pushed above 7,000 for the first time.
Disney reported second-quarter profit and revenue above expectations, citing strength in streaming and spending at its U.S. theme parks that helped offset weaker overseas tourism. The Walt Disney Co. also said domestic parks are doing well even as customers face higher inflation and energy prices, and CFO Hugh Johnston said the company has not seen a change in consumer behavior yet. Shares rose after the results were announced.
The Melkite Greek Catholic bishops of Lebanon said Monday that Israeli forces are demolishing civilian and religious buildings in south Lebanon, and that a convent in the village of Yaroun was bulldozed earlier this month, according to the Associated Press.
BEIRUT (AP) — Melkite Greek Catholic bishops in Lebanon on Monday urged the Lebanese government and the United Nations to protect the property of civilians and religious institutions after Israeli troops under its control demolished buildings in parts of southern Lebanon, according to reports cited by the church. The bishops said in particular that a Melkite convent was destroyed in the village of Yaroun while residents had evacuated.
California insurance regulators announced Monday they are seeking millions of dollars in penalties against State Farm, accusing the state’s largest home insurer of systematically delaying, underpaying and mishandling claims from the 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires that killed 31 people and destroyed more than 16,000 structures.
Cuba’s capital Havana unveiled its first two modular homes built from repurposed shipping containers, as residents describe living in fear amid the collapse of aging buildings. President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other officials gathered at the weekend event to mark the homes awarded to two single mothers, according to state media.
California is seeking millions of dollars in penalties against State Farm after regulators found the insurer delayed investigations and underpaid some claims tied to 2025 wildfires in the Los Angeles area, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said. The state said State Farm violated state law hundreds of times in a sample of 220 cases, and could face a license suspension that would bar it from writing new policies for up to a year.
The California Energy Commission issued an administrative subpoena Monday to Golden State Wind, the company behind a floating offshore wind project off the Central Coast, seeking documents about the Trump administration’s deal to pay the developer to abandon its lease.
WASHINGTON (AP) — White House economists estimate that President Donald Trump’s deals with pharmaceutical companies to lower some U.S. prescription drug prices to the rates charged in other countries could save $529 billion over the next 10 years, according to an analysis obtained by The Associated Press.
California’s Energy Commission has opened an investigation into a Trump administration deal that would pay offshore wind developers to voluntarily abandon their leases, the agency said Monday. The subpoena seeks documents about an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior for a planned payout involving Golden State Wind, and the commission said the payments would use taxpayer money to “make projects disappear.” The probe follows the administration’s broader effort to end U.S. offshore wind projects through lease buyouts.
U.S. stock indexes retreated from all-time highs on Monday while oil prices surged following new clashes in the Middle East that threaten a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The United Arab Emirates reported coming under Iranian fire for the first time since the early April truce, a development that sent global markets into sharp flux. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% from its latest peak, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 557 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.2%.
Four major water infrastructure projects are underway or in early planning in South Dakota, representing investments that could total tens of billions of dollars. The systems are designed to secure a reliable drinking water supply for more than 750,000 people across South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa over the next four to five decades.
Doris Fisher, who co-founded Gap Inc. with her husband Don in 1969 and helped reshape American casual style as the company’s fashion merchandiser, died Saturday at age 94, the San Francisco-based retailer confirmed Monday.
GameStop Corp. announced Monday it launched an unsolicited $125 per share cash-and-stock bid to acquire eBay Inc. in a deal valued at about $56 billion, a move CEO Ryan Cohen says would let the two companies combine their customer bases and physical footprint to challenge Amazon’s distribution dominance. EBay confirmed receiving the proposal but said it had no prior discussions with GameStop before the offer arrived. The online marketplace’s board, along with financial and legal advisors, will review the bid.
HAVANA (MSI) — Cuba unveiled the first two modular homes built from repurposed shipping containers in crumbling Havana on Saturday, awarding them to two single mothers as the government confronts a housing deficit of more than 800,000 homes in the capital.
OAKLAND, Calif. (MSI) — Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president and the top lieutenant to CEO Sam Altman, testified in court Monday that his stake in the artificial intelligence company is worth nearly $30 billion, a disclosure that would place him among the world’s richest people.
South Dakota water managers are advancing four major projects to draw more water from the Missouri River, aiming to boost capacity for decades. The Lewis & Clark Regional Water System is expanding existing treatment and well infrastructure, while three other regional efforts—from WEB’s upgrades to new pipeline planning—are at various stages of study or feasibility work.
Shares of eBay jumped before the opening bell Monday after GameStop, led by Ryan Cohen, pursued a roughly $56 billion takeover of the e-commerce marketplace. GameStop said the acquisition could help it compete more directly with Amazon by turning about 1,600 U.S. stores into shipping and drop-off locations.
Doris Fisher, who co-founded the clothing chain Gap Inc. with her late husband Don in 1969, has died. She was 94. Fisher died on Saturday, a Gap spokesperson confirmed Monday, and the company did not specify a cause of death.
Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president and CEO Sam Altman’s top lieutenant, testified in a trial in Oakland, California, that his stake in OpenAI is worth nearly $30 billion. Brockman told the court Monday that he did not personally invest any money in OpenAI, as the civil lawsuit accuses Altman and Brockman of double-crossing Elon Musk’s founding mission.
Wall Street fell Monday from record highs as oil prices rose sharply amid renewed fighting in the Middle East and worries it could undermine a ceasefire in the war with Iran. Brent crude settled up 5.8% at $114.44 after the United Arab Emirates said it came under attack by Iran for the first time since the ceasefire began in early April.
The U.S. dollar has fallen about 10% against other major currencies since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, a pullback that is quietly pushing up costs on everything from groceries to summer vacations, and that economists describe as a hidden tax on American consumers.
Ukraine launched drone strikes against a major Russian oil export port on the Baltic Sea and three tankers it says are part of Moscow's sanctions-evading "shadow fleet" on Sunday, while Russian attacks killed two civilians in the Odesa region and a 77-year-old man west of Moscow.
Ukraine launched a wave of strikes on Russian oil targets on Sunday, hitting the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk and tankers Ukraine said were part of Russia’s “shadow fleet.” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attacks also hit other military assets and damaged oil port infrastructure. Russian officials did not immediately acknowledge Zelenskyy’s claims.
Landlords who say they were barred from evicting nonpaying tenants during a federal pandemic moratorium want compensation from the federal government, filing a lawsuit that challenges the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s authority and Fifth Amendment. The plaintiffs, which include property owners in Texas and Nevada, say they have reached settlement discussions with the Justice Department after winning on appeal.
Police in eastern Austria have detained a suspect after authorities discovered rat poison in jars of HiPP baby food on supermarket shelves across Central Europe. The probe began when a customer reported a suspicious jar on April 18, and authorities confirmed that five tampered jars were recovered before any infants consumed the product.
Seven OPEC+ members, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, agreed Sunday to raise oil output by 188,000 barrels per day starting in June, citing a commitment to market stability. The decision follows a virtual meeting of the group's key producers but comes as Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has already disrupted global energy supplies.
Landlords who lost revenue during the federal pandemic eviction moratorium are pressing the Trump administration for compensation, with settlement talks underway in a federal lawsuit that could see the government pay as much as $1.5 billion to more than 1,500 property owners.
Cuba’s government ration book system, established by Fidel Castro in the early 1960s to guarantee subsidized food for every household, has collapsed to the point that state-run stores are nearly empty and a growing number of Cubans say they can no longer survive on the meager goods it provides. José Luis Amate López, who works at a bodega in central Havana, said his store served almost no customers for two weeks in late April because the shelves — once so full you could barely walk — held only rice, sugar and split chickpeas.
Austrian police arrested a 39-year-old suspect after rat poison was discovered in jars of HiPP brand baby food, authorities said Sunday, in a case the company called an extortion attempt. The first tampered jar was found by a customer at a SPAR supermarket in Eisenstadt on April 18, triggering a recall across Central Europe.
Worries about affordability have coincided with a weaker U.S. dollar since Donald Trump returned to the White House, with the dollar down about 10% against other major currencies. Economists and business executives say the impact can ripple through everything from foreign travel and imported goods to costs faced by smaller companies that rely on overseas suppliers.
Vienna-based police in Austria said on May 3 they have arrested a 39-year-old suspect after rat poison was found in some HiPP baby food jars on supermarket shelves in central Europe. The Burgenland State Criminal Police Office said investigators began after a poisoned jar was bought at a supermarket in Eisenstadt on April 18. HiPP said it was “greatly relieved” by the arrest and that it had recalled certain jars in Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic after the case surfaced.
Cubans say government ration books, or “la libreta,” now offer shrinking supplies that leave them unable to cover basic food needs. In late April, some customers at state-run stores in central Havana said the only items available included rice, sugar and split chickpeas, forcing them to stretch money and rely on remittances or private shops.
OPEC+ countries, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, agreed to a modest increase in oil production starting in June, aiming for “market stability” after a virtual meeting Sunday. The group said it would raise output by 188,000 barrels per day as Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf amid the U.S.-Israeli war.
Un sospechoso de 39 años fue detenido en Austria tras el hallazgo de raticida en frascos de comida para bebés de la marca HiPP en estanterías de supermercados de Europa central, según la policía del este de Austria. La detención se produjo después de que las autoridades abrieran una investigación por sospechas de poner en peligro a la población de forma deliberada, y HiPP retirara productos en Austria, Eslovaquia y la República Checa.
Spirit Airlines ceased operations Saturday after failed negotiations with the Trump administration for a government stake, the latest test of the President’s expansion of federal ownership of private companies. Trump has overseen the government’s investment in chipmaker Intel, rare-earths companies, and other firms, upending traditional GOP opposition to government picking winners and losers. The budget carrier’s shutdown marks the largest corporate casualty yet of an administration that sees activist investing as central to its economic policy.
Spirit Airlines ceased operations on May 2, 2026, leaving an unknown number of passengers stranded with canceled flights. The budget carrier’s abrupt shutdown prompted a rapid industry response, with major U.S. airlines rolling out capped rescue fares, flexible rebooking, and enhanced capacity on routes Spirit previously served.
A key inflation gauge jumped 3.5% in March from a year earlier — the biggest increase in nearly three years — as the war in Iran drove up gasoline prices, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. Yet the U.S. job market showed fresh strength, with new unemployment claims falling to the lowest level since 1969.
Dubrovnik officials are warning that the Iran war and higher fuel prices could add unpredictability to Croatia’s summer tourism season, even as tourist arrivals have held up in recent weeks. The Dubrovnik Tourist Board says some travelers are struggling to reach Europe, while the airport says it is “very cautious about the upcoming season.”
The latest inflation report showed prices rising sharply in March as gasoline prices surged amid the Iran war, potentially delaying interest-rate cuts. Separately, the economy grew at a modest pace at the start of 2026, consumer confidence edged up, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate ticked higher, and weekly unemployment claims fell.
Rising diesel prices linked to the Iran war are accelerating a shift across Africa to power cellphone towers with solar energy, an ongoing industry transition focused on lowering costs and improving network reliability.
Ukrainian drones have repeatedly struck oil refineries and export terminals deep inside Russia over recent weeks, prompting evacuations and raising concerns about severe environmental damage along the Black Sea coast.
Dubrovnik, Croatia — The old town’s streets are already thick with visitors drawn by its medieval walls and “Game of Thrones” fame, but the Iran war and a global spike in fuel prices are clouding the peak summer season that Croatia’s economy depends on.
Ukraine has carried out drone strikes targeting oil facilities deep inside Russia, in attacks Russian officials say are under control but that have sparked fires, evacuations and environmental warnings. The attacks come as the Iran war has helped lift global fuel prices and replenish Russia’s oil revenues, leaving the ultimate economic impact unclear.
Spirit Airlines announced Saturday that it is ceasing all operations and beginning an immediate wind-down of the carrier after 34 years, citing unsustainable jet fuel costs driven by the war with Iran. The ultralow-cost budget airline, which once operated hundreds of daily flights and employed roughly 17,000 people, canceled all remaining routes effective immediately, stranding passengers and leaving thousands of workers without jobs.
Spirit Airlines ceased operations on May 2, 2026, after its final flight from Detroit landed in Dallas, ending a 34-year commercial run that pioneered ultra-low-cost travel in the U.S. before soaring jet fuel prices and mounting debt forced the carrier into shutdown.
Spirit Airlines, the ultra-low-cost carrier known for its bright yellow planes and provocative ads, ceased operations on Saturday after 34 years, canceling all flights and leaving thousands of passengers stranded and 17,000 workers facing job losses. The company posted an announcement on its website, saying customer service was no longer available and that refunds were available but no help would be given in rebooking with other carriers.
Greg Abel led his first annual meeting as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway on Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska, marking a transition from the folksy style of Warren Buffett to a focus on detailed business operations. Attendance at the arena was down significantly from past years, but Abel outlined the performance of the conglomerate's core businesses and addressed the impact of the Iran war and the risks of artificial intelligence.
Building trades unions have emerged as a powerful and visible ally for the world's richest tech companies in the race to build the infrastructure for America's artificial intelligence economy, defending massive data center projects against a rising tide of community opposition and hostile legislation while their membership rolls swell to record levels.
President Donald Trump was open to the idea of the U.S. government taking ownership stakes in companies during his second term, including Intel, but he passed on a potential government stake in Spirit Airlines. Spirit Airlines shut down after failing to reach a deal with the administration, which has increasingly viewed government investment as an activist approach to shaping the economy.
Spirit Airlines said Saturday it has gone out of business after its final flight, ending a 34-year effort built around low fares and “unbundled” add-ons. The shutdown comes as the airline struggled through bankruptcies and rising costs tied to the Iran war.
Spirit Airlines said it is shutting down after 34 years and stopping all operations immediately, canceling all flights. The company said its customer service is no longer available.
Omaha, Neb., hosted Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting on Saturday, with attendance down and new CEO Greg Abel leading the agenda for the first time. The meeting also included comments from Warren Buffett after he stepped down as CEO in January, along with discussions ranging from Berkshire’s businesses to the Iran war and risks linked to artificial intelligence.
Building trades unions are playing a growing role in the U.S. artificial intelligence economy by securing work on large data center projects and helping shape local and state politics around them, the Associated Press reported May 2. Union leaders and tech executives alike say the projects are fueling demand for apprenticeships and skilled labor, while unions argue they can also address community concerns about energy, water and quality of life.
FEMA told a U.S. District Court it has begun offering new appointments to term-limited disaster workers whose contracts expired in January, reversing a nonrenewal decision that triggered a lawsuit. An attorney for the Trump administration told the court on May 2 that FEMA has “initiated contact to offer new appointments” to some former CORE staff after the contracts were not renewed.
Rising diesel prices tied to the Iran war are increasing pressure on African mobile operators to power telecom towers with solar energy, a shift that was already underway as costs and climate goals pushed networks off fossil fuels.
Spirit Airlines said Saturday it has gone out of business after 34 years, following a second round of bankruptcy filings and what it called unsustainable operating conditions driven by higher oil prices. The company said it has canceled all flights, halted customer service, and is beginning an immediate wind-down of operations.
U.S. low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines shut down after its flight operations collapsed, leaving travelers stranded and scrambling for options to get home. The U.S. Department of Transportation and consumer advocates urged passengers to act quickly to protect refunds and potential chargebacks while airlines offer limited “rescue fares” for rebooking.
Working from home is becoming common in the U.K., and Surrey County Cricket Club is testing a twist by inviting hybrid workers to work from its historic home at The Kia Oval in south London. The club has set up work areas and upgraded Wi-Fi as part of its “Work From Oval” concept.
President Donald Trump said Friday he will increase tariffs on European Union autos to 25% next week, accusing the bloc of failing to comply with the Turnberry Agreement trade framework negotiated last July — a move that threatens to further destabilize a global economy already battered by the Iran war and rising energy prices.
U.S. stocks rose to new records Friday as Apple and other major companies reported stronger profits than analysts expected and as Brent crude prices eased following concerns tied to the war in Iran. The S&P 500 climbed 0.3% to a fresh all-time high for the fifth straight week, while the Nasdaq added 0.9% to its own record.
President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration delivered a “final proposal” to Spirit Airlines, keeping open the possibility of a taxpayer-funded takeover that could prevent the budget carrier from collapsing during its second bankruptcy proceeding in less than two years.
President Donald Trump said his administration delivered a “final proposal” to Spirit Airlines and is still considering a taxpayer-funded takeover that could keep the carrier from failing during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Trump did not provide deal details but said an announcement could come later Friday or Saturday.
U.S. consumers are paying sharply higher prices for gasoline, air travel, shipping, and household goods as the Iran war's disruption of global oil flows enters its third month, with the national average gasoline price hitting $4.30 a gallon — a 44% increase since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.
Outgoing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced Wednesday he will remain on the central bank’s board of governors after his term as chair ends May 15, setting up the first overlap of a former and incoming chair in nearly five decades. President Trump’s nominee to lead the Fed, Kevin Warsh, has called for “regime change” at the institution, but the board showed its independence by logging the most dissenting votes since October 1992.
China on Friday granted two years of tariff-free access to its market for the 20 largest African economies, a move that extends duty-free treatment to 53 of the continent’s 54 countries while excluding only Eswatini, which maintains formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The policy took effect as the United States, under President Donald Trump, continues to pursue new import taxes that have sent African exporters looking for alternative markets.
President Donald Trump on Thursday granted a cross-border permit for the Bridger Pipeline Expansion, a major new crude oil line connecting Canada’s energy sector to U.S. markets through Montana and Wyoming. The project, nicknamed “Keystone Light” for its similarities to the canceled Keystone XL line, is slated to carry up to 550,000 barrels of oil daily once construction begins in fall 2027.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is urging Americans to avoid what he calls the “allure of easy money” — lottery tickets, buy-now-pay-later loans, and promises of crypto riches — and instead to invest and save for the long term. In an interview with The Associated Press at the close of Financial Literacy Month, Bessent said his passion for teaching budgeting and debt management is shaped by his own rise from rural poverty to billionaire hedge fund manager, a journey he hopes will encourage others to build financial stability.
President Donald Trump said he will increase the tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the European Union next week to 25%, a move he attributed to the EU failing to comply with a trade deal agreed last July. Trump made the announcement in a social media post and later told reporters that raising import taxes would pressure European automakers to shift production to the United States faster.
Consumers in the United States are starting to feel higher prices across everyday life as an Iran war pushes up gasoline, diesel and jet fuel costs. The Associated Press reported that the U.S. average gas price hit $4.30 a gallon on Thursday—up from $2.98 before the war began—while diesel is averaging nearly $5.50 a gallon, according to AAA.
China began a tariff-free policy for imports from Africa’s 20 largest economies on Friday, while the United States pursues new import taxes under President Donald Trump. The China plan would cover South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria and Kenya, among others.
Activists and labor unions held May Day rallies and street protests across multiple continents on Friday, linking demands for peace and higher wages to rising energy and other costs tied to the Iran war. In Europe, many demonstrators targeted lost purchasing power and called for better working conditions, while in the United States organizers pushed an economic blackout and protested President Donald Trump’s policies.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged Americans to focus on budgeting and saving rather than chasing “easy money” products such as lottery tickets, buy now, pay later loans and crypto windfalls. Speaking to The Associated Press at the end of Financial Literacy Month, Bessent said he prioritized meetings with community bankers, retirees and students to discuss how to manage debt and invest for the future.
President Donald Trump approved a key permit allowing a new Canada-to-U.S. oil pipeline to cross the border in Montana. The Bridger Pipeline Expansion, dubbed “Keystone Light,” would carry up to 550,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada through Montana and Wyoming. Construction would require additional state and federal environmental approvals before the company can begin work.
President Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, is poised to take over after former chair Jerome Powell said he will remain a governor for a time to protect the Fed’s independence amid White House legal attacks. Powell, speaking this week, said his presence on the board could make it harder for Warsh to cut the Fed’s short-term interest rate. The Fed’s policy statement also drew dissents from multiple officials, underscoring uncertainty ahead of Warsh’s likely Senate confirmation.
Syria is marketing itself as a neutral haven and alternate oil transit route as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran expands, with its new government framing the country as a “bridge to security” rather than a battlefield. The Associated Press reports that some Syrians who had fled the civil war to Gulf states are now returning home, citing the relative calm in Damascus and Aleppo compared with the missile barrages hitting Bahrain and other Gulf countries hosting U.S. bases.
Tens of thousands of Cubans gathered along Havana's Malecón seawall on Friday to mark International Workers' Day, celebrating the electric and petroleum workers who have labored around the clock as the island's power grid deteriorates under the strain of fuel shortages and aging infrastructure.
War-battered Syria is using its position outside the U.S.-Israel war with Iran to rebuild ties with Gulf and Western countries, while portraying the country as a safe corridor for regional transport. Syrians who fled during the conflict said the approach is driven by survival, and officials in Damascus said Syria aims to be a “bridge” and a “pillar” of solutions. The International Crisis Group’s Noah Bonsey said the country’s ability to stay on the sidelines has also depended on U.S. troop withdrawals before the Iran fight began.
Turkish authorities detained at least 575 people who attempted to march in areas declared off-limits during International Workers’ Day celebrations in Istanbul on Friday, a day after the country’s top Constitutional Court ruled that lengthy detentions for similar protests in 2024 had violated the right to peaceful assembly.
Turkish authorities detained more than 500 people during May Day protests on Friday in Istanbul, as small groups attempted to march into areas the government had declared off-limits. Protests marking International Workers’ Day have repeatedly been marred by clashes with police, including at Taksim Square, which authorities have restricted on security grounds.
The U.S. Air Force has finished modifying a $400 million Boeing 747 donated by Qatar and expects it to be ready for President Donald Trump to use as a temporary Air Force One this summer, the service announced Friday.
Silicon Ranch, a solar company, this week unveiled a 40-acre solar farm in Christiana, Tennessee, where a small herd of cattle grazes beneath the panels — a test of whether the two land uses can work together, the Associated Press reported.
International maritime nations preserved a plan to adopt the world’s first global carbon fee on shipping this week, agreeing during talks in London to keep the Net‑zero Framework as the foundation for negotiations while leaving the door open to alternative proposals, according to reporting by the Associated Press. The meeting at the International Maritime Organization ended Friday with delegates scheduling more sessions for the fall, a continuation of the process after the United States and Saudi Arabia blocked adoption last year.
Iran’s nationwide internet shutdown, entering its fourth month, has crippled an online economy that supported roughly 10 million jobs, the Associated Press reported from Tehran. The blackout, which authorities have depicted as a wartime necessity but critics call an economic catastrophe, has left fashion designers, fitness coaches, gamers and software developers without income, as the government restricts global internet access to a small elite.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins attributed a nearly 4.3 million person drop in SNAP participation to reduced fraud and economic improvement, but experts and congressional data point to legislative eligibility changes as the primary driver.
Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity will complete 24 affordable homes in Atlanta's Sylvan Hills neighborhood this May as part of the 40th Carter Work Project, a milestone that highlights the nonprofit's broader shift into real estate development for the first time. The project, returning to Atlanta for the first time since 1988, includes Habitat's first multifamily townhomes and comes as the gap between what families can afford and housing costs has reached a historic high, according to Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford.
The California Delta Stewardship Council voted six to one last week to advance Gov. Gavin Newsom's Delta Conveyance Project, directing the Department of Water Resources to resolve two outstanding environmental disputes before the half-century infrastructure plan can proceed.
Apple reported its best March quarter ever on Thursday, April 30, 2026, with revenue of $111.18 billion and earnings per share of $2.01, beating analyst expectations on continued iPhone momentum, even as CEO Tim Cook warned of "significantly higher" memory costs driven by AI demand. The results came as Cook prepares to hand the company over to successor John Ternus on Sept. 1, ending a 15-year tenure that saw Apple’s market value soar by more than $3.6 trillion.
The U.S. Air Force has finished modifying and testing a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar for temporary use as Air Force One for President Donald Trump and expects it to be ready this summer, the service said. The jet is being painted red, white and blue, and Air Force officials said it will act as a “bridge” until new Boeing 747 aircraft are delivered, expected in 2028.
Maritime nations at the International Maritime Organization headquarters in London preserved a plan for a global carbon fee on shipping emissions, but they agreed to keep discussing alternative approaches through meetings later this year. The framework—known as the “Net-zero Framework”—is intended to create fees for greenhouse gas emissions above allowable limits and to fund incentives and support for the transition, with the United States and Saudi Arabia strongly opposing a carbon fee.
Iran’s four-month internet blackout has left many online businesses in Iran unable to sell to customers, Reuters, like 90 million people have been cut off from most global web access for much of 2026, according to the Associated Press. The shutdown has hit sectors ranging from fashion and fitness to advertising and retailers, with business owners and digital-industry representatives describing income losses and fears about survival.
Thousands of Cubans crowded along Havana’s seawall on May Day to celebrate electric and petroleum workers as the island’s power grid continues to deteriorate and outages remain widespread. Electric Union employees and Petroleum Union refinery and fuel workers described operating around the clock and relying on limited fuel amid a continuing gasoline shortage tied to the U.S. energy blockade.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s last-year push for a $20 billion Delta tunnel cleared another step in state review, but major court, water-rights and financing questions still stand in the way of construction. The Delta Stewardship Council voted 6-1 to require the state Department of Water Resources to address two of the project’s proposed impacts and challenges, leaving opponents and some legal timelines unresolved.
Artificial intelligence is moving into everyday workplaces, from classrooms and marketing teams to corporate research and university administration, the Associated Press reported. In interviews, teachers, managers and executives described using AI tools to speed up tasks such as grading, briefing for meetings and understanding customer needs, while also saying they require careful checking because the tools can make mistakes and produce false information.
Apple reported strong results for its January-March quarter on Thursday, helped by continued iPhone sales momentum. The company also used the update to outline artificial intelligence plans and to address a leadership transition, with CEO Tim Cook set to step down later this year.
Habitat for Humanity will build 24 affordable homes in Atlanta’s Sylvan Hills neighborhood in May with help from volunteers tied to the 40th Carter Work Project, the charity announced. The weeklong builds are named for former President Jimmy Carter and his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, who have long been involved in the effort.
The U.S. economy expanded at a 2% annual rate in the first quarter, rebounding from the 43-day federal government shutdown that depressed growth at the end of 2025, but the outlook for the rest of the year is clouded by the war with Iran, according to Commerce Department data released Thursday.
The U.S. economy rebounded in the first quarter of 2026, growing at a 2% annualized pace after recovering from the fourth-quarter 2025 slowdown and last year's federal government shutdown, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.
President Donald Trump said Thursday he is removing certain tariffs on Scotch whisky following a White House visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, though the scope and mechanics of the change remained unclear after the administration declined to clarify the president's social-media announcement.
The S&P 500 surged to a record high Thursday, locking in its strongest monthly gain in more than five years, as a torrent of better-than-expected corporate profits overpowered renewed anxiety from a spike in oil prices tied to the Iran war.
The U.S. economy continued to expand at a steady pace in early 2026, supported by flush tax refunds and a surge in AI‑related business investment, but surging gasoline prices linked to the Iran war are poised to undercut consumer spending in the months ahead, according to economic data released Thursday and analysis from economists.
A key inflation measure jumped 0.7% in March, pushing the annual rate to 3.5% — the highest in nearly three years — as the Iran war drove gas prices up nearly 21% in a single month, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.
President Donald Trump said Thursday he is removing certain tariffs on Scotch whisky following a White House visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom. In a post on social media, Trump said the meeting prompted action, but it was not immediately clear whether the changes apply to finished Scotch bottles or to production inputs such as barrels.
A key inflation measure rose in March as gas prices soared, a sign the Iran war is pushing up the cost of living and complicating any timetable for Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts. The Commerce Department reported the inflation gauge climbed 0.7% from February and was up 3.5% from a year earlier.
Americans are paying for the Iran war with higher gasoline prices, but recent data suggest some of the economic damage is being offset for now by large tax refunds and an investment boom tied to artificial intelligence. The Commerce Department reported the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge rose 0.7% in March and 3.5% from a year earlier, while the economy kept growing at a steady pace.
The U.S. economy expanded at a modest 2% pace in the first quarter after rebounding from the prior 43-day federal government shutdown, the Commerce Department reported. Consumer spending grew more slowly, while business investment rose, and analysts pointed to an economy split by artificial-intelligence activity and household pressure from high energy costs linked to the Iran war.
The Netherlands is experiencing a surge in military volunteers, propelled in part by the high-profile enlistment of Queen Maxima and Crown Princess Amalia as reservists, as European nations scramble to strengthen their armed forces amid Russia's war in Ukraine and growing doubts about U.S. commitment to NATO.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran is reducing oil production as the American blockade of its exports strains storage capacity and threatens long-term damage to its aging wells, oil analysts said, with the country potentially facing a full shutdown within weeks.
Even as the United States and its allies pressure Iran through measures tied to the Strait of Hormuz, the blockade is also starting to threaten Iran’s own oil industry, experts said. With ships filled but unable to leave since April 13, analysts say Iran may face operating limits and storage constraints that could force production cuts in as little as two weeks.
Their faces painted with camouflage, reservists in eastern Netherlands trained over a weekend as the Dutch government pushes to grow its force of volunteers and reservists. The effort is drawing extra attention after Queen Maxima and her eldest daughter, Amalia, Princess of Orange, enrolled as volunteer reservists, prompting officials to step up recruiting, training and equipping.
Amtrak is considering a policy change that would allow passengers to store guns in lockboxes on most of its trains, a plan that was under consideration before a man allegedly used the railroad to transport firearms for an attempt on the president’s life at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, according to two people familiar with the proposal.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed legislation Thursday that will allow faith-based organizations and other nonprofits to build affordable housing on their property without the need for local rezoning, effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Walmart is deploying trained beauty specialists to its U.S. stores, with plans to have them in more than 400 locations by the end of 2026, as it seeks a larger slice of the $129 billion U.S. beauty and personal care market, company executives told The Associated Press.
Richland County, Ohio, voters will decide on May 5 whether to repeal a county ban on large-scale solar farms, the second time an Ohio county’s renewable energy restriction has faced a voter referendum, according to Signal Ohio reporting distributed by the Associated Press.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing the Treasury Department to launch TrumpIRA.gov, a website where workers without employer-sponsored retirement plans can compare private-sector retirement accounts. The order aims to give roughly 50 million Americans access to a retirement savings vehicle ahead of next year’s launch of the federal Saver’s Match program, which will provide up to $1,000 in matching contributions for lower-income workers.
Hawaii will need nearly 60,000 additional housing units by 2050, driven primarily by a rapidly aging population, according to a new AARP Hawaii report that warns the shortage is pricing young families out of the islands.
With most of Colorado in drought and reservoirs low after a winter of record-low snowfall, cities across the U.S. West are imposing outdoor watering restrictions, pushing home gardeners to adopt water-saving techniques. Denver Water announced its earliest-ever drought restrictions on March 25, while Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque already have year-round seasonal rules. Experts say that growing food with less water is still possible by capturing rainwater, improving soil health, and switching to drip irrigation.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has reinstated the 14 employees who were placed on indefinite paid leave eight months ago after they signed a public letter that warned the agency was unprepared for disasters under Trump administration policies, ending a suspension that the workers and their supporters called retaliation for protected whistleblowing.
Argentine workers marched in Buenos Aires on Thursday, a day before International Workers' Day, to protest President Javier Milei's recent overhaul of labor protections. The General Confederation of Labor led the march to government headquarters amid growing frustration over rising unemployment and stagnant wages under Milei's free-market agenda.
Omaha-based Union Pacific filed a revised application with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board for its proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern, saying the updated submission makes the case that the deal will benefit the country. Regulators rejected an earlier filing in January for missing details about competition and customer impact.
Federal Emergency Management Agency employees who signed a public dissent letter last August were told they would return to work after eight months on paid administrative leave, according to two FEMA staff members. The reinstatement comes as FEMA leadership also moves to extend contracts for some term-limited disaster workers ahead of the 2026 hurricane season and other national events.
Argentine workers in Buenos Aires protested on Thursday against President Javier Milei’s overhaul of long-standing labor protections, as May Day demonstrations coincided with anger over labor-code changes. The General Confederation of Labor, or CGT, marched to the government headquarters to “defend decent employment,” while union leaders said they would continue to challenge the law in court.
Amtrak is considering a policy change that would allow passengers to bring guns aboard many more trains by using lockboxes, despite heightened scrutiny after an alleged gunman traveled by Amtrak and opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Two people familiar with the proposal told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that Amtrak has been weighing the change since early this year after pressure from Trump administration officials to ease restrictions.
Hawai‘i will need nearly 60,000 additional housing units by 2050 to meet future demand, according to a new analysis that links the outlook to an aging population and the risk of younger residents being pushed out. The report says residents age 65 and older will account for 44,000 of the new homes needed by 2050, while it also warns that the housing shortage is raising prices and contributing to out-migration of working-age adults.
DENVER—With much of Colorado in drought and Denver Water announcing drought restrictions, gardeners and backyard growers say they are reshaping how they plant and water to conserve supplies. AP spoke with local and regional experts who advise capturing alternative water sources, improving soil, protecting plants from heat and wind, and using deep, infrequent irrigation.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that directs the Treasury Department to launch TrumpIRA.gov, a new website intended to help workers compare private-sector retirement savings accounts. The order seeks to connect millions of employees—many without employer-sponsored plans—to accounts eligible for the federal Saver’s Match program starting next year.
The solar-power ban in Richland County, Ohio, is headed to a May 5 referendum after supporters collected enough signatures to put the measure on the ballot. The county’s commissioners approved the ban last year under a 2021 Ohio law that allows local officials to block certain utility-scale wind and solar projects. Opponents of the ban and supporters of it are framing the vote differently—property rights and government overreach on one side, and farmland preservation on the other.
Walmart plans to staff beauty aisles with trained specialists who can recommend products and shades, the company said, starting with 22 stores in Arkansas and Texas. The changes are part of a broader effort to upgrade in-store shopping as retailers compete for a larger share of the U.S. beauty market.
The Senate Banking Committee voted on party lines Wednesday to approve President Donald Trump’s pick, Kevin Warsh, as the next chair of the Federal Reserve, replacing Jerome Powell. The panel’s 13-11 vote sets up the next steps for Warsh’s nomination as Powell presides over what will likely be his final Federal Open Market Committee meeting.
Oil prices rose sharply again Wednesday, with markets tracking further tension tied to the Iran conflict as President Donald Trump maintains a blockade of Iranian ships. Treasurys yields climbed and the Federal Reserve said it is continuing to hold off on rate cuts, while several big-company earnings reports helped keep U.S. stocks close to their records.
Voters in Missouri will decide whether to eliminate the state’s individual income tax in a ballot measure set to appear in November, the first time in more than a century that lawmakers have asked voters to end the tax. The proposal also would authorize a sales tax expansion through changes to which goods and services can be taxed.
The Bank of England on Thursday kept its main interest rate on hold at 3.75% and signaled that borrowing costs could rise as it assesses the economic hit from the Iran war and Tehran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Other major central banks also held rates, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan and the European Central Bank, while they weigh how long conflict-related volatility will last and how it could affect inflation.
Iran’s national rial fell to a record low as a fragile ceasefire with the United States and Israel largely holds but a U.S. naval blockade continues to pressure Iran’s economy, an Associated Press analysis reported Wednesday. The currency slide, reaching 1.8 million to the dollar, risks adding to already high inflation, as many imports—from food and medicine to electronics—are tied to dollar rates.
California small business owners say the cascading effects of tariff uncertainty and the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran are squeezing costs, shipping rates and consumer spending. In San Diego and around the state, retailers and apparel makers described cutting production, shrinking staff and hesitating to raise prices as fuel costs climb. The Associated Press spoke with owners and port officials about how higher logistics costs are being passed along and how long the damage could last.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday he plans to stay on the Fed’s board after his term as chair ends next month, warning that legal challenges pursued by the Trump administration are threatening the central bank’s independence. In remarks after the Fed announced it would keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged, Powell said he has been assured by the Justice Department that an appeal of subpoenas will not lead to a reopening of a probe unless the Fed’s inspector general finds evidence of criminal activity.
China’s factory activity expanded for a second straight month in April, according to an official survey published Thursday, as higher energy prices tied to the Iran war did not derail industrial activity. The National Bureau of Statistics said the manufacturing purchasing managers index slipped slightly but remained above the 50-point mark that signals expansion.
Ukraine’s Security Service said it struck an oil pumping station near Perm, Russia, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv is expanding the range of its long-distance drone strikes. Russian officials said a drone hit an unspecified industrial facility and sparked a fire, while Ukraine’s claims were not independently verified.
Canada will serve as the headquarters for a new NATO-linked financial institution designed to help alliance members meet defense spending commitments and reduce borrowing costs, a senior government official said Wednesday. The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called for the bank to be headquartered in Toronto, while Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has said Canada will meet NATO’s defense spending guideline.
Democrats in Congress have launched an investigation into a Trump administration plan to reimburse offshore wind lease fees after energy companies agree to end projects, according to an AP report. The effort includes deals announced Monday for Bluepoint Wind and Golden State Wind and a separate agreement involving TotalEnergies, Democrats said. Lawmakers say the arrangements appear to be unlawful and urged company executives not to accept the money.
Countries that gathered in Santa Marta, Colombia, to accelerate a transition away from fossil fuels ended their first conference on April 29 with an agreed direction: the global debate is shifting from whether to phase out oil, gas and coal to how to do it—especially the financing. The talks did not produce binding pledges, but participants said they left behind early outcomes such as plans for continued cooperation and working groups on issues including finance and labor transitions.
Union Pacific filed a revised application with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board seeking approval for its proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern, aiming to show the deal would benefit the country and avoid past railroad integration problems. The STB rejected Union Pacific’s initial filing in January as incomplete and said it needed more details about competitive effects and customer impacts.
San Francisco and Oakland have settled a two-year legal fight that will let Oakland use “San Francisco” in its airport name, with restrictions on how the words are displayed. The settlement announced April 28 ends litigation sparked in 2024 after Oakland changed its airport name, prompting San Francisco to argue it violated trademark rights.
Helicopter pilots flying through Kauaʻi’s remote Waimea Canyon will be able to review video and weather data along their flight path before takeoff at Līhuʻe Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The FAA expects the cameras to be operating by the end of the year as part of a statewide network meant to reduce accidents linked to rapidly changing conditions in and around the canyon.
Amazon reported higher first-quarter profits and net sales on Wednesday, helped by faster growth in its cloud-computing unit, even as investors weighed its large spending plans for artificial intelligence and other technologies. The company also projected net sales for the current quarter above analysts’ expectations, though its shares fell slightly in after-hours trading before rising later.
Alphabet reported first-quarter profit of $62.6 billion, or $5.11 per share, as revenue rose to $109.9 billion and the company’s share price climbed after results were released April 29. The Associated Press reported the figures for the January-March period, citing Alphabet’s growth driven by Google’s advertising and expanding cloud business amid heavy spending on artificial intelligence.
Labor prosecutors in Brazil filed a civil lawsuit seeking nearly 119 million reais against JBS, accusing the meatpacking giant of buying cattle linked to slavery-like labor conditions on ranches in Para state. The case, filed Wednesday in a labor court, alleges that 53 workers were rescued from properties of ranchers who supplied JBS between 2014 and 2025.
La economía iraní está bajo presión por más de cinco semanas de bombardeos atribuidos a Estados Unidos e Israel, con daños en fábricas y efectos que amenazan con despidos masivos, según un informe publicado el 29 de abril por Associated Press. En paralelo, los precios de alimentos como el pollo, la carne de res y cordero, y varios lácteos han subido con fuerza, mientras Irán advierte que no reabrirá el estrecho de Ormuz hasta que se levante el bloqueo y termine la guerra.
Lehde, Germany, is one of the few places where postal service runs through waterways: during warmer months, mail is delivered by barge along canals of the Spreewald Forest delta southeast of Berlin. Andrea Bunar, a 55-year-old postal worker, rows the route and says the start of the season is “always special” after a winter break. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the barge route runs from April to October, with deliveries Monday through Saturday.
Meta Platforms reported first-quarter results Wednesday that beat analysts’ expectations, with earnings and revenue rising year over year while the company also lifted its forecast for 2026 capital expenditures. The company also projected second-quarter revenue and updated spending guidance, and said internet disruptions in Iran and restrictions on WhatsApp in Russia contributed to a slight decline in daily users.
Elon Musk took the witness stand Wednesday for a second day in the federal trial in Oakland, California, that pits the Tesla chief against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman over the company’s nonprofit origins and Musk’s later decision to stop funding it. Musk testified that by late 2022 he believed Altman was trying to “steal the charity,” and he said the answer to whether OpenAI was formed as a nonprofit in December 2015 was “yes.”
The Onion is asking a Texas judge to approve its proposed takeover of Alex Jones’ Infowars platforms, a move Jones is trying to block through last-minute appeals in state and federal courts. The hearing comes as Jones faces legal fights tied to more than $1 billion he owes Sandy Hook shooting victims’ relatives after he falsely portrayed the 2012 massacre as a hoax.
Iran’s economy has been battered by weeks of U.S. and Israeli strikes that have hit factories and disrupted supply chains, damaging manufacturing and raising food prices, a new report says. The United States has also blockaded Iranian ports, threatening to choke imports and exports that bring in revenue, while Iran maintains leverage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report’s interviews and officials.
Wall Street slipped from record highs on Tuesday as shares tied to artificial intelligence fell and oil prices rose on continued uncertainty around the Iran war. The S&P 500 fell 0.5%, the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.9% and the Dow fell slightly, while higher energy costs weighed on sentiment across markets.
The Bank of England kept its main interest rate on hold at 3.75% on Thursday and signaled that policy could turn to hikes as it assesses the economic blow from the Iran war and Tehran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Other major central banks, including the Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan and the European Central Bank, also held rates this week as they weigh how long conflict-linked volatility may persist and how it will affect inflation.
China’s factory activity expanded for a second straight month in April, an official survey showed. The government’s manufacturing purchasing managers index edged down to 50.3 from 50.4 in March, staying above 50, as higher energy prices tied to the Iran war did not derail industrial activity.
The average U.S. long-term mortgage rate rose this week, pushing borrowing costs higher for prospective homebuyers as spring approaches, according to Freddie Mac. The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbed to 6.3% from 6.23% the prior week.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is expected to use Wednesday’s news conference to indicate whether he will remain a governor after his chair term ends May 15, as Senate action on President Donald Trump’s nominee Kevin Warsh also heads toward a vote. The leadership uncertainty comes as the Fed weighs a slowing job market against inflation that has risen, amid gas-price pressures tied to the Iran war.
GM said Tuesday it expects a $500 million refund tied to some of the tariffs President Donald Trump imposed that the Supreme Court struck down in February. The refund would ease the automaker’s expected 2026 tariff bill as GM raised its forecast for earnings.
WASHINGTON — Preservationists plan to press ahead with their lawsuit seeking to block President Donald Trump’s planned $400 million White House ballroom after the Department of Justice asked them to withdraw the case following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, the National Trust for Historic Preservation said. Trust attorney Gregory Craig told the Justice Department that the legal issues at the heart of the dispute remain unchanged, even as the government said it would seek dismissal if the Trust did not voluntarily drop its complaint.
WASHINGTON (AP) — After the Supreme Court rejected President Donald Trump’s global tariff plan in February, his administration has begun hearings this week that could lead to a new round of durable import taxes under a different legal authority. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is conducting two investigations—one targeting products tied to forced labor and another focused on whether some countries are overproducing goods.
Africa’s expanding use of off-grid solar and battery storage is increasing demand for lead-acid battery recycling, experts warn, raising concerns about rising lead exposure in communities. The issue is rooted in how many batteries are recycled in informal or poorly regulated settings, with evidence of long-lasting contamination in Kenya’s Owino Uhuru settlement near Mombasa.
The United Arab Emirates said it will leave the OPEC oil cartel on Friday, a move that could weaken the group’s ability to influence world crude prices. The UAE said it plans to keep pursuing higher crude production “in a gradual and measured manner, aligned with demand and market conditions,” while Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, limiting near-term exports from Persian Gulf producers.
The Justice Department urged a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit by a historic preservation group over a planned $400 million White House ballroom, filings submitted after a shooting at a media gala at the White House. The government said the lawsuit should end, arguing it would “greatly endanger the lives of all Presidents, current and future.” The preservation group, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, argued Congress and key federal agencies had to approve the project before construction.
The Trump administration said it will pay Bluepoint Wind and Golden State Wind to end their U.S. offshore wind leases, after courts blocked earlier efforts to halt the projects. The Interior Department said the reimbursements total nearly $900 million and that the companies will not pursue new offshore wind projects in the United States.
Tracy Sturdivant has been named the next president and CEO of the Ms. Foundation, succeeding Teresa Younger. Sturdivant aims to broaden the foundation's coalition while supporting marginalized groups.
Starbucks reported global same-store sales rose 6.2% for the January-March period, helped by what it calls a stronger in-store and drive-thru experience. In the U.S., same-store sales jumped 7%, while the company warned higher costs—including gas prices—could still affect customer behavior.
McDonald’s said Tuesday it will launch six crafted beverages in U.S. restaurants on May 6, including boba-style refreshers and sodas topped with cold foam. The company is also adding a “beverage specialist” role at its roughly 14,000 U.S. locations as it competes for customers against rivals such as Starbucks and Dutch Bros.
A new analysis suggests Americans are paying about $150 billion a year more than insurers pay out on claims for home, auto and business coverage, and it argues for federal rules to curb the gap. The study, published with an Associated Press analysis, uses insurer loss ratios and compares current payouts to those from the 1980s and 1990s.
High-level talks aimed at accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels began Tuesday in Santa Marta, Colombia, with President Gustavo Petro warning the world could reach “a point of no return” without the Amazon’s role in regulating climate. The two-day meeting, co-hosted with the Netherlands, brings together ministers and senior officials from more than 50 countries to discuss how to move from oil, gas and coal toward cleaner energy.
Amazon announced what it called a “major expansion” of its partnership with OpenAI, as OpenAI said the company was loosening its ties to Microsoft. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the collaboration with Amazon Web Services will involve co-developing a new platform for AI agents that can do computer-based work on people’s behalf. Altman spoke via prerecorded video to an Amazon event in San Francisco.
Upstate New York businessman Miles “Burt” Marshall pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges stemming from a Ponzi scheme that prosecutors say stole more than $50 million from hundreds of people and organizations, according to the state attorney general. Marshall faces four to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty in Madison County Court to second-degree grand larceny, securities fraud and first-degree scheme to defraud, prosecutors said.
Exonerees in the U.S. say the stigma of time behind bars can follow them into everyday life, making it hard to find and keep work even after wrongful convictions are overturned. The issue has drawn fresh attention in Louisiana, where voters elected Calvin Duncan as clerk of criminal court, but Republicans have moved to abolish the post as he prepares to take office.
The Associated Press’ “Money Happens” series profiles Justene Bologna, who said her student loan debt has contributed to severe stress and anxiety. The episode also includes tips from Indiana University professor Helen Colby for people whose loan repayment is affecting their day-to-day functioning and relationships.
In a new episode of the “Money Happens” series, financial therapist John Hankins speaks with a 21-year-old Massachusetts renter who says homeownership feels unreachable despite working and avoiding debt. Hankins offers practical steps for people who feel overwhelmed by housing instability, including getting comfortable facing their finances, building credit carefully, and avoiding comparisons that can deepen anxiety.
In New York on April 28, a federal judge ruled that Maurene Comey can pursue her lawsuit claiming she was wrongfully fired as a federal prosecutor. Judge Jesse M. Furman rejected the Justice Department’s request to move the case out of district court and said the government’s stated reason places the dispute outside the usual administrative-review channel.
Many U.S. workers say they have trouble understanding what’s expected of them at work after the coronavirus pandemic reshaped workplaces, a Gallup analysis found. In November, just under half of employees reported they “strongly agreed” that they know what is expected, down from 56% in January 2020.
Jennifer Vall turned to a debt management company after years of medical bills that piled up despite having no other debt before her family’s cancer diagnoses. In a “Money Happens” episode, financial therapist Ashley Agnew says people facing medical debt should first quantify what they owe, then plan with a clearer relationship to money.
The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday it will leave OPEC effective May 1, stripping the oil cartel of its third-largest producer. UAE officials said the move reflects the country’s long-term strategic and economic vision, including increased domestic energy production.
Jury selection began Monday in Oakland, California, in a civil trial brought by Elon Musk against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and OpenAI’s board. Musk alleges they double-crossed him by shifting OpenAI away from its founding mission as an altruistic nonprofit steward of artificial intelligence. OpenAI says the claims are unfounded and aimed at slowing its growth and bolstering Musk’s competing xAI venture.
BP reported first-quarter profit that more than doubled as U.S. gasoline prices climbed again to their highest level since 2022, amid higher energy costs tied to the war in Iran.
Japan’s central bank on April 28 kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.75% as it warned that risks from the war in Iran could push oil and other energy prices higher. The Bank of Japan said the economy was still growing moderately but expected to slow, and it cited the need to closely watch the impact of the Middle East situation.
The Justice Department urged the National Trust for Historic Preservation to drop its lawsuit over President Donald Trump’s planned $400 million White House ballroom, citing security concerns after a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday the time had come to proceed with the ballroom project, and the department set a deadline of 9 a.m. Monday for the preservation group to dismiss its case.
Republicans in Congress on Monday introduced new efforts to approve and fund President Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom, arguing it would reduce security risks after a shooting attempt at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. The renewed push includes a bill introduced by Republican senators to authorize $400 million for construction and security work.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby confirmed Monday that he approached American Airlines about a potential merger, his first public acknowledgment of the proposal. Kirby said the combination would benefit travelers but that American declined to engage and instead publicly closed the door. American said in an April 17 statement that it was not interested in merger talks.
NEW YORK — The U.S. stock market’s record-breaking rally slowed Monday after weekend uncertainty about what comes next in the Iran war, while oil prices rose. The S&P 500 edged 0.1% higher to another all-time high; the Dow slipped 62 points and the Nasdaq rose 0.2%.
Havana (AP) — On a recent afternoon, elderly residents gathered at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Old Havana for a modest meal, part of a ritual offered three times a week amid a worsening economic crisis. Carmen Casado, 84, said her pension is too small to live on and that the church meals and state-supplied rations are a necessary supplement.
Federal energy regulators have ordered immediate inspections of the Cheboygan Dam powerhouse in Michigan and other dams after historic flooding threatened failures. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said the powerhouse was reactivated as an emergency measure April 17, after a 2023 fire left it offline, and it ordered the owner to submit a report by May 15.
Elon Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and founders Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, renewing claims that the company abandoned its founding aim of benefiting the public. The complaint, filed in Northern California federal court, characterizes Musk’s case as a “textbook tale of altruism versus greed” and says Altman and others “intentionally courted and deceived Musk.” A spokesperson for OpenAI disputed the allegations, saying Musk’s earlier emails continue to speak for themselves and pointing to emails OpenAI released in March.
Nebraska will enforce work, volunteer or education requirements for new Medicaid applicants beginning Friday, becoming the first state to do so before a federally mandated timeline. The policy, tied to a broad tax and policy law signed by President Donald Trump, will require many adults ages 19 to 64 to meet monthly activity thresholds or face faster eligibility reviews every six months.
The La Fenice opera house in Venice has canceled its planned collaboration with incoming music director Beatrice Venezi after months of protests by musicians. The theater said general manager Nicola Colabianchi made the decision following what he called Venezi’s “repeated and serious public statements that were offensive and harmful.”
Uber said Wednesday that users of its app can now book hotel rooms, using hotel listings powered by Expedia Group. The company said any Uber app user will be able to make reservations, while Uber One members will get a discount on a rotating list of hotels and receive Uber credits tied to bookings.
Indian Capt. Rahul Dhar and his crew have been stranded on their tanker in the Persian Gulf for about eight weeks as the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively shut during the Iran war. The crew has watched drones and missiles explode during the conflict, and some have reported shortages of food and drinking water while staying in contact with families becomes harder.
California officials are asking a federal judge in Los Angeles to order Sable Offshore Corp. to stop using and remove a pipeline that crosses part of Gaviota State Park, a state official said at a hearing scheduled for Monday. The state argues the Trump administration’s order to restart drilling and pipeline operations exceeds federal authority and permits that expired, while Sable says it has proper authorization.
King Charles III’s charity, now known as The King’s Trust, marked 50 years of helping young people find work with a gala in New York on Wednesday. The event featured remarks from Charles and brought together business and entertainment figures, while highlighting the charity’s education and employment programs.
Italian luxury brand Ferragamo said it can map the country of origin for much of the leather used in its footwear and handbags, a step it said supports traceability efforts as new European Union sustainability rules take shape. The company’s chief product officer, James Ferragamo, said in an interview that leather is “one of the more sustainable materials” and that many partner tanneries manage water use and workforce treatment while checking leather sources.
A global climate conference in Santa Marta, Colombia, focused on what governments need to accelerate the shift away from oil, gas and coal, and delegates said lack of financing remains a major barrier. Experts at the meeting said clean-energy transitions often run into borrowing costs, limited fiscal space and infrastructure needs, even when renewables can be cheaper to operate over time. Speakers also pointed to differing approaches ranging from using fossil-fuel royalties to policy tools such as carbon markets, alongside criticism from Indigenous groups that oppose offsets.
The Service Employees International Union Healthcare Workers West says a California ballot initiative seeking a temporary 5% tax on billionaires has collected enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. Backers said the tax would apply to people with net worth above $1 billion who lived in California as of Jan. 1, 2026, and that the measure aims to raise $100 billion. The California secretary of state must still verify the signatures and place the initiative on the ballot.
College students in the United States are changing majors and plans as they worry that artificial intelligence could automate entry-level tasks and reshape job markets by the time they graduate. Reporting by the Associated Press describes students switching away from analytics- and technology-focused tracks toward areas they associate with human judgment and communication.
AstraZeneca reported first-quarter profit of $3.08 billion for the period ending March, beating analyst expectations, the company said Wednesday. The Cambridge, Britain-based drugmaker also reported revenue of $15.29 billion, surpassing forecasts cited by analysts.
Canada is developing a government-owned investment fund that would start at 25 billion Canadian dollars ($18 billion), Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday. Carney said the fund would invest alongside private investors in major Canadian industrial projects as Canada seeks to diversify away from the United States amid threats of tariffs. “Many of our former strengths built on our close ties to the United States have become our weaknesses,” Carney said, adding, “That’s their right and we are responding. That is our imperative.”
Ford Mustang and Dodge Charger rivals for decades are once again vying for drivers’ attention, with Edmunds comparing today’s Mustang GT and Dark Horse against the Charger R/T and Scat Pack. The review, provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds, weighs performance, driving feel, comfort, tech features and pricing.
Japan’s central bank on Tuesday kept its benchmark interest rate at 0.75%, citing risks from the war in Iran that are pushing up oil and other energy prices. The decision was expected, but Japan’s monetary policy board voted 6-3 to hold the rate steady.
Prediction markets that let people bet on real-world events are coming under renewed pressure from regulators and lawmakers seeking to curb alleged insider trading and other abuses. The scrutiny has intensified as high-profile bets—such as trades tied to a Venezuelan military operation and to U.S. and geopolitical developments—spark questions about whether nonpublic information is being used.
Underhill, Vt., farmer Anne O’Connor said a Clover & Bee Farm ewe gave birth earlier this month to rare sextuplets, and that the mother and all six lambs are doing well. O’Connor said the ewe had been expected to have two lambs after a checkup, then she kept counting as more arrived.
Sen. Thom Tillis said Sunday he is prepared to move forward with confirming Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve, after the Justice Department ended its investigation of current Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Tillis’s shift removes a hurdle in a GOP-controlled Senate panel that had stalled the nomination ahead of the end of Powell’s term as chair. The Senate Banking Committee planned to vote on Warsh’s nomination Wednesday.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. Navy is clearing Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil shipments. The push comes amid a tenuous U.S.-Iran ceasefire and is expected to take months, Pentagon officials and outside experts said.
President Donald Trump’s administration is imposing sanctions on a major China-based oil refinery and about 40 shipping companies and tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil, the Treasury Department said. The move cuts the firms off from the U.S. financial system and threatens secondary sanctions on others who do business with them.
U.S. retail sales rose 1.7% in March on a spike in gas prices tied to the Iran war, while the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate slipped to 6.23%. New AP-NORC polling also found President Donald Trump’s approval on the economy fell to 30% in April from 38% in March.
The Justice Department has ended its investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, clearing a roadblock to the Senate’s confirmation of Kevin Warsh as his successor, the AP reported. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said her office was ending its probe into renovations at the Fed after the agency’s inspector general would scrutinize them instead.
President Donald Trump’s pick for Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh, is drawing closer amid signals that the White House expects faster rate cuts after he takes office. But economists and Fed rate-setting committee dynamics suggest Americans may not see immediate relief in borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans or business lending. Inflation pressures, including recent energy-driven price increases, and a committee vote split in March could slow any shift toward cutting interest rates.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. will not renew waivers that allow oil sales from Iran and Russia, as global energy markets remain strained by the war in Iran and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump said he ordered the U.S. military to “shoot and kill” small Iranian boats this week as fighting disrupts the Strait of Hormuz. A new Associated Press analysis compares the current risk to shipping with Iran’s 1980s “tanker war” campaign, when Iran targeted vessels during its war with Iraq and U.S. warships escorted Kuwaiti tankers.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills vetoed a bill that would have created the country’s first statewide moratorium on large data centers and a special council to help towns assess proposed projects. The veto came after Mills said the legislation did not include a carve-out for a data center proposal in Jay that would bring jobs to a community affected by a mill closure.
European Union leaders meeting in Cyprus said the Iran war and the resulting disruption in the Strait of Hormuz have pushed the bloc to explore projects that would move energy exports through new routes and avoid choke points. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is ready to work with Persian Gulf countries on alternative infrastructure and to help repair energy sites damaged in the conflict.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Apollo moonwalker Harrison “Jack” Schmitt said the next generation should treat the return to the moon as a challenge to leave “footsteps like these” for future explorers. Schmitt, 90, discussed NASA’s Artemis program, including the value he sees in a lunar base for preparation toward Mars, and he connected moon rocks rich in titanium and helium-3 to potential future energy uses.
Governments from about 50 countries are gathering in Santa Marta, Colombia, for a summit aimed at accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels, organizers said. The April 24-29 conference is co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands and is expected to open political debate without producing binding commitments, officials said.
Workers in Santa Clara County, California, were put on leave as state and local officials responded to the death of 2-year-old Jaxon Juarez, with county officials saying the number of employees placed on leave rose from 10 pending personnel investigations. The county’s response follows broader scrutiny of the county’s child welfare system, including state action tied to earlier child deaths. Prosecutors have charged a teenage boy in the cousin’s killing of Juarez and said the investigation could expand.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed budget would eliminate nearly all city arts funding as the city confronts a $146 million deficit, according to officials and advocates. City leaders also plan cuts to library hours and programs and to staffing, shifting resources toward public safety, homelessness efforts and road repairs. The AP report described how other large California cities—Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco—are also facing multi-year budget gaps amid rising costs and weakening local revenue.
ICE arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement fell by an average of nearly 12% nationwide in the weeks after a Minneapolis killings and a shake-up of top immigration officials, according to data analyzed by the Associated Press. The drop followed a Feb. 4 drawdown announcement by “border czar” Tom Homan, who was sent to oversee immigration enforcement in Minnesota after the killings. The AP analysis also found arrest levels rose in some states during the same post-drawdown period, while others saw steep declines.
Researchers have spent decades breeding potatoes for chip makers—developing varieties that can grow in different climates, resist diseases and pests, and last in storage for months while still producing a crisp chip. In Michigan, scientists at Michigan State University are also working on new varieties, including a bioengineered potato designed to help keep sugar levels in balance during colder storage.
HAVANA — Cubans in recent months have altered everyday routines as water, electricity and fuel shortages deepen, including changes to beauty grooming, transportation timing and laundry habits. Residents and workers in Havana told The Associated Press that chronic blackouts and limited water availability—compounded by U.S. energy restrictions—are pushing them to abandon or stretch practices they long relied on.
Suspected Somali pirates hijacked a fuel tanker off Somalia’s northeastern coast, a Puntland official said, and Britain’s military reported a hijacking incident in the same area. The seizure took place in waters between Hafun and Bandarbeyla, as the tanker was traveling toward Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital.
When President Donald Trump tried to cancel five offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast, the fallout reached coastal Virginia and shook Republican lawmakers who backed the projects. A letter signed by nine House Republicans demanded answers, including Rep. Jen Kiggans, whose district includes a planned $11.5 billion wind farm expected to create 1,000 jobs.
The U.S. stock market rose to more records Friday, led by Intel after a blowout profit report, while oil prices swung as traders waited on the next development in the Iran war. The S&P 500 gained 0.8% and topped its previous all-time high, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.6% to a record. Oil prices also fluctuated amid ongoing worries about the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s war has started to ripple through the U.S. consumer economy, pushing up the cost of petroleum-derived materials that go into thousands of everyday goods, an Associated Press report said. In March, a toy maker in Florida said suppliers in China told it polyester and acrylic inputs were 10% to 15% more expensive after the war began. Trade groups and companies also warned that higher oil and petrochemical costs could feed into gasoline prices, shipping costs and retail pricing through late 2026 and into 2027.
Chinese automakers are showcasing new models and technologies in Beijing as global competition heats up and they seek overseas growth. The biennial show, which opened to media on Friday, runs through May 3 and features more than 1,450 vehicles, including 181 global debuts.
President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was weighing a taxpayer-funded takeover of Spirit Airlines, with an intent to resell the budget carrier after oil prices fall. His comments came as Spirit pursues a financing deal in U.S. Bankruptcy Court that would help it emerge from Chapter 11.
Businesses have paid as much as $4 million for last-minute slots to cross the Panama Canal as the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed amid the Iran war, the Panama Canal Authority said. The rush has driven auction prices and rerouted or repurchased shipments across global supply chains, lawyers and the canal administrator said.
Morocco opened the Mohammed VI Tower, a $700 million, 55-story skyscraper in Salé near Rabat, underscoring the country’s expanding global ambitions. The tower named for King Mohammed VI will include a Waldorf Astoria hotel, offices, shops, restaurants and luxury apartments, and its backers project thousands of jobs tied to the project. The opening comes as Morocco courts more international visitors and prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Many airlines have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up prices, and the disruption is arriving as summer travel demand ramps up. Travelers facing cancellations can encounter different rules for refunds, rebooking and compensation depending on where they fly.
Meta said Thursday it is laying off about 8,000 workers, or about 10% of its workforce, as the company ramps up spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure and hires highly paid AI experts. The company said it is making the cuts to improve efficiency and fund new investments, and Meta is also offering voluntary buyouts to thousands of its U.S. employees.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday his administration reached a deal with Regeneron to lower the prices of its drugs for Medicaid and sell the cholesterol treatment Praluent for $225 on the White House’s discounted drug website, TrumpRx. The administration also said the company will spend $27 billion on research, development and manufacturing in the United States. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told lawmakers that the administration plans to share contract details with Congress only to the extent it can do so without disclosing proprietary information.
Vancouver-born Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in Ottawa that the United States does not get to dictate the terms of a continental trade deal known as the USMCA. He spoke Wednesday ahead of the accord’s review in July, saying Canada will work through “trade irritants or trade issues” and “sit down and work through those issues” with the United States.
The average U.S. long-term mortgage rate fell for a third straight week, dropping to 6.23% as the spring homebuying season approaches, Freddie Mac said Thursday. The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate eased from 6.3% last week, while the average 15-year fixed-rate rate also declined.
Cash-strapped Ukraine secured a European Union wartime loan on Thursday, with EU leaders approving a €90 billion ($106 billion) package days after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said repairs to the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba oil pipeline would allow oil to resume to Slovakia and Hungary. The funds, negotiated amid months of delays and political friction inside the bloc, are expected to start flowing in coming months, with Ukraine to receive €45 billion for the remainder of 2026 and another €45 billion in 2027.
China’s top automakers are displaying the latest vehicle models and technologies, from intelligent driving to ultrafast charging, at the Beijing auto show that opened for media on Friday. More than 1,450 vehicles, including 181 global debuts, are on display as Chinese automakers compete with global rivals in overseas markets.
An $81 billion Warner Bros-Paramount merger cleared a key vote as Warner Bros. Discovery said shareholders approved selling Paramount’s target for $31 a share. The companies said the deal—valued at nearly $111 billion including debt—still faces ongoing regulatory reviews before it can close.
On Thursday off Rhode Island, the Associated Press traveled roughly 100 miles to see offshore wind turbines spinning and under construction across the region, including Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind. The visit came as President Donald Trump seeks to end or roll back the U.S. offshore wind industry. Officials and industry advocates say the pace of development and the growing electricity demand for coastal states are colliding with a federal push to slow projects.
Online prediction-market platforms drew heavy betting on whether President Donald Trump would take steps tied to the Iran conflict, after his public threats and statements, according to an Associated Press report. The betting included wagers on Polymarket and Kalshi, businesses linked to Trump’s oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., as well as other Trump-related political questions.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills signed L.D. 2173 into law, a bill aimed at clarifying parts of the state’s recent zoning reform that required towns to loosen certain land-use restrictions to boost housing. The change follows years of debate over state growth targets versus local control and comes after lawmakers adjusted zoning rules again last year with L.D. 1829. Municipal leaders say the new law will give towns time to implement prior requirements while resolving technical disputes over water, sewer, lot sizes and building-height limits.
President Donald Trump announced that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will be coated in a “American flag blue” swimming-pool surface, during an Oval Office event Thursday. He said the decades-old granite beneath the pool had been “leaking like a sieve” and that replacing it would take years and cost about $301 million. The president said the coating project would be finished in weeks and ready before July 4.
Kellogg said it will include plastic toys in some of its breakfast cereal boxes starting Sunday, returning a novelty that largely disappeared more than a decade ago. The toy promotion is a tie-in with Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” which is scheduled to hit theaters in June.
Honolulu’s statewide speed-enforcement camera program has begun issuing speeding citations, but the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has sent only 17 speeding tickets in the program’s first four months, according to court and state records reviewed by Honolulu Civil Beat and distributed by The Associated Press. State officials said they are targeting the “worst of the worst” speeders so the expected volume will not overwhelm police, courts and the judiciary’s information systems.
A prominent Georgia Republican, Edwin Brant Frost IV, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a single federal wire fraud count tied to a Ponzi scheme involving First Liberty Building and Loan, prosecutors said. Federal prosecutors said the charge stems from an investigation that began after the company collapsed last June. The charge carries a potential 20-year prison sentence, and U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said prosecutors plan to recommend a sentence close to the top of the range.
A former Beast Industries employee, Lorrayne Mavromatis, filed a federal lawsuit in North Carolina alleging she was harassed for years and then fired after returning from maternity leave. Mavromatis also filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging discrimination on the basis of sex, pregnancy and retaliation. Beast Industries denies the allegations and says it fired her after a reorganization of her team.
US stocks pulled back from record highs on Thursday after mixed profit reports from Tesla and other large companies. Oil prices rose on uncertainty over what happens next in the war with Iran, with Brent briefly trading above $107 a barrel.
HBO Max, “Harry Potter” and CNN may soon sit under a new corporate roof if Paramount’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery clears regulatory review. On Thursday, shareholders approved an $81 billion sale of Warner Bros. Discovery, valuing the buyout at nearly $111 billion including debt. The deal would combine streaming brands and give Paramount greater reach in movies and U.S. news.
Wall Street has pushed U.S. stocks to fresh records even as the war with Iran continues, helped by easing expectations for global inflation and strong company earnings. The S&P 500 closed Wednesday at 7,137.90, recovering losses from a late-March selloff and extending a record run into a month when investors were still focused on the oil and inflation outlook.
Estonia’s foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, met Vietnam’s prime minister, Le Minh Hung, in Hanoi on Wednesday to discuss deeper cooperation in trade, technology and digital transformation, according to Tsahkna and Vietnam’s state media. Tsahkna said Estonia could help Vietnam digitize public services and ease bureaucracy, while Hung asked Estonia to urge the European Union to ratify an investment protection agreement and to support EU efforts to lift a “yellow card” restricting Vietnamese seafood imports.
Trump Media & Technology, the parent of Truth Social, announced on Tuesday that Devin Nunes is stepping down as CEO and will be replaced by Kevin McGurn, as the company’s stock continues to slide. The shake-up comes amid a yearslong effort to diversify the business far beyond social media, including moves into cryptocurrency, financial services and nuclear fusion.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Michigan can keep its lawsuit in state court as it seeks to shut down part of Enbridge’s aging Line 5 pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote for a unanimous court that Enbridge waited too long to try to move the case to federal court.
The Kennedy Center plans to shutter the Washington venue for a two-year renovation beginning in July, citing significant water damage and long-needed repairs. New leadership has described building conditions that include severe corrosion tied to water infiltration and aging equipment, while Matt Floca said he recommended closing the facility all at once. Congress has provided nearly $257 million for the work, and the institution expects to seek private donations for refurbishing some premium areas.
Kalshi said it fined and suspended three congressional candidates for betting on their own election outcomes on its prediction-market platform, according to disciplinary documents. Mark Moran, Ezekiel Enriquez and Matt Klein all received five-year suspensions, while Klein and Enriquez agreed to settlements and Moran did not.
Wall Street rallied Wednesday as companies including GE Vernova and Boston Scientific reported profits that beat analysts’ expectations, pushing major U.S. stock indexes to new records. The gains came even as Brent crude climbed above $100 a barrel amid uncertainty about the Iran war and the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
Union Pacific reported first-quarter profit of $1.7 billion, edging up 5% as the railroad said it is building its case for regulators to approve its $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern. The company said it expects merger-related costs to weigh on results and is resubmitting its application next week after the U.S. Surface Transportation Board rejected its initial filing.
Water releases meant to shore up drought-depleted Lake Powell’s hydropower are expected to boost flows in eastern Utah this spring, with officials aiming to raise Powell’s level after the region’s driest winter on record. The effort would rely on letting out as much as a third of the water in Wyoming and Utah’s Flaming Gorge Reservoir, but it is also expected to draw down water and electricity options elsewhere in the Colorado River system.
China’s top automakers are showcasing new models and technologies, from intelligent driving to ultrafast charging, at the Beijing auto show as competition with global rivals intensifies. The biennial event opened to media on Friday and runs until May 3, with more than 1,450 vehicles displayed, including 181 global debuts.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act, seeking to make rotisserie chicken an eligible purchase under SNAP, the federal grocery assistance program. The proposal would reverse a longstanding rule that SNAP benefits cannot be used for hot prepared foods bought from the grocery store.
President Donald Trump’s approval on the economy fell to 30% in April, according to a new AP-NORC poll conducted April 16-20, as the Iran war pushed up prices and muddied Americans’ cost-of-living outlook. The survey found a similarly low 32% approval for Trump’s handling of Iran, and said even Republicans showed weakening confidence.
U.S. stocks fell Tuesday as investors weighed uncertainty about what follows a U.S.-Iran ceasefire scheduled to expire Wednesday, while oil prices rose after Trump said the truce would be extended. The S&P 500 finished down 0.6% after swinging earlier, and Brent settled at $98.48, up 3.1%.
Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to chair the Federal Reserve, told senators Tuesday that he never promised the White House he would cut interest rates, even as Trump renews calls for the central bank to do so. Warsh made the remarks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing focused on whether he can balance political pressure with an inflation-fighting mandate.
A federal appeals court has allowed President Donald Trump to continue work on a planned White House ballroom even as litigation continues over the project, which is set to include security facilities beneath the East Wing site. The case has offered a rare glimpse of a bunker concept tied to the White House’s underground “continuity” plans.
Shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery on Thursday approved an $81 billion sale to Paramount, a deal valued at nearly $111 billion including debt that would combine HBO Max with Paramount+ into a single streaming platform, AP reported. The proposed megamerger would also bring Warner’s Discovery+ and broadcast cable networks under the Paramount umbrella, and would place CNN under the same ownership as CBS, while regulatory review remains pending.
Apple CEO Tim Cook will step down on Sept. 1, handing the top job to John Ternus, Apple’s head of hardware engineering, the company said Monday. Cook, 65, will remain with Apple as executive chairman and Arthur Levinson will relinquish his role as non-executive chairman while staying on the board.
Wall Street has kept pushing U.S. stocks to new records even as the Iran war continues, gasoline remains expensive and households feel less confident about the economy. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 closed at a record 7,137.90, with investors pointing less to war-related fear and more to company profits.
Stocks in Asia were mixed Wednesday after Wall Street rallied on hopes the United States and Iran may resume talks to end their war, with oil prices edging lower. Brent crude dipped about 0.2% while U.S. benchmark crude fell 0.4%, helping ease pressure on costs and inflation expectations. In Washington, President Donald Trump said he was extending the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan’s request while awaiting a “unified proposal” from Tehran.
Asian shares were mixed and oil prices were little changed on Wednesday as investors watched for potential U.S.-Iran talks to end their war. Brent crude edged up to $98.51 a barrel while U.S. benchmark crude fell to $89.29. In the background, markets weighed signs the United States and Iran may resume negotiations, after U.S. Vice President JD Vance called off a trip intended to lead U.S. negotiators in talks.
Japan logged its fifth straight fiscal-year trade deficit, with the government reporting the deficit totaled 1.7 trillion yen ($10.7 billion) in the year ended in March. Exports rose 4% while imports edged up 0.5%, even as higher U.S. tariffs on imports from Japan weighed on auto shipments to the United States.
Americans filed for unemployment benefits for the week ending April 18, rising 6,000 to 214,000, the U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday. The increase left jobless-aid claims within a range economists have described as historically healthy since the pandemic recession. Separately, the Labor Department reported that consumer prices rose 3.3% in March from a year earlier, pushed by the largest jump in gas prices in six decades.
London’s Office for National Statistics said U.K. inflation rose in March as higher petrol prices followed disruption to energy supplies tied to the Iran war. The annual consumer price inflation rate climbed to 3.3% from 3% the previous month, with analysts pointing to fuel as the key driver.
President Donald Trump nominated University of Minnesota economist Christopher Phelan on Tuesday to be the next chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers. If confirmed by the Senate, Phelan would succeed Stephen Miran, who moved from the council to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors last September.
Trump Media & Technology Group said Tuesday it is replacing longtime CEO Devin Nunes with Kevin McGurn, as the company’s stock continues to fall. The switch comes as the parent of Truth Social has broadened beyond social media into digital assets, finance and plans tied to nuclear fusion.
President Donald Trump has used naval blockades to pressure Venezuela, Cuba and now Iran, but analysts say the situation in the Middle East is not comparable to the Caribbean. Iran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, they say, could amplify economic pain while also requiring a longer military commitment far from U.S. shores.
US stocks rose to multiple records on Wednesday as several large companies reported profits that beat analysts’ expectations. The rally ran alongside a jump in Brent crude, which climbed above $100 amid uncertainty about the war with Iran and disruptions to tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country has finished repairing a damaged section of the Druzhba oil pipeline and is preparing to resume operations, while warning Russia could strike again. The repair work comes as Ukraine seeks to unlock a major European Union loan package that has been blocked amid disputes involving Hungary and Slovakia.
A federal judge in Massachusetts on Tuesday struck down several Trump administration actions that slowed clean-energy development, including a requirement that solar and wind projects on federal lands and waters receive personal approval from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Chief Judge Denise J. Casper issued a preliminary injunction, saying wind and solar developers were likely to succeed on claims that the administration’s actions violate federal law and could cause irreparable harm.
Environmental groups sued the Trump administration on Monday over its approval of BP’s ultra deep-water drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court. The groups said required information for the approval was missing and that the project would endanger Gulf residents’ health and harm ecosystems.
Brazil’s vice president, Geraldo Alckmin, called the Mercosur-European Union trade agreement a message that markets can still open in a difficult geopolitical climate, during an interview at the presidential palace in Brasilia. Alckmin, a key negotiator for the deal reached in late 2024, said the provisional terms are set to come into force May 1, while legal and political steps remain underway.
Officials plan to raise depleted Lake Powell levels by releasing more water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir on the Green River, a move intended to keep hydropower at Glen Canyon Dam running. The releases are expected to lower Flaming Gorge levels and could leave the downstream Lake Mead area with less water. The plan also comes as drought, evaporation and water demand have reduced Lake Powell to about a third of its capacity.
Vietnam and Estonia moved to deepen cooperation on trade, technology and digital services during meetings in Hanoi, Estonia’s foreign minister said. Margus Tsahkna met Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on Wednesday and discussed digital cooperation after a 2025 agreement between the two countries. The prime minister also urged Estonia to press the European Union to ratify an investment protection accord and address an EU “yellow card” affecting Vietnamese seafood imports.
The Kennedy Center said it plans to shutter the venue starting in July for a two-year renovation, citing severe water damage and the need to replace some long-used building systems. Matt Floca, the center’s new executive director and chief operating officer, described the repairs as extensive but aimed at an overall reset of the facility’s condition.
Michigan United Conservation Clubs, a statewide nonprofit that represents hunters and anglers, warned it may have to close if it does not raise $100,000 by May 1. The group’s president, Stephen Dey, said in an email to members and supporters that the organization has been selling major assets for years and that available funds may last only into May.
Cuban exiles say President Donald Trump’s renewed threats toward Cuba have revived hopes for political change, while also raising fears that claims to property seized after Fidel Castro took power in 1959 could be sidelined in any broader deal. Lawyers and property owners say negotiations between Washington and Havana will need to address a maze of legal claims and statutes, including the Helms-Burton law.
Union Pacific reported first-quarter earnings of $1.7 billion, a 5% increase, as it prepares to resubmit its $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern to federal regulators. The company said Thursday that merger-related costs weighed down results, and it affirmed a midsingle-digit outlook for earnings per share this year.
Starbucks said it is opening a corporate office in Nashville, Tennessee, to support its planned U.S. expansion. The company said it expects to invest $100 million and employ up to 2,000 people in the Nashville office over the next five years, while Seattle remains its global headquarters.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would welcome a buyer for Spirit Airlines and suggested the federal government could help keep the low-cost carrier afloat. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later told reporters the president directed the Transportation Department to review possible options for potential relief.
New York Attorney General Letitia James sued Coinbase and Gemini in Manhattan on Tuesday, arguing their prediction market platforms operate as illegal gambling without state licenses. The lawsuit seeks to stop the companies from offering the platforms in New York unless they obtain authorization from the state Gaming Commission.
Residents of two Missoula-area mobile home parks met in person with the parks’ Texas-based owner for lease negotiations, a first in Montana history, tenant representatives said. The Missoula Tenants Union and a joint bargaining team said Oak Wood Ventures agreed to formal recognition of the unions and to pursue rent protections as the negotiations continue through May.
Japan approved Tuesday the removal of a ban on exporting lethal weapons, a Cabinet decision that rewrites parts of the country’s postwar pacifist approach as it seeks to strengthen its defense industry amid concerns about aggression from China and North Korea.
Japan on Tuesday scrapped a ban on lethal weapons exports, approving new guidelines that mark a major change to the country’s postwar pacifist policy as it seeks to strengthen its arms industry. The cabinet approved by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi clears hurdles for arms sales, including Japanese-developed warships and combat drones, with approvals also shaped by national security review. Chinese and Japanese critics warned the change could increase tensions, while Japanese officials said it will help ensure safety and build an industrial base for defense resilience.
Rideshare drivers filed a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court challenging Uber’s deactivation decisions and saying the company failed to provide the appeals process promised under California’s Proposition 22. The plaintiffs accuse Uber of violating the law it carved out for app-based drivers and of not providing a meaningful pathway to contest being kicked off the app.
Devin Nunes is being replaced temporarily as chief executive of Trump Media & Technology Group by digital media executive Kevin McGurn after the company’s stock plunged 67%, wiping out more than $6 billion in investor wealth. The company said it did not provide a reason for the leadership change or a timeline for a permanent replacement.
Asian shares ended mixed on Wednesday and oil prices were little changed as investors watched for possible US-Iran talks to end the war, with markets weighing the status of a ceasefire. U.S. benchmark crude slipped while Brent edged up, and investors also focused on moves in global inflation and Treasury yields.
Asian shares were mixed Wednesday as oil prices eased on hopes the United States and Iran could resume talks to end their war. The move followed Wall Street’s rally on similar optimism, with investors watching the cost of energy and the path of inflation.
Japan reported its trade deficit for a fiscal year ended in March, marking the fifth straight year of deficits as exports to the United States weakened under Donald Trump’s tariffs. In a separate monthly update, Japan said March exports rose and its overall surplus increased, suggesting uneven recovery in the export sector.
U.K. inflation rose in March as prices at the petrol pump climbed following disruption to energy supplies linked to the Iran war, official figures showed Wednesday. The Office for National Statistics said the annual consumer price inflation rate increased to 3.3% from 3% the previous month.
The U.S. stock market rallied to more records Wednesday as companies including GE Vernova and Boston Scientific reported profits that beat analysts’ expectations. At the same time, Brent crude rose above $100 a barrel amid uncertainty about the war with Iran and how long disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. port blockades will last.
Cold snaps after unusually warm conditions are frustrating flower and fruit growers across the Northeast, forcing some to harvest early or take steps to protect budding plants. The swing comes after temperatures surged into the 70s and 90s in parts of the region, followed by falls into the 50s and freeze warnings in multiple states.
Yelp on Tuesday introduced an AI chatbot designed to help users find local business recommendations by pairing results with the underlying reviews. The company said the chatbot aims to reduce the effort of scanning large volumes of commentary while keeping “human connections” visible. Yelp’s announcement also lands amid its long-running conflict with Google over search traffic and the sharing of business-review data.
Artificial intelligence startup Anthropic has committed to spending more than $100 billion on Amazon's AWS cloud platform over the next decade to train and operate its Claude chatbot. Amazon will invest $5 billion immediately and may contribute up to another $20 billion in the future, the companies announced April 21.
Aboard the Sea Moon, an oil tanker plying contested waters between the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, Iraqi Captain Rahman Al-Jubouri continues to work in one of the world's most volatile maritime corridors. The tanker moves through waters where the U.S.-Israel war with Iran has disrupted global trade and left some crews stranded and exposed to military strikes.
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war stalled again over the weekend as both sides refused to budge on their demands, deepening a standoff that has sent oil prices soaring and strangled Iran's economy. Iran proposed a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its blockade and agreeing to a long-term truce—but notably excluded negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, a core issue for President Donald Trump. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration would not accept any agreement that leaves Iran's nuclear capability unresolved. Each side is waiting for the other to concede. With the ceasefire set to extend indefinitely and global energy markets under strain, the diplomatic window is narrowing.
Thousands of survivors from the 2025 Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, who accepted settlement payments from the utility accused of sparking the disaster now face federal tax bills that could consume significant portions of their funds. Unless Congress passes pending legislation, the survivors could lose tens of thousands of dollars to taxes, at a time when construction costs have soared and many are struggling with insurance complications.
Cuba's government confirmed Monday it had recently met with U.S. State Department officials on the island in early April—the first such diplomatic engagement since 2016—as both sides remain at odds over the U.S. energy blockade. Senior Cuban officials led by Alejandro García del Toro, deputy director general for U.S. affairs at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with an American delegation that included assistant secretaries of state. García del Toro said the exchange was conducted "respectfully and professionally" and that the U.S. delegation "did not issue any threats or deadlines."
Iraq and Syria reopened a key border crossing on Monday for the first time in more than a decade, with officials highlighting its potential for trade and oil exports. The crossing, known as Rabia in Iraq and Yarubiyah in Syria, had been closed since the Syrian civil war began in 2011. Syria described the reopened route as a safe overland alternative for oil exports to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint in the ongoing Iran conflict.
Pittsburgh media has pivoted from a looming shutdown to a possible reshaping after new ownership moves saved the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and revived the Pittsburgh City Paper. Owners of the Post-Gazette announced a sale to a nonprofit foundation, while the City Paper returned under new ownership after learning on New Year’s Day it was closing.
South Korea President Lee Jae Myung met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, pledging to nearly double bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. Modi said both sides aim to raise trade from about $27 billion through stronger supply chains, better market access and more investment.
Oil prices climbed Monday while U.S. stocks gave back a portion of their record-breaking rally, as fresh tensions between Washington and Tehran overshadowed optimism about corporate earnings. The United States had just seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel it said had tried to evade a blockade of Iranian ports. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% from its record high for just its second decline in 14 trading days, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped less than 0.1% and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.3% to 24404.39. Brent crude oil climbed 5.6% to $95.48 as investors worried Iran could continue restricting petroleum exports from the Persian Gulf.
A hot air balloon with 13 people descended safely into a Temecula, California, homeowner's backyard Saturday, made an emergency landing due to low fuel and shifting winds. The vessel touched down on a grass patch only about 10 feet wide without damaging the home or injuring any of the passengers and crew.
Women are taking leadership roles in the traditionally male-dominated whiskey industry as more women become distillers, blenders, and business owners while female consumption rises. The shift represents a significant transformation in an industry long perceived as exclusively male, with women now launching brands, managing operations, and earning recognition for innovation.
Vermont is hosting public meetings to gather resident feedback on the future of the 306-foot Bennington Battle Monument, which was saturated with 66,000 gallons of water and faces an estimated $40 million restoration bill. State officials announced meetings on April 29 and May 12 to discuss options for the iconic obelisk that commemorates the 1777 Battle of Bennington. The monument, the second-tallest unreinforced masonry structure in the United States after the Washington Monument, has become a test case for balancing historic preservation with fiscal reality. Its elevator remains non-functional, causing visits to the state's most-visited historic site to drop last year.
The United States seized an Iranian cargo ship attempting to evade a blockade of Iranian ports on Monday, reigniting US-Iran military tensions and sending global oil prices higher. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 5.3% to $95.21 per barrel on concerns Iran might restrict the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf. Wall Street stocks declined modestly, with the S&P 500 down 0.3% by midday trading and the Nasdaq down 0.5%.
Carmine Agnello, the reality-TV-star grandson of late mob boss John Gotti, was sentenced Monday to 15 months in prison for fraudulently obtaining $1.1 million in federal pandemic-relief loans meant for small businesses. Federal Judge Nusrat Choudhury imposed the sentence in U.S. District Court on Long Island, along with a requirement that Agnello repay the funds and perform 100 hours of community service.
Orick Elementary School District in northern Humboldt County operates a single kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school with nine students. California spends $118,000 per pupil per year to keep it open — more than five times the state average. The town of Orick has about 300 residents, down from 3,000 in the 1960s, as the logging industry collapsed and families departed.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta unsealed court filings Monday alleging that Amazon pressured major retailers, including Walmart and Levi Strauss, into a price-fixing scheme. According to the filing, Amazon leveraged its market dominance to demand that vendors increase prices on competing websites, threatening them with promotion restrictions or removal from Amazon's platform if they refused.
A refund system for businesses to claim refunds for Trump administration tariffs that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down launched Monday, with importers and their brokers able to begin submitting claims through an online portal operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The court ruled in February that Trump imposed the tariffs without constitutional authority, and the agency estimated over 330,000 importers paid roughly $166 billion in tariffs.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called on his country to reduce economic dependence on the United States, releasing a 10-minute video address Sunday in which he described formerly close trade ties as a weakness that must be corrected. Carney cited Trump's tariffs—raised to levels unseen since the Great Depression—as evidence the U.S. approach to trade has fundamentally shifted.
The United States Navy seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the first interception since launching a new blockade of Iranian ports last week. Iran's joint military command said the boarding violated the ceasefire and called it an act of piracy, vowing swift response. The seizure raised immediate questions about planned diplomatic talks set to begin Monday in Pakistan as the ceasefire moves toward expiration Wednesday.
Forty years after the worst nuclear disaster in history, Chernobyl's exclusion zone has become an accidental refuge for wildlife. Przewalski's horses—stocky, sand-colored animals once hunted to near extinction—roam the radioactive landscape freely, while wolves, brown bears, and lynx have reclaimed territory they abandoned over a century ago. On April 26, 1986, an explosion at the nuclear power plant forced the evacuation of tens of thousands, but human departure opened the door for nature's return.
Russian attacks on Ukraine killed one person and wounded at least 26 more on Friday, according to local officials, as Ukrainian drone strikes targeted major oil refineries in Russia's Samara region, escalating a months-long campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. The civilian death occurred in Mykolaivka in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, regional leader Vadym Filashkin said on social media. Attacks also damaged port infrastructure in the Black Sea city of Odesa. Ukrainian drones struck major oil refineries in Novokuibyshevsk and Syzran in Russia's Samara region on Friday, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said. The strikes sparked fires at the Vystosk oil terminal in Russia's northwestern Leningrad region and an oil refinery in the southern Krasnodar region, Ukrainian officials said. Russian officials later confirmed the blazes.
The FBI and Justice Department are scrambling to rebuild workforces depleted by a wave of resignations and departures over the past year, easing hiring requirements and accelerating recruitment in ways that current and former officials say are lowering long-accepted professional standards. The changes include abbreviated training for FBI agents transferred from other federal agencies, waived written assessments for support staff seeking agent positions, and the Justice Department's decision to hire prosecutors fresh out of law school to fill vacancies in U.S. attorney's offices. Some officials also say the FBI is promoting less experienced employees into senior leadership positions more quickly than historically customary.
Billionaire hedge fund manager Tom Steyer is saturating California with campaign advertisements, spending at least $115 million on television, radio, and digital ads—nearly 30 times the spending of his nearest Democratic rival in the state's wide-open race for governor. The spending dwarfs what all other major Democratic candidates and independent committees supporting them have combined to spend.
A 44-year-old Los Angeles woman was arrested Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airport on suspicion of brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses and ammunition between Iran and the Sudanese Armed Forces, federal prosecutors said Sunday. Shamim Mafi, an Iranian national who became a lawful permanent resident in 2016, was taken into custody as Sudan enters its fourth year of civil war. According to a criminal complaint, Mafi operated a company in Oman through which she allegedly trafficked the weapons with an unnamed co-conspirator.
Oil prices surged Sunday as a US-Iran standoff over the Strait of Hormuz prevented tanker traffic, renewing fears about global energy supplies. U.S. crude oil increased 6.4% to $87.90 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed 5.8% to $95.64 per barrel, according to trading data from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The jump followed Iran's reversal of a decision to reopen the critical waterway after President Donald Trump said a U.S. Navy blockade of Iranian ports would remain in effect.
Baby food brand HiPP is recalling baby food jars after samples in Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic tested positive for rat poison, officials said Sunday. Authorities believe tampering occurred in 190-gram jars of baby food made with carrots and potatoes for 5-month-olds that were sold from SPAR supermarkets in Austria, with the first sample testing positive on Saturday.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Sunday he will file a criminal lawsuit against his Ecuadorian counterpart Daniel Noboa, who accused him of having ties to members of an opposition party connected to a major drug trafficker, deepening a bitter trade dispute between the neighboring nations. Noboa alleged Saturday that Petro had met with members of Ecuador's largest political opposition party, some of whom "have ties to Fito." He was referring to Adolfo Macías, alias "Fito," leader of one of Ecuador's most powerful criminal organizations, who was extradited to the United States last year on drug- and weapon-trafficking charges. The Ecuadorian president did not provide evidence to support the claim. Petro has denied knowing Macías, and announced the planned lawsuit on X without revealing details about where he intends to file it.
South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday, with both leaders pledging to nearly double bilateral trade to about $50 billion by 2030. Modi said the two countries aim to raise trade from roughly $27 billion by strengthening supply chains, market access and investment, while Lee said the upgrade would include shipbuilding, defense and artificial intelligence.
Federal judge Troy L. Nunley blocked a $6.2 billion merger between television giants Nexstar Media Group and Tegna on Friday, finding that state attorneys general and DirecTV are likely to prevail in their antitrust lawsuit challenging the deal. The merged company would have owned 265 television stations across 44 states and the District of Columbia, the judge noted.
As the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran squeezes global oil supplies, travelers planning summer vacations face escalating costs: jet fuel prices have soared from roughly $99 a barrel in late February to as high as $209 in early April, forcing airlines to raise fares and add fuel surcharges. The International Energy Agency warned that European countries could run low on jet fuel within weeks, prompting carriers including Air Canada, United, Delta, and Air France-KLM to reduce routes and raise ticket prices.
Sales of existing U.S. homes dropped 3.6% in March to their slowest pace in nine months, despite declining mortgage rates, as waning consumer confidence and softer job growth continued to dampen housing demand.
The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday extended its pause on sanctions against Russian oil shipments to ease shortages from the Iran war, contradicting Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's public denial of such a move three days earlier. The so-called general license exempts U.S. sanctions for 30 days on deliveries of Russian oil that had been loaded on tankers as of Friday.
The Iran war's disruption of global energy supplies is prompting Asian and African nations to rapidly expand nuclear power generation, both by increasing output at existing reactors and by launching ambitious long-term plans to build new plants across the regions hardest hit by the conflict.
School closures have disrupted the lives of Iranian families since the U.S.-Israel war began on February 28, leaving working parents to supervise their children's online classes while juggling employment. A fragile ceasefire now in effect is expected to expire early next week, leaving families uncertain whether schools will reopen or the conflict will reignite.
Pope Leo XIV said Saturday that it was "not in my interest at all" to debate U.S. President Donald Trump about the Iran war, even as he reaffirmed his commitment to preaching peace. Speaking aboard the papal plane as it flew from Cameroon to Angola, Leo addressed a week-long public dispute with the U.S. administration that has consumed international headlines.
More than 61% of the lower 48 United States is experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, including 97% of the Southeast and two-thirds of the West, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. This represents the highest levels of drought for this time of year since the monitor began recording data in 2000. Meteorologists said the severe spring conditions raise concerns about an intensified wildfire season, western water shortages, and rising food prices.
A federal appeals court on Friday temporarily halted a lower court's order blocking above-ground construction on President Trump's $400 million White House ballroom, allowing work to resume while the court scheduled a full hearing for June.
Beef tallow moisturizers and salmon sperm facials are gaining popularity among consumers seeking natural alternatives to synthetic skin care products, even as dermatologists and cosmetic chemists say these products lack robust medical evidence of effectiveness. The products, which range from balms made from organ fat of beef cattle to treatments administered at high-end spas, are increasingly available on social media, at farmers' markets, and through online retailers. Some experts attribute their rise partly to growing consumer concerns about chemicals in personal care products and messaging from the Make America Healthy Again movement that emphasizes natural foods and products.
The Dominican Republic and Haiti agreed Friday to reopen their shared airspace in May, restoring direct flights between the neighboring Caribbean nations after a closure spanning more than two years. The agreement permits connections between three Dominican airports and Cap-Haïtien, Haiti's northern port city. The decision followed bilateral talks focused on border control, surveillance, migration, and trade.
The door that once led to a family room now faces nothing but the void. For Syed Murtaza Sadar, a 25-year-old business owner in Kabul, this empty space represents the cost of Afghanistan's capital city's infrastructure ambitions. Two months before speaking to reporters, municipal authorities arrived to expropriate his home, the barber shop and public bath his family had operated for years, and ordered him to finish demolishing it himself. Over the past four and a half years, Kabul's Taliban-led municipal government has expropriated 11,278 properties across the capital to make way for wider roads, constructing roughly 450 kilometers (280 miles) of roadway as part of a modernization campaign that is rapidly reshaping the city.
A life jacket worn by Laura Mabel Francatelli, a first-class passenger aboard RMS Titanic, sold at auction on Saturday for 670,000 pounds ($906,000), far exceeding the presale estimate of 250,000 to 350,000 pounds. Francatelli wore the flotation device as she escaped the doomed ocean liner on a lifeboat and signed it along with other survivors from the same boat. The artifact sold to an unidentified telephone bidder at Henry Aldridge & Son auctioneers in Devizes, western England.
Oil prices plummeted Friday after Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz is open again for commercial shipping, sending U.S. stocks to record highs and suggesting the grinding Iran war may be nearing an end. The S&P 500 jumped 1.2% to an all-time high, the Dow surged 1.8%, and the Nasdaq climbed 1.5%. Oil futures for U.S. crude dropped 9.4% to settle at $82.59 per barrel, while Brent crude fell 9.1% to $90.38.
The Supreme Court unanimously sided with oil and gas companies on Friday, ordering a Louisiana environmental lawsuit back to federal court after a state jury ordered Chevron to pay more than $740 million for coastal damage. Writing for an 8-0 court, Justice Clarence Thomas found the lawsuit was related to companies' World War II efforts to supply aviation fuel for the U.S. government and should be heard in federal court.
Pope Leo XIV on Friday urged Cameroon's young people to resist the temptation to migrate and instead work to combat corruption plaguing their country, telling students and faculty at the Catholic University of Central Africa that morally upright citizens are essential to halt the continent's decay. "Africa, indeed, must be freed from the scourge of corruption," Leo said during a Mass and university meeting in Yaounde, highlighting two of the central problems facing the continent: the corruption that perpetuates poverty and the brain drain of talented citizens who leave rather than challenge the system at home. The Pope's visit marks his first extended engagement in the world's second-most populous continent, coming as young Africans increasingly face the choice between staying in countries ruled by aging leaders with entrenched power and seeking opportunity abroad.
Wyoming residents and tribal and state officials are urging time to evaluate nuclear energy and spent-fuel storage as federal efforts accelerate and developers consider new projects. The discussion follows Wyoming’s 2022 carveout that allows spent nuclear fuel from in-state plants, but some communities say the window for debate is narrowing as regulators and industry move faster.
Air Canada will suspend service between Toronto and Montreal and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport for nearly five months beginning June 1, the Montreal-based carrier said Friday, as jet fuel prices that have doubled since the start of the war in Iran render certain routes unprofitable. Flights to JFK will resume Oct. 25. Service to LaGuardia and Newark airports will continue.
A Massachusetts judge on Friday blocked turbine manufacturer GE Renewables from terminating its contracts with the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm, ruling that the company must continue providing installation and maintenance services. Judge Peter Krupp granted Vineyard Wind's request for a preliminary injunction after the developer argued that losing the manufacturer would devastate the project at a critical phase.
President Donald Trump and Iran's foreign minister announced Friday that the Strait of Hormuz was fully open to commercial vessels after nearly seven weeks of war, sending oil prices down 10% and stock markets rallying. But motorists hoping for relief at the pump will likely wait weeks or months, as gasoline prices historically fall far more slowly than the crude oil that powers them.
Congress and the White House are moving to regulate prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket over concerns that the platforms enable insider trading and war profiteering. The push comes after reports of highly profitable bets placed on military and geopolitical events, including bets on when a U.S. airman downed in Iran would be rescued and on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's ouster.
The Trump administration has effectively halted two federal programs that helped American farmers pursue renewable energy, leaving hundreds of projects stalled and forcing farmers to abandon or defer plans to cut electricity costs through solar installations. Within the first year of President Donald Trump's second term, the Rural Energy for America Program—which has distributed over $1.8 billion in grants since its inception nearly two decades ago—has stopped awarding grants, and the federal clean energy tax credit has been restructured with tighter deadlines that solar developers say are nearly impossible to meet.
The Associated Press reported Friday that some newly hired U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers began work before completing background checks and had financial, legal and employment issues in their histories. The AP said it found examples by reviewing LinkedIn disclosures and public records, and that the agency keeps the identities of employees shielded from public view.
New Jersey Transit will charge World Cup fans $150 for a round-trip train ride to MetLife Stadium from Manhattan — nearly 12 times the regular $12.90 fare for the roughly 9-mile trip. The agency announced Friday that the elevated fare was necessary to cover the $62 million cost of transporting fans to the stadium in East Rutherford for eight World Cup matches beginning June 13, with federal grants defraying only $14 million of that expense.
Floodwaters pushed Michigan's Cheboygan Lock and Dam to the brink of collapse Thursday — climbing within five inches of the crest — threatening downtown Cheboygan with potential evacuation while evidence emerged that local, state and federal officials had known for years of critical safety deficiencies at a privately owned hydroelectric facility connected to the public dam. The hydroelectric plant — which the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said accounts for about 30% of the Cheboygan River's flow to Lake Huron — has been nonfunctional since a fire closed it in September 2023.
Ford is recalling approximately 1.4 million F-150 pickup trucks in the United States because of a gearshift defect that can cause unintended downshifts and loss of vehicle control. The recall, announced April 17, affects F-150 light trucks with six-speed automatic transmissions manufactured between March 12, 2014 and August 18, 2017. Ford is aware of 444 warranty claims and 105 customer service reports potentially linked to the issue, along with two reported injuries and one accident possibly connected to the defect.
President Donald Trump presented renderings of a $400 million White House ballroom featuring hand-carved Corinthian columns on Air Force One, drawing Democratic comparisons to Marie Antoinette and concerns among some Republicans that his focus on grand architectural projects distracted from voter priorities ahead of November's midterm races.
Union leaders representing nearly 34,000 New York City apartment building workers announced Friday that they had reached a tentative contract agreement with building owners, averting a strike set to begin at midnight Monday. The strike would have been the first in 35 years.
An analysis by the Flatwater Free Press shows Nebraska has lost an estimated 70,000 jobs relative to its regional competitors since 2010, marking a sharp reversal for a state once recognized nationally for creating jobs. The decline became visible last month when Site Selection magazine, an economic development industry publication, failed to list Nebraska in its top 10 development states—the second consecutive year the state missed the ranking. State business leaders and economists attribute the drop to a combination of workforce shortages, lack of affordable housing, and reduced state focus on economic development initiatives.
Mississippi retailers are struggling with severe delays in wine and liquor deliveries from the state's monopoly distribution system, with some orders taking up to 17 days to arrive as of mid-April. The backlog, which emerged in January when the state's 40-year-old warehouse transitioned to a new inventory system, has left shop owners dealing with dwindling inventory and reduced sales as they wait for restocked shelves.
The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday calling for a 12-month moratorium on providing water to data centers. The move aims to slow development of a $1.2 billion computing facility jointly planned by the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
A UPS cargo plane aborted its landing at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport early Tuesday morning after a small aircraft crossed the runway as it approached, federal authorities said. Air traffic control audio captured a controller directing the small plane, identified as Skylab 25, to stop before ordering the UPS aircraft to perform a go-around maneuver. No one was injured in the incident, which occurred around 12:10 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Federal officials on Thursday ordered airlines to cut roughly 300 flights per day from Chicago O'Hare International Airport's schedule on the busiest summer days, capping operations at a maximum of 2,708 flights to head off what regulators said would be severe delays. The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration announced the directive after airlines filed expansion plans that would have pushed peak-day operations to more than 3,080 flights — a 14.9 percent increase over the prior summer — at an airport already contending with taxiway closures for ongoing construction. The flight limits take effect May 17 and run through Oct. 24.
An Associated Press investigation has found that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hired thousands of new officers and special agents with questionable qualifications during an unprecedented hiring spree to carry out President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign. The agency, which received a $75 billion congressional windfall, prioritized rapid recruitment over verification, resulting in the hiring of applicants with histories of financial distress, failed police academies, and prior misconduct allegations.
An 85-year-old French widow who married a retired U.S. soldier decades ago has returned to France after spending 16 days in federal immigration custody. Marie-Thérèse Ross was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on April 1 for overstaying her 90-day visa, though she was in the process of applying for a green card. An Alabama judge found evidence that her stepson, a U.S. federal employee, may have used his position to trigger her detention amid a dispute over her late husband's estate.
Illinois's first-in-the-nation law banning credit card interchange fees on the tax and tip portions of consumer transactions faces a coordinated industry repeal campaign, a threatened federal preemption order and a pending appeals court ruling — all converging before the law's July 1 effective date. The Electronic Payments Coalition, representing banks, credit unions and card companies, has run a seven-figure advertising campaign warning of "credit card chaos" if the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act is not repealed. The Illinois Retail Merchants Association called those warnings a "complete fabrication," saying compliance requires nothing more than a software coding change.
Air New Zealand will begin offering passengers on its longest flights the chance to sleep in bunk beds — a first for economy-class travelers. Starting in November, the airline will operate six pod-style berths arranged in a triple-bunk configuration on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft serving the 16- to 18-hour Auckland-to-New York route, one of the world's longest commercial flights.
QVC Group, owner of home shopping network pioneer QVC and HSN, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas comes as the company faces declining sales from consumers shifting to livestream shopping on TikTok and online marketplaces like Shein.
Colombia’s environment minister, Irene Vélez Torres, said the war in the Middle East should speed the global energy transition away from oil, gas and coal. Speaking to The Associated Press on Thursday, Vélez argued that instability in energy markets creates pressure to accelerate efforts toward solar, wind and geothermal instead of delaying them.
A federal judge on Thursday blocked above-ground construction of a planned $400 million White House ballroom, ruling that the Trump administration's claim that the entire project qualifies as a national security measure is "neither a reasonable nor a correct" reading of his earlier order. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said that below-ground work on a bunker and other security facilities at the site may continue, but that the ballroom's surface structure may not.
Russia fired nearly 700 drones and dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles at Ukraine on Thursday, killing at least 16 people and wounding more than 100 others in one of the worst aerial assaults of recent weeks, Ukrainian authorities said. Strikes hit the capital Kyiv, the southern port city of Odesa, and the central Dnipro region. The attack came days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy completed an urgent 48-hour diplomatic trip to Germany, Norway, and Italy to press European allies for additional air defense systems, as Ukrainian officials acknowledged that stocks of advanced interceptor missiles are running low.
Asia-Pacific stocks traded mixed Wednesday as a Wall Street rally helped set a steadier tone, while oil prices slid slightly on hopes that the United States and Iran could resume talks to end their war. The easing in crude prices also fed through to bond markets, with the 10-year Treasury yield falling.
China’s economy expanded 5% in the first quarter from a year earlier, according to data released Thursday by the Chinese government. The growth came as the Iran war, now in its seventh week, pushed energy prices higher and worsened inflation, analysts said. Officials also reported March industrial output rose 5.7% year-on-year and retail sales rose 1.7%.
President Donald Trump is making a rare trip to Las Vegas for a midterm-election message focused on tax cuts he signed into law last year, including a proposal he says makes tips tax-free. In interviews and remarks in Nevada, he and supporters tied the benefits for tipped workers to broader affordability concerns, even as higher gas prices—linked to the Iran war—have undercut household budgets.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell to 207,000 for the week ending April 11, the U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday, signaling steady layoffs despite broader economic uncertainty. The Labor Department also said the four-week moving average of jobless claims rose by 500 to 209,750. The latest reading comes as Iran’s war with the U.S. threatens to roil oil prices and the broader economy.
WASHINGTON — Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, said Thursday she met with Kevin Warsh, President Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, and urged him to release more detailed financial information than was included in disclosure forms released earlier this week. Warsh declined, Warren said, adding that the refusal "frankly, raises more concerns." The Banking Committee is scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing on Warsh's nomination next week.
Denis Sassou N'Guesso was sworn in Thursday to a new five-year presidential term in the Republic of Congo, extending a 42-year rule that ranks him among Africa's longest-serving heads of state. The inauguration took place before a packed stadium in Kintélé, a town north of the capital, Brazzaville.
Local governments across California are scrambling to respond to a major state housing law, Senate Bill 79, which takes effect July 1 and requires more transit-area zoning for mid-rise apartments near rail, subway and some bus stops. With the deadline approaching, cities from Los Angeles to San Francisco are weighing options such as using state-written delay provisions, drafting their own zoning alternatives, or moving to adopt changes quickly.
International Energy Agency Director Fatih Birol warned Thursday that Europe had "maybe six weeks" of remaining jet fuel supplies as the Iran war's continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz cut off roughly 40% of the continent's jet fuel imports, with some countries already holding less than 20 days of coverage. The warning came as Iran's foreign minister said tankers and other commercial vessels could again pass unimpeded through the strait — briefly lifting oil markets — but President Donald Trump said the United States would continue its blockade of Iranian ships entering or leaving the waterway until Washington and Tehran reached a deal to end the war, which began Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel attacked Iran.
The S&P 500 rose 0.3% to 7,041.28 on Thursday, its 11th gain in 12 sessions and a second consecutive all-time closing high, as better-than-expected corporate earnings helped Wall Street hold its footing despite continued uncertainty over the Iran war. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 115 points, or 0.2%, to 48,578.72, and the Nasdaq composite closed at 24,102.70, according to the Associated Press.
The U.S. military expanded its blockade of Iran beyond Persian Gulf ports Thursday to allow forces worldwide to stop any ship tied to Tehran or suspected of carrying supplies — from weapons and oil to metals and electronics — that could aid the Iranian government, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, announced at the Pentagon. U.S. forces in other areas of responsibility "will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran," Caine said.
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned two sons of Nicaragua's copresidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo on Thursday, along with officials and companies tied to the country's gold industry, saying they help sustain a government the department described as repressive. Maurice Ortega and Daniel Edmundo Ortega, both government officials, were the highest-profile individuals named in the action. Nicaragua's government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Thousands of New York City apartment building workers voted Wednesday to authorize a potential strike, setting up what could be the first building service walkout in 35 years. Contract negotiations between 32BJ SEIU and building owners have stalled over health insurance premiums and new hire pay classifications, with the current contract set to expire at midnight Monday. A strike would disrupt services for an estimated 1.5 million residents across the city, according to the union.
The U.S. Department of Transportation said in a federal court filing Thursday that it has completed its review of the Second Avenue subway project and will resume reimbursing New York transit officials for construction costs, ending a seven-month funding freeze that state officials had challenged in court. The $7.7 billion expansion is building new stations northward along Manhattan's Upper East Side toward the Harlem neighborhood, with the federal government covering approximately $3.4 billion of the total cost.
The Trump administration is pressing foreign governments to back a "Trade Over Aid Initiative" at the United Nations, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordering all U.S. diplomats to recruit high-level support ahead of a formal UN introduction scheduled for the end of April, according to a diplomatic cable obtained by The Associated Press. The United Nations warned Wednesday that trade and investment must not be used to replace principled humanitarian assistance.
The Associated Press reported Friday that some newly hired U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers began working before their full background checks were completed, and that several had problems in their financial, legal and employment histories. The investigation traced details through public records for more than 40 officers who posted their new jobs online and analyzed what the agency and the Department of Homeland Security said about vetting. ICE has said it keeps employee identities shielded to protect them from harassment.
BBC said it plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs to save about 10% of its annual budget over the next two years, with the bulk of cuts aimed at the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2027. The cuts, announced during a call with staff, are the biggest at the U.K. public broadcaster in more than a decade, interim Director-General Rhodri Talfan Davies said.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is seeking delays to state climate goals, arguing that implementing key clean-energy requirements now could raise energy prices for families. The move comes as several Democratic governors and lawmakers across the Northeast weigh affordability agendas against emissions-cutting targets.
QVC Group, the West Chester, Pennsylvania, company that owns home shopping networks QVC and HSN, disclosed plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in an annual report filed this week with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company said it has reached a restructuring agreement with creditors and intends to file in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. QVC Group said it aims to emerge from bankruptcy before the end of summer, though it cautioned that its access to funding is difficult to predict.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani earned $1,643 in music royalties from his early rap career in 2025, according to tax filings shared with reporters Thursday. The 34-year-old Democrat, who performed under the names "Young Cardamom" and "Mr. Cardamom," saw only a modest increase from $1,267 in royalties the year before. Mamdani joked that New Yorkers wanting to improve his bottom line should "go to Spotify," adding: "A lot of people say they're listening. They're not listening."
The U.S. Forest Service has proposed creating a Tri-Forest Federal Sustained Yield Unit that would direct three Montana national forests to supply local businesses with at least 35 million board feet of timber per year, invoking an 82-year-old federal law in a bid to stabilize the state's faltering logging sector. The agency unveiled the proposal last month, citing the recent closure of the Pyramid Mountain Lumber sawmill in Seeley Lake and the shuttering of the Roseburg Wood Products facility in Missoula as evidence of the industry's vulnerability. The proposal drew mixed reactions at a Forest Service public hearing in Helena.
A federal jury in New York found Wednesday that Live Nation Entertainment ran a harmful monopoly over large concert venues across the United States, handing a victory to more than 30 states that pressed ahead with an antitrust trial after the Trump administration reached a separate settlement with the company. The jury found that Ticketmaster, Live Nation's subsidiary, overcharged customers $1.72 per ticket in 22 states — an amount a judge could order the company to repay, potentially costing Live Nation hundreds of millions of dollars. Live Nation said Wednesday that the verdict "is not the last word on this matter."
OpenAI said Thursday it is redirecting resources from consumer products toward corporate clients and a forthcoming enterprise-grade AI model, citing sharpening competition with rival Anthropic for business accounts. Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar said business customers now account for about 40 percent of OpenAI's revenue, up from roughly 20 percent when she joined the company in 2024, and she expects them to reach half of all sales by year's end. The shift arrived the same day both companies released new AI models, escalating a race that each firm says it is winning.
Reed Hastings, the cofounder and chairman of Netflix, will leave the streaming company's board of directors in June when his current term expires, Netflix said Thursday. Hastings, who served as Netflix's chief executive for more than two decades before stepping down in 2023, said he plans to focus on philanthropy and other pursuits.
A longtime Drug Enforcement Administration informant was sentenced Wednesday in Austin, Texas, to time served after pleading guilty to failing to report $3.8 million in DEA payments on his federal tax returns. Andres Zapata, 48, a Colombian-American dual national and professional money launderer, received the sentence as part of a cooperation agreement in a decade-long investigation into agent misconduct, according to two people not authorized to discuss the inquiry who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
PepsiCo said Thursday that Gatorade, the 61-year-old sports drink it owns, is pivoting away from its core athletic identity to target everyday consumers seeking hydration benefits such as electrolyte replacement. The announcement came as unit sales of sports drink mixes rose nearly 20 percent in the year ending March 22, according to market research firm Circana, while bottled water sales were flat in the same period. New product packaging will highlight the science behind Gatorade's lineup, and a new drink blending glycerin and electrolytes is planned for release in 2027.
The U.S. cattle herd has fallen to its smallest size in more than 75 years, and ranchers say the conditions needed to reverse that decline are not in place — leaving ground beef near all-time highs at American grocery stores. The average price of all uncooked ground beef reached $6.86 per pound in March, according to federal data, just 3 cents below the record set in February and up nearly 48 percent from March 2021. Persistent drought across cattle country, a livestock border closure with Mexico, and the steep costs of expanding operations are each working against a quick rebound.
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday it will withhold more than $73.5 million in federal funding from New York state after the state refused to revoke 32,606 non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses issued to immigrants that a federal audit found had significant problems. More than half of the 200 licenses reviewed during the audit had serious deficiencies — including licenses that remained valid long after the holder's authorization to be in the country had expired — according to the department.
Autism spectrum disorder affects roughly 1 in 45 adults in the U.S., yet many autistic workers report burning out in jobs where their communication styles and sensory needs go unaddressed. In April, workplace inclusion experts and people on the autism spectrum outlined practical, low-cost accommodations that help autistic employees contribute at their fullest — changes that benefit neurodivergent and neurotypical workers alike.
A Kaua'i nonprofit has built a community-driven map of coconut rhinoceros beetle infestations across the island, documenting feeding, breeding, and treatment sites as the invasive pest reaches Moloka'i for the first time and is rediscovered on Maui. The project, called Niu Ola Kauhale and led by E Ola Kākou Hawai'i, received a $25,000 county innovation grant and draws on a network of district leaders practicing traditional Hawaiian observation methods to gather data that state agencies lack the staffing to collect.
Sama, a technology company that has faced litigation in Kenya over the treatment of African content moderators, announced Thursday it will lay off 1,108 workers at its Nairobi office after Meta issued formal notice ending a major service engagement. Sama said it received notice from Meta to terminate the contract and had issued a layoff notice covering all affected employees. The company said it was "actively supporting affected employees with care and respect."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday suspended the federal fuel excise tax in his first act after securing a majority government, citing sharp fuel-price increases linked to the Iran war. The suspension starts next Monday and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, told a House budget committee Wednesday that expanding the U.S. defense industrial base will require a large upfront investment, defending the White House's proposal to increase defense spending to nearly $1.5 trillion in the next fiscal year — up more than 40 percent from the nearly $1 trillion allocated this year.
Convenience retailer 7-Eleven expects to close hundreds of its North American stores in fiscal 2026, according to earnings filings published last week. The company’s North American operator plans to shut 645 locations during the fiscal year, compared with forecasts to open 205 stores, including conversions to wholesale fuel outlets.
A New York jury found Wednesday that entertainment giant Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary maintained a harmful monopoly over major concert venues, delivering a significant legal defeat to the company that dominates live entertainment ticketing in the United States. The jury, which deliberated for four days, found that Ticketmaster's anticompetitive practices caused concertgoers in 22 states to pay an extra $1.72 per ticket.
U.S. jobless-claims applications fell last week, signaling layoffs remained relatively restrained even as the Iran war and higher energy costs cloud the economy. For the week ending April 11, applications for unemployment benefits dropped by 11,000 to 207,000, according to the Labor Department.
Shares in Asia were mixed Wednesday after a Wall Street rally that tracked easing oil prices, as traders looked to hopes the United States and Iran may resume talks to end their war. Oil prices edged down, led by lower Brent, while investors watched for signs of diplomatic progress. The shift came alongside new comments by President Donald Trump about extending a ceasefire with Iran.
U.S. stocks rallied to the edge of an all-time high Tuesday, as oil prices eased on hopes the United States and Iran could pursue a new round of talks to end their war. The S&P 500 added 1.2% and was 0.2% below its January record, while the Dow rose 0.7% and the Nasdaq climbed 2%, following gains in markets worldwide.
China’s economy expanded 5% year over year in the first quarter, according to data released Thursday, as the country largely shrugged off early effects from the Iran war. The government’s January-March figures came in stronger than economists expected, and officials and economists said the outlook depends on whether higher energy prices and weaker global demand persist.
Powerball will expand this summer to include players in England, Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom, in a move designed to grow larger jackpots, the Multi-State Lottery Association said. The agreement announced Tuesday between the Multi-State Lottery Association and Allwyn UK still must be approved by a U.K. gambling commission.
The International Monetary Fund warned Tuesday that the Iran war has stalled the world economy’s momentum and likely pushed growth lower compared with 2025. The IMF cut its forecast for global growth for 2026 to 3.1%, while raising its outlook for global inflation to 4.4%, citing sharply higher oil and gas prices. The fund also warned that if energy shocks spill into next year, global growth could fall further.
Geneva hosts the annual Watches and Wonders fair starting Tuesday, but the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran has added uncertainty for the luxury watch industry, Swiss analysts say. The conflict has contributed to higher energy prices, disrupted air travel and shipping, and renewed inflation pressures that can affect demand for high-end timepieces, according to reporting ahead of the show.
U.S. wholesale prices rose in March as the Iran war pushed up energy costs, according to Labor Department data. The producer price index climbed 0.5% from February and 4% from March 2025, with energy prices up 8.5% from February. The report further complicates the Federal Reserve’s effort to manage inflation while President Donald Trump has pressed for lower interest rates.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said Tuesday it prevented an imminent shutdown after a nonprofit journalism operation agreed to buy the struggling newspaper, highlighting a broader shift as advertising and circulation revenues decline. The Associated Press also reviewed other newspaper deals in which nonprofit news organizations moved to keep papers alive.
Maine's Democratic-controlled legislature approved a bill Tuesday that would impose a yearlong moratorium on large data centers, sending what would be the nation's first statewide pause on the energy-hungry facilities to Gov. Janet Mills for her signature. The measure follows intense community backlash against proposed projects in Maine and escalating concerns about electricity costs, potential blackouts, and water consumption tied to the AI-driven surge in data center construction.
President Donald Trump is campaigning in Las Vegas for the 2026 midterm elections, telling tipped workers that tax breaks he signed last year are leaving “more money in their pockets.” The pitch comes as many residents say higher gas prices have eroded that relief during the war involving Iran, which the White House links to the elevated fuel costs.
Serbia will jointly produce combat drones with Israel, President Aleksandar Vucic said in remarks reported by the Serbian state-linked Tanjug news agency. The plan is aimed at strengthening Serbia’s military and boosting domestic weapons production, with Yugoimport SDPR set to open a drone plant with Israel’s Elbit Systems, Serbia’s BIRN reported.
Bank of America and Morgan Stanley on Wednesday reported sharply higher first-quarter profits, as market turmoil fueled in part by the ongoing war in Iran drove surging activity on Wall Street trading desks. Morgan Stanley posted a record quarter across its entire business, with net income of $5.6 billion and earnings per share of $3.43 — both up 30% from the same period last year. Bank of America's trading desk did not record a single daily loss during the quarter, its best equity sales and trading performance in the bank's history.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Wednesday that the United States would impose secondary sanctions on financial institutions doing business with Iran, calling the planned economic measures the "financial equivalent" of the military bombing campaign. The announcement came as a U.S.-Iran ceasefire was set to expire the following week, with negotiations over a broader agreement still unresolved. The Treasury Department had sent letters a day earlier to financial institutions in China, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, warning them that handling Iranian money could subject them to U.S. sanctions.
The U.S. Navy's sea blockade against Iran showed early signs of effectiveness Wednesday, with the head of U.S. Central Command saying American forces have "completely halted economic trade going in and out of Iran by sea." Shipping data firms confirmed that Iran-linked or sanctioned vessels leaving the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz have turned around or halted, though some appeared to manipulate their location signals. Iran's joint military commander warned that Tehran would move to block all exports and imports across the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if Washington does not lift the blockade.
Nearly 200 organizations called Wednesday on the Trump administration and Puerto Rico's governor to restore $350 million in federal funding for rooftop solar and battery systems, warning that low-income families dependent on medical equipment face potentially fatal consequences from chronic power outages as Atlantic hurricane season approaches. The letter, addressed to Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, was released as a May 9 deadline nears — the date at which a solar installation program that has left 12,000 low-income families in limbo will formally expire.
The New York Islanders solicited fan donations via a jumbotron display during Tuesday's home game against the Carolina Hurricanes for former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran, who was sentenced last week to three to nine years in prison for manslaughter in the 2023 death of a Bronx man. The promotion, organized by the Sergeants Benevolent Association, featured Duran's photograph, a QR code directing fans to his legal defense fund, and a message urging them to join "the fight for justice." The team also directed a quarter of proceeds from a 50/50 raffle — which took in $44,890, according to the Islanders' website — toward the cause, the union said.
Hawaiian Electric’s proposed upgrade of its Waiau power plant on Oʻahu is at the center of a new dispute after a shadowy commenter raised that the site is now in a federally designated 100-year flood zone. The utility says its facilities sit above floodwaters, but the Public Utilities Commission is expected to revisit questions about whether the change could affect building permits, federal funding and cost increases for ratepayers.
A ballot proposal that would reduce Massachusetts' state income tax rate from 5% to 4% has pitted business coalitions against union leaders and Democratic lawmakers, with both sides projecting sharply different consequences for the state's roughly $61 billion budget. The measure remains before the Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions and has not been certified for the November ballot. House Speaker Ron Mariano said raising other taxes is a possibility if voters approve the question, but recently indicated he is open to negotiating a compromise with the committee that organized it. The committee said it is open to that idea.
Illinois's Legislative Audit Commission refused Tuesday to accept a state Department of Corrections audit that found 40 failures — including a decade-old overtime scheme that cost the state $150 million in fiscal year 2024 — and ordered the agency to return with answers on its remediation progress. The bipartisan commission, which reviews audits of state agencies, questioned Corrections Director LaToya Hughes over findings that auditors said had persisted in some cases since 2014 despite repeated departmental commitments to address them. "There is literally nothing that you guys can say that I would believe," commission co-chair Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said. "And honestly, it's about the safety of people in the state and the safety of the men and women that work there."
Roblox will pay more than $12 million to Nevada and add new safety protections for minors after the Nevada attorney general reached a settlement this week with the popular gaming platform, the Associated Press reported. Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford said the agreement is intended to create safer conditions for children online. The settlement also comes amid lawsuits in other states accusing Roblox and other platforms of failing to protect children.
Banks reported another quarter of strong profits, helped by a resilient U.S. economy and dealmaking in investment banking, but executives cautioned that higher oil prices could weigh on consumers and that geopolitical uncertainty could slow growth later in 2026. JPMorgan Chief Executive Jamie Dimon said the bank’s outlook reflects “an increasingly complex set of risks,” including wars and energy prices, and the firm slightly lowered its full-year profit forecast.
Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen urged the company’s owner, The Magnum Ice Cream Co., to sell Ben & Jerry’s, calling Magnum a barrier to the brand’s social activism. Cohen made the remarks Tuesday in Burlington, Vermont, as Ben & Jerry’s marked its annual Free Cone Day.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright raised eyebrows Tuesday after remarks at a groundbreaking for a natural gas pipeline project included a line suggesting the United States was going “in the wrong direction.” In what Energy Department officials later said was an editing issue, the department posted excerpts that did not include the comment.
Hampshire College, a small liberal arts school in western Massachusetts that counts filmmaker Ken Burns among its alumni, said its Board of Trustees voted to close after the fall semester. The school cited “increasingly complex” financial pressure and said efforts including enrollment growth, refinancing debt, and new revenue from land sales fell short.
The Environmental Protection Agency is considering reclassifying chemical plastic recycling facilities as manufacturers rather than incinerators under the Clean Air Act, a move environmental advocates say would immediately eliminate federal air pollution controls at those sites and expose surrounding communities to toxic emissions. The agency has solicited public comment on a potential rule that would shift pyrolysis plants — which use heat to break down plastics — out of Clean Air Act Section 129, which limits emissions of nine air pollutants including toxic particulates, heavy metals, and dioxins, the Associated Press reported April 15.
Walmart announced Wednesday it will redesign packaging across its Great Value store brand — 10,000 products in all — placing nutritional information in a standardized location and updating product photography to make items more visually appealing. The overhaul is the brand's first full redesign in more than a decade, and new packaging will begin appearing on store shelves next month, according to Scott Morris, senior vice president of Walmart's U.S. private brands division. The changes affect packaging only; the products inside remain unchanged.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed Wednesday allowing New York City to impose a tax surcharge on second homes worth more than $5 million, a measure her office projected could raise at least $500 million annually as Mayor Zohran Mamdani works to close a multibillion-dollar budget gap. Hochul, a moderate Democrat who has repeatedly resisted calls for broad tax increases on the wealthy, framed the proposal as a targeted compromise — hitting absentee luxury property owners rather than raising personal income or corporate rates.
A federal judge on Wednesday extended a halt on work to convert an 825,000-square-foot Maryland warehouse into an immigrant detention facility, issuing a preliminary injunction that will remain in place until the state's lawsuit is resolved. The Department of Homeland Security purchased the building near Hagerstown for $102.4 million in January and had planned to house between 500 and 1,500 detainees there. The ruling limits contractors to only minor work — fence installation and heating and cooling upgrades — while the case proceeds.
Wednesday, April 15, is the federal tax filing deadline for 2025 returns in the United States, and taxpayers who cannot finish in time have until midnight to request a six-month extension that pushes the filing due date to Oct. 15, the Internal Revenue Service said. The extension grants extra time to file — not extra time to pay. Filers who owe taxes must still submit an estimated payment by Wednesday to avoid penalties and interest, the IRS said.
Federal regulators have proposed designating Vermont's Champlain Valley as an American viticultural area, a move that would allow local winemakers to mark their bottles with a federally recognized regional label and require that nearly all grapes used in such wines be grown within specified boundaries. The U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau published the proposed rule, which covers land between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains, stretching from Rutland County to the Canadian border. A public comment period is open until May 26 before federal officials make a final determination.
WASHINGTON — More than 53 million Americans filed returns claiming at least one new provision from Republicans' tax and spending law by Wednesday's Tax Day deadline, according to a Treasury Department official who spoke on condition of anonymity to preview the figures, as IRS data showed the average refund reached $3,462 — up 11%, or about $346, from the prior year's $3,116 average but below the $1,000 increase the White House projected at the start of the filing season.
The White House’s Economic Report of the President says the United States faces a shortage of about 10 million houses, and it argues regulatory changes could spur construction to help stabilize home prices and support faster economic growth. The analysis, which is part of the report released Monday, also describes housing as a potential political message ahead of an expected midterm season for Republicans.
Asian shares were mixed Wednesday as oil prices eased on hopes the United States and Iran may resume talks to end their war. The move followed a Wall Street rally and comes as President Donald Trump said he is extending the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan’s request while waiting for a “unified proposal” from Tehran.
China’s exports grew 2.5% in March from a year earlier, a sharp slowdown from the prior two months, according to data released by China’s customs agency. The Associated Press reported the increase came as uncertainties tied to the Iran war began to affect energy prices and global demand, and as tariffs and U.S.-China tensions continued to strain shipments to the United States.
Midwest soybean farmers have faced persistent financial headwinds in recent years that tariffs and the war in the Middle East have intensified, according to reporting by Lee Enterprises and The Associated Press. The two outlets cited rising operating costs such as seed, pesticide and land rents, along with low soybean prices and export disruptions tied to tariffs and global trade. They also linked the Iran war’s impact on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to higher fertilizer and fuel costs.
More than 1,000 workers protested Monday outside Haiti’s Sonapi industrial park in Port-au-Prince, demanding increases to the minimum wage as surging oil prices and higher fuel costs strain household budgets. Employees said they have not received raises since 2023 and that higher diesel and gasoline prices make it harder to afford basic goods.
El precio del petróleo retomó su escalada y la mayoría de los mercados globales bajaron el lunes mientras el ejército de Estados Unidos se preparaba para bloquear el tráfico hacia y desde puertos iraníes y el estrecho de Ormuz. El presidente Donald Trump anunció el plan de bloqueo naval tras concluir conversaciones de alto el fuego con Irán en Pakistán sin acuerdo. En ese contexto, el crudo estadounidense subió 7,4% y el Brent también ganó alrededor de 7,4%, mientras varias bolsas europeas y asiáticas retrocedieron.
China could see commercial opportunities from the Iran war as global energy disruptions speed up a shift toward clean technologies and renewable power, experts said. Asia-bound oil and gas disruptions have strained supplies and raised fuel prices in the U.S. and Europe while countries scramble to conserve energy. China leads global exports of batteries, solar components and electric vehicles, and investors are already positioning for higher demand for low-emissions products.
A portion of the nation’s drinking-water systems have reported trouble maintaining recommended fluoride levels amid disruptions to the supply chain tied to the Middle East war, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies said. Fluoride is used to help prevent tooth decay, and some utilities have lowered levels as a result. Dentists and public-health experts said people in affected areas should keep brushing with fluoride toothpaste and maintain dental appointments.
President Donald Trump said a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports began Monday after talks aimed at a ceasefire ended without a deal, raising questions about how the U.S. would enforce restrictions near the Strait of Hormuz and whether the tactic can withstand scrutiny under international law. Experts said enforcing a blockade would require sustained Navy resources, clear guidance for how restrictions would work in practice, and decisions about whether humanitarian relief can reach Iranian ports.
US stocks rallied Monday and recovered the last of their losses tied to the U.S.-Iran war, as investors weighed signs of restraint against lingering risks to global crude flows. The S&P 500 rose 1% and was back to its pre-attack level, while oil prices pared their earlier gains after weekend ceasefire talks failed.
The American Postal Workers Union plans to launch a national TV ad campaign promoting voting by mail, stepping into a debate that has been fueled by President Donald Trump’s attacks on mail ballots. The 30-second spot, sponsored by the 200,000-member union, begins airing this week in Ohio and then expands to other states. The campaign comes as Trump signed an executive order aimed at creating a nationwide list of verified eligible voters and restricting postal workers from sending absentee ballots to those not on each state’s approved list.
President Donald Trump said he tipped a DoorDash driver $100 after the driver delivered McDonald’s to the Oval Office on Monday, part of an effort by the White House to highlight a federal tax break for tips ahead of Tax Day. Trump made the moment public as media cameras rolled and invited the driver, Sharon Simmons, to stand beside him for questions.
The White House’s Council of Economic Advisers estimates the United States has a shortage of 10 million homes, according to a report in the Economic Report of the President released Monday. The analysis says regulatory cuts could help boost construction, stabilize home prices and expand home ownership. It also lays out a political messaging challenge for President Donald Trump as Republicans prepare for a difficult midterm season.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a probe into Lululemon over whether the company’s athletic clothing contains PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals.” Paxton said the inquiry will examine Lululemon’s “restricted substances” list, testing protocols and supply-network practices. Lululemon said it stopped using PFAS in early 2024 and is cooperating with the investigation.
Powerball is expanding into England, Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom this summer, with the jackpot prize to be shared between the U.S. and UK players. The change was announced Tuesday in an agreement between the Multi-State Lottery Association and Allwyn UK, but it still requires approval by a U.K. gambling commission.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette owner Block Communications said Tuesday it has found a last-minute buyer that will keep the newspaper open, about two weeks before it was due to shut down. The buyer, the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, said it will continue print editions on two days each week and operate a website on other days.
U.S. stocks surged, nearing all-time highs on Tuesday, while oil prices declined. Market optimism grew amid renewed hopes for talks between the United States and Iran to end their ongoing conflict.
Los Angeles Unified avoided a planned strike that would have disrupted schooling for nearly 400,000 students in Southern California after a last-minute agreement was reached with support staff, the district and SEIU Local 99 said. SEIU Local 99 announced on social media that it reached a tentative deal with “major gains,” and the district said the sides were working to finalize details so schools could remain open Tuesday.
A federal policy shift is pushing utility-scale solar deadlines forward, but some counties still restrict projects on farmland. In Canfield, Ohio, Wayne Greier said local officials blocked a proposal for a solar farm on his acreage in 2023, costing him a projected $540,000 in annual lease payments.
Rocky Mountain Power, the state’s largest utility, has updated its long-range planning to flatline future wind and solar additions across multiple states, including Wyoming, from 2027 through 2045. The company said the shift is driven by a July 4, 2025 repeal of major parts of the Inflation Reduction Act, which it said phases out tax benefits for renewables. A Sierra Club organizer criticized the plan, saying it creates uncertainty for developers even as utilities can revise their forecasts.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haití — Para familias en Haití, el alza de precios del combustible está empujando a recortar aún más una alimentación ya limitada, mientras la violencia de las pandillas complica el transporte de mercancías. En Puerto Príncipe, vendedores, trabajadores y conductores describieron cómo la gasolina, el diésel y el queroseno más caros elevan el costo diario de vivir y reduce sus opciones. El gobierno de Haití anunció el 2 de abril aumentos de 37% en el diésel y de 29% en la gasolina, y organismos humanitarios advirtieron que el impacto podría agravar una crisis de hambre.
On a sweltering afternoon in Havana, dozens of commuters gathered at the entrance of the Havana Bay Tunnel waiting to ride the Ciclobús—an underwater bus built to carry both passengers and their bicycles or motorcycles through the tunnel. The service has grown essential as Cuba’s fuel crisis limits gasoline supplies and disrupts public transportation.
U.S. existing home sales fell 3.6% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million units, the National Association of Realtors said April 13. Despite easing mortgage rates earlier this year, the housing market’s spring pickup has lagged as mortgage costs rose in March and consumer confidence stayed weak, according to the Realtors’ chief economist.
Apple stopped selling the iPod about four years ago, but secondhand sales have surged as consumers turn to the device for distraction-free listening. The comeback is driven in part by younger users who want to avoid algorithm-driven playlists and reduce smartphone dependence, according to CCS Insight. In the U.S. and abroad, refurbished-iPod sellers and marketplaces have reported rising demand for older models.
OSHA has cited three subcontractors for safety violations connected to the July 21, 2025, death of a worker building Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas. A federal watchdog group said one of the companies was owned by a donor to President Donald Trump, and OSHA declined to cite the prime contractor tied to the fatal incident.
The Associated Press reports that Donald Trump’s family business has expanded abroad and into cryptocurrency ventures during his second term, raising conflict-of-interest questions about whether policy decisions could benefit the Trump Organization and its investors. The AP describes deals involving government-linked entities in Qatar, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia, as well as sales and investments tied to World Liberty Financial, Binance and other crypto projects.
Port-au-Prince, Haiti — Rising fuel costs tied to the war in Iran are forcing Haitians to cut back on already scarce food and rely more on walking and other coping strategies as transportation becomes more expensive, an Associated Press report said. The Haitian government announced April 2 fuel price increases, and humanitarian groups warn the changes risk worsening acute food insecurity and strain aid delivery amid gang violence.
U.S. stocks rose toward an all-time high Tuesday as oil prices eased amid hopes the United States and Iran could try again on talks to end their war. The rally followed gains for stock markets worldwide as diplomats worked through back channels to arrange a new round of talks, and as investors looked to upcoming corporate profit growth.
Midwest soybean farmers are battling a perfect storm of higher fuel, fertilizer and equipment costs, lingering tariffs from the Trump administration and the Iran war’s disruption of global fertilizer shipments, all while soybean prices stay suppressed by a global supply glut.
China’s exports rose 2.5% in March from a year earlier, a sharp slowdown from January and February as uncertainty linked to the Iran war weighs on energy prices and global demand, data released by China’s customs agency showed Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. Imports surged 27.8% as China’s trade pattern shifts amid tensions with the United States and planning for a delayed China-U.S. summit meeting in May.
The world economy is experiencing a flashback to the 1970s as oil prices surge after the Middle East war, pushing up gasoline, diesel and jet fuel costs and raising fears of stagflation, the toxic mix of higher prices and slower growth. But economists say the damage may be more limited now than during the 1973 Yom Kippur War oil embargo because countries built cushions over subsequent decades, including fuel-efficiency gains, stockpiles and alternative energy sources.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said Sunday that Ireland will offer new fuel tax cuts in a bid to end blockades and protests over soaring pump prices that have roiled supply of fuel to stations across the country. Martin said the package, which totals 505 million euros ($592 million) and requires parliamentary approval, would build on a 250 million euro tax break approved nearly three weeks earlier.
Oil prices rose in early trading Sunday after the U.S. said it would enforce a blockade of Iranian ports beginning Monday. The U.S. Central Command said it would apply the measure “impartially” and still allow ships traveling between non-Iranian ports to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
A new Gallup poll finds that more American workers are experimenting with artificial intelligence on the job, including frequent use by about 3 in 10 employees. But the survey also shows widespread skepticism, with many non-users citing ethical objections, data-privacy worries, or a preference to stick with how they work now.
Miami officials said demolition experts used controlled implosion Sunday morning to demolish the former Mandarin Oriental hotel on Brickell Key, across from downtown, a human-made island at the mouth of the Miami River. The 23-story building collapsed in less than 20 seconds after blasts around 8:30 a.m., as residents within 800 feet were told to stay inside with windows and doors closed.
Workers at the Swift Beef Co. meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado, will return to normal operations after reaching an agreement with plant owner JBS USA following a three-week strike, JBS USA and labor officials announced Sunday.
The federal tax-filing deadline is Wednesday, when millions of Americans are expected to claim new federal income tax breaks for tips and overtime wages available under a wide-ranging tax law enacted by President Donald Trump. But workers in many states may not get the same deductions on their state returns because states decide whether to match federal changes.
Google said it is allowing U.S. users to change the Gmail address on their Google Accounts, after gradually rolling out the option in India. The company said the policy is meant for people who have outgrown awkward, embarrassing or nonsensical Gmail handles. Sundar Pichai said users will be able to “say goodbye” to older addresses tied to their account.
Rising car prices and financing costs are making it harder for some Americans to buy a second vehicle, even as consumer inflation remains elevated, the Associated Press reported. In interviews, buyers described stretched household budgets and a shift toward longer loans or used cars as sticker shock and higher monthly payments squeeze affordability.
The long-term fallout of the Iran war is playing out across multiple fronts as the U.S. and Iran move into face-to-face talks in Pakistan during a tenuous ceasefire. Associated Press reporting describes a Middle East left unsettled, alliances strained, and economic and military power shifting amid uncertainty about what a ceasefire can actually cover.
Freetown, Sierra Leone, is seeing a small but growing number of women enter the city’s male-dominated commercial transport sector as rickshaw drivers. Reporting from the main transit park, the Associated Press describes women using kekeh—motorized three-wheel vehicles—as a path to income and independence despite stigma and concerns about safety.
Midwest soybean farmers in parts of the U.S. say tariffs and the Iran war are squeezing already-strained family operations as input prices rise and export markets remain disrupted. Farmers described higher costs for fuel, fertilizer and equipment alongside low soybean prices tied to global supply. They said hope has followed a ceasefire announcement aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but uncertainty remains.
Drivers are seeking lower gasoline and diesel prices during the Iran war by stopping at tribally owned stations and convenience stores, where fuel-tax exemptions under federal Indian law can lower prices relative to nearby off-reservation locations.
A federal appeals court ruled Saturday that a judge overseeing a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s planned $400 million White House ballroom must reconsider how halting construction could affect national security. The D.C. Circuit panel said it lacked enough information to determine what parts of the project could be suspended without jeopardizing the safety of the president, his family, or White House staff.
Police cleared protesters and arrested some Saturday to reopen Ireland’s only oil refinery as a fifth day of fuel-price demonstrations led to major highway closures, vehicles stranded around Dublin, and shortages at gas stations.
Drought has threatened Ethiopia’s myrrh trees, a resin used in luxury perfumes and in local livelihoods, according to experts who visited harvesting sites in the Somali region. Researchers said trees are producing less resin and that fewer young trees are surviving as rainfall patterns fail and livestock graze near seedlings. The team also explored ways to connect harvesters directly to buyers to improve earnings and reduce the influence of middlemen.
The United Nations says the gap between rich and poor countries is widening as commitments agreed by many governments last year remain unfulfilled. The report was released ahead of spring meetings in Washington of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Gallup polling released in a report by the Associated Press shows more U.S. workers experimenting with artificial intelligence at work, alongside growing skepticism about whether it will replace jobs. The survey, conducted Feb. 4-19, 2026, finds that many employees say their organizations have adopted AI tools, with mixed views on productivity gains and on risks including data privacy.
March’s consumer inflation accelerated sharply to 3.3% year over year as gas prices surged after the Iran war, the U.S. Labor Department reported April 10. The increase complicates efforts by the Federal Reserve to keep inflation near its 2% target, while also straining household budgets and pushing down consumer sentiment.
U.S. Court of International Trade judges heard oral arguments Friday on an effort to overturn temporary global tariffs President Donald Trump imposed after the Supreme Court rejected his earlier emergency-powers approach. The tariffs, set to expire July 24, are being challenged by two dozen states and some businesses, who argue the government is relying on an authority Congress never intended to cover trade deficits.
Stocks slipped on Wall Street Friday as oil prices eased before planned U.S.-Iran talks following a shaky ceasefire agreement. The S&P 500 inched 0.1% lower, the Dow fell 0.6% and the Nasdaq rose 0.4%, while benchmark oil ended the session lower after days of volatility tied to the war’s impact on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Argentina’s Senate on Thursday approved a bill promoted by libertarian President Javier Milei that eases protections for glaciers, a move environmental groups say they will challenge in court. The legislation passed with 137 votes in favor, 111 against and three abstentions, and is expected to be signed by Milei in the coming days, according to the AP.
The U.S. Postal Service said it has told federal budget officials it will temporarily suspend employer contributions to Federal Employees Retirement System annuities to preserve cash amid an “ongoing, severe financial crisis,” while asking regulators to approve higher postage rates. USPS also seeks to raise the price of a First-Class Mail “Forever” stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents.
With a button press, workers descend hundreds of meters into Onkalo, Finland’s underground facility for permanently disposing spent nuclear fuel. After decades of construction, authorities are expected to grant a license within months, potentially making the site the world’s first operating permanent repository for commercial radioactive waste.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday that anti-drone lasers used for counter–UAS operations along the U.S. southern border are safe for commercial flights, after a review prompted airport airspace closures in Texas earlier this year. The FAA said it and the Defense Department signed an agreement outlining safety precautions for travelers, following a demonstration at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Lawmakers who questioned the Feb. uses said they still need detailed answers and a congressional briefing.
Millions of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians observed Good Friday on April 10 in Addis Ababa, with celebrations dampened by fuel scarcity and rising food prices tied to the Iran war, the Associated Press reported. The shortages are affecting travel and a traditional communal ritual involving the slaughter of animals, residents said.
Los Angeles needs more than 100,000 construction workers to help rebuild after the Palisades Fire and the Eaton fire, according to a state analysis discussed by CalMatters and reported by the Associated Press. Community colleges are expanding carpentry and related training programs to match demand, with funding that has started to reach campuses after recent awards.
The Trump administration has proposed weakening federal rules for handling coal-plant ash that can contain hazardous heavy metals and contaminate groundwater, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The proposal would ease monitoring near some ash sites and roll back requirements aimed at cleaning up entire coal properties, while also making it easier to reuse coal ash. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the changes reflect the agency’s commitment to “restoring American energy dominance” and “accommodating unique circumstances” at some facilities, while environmental and other groups warned the rule could increase the risk to water and human health.
The Trump administration temporarily blocked Minnesota’s wage floor for nursing home workers, delaying minimum pay requirements that were set to take effect Jan. 1. At a board meeting Thursday, Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board executive director Leah Solo said U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services restarted a 90-day review after requesting additional information.
Before and during his second term, President Donald Trump has pushed to keep coal plants operating, using emergency authorities and other government powers to delay retirements that utilities had planned under Biden-era climate rules, according to an Associated Press review of government data and interviews with experts. Opponents say the approach could raise electricity prices, worsen air pollution and slow progress on cutting greenhouse-gas emissions.
President Donald Trump unveiled plans for a new triumphal arch in Washington that would rise 250 feet and feature a winged figure holding a torch, along with golden eagles and four lions. The design, released by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, would place the arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, with the Latin mottos “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All” inscribed in gold.
Chicago’s teachers union wants the city’s public schools closed on May 1, arguing that educators should participate in May Day protests. The newly named Chicago Public Schools chief rejected the pitch, leaving families unsure how many schools will stay open.
Vineyard Wind, the developer of a Massachusetts offshore wind project, has sued GE Renewables seeking to stop the company from ending turbine services and maintenance contracts as of the end of April. The dispute follows a July 2024 blade failure that caused fiberglass fragments to wash onto Nantucket beaches and led to a settlement in which GE Vernova agreed to pay $10.5 million to compensate island businesses.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser on Friday unveiled what she called her last budget, proposing $21.2 billion in gross operating spending for the District of Columbia as she prepares to step down later this year. The plan prioritizes education and health care spending, including Medicaid, while proposing cuts to several areas such as funding set aside for future collective bargaining agreements and non-union pay increases.
Nevada’s largest electricity provider, NV Energy, says planned data-center expansions could multiply the power demand it must serve—potentially making it difficult to hit the state’s clean-energy targets. The utility warned that meeting the expected load growth may require more fossil-fuel generation, as lawmakers and environmental groups argue over whether data centers should bear the costs of new renewable power.
A key inflation gauge remained elevated in February, before the war in Iran spiked gas prices, a sign that everyday costs were already running high. The Federal Reserve-monitored measure rose 0.4% from January and was 2.8% higher than a year earlier, according to data released by the government on Thursday, with officials expecting March’s larger jump once the Iran-war fuel shock shows through.
President Donald Trump’s temporary global tariffs are back in court after the Supreme Court struck down his earlier attempt to impose broader tariffs using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and the Court of International Trade heard oral arguments on Friday. The dispute centers on whether the Trade Act of 1974 allows the president to use temporary, nationwide tariffs to address “trade deficits” through a provision aimed at “fundamental international payments problems.” The tariffs are set to expire July 24.
U.S. stocks rose Thursday, trimming losses after a volatile start, while oil prices pared gains amid optimism following a late-Tuesday ceasefire announcement in the war with Iran. The S&P 500 finished up 0.6% as investors weighed spillover risks after Israel’s prime minister authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon.
Texas produced nearly half of all U.S. oil last year, even as the state drilled fewer new wells in 2025, helping keep American supply steady as global flows were squeezed during the Iran war. A report from the Energy Information Administration said U.S. companies produced 13.6 million barrels per day in 2025, with 6.6 million barrels per day from the Permian Basin.
Tax refunds this season are up 24% compared with the four-year average of refunds before President Donald Trump took office, the Trump administration said Thursday, citing tax legislation signed into law last year. The Internal Revenue Service reported that the current average refund is $3,521, an 11% increase from last tax year’s $3,170.
Chinese passenger-car exports accelerated in March, an industry group said, with exports rising 82.4% year-on-year to about 748,000 vehicles. Exports of “new energy” passenger vehicles, including battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, jumped more than 140% to 363,000 units, while domestic passenger-car sales fell for a fifth straight month.
Phoenix-area voters have elected a new 8-6 board voting majority for renewable energy advocates at Arizona’s Salt River Project, according to results released this week, but the incumbents they beat kept the presidency and vice presidency.
Rising electricity costs are pushing some families in coal-rich West Virginia to the edge, with household bills sometimes outpacing rents and mortgage payments, according to reporting by the Associated Press. In Rainelle, W.Va., resident Rebecca Michalski said her February electric bill was $940.08 and that she has taken out loans after facing cutoffs. As President Donald Trump has promised to cut electricity bills, the article points to higher power prices nationally and to the state’s dependence on coal-fired generation.
Michigan officials say the state is using momentum from NASA’s Artemis II mission to seed its first Space Innovation Hub, aiming to connect and grow space-centered businesses across the state. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. is seeking proposals for the hub after a June 1 deadline, with up to $1.2 million budgeted for the first year. State leaders also described space commercialization—alongside defense needs—as a new driver for research, engineering and manufacturing work.
Union leaders, retirees and public-sector workers in Caracas marched Thursday toward the presidential palace demanding higher wages and dignified pensions, but police blockades halted the crowd. The protests came the day after acting President Delcy Rodríguez appealed for patience on national television as her government seeks to improve the economy.
Rising jet fuel prices tied to Middle East conflict and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz are pushing airlines to raise fares and fees while cutting or reshaping flight schedules, the Associated Press reported. Executives at major U.S. carriers said fuel swings make planning difficult even when prices fall, with added baggage charges and new pricing restrictions beginning to show up for travelers.
Leaders on the University of Wisconsin board of regents said Thursday they rejected fired system president Jay Rothman’s claim that he was “blindsided” by their decision to oust him, describing disputes over artificial intelligence and other issues as key factors. The regents voted unanimously with no public discussion after a closed-door meeting that followed Rothman’s Tuesday dismissal. Rothman, meanwhile, told The Associated Press that he was kept in the dark about the reasons for his firing.
U.S. stocks rose Thursday as oil prices trimmed earlier gains amid hopes for a ceasefire with Iran, even as Wall Street kept a close eye on uncertainty in the region. The S&P 500 finished up 0.6%, while the Dow added 275 points and the Nasdaq climbed 0.8%.
A federal trade court in New York heard oral arguments Friday in a new legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s temporary global tariffs. The case asks the U.S. Court of International Trade to overturn the 10% tariffs that Trump announced after the Supreme Court struck down his earlier, broader tariff plan.
Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez asked public and private sector workers in a televised address for patience as her government works to improve the economy. She promised a wage increase on May 1, while warning it would be designed to avoid an inflation surge like the one after the last minimum wage increase.
Oil prices fell below $95 a barrel and stock markets surged worldwide Wednesday after President Donald Trump pulled back from his threat to destroy Iran. The S&P 500 jumped 2.5%, the Dow rose 1,325 points, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 2.8% following a two-week ceasefire announcement made just before a deadline tied to the Strait of Hormuz.
The Federal Reserve’s officials have become more open to a possible interest-rate hike this year as higher gas prices tied to the Iran war risks keeping inflation elevated, minutes from the Fed’s March meeting show. The shift marks a change from roughly the past 18 months of the Fed leaning toward cuts or no change, the minutes and Fed’s policy statements indicate.
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits for the week ending April 4 rose to 219,000 from 203,000 the prior week, the U.S. Labor Department reported April 9. The increase was fueled in the near term by a shifting geopolitical backdrop after a two-week ceasefire announcement between Iran, Israel and the United States, but analysts said filings remained within a familiar range. Markets pulled back on April 9 after oil prices fell sharply following the ceasefire but rebounded amid skepticism about whether the deal would hold.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the International Monetary Fund warned Thursday that the Iran war is darkening the outlook for the world economy, even if a fragile ceasefire holds. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the fund will downgrade its forecast for global growth next week as energy costs rise and supply disruptions ripple across food and business confidence.
A group of new Polymarket accounts made time-sensitive bets Tuesday on whether the United States and Iran would reach a ceasefire shortly after Donald Trump issued threats over the Strait of Hormuz. An analysis of publicly available blockchain data shows at least 50 newly funded wallets placed substantial “Yes” bets before Trump announced the ceasefire.
Southwest Airlines is raising checked baggage fees starting this week, charging $45 for a first checked bag and $55 for a second, after ending its decades-old “bags fly free” perk last year. The airline linked the change to higher jet fuel costs tied to the Iran war and disruptions affecting global oil markets.
A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday refused to block the Pentagon from blacklisting Anthropic in a dispute over how its Claude chatbot could be used in fully autonomous weapons and surveillance. The ruling differed from a separate decision earlier won by Anthropic in a San Francisco case, where a judge ordered the Trump administration to remove a label branding the company a national security risk.
Michigan’s Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) business incentive program has generated “new” hiring, with state reports showing 1,846 jobs created in 2025 among 10 companies receiving about $1.74 billion in large taxpayer subsidies. The figures come as lawmakers, including Republicans and some Democrats, voted to remove SOAR funding from the 2026-27 budget and continued to question whether billions in incentives deliver enough return.
Chinese car exports accelerated in March, with an industry association reporting passenger-car shipments rose 82.4% year-on-year to about 748,000 vehicles. New energy passenger-vehicle exports, including battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, surged more than 140% to 363,000 units, as analysts said higher fuel prices tied to the Iran war could push some drivers toward EVs.
In Omaha, a sinkhole that swallowed vehicles on Pacific Street in February went viral, but city records show many cave-ins occur with little notice. City Engineer Austin Rowser said crews reported more than 2,100 cave-ins over the past five years, ranging from minor pavement dips to large collapses.
Texas cannabis businesses and hemp-industry groups sued Texas state agencies in Travis County to block new rules that they say effectively eliminate smokeable hemp products and raise licensing fees. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, seeks a temporary restraining order against the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
A subsidiary of a Hong Kong conglomerate has started arbitration against Maersk, accusing the Danish shipping and ports group of aligning with Panama in a scheme over the takeover of port operations on the Panama Canal. The claim was filed after Panama seized control of the Balboa and Cristobal ports following a Supreme Court ruling that found a concession allowing the Hong Kong operator unconstitutional, and after the government later moved to have Maersk and MSC take over the operations.
In an interview published Wednesday, Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he favors a national ban on online betting platforms, which he said have caused “a massive tragedy” for families by driving household debt higher. Lula, who is running for reelection in October, said any such move would require lawmakers’ approval.
Paramount confirmed Wednesday that longtime media executive Jeff Shell has “elected to transition” out of his roles as president and board member, while the company faces ongoing litigation related to Shell. The exit comes as Paramount continues efforts to take over Hollywood rival Warner Bros. Discovery, after Skydance’s acquisition closed last August.
Hundreds of workers, union members and opposition supporters marched in Dakar, Senegal, on Wednesday to protest what they said were broken government promises and rising living costs amid a severe debt crisis.
Oil prices plunged below $100 a barrel and Asia markets and U.S. stock futures rose after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to market data cited by The Associated Press. Futures for U.S. crude oil dropped 14.3% to $96.83 a barrel, while the Nikkei 225 and Kospi both climbed sharply.
A U.S. Army staff sergeant is trying to halt his wife’s deportation after federal immigration agents detained her inside a Louisiana military base, according to a report this week by The Associated Press. The case has drawn concern from military family advocates who say the detention is demoralizing and could disrupt troops’ readiness during wartime.
Madison, Wisconsin, regents fired Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman after a closed-door discussion, and he told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he was “blindsided” and was not given reasons. The regents have not publicly disclosed why he was dismissed, while Regent President Amy Bogost said the decision was about the future of the 13-university system. Rothman said he is unlikely to sue.
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits rose last week, reaching 219,000 for the week ending April 4, the Labor Department reported. The increase came as a two-week Iran-U.S. ceasefire lifted markets and helped pull oil prices sharply lower before investors recalculated the outlook. Economists say jobless claims remain a close-to-real-time read on layoffs, which continue to unfold in a still-cautious labor market.
In remarks ahead of the IMF-World Bank spring meetings, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the Iran war has darkened the world economy’s outlook and that the IMF will downgrade its global growth forecast next week. She said the war is pushing up energy prices, damaging energy infrastructure, disrupting fertilizer shipments, and hurting business and consumer confidence. Georgieva added that growth will be slower even if a ceasefire proves durable.
U.S. stocks rose Thursday as oil prices gave back some of their earlier gains, with traders pointing to optimism for a ceasefire in the war with Iran. The S&P 500 ended up 0.6%, the Dow added 275 points, and the Nasdaq rose 0.8%, even after early losses at the start of the session.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned in his annual shareholder letter that a lingering war in Iran could disrupt global energy markets and reignite inflation pressures. Dimon said inflation could act as a “skunk at the party,” potentially keeping Federal Reserve interest rates higher for longer. While he described the U.S. economy as resilient, he linked geopolitical turmoil to supply-chain disruptions and higher costs across parts of the economy.
The Universities of Wisconsin board of regents voted unanimously to fire system president Jay Rothman on Tuesday, effective immediately, after he declined an offer to resign quietly. Republican lawmakers criticized the decision as a “partisan hatchet job” and said they threatened to pursue action against regents not yet confirmed by the state Senate.
Hundreds of Cuban women rallied in Havana on April 7 to denounce a U.S. energy embargo and other measures they said have deepened the island’s crisis. The demonstration, led by officials from Cuba’s government and the Federation of Cuban Women, was held to honor Vilma Espín, a founder of the federation and a key figure in the Cuban revolution.
Delta Air Lines said it will raise checked baggage fees beginning Wednesday, moving most domestic and short-haul international passengers to $45 for a first checked bag, $55 for a second and $200 for a third. The carrier cited higher jet fuel costs linked to the war in the Middle East and said it is reviewing pricing across its business.
Iranians in Tehran prepared Tuesday for the possibility of power outages and broader attacks as U.S. President Donald Trump neared a deadline for a new deal that includes Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Three times a week, Asghar Hashemi undergoes dialysis treatment and said he fears his life would be at risk if power stations are knocked out.
Ukrainian forces operating from western Libya attacked a Russian-flagged liquefied natural gas tanker in the Mediterranean in early March, Libyan officials told The Associated Press. The officials said the Arctic Metagaz was badly damaged in a suspected sea drone strike near Maltese waters and later drifted off Libya after the crew was rescued. Russia blamed Ukraine and Ukraine said the proceeds from oil exports help fund Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Philadelphia officials said one person died and two others were missing and presumed dead after a partial roof collapse at a parking garage under construction at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Mayor Cherelle Parker said the stairwell roof collapse triggered a progressive collapse across seven levels, and search efforts continued as crews prepared to deconstruct the unstable structure.
Arizona lawmakers are considering a new package of bills aimed at mobile home residents, including measures that would limit what park owners can pass through for utility costs and add training requirements for park managers, according to stakeholders and bill summaries provided by the Associated Press. The proposals also include changes to rules on abandoned mobile homes, rental terms and administrative fees as the legislative session proceeds.
Texas cannabis businesses and hemp industry groups sued Texas state health agencies to block new smokeable hemp regulations that they say effectively eliminate natural smokeable hemp products and raise licensing fees. The plaintiffs asked a Travis County district court for a temporary restraining order, arguing the agencies rewrote statutory definitions of hemp set by the Legislature in 2019.
The Associated Press is offering buyouts to U.S.-based journalists as it accelerates its transition away from a newspaper-centric model and focuses on visual journalism and new revenue streams, particularly in artificial intelligence. The move comes as traditional newspaper revenue declines and the AP seeks to adapt to a changing media landscape.
Liberty Mutual Foundation, the nonprofit arm of insurer Liberty Mutual Insurance, announced Wednesday that it is establishing a $600 million endowment to support its grantmaking over the long term, even as companies and corporate philanthropy face tariff-driven uncertainty and tax changes. Melanie Foley, chair of the foundation’s board, said the foundation wants to keep offering nonprofits “sense of security” while remaining flexible to what partners need.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is advancing a proposal that would give tax credits aimed at boosting production of sustainable aviation fuel, with credits funded through a mechanism tied to diesel excise taxes. Supporters say the plan protects jobs and helps meet climate goals, while critics including UC Berkeley economists and the state’s nonpartisan legislative analyst warn it could raise gas prices and divert money from highway and local road maintenance. The proposal is expected to receive a final legislative hearing on Thursday.
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management is offering to buy Universal Music Group in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $64 billion, the company said April 7. The proposal would combine UMG with Pershing Square’s acquisition company SPARC Holdings, and Pershing Square said the combined company would be based in Nevada and move its stock listing to the NYSE. Ackman said UMG’s stock performance has lagged due to issues that can be addressed through the transaction.
An Omaha sinkhole went viral after a patch of Pacific Street collapsed in February, swallowing vehicles and alarming residents. City and geology officials said the city’s fine-grained loess soil and water leaks into sewer and storm systems can help create the underground voids that lead to cave-ins. They also said most reported cave-ins remain minor and that engineers have procedures for investigating and repairing the underground problem.
A new owner is reviving Wyoming’s Rock Shop Inn on South Pass, bringing back the saloon after years when the restaurant closed and the property was shut to the public. Anthony Prate and his father began a multi-year renovation after buying the 5-acre site, and Prate has now begun building a year-round hangout for locals and travelers.
Ford is recalling 422,613 vehicles because windshield wiper arms can break, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash, the company said. The recall covers certain 2021-2023 Ford Expeditions, 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigators, and 2022-2023 F-Series Super Duty trucks, Ford said.
In Oakland, a nonprofit has bought a 33-unit apartment building to create subsidized housing exclusively for teachers and other school staff, aiming to help educators stay near the classrooms where they work. The project, part of the Rooted program, began renting units immediately after the purchase this week.
Deere & Co. has agreed to pay $99 million to settle a class action accusing the company of monopolizing repair services by withholding repair software and limiting access to independent repair for farm equipment. The deal was filed in federal court in Illinois and still requires final court approval, according to the settlement terms described by The Associated Press.
Doctors say social media and aggressive advertising are pushing menopause and perimenopause products, from supplements to “light masks,” at a time when women are seeking help for symptoms such as hot flashes and sleep problems. In interviews, physicians urged people to talk with doctors about what has been proven to help and what could cause side effects.
Hennepin County Medical Center, Minnesota’s busiest Level 1 trauma hospital and safety-net provider, is facing the prospect of closure without state action, according to health care workers and county officials. Hospital leaders and union representatives said they expect a bill to be introduced at the Minnesota Legislature’s Capitol as soon as Tuesday.
El fabricante surcoreano Samsung informó que su aplicación de mensajería de texto “Samsung Messages” dejará de estar disponible en Estados Unidos en julio y recomendó que los usuarios cambien a “Google Messages” para mantener una experiencia de mensajería coherente en Android. En su sitio web, la empresa señaló que los teléfonos Samsung Galaxy usan el sistema operativo Android de Google y que la migración también daría acceso a funciones de IA de Gemini y a mensajería con RCS, incluidas funciones para compartir fotos de mayor calidad.
Southwest Airlines said it will limit passengers starting April 20 to carrying just one portable charger on flights, and will require that charger to stay accessible during the trip rather than in overhead bins or checked luggage. The airline said the change aims to reduce the risk of lithium-battery fires, which regulators say are increasing as more people carry rechargeable devices.
US stocks rose in cautious trading Monday as markets weighed President Donald Trump’s deadline to attack Iranian power plants and potential knock-on effects for oil supplies. S&P 500 climbed 0.4%, the Dow rose 0.4% and the Nasdaq gained 0.5%, with oil prices also ticking higher amid uncertainty after Iran rejected a ceasefire proposal.
Israel attacked Iran’s South Pars natural gas and associated petrochemical complex for a second time, the Associated Press reported April 6. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the target was a petrochemical plant at Asaluyeh on the Iranian side of the Persian Gulf field.
Beth Hammack, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, said Monday that an interest rate hike could become appropriate if inflation remains persistently above the Fed’s 2% goal. Hammack also said higher gas prices could eventually force the Fed to cut rates if the economy slows and unemployment rises.
A Russian drone attack on Odesa killed two women and a toddler, Ukrainian officials said, while Ukrainian long-range drones targeted Russia’s key Black Sea oil-export port. The fighting also included shelling and drones across southern and eastern Ukraine, with regional officials describing multiple civilian casualties and damage.
Two U.S. lawmakers visiting Cuba said they saw the effects of a U.S. energy blockade and called for a permanent solution to Cuba’s crises, Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Rep. Jonathan Jackson said after a five-day visit that ended Sunday.
The Associated Press said it will offer buyouts to an unspecified number of its U.S.-based journalists as it accelerates a shift away from a newspaper-first legacy and toward more video and new revenue sources. Julie Pace, AP executive editor and senior vice president, said Monday the work is intended to cut global staffing by less than 5% while keeping the AP in all 50 states.
Workers at the Swift Beef Co. meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado, ended their three-week strike on Tuesday after JBS USA agreed to resume negotiations. The strike, which began on March 16, was organized by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union, with workers seeking higher wages and better health care.
Activist investor Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management said it is offering to buy Universal Music Group in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $64 billion. The proposal would combine Universal Music with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings, an acquisition company approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2023.
Route 66 marks its 100th anniversary this year, with travelers from around the world still flocking to what many call the quintessential American road trip. The highway, now decommissioned as a federal route, still draws visitors to neon-lit towns, roadside food and motels, and preserved stretches from the Midwest to California.
The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents scheduled a Tuesday vote to consider firing system president Jay Rothman after he refused an offer to quietly resign, according to letters he sent to regents. Board of Regents President Amy Bogost said Rothman was not given notice and the process was not sudden, and Rothman has said he was not told the reason for the proposed ouster.
Manhattan tailor Kil Bae says customers increasingly seek custom alterations and resizing as fashion changes and weight-loss drugs drive demand for adjusted fits. But Bae, 63, is among a shrinking group of tailors, dressmakers and sewers as the occupation ages and has struggled to attract enough replacements, according to labor and fashion-industry experts.
San Marcos, California, is on track to meet state-mandated housing targets in three of four income categories, an outcome city leaders attribute to planning and negotiating with developers, according to an Associated Press report. The city is on pace in moderate and above-moderate categories, but has not matched targets for “very low” income housing, the report said.
Rising household electricity prices and debates over the role of data centers are reshaping low-profile races for utility regulators, with Arizona’s Salt River Project election and Alabama’s push to reshape the state Public Service Commission drawing national attention. The contests reflect broader questions about how to meet power demand for artificial intelligence and other uses without driving up bills for households.
Connecticut churches are pushing a bill that would speed up local approvals for affordable housing on land owned by religious organizations. The “Yes in God’s backyard,” or YIGBY, proposal would allow eligible projects to receive a 90-day “summary review” if they meet local zoning rules and keep at least 30% of units affordable.
DATONG, China — As China shifts its power generation away from coal and toward renewables, miners in coal-rich Shanxi are confronting uncertainty about what comes next. Some have found new work by leaning into a fast-growing tourism economy tied to the nearby Yungang Grottoes, while others say they lack the skills, earnings stability, and support needed to make a transition.
Centerville, a town of about 900 people in eastern South Dakota, has become known as a statewide leader in downtown redevelopment, fueled in part by a vacant building ordinance implemented in 2017. Town economic development coordinator Jared Hybertson said the policy uses a registration system, inspections, warning letters, threats of fines and eventual fines to prompt property owners to improve or sell. Local officials and business owners have used the ordinance’s leverage to buy, rehabilitate or tear down nearly a dozen deteriorated downtown buildings and bring in new shops and services.
Europe’s finance ministers from five countries are urging the European Union to impose an EU-wide windfall tax or “profit caps” on energy companies, warning that surging oil and gas prices tied to the Iran conflict will fuel inflation and strain households, according to a letter made public by Spain’s economy minister. Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said Saturday that his counterparts from Germany, Italy, Portugal and Austria had signed the letter to the European Commission.
Rising mortgage rates due to the war in Iran are impacting the housing market, even as other trends create a more favorable environment for homebuyers. Increased energy prices are Heightening inflation concerns, which are pushing up Treasury bond yields and, subsequently, mortgage rates.
The Trump administration urged a federal appeals court to pause a judge’s order that temporarily halted White House ballroom construction, arguing the shutdown poses national-security risks for President Donald Trump and his family. In a filing, National Park Service lawyers said materials planned for the project would create a “heavily fortified” facility that is safer than current conditions at the open construction site.
The Associated Press said Monday it is offering buyouts to an unspecified number of its U.S.-based journalists as it accelerates a shift away from its newspaper-focused history. The AP said it is becoming more focused on visual journalism and is developing new revenue sources, including deals and investments tied to artificial intelligence.
The union representing thousands of workers at a Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley, Colorado, said Saturday that employees will halt a three-week strike and return to work Tuesday morning after JBS USA agreed to resume negotiations. JBS USA said it is preparing to ramp up operations at the plant next week.
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management has offered to buy Universal Music Group in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $64 billion, according to the company. The plan would combine UMG with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings, an acquisition company approved by the SEC in 2023.
European finance ministers led by Spain urged the European Union to impose a bloc-wide windfall tax on energy companies, warning that oil and gas price surges tied to Iran war could stoke inflation. Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said the ministers had signed a letter to the European Commission dated Friday and made public Saturday, arguing the burden should be shared fairly. The ministers cited earlier EU “solidarity” measures and warned that households could face renewed strain as disruption threatens fuel markets.
Mortgage rates rose this week to 6.46% amid the economic fallout from the war with Iran, raising costs for homebuyers just as other housing trends favor them this spring. The increase followed a move from just under 6% in late February and is tied by lenders to higher costs for U.S. borrowing. Real-estate agents say the buyer leverage that usually comes with slower sales and more inventory can still show up as sellers compete on price and concessions.
Workers at Swift Beef Co. in Greeley, Colorado, agreed to return to work Tuesday and halt a three-week strike after JBS USA agreed to resume contract negotiations, union representatives said Saturday. The walkout began March 16 as thousands of workers sought higher wages and improved health care, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7.
European finance ministers from five countries are urging the European Union to impose an EU-wide windfall tax or profit cap on energy companies, warning that surging oil and gas prices tied to the Iran war could fuel inflation and strain households. Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said the group has asked the European Commission to create a “similar EU-wide contribution instrument” like one used during the 2022 energy-market turmoil after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
President Donald Trump has proposed $1.5 trillion for defense in his 2027 budget, released Friday, setting up a potential clash with Congress as he pairs the increase with cuts to domestic programs. The White House says the request would raise Pentagon funding by about 44% and reduce non-defense spending by 10%.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani held a series of “rental rip-off hearings” for tenants to air complaints directly to housing officials — including, at times, the mayor himself — AP reported April 3. At the Bronx event, residents described problems ranging from mold and rat infestations to long elevator outages and said they struggle to identify who owns their building.
Wall Street was closed for Good Friday, but U.S. stock futures edged lower early Friday after a strong March jobs report. Futures for the S&P 500 fell 0.3%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2% and Nasdaq futures slipped 0.4%, while energy markets were also closed after sharp gains the prior day on worries the Iran conflict could last longer.
The Trump administration has asked a federal appeals court to pause a judge’s order that halted construction of a new White House ballroom valued at $400 million, arguing the stop would create national-security risks. The request asks the appeals court to act by Friday and to extend a temporary 14-day pause while the case moves through higher courts.
American employers added 178,000 jobs in March, a rebound from February’s losses, the U.S. Labor Department reported April 3. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3% as the labor force shrank, the department said.
Mortgage rates have climbed since the start of the war with Iran, adding to housing costs even as other parts of the market give buyers more negotiating power this spring, the Associated Press reported. As lenders adjust prices tied to the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield, the typical 30-year mortgage rate rose from just under 6% in late February to 6.46% this week, Realtor.com and Redfin data show.
Rural hospitals across the U.S. are warning that a new $50 billion federal program meant to transform rural health care will not prevent closures as Medicaid cuts squeeze their budgets, the Associated Press reported. In Nebraska, patients and state officials say the program’s innovation focus may not address immediate operating shortfalls tied to Medicaid funding reductions.
Georgia lawmakers spent months considering ways to curb the impact of data centers on electricity rates and local taxes but largely left the status quo in place as the 2026 session ended Thursday, according to the Associated Press. With elections approaching, activists and Democrats say the resulting anger could influence races for the Georgia Public Service Commission and the governor’s office, and help Democrats gain ground in the state House.
Workers at the Swift Beef Co. meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado, will return to work Tuesday after a three-week strike ended with an agreement to resume negotiations, according to union officials and JBS USA. The walkout began March 16, and the union said it pressed for higher wages and better health care while accusing the company of unfair labor practices.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has terminated nearly $9 million in farm-grant contracts awarded through a Biden-era program, affecting projects on the Blackfeet and Rocky Boy’s reservations in Montana and leaving tribes and nonprofits scrambling to restructure plans. Officials at the Piikani Lodge Health Institute and the Chippewa Cree Tribe said the cancellations threaten agricultural training and land-acquisition efforts.
A Republican legislative leader criticized efforts by the University of Wisconsin system’s board of regents to remove President Jay Rothman, saying the board is threatening to fire him without explaining why. In letters to regents obtained by The Associated Press, Rothman said the board was trying to force him to resign or face dismissal. Regents declined to comment.
United Airlines said most customers will pay $10 more to check a bag beginning Friday, with the first checked bag priced at $45 on eligible routes. The airline also announced a tiered fare system in premium cabins, introducing a new base option alongside standard and fully refundable fares.
New research and reporting on sand sourcing in Massachusetts show how beach “nourishment” projects can depend on material taken from cranberry bogs, drawing complaints from people living near excavation sites. In Cranberry Village in Carver, residents living near a sand excavation site owned by A.D. Makepeace say sand dust and noise have become a public-health and quality-of-life concern.
Canton Lutheran Church in Canton, South Dakota, received a total of $22,500 from South Dakota gaming proceeds to restore its stained-glass windows, and the church earlier received more than $185,000 from the National Trust for Sacred Places. Congregation members say the funding will help complete the “Restoring Radiance” campaign, which aims to restore all of the sanctuary’s century-old stained glass.
Regulators in the U.S. and the states of Montana and Wyoming are seeking public comment on the proposed Bridger Pipeline Expansion, a project intended to move Canadian crude from the border in Phillips County, Montana, to a terminal near Guernsey. The 30-day public scoping period began this week, with officials planning multiple public meetings as the federal review evaluates environmental and community impacts.
The Trump administration said it is combining two offshore drilling agencies created after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill into a single unit under the Department of the Interior. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the change would streamline offshore oil and gas permitting while keeping existing regulatory protections and safety standards.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that could impose up to 100% tariffs on some patented pharmaceuticals from companies that do not reach “most favored nation” pricing deals with his administration. The order also sets a schedule under which companies that start onshoring patented drug production and ingredients in the U.S. may face lower initial duties that rise over time, the Associated Press reported.
Stocks shook off early losses to finish Thursday with slim gains and their first winning week since the start of the Iran war, as crude prices pushed higher following a late Wednesday national address by President Donald Trump. U.S. oil rose above $110 a barrel and traders weighed how higher energy costs could keep inflation elevated and complicate hopes for interest-rate cuts.
President Donald Trump said Thursday he will soon sign an order to pay all Department of Homeland Security employees who have gone without paychecks during the record-long partial government shutdown that has reached 48 days. His move bypasses Congress, but funding gaps for some DHS work likely remain into next week as House leaders consider a Senate-backed plan they had rejected.
The president of the University of Wisconsin system, Jay Rothman, said regents have told him to resign or be fired, but he has been given no reasons and will not step aside. Rothman told the Associated Press that he has refused to resign in letters to regents, including one to board president Amy Bogost dated March 26.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week to 202,000, the Labor Department reported. The decline came as layoffs remained sparse even as uncertainty about the war with Iran has pushed up energy costs. The government also said the previous week’s total rose to 1.84 million filings.
Oil prices surged after President Donald Trump promised to hit Iran “extremely hard,” and U.S. gas prices have followed, topping $4 a gallon in the AAA average. Gas station operators say the biggest drivers of the pump price—wholesale costs and taxes—largely sit outside their control.
President Donald Trump, addressing the nation Wednesday night, said he had ended Iran’s government and denied that the U.S. was facing inflation, while also discussing energy prices and investments. A review by the Associated Press identified multiple statements Trump made that overstated or misrepresented economic conditions, Iran’s leadership, and the scale of protest deaths in Iran. The fact check comes as U.S. gas prices remain elevated and inflation persists.
Russia plans to send a second oil tanker to Cuba, the country’s energy minister said Thursday, citing the island’s ongoing energy blockade. The announcement came days after a sanctioned Russian tanker docked in Matanzas with 730,000 barrels of oil, the first tanker to reach the island in three months. In Havana, hundreds of people staged a protest against the U.S. embargo as Cuban officials watched.
Britain convened diplomats from 41 countries to discuss how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian attacks nearly halted shipping through the vital oil route, a development Britain said has contributed to global fuel and food price spikes. U.S. officials did not attend the virtual meeting, which Britain said would focus on political and diplomatic efforts rather than military action.
A drone maker backed by President Donald Trump’s two oldest sons is pitching its defensive interceptors to Gulf countries that are being targeted in the Iran war. Powerus, a Florida-based company, said it is demonstrating its technology in the region as it pursues sales while the U.S. military—overseen by Trump—leads the defense.
President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom won final approval Thursday from the National Capital Planning Commission, days after a federal judge ordered a halt to construction unless Congress allowed what would be the biggest structural change to the White House in more than 70 years, according to the Associated Press. The commission voted 8-1, with two commissioners voting present and one absent, and said the judge’s ruling affected construction activities but not the planning process.
The Trump administration has scaled back plans to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, proposing an agency that would be smaller than under President Joe Biden but also larger than a version Trump initially envisioned. The plan would reduce authorized staff from 1,700 to about 550, and would likely require a federal judge to approve changes amid a lawsuit by the bureau’s employee union.
U.S. egg prices are much lower than last year heading into Easter and Passover, after falling about 60% from record highs reached in 2025. The drop is linked largely to bird flu’s impact on poultry supplies earlier in the year, along with industry rebuilding of egg-laying flocks and changes in egg imports.
McDonald’s is revamping its McValue value menu, replacing the current system with a simplified lineup of 10 items that start under $3 beginning April 21. The menu includes breakfast options and select lunch and dinner items priced under $3, the company said Tuesday.
Michigan’s prisons have expanded access to academic and vocational programs, with state data showing about 4,000 inmates completed education or job-training programs last fiscal year—up 66% from about 2,400 in 2020. The Michigan Department of Corrections said about 11,000 of the state’s roughly 33,000 prisoners participated in programs last year, as the state partners with colleges and universities and uses restored Pell Grants for incarcerated students.
A growing number of Americans are “unretiring,” taking gig jobs or other contract work after decades in careers, citing rising living costs and insufficient retirement savings. In reporting from Plainview, New York, drivers and pet-care workers describe flexibility and social contact alongside limited job protections and income volatility.
Tribal leaders meeting at the Indian Gaming Association’s annual convention in San Diego this week criticized prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket, arguing they could undermine the federally regulated space tribal casinos have built in the U.S. David Bean, chairman of the Indian Gaming Association, said the platforms amount to “unlawful gambling dressed up as finance.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused China of “bullying” by detaining or impeding dozens of Panama-flagged ships for inspections in Chinese ports, after Panama seized control of key canal terminals this year. Panama says the detentions reflect routine maritime safety practices, while China denies the allegations and says it will protect Chinese companies’ rights.
The federal government sued Connecticut, Arizona and Illinois, challenging those states’ efforts to rein in prediction market operators such as Kalshi and Polymarket, the Associated Press reported Thursday. State regulators have issued cease-and-desist orders and, in Arizona, prosecutors filed criminal charges, while federal regulators argue the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has exclusive oversight.
The Vermont Labor Relations Board has ordered Gov. Phil Scott’s administration to rescind a requirement that state employees return to their physical offices three days per week, according to the board’s Wednesday decision. The board said the administration refused to bargain in good faith and interfered with employees’ exercise of rights by requiring employees to work in person.
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell to 202,000 for the week ending March 28, a Labor Department report showed Thursday, keeping layoffs relatively sparse. Jobless claims have been mostly in a tight band for months, even as higher energy costs linked to the Iran war add pressure to households and businesses.
In February, U.S. retail sales rose as shoppers increased spending before gasoline prices surged amid the attacks on Iran. But with the Iran conflict beginning Feb. 28 and disrupting oil supplies, retailers and economists said higher fuel costs could start weighing on consumer sentiment and discretionary spending.
Stocks surged worldwide on Wednesday as oil prices fell, driven by renewed hopes that the war with Iran could end soon. The move came after President Donald Trump said late Tuesday that the U.S. military could end its offensive in two to three weeks, though Iran’s foreign ministry quickly rejected his claim.
Some state leaders have floated temporarily suspending or reducing motor fuel taxes as gasoline prices rise amid the war in Iran, but several states are hesitant to cut the revenue that helps pay for roads and bridges. Georgia and Utah have already moved to suspend or trim their gas taxes, while other states have raised questions about how much motorists would actually see at the pump and whether governments could replace the lost money.
Donald Trump on Tuesday criticized allies who he said have not done enough to support U.S. military action against Iran, telling them to “go get your own oil” and saying protecting the Strait of Hormuz “isn’t our business.” He also told reporters the U.S. could end its offensive in “two or three weeks,” with responsibility for keeping the vital waterway open falling on the countries that depend on it.
The U.S. lifted sanctions on Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, according to a U.S. Treasury notice. The change, announced April 1, allows Rodríguez to work more freely with U.S. companies and investors.
Colorado recorded its worst snowpack since statewide recordkeeping began in 1941, and hydrologists say the early, low mountain snow leaves less water for the drought-stricken US West. The findings come as cities announce new restrictions and ranchers weigh earlier feed cuts, while states negotiate new rules for managing Colorado River shortages before current agreements expire in September.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said his office persuaded a securities firm to refund $6.7 million to investors who lost money in an alleged $156 million Ponzi scheme tied to First Liberty Building & Loan.
Maine’s real estate transfer tax, which funds affordable housing initiatives, is projected to rise in the coming years, and lawmakers are now debating whether to steer more of the money toward homeless shelters. The tax rate changed for properties sold after Nov. 1, 2025, expanding revenues as Maine’s home prices climbed, state forecasts show.
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Armenia’s government on Wednesday that it cannot simultaneously pursue European Union membership and remain in Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union customs arrangements. In talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Moscow, Putin said Russia is “absolutely calm” about Armenia’s efforts to deepen ties with the EU, but argued that it is “impossible” to be in both a customs union with the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union.
A lawyer who sued an upstate New York airport after it rejected her small ad for a sexual-harassment law firm said the message is now displayed at Syracuse Hancock International Airport in a much larger format. Megan Thomas, who argued the refusal violated her First Amendment rights, said a federal judge ruled against the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority and the parties later reached a confidential settlement.
The San Francisco-based Trust for Public Land says it has agreed to buy the 161-acre Golden Gate Fields site on the Berkeley-Albany border and transfer it to the East Bay Regional Park District. The track closed in 2024, and the deal—valued at $175 million with a $20 million district contribution—would convert the former horse-racing venue into a new bayside park, according to officials and the trust.
Gas prices have risen in recent weeks, and Edmunds has seen shoppers show increased interest in hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles. For buyers looking to go fully electric without paying new-vehicle sticker shock, Edmunds says a 3-year-old EV can be cheaper than its gas counterpart thanks to depreciation.
Apple marked 50 years since Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded the company on April 1, 1976, a Silicon Valley start-up that evolved into a global technology and pop-culture force. The Associated Press traced Apple’s path from early experimental machines to the world-changing iPhone, including a return to Jobs in the late 1990s and a rapid run of products afterward.
Brazil’s banks will be required to verify satellite-based deforestation data tied to properties before approving rural credit, starting Wednesday, according to a rule approved in December. The new requirements use a government registry of areas flagged for potential illegal deforestation after July 31, 2019.
Hershey said it will shift to classic recipes for all Reese’s products starting next year, after criticism from Brad Reese, the grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Hershey said that move includes products now made with a coating containing less chocolate. The company also outlined other recipe and business changes in its sweets portfolio for next year, including transitioning to natural colors and boosting research and development.
Elon Musk’s space company SpaceX has filed preliminary paperwork to sell shares to the public, according to two sources familiar with the filing. The offering could raise as much as $75 billion and value all SpaceX shares at about $1.5 trillion, potentially putting Musk near or over $1 trillion, the sources said. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
President Donald Trump has tried to reassure financial markets as the Iran war drags on, aiming to prevent oil prices from surging, stocks from falling and interest rates from spiking. An Associated Press analysis says his approach has increasingly relied on public remarks and social-media posts meant to influence trading expectations, even as economists and officials warn that volatility tied to the conflict is persisting.
U.S. stocks rallied Tuesday to what the Dow described as its best day since last spring, with the Dow rising 1,125 points as investors shifted from doubt to hope about a possible end to the war with Iran. The S&P 500 jumped 2.9%, its largest gain since May, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 3.8%, alongside lower oil prices and falling Treasury yields.
US applications for unemployment benefits fell to 202,000 for the week ending March 28, the U.S. Labor Department reported April 2. The decline came as layoffs remained sparse even as uncertainty tied to the Iran war raised costs, with the March jobs report due the next day.
TOKYO — Business sentiment among major Japanese manufacturers rose to 17 in March from 16, according to a Bank of Japan quarterly survey released Wednesday. The improvement came even as companies reported growing concerns about economic growth and oil supplies tied to the war in Iran.
US gas prices jumped past $4 a gallon on Tuesday for the first time since 2022, according to AAA, as the Iran war pushed fuel prices higher worldwide. The motor club said the national average for regular gasoline was $4.02, more than a dollar higher than before the war began Feb. 28. Analysts warned the rise could feed into other costs as diesel and transportation costs increase, while attention remains on the Strait of Hormuz.
Cubans will get two new high-denomination banknotes beginning Wednesday as Cuba tackles the day-to-day disruptions of inflation, the Associated Press reported. The notes from Cuba’s Central Bank—2,000 and 5,000 Cuban pesos—are intended to make cash transactions easier and reduce cash-handling costs amid the crisis, AP said.
Financial markets have been whipsawed by the war in Iran, driving sharp moves in oil, gasoline prices, and U.S. interest rates as investors adjust expectations for inflation and Federal Reserve policy. The AP reported that Brent crude rose above $100 per barrel for the first time since summer 2022, while gasoline prices surged and the 10-year Treasury yield jumped in late February before easing.
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to suspend construction of a $400 million ballroom at the White House after the administration demolished the East Wing to make space for it. The order, issued Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, bars work from proceeding without congressional approval.
South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a fuel levy cut Tuesday, but motorists still rushed to buy fuel ahead of record price increases taking effect at midnight. Diesel will rise by 7.51 rand ($0.44) and gasoline by 3.06 rand ($0.18), the highest on record, after the Iran war drove up risks for global energy markets and added pressure on domestic fuel prices.
The Iran war is complicating global shipping and raising expenses for small business owners across the United States, according to interviews with multiple operators. Small exporters and retailers described rerouted shipments, tighter capacity, and higher insurance costs after the Strait of Hormuz became effectively closed. They said the pressures are arriving after pandemic-era disruptions and could intensify if the conflict lasts for months.
President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post Monday that the United States would respond to the prospect of no war-ending deal “shortly” and a failure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by “blowing up and completely obliterating” Iran’s energy infrastructure, potentially including “all desalinization plants.” Analysts said any attack on water facilities could spread harm across the water-starved Middle East, where desalination supports populations in the Persian Gulf, and they warned retaliation could drive the biggest danger.
Gas prices have risen sharply in recent weeks, squeezing workers who use their own cars, vans or trucks to earn income. An Associated Press report described Uber and delivery drivers, housekeepers and pet-care workers in the United States dealing with higher fill-up costs while many say their pay is not adjusted for gas.
The European Union warned Tuesday that oil and gas prices in Europe may stay elevated even if the Iran war ends, with pressure building on fuel supplies and global gas markets. EU energy commissioner Dan Jørgensen said there are no immediate supply shortages across the bloc but that “increasing constraints” are pushing electricity prices higher.
Cuba’s energy ministry and other officials on Tuesday hailed the arrival of a sanctioned Russian oil tanker in Matanzas as the island battles rolling blackouts and shortages. The Trump administration allowed the shipment to proceed despite an ongoing U.S. energy blockade, AP reported.
Haiti’s government announced new austerity measures on Tuesday, citing disruptions to critical oil supplies and higher global prices linked to the war in Iran. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé said the steps are meant to help the government “anticipate serious repercussions on the already fragile macroeconomic balance and public finances.”
HAVANA (AP) — Yuneisy Riviaux, an unemployed mother of two in Havana, said she sometimes cannot provide lunch for her daughters amid persistent blackouts, shortages and cuts to Cuba’s state ration system. She and her husband, Cristóbal Estrada, describe how U.S. energy restrictions intensified an already worsening economic crisis, leaving pharmacies empty and public transportation strained by gasoline shortages.
JetBlue has raised its checked bag fees by as much as $9, citing higher jet fuel costs tied to disruptions in global oil supplies from the Iran war. For most domestic economy passengers, the first checked bag will cost $39 starting Monday, up from $35, and $49 during peak travel periods such as spring break and the summer.
New financing and pledges led by the World Bank and other partners aim to expand electricity access across Africa, with projects reaching households and small businesses through grid upgrades, mini-grids and off-grid solar. The funding includes a European Investment Bank pledge of more than $1.15 billion and additional support from the Rockefeller Foundation, alongside the “Mission 300” initiative to connect 300 million people by 2030. In Kenya, residents say electrification is extending business hours and improving study time for children.
The Rutherford County Library Board in Tennessee fired the county’s library system director, Luanne James, after she refused to comply with the board’s vote to move more than 100 LGBTQ books from children’s shelves to the adult section. The board voted 8-3 on Monday, according to a decision announced after a meeting that included cheers and boos, and James’ attorney read a statement saying the firing was unlawful viewpoint discrimination.
Americans can cut down on fast furniture purchases by seeking free items through community groups, shopping secondhand, and maintaining what they already own, according to experts cited by The Associated Press.
Nevada officials say a $133 million state housing bill created an affordable-housing pipeline that is beginning to deliver new homes for middle-income buyers, including some who previously struggled to cover down payments and closing costs. The first projects include Paradise Trails in southeast Las Vegas, whose homes are partly supported through Gov. Joe Lombardo’s 2025 AB540 law.
California’s new requirement for folic acid in corn masa flour for tortillas and other products takes effect as state regulators seek to reduce neural tube defects. The measure follows advocacy after a rare birth defect claimed the life of Andrea Lopez’s son, Gabriel Cude, when he was 10 days old. Similar efforts are under way in other states, while critics including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have challenged fortification in social media posts.
Three FBI agents fired after participating in an investigation related to President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat have sued to try to get their jobs back, according to a class action filed in federal court in Washington. The agents, Michelle Ball, Jamie Garman and Blaire Toleman, said they were illegally punished for their work and were removed without due process, adding to a broader personnel purge they say has followed the same pattern. The lawsuit names FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi as defendants.
The Trump administration exempted oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told officials the decision was needed for national security. The action, decided by a panel known as the “God Squad” and chaired by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, drew criticism from conservation groups and came as global oil markets have been shaken by the Iran war.
California lawmakers are considering a package of bills aimed at speeding up factory-built housing, including a proposal by Assembly members Buffy Wicks and Juan Carrillo to create a state backstop for construction-insurance payouts. The bill would have California take on a role that is unusual for the state, effectively helping sureties and developers manage the financial risk of projects that fail. The legislation is scheduled for its first legislative committee hearing in late April.
A federal appeals court has rejected a request from dozens of families to reopen a criminal case against Boeing tied to two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, court records show. The families had argued the U.S. Department of Justice violated their rights under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act when prosecutors reached a deal that led a lower court to dismiss a criminal conspiracy charge.
California has become the first U.S. state to require corn masa flour manufacturers to add folic acid, a vitamin linked to preventing neural tube defects, state law says. The measure is aimed at reducing rates that data show are disproportionately high among Hispanic mothers, where some neural-tube defects can be diagnosed only weeks after conception.
Electric bicycles can travel faster than many riders expect, and that speed contributes to injuries when riders and pedestrians share sidewalks and paths, Associated Press reported. A Minnesota woman, Janet Stotko, was struck by a 14-year-old riding an electric bike at about 25 mph and survived after severe head injuries and surgery.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran have driven up prices and pressured the global outlook for the economy as strikes and counterstrikes disrupt energy infrastructure across the Persian Gulf, economists and officials say. The fallout is forcing developing countries to ration fuel and subsidize energy costs, while hitting fertilizer supplies and raising the risk of higher inflation and slower growth.
U.S. stocks swung Monday as oil prices kept climbing amid uncertainty over when the war with Iran could end. The S&P 500 slipped 0.4%, the Dow added 0.1% and the Nasdaq fell 0.7%, while benchmark U.S. crude settled at $102.88 after rising 3.3%.
President Donald Trump said Sunday night that he has “no problem” with a Russian oil tanker delivering about 730,000 barrels of oil to Cuba, despite U.S. sanctions and a U.S.-led blockade on fuel shipments. Trump made the remarks aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington, after a report that the tanker would be allowed to reach the island. Russia’s Transport Ministry said the tanker Anatoly Kolodkin arrived at the Cuban port of Matanzas on Monday.
McCormick announced it will combine with Unilever’s foods division, a move that will create a larger packaged-food company with the McCormick name and leadership. Under the terms disclosed March 31, Unilever and its shareholders are expected to own 65% of the combined company’s outstanding equity, with McCormick shareholders owning the remaining 35%. The companies said the deal is expected to close by mid-2027, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals.
U.S. consumer confidence inched higher in March even as energy prices rose sharply following the war in Iran, the Conference Board said. Its index rose to 91.8 from 91 in February, while survey measures tied to inflation expectations turned more pessimistic. The report comes as gas prices in the U.S. climbed above $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022, and as labor-market data showed February employment weakness.
Tens of millions of Brazilian drivers can choose at the pump between sugarcane ethanol and a gasoline blend containing 30% biofuel, a hedge against spikes tied to the Iran war’s pressure on oil markets.
China’s factory activity expanded in March, ending two months of contraction, official data showed March 31. The official manufacturing purchasing managers index rose to 50.4 from 49 in February, but analysts warned the Iran war—started Feb. 28—could still weigh on growth through higher energy costs and supply disruptions.
TOKYO (AP) — Business sentiment among major Japanese manufacturers rose to 17 in March from 16, according to the Bank of Japan’s quarterly survey released Wednesday. The improvement in the key “tankan” diffusion index came even as companies reported growing concerns about economic growth and oil supplies amid the Iran war, with the central bank preparing for its next policy meeting on April 27-28.
The Associated Press reported that during a federal shutdown, unpaid Transportation Security Administration employees in Atlanta left fewer staff screening travelers and contributed to long waits at the airport. With flights still affected, some travelers looked to alternatives such as Amtrak for longer but more predictable journeys.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Monday that the Fed is watching closely as energy prices spike, a shift he said could raise inflation expectations. Speaking at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Powell said monetary policy can respond over the longer term and that energy shocks “tend to come and go pretty quickly,” but multiple shocks could be concerning.
Airport security lines at U.S. airports eased Monday as Transportation Security Administration officers began receiving backpay for work during the federal government shutdown, a development TSA union officials said is reducing wait times. Checkpoint lines that at times stretched to four hours at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport shrank to waits of 10 minutes or less, the Associated Press reported.
Asian countries are competing to buy Russian crude oil as an energy crisis deepens after the U.S. and Israel began a war against Iran, which has choked off roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply. With shipments constrained by disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, the United States has temporarily eased sanctions for Russian crude already at sea, first for India and then for other countries, prompting new interest across Southeast Asia.
Kosovo businesses and households are feeling the impact of rising fuel costs linked to the Iran war, according to interviews in Pristina. Fuel wholesalers have raised diesel and gasoline prices as Kosovo depends on imported fuel, and one snack producer says the higher costs could force it to adjust prices.
Cuba prepared Monday to receive a sanctioned Russian oil tanker carrying about 730,000 barrels of oil, its first such delivery this year as it struggles under U.S. sanctions. The tanker’s reported position shifted between Russian transport officials and Cuban television before officials said it was approaching the port of Matanzas.
Farmers around the world are feeling the squeeze of the Iran war as near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts fertilizer shipments, threatening food prices. The disruption is hitting nitrogen and phosphate supplies at a moment when planting is starting in many regions, with the World Food Program warning that farmers could see lower yields or crop failures next season.
The U.S. Virgin Islands-based? No. On Oʻahu’s North Shore, residents and farmers say neglected plantation-era irrigation ditches, culverts and drainage infrastructure helped worsen flooding during recent storms. Reporting from Honolulu Civil Beat and distributed by The Associated Press describes disputes over who is responsible for maintaining the patchwork of waterways as the region rebuilds and seeks clearer enforcement.
A federal judge dismissed the remaining claim in a lawsuit against Fox News filed by fired journalist Jason Donner, who alleged he was targeted over sick-leave requests and political views. U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled the sick-leave dispute was not protected under Washington, D.C.'s sick leave law.
The National Transportation Safety Board said systems that let drivers take their hands off the wheel do not improve road safety because they can lead people to pay less attention to driving. Testifying at a hearing on two fatal crashes involving Ford’s Blue Cruise, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said the systems function primarily as convenience features rather than safety enhancements.
Filipino Americans are rethinking how to mark César Chavez Day and similar events after allegations of sexual abuse by the labor leader, with some states and localities renaming the holiday to Farmworkers Day. The 1965 Delano grape strike — led by Filipino labor leader Larry Itliong and Mexican American organizer organizers — is central to the push to broaden the story beyond Chavez, advocates and historians said.
Millions of Americans are weighing home energy upgrades as electricity bills rise, and in parts of Michigan, residents are banding together for discounts through Solarize programs. An Associated Press report describes how towns and counties in the state have taken over the administration of the neighborhood-based solar-buying model, which has roots in Portland, Oregon.
Rural communities in Michigan are facing an “extreme shortage” of paramedics and emergency medical technicians as emergency medical services agencies deal with shrinking revenue and staffing costs, according to the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services and other officials. The shortage has persisted since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, even as the state has invested millions of dollars in grant programs aimed at training new workers.
California’s small business owners who hold green cards are facing a federal rule change that ends their eligibility for U.S. Small Business Administration loans, and for SBA-backed lending beginning in April. The SBA said the limits are meant to expand access for U.S. citizens, while advocates warn the shift could discourage immigrant entrepreneurs and undercut job creation. The changes apply to green-card holders and to businesses with partial ownership by a lawful permanent resident.
Airports across the United States are asking travelers to avoid arriving hours ahead of their flights as security lines worsen, with some airports warning that “too early” passengers can make waits longer at peak times. John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, said the issue has been worsened by a funding standoff affecting Transportation Security Administration staffing.
Dozens of clowns marched through La Paz on Monday to protest a government decree that would limit extracurricular activities during the school year, threatening their income. The decree, published in February, requires schools to hold 200 days of lessons each year, which clowns said would effectively end school-day events where they are regularly hired.
Sysco, the U.S. food distributor based in Houston, has agreed to acquire Restaurant Depot in a deal worth more than $29 billion. The companies said their boards have approved the transaction, which would expand Sysco’s reach in the fast-growing “cash-and-carry” wholesale segment for restaurants and other businesses.
Efforts to rebrand César Chavez Day are unfolding across the United States ahead of March 31 as local leaders and civil rights groups respond to allegations that Chavez sexually abused women and girls in the 1960s. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Thursday to rename the holiday “Farmworkers Day,” and lawmakers in Minnesota voted to end the state’s Chavez holiday. Communities in places such as Arizona, Colorado and Texas are also changing how they commemorate the labor and civil-rights figure.
Brazil has been partly protected from rising world oil prices because many drivers can choose between sugarcane ethanol and gasoline blends containing biofuel, even as the Iran war rattles global markets. The country’s large ethanol-capable vehicle fleet and a long-running fuel-blending policy help stabilize gasoline costs, while diesel prices have risen faster because diesel relies more on imported crude.
China’s factory activity expanded in March after two months of contraction, the government said, but analysts warned that the Iran war could start to weigh on growth. The official manufacturing PMI rose to 50.4 from 49 in February. Analysts said surging energy costs have not yet produced major supply disruptions, though they expect longer impacts to show up in industrial production and services.
Asian nations are competing to buy Russian crude as an energy shock deepens after the U.S. and Israel launched a month-old war against Iran, choking off about a fifth of the world’s oil supply. The Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam have signaled renewed interest after the U.S. temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil shipments already at sea, but analysts say the extra supply may be limited and shrinking.
Egypt’s government has ordered stores, restaurants and cafes to close earlier to conserve oil-powered electricity after energy costs surged during the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, reshaping Cairo’s nightlife and daily routines.
Supporters of labor leader César Chavez are grappling this week with how to honor his legacy after allegations of sexual abuse emerged, and with how quickly officials and communities are changing longstanding tributes. The Associated Press reported that states, cities and counties marked what had long been considered César Chavez Day on Tuesday as Farmworkers Day, with some offices closed and many celebrations canceled or renamed. The unease is spreading beyond politics and into personal relationships, as advocates and attorneys weigh what to keep, what to remove, and what to learn.
SAN BARTOLO MORELOS, Mexico (AP) — Cruz Monroy has carried towers of small cages filled with birds through the streets for 32 years, but he says Mexico’s street bird-vending tradition is fading. During Palm Sunday, hundreds of pajareros travel to Mexico City to decorate about 10-foot stacks of cages for a procession to the basilica, though authorities have tightened restrictions and animal rights groups have criticized the practice.
U.S. stocks sank again Friday, finishing a fifth straight losing week as investors weighed the impact of the Iran war on energy markets and economic growth. The S&P 500 fell 1.7%, the Dow slid 1.7%, and the Nasdaq dropped 2.1% as oil prices climbed after a brief easing tied to President Donald Trump’s comments.
President Donald Trump’s order directing the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA officers is intended to ease long airport security lines, but major U.S. airports continued urging travelers to arrive hours early on Sunday as immigration officers brought in to help may remain longer. White House border czar Tom Homan said ICE would stay at airports “as long as they need us” until TSA returns to normal operations, while the TSA union leader warned a payment backlogs could still leave officers missing some pay.
A new executive order signed by President Donald Trump will direct the Homeland Security secretary to pay Transportation Security Administration workers immediately, potentially putting their first full paychecks in their hands as early as Monday. Experts and labor leaders said the move may ease some staffing pressure, but long security lines at some airports could persist while airports assess staffing and Congress remains split over Homeland Security funding.
President Donald Trump signed an executive action on Friday to authorize payments to Transportation Security Administration employees after Congress failed to reach a deal to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Trump said the payments were intended to ease long security lines at major airports, while DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said TSA workers could begin receiving paychecks as early as Monday.
WASHINGTON — TSA agents and other aviation workers are pushing Congress for legislation that would guarantee pay during future government shutdowns, saying repeated funding lapses have left them financially unstable. The call comes as President Donald Trump signed an emergency order instructing the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA agents immediately, after House Republicans defeated a Senate deal that would have funded parts of DHS. Lawmakers have repeatedly introduced bipartisan bills to protect aviation payroll during shutdowns, but the measures have stalled.
Lagos taxi driver Adegbola Isaac says fuel prices in Nigeria have jumped to about 1,350 naira per liter since the Iran war began Feb. 28, cutting into his daily profits. Similar shocks are spreading across Africa as countries that import refined oil products and fertilizer absorb the ripple effects of conflict in the Middle East. The United Nations said it is pursuing a way to allow fertilizer shipments to transit safely through the Strait of Hormuz.
Markets in the United States have been volatile as war-related worries, including disruptions in oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, rattled investors, the Associated Press reported. The story says stock routs and recoveries have happened repeatedly over recent history, and advises investors—especially those not needing funds soon—to consider staying invested through swings rather than trying to time exits.
A U.S. appeals court overturned a $16.1 billion judgment against Argentina connected to the 2012 nationalization of energy company YPF, a case that U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska had ordered to be compensated. Argentine President Javier Milei celebrated the ruling and said his government sent a bill to Congress to limit expropriations and adjust compensation.
Hawaii’s state land board voted Friday to acquire irrigation lands from Dole Food Co., clearing the way for the state to take over the aging Wahiawa Dam north of Honolulu after a failure scare during heavy rains last week. The dam is rated a “high hazard,” and authorities ordered thousands of residents in two North Shore communities to evacuate before the orders were lifted Saturday when floodwater receded.
Louisiana crawfish producers say fewer foreign guest workers have arrived in time for spring processing, straining an industry that is a major part of the state’s bayou economy. In Crowley, Louisiana, crawfish processor Alan Lawson said his facility could not bring in the H-2B workers needed to shell and freeze the freshwater catch. Industry leaders and immigration-policy experts linked the shortfall to delays and limits on H-2B visas during the Trump administration.
USS Massachusetts officially joined the U.S. Navy fleet Saturday after a commissioning ceremony in Boston Harbor, making it the first submarine named after Massachusetts. The Virginia-class fast attack submarine was christened May 6, 2023, by its sponsor, Sheryl Sandberg.
Hundreds of Bath Iron Works employees in Maine voted Saturday to approve a new four-year contract, ending a weeklong strike at one of the Navy’s largest shipbuilding contractors. The Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association ratified the agreement after an hourslong union meeting at a high school.
Makers of dietary supplements are urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to expand what qualifies as a dietary ingredient, potentially opening the door to more peptide, probiotic and other “trendy wellness” products. The FDA held a public meeting Friday on whether its longstanding dietary-supplement criteria could be broadened to include substances that do not come from food, vitamins, herbs or other traditional ingredients.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) — Beneath Lake Erie, the Whiskey Island salt mine owned by Cargill produces millions of tons of salt each year that helps supply road salt for municipalities across the Northeast and Great Lakes. Cargill says a colder, snowier-than-usual winter has increased demand and driven some cities to exhaust supplies that normally last through spring. The mine opened in the 1960s and operates year-round about 1,800 feet underground.
Airports serving Washington, D.C., Baltimore and parts of Virginia briefly halted all flights Friday evening after federal authorities said air traffic controllers detected a strong chemical smell at the Potomac TRACON facility that manages traffic into the region’s airports. The Federal Aviation Administration said controllers were returning to work and normal flight operations should resume soon.
La industria del cangrejo de río de Luisiana, un negocio de 300 millones de dólares, enfrenta una escasez de trabajadores extranjeros temporales que, según operadores, ha llegado tarde este año y ya afectó la temporada alta de primavera. Productores y procesadores en el área de Crowley y en el estado dicen que la demanda laboral chocó con un proceso de visas H-2B que se retrasó y autorizó menos “suplementarias” al inicio del año fiscal, empujando costos y poniendo en riesgo la oferta de restaurantes en Nueva Orleans.
A missile attack on Israel by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on Saturday raised concerns that the group could target Red Sea shipping again, as Iran’s leverage near the Strait of Hormuz keeps a key trade route largely closed. The Houthis said they fired missiles at “sensitive Israeli military sites” in southern Israel, and Israel said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen.
Nestlé says about 12 tons—413,793 KitKat candy bars—were stolen after a shipment left the company’s production site in Italy and was headed for Poland. The Swiss company said the vehicle and its load were still missing as of Friday.
Tech companies’ efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions are coming under pressure as artificial intelligence drives a surge in electricity demand for data centers, an Associated Press analysis says. The report cites changes in how companies describe their clean-energy and carbon-removal timelines, along with sustainability reports that show emissions increases over the first years of their pledges.
Gas prices in the U.S. have been climbing as the war in Iran affects oil markets, and some lawmakers are pushing to suspend the federal gasoline tax as a way to lower costs for drivers. President Donald Trump said he has “thought about” suspending the federal gas tax, and suggested states consider suspending their own fuel taxes. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Sen. Mark Kelly have co-sponsored legislation that would suspend the tax through Oct. 1.
Affordable housing developers say a federal “Build America, Buy America” rule is slowing construction and raising costs, as U.S. agencies review waivers needed when some building materials aren’t made in the United States. The rule requires many items in federally funded affordable housing projects to be produced domestically, and developers say HUD has approved only a handful of waivers. The delays come as housing remains a key affordability challenge for many renters and nonprofit builders.
A year after President Donald Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” or DOGE, began cutting federal jobs, employees fired and rehired through a churn of layoffs say they still don’t know whether the effort was worth the disruption. The upheaval included changes at the U.S. Institute of Peace, where about 300 workers were fired, rehired and fired again after a judge and an appeals court took opposing actions.
CROWLEY, La. — Louisiana’s crawfish industry is facing delays and reduced access to foreign seasonal workers as the state’s spring peak season begins, operators and state officials say. Crawfish producers and processors rely on workers on H-2B visas to shell and freeze the catch, but they say the federal government did not authorize enough guest workers in time. With the season already underway, they warn that missing labor could translate into fewer products for restaurants and higher prices for consumers.
Iran’s attacks during the Feb. 28 conflict between the United States and Israel and Iran have sharply reduced shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow Persian Gulf passage that carries about a fifth of the world’s traded crude oil. The disruptions have helped push global oil prices higher and raised risks for Gulf oil exports and downstream customers. The Associated Press’s Luke Garratt explains the strait’s role in the global economy and how reduced traffic can ripple to consumers far beyond the region.
Thousands of workers at a Swift Beef Co. meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado, will extend their strike into a third week, union leaders said Friday as they pressed for higher wages and better health care. The walkout began March 16 and has continued beyond the second week of negotiations between the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 and owner JBS USA.
President Donald Trump said Thursday he would sign an order directing the Homeland Security secretary to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration agents as Senate negotiations drag on over a Homeland Security funding impasse. The move, announced in a social media post about “Chaos at the Airports,” comes as TSA employees miss paychecks and airport lines lengthen.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Treasury Department said Thursday it plans to put President Donald Trump’s signature on all new U.S. paper currency, a first for a sitting president. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move is intended to honor the nation’s 250th birthday.
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport has become a symbol of how a partial government shutdown has disrupted U.S. air travel, with TSA security screening causing long delays. The congestion has been most severe at the airport’s main checkpoints, where travelers reported waiting up to four hours while some TSA employees did not report to work.
A year after President Donald Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” or DOGE, set off broad federal layoffs and reshaped agencies, many workers who lost jobs and saw their offices disrupted say they still do not know what was saved. In interviews reported by The Associated Press, former staff at the U.S. Institute of Peace described being fired, rehired and fired again, as litigation and court orders left their futures unsettled.
Stocks fell Thursday as the Nasdaq sank more than 10% below its record, its sharpest drop since the Iran war began, while oil prices rose amid renewed doubt about a possible end to the fighting. Brent crude settled up 4.8% at $101.89 a barrel, and U.S. crude rose 4.6% to $94.48, reflecting investors’ focus on tensions involving the Strait of Hormuz.
The number of Americans applying for jobless aid inched up last week, the U.S. Labor Department reported, even as employers have continued to retain workers. For the week ending March 21, initial filings rose to 210,000 from 205,000 the prior week.
Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, urged U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday to lift all sanctions against Venezuela, saying partial licenses do not give foreign investors the legal certainty they need for long-term projects. Speaking during a televised event with local and foreign investors at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Rodríguez argued that easing sanctions only in specific ways still leaves companies exposed.
Iran is moving to formalize control of the Strait of Hormuz by setting up what shipping analysts describe as a “toll booth” system for vessels headed through the waterway, the Associated Press reported. The arrangements include vetting by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and payments settled in yuan, AP said. The shift comes as traffic through the strait has fallen sharply since the start of the Iran war, according to shipping-tracking data cited by AP.
Hungary will gradually cut natural gas supplies to Ukraine unless Russian oil deliveries resume through the Druzhba pipeline, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Wednesday, citing a halt in Russian oil flows that has lasted nearly two months.
The Trump administration is asking to exempt oil and gas exploration and development activities in the Gulf of Mexico from requirements of the Endangered Species Act, citing national security as it prepares for a meeting of the Endangered Species Committee, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Environmental groups said the government has not followed required procedures and are trying to block the committee from meeting before Interior Secretary Doug Burgum convenes it Tuesday.
Wall Street bonuses reached a record average of $246,900 in 2025, New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said Thursday. DiNapoli estimated the Wall Street bonus pool at $49.2 billion, citing a more than 30% rise in Wall Street profits last year.
Italian authorities have seized property, artworks and financial assets worth about 20 million euros ($23 million) in and around Florence that were allegedly bought with money stolen from Ursula Andress, Italy’s financial police said. The seizures follow an investigation launched after Andress reported to Swiss authorities that financial advisers swindled her out of assets, authorities said.
Better Home & Finance Holding Co. said it will offer a mortgage backed by certain cryptocurrencies, letting qualifying homebuyers pledge crypto assets to finance a down payment without selling them. The company said the product will launch in partnership with crypto exchange Coinbase within the next three months.
About 500 migrants marched through southern Mexico toward better employment prospects on Wednesday, protesting long waits for paperwork and seeking authorization to move to areas with more jobs while their immigration status is processed, according to the Associated Press.
Rural independent pharmacies in Texas say they are increasingly forced to sell prescription drugs at a loss as pharmacy benefit managers set reimbursement rates that often leave them unable to cover costs. The pharmacies and state advocates are now looking to new revenue streams, such as retail goods and cattle businesses, to stay open as closures spread in remote communities.
Michigan’s Mundy Township spent years amid nondisclosure agreements on a $261 million speculative “megasite” plan aimed at landing a semiconductor factory, an effort residents say left them uninformed while hundreds of homes were acquired and demolished. An AP report, drawing on a Bridge Michigan investigation, describes how lawmakers were told in public meetings the project would involve “some demolition,” while state and local officials say confidentiality was needed to negotiate. The semiconductor deal unraveled after Western Digital spun off Sandisk, leaving the community with cleared land but no factory.
Most working women in the United States say they are disadvantaged when it comes to earning competitive wages, while many men disagree, according to a new AP-NORC poll released ahead of Equal Pay Day. The survey also finds employed women are more likely than employed men to describe their pay as a “major” source of stress.
Many events and holidays honoring César Chavez are being canceled or renamed after farmworker labor leader César Chavez faced allegations of sexual abuse of women and girls while he led the United Farm Workers. States and cities are changing how they mark March 31, with officials also shifting to honoring Dolores Huerta, his longtime labor partner. The developments follow revelations that Huerta was among people who said they were abused by Chavez.
U.S. regulators have approved a temporary expansion of E15—a gasoline blend with higher ethanol content—in warm months, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency saying the move is intended to help tamp down consumer prices that have risen since the Iran war began. The agency’s action follows years of summer-only waivers for the blend, which has been linked to concerns about worsening smog.
Many job seekers are using AI to revamp resumes and prepare for interviews as hiring remains sluggish, but experts warn the technology can also make applicants’ materials look similar. In guidance compiled by the Associated Press, Glassdoor’s Daniel Zhao, Greenhouse CEO Daniel Chait and LinkedIn’s Pat Whelan urge applicants to use AI to personalize applications and strengthen interview preparation rather than to game screening systems.
Nuclear power is getting renewed attention in Southeast Asia as countries plan for rising electricity demand tied to AI-focused data centers, while the Iran war raises concerns about the stability and cost of energy supplies. An Associated Press analysis said several nations are reviving nuclear plans, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, even as the region has never generated nuclear electricity.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Thursday to rename César Chavez Day as “Farmworkers Day” ahead of the state holiday on March 31, state officials said. The state Senate approved the legislation earlier that day with bipartisan support.
The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.38% this week, the highest level in more than six months, increasing borrowing costs for spring homebuyers. Freddie Mac said the benchmark rate climbed from 6.22% last week, while mortgage applications fell amid higher affordability pressure, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
The Trump administration on Thursday announced it is easing sanctions on a group of Belarus-linked financial and fertilizer companies, citing improved conditions and closer ties with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. Treasury said it and the State Department determined that circumstances no longer warrant the prohibitions, while warning the action does not free frozen assets.
Wall Street experienced a rise in stocks and a decrease in oil prices on Wednesday, fueled by emerging hopes for a potential pause in the ongoing war with Iran. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq composite all saw gains, though market volatility persisted.
The acting head of the Transportation Security Administration warned Congress on Wednesday that the agency may have to shut down operations at some airports if a Homeland Security budget impasse continues. Lisa Mascaro reports that TSA acting head Ha Nguyen McNeill described escalating hardships for unpaid TSA workers, record-length passenger lines, and concerns about security lapses as the dispute entered its 40th day.
Connecticut lawmakers are weighing whether to lift restrictions on installing plug-in, balcony-style solar panels that customers can use without utility approval. The proposal would require the devices meet Connecticut building code and undergo testing and certification before customers connect them. The bill aims to help residents facing high electric bills, while utilities and regulators raise concerns about meter tampering and how excess power would be handled.
New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said Wall Street bonuses rose to a record average of about $246,900 in 2025 as profits increased. DiNapoli estimated bonus payouts tied to New York City reached a record $49.2 billion last year and projected additional tax revenue for the state and city versus 2024.
Texas regulators voted to adopt a rule requiring people applying for professional licenses to provide proof of legal immigration status, with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation set to begin implementing it May 1. Commissioners approved the change unanimously after public comments raised concerns about economic impact and added burdens for immigrants. The rule is tied to federal law, but attorneys and state officials said noncitizens may still qualify for licensure if they meet eligibility criteria under longstanding federal provisions.
A New Mexico jury found Meta platforms harmful to children’s mental health and imposed a $375 million penalty, while other social media child-safety cases move through trial and pretrial phases. The New Mexico Attorney General said the case followed investigations that posed as children and documented sexual solicitations and Meta’s responses, and Meta said it will appeal.
The U.S. Indian Health Service is set to break ground in 2027 on a new $22 million federal medical center promised to Native American patients more than 30 years ago. Officials toured the planned site on the Santa Ana Pueblo near Albuquerque, as advocates said federal funding still lags behind the needs tied to a 1993 construction list.
In Louisiana, crawfish producers say the lack of foreign guest workers has cut into spring-season processing operations, leaving some plants without the H-2B workers they rely on to shell and freeze the harvest. The shortages, they say, reflect delays and limits in how federal agencies authorized guest workers for the season.
The U.S. Postal Service asked regulators for a temporary 8% price increase on some shipping products to offset rising transportation costs, according to a filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission. If approved, the change would begin April 26 and last until Jan. 17, 2027.
NEW YORK (AP) — Hopes for a possible pause in the war with Iran pushed stocks higher on Wall Street Wednesday while oil prices eased. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% in the market’s latest rise-and-reverse session, as investors weighed shifting signals about how long the conflict could last.
The jump in gas prices linked to the war in Iran is rippling into U.S. borrowing costs, raising longer-term interest rates and pushing up mortgage rates. Higher inflation expectations are also fading this year’s odds of Federal Reserve cuts, with Wall Street futures pointing increasingly to the possibility of a hike.
TSA acting head Ha Nguyen McNeill warned lawmakers Wednesday that the Transportation Security Administration may have to shut down airport operations if a Homeland Security budget impasse continues. She testified that unpaid TSA workers are facing bills, eviction notices and even selling plasma, as wait times and staffing shortfalls grow amid Congress’s standoff over DHS funding and immigration enforcement.
Consumers Energy has asked federal regulators to delay a planned $350 million spillway replacement at Hardy Dam in Michigan while the company pursues the sale of the dam and 12 others to a private equity-backed operator. In a filing dated March 16, the utility requested a delay of about two years, pushing construction start to Dec. 31, 2028.
California sued the Trump administration Monday in federal court to block what state officials call an emergency order that would restart a long-shut offshore oil pipeline on the Santa Barbara coast. The state says the March 13 order by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright overreaches under the Defense Production Act, while the Trump administration has sought to force the restart of the system owned by Sable Offshore Corp.
The U.S. Interior Department said TotalEnergies will receive about $1 billion to walk away from offshore wind leases off the coasts of North Carolina and New York, with the company saying the refunded money will instead fund liquefied natural gas and other fossil fuel projects. Democrats and environmental groups criticized the payment as a misuse of taxpayer dollars amid recent court rulings blocking the administration’s broader efforts to halt offshore wind.
Connecticut lawmakers are weighing whether to allow customers to install portable, plug-in solar panels without getting approval from their local electric utility, as interest grows amid high electric bills. The proposal, contained in House Bill 5340, would permit devices up to 1,200 watts if they meet safety and consumer-protection requirements.
Corpus Christi, Texas, voted 7-1 to consider an agreement to purchase drinking water from a private desalination plant after scrapping its own seawater project, city officials said. The city faces a historic drought, with two main reservoirs at 8.4% capacity and city leaders warning the system has about 180 days of water if conditions do not improve.
The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking detailed records from California on how the state spends jet-fuel tax revenue for airports, according to a letter sent March 5. The dispute, which has stretched for more than a decade, centers on whether California is using the money in line with federal rules that require states to maintain airport infrastructure.
Pop Mart’s Hong Kong-listed shares fell nearly 23% after the company reported 2025 revenue that rose sharply but did not fully satisfy analyst expectations. Analysts said investor concern about whether earnings can grow beyond the toy’s Labubu-driven boom weighed on the stock.
International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol warned Monday that the Iran war poses a “major, major threat” to the global economy, arguing it is hitting oil and gas markets more severely than past conflicts. Speaking at Australia’s National Press Club in Canberra, Birol said no country would be immune if the war keeps escalating, with new risks tied to the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also warned the United States will “obliterate” Iran’s power plants unless Tehran fully opens the strait within 48 hours.
U.S. stock indexes fell Tuesday and gave back part of the rally sparked the day before when President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran held productive talks. Oil prices, meanwhile, rose as traders weighed continued fighting in the Middle East against diplomatic signals including Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer to help facilitate talks.
Higher gas prices after the Iran war have pushed up longer-term interest rates, making Federal Reserve rate cuts this year look less likely. U.S. investors have increasingly priced in the possibility of an actual rate hike, while Fed officials warn that inflation pressures could persist.
Hopes for a possible end to the war with Iran helped lift Wall Street on Wednesday, even as markets swung sharply amid persistent uncertainty. The S&P 500 rose 0.5%, the Dow added 305 points, and the Nasdaq gained 0.8%, while Brent crude for June fell 3% to settle at $97.26 a barrel. (AP)
The European Union and Australia agreed on the final text of a free trade agreement and signed it at Australia’s Parliament House on Tuesday, nearly two years after negotiations resumed. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the deal removes tariffs on key Australian exports including wine, seafood and horticulture, and opens quotas for Australian red meat.
Asian countries are shifting back to coal as the Iran war disrupts oil and gas shipments, including liquefied natural gas routed through the Strait of Hormuz. The AP reports that several governments and utilities are raising coal burn to plug LNG gaps, while experts warn the move could worsen air pollution and delay the clean-energy transition.
Donald Trump said the United States has talked with Iran about a possible end to their war, prompting a cautious relief rally in stocks and a drop in oil prices. Brent crude fell 10.9% to settle at $99.94, while the S&P 500 rose 1.1% on Wall Street after severe losses elsewhere. The market reaction followed Iran’s denial that such talks took place and comments from Iran’s parliament speaker that “fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets.”
ICE officers have been deployed to select U.S. airports to help mitigate long security lines fueled by staffing shortfalls tied to a partial government shutdown, according to a report released by the Associated Press. The move comes as President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda places ICE at the center of enforcement, raising questions about how effectively ICE can assist with aviation-related screening and crowd control.
DoorDash said it will add temporary payments to help U.S. and Canadian drivers offset rising gas prices, which it linked to disruptions in global oil markets tied to the Iran war. The company announced the program Monday, saying the U.S. national average gas price hit $3.96 a gallon, according to AAA.
Fuel prices have surged globally as the Iran war entered a 24th day, leaving motorists in places including Argentina, Germany, Nigeria and the Philippines to cut back on everyday spending, according to interviews and reporting by the Associated Press. U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that talks with Iranian leaders were ongoing and that the sides were eager to make a deal, a claim that Iran denied. The global oil rally and later pullback did not quickly translate into lower pump prices, which often lag changes in crude markets.
President Donald Trump visited Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis during a Monday stop tied to U.S. efforts on Iran and to long lines at airports, the Associated Press reported. While at a local roundtable on crime, Trump said, “I love Elvis,” and later toured the home, where he examined items tied to Presley and asked whether he could have beaten Elvis in a fight.
Consumers Energy is asking federal regulators to delay a $350 million spillway replacement at Hardy Dam in Michigan to Dec. 31, 2028, as the utility pursues selling the dam and 12 others to a private equity-backed operator. In a filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the company said the work is “neither feasible nor prudent” until regulatory approvals for the sale are complete. Critics and some advocates said the delay could increase flood risk for downstream communities.
The Interior Department said TotalEnergies agreed to refund leases for offshore wind projects off North Carolina and New York, and will invest the money in liquefied natural gas exports in Texas instead. Supporters called the plan a novel way to halt offshore wind after court setbacks, while Democrats and environmental groups criticized it as a misuse of taxpayer dollars.
California sued the Trump administration in federal court to block what it calls an emergency order to restart a long-shut offshore oil pipeline on the Santa Barbara coast. The state argues the order oversteps U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s authority under the Defense Production Act and conflicts with state law and a federal consent decree requiring state fire-marshall approval.
A coalition of cultural and historic preservation groups sued President Donald Trump, the Kennedy Center and others in his administration on March 23, seeking to block further physical changes to the Kennedy Center ahead of a two-year closure. The lawsuit says Trump’s hinted, more substantial overhaul should instead go through the standard review process used for major projects in Washington.
A judge fined San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju $26,000 for contempt after he refused to stop declining new felony and misdemeanor cases ordered by the court. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Harry Dorfman imposed $1,000 fines for each of 26 cases Raju rejected since an earlier January order, and set another hearing in April.
New York investigators are working to determine what caused a deadly collision between an Air Canada regional jet and an airport fire truck on a LaGuardia Airport runway Sunday night, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Investigators said the truck had been cleared to cross the runway shortly before controllers repeatedly told it to stop.
The Trump administration will pay TotalEnergies about $1 billion to terminate two U.S. offshore wind leases off the coasts of North Carolina and New York, the Department of the Interior said Monday. TotalEnergies will receive the refund and pledge not to develop new U.S. offshore wind projects, according to Interior.
OnlyFans owner Leonid Radvinsky, 43, died of cancer, the company said in a statement on Monday. Radvinsky acquired the company that owns and operates OnlyFans in 2018 and helped build its subscription-based model.
LaGuardia Airport in New York was dealing with a runway emergency late Sunday when an Air Canada regional jet crashed into a fire truck, killing the pilot and co-pilot from the Montreal flight. Federal and union officials and aviation experts said the incident highlighted long-running staffing shortages, demanding work schedules and aging systems facing U.S. air traffic controllers.
Voters’ concerns about affordability are pushing some Democrats to embrace tax-cut proposals, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s plan to end the federal income tax for individuals making $46,000 or less and Sen. Cory Booker’s idea to exempt income taxes on the first $75,000 of earnings. The shift echoes tactics long used by Republicans under President Donald Trump, even as analysts warn that the proposals could complicate Democrats’ efforts to fund programs such as Medicaid.
Herreid, a ranching and outdoor recreation town about 7 miles south of the North Dakota border, has added new homes and apartments in recent years, helping revive its population and local economy, according to local leaders. Dick Werner, a retired banking executive who became president of the Herreid Area Housing Development, said the effort focused on attracting families and workers by first closing a shortage of places to live.
The two biggest U.S. prediction-market platforms, Kalshi and Polymarket, said Monday they have added new bans and surveillance tools aimed at insider trading after two senators introduced legislation that could sharply curtail the industry. Kalshi will bar political candidates from trading on their own campaigns, while Polymarket rewrote its rules to prohibit trading by people who may have confidential information or who could influence event outcomes.
Many U.S. travelers say airport security lines and other disruptions have heightened anxiety about flying as winter storms, the Iran war and government shutdowns add to familiar hassles. On Monday, NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy said she was stuck in a TSA line for three hours, while another traveler at Reagan Washington National Airport said delays caused him to miss an appointment and lose a deposit.
The University of North Texas said it will cut or consolidate more than 70 academic programs, minors and certificates as it works to close a projected $45 million budget shortfall. UNT President Harrison Keller and Provost Michael McPherson said the changes include phasing out all linguistics degree programs and eliminating a women’s and gender studies master’s program.
The surge in U.S. gas prices tied to the Iran war is expected to siphon off much of the additional tax refunds that President Donald Trump’s tax cut generated, economists say. Oil and gas prices climbed after the war began Feb. 28, and the national average for gas reached $3.94 Sunday, up more than $1 from a month earlier, according to the Associated Press. Analysts warn that lower- and middle-income households, facing smaller refunds and spending a larger share of their income on fuel, could feel the pressure first.
Nonprofits, unions and airports across the U.S. have begun delivering food to Transportation Security Administration officers affected by a partial government shutdown that left them without full pay for more than a month, the Associated Press reported. The effort reflects constraints on how federal employees can receive gifts during the workday, and how local groups are coordinating with airports and TSA offices to help workers cover immediate needs.
President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, warning that the United States would “obliterate” the country’s power plants. The move comes amid repeated changes to Trump’s approach to the waterway and has drawn criticism from U.S. lawmakers and legal scholars who said striking civilian infrastructure would violate laws of war.
Cuba began restoring electricity on Sunday, a day after a nationwide grid collapse left millions without power for the third time in March. The state-run Electric Union and the Ministry of Energy and Mines said power had returned early Sunday to about 72,000 customers in Havana, including five hospitals, but only a fraction of the capital’s roughly 2 million residents.
A natural gas explosion in Istanbul’s central Fatih district brought down two residential buildings on Sunday, killing one person, the Istanbul Governor’s office said. Rescue teams pulled out 10 injured people who were hospitalized, including one in critical condition.
China plans to end value-added tax rebates on solar panel exports and phase out incentives for battery storage equipment, changes expected to affect solar installation costs in Africa, where projects rely heavily on Chinese technology. The policy is due to take effect April 1 for panels and beginning next year for batteries, according to the report. Analysts and industry leaders in Kenya and elsewhere said prices could rise gradually and could add friction to efforts to expand renewables to close electricity gaps.
Women farmworkers and advocates described how Dolores Huerta joined others in raising awareness about sexual violence in agriculture, including allegations against César Chavez. They said grassroots networks led by women have grown since the early days of the U.S. farm labor movement, pushing for enforcement, training and policy changes while working to help victims come forward.
Iran’s attacks on Qatar’s natural gas export infrastructure have forced Qatar to halt production of liquefied natural gas and associated products, threatening helium exports relied on by advanced industries. The episode is raising concerns among chipmakers and other manufacturers that depend on helium’s role in semiconductor fabrication, medical imaging and space-related activities.
Airline passengers reported long TSA security lines Saturday and said Transportation Security Administration paychecks should be restored as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s partial shutdown continues. Several travelers tied the delays and staffing disruptions to TSA officers missing pay during the lapse that began Feb. 14.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina’s wine industry is in its worst crisis in more than 15 years, as domestic consumption fell to an all-time low in 2025, exports declined and vineyards shrink. Wine producers and industry officials described the downturn as a mix of weaker purchasing power, shifting drinking habits and challenges competing abroad.
Cuba’s power grid collapsed on Saturday, leaving the island without electricity for a third time in March, the Cuban Electric Union said. The union said an unexpected failure at the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant in Camagüey province set off a cascading shutdown.
Cuba’s government rejected a request from the U.S. Embassy in Havana to import diesel for its generators, according to two U.S. officials, as the Trump administration maintains pressure on the island over energy and politics. The refusal came as the U.S. State Department weighs reducing embassy staffing because of diesel shortages.
En medio del cierre parcial del gobierno federal, el presidente Donald Trump amenazó con usar agentes del ICE en la seguridad aeroportuaria si los demócratas en el Congreso no financian a la TSA. Mientras tanto, en el aeropuerto de Atlanta, pasajeros dijeron el sábado que el principal problema es la falta de pago a los inspectores. La financiación de la agencia no avanzó el viernes en el Senado, donde el líder demócrata Chuck Schumer prometió una medida para financiar solo a la TSA.
A floor collapsed during a wedding at the Preserve at Chocorua in Tamworth, New Hampshire, sending about 70 people into the basement. New Hampshire’s State Fire Marshal’s Office said Saturday that six people were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Oil prices surged again on Friday, shaking markets and worsening Wall Street’s expectations for interest rates, according to traders and investment officials. Stocks fell across major U.S. indexes after Brent and U.S. crude prices climbed, and bond yields jumped as investors braced for higher inflation tied to the war with Iran.
TOKYO (AP) — Drone footage taken inside a Fukushima Daiichi reactor has shown a confirmed hole at the bottom of the Unit 3 pressure vessel for the first time since the 2011 meltdown, Tokyo Electric Power Company said. The operator also said the images show lumps of likely melted fuel debris hanging from the vessel’s steel wall.
About 8 in 10 Americans with Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage say their health care costs are higher this year, according to a KFF survey released after enhanced premium tax credits expired. The survey found many enrollees are responding by cutting spending on basics such as food, and most say they are worried about affording emergency care. It also found returning enrollees largely blame health insurers and Republican lawmakers for the increases, with some also pointing to President Donald Trump and pharmaceutical companies.
Less than a week after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has made the tariff fallout a central theme of her reelection campaign, pressing for a $13.5 billion refund and criticizing her Republican opponent for supporting the levies. Democrats across the country are also elevating tariffs and broader affordability pressures in governor races as voting concerns expand beyond immigration and the war in Iran.
The war in Iran is complicating U.S. efforts to keep energy affordable, with experts pointing to rising crude prices and gasoline costs as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked. They say President Donald Trump’s push for fossil fuels—paired with rollbacks of renewable-energy policies—has left consumers with fewer alternatives when supply shocks hit.
The war in Iran is disrupting oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, driving up energy prices and straining import-dependent economies from Asia to Europe and Africa. As crude and LNG flows stall, the crisis is renewing calls to accelerate the shift to renewable power, especially as renewable projects become more cost-competitive, an Associated Press analysis said.
Georgia became the first U.S. state to suspend its gas and diesel fuel taxes for 60 days after the war in the Middle East sent pump prices higher, Gov. Brian Kemp signed the measure on Friday. The tax break cuts Georgia’s 33-cents-per-gallon gas levy and 37-cents-per-gallon diesel tax for two months, with motorists expected to see relief as wholesalers pass along the savings. While Georgia uses state savings to cover a projected $360 million to $400 million revenue gap, other states are weighing whether to follow.
A bill to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security failed to advance in the Senate on Friday, as lawmakers weighed mounting complaints about long lines at airport security checkpoints. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he would offer an alternative measure Saturday to fund only the Transportation Security Administration, which screens passengers and luggage for hazardous items.
A federal arts commission approved the final design for a 24-karat gold commemorative coin bearing President Donald Trump’s image as part of the U.S. 250th birthday celebrations on July 4. The approval, issued by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, clears the way for the U.S. Mint to begin production, though the coin’s size, denomination, and production quantity were still under discussion.
The Treasury Department will take over management of certain federal student loans whose borrowers are in default under a new agreement announced Thursday, according to the Treasury Department and the U.S. Education Department. The Education Department will hand off defaulted loan management as part of President Donald Trump’s broader plans to dismantle the education agency, the agreement said.
Michigan’s Air Pollution Control Exemption, designed to reward pollution-reduction equipment, has cost local governments billions in property-tax revenue over the last decade with limited state follow-up, an investigation found. The exemption is granted in perpetuity by the Michigan State Tax Commission after an initial EGLE environmental review, but EGLE says it lacks staff and budget to revisit whether businesses comply. The review by BridgeDetroit found that many exempted facilities later received air-quality violations or faced federal enforcement.
Nearly 90,000 bottles of children’s liquid ibuprofen were recalled after reports of black specs and other contaminants, federal regulators said. The FDA posted an online notice about the recall of Taro Pharmaceuticals’ Children’s Ibuprofen Oral Suspension.
The United Farm Workers union is publicly grappling with allegations that its cofounders César Chavez and Dolores Huerta abused girls during the movement’s heyday, while continuing to seek stronger labor protections for farmworkers. In a report published March 20, Associated Press outlined the UFW’s shrinking membership footprint, its influence during Chavez’s era and today, and the union’s current legal and legislative fights.
Corpus Christi-area refineries are seeking alternate water sources as the city warns it could enter a water emergency in as soon as two months, a move that could affect refining output and fuel supplies. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered state agencies to suspend normal procedures to speed projects as local reservoirs fall below 10% capacity and the city scrambles for options to meet demand.
Across the United States, institutions and cities are moving to remove or rename places honoring labor leader César Chavez after explosive sexual abuse allegations, according to officials. The changes followed actions by California State University, Fresno, where Chavez’s statue was covered and is expected to come down. Officials in places including Denver, Phoenix and San Francisco State University said they are reviewing names tied to Chavez as communities also consider shifting observances like César Chavez Day.
CBS News said Friday it will shut down its radio news service after nearly 100 years, ending a long-running lineup that served hundreds of local stations with top-of-the-hour newscasts. The network said the service will end May 22 and blamed challenging economic times and listener migration to digital sources and podcasts.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced a public-private partnership to develop a major data center in southern Ohio on the site of a decommissioned uranium enrichment plant, with power generation integrated into the project. The Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Pike County—now branded as the “PORTS Technology Campus”—is expected to include a 10-gigawatt data center and up to 10 gigawatts of new generation, including 9.2 gigawatts of natural gas, DOE said.
TSA officers are quitting as a government funding standoff forces them to staff U.S. airports without pay, compounding staffing shortages that have left some travelers facing multi-hour security-line waits. Homeland Security says at least 376 TSA employees have resigned since the shutdown began on Valentine’s Day, with absenteeism climbing nationwide as officers try to earn money on the side.
A jury in San Francisco found Elon Musk liable for defrauding investors over his 2022 Twitter acquisition, saying two Musk statements misled shareholders as the deal unraveled. The same jury absolved him of some fraud allegations, including that he intentionally “schemed” to mislead investors and that a podcast statement constituted fraud.
Michigan’s Air Pollution Control Exemption law has provided long-running property and sales tax breaks for pollution control equipment, a system that leaves many local governments with little information about costs and limited say over approvals. A BridgeDetroit review found Sterling Heights and other municipalities lost an estimated $1.2 billion in property-tax revenue over the last decade, while the analysis also found state-granted exemptions totaling 333 over that period. City officials and state officials described gaps in reporting and local involvement, as questions linger about whether the incentives drive investment or subsidize routine compliance.
Oil prices surged and then eased Thursday, rippling through global stock markets as investors weighed how long disruptions to Middle East oil and gas could last. Brent crude briefly rose above $119 per barrel before retreating, while U.S. stocks trimmed early losses later in the day.
Israel carried out airstrikes on Tehran on Friday, as Iranians marked Nowruz, with the attacks coming amid a broader Iran-Israel war that has disrupted oil and gas markets and raised fears of wider regional involvement, the Associated Press reported.
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday approved Nexstar Media Group’s acquisition of Tegna, allowing the local broadcast-industry deal to proceed as two lawsuits seek to block it. The agency said it agreed to divest six stations and that the transaction will give broadcasters resources to keep investing in local news.
Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that he would stay as chair of the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate setting committee if Kevin Warsh is not confirmed, as a Justice Department investigation into brief remarks by Powell continues. Powell told reporters he would remain in place until the investigation is “well and truly over,” even as his term as chair ends May 15. The comments underscored how a dispute over the investigation and Warsh’s delayed nomination could shape the Fed’s leadership transition.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point again as the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran pushes the waterway into the crosshairs of a wider conflict. Nearly all traffic has ground to a halt through the passage connecting the Persian Gulf to global oceans, disrupting oil and gas shipments and contributing to higher fuel prices.
Countries across Asia are scrambling to conserve energy and protect consumers as the Iran war disrupts oil and gas supplies, pushing markets and prices higher, the Associated Press reported. The disruptions have been most severe where imports heavily rely on shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping choke point under strain since Feb. 28.
Israel carried out airstrikes on Tehran on Friday as Iranians marked Nowruz, while fighting between Israel and Iran continued to disrupt oil and gas infrastructure across the Persian Gulf, the Associated Press reported.
Cuba is preparing to receive its first shipment of Russian oil this year amid worsening power outages, with a Russian-flagged tanker expected to arrive in about 10 days, according to energy expert Jorge Piñón. Piñón said the ship, the Anatoly Kolodkin, is carrying 730,000 barrels of fuel, while a separate Hong Kong-flagged vessel, the Sea Horse, is also reportedly carrying Russian oil. The preparations come after Cuba said it has been operating on natural gas, solar power and thermoelectric plants as its grid continues to deteriorate.
A senior executive at Super Micro Computer and two associates were charged in federal court with conspiring to smuggle U.S.-assembled servers with advanced Nvidia chips to China. Prosecutors said the men used fabricated documents, staged equipment to pass audits and a pass-through company to conceal who the true customers were. The case highlights how U.S. export controls on high-end AI hardware remain central to tensions between the United States and China.
The U.S. Education Department will hand off management of about $180 billion in defaulted federal student loans to the Treasury Department, under an agreement announced Thursday. The change is the latest step in President Donald Trump’s effort to dismantle the education agency, with Treasury officials saying it will eventually assume operational responsibility for the rest of the portfolio.
Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino testified Thursday at a New York antitrust trial tied to the Justice Department’s lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, portraying the industry as intensely competitive. Rapino defended the company’s use of exclusive deals and disputed claims by attorneys for 33 states and the District of Columbia that Live Nation has locked out rivals and driven up prices for concertgoers.
Irán intensificó sus ataques contra instalaciones energéticas en Oriente Medio, en medio de una guerra en su tercera semana entre Irán e Israel, con advertencias de países del Golfo de que la escalada podría llevar a un combate directo. El presidente estadounidense Donald Trump dijo que Israel no volvería a atacar el yacimiento de Pars Sur y advirtió que Estados Unidos tomaría represalias si Irán continúa bombardeando infraestructura energética en Qatar.
Nebraska is one of a handful of states that allows legal in-person sports betting but bars online gambling. A growing number of Nebraskans are now using prediction markets accessed through apps—where companies say users are “trading” rather than “betting”—to wager on sports and other outcomes.
Escalating attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Persian Gulf have raised concerns that initial price shocks tied to the Iran-Israel war could persist and spread into broader costs, including gasoline, electricity and fertilizer. In retaliation for an Israeli strike on a natural gas field supplying most of Iran’s gas, Iran struck infrastructure in multiple Gulf states on Thursday, Reuters and other observers said.
About 90 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the war with Iran began, maritime and trade data platforms said. The figures suggest the waterway has been halted for most traffic but still functions selectively for Iranian oil exports, even as the U.S. presses allies to send warships and reopen the strait.
In the wake of allegations of sexual abuse involving César Chavez, celebrations planned for later this month have been canceled, while the leaders’ labor legacy for farmworkers remains in renewed focus. The Associated Press reported that both Chavez, who died in 1993, and Dolores Huerta are credited with pushing growers to negotiate for better wages and working conditions.
Indonesia and the United States agreed to a new trade pact that expands access to Indonesia’s critical minerals and energy markets while cutting a threatened U.S. tariff on Indonesian goods. The agreement includes a plan for Indonesia to buy about $15 billion in American energy commodities and calls for cooperation on small modular nuclear reactors, even as its implementation is clouded by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s tariffs.
The National Retail Federation forecast Wednesday that U.S. retail sales will rise 4.4% in 2026 to $5.6 trillion, citing consumers’ resilience despite volatility. The NRF said the impact of the Iran war on consumer spending is too uncertain to include in its outlook.
U.S. wholesale prices rose more than expected in February, driven in part by higher food costs, according to the Labor Department. The producer price index rose 0.7% for the month and 3.4% from a year earlier, a pace last seen in February 2025. The release landed as the Federal Reserve met in Washington amid war-related energy price swings.
The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged for a second straight meeting on Wednesday, and Chair Jerome Powell said he plans to remain in the role until a Justice Department investigation tied to his congressional testimony is concluded. Policymakers maintained their forecast for one additional rate cut this year but signaled they could wait longer as they weigh inflation’s outlook against uncertainty from the Iran war.
In Arkansas and other parts of the U.S., manufacturers say Trump’s tariff agenda is raising costs and disrupting plans instead of spurring new production. A company that makes equipment used for concrete work said it ran at a loss in 2025 after import taxes increased the price of engines, steel and parts it needs.
US stocks slid Wednesday as oil prices rose on Iran-related disruptions, adding to worries that inflation will worsen and make it less likely the Federal Reserve resumes rate cuts. The S&P 500 fell 1.4% and ended a week in which it had been holding gains, after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said policymakers “just don’t know” how long the oil shock will last.
Tennessee farmer Todd Littleton says he expects to pay $100,000 more for fertilizer this season, after a 40% spike from last year that he links to the war in Iran and shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. The American Farm Bureau Federation warns some farmers who did not preorder may struggle to obtain needed fertilizer for spring planting.
Iran intensified attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure after an Israeli strike on Iran’s main natural gas field, the South Pars field shared with Qatar. The escalation drew warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump and pushed global oil and gas prices higher, with industry analysts citing the risk of retaliation.
The U.S. eased sanctions on Venezuela’s state oil company, allowing U.S. companies to buy Venezuelan oil more directly, as the Trump administration seeks to increase global supplies during the Iran war. The administration also said it will waive for 60 days key shipping requirements under the Jones Act to help reduce disruptions and pressure on energy markets.
China said it would not help the United States reopen the Strait of Hormuz as President Donald Trump requested, as Trump’s third-week Iran war contended with pressure over shipping through the strait and allies refusing to step up to secure it. Analysts said Beijing appears likely to welcome any delay in Trump’s highly anticipated visit to China and may see the delay as buying time amid U.S. difficulties in the Middle East. The Trump administration, in turn, has said China is “fine” with the postponed summit, while China’s foreign ministry repeated calls for parties to stop military operations and avoid escalation.
The U.S. national debt surpassed a record $39 trillion on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press, with the milestone arriving weeks after the start of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. The figure, the AP reports, underscores debates in Washington over how to balance competing priorities such as tax changes, defense spending and efforts to curb deficits. The Government Accountability Office has warned that rising debt can increase borrowing costs and reduce what businesses can invest in, while a fiscal watchdog group says the current pace is unsustainable.
Nairobi’s county government has begun offering female workers two paid days off each month for period pain, a policy that started after a governor raised the issue within his cabinet, according to the Associated Press. The county said the leave took effect in December 2025 for employees in the capital and is intended to support well-being and productivity.
Iran expanded strikes on major energy facilities across the Middle East, drawing warnings from Gulf Arab states that the attacks could pull them into direct combat. The strikes followed Israel’s killing of Iran’s intelligence minister and what Israel said was an attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field, a major shared resource.
Events and observances honoring César Chávez, including César Chávez Day, are being renamed, postponed or canceled after allegations that he sexually abused women and girls while leading the United Farm Workers. The fallout has included decisions by state governments and local cities, as well as announcements that labor groups will not participate in events named after the former union leader.
The Federal Aviation Administration said air traffic controllers will use radar to keep helicopters separated from airplanes by specific lateral or vertical distances at more than 150 of the nation’s busiest airports. The agency acted after a deadly Jan. 2025 midair collision near Washington, D.C., in which federal investigators said controllers relied too heavily on visual separation. Officials also cited recent near-misses in Texas and California.
Travelers facing long and unpredictable airport security lines amid a partial federal shutdown can check TSA wait times by using airport websites, terminals-by-terminal guidance, and timely social media updates. A former TSA wait-time app listing may not reflect current conditions, and third-party estimates can also lag during staffing strain and heavy spring break crowds.
JPMorgan Chase said Wednesday it will build wealth advising services aimed at athletes who come into money through their talents, from college sports NIL deals to established pros approaching retirement. The bank said the effort is designed to help athletes make money “work for them a long time,” and it added that it will begin reaching athletes early, including on college campuses.
About 2,400 Kaiser Permanente mental health professionals walked out Wednesday in Northern California as they raised concerns that the company will replace therapists with artificial intelligence. Kaiser said the union’s claim is false and that AI will not replace human assessment or make care decisions. The one-day strike coincided with walkouts by more than 23,000 Kaiser nurses, according to the report.
Michigan State Medical Society leaders say the state can ease a severe shortage of primary-care doctors by expanding pay and reimbursements, which they say has contributed to long wait times, higher costs and missed care. In a 14-point plan released Tuesday, the group argues primary care takes too small a share of total medical spending and says Michigan is short at least 464 primary-care providers.
Paraguay’s lower house ratified the Mercosur-European Union free trade agreement on Tuesday, making it the final South American country to approve the pact. The European Commission said it will provisionally ratify the deal, which could take effect while European lawmakers’ legal challenge works its way through the European Court of Justice.
Cerca de 90 buques, incluidos petroleros, cruzaron el estrecho de Ormuz desde el inicio de la guerra con Irán, y Lloyd’s List Intelligence informó que Irán siguió exportando millones de barriles de petróleo pese a que la ruta quedó casi paralizada para gran parte del tráfico. Datos de Kpler estimaron que Irán exportó más de 16 millones de barriles desde comienzos de marzo, en un contexto de sanciones occidentales y de ataques en la zona.
A consumer story from Edmunds and the Associated Press highlights a tradeoff for shoppers choosing between a used luxury vehicle and a new non-luxury model. The comparison centers on warranty coverage, ride feel and performance, tech features, and ongoing ownership costs, using examples such as a used BMW X3 versus a new Honda CR-V.
The Iran war has scrambled the Federal Reserve’s outlook for inflation and unemployment and is likely to further delay interest rate cuts this year, the AP reports as the central bank meets on Wednesday. The Federal Reserve is expected to keep rates unchanged, and many economists now see any first cut coming in September or later.
Japan reported a trade surplus of 57.3 billion yen ($360 million) in February, after posting a deficit the month before, as exports grew while demand from China stayed weak, Japan’s Finance Ministry data showed. Exports rose 4.2% year-on-year to 9.57 trillion yen and imports increased 10.2% to 9.51 trillion yen, according to the preliminary seasonally adjusted figures released Wednesday.
Macy’s reported stronger-than-expected profits in the fourth quarter and said comparable sales rose again, helped by a merchandise overhaul and improved customer service. However, CEO Tony Spring issued a reserved outlook for the year, citing uncertainty tied to President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the Iran war’s impact on energy prices.
Drivers in the United States are paying sharply more at the pump as the Iran war disrupts global oil flows, Associated Press reported. AAA said the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline rose to over $3.84 on Wednesday, the highest level in nearly two and a half years. The shock is also showing up in diesel prices and has analysts warning that higher fuel costs could add to inflation pressures.
Oil prices rose Tuesday as markets weighed the war with Iran, but U.S. stocks held up more steadily this time, according to market data cited by The Associated Press. The S&P 500 rose 0.2%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.1% and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.5%, while benchmark crude prices increased and then pared larger gains. Traders also looked ahead to the Federal Reserve’s next policy decision Wednesday and to signals from earnings forecasts from companies such as Delta Air Lines.
The escalating war with Iran is forcing governments across Asia and Europe into “energy triage,” with authorities weighing where to cut demand or absorb costs while supplies tighten, the Associated Press reported. Asia faces the sharpest exposure because a blocked Strait of Hormuz is a key shipping route for crude oil and LNG, and several countries are already rationing electricity, extending workweek rules, or drawing down reserves. In India and Indonesia, officials have tried to shield households with price controls, while analysts warn shortages could spread and prices could jump as subsidies and reserves shift.
Cuba plunged into darkness this week after a blackout that marked the third major power-grid failure since December, while U.S.-Cuba tensions intensified under President Donald Trump. The Associated Press reported that U.S. officials described the outages as a result of Cuban government failure, and Trump suggested on Monday he could “do anything I want” after Cuba’s current leaders. In Cuba, the outages and transportation shutdowns have disrupted food supplies and medical care, according to the report.
Trump on Tuesday pledged “imminent” action against Cuba’s government as a new nationwide blackout underlines what he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as a deepening economic crisis. Speaking a day after U.S. sanctions on Venezuela included a halt to vital oil exports to Cuba, Trump said Cuba is “in very bad shape” and that “we’ll be doing something with Cuba very soon.”
Colombia said it is seeking an exemption from U.S. sanctions to invest in Venezuelan electricity projects and natural gas ventures, a move Colombia said could include reopening a gas pipeline between the neighboring countries. The request would go to the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, Colombian Mines and Energy Minister Edwin Palma said Tuesday.
Tennessee farmer Todd Littleton says the Iran war has driven up fertilizer prices and threatens availability as spring planting approaches, with nitrogen supplies facing shipping slowdowns through the Strait of Hormuz. Other farm groups warn some farmers who have not preordered may be unable to get the fertilizer they need, and analysts say the disruption’s effects may linger for months.
US airlines said strong ticket sales are helping offset soaring jet fuel costs tied to the war in the Middle East, even as the industry expects airfares to rise over time. Delta, American Airlines and United Airlines executives told investors Tuesday that record bookings this year are absorbing hundreds of millions of dollars in added fuel expenses.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority sued the Trump administration in federal court to restore nearly $60 million in withheld federal funding for extending the Second Avenue subway line in Manhattan, according to the complaint. The MTA said the U.S. Department of Transportation has withheld more than $58.6 million for the project and warned work could come to “a screeching halt” if the suspension continues.
Maine is evaluating legislation that would create a $5 million fund to help towns convert vacant, closed school buildings into housing, with benefits for some communities but complicated costs and financing questions for others. The proposal, which would be paired with work by the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority, is expected to face further debate after committee action. In one example, Brooks voters on March 21 will decide whether to take over ownership of the former Morse Memorial Elementary School building and determine its next use.
Iran escalated its attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure after Israel hit Iran’s main natural gas field, South Pars, a joint reservoir shared with Qatar. The April-style regional flareup has raised concerns about longer price shocks for gas and oil as traders weigh risks to LNG exports and Persian Gulf supply routes, while U.S. President Donald Trump warned Israel and warned Iran over further strikes.
Millions more Americans may donate to nonprofits after new tax deductions take effect, but the same changes could also reduce the total amount of charitable giving, according to a new report by Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Bank of America reached a tentative settlement in a lawsuit brought by Jeffrey Epstein victims alleging the bank ignored suspicious transactions while he sexually abused hundreds of girls and women. The proposed settlement was disclosed in filings in Manhattan federal court on Monday, but the terms were not made public, and the bank declined to comment.
Hungary and Slovakia agreed to build a 127-kilometer fuel pipeline linking refineries in Százhalombatta and Bratislava, aiming to strengthen regional diesel and gasoline supply. The deal, signed in Brussels and announced by Slovakia’s Energy Ministry, calls for completion in the first half of 2027. The agreement comes amid disruptions to Russian oil shipments through Ukraine-linked pipelines and a wider dispute among the countries over access to fuel supplies.
Cesar Chavez celebrations in multiple cities were halted in recent days after the United Farm Workers distanced itself from annual events tied to the labor leader amid troubling allegations of abuse involving young women or minors. In a statement Tuesday, the union said it has not received direct reports and has no firsthand knowledge, and urged supporters to shift toward immigration justice activities and acts of service instead of Chavez commemorations.
A Live Nation ticketing employee testified Tuesday at the company’s antitrust trial that private messages where he called some customers “so stupid” and joked about “robbing them blind” were “very immature and unacceptable.” The messages were introduced by state attorneys alleging Live Nation and Ticketmaster suppressed competition and drove up prices.
Poland has become the world’s 20th-largest economy and is set to highlight that rise at a Group of 20 summit later this year, the Associated Press reported. The story contrasts post-communist shortages in the 1980s and early 1990s with Poland’s steady expansion after joining the European Union in 2004, reaching more than $1 trillion in annual output.
Brussels offered Ukraine technical support and funding to repair a damaged pipeline meant to carry crude oil to Hungary, in an effort to persuade Viktor Orban’s government to lift its veto on a major EU aid package. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that Ukraine accepted the offer, while Orban said Hungary will keep blocking the 90-billion-euro loan as long as oil shipments remain interrupted.
The Budapest public transit company is marking the 100th year of service for the city’s vintage electric “freight trams,” known as mukis, which still operate on the capital’s tram network. Acquired by the city in 1926, the wood-sided trams were built to move goods after World War I damaged much of the local freight infrastructure.
Tax season is approaching, and Morningstar’s Christine Benz recommends planning early with a checklist, deciding whether to itemize or take the standard deduction, organizing investment paperwork, and making retirement and health savings contributions before filing. Benz also highlights specific 2025 deduction thresholds and IRA contribution limits, including monthly schedules to reach the maximum.
Amazon said it has started offering faster U.S. deliveries of selected products for a fee, including 3-hour and 1-hour delivery options. The company said customers in more than 2,000 cities, towns and suburban areas can choose delivery from an inventory of 90,000 items.
President Donald Trump said he has asked China and other countries for help securing the Strait of Hormuz after U.S. strikes on Iran with Israel. He suggested he could delay a late-March trip to Beijing if China does not help, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said any rescheduling would be due to logistics.
Offshore construction has finished on Vineyard Wind, a major Massachusetts offshore wind farm, with the installation of the final blades completed Friday night, a project spokesperson said. The project is the first to reach that construction stage during President Donald Trump’s tenure.
China’s top trade negotiator warned in Paris that new U.S. tariff moves could harm U.S.-China trade relations, as Scott Bessent led a U.S. delegation for preparatory talks ahead of President Donald Trump’s trip to Beijing. Li Chenggang said both sides discussed possible extensions of tariffs and non-tariff measures and agreed to work to keep tariffs stable.
The White House wants to build an underground visitor screening center on the grounds, a step in President Donald Trump’s plan to overhaul parts of the area around the White House. Plans for a 33,000-square-foot facility were included in a preliminary agenda for an April meeting of a federal commission that approves construction on federal land in Washington.
The Strait of Hormuz has become effectively closed as Iran targets energy infrastructure and traffic through the waterway during its war with the United States and allies, driving crude oil prices to hover around $100 a barrel. While some vessels have crossed the strait in recent days, global shippers have issued service alerts and insurers have been limiting coverage, compounding the disruption. The White House has announced steps to boost supplies and reduce transport friction, including a 60-day Jones Act waiver.
U.S. stocks climbed Monday for their best day since the Iran war began, helped by a sharp drop in oil prices. The S&P 500 rose about 1% for its biggest gain in five weeks, while the Dow and Nasdaq also advanced as traders tracked the impact of the Strait of Hormuz disruption on inflation expectations.
The CEOs of major U.S. airlines urged Congress to restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security and find a bipartisan solution to pay federal aviation workers during a partial government shutdown. In an open letter, the executives also asked lawmakers to advance legislation they say would protect air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers from future funding lapses.
Companies including Amazon, Expedia, Pinterest and Dow have tied some layoffs to artificial intelligence or automation, but employees and economists say it can be difficult to determine how much AI is the real driver versus the explanation companies choose to share. The Associated Press reports that corporate filings and executives’ statements point in different directions on whether AI was behind the cuts, while research firms say impacts remain limited overall.
Negotiations to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) begin Monday between U.S. and Mexican trade officials, with Canada expected to join later, as Washington presses for changes and the three countries weigh whether the pact can survive a fast-moving political climate. The USMCA took effect July 1, 2020, and under the agreement’s renewal process, the pact must be renewed by 2036 or it expires.
A wave of corporate layoffs this winter has been framed by several tech‑heavy firms as a consequence of accelerating artificial‑intelligence adoption, but economists say the connection is far from clear. Amazon announced 16,000 corporate cuts, while Pinterest, Expedia and Dow cited AI‑driven strategies for shedding up to 15% of their workforces. The companies’ statements and expert analysis suggest a more nuanced picture of how AI is reshaping employment.
China warned that U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff moves could harm China-U.S. trade relations as U.S. and Chinese officials wrapped up high-level talks in Paris, a meeting intended to help prepare for Trump’s planned trip to China. China’s international trade representative said the Chinese side raised concerns about U.S. trade investigations into manufacturing in foreign countries launched after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down earlier tariffs.
Negotiations are set to begin Monday between U.S. and Mexican trade officials to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, known as USMCA, which took effect July 1, 2020. The talks come as the U.S. seeks changes to the pact and both Mexico and Canada weigh uncertainty over how long the North American trade bloc can last.
The Strait of Hormuz is becoming increasingly hard to traverse as the Iran war escalates, leaving global oil prices swinging around the $100-a-barrel range, according to reports citing the International Energy Agency and market tracking. The situation has raised fears of inflation pressure for consumers and higher costs for businesses if the route stays disrupted.
U.S. stocks rose Monday to their best day since the Iran war began after oil prices fell, easing pressure on the economy. The S&P 500 rose 1% for its biggest gain in five weeks, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 387 points and the Nasdaq composite jumped 1.2%.
The Trump administration said it will extend a waiver on the Jones Act for another 90 days, citing fallout from the war in Iran that has roiled energy markets and supply chains. The Jones Act, a law passed in 1920, generally requires cargo shipped between U.S. ports to move on U.S.-flagged vessels.
Jet fuel prices are rising as disruptions to global oil supplies linked to the Iran war put cost pressure on airlines ahead of the busy summer travel season, experts say. Airlines have already begun adding fuel surcharges or raising fares outside the U.S., and some U.S. carriers may follow as higher fuel costs flow through airline pricing.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. bombed military sites on Iran’s Kharg Island on Friday, an island he described as vital to Iran’s oil network. An American official told The Associated Press that about 2,500 additional Marines and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli are being sent to the Middle East nearly two weeks into the war.
Federal authorities are investigating multiple recent attacks they say reflect an elevated terrorism threat as the U.S. deals with the backdrop of the Iran war and a reshaped counterterrorism workforce at the FBI and Justice Department. In the past week, incidents in New York, Michigan and Virginia have raised concerns about the government’s ability to identify and disrupt threats early, even as officials said there is no indication the attackers were motivated explicitly by the Iran war. The AP’s report traces those concerns to departures of experienced national security personnel and shifting resources inside the FBI and DOJ.
The federal government has completed a land transfer in Arizona that cleared the way for copper mining at Oak Flat, a site used for religious ceremonies by the San Carlos Apache Tribe. A group of Apache women is now asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene after an appeals court lifted an emergency injunction that had blocked the transfer. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the project supports the Trump administration’s goals for energy independence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States’ 30-day waiver easing Russian oil sanctions is “not the right decision” and would free Russia money to continue its invasion. Speaking in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, Zelenskyy said the move could provide about $10 billion for the war.
Jet fuel prices have been rising as the Iran war disrupts global oil supplies, and experts say airfares are likely to increase as that higher cost works through airline pricing. The impact may be felt most on long-haul international routes because they burn significantly more fuel than shorter flights.
The Trump administration said it is extending a waiver of the Jones Act for another 90 days, citing the continuing war in Iran and its impact on energy markets and supply chains. The waiver applies to the century-old shipping law that generally requires cargo between U.S. ports to be moved on U.S.-flagged vessels.
President Donald Trump said Monday he has asked multiple countries to send warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid fighting involving Iran and Israel. He also indicated that his planned trip to China could be delayed after he raised the issue with Beijing. The request has met resistance so far, with officials in several countries signaling they will not dispatch ships or could not expand involvement.
President Donald Trump, two weeks into strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, has increasingly faced political backlash tied to the conflict, including surging oil prices and dropping financial markets. In remarks during a weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate and on Air Force One, Trump complained about media coverage and pressed for international help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where transportation has been disrupted. His comments and recent economic moves, including a 30-day waiver on some Russian sanctions to ease oil supply shortages, are drawing scrutiny ahead of November midterm elections.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States’ 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions is “not the right decision” and will not help end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy spoke Friday at a news conference in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron as the U.S. sought to ease shipping and supply disruptions tied to the Iran war.
HAVANA — Cuba’s entire electrical grid collapsed Monday, plunging 11 million people into darkness as the island’s long-festering energy crisis reached a breaking point. The government confirmed a “complete disconnection” of the national power system and warned that restoring service would be gradual due to the grid’s fragile state.
A building collapsed during a planned demolition that went wrong Monday in Nairobi, Kenya, killing at least four people and injuring four others, officials said. Rescue workers were searching for people trapped under rubble after the Interior Ministry said the building had been earmarked for removal under the Nairobi River Regeneration Project.
The White House wants to build an underground visitor security screening center beneath Sherman Park, the Associated Press reported. Plans for a 33,000-square-foot facility would be considered at an April meeting of a federal commission that approves construction on federal land in Washington.
An offshore wind project targeted by the Trump administration has begun sending power to New England’s electric grid, the developer said. Ørsted said Revolution Wind is now generating electricity and will scale up over the coming weeks to serve Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, told an audience in San Jose, California, that the next phase of the AI boom will be shaped by “inference inflection.” He said the company expects a $1 trillion backlog in orders for its chips by the end of the year and framed AI development as still early.
Mezcal has surged in popularity in the United States, and the global demand is reshaping the landscape of Oaxaca, Mexico, where the agave used to make the spirit is grown and distilled. A study cited by environmental researchers says plantations have expanded rapidly, contributing to deforestation and soil erosion in two major growing regions, while waste from production and heavy water use add to local strain.
Mexico’s agave spirit mezcal is still made largely the same way as in past generations, with work guided by knowledge passed down within Indigenous families, the Associated Press reported. In villages in Oaxaca, where mezcal is produced, the spirit is used as a home remedy and served at weddings, funerals and community celebrations. The AP described the steps from harvesting agave to distillation, including how some producers are adopting practices aimed at reducing water and waste.
ABBEVILLE, La., (AP) — Jacob Sagrera grades and stacks alligator skins tagged for legal trade at his family’s Vermilion Gator Farm, where hides are prepared for luxury brands and tanneries. Advocates for the Louisiana program say the market-based system helps preserve a species once threatened by hunting, while opponents question whether farming normalizes demand that can fuel poaching.
More than 30 states will resume their antitrust trial against Live Nation and Ticketmaster on Monday in New York after talks this week failed to expand a tentative settlement reached with the U.S. Justice Department. Seven states—Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Dakota—said they were joining that Justice Department deal, according to lawyers.
Teherán instó el sábado a evacuar el puerto de Jebel Alí, en Dubái, y otros dos puertos en Emiratos Árabes Unidos, amenazando por primera vez activos no estadounidenses de un país vecino mientras la guerra de Irán contra Estados Unidos e Israel entra en su tercera semana.
Michigan is expanding a new state-backed apprenticeship program designed to help current child care and pre-K workers earn credentials, with the goal of increasing staffing for early childhood classrooms.
A new Associated Press report looks at what dermatologists say about pricey shampoos and conditioners, including when higher-priced products can make sense and when they do not. Experts advised consumers to focus on ingredients and their hair and scalp needs—rather than on marketing or packaging—while consulting a doctor when dandruff or itchiness does not improve.
Gas prices tend to make filling up feel more painful, but experts say drivers can often reduce how much fuel they burn by changing their driving habits and keeping vehicles in good shape. Consumer Reports and AAA, along with auto-industry and automotive testing experts, recommend actions ranging from moderating highway speeds to checking tire pressure and minimizing idle time.
Air China will resume flights between Beijing and North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, starting March 30, according to information on the airline’s website. The flights will run every Monday through May 18, the site said, after passenger train service between the two nations restarted earlier this week.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright directed Texas-based Sable Offshore Corp. to restore oil and gas operations in waters off southern California damaged by a 2015 spill, invoking the Defense Production Act, according to a department release. The order targets Sable Offshore’s Santa Ynez unit and pipeline system off Santa Barbara.
A bipartisan group of 13 U.S. attorneys general sued OneMain Financial on Monday, alleging the company added unwanted products and hidden costs to loans, raising borrowers’ costs. The complaint, filed in New York, also accuses the company of steering borrowers into credit insurance and similar memberships while allegedly misrepresenting whether they were required and how they could be canceled. OneMain said the practices were reviewed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2023 and disputes the states’ claims.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers are considering a bill to define what qualifies as a “farm,” aiming to separate bona fide agricultural operations from landowners seeking tax benefits. The proposal would direct major state agriculture agencies to use a tiered system based on output, size, function and other factors. Advocates say clearer rules could help legitimate farmers, but they warn the approach could add burdens for small operators.
30 Indigenous women traveled to Ecuador’s northern Amazon to witness oil extraction impacts and discuss threats from proposed oil expansion, an effort organized as a workshop ahead of possible new drilling. In Sucumbios province, activists and participants pointed to polluted streams, gas flaring and contamination concerns, while Ecuador’s Ministry of Energy and Mines did not respond to a request for comment.
Cuba’s energy officials reported an islandwide blackout on Monday as the country’s power grid struggles amid deepening energy and economic crises. The Ministry of Energy and Mines said it was investigating a “complete disconnection” of the electrical system and that crews were trying to restart thermoelectric plants.
Thousands of meatpacking workers for JBS USA’s Swift Beef Co. began a two-week strike Monday outside the plant in Greeley, Colorado, threatening to further raise already high beef costs for U.S. consumers, the United Food and Commercial Union said.
Lyft will ensure that blind and other disabled passengers can ride with service animals under a settlement announced in Minnesota, the Associated Press reported. The agreement was reached after a state investigation found that Lyft drivers refused a college student’s service dog. The settlement also includes driver training and updates to the Lyft app so the terms apply nationwide, not only in Minnesota.
A building collapsed during a planned demolition in Nairobi on Monday, killing at least four people and injuring four others, Kenya’s Interior Ministry said. Rescue workers from the army and other institutions were searching for anyone trapped under the rubble, the ministry said.
Scammers are using robocalls, text messages and phishing emails more than in past tax seasons, and the Federal Trade Commission says artificial intelligence is likely increasing fraud attempts. The FTC and consumer advocates warn people to slow down, verify any message with the official IRS website, and be alert to fake claims that the IRS will call or text them.
States are moving to set rules for how cash purchases should be rounded to the nearest nickel now that the U.S. has ended penny production, creating patchworks that businesses and consumers must navigate. The Associated Press reports that several states have already passed or are advancing “symmetrical rounding” bills, including Indiana and bills awaiting governor action in Arizona, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
Chilean President José Antonio Kast moved quickly after taking office, overseeing the first ground‑breakings for a new “Border Shield” barrier on March 16, 2026. The project, aimed at stopping illegal immigration, drug trafficking and organized crime, was announced from the desert frontier of Chacalluta in the country’s far north. Kast told reporters the construction marked “a milestone for all of Chile.”
**HAVANA —** A nationwide power outage left Cuba’s 11 million residents without electricity on Monday, worsening an already severe energy and economic crisis. The Ministry of Energy and Mines announced a “complete disconnection” of the grid and said crews were working to restart thermoelectric plants, while officials reported that power had been restored to only 5 % of Havana’s customers. The blackout marks the third major collapse of the island’s power system in four months.
As gasoline prices surge, drivers can stretch each tank a bit farther by tweaking how they drive, Consumer Reports and automotive experts say. They recommend slowing to around 65 mph, using cruise‑control, eliminating excess weight and drag, keeping tires properly inflated and maintaining the vehicle, as well as considering carpooling or a hybrid when it’s time for a new car. These steps can improve fuel efficiency by up to 14 percent, according to the specialists quoted.
Hawaii legislators are drafting a bill that would create a tiered classification system for farms, aiming to curb tax breaks enjoyed by “gentleman farmers” who own land zoned for agriculture but produce little or nothing. Senate Bill 2153, introduced by Sen. Tim Richards, would require the state’s agriculture agencies to assess farms based on output, size, community value and environmental stewardship, officials said. Critics worry the new rules could burden small‑scale growers while larger operations continue to dominate the islands’ agricultural landscape.
A bipartisan group of 13 state attorneys general sued OneMain Financial on Monday, alleging the company placed unwanted additional products and other hidden costs on loans that raised borrowers’ overall costs. The lawsuit was filed in New York and says OneMain employees steered borrowers into purchasing credit insurance and other add-ons while making deceptive claims about whether the products were required and how they could be canceled.
More than 30 states plan to resume their antitrust trial against Live Nation Entertainment and its Ticketmaster unit on Monday in New York, after negotiations failed to bring many states into a Justice Department settlement. Seven states — Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Dakota — joined the Justice Department in settling, according to lawyers in court.
Four airports serving Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, Virginia, halted flights for more than an hour on Friday evening after a strong chemical smell disrupted air traffic controllers, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
A ruptured wastewater pipe that leaked millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River returned to operation Saturday after emergency repairs, DC Water said. The Potomac Interceptor ruptured on Jan. 19, sending 250 million gallons of untreated sewage into the river just north of Washington.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Friday directed Texas‑based Sable Offshore Corp. to resume operations of its Santa Ynez oil unit and pipeline network off southern California, invoking the Defense Production Act. The order aims to mitigate supply‑disruption risks and bolster West‑coast energy security, officials said.
Many shoppers wonder whether pricey shampoos and conditioners are worth it, and dermatologists say the answer often depends less on the price tag than on how a person washes, treats and cares for their hair. Experts interviewed by The Associated Press said consumers can get similar results from less-expensive products by focusing on ingredients and matching products to scalp and hair needs.
About 30 Indigenous women from seven Amazon communities traveled to Ecuador’s northern oil region on March 14 to see firsthand the contamination from decades of oil and gas extraction. They visited the Libertador field operated by Petroecuador, witnessed oil‑stained streams and gas flares, and returned to Nueva Loja to plan resistance to proposed new drilling concessions.
Irán instó el sábado a evacuar el puerto más activo de Oriente Medio y otros dos en los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, mientras la guerra contra Estados Unidos e Israel entraba en su tercera semana. Teherán dijo que Washington usó “puertos, muelles y escondites” en los EAU para atacar la isla de Jark, donde se ubica una terminal clave para las exportaciones de petróleo de Irán.
Tax scams are up this tax season, with robocalls, texts and phishing emails from scammers increasing compared with previous years, the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer protection bureau said. The FTC said artificial intelligence is likely increasing fraud attempts as scammers refine tactics such as voice mimicry and spoofed caller ID.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said Monday that the artificial intelligence boom is entering its next phase, which he called an “inference inflection.” Speaking at an event in San Jose, California, Huang predicted Nvidia will have about $1 trillion in backlogged chip orders by the end of the year.
Louisiana alligator farms in Abb\u00e9ville are raising American alligators for meat and skins, and the state releases some young alligators back into the wild as part of the program, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The effort is being pitched by supporters as a way to keep wetlands and alligators from being forgotten, even as some animal rights advocates raise ethical objections.
Lyft will ensure blind and other disabled passengers can ride with their service animals under a settlement announced in Minnesota, the Associated Press reported. The agreement follows complaints that some Lyft drivers refused to allow a service dog to accompany a rider, state Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero said.
Mexico’s agave spirit mezcal is still produced much as it has been for generations, with much of the work passed down within Indigenous families, an Associated Press report said. In many villages in Oaxaca, the spirit is used as a home remedy and offered as a gesture of hospitality at weddings, funerals and other community celebrations.
Thousands of meatpacking workers began a two-week strike Monday at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley, Colorado, part of one of the largest meatpacking companies’ operations, according to union and company statements. The work stoppage, at a plant owned by JBS USA, risks adding pressure to already high U.S. beef prices for consumers.
Construction has finished on Vineyard Wind’s offshore wind farm off Massachusetts, with the project installing the final blades on Friday night, a spokesperson said Saturday. The completion marks the first offshore wind project to reach that stage during President Donald Trump’s tenure.
An offshore wind project targeted by the Trump administration has started sending power to New England’s electric grid, the developer said March 14. Ørsted said Revolution Wind is now generating electricity and will increase output in the weeks ahead as it moves toward full operation.
Months after the U.S. Mint stopped making pennies, states are moving to set rules for cash transactions that would otherwise require exact change, AP reports. The approach gaining traction uses symmetrical rounding to the nearest nickel after taxes so receipts always end in 0 or 5.
President Donald Trump said the United States bombed military sites on Kharg Island on Friday, an island he described as vital to Iran’s oil export network. An American official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive plans, said 2,500 more Marines and an amphibious assault ship are being sent to the Middle East nearly two weeks into the war between Israel and Iran.
Cuban authorities arrested five residents after a protest in Moron early Saturday that partially destroyed the local communist party headquarters, as the island grapples with severe fuel shortages and blackouts. The demonstration, linked to energy supply issues and food access, marks a rare public challenge to the government amid ongoing crisis.
Chilean President José Antonio Kast began overseeing preparations for a border barrier in Chacalluta on March 16, less than a week after his inauguration, vowing to block illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and organized crime. From Chile's northern frontier, where many immigrants have crossed from Peru, Kast called the move a milestone for national security.
Air China will restart passenger flights between Beijing and Pyongyang on March 30, the airline announced Saturday, marking another step in the gradual reopening of North Korea’s borders after the coronavirus pandemic.
Dermatologists advise that affordable shampoos work as well as premium brands, with effectiveness depending more on hair type and washing routine than price. The advice comes as consumers face social media marketing for high-end hair care products.
NUEVA LOJA, Ecuador — About 30 Indigenous women from seven Amazon nationalities visited contaminated oil sites in Ecuador’s northern Amazon, witnessing broken pipelines, oil-stained streams, and gas flares. The tour, organized by activists, aimed to prepare communities for a possible government expansion of oil drilling. “Everything is contaminated, even the air,” said Julia Catalina Chumbi, a 76-year-old Shuar leader.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright directed Texas-based Sable Offshore Corp. on Friday to resume oil production in waters off Southern California using the Defense Production Act, citing national security concerns. The move targets the Santa Ynez unit and pipeline near Santa Barbara, which have been inactive since a 2015 oil spill.
Wall Street slid Friday as investors weighed the impact of the Iran war on oil prices and inflation expectations. The S&P 500 fell 0.6%, while crude prices climbed again after briefly easing earlier in the day.
US stocks lost ground Friday as investors weighed the Iran war’s impact on oil prices and inflation. The S&P 500 fell 0.6% after being up early, while the Dow slipped 0.3% and the Nasdaq fell 0.9%.
The U.S. will temporarily ease sanctions on certain Russian oil shipments loaded on tankers as of Thursday, a move aimed at reducing volatility in global energy markets as the Iran war and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz have pushed crude prices higher. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measure would last 30 days and would not change the overall sanctions pressure on Russia’s oil sector. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the easing would “help” Russia’s war effort.
The United States is temporarily easing some sanctions on Russian oil shipments, aiming to calm jittery global energy markets as crude prices surge amid disruptions tied to the Iran war. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the restrictions will not apply for 30 days to deliveries of Russian oil loaded on tankers as of Thursday.
Restaurants are increasingly offering smaller portions, from new “Mini Meals” at local spots to chain menus aimed at customers using GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drugs and shoppers seeking lower-priced, calorie-conscious options. The approach ranges from specialized menus at some restaurants to limited “lighter portions” selections at others.
Smaller portion sizes are emerging as a restaurant trend as diners watch budgets and health goals, a shift that some restaurants say has been driven in part by people using weight-loss drugs. The menus range from small-plate styles and “bites and bowls” to smaller, lower-priced options designed to fit smaller appetites.
The Fed’s closely watched inflation gauge rose in January, a fresh sign that prices stayed persistently elevated even before the Iran war disrupted energy markets. The Commerce Department said core and overall price measures rose year over year, with core inflation at its fastest pace in nearly two years.
President Donald Trump is working to replace revenue lost after the Supreme Court struck down his largest tariffs last month, setting up additional import taxes that Democrats say will raise household costs. In a study released Friday, lawmakers on the Joint Economic Committee said Trump’s new tariffs would average $2,512 per household in 2026. The White House disputed the estimate, saying the administration will keep using tariffs to renegotiate trade deals and support investment.
WASHINGTON — New government data released Friday showed cracks in the “highly resilient” U.S. economy appearing before the Iran war began, with economic growth slowing into late 2025 and consumer spending weakening after adjusting for inflation. The Commerce Department said fourth-quarter growth was cut to a 0.7% annual rate from an earlier estimate of 1.4%, while a University of Michigan survey showed consumer sentiment worsening after Feb. 28, when the attack on Iran began.
Representatives from Beijing and Washington began economic and trade talks in Paris on Sunday, setting the stage for President Donald Trump’s state visit to China to meet Xi Jinping in about two weeks. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent led the U.S. team, while Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng headed the Chinese delegation.
The U.S. economy grew at an annualized 0.7 % rate in the fourth quarter of 2025, a sharp downgrade from the Commerce Department’s initial 1.4 % estimate, according to data released Friday. Rising gasoline prices that are nearing $4 a gallon and lingering effects from a 43‑day government shutdown are weighing on consumer spending and confidence, while economists warn that inflation pressures could intensify ahead of a possible Federal Reserve rate hike.
President Donald Trump is seeking ways to replace revenue lost after the Supreme Court struck down major tariffs, and Democrats warn new import taxes will raise the cost of living for American households. In a study released Friday, Democrats said the administration’s import taxes will average $2,512 per household in 2026, up from $1,745 in tariff costs last year.
The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge rose in January, a sign that prices remained persistently elevated even before the Iran war disrupted energy markets. The Commerce Department reported the personal consumption expenditures price index rose 2.8% in January from a year earlier.
New government data reveals the U.S. economy weakened significantly in late 2025, with fourth-quarter growth cut to 0.7% and consumer spending anemic, even before the Iran war drove oil prices higher.
Dozens of Iranians crossed into northern Iraq on Sunday, the first day the Haji Omeran crossing reopened after war-related disruptions, seeking cheaper groceries, internet access, and a way to contact relatives. Travelers said bombardments and soaring food prices have made life in Iran increasingly desperate, while Iraqi Kurdistan’s relative stability has turned the border route into a lifeline.
California lawmakers passed a law meant to curb extreme spikes in gas prices, giving regulators authority to cap certain refinery profits and penalize price gouging. But the rules tied to that authority have never been used, and regulators voted last year to delay them for five years. With gasoline topping $5.30 a gallon statewide amid the Iran war’s effect on global oil markets, the dormant policy has come under renewed scrutiny.
U.S. job openings rose to about 7 million in January, according to data the Labor Department released Friday. Employers added openings despite a labor market that has looked sluggish in recent months, with layoffs edging lower and quits slipping modestly.
The Iran conflict has driven up oil and gasoline prices, but President Donald Trump has begun portraying high prices as profitable and pivoting from earlier messages that emphasized keeping energy costs low, the Associated Press reported. The Trump administration has also taken steps aimed at stabilizing surging prices while officials grapple with how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to allow tankers to move again.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2023 law that lets California cap refinery profits and penalize price‑gouging has never been invoked, even as gasoline prices surged to $5.30 a gallon across the state in early 2026. The delay was cemented when the California Energy Commission voted in August 2025 to postpone the rules for five years, a move now under fresh scrutiny amid a global oil shock tied to the war with Iran. Consumer‑advocacy groups and environmental watchdogs say the state is “lying in wait for a hammer” that could protect drivers, while the oil industry argues the caps would push refiners out of California altogether.
Dozens of Iranians crossed into northern Iraq on Sunday, the first day a border crossing reopened since fighting struck Iran, seeking cheaper groceries, internet access, and a way to contact relatives, according to interviews with people at the Haji Omeran crossing. For many travelers, the trip also represented an opportunity to find work in Iraq’s Kurdish region as food prices and insecurity rose inside Iran.
President Donald Trump has sought to frame higher oil prices as beneficial after a spike in energy costs tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict, as his administration wrestles with how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for oil tankers. The shift comes as gasoline prices have risen sharply and Trump’s political team has offered varying messages on when the strait might again be used routinely.
U.S. job openings rose to 6.95 million in January, according to the Labor Department, up from 6.55 million in December. The increase came as employers continued to cut jobs and as economists said the labor market remained sluggish.
Texas regulators are weighing public comments on a multibillion-dollar plan meant to bring more electricity to West Texas, as lawmakers and landowner groups urge changes and delay. The dispute centers on proposals to build a major 765-kilovolt transmission line through parts of the Texas Hill Country.
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders aimed at improving home affordability ahead of November midterm elections, the White House said and an Associated Press report detailed. One order targets federal rules tied to housing permitting and construction, while the other would streamline mortgage-related regulations to expand lending by smaller community banks.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is terminating the contractor running its largest detention facility in El Paso, Texas, and replacing it with Amentum Services, the agency said. The contractor switch at Camp East Montana comes amid scrutiny of detainees’ living conditions and allegations of overcrowding, medical neglect and other problems.
The Colombian government said a planned Friday meeting between Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro and Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez at the international Atanasio Girardot bridge was canceled. Venezuela’s government later said the meeting would not take place Friday due to “force majeure” and that the two sides would postpone it to a later date.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mental health bond promised that 10 early projects would open by the end of 2025. A CalMatters investigation found none met that goal, with nine delayed and one cancelled, underscoring hurdles in building new treatment capacity in California. Newsom said the bond is exceeding its goals as the state awarded additional funding this week.
Texas regulators overseeing the expansion of the state’s power transmission network are weighing whether proposed lines in and toward West Texas could proceed amid opposition from landowners and conservative groups. The Permian Basin Reliability Plan, which industry backers say is needed to keep oil and gas operations running, could face delays as opponents urge regulators to revisit routes, environmental review, and costs for ratepayers.
Dozens of Iranians crossed into Iraq’s Kurdish region on Sunday, the first day the Haji Omeran border reopened after weeks of closure, seeking lower‑priced food, internet access and work. Travelers said relentless airstrikes and soaring prices have made life in Iran increasingly desperate, prompting many to turn to the nearby Iraqi market for relief.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Friday it is replacing the contractor that has run its largest detention facility at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, with a new prime contractor. The move comes after scrutiny of living conditions detainees described as inhumane since the camp’s hasty construction and opening last year.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration said it was speeding up delivery of projects funded by a $6.4 billion mental health bond approved by voters in 2024, but nine of 10 initial projects expected to open in 2025 were delayed, according to a report released this week. The delays, first-round delays and at least one cancellation affect plans for new inpatient treatment beds, outpatient slots and related housing programs.
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Friday aimed at addressing home affordability, a key issue for voters ahead of November’s midterm elections, according to The Associated Press. The orders would change federal housing and mortgage regulations and would aim to accelerate permitting and ease mortgage rules for smaller lenders.
California's 2023 law granting regulators power to cap refinery profits during price spikes remains dormant despite record-high gas prices, raising questions about the state's energy policy amid refinery closures and global oil shocks.
The Trump administration on Wednesday opened a new trade investigation into manufacturing in foreign countries as a way to replace tariffs that were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. The investigation will proceed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, with the U.S. Trade Representative saying the goal is to protect American jobs while officials avoid prejudging outcomes.
The Trump administration opened a new trade investigation aimed at manufacturing in foreign countries as it seeks to replace tariffs that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down, an effort the administration said is intended to protect American jobs. The investigation begins under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said.
The month-old war launched by the United States and Israel has focused attention on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil-export hub, and on other Persian Gulf islands near the Strait of Hormuz. Strikes or an invasion of such sites could sharply curtail Iran’s oil exports and, analysts say, widen the conflict in ways that would ripple through global fuel prices.
U.S. and Israeli operations in the month-old war involving Iran have focused attention on Kharg Island, where Iran’s oil terminal handles most of the country’s exports. Strikes on Kharg’s oil infrastructure—or a ground invasion—could sharply curb Iran’s oil revenue, while also raising the risk of broader attacks across the Gulf and higher oil prices.
A month into the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, the strategic Kharg Island oil terminal has become a focal point. Striking or occupying the island could cripple Iran's economy but would also risk driving oil prices higher, threatening the global economy.
With no clear end in sight for the war with Iran, oil prices jumped back to $100 per barrel Thursday and stocks sank worldwide. The S&P 500 fell 1.5%, the Dow dropped 739 points, and the Nasdaq fell 1.8% as traders focused on the Strait of Hormuz and rising energy-driven inflation fears.
The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a broad, bipartisan housing bill aimed at improving access to homeownership and affordability nationwide, with the measure clearing the chamber 89-10. The bill would reduce some regulations, curb certain corporate investment in single-family homes, and expand how housing dollars can be used to build affordable homes and rentals. It now heads back to the House, where leaders have signaled they may pursue a conference process rather than simply accept the Senate version.
Senators on Wednesday vented their frustrations over the stalled fight to fund the Department of Homeland Security, arguing the impasse has left more Americans enduring long airport lines as Transportation Security Administration staffing shortages persist.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Paris on Sunday and Monday for a new round of trade talks, the Treasury Department said. The talks are expected to help prepare for President Donald Trump’s state visit to Beijing, which the White House has said will begin March 31.
U.S. stock markets have swung sharply amid the Iran war, leading some investors to consider selling or moving retirement holdings. But investors with long time horizons have historically benefited from staying invested through steep drops, according to financial strategists. The advice is to avoid putting retirement money—especially money needed soon—into stocks and to use diversification to smooth shocks.
The U.S. Senate approved a sweeping bipartisan housing bill on Thursday, voting 89‑10 to advance legislation aimed at widening access to affordable homes. The measure, championed by Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Republican Senate Banking Committee chair Tim Scott, would loosen certain regulations, curb corporate investors in single‑family housing and give local officials more tools to address regional housing shortages. The bill now heads back to the House, which passed a similar version earlier this year.
Oil prices rose back to around $100 per barrel and stock markets fell worldwide Thursday, as investors weighed risks that the Iran war could disrupt Persian Gulf oil flows and stoke inflation. The S&P 500 fell 1.5%, the Dow dropped 739 points, and the Nasdaq declined 1.8%, according to AP market data.
Senators vented frustration Wednesday over a lack of progress on funding the Department of Homeland Security, as long airport security lines persist and lawmakers warn they could worsen. The standoff, which began Feb. 14, is now entering its fourth week, with the remaining Homeland Security appropriations bill the only one not completed for the year.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Paris Sunday and Monday for trade talks, the Treasury Department said Thursday. The discussions prepare for President Donald Trump’s state visit to Beijing starting March 31, though Beijing has not confirmed the trip. "Thanks to the bonds of mutual respect between President Trump and President Xi, the trade and economic dialogue between the United States and China is moving forward," Bessent said.
NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration’s war with Iran cost the United States more than $11.3 billion during its first week, according to AP reporting. The Associated Press broke down that spending into smaller, more comparable costs, including what the money might cover at the individual level.
Iran’s new supreme leader said Thursday the war will continue, warning Gulf Arab states of “other fronts” as prices and markets reacted to escalating attacks. In the same period, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his strikes are creating conditions for the Iranian public to topple the government, while U.S. President Donald Trump posted threats to Iran online.
In the United States, drivers watching the Iran war push up gasoline prices are weighing whether to buy electric vehicles, experts say. AP spoke with EV owners and economists, energy analysts and consumer-industry researchers about how quickly electricity bills may change—and whether EVs offer savings when fuel costs rise.
NEW YORK — As the conflict between Iran and Israel roils oil markets, U.S. investors are being reminded that patience remains the best defense for retirement savings, according to financial advisers. The S&P 500, still 4.4% shy of its January record, has swung sharply in recent weeks, but historically the index has recovered from every major shock, from the 2020 pandemic to previous trade wars.
Iran’s new supreme leader made his first public remarks, pledging to keep fighting as the war entered its 13th day and oil prices surged and stocks fell. In separate remarks, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a new threat to Iran, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s strikes were aimed at creating conditions for the Iranian population to topple the government.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s new supreme leader vowed Thursday to keep fighting and open “other fronts” in the 13-day war, as U.S. President Donald Trump issued a new online threat calling Iranian leaders “deranged scumbags.” The conflict has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, sent oil prices above $100 per barrel, and dragged in global powers.
Investors should stay calm and avoid rash moves as U.S. markets swing due to the Iran war, historical patterns show recoveries always follow steep drops, advisers say.
Live Nation and the U.S. Justice Department announced a tentative settlement that critics say does not separate Ticketmaster from its parent, leaving consumers with an uncertain path to lower concert-ticket costs. The deal would require court approval after a federal trial and would also create a $280 million settlement fund for states’ damages claims, if states sign on.
René Redzepi, the founder and chef behind Denmark’s famed Noma, stepped down after abuse and assault allegations drew new attention online. In a Thursday Instagram post, he said Noma had taken steps to change its culture and that his resignation acknowledged that “an apology is not enough.”
Incendiary internal messages in which a Live Nation employee mocked customers as “so stupid” and said the company was “robbing them blind, baby” were made public as 24-plus states and the U.S. government weigh whether to keep litigating their antitrust case against Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The messages, shared in a filing released in Manhattan federal court, were highlighted after a week of testimony and after federal authorities announced a settlement that could alter the trial’s future.
Nevada’s NV Energy says the state is on track to miss clean energy standards it is required to meet by 2030 for the first time, blaming rapidly rising electricity demand from data centers serving artificial intelligence. Utility regulators in April will review a draft plan addressing shortages, with potential fines if the renewable portfolio standard isn’t met. Sierra Club officials and an industry group said the scale of new load is pressuring the state’s ability to build enough renewable power.
Thousands of fans turned out in Finland’s far north for the Salla Reindeer Cup this past weekend, drawing crowds despite frigid subfreezing temperatures near the Russian border. The Salla event, roughly 264 kilometers (164 miles) northeast of Oulu, featured reindeer sprinting across a snow-covered track and pulling their handlers on skis.
Many Americans consider tapping retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs to fund a home down payment, but the move can trigger tax penalties and other effects that last into retirement. An Associated Press report highlighted how the decision can mean taking loans or hardship withdrawals with different rules, limits and risks.
NV Energy predicts missing 2030 renewable target as AI-driven data centers strain grid, prompting utility to seek more natural gas.
A sharp jump in U.S. gasoline prices has nudged more drivers to consider electric vehicles, according to several industry observers. The price of a regular‑gas gallon rose to $3.57 this week, up from $2.94 a month earlier, prompting owners of fuel‑guzzling SUVs to look for alternatives. Experts say the spike may translate into higher demand for battery‑electric cars, especially if consumers believe electricity costs will stay comparatively stable.
Nevada’s largest utility, NV Energy, warned on Saturday that a surge in data‑center projects could push the state past its 2030 renewable‑energy target. The utility says demand from prospective data centers may require 47 percent more power than it projected two years ago, forcing it to consider greater reliance on natural gas to meet immediate needs. State officials and environmental groups say the shortfall threatens the clean‑energy standards approved by voters in 2020.
Live Nation and the U.S. Department of Justice announced a tentative agreement to settle DOJ claims that Live Nation runs a monopoly that squashes competition and drives up prices in live music ticketing. The deal, revealed Monday during a trial, would give some venues ticketing choices but would not separate Ticketmaster from Live Nation. Critics and many states say the changes do not go far enough for consumers.
U.S. government and state prosecutors on Thursday urged a federal judge to allow Slack messages from a Live Nation employee to be used in an ongoing antitrust trial over the company’s relationship with Ticketmaster. The messages, released in the public court record, include language prosecutors say mocks customers and brags about Live Nation profiting from fans. The judge, Arun Subramanian, encouraged negotiations among parties after the federal government announced a settlement this week.
NEW YORK (MSI) — A Live Nation employee called customers "so stupid" and bragged about "robbing them blind" in internal Slack messages, states argued Wednesday in an antitrust trial against the entertainment giant.
The Justice Department and Live Nation announced a tentative settlement Monday to address monopoly allegations, but critics argue the deal fails to fundamentally change the concert ticketing landscape. The agreement, which still requires court approval, would allow venues more ticketing choices while leaving Ticketmaster under Live Nation's ownership.
Inflation rose at about the same pace in February as in January, but the latest reading reflects prices before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28 and sent oil prices higher. Consumer prices increased 2.4% in February from a year earlier, and core prices rose 2.5%, both matching January and sitting above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
Iran attacked commercial shipping and targeted Bahrain’s Muharraq Island airport as the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution demanding Iran stop “egregious attacks” on Gulf neighbors. The escalation came as U.S. and Israeli strikes hit Tehran, with no signs the war that began about 12 days ago was subsiding, according to the Associated Press.
Wealthy nations backed by the International Energy Agency agreed Wednesday to release record emergency oil reserves to blunt the impact of the Iran war on global energy markets and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The IEA said its members will make 400 million barrels available from their emergency reserves, including more than double the volume released in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Gasoline prices have been rising largely because the Iran war has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for oil and gas from the Persian Gulf, the Associated Press reported March 11. French President Emmanuel Macron is leading an international effort aimed at unblocking the choke point when fighting eases, with ideas that warships could escort vessels through the strait.
Powerus, a new drone maker partly owned by President Donald Trump’s sons, is seeking Pentagon contracts after the Trump administration banned importing armed drones from China, the Associated Press reported. The company said it has no conflict in bidding for federal money while the family benefits from its ownership, while a government ethics expert said the arrangement could create pressure on contract awards.
In several Democratic-led states, lawmakers are weighing new taxes on high-income households and investment earnings as budget needs grow. In Washington state, where lawmakers are debating a proposal that would create a nearly 10% annual tax on personal earnings over $1 million, supporters say the money would help fund free K-12 school meals, childcare and a family tax credit.
Honolulu lawmakers and lei-industry figures are debating whether Hawaii should require clearer labeling for leis made with imported flowers, after a report that many of the purple orchid garlands tourists receive are grown in Thailand. The proposals include a state purchasing rule to favor in-state flowers and a potential work group in the Senate bill to study how to protect local growers.
California’s foster care system is facing an insurance-driven crisis that is forcing foster family agencies to close in multiple counties, potentially disrupting placements for thousands of vulnerable children, according to the California Department of Social Services. Lawmakers are seeking additional relief funding after a one-time allocation ran out, but advocates warn the problem could spread without longer-term policy changes.
Edmunds has compiled a list of “best budget-friendly” four-door hatchbacks on sale for 2026, highlighting options that it says balance frugal fuel economy with practical everyday versatility. The selections include the Toyota Corolla hatchback and the Kia K4 hatchback, along with the Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza and Honda Civic hatchback, plus the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Exxon Mobil Corp. said its board has recommended that shareholders approve moving the company’s legal home from New Jersey to Texas, a shift the company said is aimed at a more business-friendly legal environment. The company said the plan would be voted on at its annual meeting May 27, and that it would not affect its business operations or employee locations.
Syngenta said it will stop producing paraquat, a herbicide banned in more than 70 countries, by the end of June, including at its facility in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. Paraquat is repackaged and distributed in the United States from Syngenta’s St. Gabriel site, where residents and environmental groups have tied industrial pollution concerns—often described as “Cancer Alley”—to elevated cancer risk.
U.S. stocks held steady Wednesday even as oil prices resumed their climb amid the war with Iran and uncertainty about shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% for a second day of modest moves after a recent stretch of sharper volatility tied to the conflict, while the Dow fell 0.6% and the Nasdaq edged higher.
U.S. jobless benefit applications fell modestly to 213,000 for the week ending March 7, the Labor Department reported Thursday, a sign layoffs remained at historically low levels even as the job market shows signs of weakening. Economists surveyed by FactSet had forecast 215,000 new claims. The Labor Department also reported that a four-week average of claims dropped to 212,000.
South Korean lawmakers on Thursday passed a law to implement Seoul’s pledge of $350 billion in U.S. investments aimed at avoiding the Trump administration’s highest tariffs. The vote came as the Trump administration opened a new investigation into manufacturing abroad, including in U.S. allies, that could lead to additional import taxes.
The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose again this week, ticking up to 6.11% for the benchmark 30-year fixed, Freddie Mac said Thursday. The increase comes as bond-market investors react to uncertainty tied to the war with Iran, despite softer signals elsewhere in the economy.
Virginia senators have voted to end a projected $1.6 billion annual tax break for data centers, requiring the industry to resume paying a minimum 5.3% sales tax, AP reported. Officials said the proposal has already triggered infighting ahead of a budget deadline and may face opposition in the House.
China’s leadership used the National People’s Congress to endorse a five-year plan focused on advanced technology and a “force for stability” message, even as the world’s attention centers on the Iran war. At the closing session, lawmakers also approved three laws, including one governing ethnic minorities, and set an economic growth target for 2026 of 4.5% to 5%. (All figures and statements below are as described in the underlying reporting.)
Some commercial ships near or in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf have begun declaring themselves as China-linked since the Iran war began, marine traffic data analyzed by The Associated Press show. The destination signals—short messages entered by ship crews into transponders—include notes such as “CHINA OWNER” or “CHINA OWNER&CREW.”
Existing home sales rose in February after a dismal January, as homebuyers took advantage of easing mortgage rates heading into the spring homebuying season, the National Association of Realtors said. Sales climbed 1.7% from January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.09 million units, but fell 1.4% from February 2025. Home prices kept rising, though at a slower pace, as inventory remained scarce.
Retirees often plan to withdraw less than the commonly cited 3%-4% “safe” spending rates, hoping to protect their finances. Morningstar’s Christine Benz argues that underspending can leave large residual balances after decades of withdrawals, suggesting retirees consider more flexible withdrawal strategies that vary with portfolio performance. She also says inheritances can be less useful later in life than help provided to loved ones earlier.
A giant steel pipe rose more than 10 meters out of a construction site in Osaka, Japan, and nearly reached an elevated road overnight, local officials said. Police were notified early Wednesday after a pedestrian saw asphalt pieces falling from the pipe as traffic snarled around the area. By Thursday, firefighters cut a hole in the side of the pipe and injected water to push it back down.
Utah is moving toward a law that would expand the state’s gambling prohibition to cover certain wagers in sports, aiming to limit prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket. Gov. Spencer Cox said he will sign the legislation and warned it would place “a casino in the pocket of every single American,” a stance that has put Utah at odds with the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Kalshi has already sued to block enforcement.
Rural districts that fill teacher vacancies with international educators face uncertainty as the Trump administration reshapes visa programs, school leaders and teachers said. In South Carolina’s Allendale County, Superintendent Vallerie Cave said some of the district’s best teachers are having to return home as visa sponsorship costs rise and contracts come due.
China’s exports rose nearly 22% in the first two months of 2026 compared with a year earlier, even as shipments to the United States fell. The gains were driven by higher exports of computer chips, autos and electronics, according to Chinese customs data released Tuesday.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz following U.S. and Israeli missile strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Feb. 28 has driven global oil prices from under $70 a barrel to a peak of nearly $120 on Monday before settling closer to $90, according to the Associated Press. The conflict has cut off roughly 20 million barrels of daily oil supply with no spare capacity elsewhere in the world to replace it, economists said. U.S. average gasoline prices have climbed to $3.48 a gallon from just under $3 a week earlier, according to AAA. Economists warn the disruption is spreading beyond fuel costs to fertilizer shipments, food supplies in low-income countries, and the policy choices facing central banks including the Federal Reserve.
The national average price of gasoline reached $3.48 per gallon on Monday, up from $2.90 a month ago before U.S. military operations against Iran began, according to tracking by AAA — a surge that drew complaints from Trump voters, Democrats and independents at gas stations across Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida and North Carolina, even as those motorists remained divided over whether the war itself was justified.
ODAKA, Japan — Fifteen years after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami triggered meltdowns at three Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors on March 11, 2011, only about one-third of Odaka's pre-disaster population of 13,000 have returned to this northeastern Fukushima town. Tomoko Kobayashi, who operates the Futabaya Ryokan family inn in Odaka, has spent much of that interval conducting radiation surveys and sharing data as part of citizen-led efforts to make the homecoming viable for others.
The Justice Department said it reached a tentative settlement with Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster over an antitrust lawsuit targeting ticketing practices, a deal the judge overseeing the Manhattan case called “entirely unacceptable” because it was disclosed only late Sunday. The term sheet would allow venues to use ticketing rivals for some tickets, cap Ticketmaster service fees at certain amphitheaters, and set up a $280 million settlement fund, but more than two dozen states and some lawmakers said they would keep fighting.
U.S. stocks held steady Wednesday even as oil prices rose after the war with Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global crude flows. The S&P 500 edged down 0.1%, while the Dow fell 0.6% and the Nasdaq rose 0.1%, as investors weighed new inflation data and Treasury yield moves.
Hourslong security lines at a handful of U.S. airports this week are drawing attention to potential disruptions when a government shutdown overlaps with spring break travel. Passengers at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport reported wait times running more than three hours on Sunday and Monday, while other airports saw waits of more than an hour.
Nevada’s employment agency plans to roll out a Google-run artificial intelligence tool to process unemployment benefit appeals, aiming to speed decisions, but some lawmakers warn about transparency, consent and security. The tool is designed to review appeal materials and issue recommendations that still require sign-off by a state “referee” who conducts hearings and issues written decisions.
As the war in Iran ratchets up, crude oil prices have swung sharply and risen, with consumers beginning to feel the impact at the gas pump and beyond. The Associated Press reported that Brent crude was trading above $110 a barrel as gasoline, diesel, heating and transportation-linked costs rise. Economists interviewed by AP said the oil shock could also add to inflation and constrain consumer spending, especially for lower-income households.
Oil prices swung sharply in early trading amid fears the widening Iran war could disrupt oil production and shipping across the Middle East. The sharp move came after President Donald Trump told CBS News he thinks “the war is very complete,” shortly after Brent crude briefly surged above $119 a barrel on Monday.
Surging oil prices tied to the war with Iran are rippling through African economies, threatening higher fuel costs, rising inflation and renewed pressure on currencies, an Associated Press analysis said. With many countries reliant on imported petroleum products, disruptions linked to Middle East tensions—especially the Strait of Hormuz—can quickly feed into broader price pressures.
The war with Iran is sending energy prices sharply higher and threatening food supplies worldwide, economists warned Monday, as the Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil flows — remains largely shut following the Feb. 28 US-Israeli strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In remarks to Republican lawmakers at his golf club near Miami, President Donald Trump said Monday that the war against Iran could be “short-term.” He also left open the possibility of wider escalation if Iran disrupts global oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, posting a message threatening U.S. strikes “TWENTY TIMES HARDER.” Hours earlier, Iran had selected Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as the Islamic Republic’s new supreme leader as fighting continued.
Students staged an impromptu sit-in protest at the steps of Havana University on Monday, saying Cuba’s energy crisis has reduced in-person classes and disrupted schooling. They cited power outages, transportation shutdowns and unreliable internet that can force classes online and complicate basic access to campus.
The Iran war is threatening key oil and gas infrastructure across the Persian Gulf, including LNG terminals, ports, pipelines and refineries, the Associated Press reported March 9. Strikes by Iranian drones have disrupted some facilities and raised the risk of attacks to the point that the Strait of Hormuz has effectively closed, cutting off a main shipping route for energy.
Venezuelan lawmakers began debating a bill proposed by acting President Delcy Rodríguez to regulate the country’s mining industry and create conditions aimed at attracting foreign investment, including investors seeking safeguards after past expropriations. The debate started Monday in Caracas after Rodríguez announced the measure last week during a visit by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
Eileen Gu, 22, a freestyle skier born in San Francisco, competed for China at last month's 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and won gold. Alysa Liu, 20, a figure skater born in California, competed for the United States and became the first American woman to win Olympic figure skating gold in 24 years. Both were born to Chinese immigrants and raised in single-parent households. The countries they chose to represent have turned their parallel triumphs into a flashpoint for debate stretching from Washington to Beijing.
Tens of thousands of Iranians have left Tehran and other cities under aerial bombardment, driving into the countryside to wait out the U.S.-Israeli campaign in small villages and remote towns, according to the United Nations refugee agency and accounts gathered by The Associated Press. The U.N. said roughly 100,000 people fled Tehran in the first two days of the conflict alone — a figure officials said likely understates the total displacement from a capital of about 9.7 million people.
A proposed settlement among California's Insurance Department, consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, and State Farm would hold homeowner insurance rate increases to 17 percent — less than the 30 percent the company had sought — while condo and rental-unit policyholders would receive refunds with interest, the parties disclosed last week. State Farm, California's largest home insurer with roughly 20 percent of the state market, obtained approval for emergency rate increases last May after the Los Angeles-area wildfires placed the company under severe financial strain. The settlement would save the company's California policyholders a combined $530 million, according to Consumer Watchdog.
Hawaii’s Gov. Josh Green is negotiating an agreement with Tokyo-based Tokyu Group that could bring transit-oriented development expertise to Honolulu’s struggling Skyline rail project, with state officials hoping to attract more riders and spur housing near stations. The state is also engaging Japanese modular-housing builder Daiwa House Industry Co., as it explores ways to accelerate affordable homes around the rail line.
Virginia senators have voted to end a projected $1.6 billion annual tax break for the data-center industry, requiring companies to resume paying a minimum 5.3% sales tax. The proposal is now headed for the House as the state faces a looming budget deadline, and supporters argue it could fund priorities while opponents warn it would chill new construction.
Jessie Holmes, a carpenter and former cast member of National Geographic’s “Life Below Zero,” started the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Willow on Sunday, aiming to defend the title he won last year. After training in “deep snow” and “40 below and colder,” Holmes said he was in the lead a day after the start, with the winner expected to reach Nome around March 17.
Existing home sales in the U.S. rose in February as home shoppers moved to take advantage of easing mortgage rates, the National Association of Realtors said. The gain followed a weak January, but sales still lagged compared with a year earlier and home prices continued to rise, albeit more slowly.
Michael Bloomberg landed the No. 1 spot on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s ranking of the 50 biggest donors of 2025 for a third consecutive year, the Chronicle said in its annual Philanthropy 50 report. Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg’s financial-news empire and a former New York mayor, gave $4.3 billion to support causes including arts, education, the environment, public health and city-government programs.
In retirement, financial advisers often frame a spending rate of about 3% to 4% as a safe starting point, but Morningstar’s Christine Benz argues that retirees who deliberately spend less can end up with large residual balances. Benz says those leftovers may be unintentionally tied to market and timing uncertainty that can be managed through more flexible “spending” strategies that vary with portfolio performance.
Paris Hilton said she is launching a new national initiative to help women-owned businesses affected by disasters, a broader version of support she launched after the 2025 Los Angeles fires. She will donate $350,000 to the Back in Business Recovery Fund and work with 11:11 Media Impact and GoFundMe.org, according to The Associated Press.
Rome restorers have begun cleaning and restoring ornate ceilings, altar areas and other features at San Pietro in Vincoli, a basilica near the Colosseum, using an EU pandemic recovery grant. The project includes careful scraping work using a “descialbo” technique and is expected to finish by May 2026, according to the scientific director of the restoration.
A major fire destroyed a four-story building next to Glasgow Central Station, shutting down the station and disrupting rail services as firefighters worked to douse the blaze on Monday. The fire broke out Sunday afternoon in a vape shop on Union Street, and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said there were no injuries reported.
California has about 40,000 affordable housing units “ready to break ground” but stuck because sponsors lack enough money to start construction, an industry report and developers said. Enterprise Community Partners estimates 39,880 projects are “shovel-ready” yet awaiting additional state and federal subsidies, creating what advocates call a “bottleneck.”
Democrats are trying to build midterm momentum around housing affordability as prices and mortgage payments strain renters and would-be buyers in Nevada, a key swing state for closely contested U.S. House races. A Las Vegas food runner, Brian Torres Suazo, said he expects to keep sharing an apartment as high housing costs keep homeownership out of reach. Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have faced growing pressure to address affordability and have pushed policies aimed at housing demand and mortgage access.
The Federal Aviation Administration imposed a brief ground stop on all JetBlue flights early Tuesday at the airline's request after a system outage disrupted operations. The FAA lifted the order approximately 40 minutes after it was issued, the agency said in a notice posted to its website. JetBlue said the outage had been resolved and that it had resumed operations.
A federal judge in Manhattan urged more than two dozen states on Tuesday to negotiate a settlement in their antitrust case against Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster, a day after the Justice Department announced it had settled and dropped out of the trial. A lawyer for Live Nation told Judge Arun Subramanian the chance all states would agree to terms by Friday was "about zero."
Beta Technologies, the electric aircraft maker based in South Burlington, Vermont, said Monday it had been selected for a Trump administration federal pilot program that will allow the company to begin medical and cargo logistics flights between Vermont and New York this year. The company was approved for seven of the eight projects it applied for within the program, company leadership announced in an investor call.
Meta said Tuesday it will acquire Moltbook, a social network built exclusively for artificial intelligence agents to post messages and interact with each other. The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, will bring Moltbook co-founders Matt Schlicht and Ben Parr into the company behind Facebook and Instagram. Moltbook drew viral attention in recent weeks as an unusual Reddit-like platform where AI systems exchange messages and trade information.
Ari Lauer, 61, outside counsel for the defunct California solar company DC Solar, was sentenced Monday to 11 years and five months in federal prison for helping orchestrate a $1 billion fraud scheme that deceived thousands of investors, federal prosecutors said. Lauer had pleaded guilty in October to 23 felony counts, including bank fraud and wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Sharks are intercepting catch directly off hooks at the highest rates recorded in roughly 20 years of state data collection in Hawaiʻi, with depredation incidents now occurring on at least one in four licensed fishing trips in Hawaiian waters, an aquatic biologist with the state said. The surge has pushed many small-boat fishers who pursue prized bottomfish such as ehu, onaga and opakapaka to the edge of abandoning their livelihoods, according to a fishing industry advocate.
The Department of Homeland Security restarted the Global Entry program on Wednesday, a little over two weeks after it halted the service during a partial government shutdown. Global Entry lets pre-approved, low-risk travelers use expedited kiosks for a fee when entering the United States from abroad.
Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was chosen Sunday by the Assembly of Experts to succeed his father as the Islamic Republic's paramount decision-maker, assuming command of Iran's military and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard during an ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States. Khamenei, who had never been elected or appointed to a government position, will now hold final say over all matters of state, including Iran's ballistic missile arsenal and a stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
China's National People's Congress unveiled two major economic plans this week that outline Beijing's strategy for managing sluggish domestic demand and intensifying U.S. technological competition. The 2026 annual plan ranked "building a robust domestic market" as its top priority, while the accompanying five-year plan placed greater emphasis on achieving technological breakthroughs — targeting artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, and 6G mobile networks among its core goals.
President Donald Trump promised a strong 2026, but early economic indicators show job losses, higher gasoline prices and a drop in stock prices. In data reviewed this week by the Associated Press, February saw losses of 92,000 jobs and fuel costs jumped after attacks linked to Iran began late February.
US stocks held steadier Tuesday as Wall Street looked for the next sign on how long the war with Iran may last. The S&P 500 fell 0.2%, the Dow slipped 0.1% and the Nasdaq edged higher by less than 0.1%, after oil prices swung sharply earlier this week.
US stocks swung sharply on Monday, erasing an early loss and finishing higher as oil prices dropped from near $120 a barrel to below $90 amid shifting Iran-war expectations. The moves followed comments from President Donald Trump on CBS News that he believes the war “may not last” and that Iran has “nothing left” militarily, calming worries that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could be disrupted.
Oil prices surged for the second straight week as the Iran war escalated after major U.S. and Israeli attacks, leaving ships unable to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The resulting supply disruptions and damage to oil and gas infrastructure have pushed up prices consumers are already seeing at the pump in the United States and abroad.
Sweden is investigating a cargo ship in the Baltic Sea that officials say may have transported stolen Ukrainian grain, with crew members described as predominantly Russian. Swedish Coast Guard investigators boarded the ship on Friday in Swedish territorial waters to register it and interview people onboard, and the vessel’s name and nationality profile are drawing scrutiny as Ukraine-linked sanctions come into play.
Oil prices rose above $100 a barrel for the first time in more than three and a half years Sunday, driven by disruptions to production and shipping as the Iran war entered its second week. Brent crude, the global benchmark, settled at $107.97 after trading resumed on Chicago’s futures exchange, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate was about $106.22.
The International Energy Agency agreed Wednesday to release 400 million barrels of emergency oil reserves — the largest collective release in the organization's history — as a widening war in Iran halted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and sent crude prices surging well above pre-war levels. The release, coordinated among 32 member nations, came as Brent crude settled at $91.98 a barrel Wednesday, more than 30 percent above the roughly $70 level at which it was trading before the war began less than two weeks ago.
Three Palestinians were killed Sunday in a violent clash with Israeli settlers near Khirbet Abu Falah, east of Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the Israeli military said, bringing to six the number of Palestinians killed in the territory in less than one week. Two of the men died from gunfire and a third from suffocation, which the military attributed to tear gas. All three were buried in a joint funeral. The Israeli military condemned the attack and said it had opened a criminal investigation against the settlers involved.
New footage, first analyzed by open-source investigative group Bellingcat, shows what researchers say is likely an American Tomahawk cruise missile striking a compound in Minab, Iran, meters from a school where at least 165 people died on Feb. 28, the Associated Press reported Monday. A U.S. official familiar with internal deliberations told the AP the strike was likely American, speaking anonymously because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the matter. The unclaimed blast hit a school adjacent to a Revolutionary Guard base in Iran's southern Hormozgan Province.
Missiles and drones from the war that began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have come within range of hundreds of desalination plants along the Persian Gulf coast — facilities that supply drinking water to millions across one of the world's driest regions. Bahrain accused Iran on Sunday of damaging one of its desalination plants. Iran's foreign minister said a U.S. airstrike damaged a plant on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, cutting water to 30 villages.
The U.S. said it destroyed 16 Iranian minelaying vessels Tuesday as the Iran-Israel war entered its 11th day. In response, Iran’s leadership vowed to block Gulf oil exports and said it would not allow “even a single liter” to be shipped to its enemies, while regional governments reported fresh missile and drone activity.
Todd Inman, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, said he was fired by the Trump administration without explanation. In a statement Sunday, Inman said he received notice from the White House personnel office on Friday that his NTSB position was “terminated effective immediately.” The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Paris Fashion Week continued Saturday with Hermès staging a fall-winter show that began with a scent—damp moss created a forest-floor atmosphere inside the Garde Républicaine barracks—before models walked above the vegetation. Creative director Nadège Vanhée, who has led Hermès womenswear since 2014, presented the collection titled “Entre chien et loup,” a phrase for dusk, and paired the darkening mood with leather-forward designs and shifting colors.
The price of oil has surged since the U.S. and Israel began their war against Iran, and President Donald Trump is now turning to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help cool markets. The Trump administration confirmed it will release 172 million barrels starting next week, with deliveries spread over about 120 days, as part of a wider emergency-stockpile effort led by the International Energy Agency.
Devices left plugged in can draw “phantom energy,” also called vampire energy, even when they are off—raising household bills and adding to power demand from emissions-producing sources, Associated Press reported. The story highlights how leaving phone chargers, game consoles, smart TVs and other equipment connected can account for a portion of home energy use, and quotes experts on steps households can take.
Cocoa farmers in Ghana and Ivory Coast say a sharp decline in global cocoa prices has left beans rotting in warehouses and has pressured households to turn to other—often risky—ways to earn cash. In interviews, farmers described giving land over to illegal sand and gold mining after years of falling yields, while governments cut fixed cocoa prices to attract buyers.
Travelers at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport encountered security checkpoint waits of up to three hours Sunday, as a shortage of Transportation Security Administration agents — stemming from the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown — disrupted spring break travel. Houston Airports at one point asked travelers to arrive four to five hours before their flights.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday that Beijing hopes 2026 will be a "landmark year" for its relationship with the United States, striking a conciliatory tone at an annual press briefing on the sidelines of China's ceremonial legislature that customarily sets the country's diplomatic agenda for the year. Wang said President Donald Trump is expected to visit Beijing for a summit with China's President Xi Jinping at the end of March, and that the groundwork is already being laid, though he did not formally confirm the visit.
A surge in artificial intelligence data center construction is driving utilities across the United States to plan high-voltage transmission lines at accelerating speed, pitting the tech industry's growing electricity appetite against landowners, conservationists and state regulators who say the projects impose heavy costs and disruptions on communities that receive little benefit. In Sugarloaf, Pa., John Zola has watched his 40-acre property — apple orchards, a barn and four houses for himself and his adult children — become a proposed corridor for a 500-kilovolt power line whose 240-foot steel towers would rise above century-old apple trees and loom over the swimming pool where his grandchildren play.
The Kansas City International Airport terminal reopened Sunday afternoon, hours after authorities evacuated roughly 2,000 passengers while the FBI investigated a potential threat. FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau reviewed the threat and determined it "not to be credible."
President Donald Trump dismissed reports Saturday that Russia has provided Iran with targeting information to strike U.S. military personnel in the Middle East, calling the intelligence sharing inconsequential one week into the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. Trump spoke aboard Air Force One after attending the dignified transfer for six Army reservists killed in a drone strike in Kuwait — the day after the U.S. and Israel launched the war.
Ukraine has developed low-cost interceptor drones — priced at roughly $1,000 to $2,000 — capable of shooting down Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones, and is now offering that technology to the United States and Gulf states in exchange for Patriot missile systems, according to Ukrainian officials and defense analysts. The United States recently requested "specific support" against Iranian-designed Shaheds in the Middle East, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to order the deployment of Ukrainian equipment and experts, though details remain classified. Gulf states have been using Patriot missiles, which cost millions of dollars per interceptor, to shoot down Shahed drones that cost roughly $30,000 apiece.
Ford has recalled nearly 1.74 million vehicles in the United States over software defects that impair rearview camera displays, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced this week. The two recalls cover six Ford and Lincoln models spanning model years 2020 through 2026. NHTSA said both defects could increase crash risk, though Ford reported no known injuries or accidents tied to either recall.
Wall Street closed out its worst week since October on Friday as Brent crude settled at $92.69 a barrel — its highest close since September 2023 — after the expanding Iran war disrupted Middle East energy infrastructure, while a government report showing U.S. employers cut more jobs in February than they created sent the S&P 500 down 1.3% to 6,740.02. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 453 points and the Nasdaq composite fell 361 points to close at 22,387.68.
American consumers pulled back their spending in January, with retail sales falling 0.2% from December, the Commerce Department reported Friday in a release delayed 43 days by the government shutdown. The January figure came in below economists' expectations for a flat reading, following a flat December and extending a softening trend in consumer demand that began in late 2025.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Friday it is developing a streamlined process to refund approximately $166 billion in tariffs paid by more than 330,000 importers, with the new system expected to be operational within 45 days. Brandon Lord, executive director of CBP's trade policy and programs directorate, described the plan in a filing with the U.S. Court of International Trade, where Judge Richard Eaton must approve the process before any refunds proceed.
The U.S. issued a license Friday authorizing dealings with Minerven, Venezuela's state-owned gold mining company, as Interior Secretary Doug Burgum concluded a visit to Caracas where he met with acting President Delcy Rodríguez and representatives of more than two dozen American mining and minerals companies, the Associated Press reported.
Pakistani and Afghan forces exchanged multiple strikes across their shared border on Friday, each side claiming to have killed dozens of the other's troops, as fighting that Islamabad has declared an "open war" entered its ninth consecutive day with international appeals for restraint still unheeded.
The Trump administration imposed travel restrictions on three Chilean officials over a proposed fiber optic submarine cable project with Chinese involvement and warned Peru against ceding control of a Chinese-built deepwater port, escalating a broad push to reduce Beijing's economic and strategic footprint across Latin America. Panama, under pressure from President Trump, seized two canal-adjacent ports that had been operated by a Hong Kong company. The moves came days before Trump planned to host Latin American leaders at his golf complex near Miami for a summit the administration called the "Shield of the Americas."
President Donald Trump’s administration has taken steps across Latin America meant to reduce China’s influence, including travel bans on three Chilean officials and pressure on Peru about a China-built port, according to the Associated Press. The actions come as Trump hosts Latin American leaders at a weekend summit dubbed the “Shield of Americas” near Miami, framed by the White House as a response to what it says is China’s growing foothold in the region.
Michigan's outdoor recreation sector added $15.1 billion to the state economy in 2024, up from $14.6 billion the year before, but the 3.5% year-over-year gain fell below the national outdoor recreation average of 4% and trailed 35 other states, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The figures, which lag by a year, arrive as heavy snowfall has delivered one of Michigan's strongest ski seasons in years — a tailwind industry officials say could lift the state's 2025 numbers.
Beyond Meat is shedding "meat" from its name as it moves into protein drinks and snacks, rebranding this week as Beyond The Plant Protein Co. — or simply Beyond — amid a sharp decline in U.S. plant-based meat sales. The El Segundo, California-based company changed its website and social media channels and introduced a sparkling protein drink called Beyond Immerse in January, with a protein bar planned for summer. The pivot comes as the company's net revenue fell 14 percent in the first nine months of 2025 and its shares have been trading below $1 since the start of this year.
President Donald Trump called on Congress at his State of the Union address to permanently bar large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, and the U.S. Senate this week advanced a housing bill with a provision that would cap such ownership at 350 homes per firm. Trump signed an executive order in January aimed at discouraging federal agencies from facilitating sales of homes to large institutional investors, and lawmakers from both parties — including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren — have separately pushed similar limits. Housing economists said the measures carry political appeal but would not substantially reduce home prices. Large institutional investors own an estimated 1% to 3% of the nation's single-family housing stock, and the country's affordability problem stems primarily from a shortage of millions of housing units — a gap that restricting purchases would not close, experts said.
Hawaii's Department of Education has failed to track which food purchases came from local sources, lacked functioning software to monitor spending, and fell back on handwritten ledgers — even as state lawmakers pressed the agency to dramatically expand the share of locally grown food in school meals, a state audit released Thursday found. The Hawaii Office of the Auditor called the department's approach "haphazard" and strongly questioned whether the agency can meet a Legislature-mandated goal to spend 30% of its food budget on locally sourced food by 2030.
Saks Global Inc. announced Friday it will close 12 more Saks Fifth Avenue stores and three additional Neiman Marcus locations as the luxury retailer trims its footprint during Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. Among the stores set to close are sites in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Chicago, and San Antonio, Texas, with all locations remaining open through the end of May, a company spokesperson said.
Minnesota cities and advocacy groups are pressing the state Legislature for $250 million to keep the state's lead service line replacement program running beyond 2027, when both state and federal dollars supporting the effort are projected to run out. The state has allocated $243 million for lead pipe removal since 2023 and drawn roughly $350 million from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, but neither funding stream extends past 2027 without fresh appropriations.
SK Battery America Inc. laid off 958 workers Friday at its Commerce, Georgia battery manufacturing plant, cutting about 37% of its workforce as automakers scaled back electric vehicle commitments and federal policy shifted away from electrification incentives. The layoffs, documented in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filing, take effect immediately; affected employees will receive pay through May 6. About 1,600 workers will remain at the Commerce facility.
More than two dozen U.S. states and Democratic governors sued Thursday to block President Donald Trump’s planned global tariffs, arguing he exceeded his authority with new 15% import taxes. The lawsuit targets tariffs imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, days after Trump lost a Supreme Court fight over earlier tariff powers.
Elon Musk took the stand Wednesday in a class-action shareholder trial in San Francisco, defending himself against accusations that he misled investors as he tried to back out of his $44 billion bid for Twitter.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits last week was unchanged at 213,000, a sign layoffs remain low, the Labor Department reported. But continuing claims for the prior week rose to 1.87 million, indicating more people are staying out of work while they search for new jobs.
Target’s new chief executive, Michael Fiddelke, said the retailer plans to spend billions of dollars this year to end a persistent sales slump and win back customer trust. In an interview with The Associated Press, Fiddelke said he is trying to refresh stores and merchandise selection while focusing on what he described as the company’s core values and its “North Star” of safety. Target, based in Minneapolis, faces renewed scrutiny after criticism of its response to immigration enforcement actions.
Nashville’s Metro Council on Tuesday passed a resolution opposing Elon Musk’s The Boring Company plan for a Tesla-powered tunnel loop, with council members citing safety, transparency and what they said was limited local input. The measure, approved 20-15 with two abstentions, cannot force the company to stop or change its Music City Loop plans, which officials have described as aiming for early 2027 operations.
American employers unexpectedly cut 92,000 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate edged up to 4.4%, adding to economic uncertainty as the war with Iran drives up costs. The Labor Department’s jobs report also included revisions that reduced payroll totals for December and January.
The war with Iran pushed oil prices to their highest level since summer 2024 on Thursday, dragging U.S. stocks broadly lower and erasing what had been a small year-to-date gain for the S&P 500. The S&P 500 fell 0.6% to 6,830.71, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 784.67 points to 47,954.74 after briefly plunging more than 1,100 points intraday, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 58.50 points to 22,748.99. Benchmark U.S. crude settled at $81.01 per barrel, up 8.5% for the session.
Mexico and the United States will hold their first bilateral trade talks on March 16, the two governments said Thursday, ahead of a formal review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Mexico's Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard announced the date on X after arranging the session with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Brazil’s Senate unanimously ratified on Wednesday the free-trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, after the lower house approved it earlier, bringing the pact closer to implementation. The deal, negotiated for more than 25 years, involves an integrated market of more than 700 million people, and Argentina and Uruguay already have ratified it.
In Kunshan, China, AutoFlight on Thursday demonstrated its Matrix, a 10-passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, after moving the 5-ton eVTOL from a hangar to a helipad. The company’s senior vice president said AutoFlight aims to obtain a type certificate from regulators by 2027, while noting that additional approvals would still be needed for passenger operations.
The Iran war has effectively halted oil tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz and is now disrupting global shipping far beyond oil, including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and fertilizer supply. Cargo ships are idled in the Persian Gulf or taking longer detours, while planes carrying air cargo from the Middle East have been grounded as some airspace and airports close. Supply-chain specialists warn that shortages and price increases could follow if disruptions continue.
Global oil and natural gas shipments are being squeezed by disruptions around the Persian Gulf as the Iran war continues, pushing prices higher and increasing risks for Asia—where many countries rely on imported fuel shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. The Associated Press reports that about 13 million barrels of oil a day moved through the corridor in 2025, and that a large share of liquefied natural gas flows to Asia. Analysts also warned that a spike in fuel costs could ripple through food prices and broader inflation.
The U.S. Postal Service will exhaust its cash reserves by February 2027 unless Congress lifts a $15 billion borrowing cap that has been in place since 1990, Postmaster General David Steiner warned in an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday. Without relief, Steiner said, the agency may be unable to pay employees or vendors — a failure he said would have potentially dire consequences for mail delivery to every American address. Steiner is scheduled to testify before Congress later this month.
The West Virginia Senate passed legislation on March 5, 2026, to loosen inspection requirements for certain aboveground storage tanks used by the oil and gas industry, a move that environmental advocates said could increase risks to the state's drinking water supplies.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez this week refused to allow the United States military to use Spanish bases for operations against Iran, prompting President Donald Trump to threaten a total trade cutoff and opening a public rift between Madrid and Washington.
WASHINGTON — Members of the public voiced opposition to President Donald Trump's proposed 90,000-square-foot White House addition Thursday, calling it "ugly," "grossly out of scale," and an "invitation for corruption" at a federal review hearing that drew more than two hours of testimony. Of 31 people who testified before the National Capital Planning Commission, virtually all urged the panel to reject or substantially revise the project, which carries an estimated $400 million price tag that Trump plans to cover with donations from wealthy individuals and corporations with active business dealings with the federal government. Despite the public pushback, the commission's approval process showed no sign of slowing. A final vote is scheduled for April 2.
An architect on the board of the National Trust for Historic Preservation said Wednesday that President Donald Trump's proposed White House ballroom is significantly oversized and should be scaled back, warning the project could permanently alter the nation's most recognizable historic landmark. David Scott Parker, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects with more than 35 years of experience, shared his assessment with the Associated Press as the National Capital Planning Commission prepared to meet Thursday to vote on whether to approve the 90,000-square-foot project.
American Airlines said it has received approval to resume regular flights to Venezuela, becoming the first U.S. airline to restart service there. The airline, which suspended Venezuela flights in 2019, said the company plans to restore scheduling after the U.S. government cleared the way while the State Department continues to warn Americans against travel to Venezuela.
Japan and Canada signed a strategic agreement in Tokyo to strengthen cooperation on defense, economic security and energy, as fighting involving Iran raises concerns about oil supplies. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Canadian counterpart Mark Carney agreed to diversify energy sources and expand trade and investment, according to Japan’s foreign ministry. Carney, in his first visit to Japan since taking office last year, said “geopolitical uncertainty” has become a key driver of their talks.
Google has filed court papers in San Francisco outlining proposed changes to Android app store fees as part of a settlement with Epic Games, ending a long-running antitrust fight. The company said it will reduce baseline commissions on subscriptions and e-commerce transactions and create a pathway for rival app options to be certified through Google. The proposed revisions are set for a April 9 hearing before U.S. District Judge James Donato.
Axel Springer agreed Friday to buy the owner of Britain’s Daily Telegraph for 575 million pounds ($766 million), ending a yearslong ownership saga around Telegraph Media Group. The deal gives the German media company control of the 171-year-old Daily Telegraph, its Sunday sister title and the Telegraph news website, while also setting up Axel Springer’s push into the U.S. market.
Apple held hands-on previews of its latest “big week” lineup, unveiling a new $599 iPhone trim, an entry-level MacBook tier, refreshed iPad Air models, and updated monitors. The company also announced upgraded laptop chips and connectivity changes as preorder availability begins Wednesday, according to Apple CEO Tim Cook’s presentation.
Apple rolled out new products during its “big week” announcements, including an iPhone 17e starting at $599 and an updated iPad Air with a new chip, according to events in New York, London and Shanghai.
Demand for minerals used in technology and the energy transition could triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040, the United Nations political chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the U.N. Security Council. DiCarlo said trade in raw and semi-processed minerals reached about $2.5 trillion in 2023.
Edmunds said automakers are rolling out a next generation of electric vehicles for 2026 with more range, easier charging, lower prices and distinctive designs. The company’s experts identified five EVs, including the 2027 BMW iX3, the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, the Rivian R2, Slate’s new EV truck, and the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker.
Greenland fishermen in Ilulissat and around Nuuk say warming weather linked to climate change is making sea ice less reliable and shifting where fish can be found, leaving catches and income harder to predict. The article follows fishermen who describe getting stuck in ice one year and facing unusually wet conditions the next, alongside industry and marine experts who warn the disruption could worsen overfishing near shore.
The Hawaii state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted unanimously to support acquiring Hā‘ena Beach Park on Kaua‘i and nearby Maniniholo Dry Cave, parcels Kaua‘i County has owned since 1925. The transfer is not final and the timeline is uncertain, but supporters say the change could bring visitor and parking caps similar to those at nearby Hā‘ena State Park. Local residents and advocates have said the beach park’s popularity has led to crowded conditions and traffic hazards that make access difficult for them.
Emergency funds are meant to cover job loss and other surprises without forcing people onto high-cost credit. A Morningstar guide says investors can start by calculating essential monthly expenses, then building a cash buffer equal to that total for at least three months, with adjustments for income and household responsibilities.
A blackout left millions of people without power in Havana and western Cuba on Wednesday, in the latest outage affecting an island struggling with dwindling oil reserves and an aging power grid. Cuban officials said the shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant east of Havana triggered the outage and that restoring parts of the National Electric System could take at least 72 hours.
NEW YORK (AP) — Beast Industries, the company behind YouTube star MrBeast, fired a video editor after prediction-market operator Kalshi accused the worker of insider trading. Kalshi said the editor, who traded about $4,000 on streaming markets tied to MrBeast videos, likely had access to material non-public information, and Kalshi suspended him for two years, fined him $20,000 and alerted federal regulators.
Sri Lanka transferred more than 200 Iranian sailors from the navy logistics ship IRIS Bushehr to shore after the vessel sought assistance while anchored outside Sri Lanka’s waters, as tensions rose in the Indian Ocean following the U.S. sinking of an Iranian warship. The Sri Lankan navy said 204 sailors were taken to Welisara Naval Base near Colombo, where they underwent border control procedures and medical tests.
Morgan Stanley is laying off approximately 2,500 employees — about 3% of its global workforce — across the entirety of its investment bank, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the firm is not making a public statement about the cuts. The layoffs come as financial-sector job reductions continue two months into 2026, with Citigroup and BlackRock having reportedly trimmed their own headcounts in recent weeks.
Unions representing California Highway Patrol officers and Cal Fire firefighters are backing legislation that would allow late-career public safety workers to accumulate a lump-sum payout on top of their existing pensions — a benefit proponents call a retention tool but critics warn could compound the costs of pension systems that already consume a substantial share of state payroll spending. The bill, carried by Assemblymember Mike Gipson, a Democrat from Gardena, would create a deferred retirement option plan, known as a DROP, administered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System. As of early March 2026, the measure was advancing through the California Assembly with bipartisan support; Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, a San Diego Republican, was the only lawmaker to vote against it.
California's independent bipartisan oversight commission released a report Tuesday urging state policymakers to act quickly on data center regulation before soaring electricity demand from artificial intelligence expansion raises utility bills for ordinary households. The Little Hoover Commission outlined more than a dozen recommendations for managing the fast-growing industry's impact on the power grid, electricity prices and the state's climate goals.
Elon Musk took the witness stand for a second day in a San Francisco federal courtroom Thursday, defending his assertions about fake accounts on Twitter as a civil trial advances over allegations that his public statements drove down the company's stock price and cost shareholders millions of dollars.
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Thursday that Venezuela's government has pledged to protect foreign companies seeking to invest in the country's mineral sector, concluding a two-day visit to Caracas that advanced the Trump administration's effort to build alternative critical-mineral supplies as competition with China over key raw materials continues. Burgum said acting President Delcy Rodríguez acknowledged concerns about security risks in areas long controlled by guerrillas, criminal gangs and military officials who profit from illegal extraction.
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum met Wednesday with Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas, leading representatives of more than two dozen American mining and energy companies in talks aimed at opening Venezuela's substantial mineral reserves to U.S. investment. Rodríguez announced she would introduce legislation to overhaul the country's mining law to attract foreign capital, calling the expected change "a win for the social well-being of our people."
OMAHA, Neb. — Berkshire Hathaway resumed buying back its own shares Wednesday for the first time since May 2024, filing formal notice with the Securities and Exchange Commission as new CEO Greg Abel used a CNBC appearance to signal continuity with Warren Buffett's long-established investment approach. Abel, who took over from Buffett in January, also disclosed that he spent his entire $15.3 million take-home pay for 2026 purchasing Berkshire stock, and said he plans to continue doing so for as long as he remains chief executive.
Maine’s lobster catch declined for the fourth straight year in 2025, state fishing regulators said Friday, citing high operating costs, inflation and a changing ocean. Regulators said the 2025 harvest fell to 78.8 million pounds (35.7 million kilograms), the lowest total since 2008.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit rejected the Trump administration’s request to pause tariff refunds tied to the Supreme Court’s Feb. 20 ruling that struck down the administration’s tariffs as illegal. The appeals court sent the next step in the refund process to a lower court, setting up further proceedings at the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York.
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that companies that paid tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court last month are entitled to refunds, handing the Trump administration a legal defeat in the continuing fallout from a ruling that invalidated the president's sweeping import taxes. Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade wrote that "all importers of record" were "entitled to benefit" from the Supreme Court's Feb. 20 decision, which struck down double-digit import taxes President Donald Trump imposed under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The court found the president lacked authority to unilaterally set and change tariffs, ruling that taxation power belongs to Congress.
China’s factory activity shrank for a second straight month in February, with the official manufacturing purchasing managers index slipping to 49 from 49.3 in January, the National Bureau of Statistics reported. Economists said weaker domestic demand is still weighing on manufacturing, even as they point to potential export support if U.S. tariffs ease. China is also set to unveil its economic growth target at the start of its annual national congress this week.
Gasoline and diesel prices jumped overnight in the United States as the war in the Middle East disrupted shipments of oil and gas, the Associated Press reported. Drivers in Europe waited in long lines at pumps as diesel prices spiked, reflecting constraints in regional fuel supplies. Economists and industry analysts said higher costs could spread further, particularly in areas that rely on imported fuels.
Stocks slid Tuesday after a sell-off that began in Asia and intensified early in U.S. trading, with the Dow dropping more than 400 points by the close. Oil prices rose again on worries about a widening war with Iran, including risks around the Strait of Hormuz, though the sharpest market moves eased later in the day.
A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from reversing New York’s congestion toll for most vehicles entering Manhattan south of Central Park. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ruled the U.S. Department of Transportation lacked authority to unilaterally rescind federal approval of the $9 toll that began Jan. 5, 2025, according to court documents and statements. Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had moved to end the program, calling it harmful to working-class residents and small businesses.
The S&P 500 rose 0.8% Wednesday, recovering most of its losses since the U.S.-Iran war began five days ago, as oil prices pulled back from intraday highs and two economic reports pointed to continued strength in hiring and the services sector. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 238 points, or 0.5%, to 48,739.41, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1.3% to close at 22,807.48, according to the Associated Press. The day's gains followed a jarring overnight session in Asia, where South Korea's Kospi index fell 12.1% — its worst single-day loss in history.
The Trump administration formally forwarded Kevin Warsh's nomination to be Federal Reserve chair to the Senate on Wednesday, setting up a confirmation fight that could stall before the full chamber ever votes. Warsh, a former Fed governor, must first clear the Senate Banking Committee — where at least one Republican member has said he will vote to block the nomination.
Widespread flight disruptions across the Middle East have left many travelers stranded as the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran widens, and conditions may keep changing quickly, experts warn. Hassan Shahidi, president and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation, said travelers “should absolutely expect uncertainty,” urging them to follow government, airport and airline updates and to reassess trips that aren’t necessary.
Lawmakers in Hawaiʻi are pressing the state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to stop allowing some pest-infested goods into the islands after testimony suggested inspectors have been exercising discretion to let “lightly infested” shipments pass. The dispute centers on Senate Bill 2760, which would expand the department’s authority to inspect additional non-agricultural items and allow fines for violations.
The broadening Iran-U.S.-Israel war has spread damage across the Middle East and beyond, with many governments ordering people to leave and airlines canceling flights as airspace closures continue. On the seventh day, Israeli warplanes struck Beirut and Tehran after Iran launched another wave of retaliatory strikes, while President Donald Trump said he was ruling out negotiations with Iran and called for “unconditional surrender.”
Satellite images released by an imaging company and shared with The Associated Press show damage at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, Iran’s main enrichment site, after the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. The images, taken Monday and compared with imagery from the previous day, show damage to buildings tied to personnel and to vehicle entrances to an underground fuel enrichment complex, with the U.N. nuclear watchdog saying the site sustained “some recent damage” and the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency saying “no radiological consequence” was expected.
Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel said his government should focus “de inmediato” on urgent changes to the island’s economic and social model amid a petroleum squeeze. Speaking during a meeting of the Council of Ministers, he linked the push to efforts to expand business autonomy and municipal authority as the country faces fuel shortages and rolling power outages.
China's ceremonial legislature, the National People’s Congress, will meet in Beijing on Thursday as part of the annual “Two Sessions,” where it is set to unveil policy direction and economic goals for the coming years, state media and officials said. The meeting will also ratify laws and other measures determined by Communist Party leadership, though the vote is routinely almost unanimous.
President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to end trade with Spain, linking the move to Spain’s refusal to allow U.S. use of jointly operated bases in southern Spain for strikes tied to the Iran war. Trump made the comments during an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as European officials said the EU would expect the U.S. to honor prior trade commitments.
IRS CEO Frank Bisignano declined to answer lawmakers' questions Wednesday about the agency's unlawful sharing of confidential taxpayer data with immigration authorities, telling the House Ways and Means Committee the disclosures occurred before his tenure began. A federal judge found last month that the IRS illegally shared taxpayer information approximately 42,695 times with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Bisignano confirmed that no IRS employee has been fired or disciplined in connection with the disclosures.
Scores of airline passengers are stranded across the Gulf as fighting between Iran and its rivals disrupts travel, and some wealthier travelers are escaping by paying for private flights via airports farther from the conflict. The costs, brokers and security firms said, have surged after major hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha closed last weekend.
More states are weighing property-tax cut plans during what’s an election year for governors and legislators, but efforts to reduce taxes can run into resistance over funding for local governments and public schools. An Associated Press analysis points to lawmakers in Georgia and Florida facing political and legal obstacles as they consider whether to scale back property taxes or shift revenues to other sources.
Two months after a statutory deadline, California’s Office of the State Fire Marshal published a report on whether the state should allow mid-rise apartment buildings with a single stairway. The draft takes a “fairly dim” view of “single stair” reform but offers conditions for legislators to consider if they proceed.
Target CEO Michael Fiddelke is strategizing to revive the company's image and sales, focusing on store improvements, merchandise selection, and community engagement after a period of declining sales. The company plans to spend billions this year to regain its reputation as a destination for affordable style.
The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday opened a high-stakes antitrust trial accusing Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster of illegally maintaining power over the concert ticket market. A case in Manhattan federal court, led by Judge Arun Subramanian, could result in remedies including a breakup of Live Nation, the parent company.
The U.S. Department of Transportation authorized American Airlines on Wednesday to resume commercial service to Venezuela, positioning the carrier to become the first U.S. airline to fly to the South American country in more than six years.
Virginia's Senate passed legislation last week that would create a regulatory framework for autonomous trucking and ride-hailing services in the state, with the bill's sponsor saying self-driving vehicles could begin operating as early as 2028 if the measure clears the General Assembly and wins the governor's signature. The Senate approved the bill 35–4. It is currently in subcommittee in the House of Delegates.
President Donald Trump hosted executives from seven major technology companies at the White House on Wednesday, announcing a voluntary "ratepayer protection" pledge in which the companies commit to building or purchasing their own electricity sources for AI data centers rather than drawing from the shared grid in ways that might raise consumers' utility bills. Google, Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, xAI, OpenAI and Amazon all signed onto the agreement.
U.S. stocks swung from sharp losses to a small gain on Monday as oil prices leaped on worries that war with Iran could disrupt crude supplies and worsen inflation. The S&P 500 ended up less than 0.1% after trading lower, with the Nasdaq rising 0.4%, while benchmark U.S. crude settled 6.3% higher at $71.23 a barrel.
Hundreds of thousands of travelers scrambled for new connections on Sunday after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran that shut down much of the Middle East to air travel, forcing airlines to cancel flights and leaving airports unsure when they would reopen. Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar closed their airspace, and airspace in southern Syria was also shut, with disruptions rippling as far as Europe and Asia.
U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran have pushed up oil prices for a second straight day and lifted U.S. gas prices, raising fresh concerns that higher energy costs could worsen inflation and hurt economic growth. Economists said how long the conflict lasts—and whether shipping lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted—could determine how severe the price effects become.
President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are betting that Kevin Warsh, a nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, can drive a new productivity boom using artificial intelligence to justify lower interest rates. Economists quoted by The Associated Press question whether the AI-era story can match the dynamics of the 1990s, when productivity gains helped keep inflation in check and encouraged the Fed to avoid rate hikes. The debate comes as Trump seeks to replace Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May.
Oil prices rose sharply Monday after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, along with retaliatory strikes involving Israel and U.S. military installations around the Gulf, disrupted global energy supply chains. Traders focused on risks that attacks would slow or halt oil exports from Iran and other Middle East producers, with the Strait of Hormuz—where tankers pass in large volumes—at the center of the disruption.
Some states preparing to start Medicaid work requirements will have to spend millions of dollars upgrading eligibility computer systems and hiring staff before the Jan. 1 start date, an Associated Press analysis found. Federal funding will help cover some costs, but the technology tab and added administration are projected to exceed $1 billion across more than 25 states, according to the analysis.
California Republicans have blasted a bill to study road-user charges as Democrats’ “dishonest ploy” to raise taxes, but rural officials and conservative interest groups who face road-repair pressures say the study is needed as fuel-tax revenue falls.
As Algerians prepare for Ramadan, many say rising food prices are making it harder to afford the holiday feasts. The Associated Press reports that after years of declining purchasing power, shoppers and vendors in markets in Algiers describe sharp jumps in prices for staples even as the government promises aid to help people “spend the holy month in perfect peace and without worry.”
Cientos de miles de viajeros quedaron varados el domingo después de que el ataque contra Irán por parte de Estados Unidos e Israel cerrara gran parte de Oriente Medio al transporte aéreo, con aeropuertos y espacio aéreo suspendidos en varios países. En Dubái, Abu Dabi y Doha, centros clave para conexiones entre Europa, África y Asia, cientos de personas se apresuraron a reorganizar planes mientras los operadores saturaban líneas telefónicas.
U.S. stocks erased early losses Monday and ended nearly flat as oil prices surged on worries that fighting with Iran could disrupt global crude supplies and worsen inflation. Oil prices rose more than 6%, while investors also weighed higher natural-gas prices in Europe after a liquefied natural gas supplier said it would stop production because of the war.
Greg Abel, Berkshire Hathaway’s new chief executive, used his first shareholder letter to praise Warren Buffett while telling investors the conglomerate will not retreat from its long-standing approach to investing. In the letter, Abel said Berkshire’s large cash balance is “dry powder” and outlined priorities for areas including railroads and utilities as the firm posts fourth-quarter results.
Oil markets are set for volatile trading next week as U.S. and Israeli strikes affect uncertainty about Middle East oil supplies. International benchmark Brent crude closed Friday at a seven-month high of $72.87, signaling how quickly war-related risks are moving through markets.
America and Israel’s attack on Iran disrupted flights across the Middle East and beyond Saturday, as countries in the region closed parts of their airspace and struck key hub airports used to connect Europe, Africa and Asia. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha suspended or rerouted large volumes of traffic, stranding travelers and forcing airlines to cancel or divert flights. U.S. and Gulf-based airlines said passengers should check flight status as disruptions evolve.
Netflix said Thursday it will not raise its offer to buy Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming business, after Warner’s board said Paramount’s latest bid for the entire company was superior.
Several retail customers have filed proposed class-action lawsuits in federal court seeking tariff-related refunds from FedEx and EssilorLuxottica, the maker of Ray-Ban sunglasses, after the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the tariffs. The lawsuits aim to ensure consumers receive refunds if the companies recover money through government refund channels. The cases were filed as more than 1,000 companies also moved to preserve their own right to reimbursements through the U.S. Court of International Trade.
U.S. stocks fell Friday as Wall Street weighed worries about AI disruption, a discouraging inflation update and possible conflict involving the United States and Iran. The S&P 500 dropped 0.4%, the Dow fell 1.1% and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.9%, while oil prices rose.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has ruled that federal agencies may bar transgender employees from using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity, rejecting an appeal by a transgender woman who worked for the U.S. Army. The 2-1 decision held that the Army’s choice did not violate Title VII’s ban on sex discrimination.
South Africa began mass vaccination of cattle Friday to stop an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease that has already spread through the country’s livestock industry and prompted culling of more than 120,000 animals. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said the government is rolling out vaccines after the disease intensified late last year, with KwaZulu-Natal designated as a hot spot.
Paramount’s planned buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery has cleared a major hurdle after it beat Netflix in a contested takeover effort, but the next test is regulatory. The U.S. Justice Department, the Federal Trade Commission and other oversight bodies must assess whether the deal would give Paramount too much power and potentially harm customers.
Block said it will lay off more than 4,000 of its roughly 10,000 employees, attributing the move to gains from artificial intelligence as CEO Jack Dorsey reworks the company for a smaller workforce. The announcement helped lift Block shares in premarket trading Friday, following remarks in a shareholder letter and a post on X.
The head of the Food and Drug Administration said the agency plans to offer bonus payments to drug reviewers who complete reviews ahead of schedule, in what he described as a pilot program. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary told staff during a Thursday presentation that the first quarterly bonuses would begin around August.
The Treasury Department terminated collective bargaining agreements for unionized workers at the Internal Revenue Service and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, escalating President Donald Trump’s push to exert more control over the federal workforce. The agency cited an executive order Trump signed last March as authority for the terminations, according to a letter seen by The Associated Press.
Thousands of California K-12 teachers have walked out or voted to strike in recent months as the California Teachers Association pushes for higher pay and benefits, union president David Goldberg said. Goldberg linked the timing to a statewide effort by district unions to align contract expirations, saying the wave “is no coincidence.” Several districts, including San Francisco, West Contra Costa, and others, have already had work stoppages or scheduled strikes.
NEW YORK (AP) — Sherry Xue Li, a New York businesswoman, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to money laundering and to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government by obstructing the Federal Election Commission’s administration of campaign finance laws. Prosecutors said Li and her co-defendant, Lianbo Wang, duped more than $30 million from foreign investors and funneled some of the money into U.S. political campaigns, including a Trump fundraiser.
A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request by a preservationist group to temporarily halt President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project after demolition of the East Wing. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said the group’s legal challenge was unlikely to succeed and urged the National Trust for Historic Preservation to amend its lawsuit.
The Labor Department reported Friday that the producer price index for U.S. wholesale goods rose 0.5% from December and 2.9% from a year earlier. Economists had expected a smaller monthly increase and a lower year-over-year gain, with “core” wholesale prices also coming in above forecasts.
Maui’s Planning Commission voted to recommend the County Council oppose a bill that would create new hotel zoning districts, allowing thousands of vacation rentals to keep operating as short-term stays. After more than two hours of public testimony Tuesday, the panel backed the County Council’s existing approach to phase out exemptions tied to Bill 9.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is traveling to India to restore diplomatic ties and diversify Canada’s trade away from the United States, according to a report by The Associated Press. His visit comes after years of strain between Ottawa and New Delhi tied to allegations involving a Sikh separatist leader, as well as fresh uncertainty around U.S. tariff threats.
Canada’s minister for U.S. trade warned Thursday that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement could face annual review, saying the uncertainty may be part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade strategy. Dominic LeBlanc told a business audience in Toronto that he will meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington next week ahead of the mandatory USMCA review in July.
FedEx said Thursday it will return any tariff refunds it receives to the shippers and consumers who paid charges tied to tariffs President Donald Trump set under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The pledge follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision on Feb. 20 that ruled those IEEPA tariffs were illegal.
Panama’s government has occupied two ports at either end of the Panama Canal, stepping in after the country’s Supreme Court ruled a concession for the Hong Kong-linked operator was unconstitutional, as the dispute draws in the United States and China. President José Raúl Mulino told China to “be careful” and said Panama “need[s] us more than we need them.” The U.S. and China have disputed the implications of the concessions and the court case, with Washington warning a Chinese operator was unacceptable and Beijing saying Panama was bowing to “hegemonic powers.”
Nvidia’s shares fell for their worst day since last spring, dragging U.S. markets lower on Thursday even as most other stocks rose. The S&P 500 slipped 0.5%, the Dow Jones added less than 0.1% and the Nasdaq fell 1.2%, after Nvidia posted profit growth and forecast-beating results.
Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City, visited President Donald Trump at the White House and presented him with a mock newspaper front page to illustrate a proposed package of federal housing investments for the city, the Associated Press reported. The pitch included a plan to build 12,000 new affordable homes at Sunnyside Yard in Queens through more than $21 billion in federal grants, Mamdani’s communications director said. During the same meeting, Mamdani also raised the detention of Ellie Aghayeva, a Columbia University student from Azerbaijan, and pressed for her release.
OpenAI said it has received $110 billion in funding from Amazon, SoftBank and Nvidia, led by Amazon’s $50 billion commitment. OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman said the deal puts OpenAI’s pre-money valuation at $730 billion, and he said OpenAI expects other investors to join as the funding round progresses.
Target will stop selling cereals with synthetic colors by the end of May, the company said Friday, citing years of reformulating items with national brands and its private labels. The Minneapolis retailer said 85% of its cereal sales already come from products made without synthetic dyes. Target also said it will no longer carry brands that do not reformulate, though it did not name which ones.
Børge Brende, president and chief executive of the World Economic Forum, said Thursday he is stepping down after pressure over his contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Brende said in a statement that he decided “after careful consideration” to resign, and the forum said an independent review found no additional concerns beyond what had previously been disclosed.
Walmart will pay $100 million to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that it misled delivery drivers in its Spark gig delivery program about base pay and tips, and misled customers about where tips go, the FTC said Thursday.
Burger King is testing OpenAI-powered AI headsets in 500 U.S. restaurants, with a voice system that can answer employee questions and alert managers about issues like low inventory. Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King, said employees can ask the “Patty” voice how to make menu items and can flag when customers report problems such as messy bathrooms.
Berkeley’s City Council voted to approve two high-rise housing projects that use California’s density bonus law to seek exemptions from a 2023 city ordinance requiring healthcare coverage and apprenticeship training for workers on large projects. Councilmembers said the state law limits the city’s ability to force the developers to follow the requirements, and some cited concerns about costly court fights. The approvals allow the projects to move forward despite months of protests by construction unions.
A controversial 148-unit housing project in Kōloa, Kaua‘i, was approved unanimously by the island’s Planning Commission, with conditions intended to prevent the units from becoming vacation rentals and to reserve at least 45% for existing county residents. The decision came after roughly eight and a half hours of testimony, and after community groups sought unsuccessfully to intervene in the case.
Vermont’s towns are asking state lawmakers to adjust how the state handles public-records requests, after officials say a growing share of requests come from out-of-state companies that sell public information. Colchester deputy town manager Renae Marshall said the volume is straining towns’ limited time to respond under the Vermont Public Records Act.
House members are considering an aviation-safety bill after a deadly midair collision near Washington last year, but the head of the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday the House package is “watered-down” and does not match the NTSB’s recommendations. Jennifer Homendy, whose agency investigated the Jan. 29, 2025, crash that killed 67 people, said the bill’s locator-system requirements fall short of what she said is needed to prevent another tragedy.
Downtown and midtown businesses in Omaha say they are still reeling from construction on the city’s streetcar project, which the city says is now nearly two years behind schedule. At a January meeting, business owners and residents pressed city officials to speed work and address the economic fallout as the estimated completion date slips from 2026 toward 2028.
Uruguay and Argentina ratified a free-trade agreement with the European Union, becoming the first two founding members of Mercosur to do so. Uruguay approved the pact in its lower house by a 91-2 vote, and Argentina’s Senate followed with a 69-3 vote.
President Donald Trump used his first State of the Union address to argue the economy is expanding, inflation is falling and jobs are rising. But fresh consumer-confidence and survey data released ahead of the speech—and other recent economic indicators—point to weaker public sentiment and lingering sticker-price pressure. The contrast left many Americans with a more guarded view than Trump’s “roaring” framing.
The International Monetary Fund said the U.S. economy is “buoyant” and is poised to see accelerated growth and lower unemployment this year. In an assessment published this week, the IMF also warned that federal debt levels represent a growing stability risk and that tariffs could weigh on activity.
Slightly more Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week while layoffs remained in a relatively healthy range, the U.S. Labor Department reported. The number of people seeking jobless aid for the week ending Feb. 21 rose to 212,000, a modest increase from the prior week. The Labor Department also said the four-week average of claims ticked up.
Tehran shoppers are confronting sharply rising prices for food and other staples as fears of a potential U.S. attack grow, and as the country reels from protests that spread last month. An Associated Press report Friday described families struggling to keep enough basics in their carts while Iran’s economy faces long-running strain from sanctions and the currency’s rapid slide.
U.S. stocks rose Wednesday, erasing losses for the week so far as Nvidia and other technology companies led gains on Wall Street. The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% for a second straight day after Monday’s drop, while the Dow rose 0.6% and the Nasdaq gained 1.3%.
President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to project an upbeat message about the economy while honoring the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team and other recipients of medals. He then shifted to a sharper tone toward Democrats, raised his election integrity claims and discussed tariff and foreign-policy issues, including a warning about Iran.
A federal jury convicted Supreme Court litigator Thomas Goldstein of tax evasion and related charges on Wednesday, finding him guilty on 12 of 16 counts after a six-week trial in Greenbelt, Maryland. Prosecutors said the convictions stemmed from his secretive lifestyle as an ultra-high-stakes poker player and alleged he diverted money from his law firm to cover gambling debts while making false tax-related statements.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled against GEO Group, a private prison company, in a lawsuit brought by immigration detainees who alleged forced labor in Colorado. The justices declined to let GEO Group pursue a quick appeal of a lower-court decision, which the company had sought on the grounds it is immune from such suits as a government contractor, according to the Associated Press.
Planned power outages in California, intended to reduce wildfire risk, have forced multiple districts to close schools or lose attendance during winter wind events, according to reporting on Riverside County districts. Officials said delayed or insufficient notice made it hard to prepare, while state funding rules tied to attendance can magnify the financial impact of disruptions.
ProPublica journalists and their union are negotiating the first contract in part over how the outlet should use artificial intelligence and what role humans should have, with the union saying it could lead to a strike. The dispute reflects wider industry pressure over AI error reporting, reader disclosure, and protections for jobs as newsrooms adopt tools to draft, summarize, transcribe, and assist reporting.
A fire at an Ohio hog farm complex killed about 6,000 pigs and sent smoke visible for miles, officials said Feb. 26. Central Townships Joint Fire District Chief Brian Bennington said two of five large agricultural buildings were heavily involved and the fire took about five hours to control, with no people hurt.
Waymo said it will begin dispatching robotaxis in four additional cities in Texas and Florida, expanding its U.S. footprint to 10 major metro areas. The company said the rollout starts in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando, and that robotaxis are already operating with more than 400,000 weekly trips across six metro areas.
Sioux Falls announced Feb. 16 that Smithfield Foods will shift its pork processing from a century-old downtown campus north of Falls Park to a new industrial park site in northwestern Sioux Falls. The move is expected to cost about $1.3 billion and will be supported in part by a $50 million gift from billionaire Denny Sanford, while city officials prepare a $90 million tax increment financing district.
Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy S26 smartphones in San Francisco on Wednesday, highlighting a larger suite of artificial intelligence features and a new “Privacy Display” mode designed to block people nearby from viewing the screen. The company also set U.S. pricing for the March 11 launch, with most models costing more than last year.
Nvidia on Wednesday reported fiscal fourth-quarter results that beat analyst expectations, with revenue up 73% year over year to $68.1 billion and profit nearly doubling to about $43 billion. The Santa Clara, California, company also issued a forecast that topped projections for the February-April period, while Chief Executive Jensen Huang told analysts the AI boom is still in an early buildout phase.
A federal appeals court on Tuesday grilled the Trump administration and nonprofits chosen to run a $20 billion “green bank” program over the termination of their contracts, questioning whether officials invented reasons to block the program and whether the nonprofits were demanding control of money that was not theirs. The case is before the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit after a three-judge panel last September agreed the administration had broad power to cancel the contracts.
Federal energy officials announced a record $26.5 billion loan to electric utilities in Georgia and Alabama, saying the financing will cut long-term costs as companies expand capacity for electricity demand from computer data centers. The U.S. Energy Department said $22.4 billion will go to Georgia Power and $4.1 billion to Alabama Power, subsidiaries of Southern Company.
The World Trade Center’s final office tower will begin construction this spring and become American Express’s new headquarters, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the company said Wednesday, marking a milestone nearly 25 years after the Sept. 11 attacks destroyed the site. The 55-story 2 World Trade Center building will be built at the northeastern corner of the World Trade Center redevelopment, and the credit-card company plans to occupy the entire tower.
Bill Gates addressed his connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein at a town hall meeting of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Tuesday, the foundation said. A spokesperson said Gates “spoke candidly” and “took responsibility for his actions,” as new attention focused on Justice Department documents released last month that include emails, calendars and photos.
Enbridge has started work to reroute part of its Line 5 oil pipeline around the Bad River Band of Lake Superior’s reservation in northern Wisconsin after years of legal disputes. About 12 miles of the aging pipeline run across the reservation, and Enbridge began clearing trees Tuesday in the new right-of-way, according to a company spokesperson.
New York Attorney General Letitia James sued video game developer Valve in state court, alleging “loot boxes” in Counter-Strike and other titles illegally promote gambling. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, asks the court to order Valve to stop the practice and to pay restitution and damages to users, along with a fine tied to its profits from the features.
Refill stores have spread as consumers and retailers look for practical ways to reduce packaging waste, with stores offering customers the chance to bring containers and refill soap, shampoo and cleaning supplies. But experts say whether refilling delivers climate and waste benefits can depend on what refilling replaces, how often containers are reused and whether the routine fits into everyday life.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now a top U.S. health official, publicly endorsed a Trump executive order aimed at boosting glyphosate production, a herbicide ingredient he previously criticized for years as an environmental lawyer. In a statement posted Sunday evening, Kennedy called pesticides “toxic by design” but said the order would bring agricultural chemical production back to the United States and reduce reliance on adversarial nations.
Paramount has raised its offer to buy Warner Bros. Discovery to $31 per share, in a renewed fight with Netflix for control of the Hollywood studio, the companies said in filings this week. Warner said the revised bid also includes a $7 billion regulatory termination fee and an earlier “ticking fee” if the deal drags into late September. The change could trigger a fresh response from Netflix as U.S. antitrust review looms.
Senate Democrats on Monday unveiled a bill aimed at forcing U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund about $175 billion in tariff revenue collected under orders the Supreme Court said were illegal, and to pay interest on the refunded amounts.
In a report released Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund said the U.S. economy is “buoyant,” projecting faster growth and falling unemployment in 2026. The IMF also warned that tariff-driven trade restrictions could weigh on activity, and that rising federal debt poses a “growing stability risk.”
Slightly more Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week while layoffs remained relatively low. For the week ending Feb. 21, 212,000 people filed for jobless aid, up 4,000 from the previous week, the U.S. Labor Department reported.
Hawaii lawmakers have advanced bills that would remove cruise ships from a statewide green fee and replace the charges with an about $10-per-passenger fee, a change state projections show could reduce climate-related funding by millions. The move comes as the cruise industry challenges the green fee in federal appeals court, with oral arguments in a Cruise Lines International case scheduled for April.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Monday that “the walls are closing in” on President Donald Trump after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down much of Trump’s tariff program and said Trump is looking ahead to the November midterms. Ford warned Canada is in an “economic war” and said “no deal is better than a bad deal” with Trump, as he pointed to impacts on sectors including aluminum, steel, autos and lumber.
President Donald Trump delivered a record 108-minute State of the Union on Tuesday, telling lawmakers “we’re winning so much” and arguing the United States is surging at home while he is reshaping the world order abroad. The marathon address came as Trump’s political support has faced pressure heading into November’s midterm elections, and he used surprise guest moments—most notably the Olympic champion U.S. men’s hockey team—to punctuate his message.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against private prison company GEO Group in a procedural dispute over a lawsuit alleging immigration detainees in Colorado were forced to work and paid about $1 a day. The ruling means the case can proceed only after other steps in the lower court process, not via the quick appeal GEO sought.
A federal jury in Maryland found Supreme Court litigator Thomas Goldstein guilty of tax evasion and related charges tied to millions of dollars in high-stakes poker income, the Justice Department said. Prosecutors said Goldstein diverted money from his law firm to cover gambling debts and failed to report the full scope of his gambling activity. Goldstein, who also co-founded SCOTUSblog, denied wrongdoing.
The U.S. Treasury moved to sever a small Swiss bank from access to the U.S. financial system over alleged support for Iranian and Russian actors, according to a proposed federal regulation unveiled Thursday. The move comes as U.S. and Iranian officials hold indirect talks in Geneva on Tehran’s nuclear negotiations.
The former Los Angeles fire chief Kristin Crowley has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging Mayor Karen Bass’s firing of her in 2025 was aimed at smearing her after the Palisades Fire. Crowley’s suit, filed last week, argues Bass spread misinformation to protect Bass’s political reputation following the Jan. 7, 2025 wildfire. The mayor’s office said the lawsuit has no merit.
A fire at a hog farm complex in London, Ohio killed about 6,000 pigs, officials said, and sent smoke that could be seen for miles across the rural area. Central Townships Joint Fire District Chief Brian Bennington said no people were hurt and about 1,500 hogs survived and were taken elsewhere.
The parent company of Spirit Airlines said it expects to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the late spring or early summer after reaching a preliminary deal with lenders and secured creditors. The airline’s CEO, Dave Davis, said the agreement would help the company finalize changes to its fleet, route network and cost structure as it plans to emerge smaller and “leaner.”
Hong Kong protested Panama’s takeover of two strategic ports at the Panama Canal, which had been operated for decades by a Hong Kong-linked company, the city’s government said Tuesday. Panama said its Supreme Court decision left the concession without legal basis and that it was ensuring continuity of operations as the operator pursues arbitration.
Lawmakers in Hawaii have questioned a proposal by the state’s largest insurer, HMSA, and Hawaii Pacific Health to create a new umbrella organization for “risk-sharing” and “value-based care” that backers say could reduce health costs and premiums. HMSA executives and Hawaii Pacific Health CEO Ray Vara told lawmakers in mid-January that the plan would still let patients choose doctors, while skeptics including doctors and The Queen’s Health Systems said the proposal could worsen access and expand burdens. The proposal, which would combine the insurer and a major hospital company under One Health, also faces federal antitrust review.
U.S. stocks rose Tuesday after a reminder that the artificial-intelligence boom may also bring gains, helping them rebound from the prior day’s sharp drop. The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% and recovered nearly three-quarters of its previous decline, while the Dow added 370 points and the Nasdaq rose 1%.
California voters in November could weigh a Uber-backed ballot measure that would cap personal injury lawyers’ contingency fees and limit medical damages for many vehicle crashes, not just Uber rides. The proposal has triggered a multimillion-dollar showdown among Uber, lawyers, and doctors, each pursuing competing initiatives to alter the measure or broaden liability.
Waymo said it will begin dispatching its robotaxis in four more U.S. cities—Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando, Florida—announced Tuesday. The expansion brings Waymo’s service, which it operates through its own ride-hailing app in most cities, to 10 major U.S. metropolitan markets.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling against President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs means the administration cannot impose new import taxes under the emergency law it relied on “on a whim,” attorneys and trade analysts said. But the decision is unlikely to end the uncertainty that has disrupted business planning, as Trump has already moved to other legal authorities and the refund process for duties collected remains unclear.
US consumer confidence improved slightly in February after collapsing the previous month, the Conference Board reported Tuesday, though Americans remain deeply anxious about their economic prospects as job growth stumbles and tariff uncertainty freezes business hiring.
Canada's transport regulator approved Gulfstream's latest business jets on Monday, ending a trade dispute with President Donald Trump that threatened to ground all Canadian-made aircraft. Transport Canada certified the G700 and G800 models weeks after Trump threatened to decertify Canadian aircraft and impose a 50 percent tariff unless the country approved the planes made by Gulfstream Aerospace, a subsidiary of General Dynamics.
More than 1,000 companies are now seeking refunds from the U.S. government after the Supreme Court struck down President Trump's tariffs as unconstitutional. FedEx filed suit Friday in the U.S. Court of International Trade, joining a wave of major corporations — including Costco and Revlon — in demanding reimbursement for tariffs the government collected after President Trump imposed them. The filing states FedEx has "suffered injury" from the tariffs and seeks relief to redress those harms. The Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling Friday determined that Trump's tariffs, imposed under an emergency powers law, exceeded the president's constitutional authority. Trump responded sharply, saying he was "absolutely ashamed" of the justices who opposed him and accusing them of being "disloyal to our Constitution" and "lapdogs."
The European Union failed Monday to pass new sanctions targeting Russia after Hungary unexpectedly blocked the measure on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. The blockade threatens Ukraine's access to a 90 billion euro ($106 billion) loan intended to fund its military and economic needs for the next two years, as foreign ministers sought to finalize both packages ahead of the Feb. 24, 2022 invasion's anniversary on Tuesday.
Willy Ngoma, a spokesperson and senior officer for the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, was killed in a predawn drone strike near the mining town of Rubaya in eastern Congo's North Kivu province on Tuesday, according to a United Nations official and a human rights group. The killing escalates tensions in a region already home to one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, after peace negotiations between Congo and the M23 stalled.
President Donald Trump will deliver the 2026 State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday, addressing a nation transformed by his expansive executive agenda. The moment comes as constitutional scholars warn that Trump's accumulation of power through hundreds of executive actions and administrative orders has effectively sidelined Congress, which has largely accommodated his priorities rather than asserting its legislative authority.
Spiro, an electric e-mobility operator across several African countries, said it has secured $50 million in debt financing to expand its battery-swapping network. The funding comes from Afreximbank, Nithio and the Africa Go Green Fund, the company said, as other firms in the region also attract clean-transport investment.
Caribbean leaders convened Tuesday in St. Kitts and Nevis for a four-day summit focused on the region's strained relationship with the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet with the group Wednesday as the Caribbean Community — a 15-member trade bloc known as CARICOM — seeks to present a unified position on escalating tensions, including U.S. military operations that have killed at least 151 people since September.
Federal workplace safety regulators announced proposed penalties totaling $246,609 on Tuesday against a Colorado dairy and two contractors over their failure to protect six workers who died from hydrogen sulfide gas exposure in August 2025. The deaths occurred after a manure pipe disconnected in an enclosed space at Prospect Ranch in Keenesburg, about 35 miles northeast of Denver, shocking rural communities in the region.
New Zealand's only flightless parrot could experience a record breeding season in February after a bumper crop of rimu berries triggered rare mating activity among the critically endangered birds. Conservationists hope the surge will result in more chicks than ever before, moving the kakapo closer to recovery after a decades-long effort that has grown the population from just 50 birds to more than 200.
Meta agreed to purchase artificial intelligence chips from Advanced Micro Devices in a deal potentially worth more than $100 billion, also securing the opportunity to buy up to 10% of AMD's stock. The 6-gigawatt agreement will see initial shipments of the MI450 chips beginning in the second half of 2026.
Individual investors accounted for $5.4 trillion in trading activity in 2025 across stocks and exchange-traded funds, a 47% increase from 2024, according to research firm Vanda. The total represents the most going back to at least 2014, upending years of Wall Street dismissal of retail traders as unsophisticated "dumb money." "I personally want to dispel the myth of retail being dumb money, because it's not dumb money anymore," said Joe Mazzola, head of trading and derivatives strategy at Charles Schwab.
Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said Monday that a rate cut at the Fed’s March meeting could be a “coin flip,” depending on how the jobs picture evolves after a strong January report. He spoke after employers added more than 130,000 jobs in January, and after he said last month’s hiring pickup could have been a one-time gain. Waller also said a Supreme Court decision striking down many of President Donald Trump’s tariffs would likely have only limited effects on inflation and the economy.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling against President Donald Trump’s most sweeping tariffs removes the administration’s ability to create new import taxes under the emergency-powers law at issue, but trade lawyers say uncertainty is likely to persist for importers and trade partners. Businesses face open questions about what legal authorities could replace the struck-down tariff regime, how refunds will work, and whether Trump’s leverage-based trade deals will survive the fallout.
The European Parliament's trade committee postponed a ratification vote on its trade deal with the United States on Monday, seeking clarification on how President Donald Trump's newly announced 15% global import tariff would affect the agreement. Trump declared the tariff after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his use of emergency powers to set new import taxes, and the European Union said the new rate would break the deal's agreed ceiling of 15% on most European goods.
U.S. stocks tumbled Monday after President Trump announced 15% temporary tariffs on imports, escalating trade policy uncertainty just days after the Supreme Court blocked his sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs. The S&P 500 fell 1%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 821 points or 1.7%, and the Nasdaq composite closed at 22,627.27, down 258 points.
The Supreme Court struck down President Trump's sweeping tariffs on Friday, but financial markets greeted the decision with restraint as the Trump administration moved swiftly to impose a new 15% global import tax under alternative legal authority. The ruling cast doubt on whether the administration's recently negotiated trade deals would survive the shift to new legal grounds, leaving trading partners including China and South Korea uncertain about the stability of commerce with the United States.
Panama's government seized two major ports at the Panama Canal on Monday following a Supreme Court ruling that declared a decades-old concession unconstitutional, the Hong Kong-based operator said. The Panama Maritime Authority occupied the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals, which control access to one of the world's most critical shipping routes, after government officials arrived and threatened criminal prosecution if the company did not comply. The move is the culmination of a broader dispute over control of the canal that has become entangled in U.S.-China rivalry. The operator, CK Hutchison, was in the process of selling the ports to a consortium including U.S. investment firm BlackRock when China intervened to block the deal.
A severe winter snowstorm across the northeastern United States, violence following a powerful cartel leader's killing in Mexico, and a partial government shutdown converged Monday to disrupt air travel, with airlines canceling more than 5,600 flights. The overlapping crises cascaded through ground transportation networks and complicated border operations.
London is preparing for U.K. government robotaxi trials this spring, with companies including Wayve, Waymo and Baidu preparing autonomous services on the city’s roads. The effort has drawn skepticism from black-cab drivers, whose “The Knowledge” training spans years and hundreds of routes. During a recent demo ride, Wayve’s Ford Mach-E traveled a three-mile loop in North London with human backup available to intervene if needed.
Home Depot reported fourth-quarter earnings and profit that beat Wall Street estimates, but the home improvement retailer said its results reflect continued caution among consumers in a weak housing market. The Atlanta-based company posted revenue of $38.2 billion for the three months ended Feb. 1, down from $39.7 billion a year earlier, and it forecast sales growth of 2.5% to 4.5% for fiscal 2026.
Spiro, an electric mobility company operating across several African countries, said it has secured $50 million in debt financing to expand its battery-swapping network. The funding comes from Afreximbank, climate fintech platform Nithio, and the Africa Go Green Fund, the company said Monday.
A developer has proposed a 148-unit housing project for Kōloa, a historic rural town on Kauai's South Shore, sparking a community debate over local affordability and preservation. The Kauai Planning Commission is set to hear the proposal again on Tuesday after requesting more community outreach. Residents and community groups remain divided over whether the project will help locals struggling with housing costs or damage the town's character.
Nearly 20 Vermont communities will seek voter approval this March for local option taxes on sales, meals, rooms and alcohol, expanding a strategy that municipalities across the state have adopted to shore up budgets without raising property taxes.
An estimated 31,000 registered nurses and other front-line Kaiser Permanente health care workers will return to work after a four-week strike in California and Hawaii, the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals announced Monday. The union attributed the strike's end to "significant movement at the bargaining table," though specific details were not disclosed at that time.
Maine policymakers convened this month to address an electricity affordability crisis triggered by a record winter cold snap and historic natural gas prices. On Jan. 27, natural gas prices on the New England grid hit their highest level since tracking began in 2003, driving wholesale electricity prices to $441.8 per megawatt-hour—more than three times the January 2025 average of $135.08 per megawatt-hour. The surge prompted urgent discussions among state leaders about how to modernize Maine's aging electrical grid and reduce reliance on natural gas for peak demand. Philip Bartlett II, chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, described the situation as a crisis of affordability. "The biggest challenge we're facing right now is affordability," Bartlett said at a Feb. 5 legislative forum hosted by the nonprofit E2Tech in Augusta.
California aims to install six million heat pumps by 2030 as part of an ambitious climate strategy, but the state's soaring residential electricity prices—among the nation's highest and rising faster than inflation—threaten to undermine that goal. A Harvard University study finds that while heat pumps would save typical households money in the southern United States and Pacific Northwest, California presents a mixed picture where many homeowners would face higher monthly bills by switching from gas furnaces.
Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller said solid job gains in January could mean the Fed skips a rate cut at its March meeting, depending on what February’s jobs report shows. Speaking Monday, Waller said he views the two possible outcomes as “close to a coin flip.”
President Donald Trump’s annual dinner with governors at the White House ended shortly after he learned of the Supreme Court decision striking down his sweeping tariff policy, closing a week marked by disputes over which governors would attend. The dinner on Saturday in Washington featured Republican governors and top administration officials, while Democrats were not seen in the room.
The Supreme Court's decision striking down President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs has created new uncertainty in U.S.-China trade relations. Both countries are navigating shifting ground ahead of Trump's scheduled March 31 through April 2 visit to Beijing, where he is set to meet with President Xi Jinping. Analysts say the ruling strengthens China's negotiating hand, but predict Beijing will be cautious in exploiting the advantage, knowing that Trump has other legal authorities for imposing tariffs. Both countries want to maintain a fragile trade truce and stabilize ties ahead of the summit.
The European Union demanded the United States honor its trade commitments on Saturday after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down some of President Donald Trump's most sweeping tariffs. The European Commission said the current situation undermines fair and balanced commerce between the world's largest trading partners and creates uncertainty that weakens global stability. "A deal is a deal," the European Commission said in a statement. "As the United States' largest trading partner, the EU expects the U.S. to honor its commitments set out in the Joint Statement — just as the EU stands by its commitments."
In a demonstration flight, the Pentagon and the Department of Energy airlifted a nearly 700-mile microreactor from California to Utah, the first time the military has transported a small nuclear reactor for evaluation. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Undersecretary of Defense Michael Duffey traveled with the privately built reactor on a C-17 after a Feb. 15 trip aimed at accelerating licensing and deployment for military and civilian needs.
London is preparing for robotaxi trials this spring, with Wayve, Uber and other companies testing self-driving services on the city’s streets before government pilots begin. The competition has drawn skepticism from traditional black cab drivers, who say Britain’s “Knowledge” training and London’s dense, pedestrian-heavy streets make robotaxis a difficult fit.
More than 4,000 nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian voted Saturday to approve a new contract, ending a strike that lasted more than a month. The New York State Nurses Association said 93 percent of its members voted to ratify the three-year deal, which includes raises topping 12 percent over the contract period, staffing improvements, and safeguards on the use of artificial intelligence.
Former Prince Andrew was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office and held in custody for nearly 11 hours, according to police. Police are investigating whether he shared confidential trade information with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his time as a U.K. trade envoy, allegations that stem from the Justice Department's recent release of documents related to Epstein's case.
The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's tariffs Friday, ruling 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not give the president authority to impose import taxes — a power that belongs to Congress. Within hours, Trump announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on all imports for 150 days and said he would explore other legal mechanisms to restore the duties. The ruling left businesses across industries facing what they described as a prolonged period of uncertainty.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he intends to raise global tariffs to 15%, escalating his trade policy following a Supreme Court decision Friday that struck down his emergency-powers tariff authority in a 6-3 ruling. Trump said he would implement the new tariffs using an alternative legal authority through an executive order that bypasses Congress. The Supreme Court ruled that the president lacked constitutional authority to unilaterally impose tariffs because the power to tax rests exclusively with Congress. Trump's original announcement of a 10% tariff rate is set to take effect Tuesday, the same day as his State of the Union address.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Friday that the Trump administration will require all truck and bus drivers to take commercial driver’s license tests in English as part of a safety crackdown. Duffy said the changes aim to ensure drivers can read road signs and communicate with law enforcement during traffic stops and inspections.
The Department of Homeland Security has secretly purchased at least seven warehouses across Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Texas for immigration detention centers, spending $122.8 million on a single 826,000-square-foot facility in Socorro, Texas. Local officials say they learned about the purchases only after deed filings or news reports — with no federal notification before the deals closed.
The Supreme Court on Friday struck down President Donald Trump's emergency tariffs in a 6-3 decision that invalidated $133 billion in import taxes already collected. But the justices left the government and importers facing a far more complicated challenge: determining how to return the money now deemed unlawfully taken. The Court ruled that Trump's invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) did not authorize the tariffs. The law grants no authority to tax imports, the justices said — that power belongs to Congress. Two justices appointed by Trump, including Justice Amy Coney Barrett, joined the majority.
The Supreme Court ruled Friday that Congress, not the president, holds the power to levy taxes on imports, striking down a significant portion of President Donald Trump's global tariff regime. But by Saturday morning, Trump announced a new 15% global import tax under a law that has never been invoked in this manner before.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration's sweeping global tariffs Saturday, prompting trade officials across the world to assess the fallout. President Donald Trump announced a new 10% executive tariff Friday and said Saturday morning he would raise it to 15%. The ruling marked the latest reversal in 13 months of tariff volatility since Trump returned to office.
Governments and companies worldwide scrambled Saturday to navigate a Supreme Court ruling that struck down some of President Trump's sweeping global tariffs — only to face an immediate complication: Trump announced he would reimpose them at higher rates. The ruling struck down tariffs Trump had imposed since taking office 13 months ago using emergency powers. Trump signed an executive order Friday imposing a 10% tariff on certain goods and announced Saturday morning he would raise that rate to 15%. The whiplash has sent officials and business leaders from Seoul to São Paulo into an urgent reassessment of their tariff exposure and trade strategy.
The Pentagon and the Energy Department for the first time airlifted a small nuclear reactor from California to Utah, demonstrating what they say is the U.S. potential to quickly deploy nuclear power for military and civilian use. The nearly 700-mile flight last weekend carried a 5-megawatt microreactor without nuclear fuel from March Air Reserve Base to Hill Air Force Base, according to officials who traveled with the project.
Cuba’s debilitated health care system is being pushed toward collapse because the United States is blocking the island’s oil supply, Cuba’s health minister said Feb. 20. José Ángel Portal Miranda said ambulances have struggled to find fuel, hospitals have faced persistent power outages, and flights carrying vital supplies have been suspended as Cuba says it cannot refuel aircraft.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed at least 12 people and wounded 24 others Friday, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The strikes targeted the eastern Bekaa Valley and a Palestinian refugee camp in Sidon, with the Israeli military saying it had hit "command centers" of Hezbollah and Hamas.
PacifiCorp has agreed to pay $575 million to resolve the federal government's claims for damages stemming from six wildfires in Oregon and California in 2020 and 2022, federal officials announced Friday. The settlement concludes allegations that PacifiCorp's electrical lines negligently started four fires in Oregon in 2020 and two fires in California.
JPMorgan Chase acknowledged for the first time in writing that it closed President Donald Trump's bank accounts in February 2021, according to a court filing submitted this week in his ongoing lawsuit against the bank and its leader, Jamie Dimon. Trump is seeking $5 billion, alleging the closures were motivated by political retaliation for his role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
The U.S. Transportation Department’s inspector general said the Federal Aviation Administration lacks sufficient staffing and workforce planning to oversee United Airlines maintenance, according to an audit released Friday. The review also faulted how the FAA conducted some inspections “virtually” when it lacked resources to review United aircraft on site. The FAA said it agreed with most recommendations and was taking steps to address them by the end of the year.
Death and taxes may be inevitable, but estate planners say heirs do not have to face a big tax bill or years of court delays if families set up their assets correctly. In advice drawn from estate planning attorneys and online planners, the article highlights trusts, beneficiary designations, and the tax treatment of inherited stock.
Upscale Chinese American restaurants are pitching high-end tasting menus and open-kitchen technique to challenge a long-running view that Chinese food should be cheap. In San Francisco and New York, chefs and owners said they are trying to persuade diners that Chinese cuisine and the work behind it belong in the same fine-dining conversation as French and Japanese offerings.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has purchased warehouses in more than 20 towns across the United States as part of a $45 billion expansion of detention capacity. In many cases, local officials were not notified until after deals were completed. Some warehouse owners have refused to finalize sales after learning of ICE's intended use.
Brazil and India signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding Saturday on rare earths and critical minerals, according to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The agreement aims to enhance reciprocal investment, exploration, mining, and artificial intelligence applications between the two developing nations as they work to diversify their trading relationships.
Assemblymember Dawn Addis, a San Luis Obispo Democrat, is carrying Assembly Bill 1159 to strengthen privacy protections for California students' data as technology companies increasingly collect information through school sports apps, learning platforms, and other services. The bill would restrict how artificial intelligence companies use student data and create new protections for college students.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose seven members were appointed by President Donald Trump, on Thursday approved Trump’s proposal to build a ballroom on the site of the former White House East Wing, according to the commission’s meeting. The project still faces review by the National Capital Planning Commission and legal challenges, with a lawsuit by the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeking to halt construction.
President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia and President Donald Trump discussed a reciprocal trade agreement announced by the White House while Prabowo visited Washington for the first meeting of Trump’s “Board of Peace.” Under the deal, Indonesia will eliminate tariffs for 99% of U.S. goods while the U.S. maintains tariffs of 19% on most Indonesian products, the White House said.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Trump's global tariff authority Friday in a 6-3 decision, marking a rare institutional check on a president who has wielded tariff power aggressively throughout his second term. Trump immediately vowed to impose new import taxes through alternative legal means, saying the ruling would bring "great certainty" to the economy even as it raised urgent questions about the future of his tariff strategy.
President Donald Trump said Friday that the Supreme Court's rejection of his global tariff authority does not constrain his ability to impose import duties on foreign goods. Trump announced he will immediately pursue a 10% global tariff under a trade law allowing duties for 150 days and directed his administration to initiate investigations under other statutes that could permit substantial tariffs with fewer procedural constraints.
A proposed nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia could allow the kingdom to develop uranium enrichment capabilities, congressional documents and arms control experts warn, raising proliferation concerns as tensions between the United States and Iran escalate over Tehran's nuclear program. The proposed agreement, potentially worth billions of dollars, would establish safeguard agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency. But within those safeguards lies a potential path to uranium enrichment technology for Saudi Arabia.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered Friday at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan since a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas began in October. Israel restricted Palestinian entries from the occupied West Bank to 10,000 people, allowing only men over 55, women over 50, and children under 12.
Tariffs that U.S. midsize companies paid tripled over the past year, according to new research by the JPMorganChase Institute. The findings, based on payment data, add to economic analysis challenging President Donald Trump’s claim that foreigners pay the tariffs.
U.S. stocks fell Thursday as worries about how artificial intelligence could disrupt industries spread through Wall Street, while oil prices climbed on concerns about potential conflict between the United States and Iran. The S&P 500 slipped 0.3% for its first loss in four days, with the Dow down 0.5% and the Nasdaq down 0.3%.
Mortgage rates in the U.S. fell this week, with Freddie Mac saying the benchmark 30-year fixed rate averaged 6.01%—the lowest level in more than three years. The decline comes as the 10-year Treasury yield dipped to 4.09% and follows recent months of gradual easing, even as housing activity remains weak.
The U.S. trade deficit edged lower in 2025, but the gap in goods trade—a focus of President Donald Trump’s tariffs—hit a record, according to the Commerce Department. The deficit in goods widened 2% to $1.24 trillion last year, even as exports rose 6% and imports rose nearly 5%. Meanwhile, the goods deficit with China fell sharply, as trade shifted to other countries.
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week to 206,000, the Labor Department reported, as weekly layoffs remained at historically low levels. The week ending Feb. 14 saw filings drop by 23,000 from the prior week and come in below economists’ expectations, according to the report. Officials also said the four-week moving average declined to 219,000.
The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on Friday, removing a policy that had sent investors scrambling last year. The S&P 500 rose 0.7%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 230 points or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.9%, closing at 22,886.07. Analysts said many investors had already anticipated the ruling, leading to a muted response across financial markets.
President Donald Trump attacked six Supreme Court justices Friday after they struck down his global tariffs imposed under an emergency powers law. Trump directed particular criticism at Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, both appointed by him, saying their votes represented "an embarrassment to their families."
The Supreme Court struck down President Trump's sweeping tariffs Friday in a 6-3 ruling that dealt a significant defeat to a cornerstone of his economic agenda. The court found that Trump's attempt to invoke the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to justify the levies exceeded his constitutional authority, with the justices noting that Congress, not the president, holds the power to impose tariffs.
The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs on Friday in a 6-3 decision, finding that the president violated the Constitution by unilaterally imposing duties without Congressional authority. The ruling prompted Trump to attack the justices he appointed as "disloyal" and to pledge new tariffs under a different law.
The Supreme Court struck down President Trump's most sweeping tariffs on Friday, ruling 6-3 that he overstepped his authority when using an emergency powers law to justify new taxes on goods from nearly every country in the world.
Florida lawmakers this week approved renaming the international airport in West Palm Beach after President Donald Trump, just days after the Trump family company filed to trademark the use of the president's name on airports. The legislation, which passed the Florida Senate on Thursday, awaits the signature of Gov. Ron DeSantis. If signed and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Palm Beach International Airport will become the President Donald J. Trump International Airport in July.
U.S. economic growth slowed sharply in the fourth quarter, expanding at a 1.4% annual rate according to the Commerce Department, down dramatically from the 4.4% pace in the third quarter. A six-week federal government shutdown shaved roughly one percentage point from growth, while consumers pulled back on spending after months of borrowing to maintain their purchasing power.
South Carolina lawmakers are moving to limit public access to information about payments made to college athletes, following a Senate vote that sets up final action before the state’s 2026 legislative session ends in May. The proposal would keep details of Name, Image and Likeness deals and other payment terms from going into public records, supporters said, while opponents argued it would deprive athletes and the public of transparency. The issue has spread to multiple states as the NCAA has not adopted nationwide rules on what can be disclosed.
Alaska plans to replace the Black Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Gerstle River near Delta Junction with a new span that will open in 2031, state officials said. The state will keep two of the bridge’s nine trestles in place as a refashioned memorial while offering seven trestles for free to be maintained elsewhere, with proposals due March 6.
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — The Pentagon and the Energy Department for the first time airlifted a small nuclear reactor from California to Utah, marking what they said is a test of the U.S. ability to quickly deploy nuclear power for military and civilian use. The nearly 700-mile flight on Feb. 15 carried a 5-megawatt microreactor without nuclear fuel, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Undersecretary of Defense Michael Duffey traveling with the privately built unit.
Las Vegas police are investigating a car that rammed into a power substation in Boulder City on Thursday as a "terrorism-related event," Sheriff Kevin McMahill said Friday. The driver, 23-year-old Dawson Maloney of Albany, New York, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police received the emergency call at 10 a.m. Thursday reporting a vehicle crash through a secured gate at the substation, located approximately 25 miles southeast of Las Vegas.
Five European nations announced Friday a joint program to develop low-cost air defense systems and autonomous drones using battle-tested technology from Ukraine's four-year war with Russia. The E5 group — France, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy — signed an agreement to jointly invest in what the group calls the Low-Cost Autonomous Effectors and Platforms (LEAP) program, aimed at strengthening Europe's defense against Russian drone incursions.
Four years into Russia's invasion, life in the roughly 20% of Ukraine now under Russian military control is defined by housing shortages, crumbling infrastructure, systematic detention, and forced cultural integration into Russian society, according to escapees and human rights organizations. Residents of the occupied territories are required to adopt Russian citizenship to receive vital services, subjected to widespread arrest, and—in documented cases—tortured, while Moscow encourages its own citizens to relocate with financial incentives.
The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday weakened limits on mercury and other toxic emissions from coal-fired power plants, continuing the Trump administration's effort to reduce environmental protections on fossil fuels. The agency announced the move at the Mill Creek Generating Station, a coal plant along the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky, saying it would save the industry hundreds of millions of dollars.
Minnesota federal prosecutors have dismissed or dropped cases as the office in charge of U.S. criminal prosecutions in the state has been depleted by resignations and retirements amid disputes over Justice Department directives. The upheaval contributed to Cory Allen McKay, convicted 12 times, being released after his meth trafficking case was dropped following a prosecutor’s retirement. Local officials and defense lawyers say the churn is forcing delays and reducing the office’s ability to pursue some serious drug, violent and sexual offense cases.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued a Coca-Cola bottler in New Hampshire court, alleging sex discrimination after the company excluded men from a company-sponsored networking trip for women at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. The agency, which says it tried and failed to reach a conciliation agreement, filed the case on behalf of a male employee and seeks monetary compensation for a class of men. Coca-Cola Northeast disputes the EEOC’s account and says it looks forward to presenting its case in court.
Six in ten U.S. adults have experienced severe cold weather or extreme winter storms in the past five years, according to a new AP-NORC poll conducted February 5-8, 2026. The finding represents a marked increase from February 2025, when about five in ten Americans reported the same experience.
Nevada's prison system paid more than $18 million in overtime from July through September 2025, the highest quarterly amount in at least two years, according to data presented to state lawmakers Thursday. The payout represented a $7 million increase from the prior three months and continued a spending pattern that created a $53 million agency deficit the previous year. Correctional officers union leaders attributed the surge to severe understaffing across state facilities.
Vivian Tu, who has 10 million social media followers, shares practical advice on managing money and relationships. Tu, recently appointed chief of financial empowerment at fintech platform SoFi, has built her following through her 'Your Rich BFF' account and other platforms, offering straightforward guidance on salary negotiation, credit card debt, and other financial challenges. Her approach is grounded in her background as the daughter of Chinese immigrants and a former JPMorgan trader.
The University of Michigan Board of Regents voted Thursday to approve a 64-bed behavioral health hospital and a freestanding surgical center at its Lansing hospital, in projects totaling nearly $150 million. The approvals mark among the first major capital initiatives since U-M took over the health system in 2023 with a commitment to invest $800 million.
Texas congressman Tony Gonzales on Thursday denied being "blackmailed" following a report that he allegedly had an affair with a former staffer who died after setting herself on fire in 2025. The married Republican, running for reelection in the state's March 3 primary, claimed on social media that the deceased woman's husband was seeking money through a potential lawsuit.
An anonymous donor has given Osaka 560 million yen ($3.6 million) worth of gold bars to repair the Japanese city's aging water pipes, Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama announced Thursday. The 21-kilogram donation, provided in November, reflects the scale of Osaka's infrastructure renewal challenge.
Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc. is recalling nearly 3.4 million pounds of frozen chicken fried rice sold at Trader Joe's stores nationwide after consumers reported finding glass fragments in the product, U.S. Agriculture Department officials announced.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved President Donald Trump’s plan for a new White House ballroom, choosing a final design on Thursday, according to an Associated Press report. The 90,000-square-foot ballroom would be built on the site of the former East Wing and would hold about 1,000 people, the report said.
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto signed a reciprocal trade agreement with the United States during President Donald Trump’s inaugural “Board of Peace” meeting in Washington, the White House announced Thursday. The deal would eliminate tariffs on 99% of American goods entering Indonesia while keeping tariffs on most Indonesian goods at 19%, and includes steps to address non-tariff barriers and critical-minerals export restrictions, the White House said.
US applications for unemployment benefits fell last week to 206,000 for the week ending Feb. 14, the U.S. Labor Department reported. The drop comes as layoffs remain in a historically low range, according to the department and analysts.
Tariffs paid by midsize U.S. companies tripled over the past year, according to new research released by the JPMorganChase Institute on Thursday. The study, based on payment data, says companies with revenues between $10 million and $1 billion and fewer than 500 employees were paying more, with effects that companies have been addressing through higher prices, fewer workers, or lower profits.
U.S. stocks fell Thursday as investors grappled with renewed worries that artificial intelligence could disrupt business models, while oil prices rose on fears of a potential U.S.-Iran military conflict. The S&P 500 dropped 0.3% for its first loss in four days, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.3%.
The average U.S. long-term mortgage rate fell to 6.01%, the lowest level in more than three years, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.01% after falling from 6.09% the prior week, while borrowing costs for 15-year fixed mortgages also edged lower.
The U.S. trade deficit slipped modestly in 2025, but the gap in the trade of goods — a focus of President Donald Trump’s import taxes — widened to a record level, the Commerce Department reported Feb. 19. The goods deficit rose 2% to $1.24 trillion last year even as exports and imports each grew. The deficit with China fell sharply, while gaps with Taiwan and Vietnam rose.
The U.S. stock market finished higher Wednesday, led by Nvidia after Meta announced a long-term partnership to use Nvidia chips and other equipment for artificial-intelligence data centers. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% and moved closer to its late-January all-time high, while the Dow gained 0.3% and the Nasdaq climbed 0.8%, helped also by several companies’ quarterly results.
Many Federal Reserve officials said in minutes released Wednesday that they want to see further progress on inflation before supporting additional interest-rate cuts this year, particularly if the job market continues to stabilize. The minutes from the Fed’s Jan. 27-28 meeting described a committee split between those open to more cuts, those favoring a longer pause, and those who could support signaling a potential rate hike if inflation stays above the Fed’s 2% goal.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei is set to travel to the United States again as he takes part in the inaugural session of President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative. The visit comes as Washington seeks tighter regional cooperation to counter Chinese influence, while Milei’s government—Argentina’s most China-dependent one—tries to maintain and expand ties with Beijing.
President Donald Trump’s top economist, Kevin Hassett, said Wednesday that Federal Reserve economists should face “discipline” after a recent study concluded that nearly all new U.S. tariffs are being paid by American companies and consumers. Hassett called the paper “an embarrassment,” as the White House renewed criticism of the central bank’s work and its independence.
As a Maryland trial neared its end, prosecutors told jurors that Thomas Goldstein was a willful tax cheat, as the government prepares to lay out its case against the Supreme Court lawyer and co-founder of SCOTUSblog. Defense attorneys argued the government rushed to judgment, characterizing prosecutors’ evidence about Goldstein’s gambling as “made-up.”
Members of New Mexico’s Senate voted Tuesday to endorse a constitutional amendment that would let the state reconsider its ban on direct legislative compensation, a rule that has kept the legislature unsalaried since statehood. If voters approve the change in November, legislative salaries would be tied to a statewide benchmark based on median income.
More than 63 million Americans provide care for an adult family member while holding paid jobs, and employers are increasingly responding with paid time off to help workers balance both responsibilities. As the U.S. population ages, companies and organizations are expanding benefits that once were rare, offering workers paid leave for caregiving alongside options like flexible scheduling and care-concierge services.
South Carolina lawmakers advanced a bill that would keep the amounts paid to college athletes and teams under name, image and likeness, as well as related payments, out of public records. At the Statehouse, senators debated the measure amid calls for the NCAA to set national rules and concerns raised in a lawsuit that prompted the state’s faster timeline.
Italy’s Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics organizers and power provider Enel said the Games will rely on clean electricity, backed by renewable-energy “guarantee of origin” certificates and a plan for rare backup power. The effort is part of a broader sustainability push that organizers say must also confront emissions from travel by athletes and spectators.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast on Tuesday, alleging the regional bottler excluded men from a company-sponsored networking trip for about 250 women at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New Hampshire, says the bottler’s approach violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Alaska plans to replace the Black Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Gerstle River near Delta Junction, and will keep two of its nine trestles in place as a refashioned memorial, the state transportation department said. The 1,885-foot bridge, renamed in 1993, will be replaced with a new span expected to open in 2031, while seven trestles will be offered for free to qualified applicants.
Edmunds says it has selected its 2026 Top Rated winners across car, SUV and truck categories, including electric versions, based on what it describes as independent testing at its test track and evaluation over real-world miles. The awards name the Honda Civic Hybrid as top car, the Tesla Model 3 as top electric car, the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid as top SUV and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 as top electric SUV, among other winners. Edmunds’ 2026 Top Rated truck pick is the Ford Maverick, while the top electric truck is the Rivian R1T.
The grandson of H.B. Reese, the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, accused The Hershey Co. of damaging the brand by shifting some ingredients to cheaper alternatives. Brad Reese said in a Feb. 14 letter to Hershey that several Reese’s products now use compound coatings instead of milk chocolate and peanut crème instead of peanut butter.
Nevada’s Division of Insurance report says at least 16 insurers operating in the state likely violated the federal mental health and addiction parity law in 2024 by treating mental health and substance-use coverage differently from medical care. The report flags practices including higher claim denials for mental health, requiring prior approval for benefits not listed that way publicly, and offering less robust mental-health provider networks.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders campaigned Wednesday in Los Angeles for a California ballot proposal to levy a one-time 5% tax on the assets of billionaires, aiming to backfill federal cuts to health services. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, a leading voice of the state party, has condemned the idea and warned it could harm California’s finances and competitiveness.
DoorDash said its revenue rose 38% in the fourth quarter and that total orders increased 32% to 903 million, beating analyst forecasts. The delivery company also reported net income of $213 million, but it projected lower-than-expected first-quarter adjusted pretax earnings.
Online seller eBay agreed to purchase secondhand fashion marketplace Depop from Etsy for about $1.2 billion in cash, the companies said Wednesday. The deal, expected to close in the second quarter, would expand eBay’s bid for younger online shoppers and keep Depop’s name, brand and platform in place.
Nigeria’s Saglev says it has started assembling 18-seater electric passenger vans in Nigeria using Chinese-made kits, and aims to scale output for West African markets. In Kenya, Rideence Africa has signed a deal to begin local assembly of electric taxis and minibuses using kits supplied by Chinese and other firms.
Texas has become a major testing ground for small modular nuclear reactors as officials seek ways to meet rising electricity demand on the ERCOT grid. The push, spurred by Gov. Greg Abbott’s nuclear working group and backed by state and federal legislation, is moving from planning into a handful of projects that face technical and economic tests in the coming years.
A Fort Benton hemp processor and a Great Falls apparel brand have produced a limited run of American-made hemp shirts that, they say, never left U.S. borders for cultivation, processing and textile conversion. The companies’ prototype — sold as the Benton work shirt — is meant as proof of concept after hemp fiber production and know-how largely disappeared in the United States during decades of federal prohibition.
Sri Lankan lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to scrap their pensions, fulfilling a campaign promise tied to public anger over the country’s economic crisis. On Tuesday, the bill passed in the 225-member House by 154 votes, with only two against, according to the Associated Press.
Trinidad and Tobago’s annual carnival reached its climax Tuesday as the country’s creative community tried to keep the celebrations affordable for residents squeezed by higher prices. The Associated Press reported that ticket costs for premium events were nearing $700 and costumes for some masquerade bands topped $2,000, prompting community-led efforts such as free lessons and free performances. Organizers and residents said the pressure is leaving some families unable to take part in the street festivities that draw tens of thousands of people.
US stocks closed slightly higher on Tuesday after large intraday swings tied to worries about artificial intelligence and the broader economy. The S&P 500 rose 0.1%, the Dow gained 0.1% and the Nasdaq climbed 0.1%, while tech and consumer-focused companies posted notable declines.
Indonesia is tightening state control over nickel, the country’s largest export and a key input for electric-vehicle batteries, as global demand shifts toward chemistries that use less of the metal. The measures come after years of betting nickel would underpin a domestic EV industry, a strategy that has drawn major Chinese investment and environmental concerns, Associated Press reported Feb. 18, 2026.
Warner Bros. Discovery said it received a waiver from Netflix that allows it to reopen takeover talks with Skydance-owned Paramount for the next seven days. The board also remains recommending that shareholders support Warner’s proposed merger with Netflix, with a special meeting scheduled for March 20.
AI tools are increasingly being adopted in India’s farming and coaching education sectors, as the country hosts a major AI summit in New Delhi this week. In northern India’s Karnal, farmer Bir Virk uses an automated tractor to harvest potatoes, while in New Delhi educator Swetank Pandey’s team uses AI to grade handwritten civil-services exam papers and draft study material.
Hyatt executive chairman Thomas Pritzker said he will step down from the hotel company’s board, saying he “deeply regrets” his association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. In a prepared statement, Pritzker said he condemned the actions and “harm caused” by Epstein and Maxwell and apologized for what he called “terrible judgment” in maintaining contact. The move follows revelations in documents tied to a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into Epstein’s links to powerful people.
Donald Trump’s family business has filed applications to trademark the use of the president’s name for airports, according to a report by The Associated Press. The applications include airport naming proposals in Florida, where lawmakers are weighing a plan to rename the Palm Beach airport for Trump.
Berkshire Hathaway said it is investing $350 million in The New York Times, a move it made six years after Warren Buffett sold off Berkshire’s newspapers, the company disclosed in a quarterly filing. The Omaha, Nebraska-based firm also increased its Chevron stake and continued trimming holdings in Bank of America and Apple.
California regulators said Tuesday they will not suspend Tesla’s license to sell vehicles in the state for 30 days, after determining the company stopped misleading drivers about the safety of its cars. The decision follows an administrative law judge’s finding that Tesla misled consumers through its use of the terms “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving.”
Conservation groups and an Iñupiat organization filed lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s renewed push for oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, including a lease sale set for March 18. The plaintiffs argue the sale would make ecologically sensitive lands available for leasing despite protections in place for decades.
The Trump administration is backing prediction market operator Kalshi and Polymarket in a federal case with Nevada over whether the platforms can operate under state gambling rules. The move comes from Michael Selig, newly appointed chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, who is weighing in with a “friend of the court” filing as the companies appeal an order that blocked Kalshi from operating in Nevada.
NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump Organization has filed to trademark the use of President Donald Trump’s name on airports, saying it does not plan to charge royalties for at least a proposed rename of a Palm Beach airport near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence.
World shares mostly rose Monday while gold prices fell, as Asian markets closed or traded only briefly ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations. Japan’s Nikkei dropped after data showed the economy grew more slowly than economists expected in the latest October-December quarter, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose in a half-day session. U.S. stock futures edged higher ahead of the Presidents Day holiday, with oil and the U.S. dollar also moving lower or higher, respectively.
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s exports surged nearly 17% in January compared with a year earlier, helped by seasonal factors and stronger shipments to China and other parts of Asia, the finance ministry said Wednesday. Imports fell 2.5%, leaving Japan with a trade deficit of 1.15 trillion yen ($7.5 billion), smaller than a year earlier.
Drivers in Havana say Cuba’s government-run “Ticket” app is booking refueling appointments only weeks or months out, as fuel shortages worsen amid U.S. pressure on the island. The app requires drivers to book appointments at specific gas stations, where only limited numbers of slots are available each day.
The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Shein under the EU’s Digital Services Act, focusing on concerns that the online retailer is not doing enough to limit illegal products and protect users. Regulators also are looking at whether Shein’s design is “addictive” and whether its recommendation system explains clearly why users see specific items.
In 2026, Morningstar suggests investors revisit how concentrated their portfolios have become as market returns have leaned heavily toward the technology and artificial-intelligence trade from 2025. The firm’s strategists say diversification steps such as rebalancing, adding bonds, and increasing exposure to international stocks can help reduce concentration risk across stock, sector and theme.
China’s Lunar New Year holiday travel period, known as “chunyun,” begins Feb. 17, with the government estimating record demand of 9.5 billion trips during the 40-day stretch around the festival. The expected movement includes 540 million trips by train and 95 million by air, as workers across the country head home for what many describe as the year’s most important family gathering.
In coastal mountain towns in Sinaloa, Mexico, residents and families searched for answers after 10 employees were abducted from a Canadian-owned silver and gold mine in late January. The bodies of five were found nearby, and authorities had not identified the remaining five as of the AP report, as fighting between two factions of the Sinaloa Cartel continues to drive fear and displacement.
Federal and state government offices, courts and most schools are closed Monday, Feb. 17, for Presidents Day, but many big retailers plan to operate. U.S. stock markets and banks also close Monday and reopen Tuesday. National parks remain open and free to U.S. residents on the holiday.
Singapore will begin charging a levy on flights departing from Changi International Airport to help fund sustainable aviation fuel, a cleaner alternative to conventional jet fuel, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said. The surcharge will apply to flights departing after Oct. 1 and tickets sold after April 1, with charges ranging from 1 Singapore dollar (about 75 U.S. cents) for some economy routes to 41.60 Singapore dollars (about $32) for certain premium flights.
A strike by workers at Kenya’s main airport delayed flights on Monday, disrupting travel plans and leaving some passengers stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, the Associated Press reported. Kenya Airways urged customers to check their flight status, citing disruptions including delays in air traffic control operations. The airport’s operator said it was taking contingency measures while it tried to resolve the strike.
WASHINGTON — A key measure of inflation fell to 2.4% in January from a year earlier, and core prices rose 2.5%, according to data released Friday. The report pointed to easing costs tied to apartment rents and lower gas prices, though many categories Americans spend on remain higher than they were five years ago.
U.S. military forces boarded the sanctioned oil tanker Veronica III in the Indian Ocean after tracking the vessel from the Caribbean Sea, the Pentagon said Feb. 15. The Pentagon said the boarding was carried out as part of maritime interdiction tied to U.S. sanctions on oil connected to Venezuela.
The Homeland Security shutdown that began early Saturday affects the Transportation Security Administration, which is expected to have many officers working without pay across U.S. airports, raising questions about how quickly travelers will get through screening. White House negotiations with Democratic lawmakers have not produced a deal by the end of the week, and aviation and travel industry officials warn that disruptions could build as the episode continues.
Kathy Ruemmler, Goldman Sachs’s general counsel, said she plans to resign after emails and correspondence reviewed by The Associated Press depict close ties with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Ruemmler, 54, announced the resignation plan on Thursday, after previously characterizing her relationship with Epstein as strictly professional.
Chocolate prices at U.S. retail stores rose during the first weeks of February despite cocoa prices falling nearly 70% since last Valentine’s Day, according to market research cited by the Associated Press. The prices consumers pay may stay elevated as manufacturers work through costs from earlier higher cocoa prices and adjust pricing to match demand and trading patterns, the report said.
Coffee has been a daily ritual for some Americans for years, but higher prices are changing behavior—some are cutting café visits, switching to cheaper drinks, or skipping coffee altogether. In the United States, coffee prices rose 18.3% in January from a year earlier, according to the latest Consumer Price Index. The increase is prompting consumers to stretch budgets, including by buying home brews and making substitutes.
Battleground Michigan is seeing three Democrats—U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and physician Abdul El-Sayed—try to define “affordability” ahead of the Aug. Senate primary. The candidates are testing different routes to voters as Democrats seek to win back the seat held by retiring Sen. Gary Peters in the November midterm election cycle.
Cuba postponed its annual Habanos cigar fair, scheduled for the last week of February, citing severe fuel shortages and blackouts on the island. Organizers with Habanos S.A., which holds the global monopoly on Cuban cigar sales, said the decision was intended to “preserve its high standard of quality.” The postponement comes as Cuba copes with reduced oil shipments and aviation-fuel disruptions tied to U.S. actions affecting energy supplies.
Valentine’s Day dinner at White Castle is returning for a 35th straight year, with restaurants across the U.S. offering candlelit, tablecloth-lined meals that customers say carry on family traditions and personal milestones. This year, one Detroit-area customer plans to reserve a table for her mother, who died last spring, as she and two daughters mark the holiday together.
Tax season is underway in the United States, and the IRS deadline to file a 2025 tax return is April 15. Tax professionals advise people to start organizing documents now, avoid rushing at the last minute, and keep copies of what they submit. This year’s filings also reflect new deductions created by a Republican tax and spending bill signed by President Donald Trump last summer.
Wendy’s said it is closing several hundred restaurants in the United States and increasing its focus on value after sales fell more than expected in the fourth quarter. The Dublin, Ohio-based chain reported that its global same-store sales dropped 10% in the October-December period, compared with an 8.5% decline expected by analysts polled by FactSet.
California lawmakers are pursuing a new push to speed up factory-built housing, aiming to make 2026 “the Year of the Housing Factory,” according to state Assemblymember Buffy Wicks. The effort includes select committee hearings on “housing construction innovation” and a white paper from researchers at the UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation, alongside plans for legislation in coming weeks.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said Wednesday that a settlement among the operator of the Green River Reservoir dam, state agencies, and conservation and recreation groups will keep the hydroelectric facility operating—for now. Under the deal, Morrisville Water & Light will withdraw its request to decommission the dam and instead pursue a new federal license while the state reviews water-quality requirements that govern how the dam operates.
Thousands of Greek farmers drove tractors to parliament in central Athens on Friday for an overnight rally protesting what they say is the government’s failure to address problems threatening their ability to produce crops. Police blocked central streets and escorted a tractor motorcade to Syntagma Square in front of parliament.
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to 227,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, keeping weekly layoffs within the historically healthy range of recent years. The Labor Department said filings for the week ending Feb. 7 dropped by 5,000 from the prior week. The government also reported that the four-week moving average of jobless claims rose.
As electricity prices climb, U.S. politicians are facing pressure to make data-center operators cover more of the power costs tied to artificial intelligence. The issue has drawn rare bipartisan agreement that “regular people” should not pick up the tab, but disagreement remains over what “fair share” means. Harvard’s Ari Peskoe said “fair share” is “a pretty squishy term,” reflecting how quickly the debate has become entangled with cost-of-living concerns ahead of the midterm elections.
Nissan said it recorded a 28.3 billion yen ($185 million) loss in the October-December quarter, widening from a year earlier, as restructuring costs weighed on results. Chief Executive Ivan Espinosa said the company expects an operating loss for the fiscal year ending in March and is working toward an operating profit by the end of fiscal 2026.
U.S. stocks steadied Friday after a report showed inflation slowed more than economists expected, easing some pressure on Wall Street that had been roiled by worries about artificial-intelligence disruption. The S&P 500 was little changed after its prior-session drop, while the Dow edged higher and the Nasdaq slipped.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis said he could support a compromise that would allow the Senate Banking Committee to begin hearings on President Donald Trump’s nominee, Kevin Warsh, to chair the Federal Reserve. Tillis said the move could serve as an “off-ramp” after the Justice Department investigation involving Fed Chair Jerome Powell was raised.
Two Mexican Navy ships carrying humanitarian aid docked in Cuba on Thursday as U.S. sanctions and a growing oil-supply squeeze deepen the island’s energy crisis. The ships arrived about two weeks after President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba, leading Cuba to ration energy in recent days.
The Trump administration reached a reciprocal trade deal with Taiwan that would eliminate or reduce 99% of Taiwan’s tariff barriers, the U.S. Trade Representative said Thursday. Most Taiwan exports to the U.S. would face a 15% tariff rate, matching rates levied on other U.S. trading partners in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the USTR’s office.
U.S. stocks fell sharply Thursday as investors rotated out of companies viewed as potential losers from artificial intelligence. The S&P 500 sank 1.6%, the Dow fell 669 points, and the Nasdaq dropped 2%.
The TSA workforce is expected to work without pay after a U.S. Department of Homeland Security shutdown took effect early Saturday, potentially affecting airport security screening nationwide. The situation is unfolding as lawmakers continue to miss the deadline for DHS’s annual funding.
Africa was the world’s fastest-growing solar market in 2025, a new industry report says, driven by imports of Chinese-made solar panels even as global solar growth slowed. The report estimates Africa’s solar installed capacity rose 17% last year, while global capacity rose 23% to 618 gigawatts.
Canadian pension fund La Caisse and Britain’s development finance agency British International Investment said they have paused new investments with DP World after emails tied to Jeffrey Epstein resurfaced in recently released Justice Department documents. The emails include references in which DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and Epstein exchanged messages about sex and other topics.
Goldman Sachs Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel Kathy Ruemmler said she will step down effective June 30, 2026, after emails released in the Jeffrey Epstein case showed close ties and downplayed his alleged sex crimes. Ruemmler, a former White House counsel to President Barack Obama, announced her resignation Thursday.
Two workers were killed and 11 others injured in an August 11, 2025 explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works outside Pittsburgh, federal investigators said. Six months later, employees and nearby residents say they remain shaken by the blast and concerned about air pollution from the plant.
Leaders from all 27 European Union countries agreed in general terms Thursday on a plan to restructure the bloc’s economy to boost competitiveness as they face pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, China’s hard-line economic tactics and hybrid threats attributed to Russia, according to the European Commission. The agreement, reached at a Belgian castle, calls for a strict timetable for reforms that the Commission says will be formally presented in March.
Sex workers at Sheri’s Ranch in Pahrump, Nevada, have filed with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize under the name United Brothel Workers, represented by the Communications Workers of America, seeking a safer and more respectful workplace. Workers say a new December independent-contractor agreement would give the brothel control of their likeness and intellectual property without permission.
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has written to Apple CEO Tim Cook to complain that Apple “suppressed” content from conservative news outlets in the Apple News feed. Ferguson said the FTC is not the “speech police,” but has authority to protect consumers from misleading and omitted information. Apple had no immediate comment to an AP request on Thursday, the report said.
A federal law requiring impairment-detection technology in new vehicles cleared a funding hurdle but remains stalled as regulators weigh how ready the devices are for deployment. Lawmakers last month defeated a Republican effort to strip funding from the law, known as the Halt Drunk Driving Act.
PARIS (AP) — Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket is scheduled to make its first commercial launch Thursday with a new equipment configuration, flying with four boosters to carry Amazon’s internet satellites from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
Montana, where few large data centers have been built so far, is facing proposals for new facilities as Big Tech expands for AI. Environmental groups and residents in places including Butte, Billings, Broadview and Great Falls say they have limited information about how much water the projects would use and how quickly approvals could happen.
Anthropic, the company behind the chatbot Claude, said Thursday it is valued at $380 billion after raising $30 billion in its latest funding round. The valuation puts it alongside OpenAI and SpaceX among the world’s most valuable private startups and comes as investors weigh which firms may seek stock-market listings.
Amazon ended its planned partnership with Flock Safety, the smart-doorbell company announced, after a Ring Super Bowl ad backlash that raised privacy fears. Ring said the planned integration “never launched,” and that no Ring customer videos were sent to Flock Safety.
PARIS — A growing market for zero- and low-alcohol drinks is drawing attention at Wine Paris this week, as producers and consumers test non-alcoholic versions of familiar wines and sparklers. At the trade show, some backers say the products help people socialize without drinking, while others argue younger consumers are rethinking alcohol’s role in daily life.
Existing home sales fell sharply in January, sliding 8.4% from December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.91 million units, the National Association of Realtors said. The decline came as mortgage rates continued to ease, while home prices kept rising and winter weather may have reduced viewings and buyer activity.
U.S. Justice Department antitrust chief Gail Slater is leaving her post after about a year, according to a post on social media Thursday. Slater’s departure follows disputes over whether to greenlight major mergers, including Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s deal to buy Juniper Networks.
U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs in January, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.3%, the Labor Department said Wednesday, a sharp contrast with weak hiring in 2025. Government revisions also cut earlier payroll totals for 2024 and 2025 by hundreds of thousands, reshaping the picture of the labor market’s momentum.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted Wednesday to terminate President Donald Trump’s national-emergency tariffs on Canada, in a rare rebuke that brought Republicans to back a Democratic-sponsored resolution. The measure passed 219-211 and now heads to the Senate, where supporters said they are seeking to curb what they call an abuse of emergency powers.
The IRS erroneously shared taxpayer information of thousands of people with the Department of Homeland Security, according to a court filing made public Feb. 11. The filing says the disclosure happened under a data-sharing agreement aimed at helping Immigration and Customs Enforcement identify and deport people in the U.S. illegally.
The Congressional Budget Office on Wednesday projected that federal deficits and debt will worsen over the next decade, driven largely by increased spending on Social Security, Medicare and debt service. The CBO also said higher tariffs would partially offset some deficit growth, while contributing to higher inflation from 2026 to 2029.
Argentina’s Senate early Thursday gave its overall approval to President Javier Milei’s labor overhaul after hours of debate, according to the Associated Press. The vote came as thousands of workers backed by powerful trade unions protested outside Congress in downtown Buenos Aires.
U.S. stocks swung between gains and losses Wednesday after a stronger-than-expected jobs report showed unemployment improved last month, while bond yields stayed elevated. The S&P 500 finished down less than 0.1% after flipping from early gains to a small dip, as investors recalibrated expectations for when the Federal Reserve could begin cutting interest rates.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright arrived in Venezuela on Wednesday to assess changes to the country’s oil sector, according to a report from Caracas. Wright met acting President Delcy Rodríguez at the Miraflores presidential palace and said he carried a message from President Donald Trump about transforming U.S.-Venezuela relations.
The FAA closed airspace over El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday for several hours after the Pentagon allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use an anti-drone laser earlier this week, according to two people familiar with the situation. The Trump administration said the shutdown stemmed from efforts by the FAA and Pentagon to stop a possible incursion by Mexican cartel drones, and the restrictions were lifted after flights resumed.
Cuban peso hit an all-time low against the U.S. dollar in Cuba’s informal market, according to an independent outlet, as new Trump administration restrictions on oil imports further tighten the island’s already strained economy. The informal rate, widely used in daily transactions, rose from about 400 pesos to the dollar last summer to 500 pesos in the informal market this week, the latest sign of worsening shortages and longer blackouts.
The build-out of electric-vehicle charging in the United States has continued since Donald Trump returned to office, but the administration and Congress have introduced new steps that could delay it, according to reporting. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced new “fully American-made” requirements for chargers funded with federal money, while the administration and lawmakers have also moved to redirect or cut some EV-charging funds.
Taiwan’s economy is benefiting from an AI-driven surge in chip demand and a U.S. tariff cut, but economists and executives warn about bubble risk and geopolitical threats. The growth is concentrated in tech and manufacturing, while other sectors and many residents say they are falling behind.
Kraft Heinz said Wednesday it is pausing plans to split into two companies and will instead prioritize “profitable growth,” led by CEO Steve Cahillane. The change came as the company reported lower quarterly and annual results, with net sales down to $6.35 billion in the October-December period and net income falling 69.5%.
San Francisco Unified School District schools remained closed for a third day Wednesday as teachers in the district walked out, leaving nearly 50,000 students out of class. Parents said they were scrambling with child care and activities while negotiations between the district and the teachers union continued over wages, health benefits and special-education staffing.
A Valentine’s Day shopping guide from Edmunds, republished by The Associated Press, pairs five 2026 vehicles with relationship-style “match” traits, from “Emotional availability” to “Reliability.” The list includes a 2026 Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86, a Ford Maverick hybrid pickup, a Ford Mustang Dark Horse, a Jeep Wrangler, and a Honda CR-V, with all prices including destination fees.
Beginning Wednesday, nine major coffee chains in Thailand pledged to cut the default sugar content in some coffee and tea drinks by half as part of a government initiative aimed at reducing excess sugar consumption. The Health Department says the average Thai consumes 21 teaspoons of sugar per day—more than three times the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of six teaspoons—and warns that high intake raises the risk of obesity, diabetes and other diseases.
Hawaii’s primary care doctor shortage is leaving some residents struggling to find physicians who accept new patients, leading a growing number to join direct primary care practices that charge flat monthly membership fees instead of billing insurance. Patients say the model can mean faster access, while doctors and researchers warn it may also complicate efforts to expand the workforce. In Honolulu and other islands, physicians who converted to direct primary care describe trading insurance paperwork for smaller patient panels and more time per visit.
McDonald’s reported stronger-than-expected sales for its Oct.-Dec. quarter, saying its focus on value and affordability helped win back customers. The company said global same-store sales rose 5.7% in the quarter, and fourth-quarter revenue and profit also topped analysts’ expectations.
In Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, Ramón Pucha and his family have built a small “seed house” that preserves and grows threatened native plant species for replanting. Pucha, 51, said he travels into the forest—sometimes alone and for days at a time—to collect the seeds even when some trees no longer produce them yearly.
Six months after an August 2025 explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works outside Pittsburgh killed two workers and injured 11 others, residents and workers say safety and air-pollution concerns remain unresolved. A Chemical Safety Board probe found a release of coke oven gas during valve work that contacted an ignition source and exploded, according to a report shared with residents and officials.
Richard Grenell, the president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, warned staff in a memo that the Kennedy Center expects cuts and “skeletal” staffing as it prepares to close for a two-year renovation. In the message, Grenell said departments would operate on a smaller scale, with some units reduced or paused before preparations to reopen in 2028.
New York State Nurses Association members on strike at Montefiore and Mount Sinai have approved new three-year contract deals, the union said Wednesday. Nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian rejected the mediator-backed proposal, meaning the monthlong walkout is set to continue for those nurses at some of the city’s major hospital systems.
Shoppers’ spending paused in December, leaving retail sales unchanged from November and closing out the holiday season on a lackluster note, the U.S. Commerce Department reported. Economists said the snapshot surprised them as job growth cooled and uncertainty about tariffs mounted, raising questions about how much households will spend in 2026.
Taiwan’s AI-driven chip economy is expanding rapidly as the island deepens ties with global tech firms and seeks relief from U.S. tariffs. But economists and company executives warn the growth’s dependence on AI demand and geopolitical tensions with China could amplify risks if the cycle cools.
Stocks on Wall Street drifted to a mixed finish on Tuesday as Treasury yields fell after a report showed retailers made less money than economists expected and shoppers spent roughly the same amount in December as in November. Investors also weighed mixed profit reports from big U.S. companies, with Hasbro rising while Coca-Cola and S&P Global fell.
Honda reported a 42% drop in profit for the nine months through December, blaming U.S. tariff impacts and a slowdown in electric-vehicle demand. The company also said it lowered its 2030 global EV sales ratio projection to 20% from a prior target of 30%.
For nearly a year, Palestinian resident Hanadi Abu Zant in the Israeli-occupied West Bank has been unable to pay rent after losing her work permit to enter Israel for jobs, underscoring how restrictions imposed after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack have narrowed livelihoods for tens of thousands of people. The Associated Press visited Tulkarem, where Abu Zant hid in a mosque when her landlord called police, fearing she could be forced out of her home.
Nissan reported a deeper loss for the October-December quarter through December than a year earlier, as restructuring costs weighed on profitability. The company said it posted a 28.3 billion yen ($185 million) loss for the quarter, while quarterly sales fell 6% to nearly 3 trillion yen.
United States Energy Secretary Chris Wright arrived in Venezuela on Wednesday for a firsthand assessment of changes aimed at overhauling the country’s oil industry. Wright met with Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas and said he brought “a message from President Trump” about transforming ties between the two countries.
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro asked the country’s highest court to lift a suspension of an economic emergency decree that would let his government raise taxes without congressional approval, as floods in northern provinces killed at least 14 and displaced about 69,000 people.
One year after the Trump administration took control of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, consumer advocates and Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s office say the agency has retreated from enforcement and regulatory work—costing Americans at least $19 billion in financial relief, according to a report provided to The Associated Press. The authors say the bureau harmed consumers by abandoning major protections, stalling investigations, and dismissing lawsuits.
Tennessee Valley Authority said it now prefers to keep operating two coal-fired plants in Tennessee that it had planned to shut down, according to new filings ahead of a board meeting. The utility said regulatory changes and growing electricity demand are pushing it to rethink closure dates for Kingston Fossil Plant and Cumberland Fossil Plant, even as it plans to add more natural gas generation at the sites.
President Donald Trump has the right to amend a permit for the Gordie Howe International Bridge, the White House said Feb. 10, escalating a dispute with Canada even after Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was confident the matter would be resolved. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. president objects to the bridge’s ownership structure and wants more American-made materials.
San Francisco's public school teachers went on strike for a third day Wednesday, closing 120 schools and leaving nearly 50,000 students out of the classroom. The teachers are demanding higher wages, fully funded family healthcare, and more resources for special education. Parents are scrambling to find childcare and adjust their work schedules.
In Clairton, Pa., residents are weighing the promise of a new Japanese owner for U.S. Steel against a long record of pollution and economic decline. Six months after an Aug. 11 explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works killed two people, a newly elected mayor has pledged to “fix” the city while neighbors say they have heard promises before.
A Dutch court ordered a formal investigation into chipmaker Nexperia and upheld an order suspending its Chinese CEO, citing doubts about the company’s policies and conduct, according to the written decision released Wednesday. The move adds to a dispute that drew rare government intervention last year amid concerns that governance problems could disrupt technology used in European industry.
Kraft Heinz said Wednesday it is pausing plans to split the company into two. Chief Executive Steve Cahillane said the company wants to focus resources on “profitable growth” and invest $600 million in marketing, sales and product development.
A nearly monthslong strike by New York City nurses at the NewYork-Presbyterian system has left some patients and families worried as negotiations remain unresolved. Logan Coyle, a 9-year-old child being treated for advanced liver cancer, and his family say changes in staffing during the walkout have affected his care.
Northern Europe’s deep cold has prompted Estonia officials to open a 20-kilometer ice road across frozen sea linking its two main western islands, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, the Associated Press reported. Authorities said the route opened Sunday with cars lined up to use it as ferries struggled to keep regular service.
Chinese consumers increasingly base everyday shopping decisions on personal preferences and value, rather than nationalism, even as tensions with countries such as Japan and the United States flare in diplomatic spats. An Associated Press report in Hong Kong found examples including crowded openings for a Japanese sushi chain in mainland China and continued interest in Hollywood animation and U.S. fashion.
Colony Ridge, a Houston-area developer accused by Texas and federal authorities of running a predatory lending and land-sale scheme, has reached a $68 million legal settlement with the state and the U.S. Department of Justice. The agreement, announced Tuesday, would require changes to Colony Ridge’s buyer documentation, advertising and marketing practices, and residential plat approval process, alongside spending on infrastructure and law enforcement.
Opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo is growing over a U.S.-backed minerals partnership offered by President Felix Tshisekedi after he returned from a critical minerals summit in Washington last week. Critics say the deal, framed as a way to secure strategic minerals and infrastructure, could threaten Congo’s sovereignty and fail to deliver peace and stability in the mineral-rich east.
Paramount said it will pay Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders an added “ticking fee” of 25 cents per share per quarter if the hostile deal is not completed by year-end, as it extended the tender-offer deadline again. The company also said it would fund a $2.8 billion breakup payout to Netflix tied to Warner’s studio and streaming merger.
Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, marked St. Haralambos Day with a church ceremony in which priests blessed jars of honey and prayed for the protection of bees. Beekeepers and worshippers said the tradition reflects worries about pesticides, pollution and climate change affecting bee populations.
Saks Global said it will close eight Saks Fifth Avenue stores and one Neiman Marcus store as part of its Chapter 11 restructuring, leaving it with 25 Saks Fifth Avenue locations and 35 Neiman Marcus stores. The company said the affected stores will remain open until the end of April.
The United Nations said Monday it is waiting to learn how much the United States plans to pay of nearly $4 billion in arrears and when the money will arrive. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned last week that the world body could face “imminent financial collapse” unless its financial rules are overhauled or member nations pay their dues.
The first U.S. facility in Texas to disperse sterile screwworm flies from American soil in decades opened Monday, with federal and Texas officials saying it is meant to keep the flesh-eating parasite from spreading into the U.S. cattle industry. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled the center at a former Air Force base near Edinburg. The USDA is also building a larger sterile-fly breeding factory nearby, and is converting a fruit-fly facility in southern Mexico into another breeding site.
New York City nurses and two major hospital systems reached a tentative agreement to end a nearly monthlong strike over staffing levels, workplace safety and other contract issues, according to the nurses’ union and hospital officials. The deals cover Montefiore and Mount Sinai, while nurses remained on strike at NewYork-Presbyterian. If the union ratifies the tentative agreements, nurses are set to return to work Saturday.
When a deadly fire swept through Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court housing complex last November, it displaced residents and killed 168 people. As Lunar New Year arrives Feb. 17, survivors in temporary units say authorities have not yet laid out long-term resettlement plans.
About 6,000 San Francisco public schoolteachers went on strike Monday over wages, health benefits and demands for more special-education resources, the city’s first walkout in nearly 50 years. The San Francisco Unified School District said it closed all 120 schools and planned to offer independent study to some students as negotiations resumed later in the day.
U.S. stocks rose modestly Monday as gold, silver and bitcoin stabilized after sharp swings, following big rallies in Asia. The S&P 500 gained 0.5%, the Nasdaq rose 0.9% and the Dow added less than 0.1%.
The owners of Pleasant River Lumber in Enfield, Maine, say U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber imports have helped them expand production since 2020, even as some other Maine wood-product manufacturers warn that tariffs and retaliatory measures have added volatility. Co-owner Jason Brochu said trade protection has supported investment that could strengthen the mill, but competitors focused on hardwood products say demand has weakened and planning has become harder.
Cuba’s aviation regulator warned airlines that jet fuel will not be available at nine airports across the island starting Tuesday, as Cuba moves to ration energy amid what it says is a deepening U.S. effort to cut off its fuel supply. The notices, published Sunday night, run through March 11 and include José Martí International Airport in Havana.
President Donald Trump threatened Monday to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Canada unless Canada agrees to U.S. demands, including turning over at least half of the bridge’s ownership. In a lengthy social media post, Trump complained that the U.S. would get nothing from the bridge and that Canada did not use U.S. steel in building it.
San Francisco Unified School District schools stayed closed for a third day Wednesday as about 6,000 teachers walked out, leaving nearly 50,000 students out of class. Parents said they were scrambling to cover child care and keep children engaged while they wait for negotiators to reach an agreement.
Seven months after the collapse of an alleged $140 million Ponzi scheme involving First Liberty Building & Loan, investors in Georgia say they are impatient to recover their money. On Monday, some told Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger that the losses have upended plans for retirement and religious missions, as state and federal officials pursue fraud-related actions.
Coca-Cola reported stronger demand globally in the fourth quarter, but investors pushed the company’s shares lower on concerns about its outlook. The Atlanta-based company said global unit case volumes rose 1% for October-December, while it forecast organic revenue growth of 4% to 5% in 2026.
Target CEO Michael Fiddelke reshuffled the retailer’s leadership team in his first major moves since taking over earlier this month, the company said. The changes include shifting roles for three top executives and moving Lisa Roath into the chief operating officer job that Fiddelke previously held.
In speeches to legislatures this month, governors across the U.S. have put affordability at the center of their agendas, citing worries from voters about the cost of groceries, utilities, child care and housing. The approaches range from relief checks and tax changes to efforts to expand housing and reduce electricity and gas bills.
Employers are increasingly requiring employees to return to in-person work schedules after years of widespread remote work, leaving some workers searching for flexibility or considering new roles. An Associated Press report highlights workers’ and experts’ advice—from negotiating hours to seeking accommodations—when return-to-office mandates disrupt caregiving and health needs.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said last year that new city-subsidized affordable housing was “incredibly needed.” But nearly 10 months after an affordable Oahu apartment building opened for final steps, no residents have moved in, and city lawmakers are now weighing whether to scale back or extend the incentives program behind such projects.
Air Canada said it is suspending service to Cuba after the Cuban government announced aviation fuel would not be available at Cuban airports as of Tuesday. The Toronto-based carrier said it will begin the suspension Monday and plans to send empty flights south to bring about 3,000 customers home in the coming days.
Eddie Bauer’s U.S. and Canada retail operator filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the company said Monday, citing declining sales and other industry headwinds. The filing will include about 180 Eddie Bauer stores, but many locations will remain open during a court-supervised restructuring, according to the release.
Brookfield, Connecticut, is seeing resistance to a proposed $272 million compression upgrade to the Iroquois Gas Transmission System that, residents and officials say, would increase noise, emissions and safety risks near a middle school. State Sen. Stephen Harding, a Republican who represents Brookfield, said he wants a full, transparent process that gives every constituent an ability to object, and he said the project should not be approved. Despite that pushback, Connecticut regulators have issued draft approvals while the state awaits final air-permit decisions, with litigation and calls for tighter scrutiny under way.
California’s Professional Engineers in California Government union is pushing legislation that would require state agencies to offer work-from-home options “to the fullest extent possible” for eligible employees as Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mandate requires most workers to be in the office four days a week starting July 1. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Alex Lee, would also require a dashboard tracking annual savings from remote work, the union said.
India and the United States released a framework for an interim trade agreement aimed at lowering tariffs on Indian goods, a day after President Donald Trump said he would reduce some import taxes on India. The framework, announced in a joint statement, would lower tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 25% after Prime Minister Narendra Modi agrees to stop buying Russian oil, Trump said.
Workers facing frozen pay, inflation and uncertainty about job security are turning to side jobs, “polyworking” and gig work to build backup income streams, an Associated Press report says. The article profiles people who have added second, third or even fourth jobs to manage expenses and hedge against layoffs.
Syria and Saudi Arabia signed multibillion-dollar investment agreements on Saturday aimed at rebuilding Syria’s economy after years of war. The deals include a telecommunications development, a low-cost airline and plans for an international airport in northern Syria.
A federal judge in Manhattan ordered the Trump administration to restore $16 billion in funding for a new rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey, as construction was set to shut down. The ruling followed a funding freeze announced in the wake of a government shutdown and was sought by New York and New Jersey to keep money flowing while their lawsuit proceeds.
Mexican authorities said they found bodies and remains in Sinaloa in an area where a search is under way for 10 workers reported missing from a Canadian gold and silver mine. The Attorney General’s Office said one of the bodies had “characteristics of one of the people reported as missing,” and it reported arrests of four people believed to be tied to the disappearances.
Nevada lawmakers questioned state regulators on Tuesday about alleged workplace safety and environmental violations tied to Elon Musk’s Boring Company and its “Vegas Loop,” a tunnel network that ferries passengers around the Las Vegas Convention Center. The lawmakers spent hours grilling safety officials over violations the company has faced, while company representatives submitted written answers defending the project.
Search and rescue crews in Colombia on Saturday finished recovering the bodies of miners trapped earlier this week after a methane gas explosion at an informal coal mine, the country’s mining regulator said.
Hims & Hers said it will stop offering a compounded version of Novo Nordisk’s newly sold Wegovy weight-loss pill, two days after announcing the plan. The company said it made the change after conversations with stakeholders, after the FDA threatened to restrict access to ingredients used to copy popular GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Zepbound.
Washington Post publisher Will Lewis said Saturday that he is stepping down, days after the newspaper laid off one-third of its staff. Lewis said his departure will follow a two-year transformation, and the paper’s chief financial officer, Jeff D’Onofrio, was appointed temporary publisher.
The Washington Post laid off one-third of its staff on Wednesday, including eliminating its sports section and cutting several foreign bureaus and its books coverage, the Associated Press reported. Executive editor Matt Murray said the changes were painful but necessary as the paper seeks to put itself on a stronger footing amid shifts in technology and audience habits.
U.S. stocks jumped Friday as technology shares recovered and bitcoin stopped its slide, lifting the S&P 500 to its best day since May. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 50,000 for the first time as chipmakers surged.
Renters are increasingly using “rent now, pay later” services to split monthly housing payments, but consumer advocates warn the fees can operate like short-term loans with very high effective rates. The Associated Press reported that one renter using Flex paid additional monthly charges that translated to a 172% effective annual percentage rate for a two-week deferral of part of his rent.
The Environmental Protection Agency reapproved the weed killer dicamba for use on genetically modified soybeans and cotton, approving over-the-top spraying for two major crops in the United States. The EPA said it imposed new protections, including limits tied to application conditions and buffer zones, to manage drift risk. Advocates criticized the decision, saying recent court setbacks in 2020 and 2024 prevented similar expansions and that tighter rules do not address environmental harm.
China’s solar and wind expansion accelerated in 2025, but it also approved and brought online far more large coal-fired power projects than in the prior decade, according to a research report cited by Associated Press. The report, based on data from air-pollution and energy-tracking groups, raised concern that the world’s biggest carbon emitter may not cut enough emissions fast enough as it rolls out cleaner energy.
Cuba’s energy crisis worsened after the United States moved to block oil deliveries, leaving Havana residents reporting that public buses stopped coming and gas lines and blackouts intensified. The change followed warnings from President Miguel Díaz-Canel that the U.S. effort would force further sacrifices, with Cuba saying the impact of sanctions has been severe since 2024.
Backyard vegetable gardens can help people eat more fruits and vegetables while also reducing the climate impact of food, experts told the Associated Press. The advice is aimed at people planning now for spring planting, when many areas are still covered in snow.
Co-workers across generations are increasingly pairing up in reverse mentoring programs, where younger employees share new digital trends and older colleagues bring experience and context. An Associated Press report on workplace wellness highlights examples from a Florida PR firm, Estée Lauder, and a Pennsylvania hotel, along with other workplaces where reverse mentoring is used to improve communication and training.
Olympic visitors in Cortina, Italy, will be able to reserve rides on snowmobiles for a side trip to the nearby Three Peaks of Lavaredo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for a month starting Saturday, according to Uber and a local tour operator.
President Donald Trump on Saturday endorsed Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion purchase of broadcast rival Tegna, signaling a shift from his earlier criticism of the deal. In a social media post, Trump argued the transaction would increase competition and help counter “Fake News” networks.
Hundreds of electric motorcycle riders in Kenya are calling for more flexible battery-swap networks that they say would prevent riders from being stranded when they can’t access the right charging system. In posts and protests linked to the issue, rider advocates have also raised concerns that some motorcycles can be remotely disabled after inactivity, making standardized battery access more urgent.
Super Bowl 60 commercials airing Sunday include technology pitches from AI companies, health and telehealth promotions, and celebrity-packed storytelling aimed at a mass audience approaching 128 million U.S. viewers. The Associated Press preview describes advertisers leaning into lighter themes and familiar pop culture as they compete for attention during the Patriots–Seahawks game on NBC.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is arguing against policies that would increase housing supply to lower home prices, instead warning that making homes cheaper could reduce values for existing owners. His approach is becoming a central theme ahead of the November midterm elections, a period when voters across age groups have repeatedly cited housing affordability as a top concern.
Baghdad traders and customs clearance company owners protested in central Baghdad on Sunday, urging the Iraqi government to reverse newly imposed customs tariffs they said raised costs and disrupted trade. The tariffs took effect Jan. 1 as part of efforts to cut the country’s debt and reliance on oil revenues as oil prices fall, while traders said fees have reached as high as 30% in some cases.
Darkened businesses across Ukraine are adapting to power cuts from Russian strikes on the energy grid, with owners saying many now rely on costly generators just to keep operating. In Kyiv, a baker and other small firms describe fuel costs, equipment strain and uneven access to electricity as labor shortages, security risks and weaker demand add to the pressure.
Rescue teams pulled six people from the rubble of a multistory apartment building that collapsed Sunday in Tripoli, northern Lebanon, with state media reporting at least nine deaths. Officials said the search continued for eight more people believed missing.
France’s former culture minister Jack Lang resigned as head of a Paris cultural center after he was summoned by the French Foreign Ministry over an Epstein-linked tax fraud investigation. His lawyer said Lang denied the allegations. Financial prosecutors said they opened an investigation into Lang and his daughter over alleged “aggravated tax fraud laundering,” after U.S. Justice Department files about Jeffrey Epstein were released Jan. 30.
Apps designed to help shoppers boycott American goods gained a burst of downloads in Denmark as tensions flared over President Donald Trump’s designs on Greenland, according to their creators. One app maker said “Made O’Meter” recorded about 30,000 downloads in three days in late January, while a separate app called “NonUSA” passed 100,000 downloads by early February.
The Arizona Schools for the Deaf and the Blind board voted Thursday to move the Tucson campus to Oro Valley next school year, setting in motion changes that school families and staff say would disrupt education for students who are visually impaired. The board vote was 5-2, with two objections from Tucson resident William Koehler, while a separate vote to lay off about 70 people was 5-1 with Phoenix-based member Earl Terry abstaining.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent faced repeated clashes with Democrats during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on oversight of the U.S. financial system Wednesday, with exchanges that included interruptions and insults. Lawmakers questioned issues ranging from housing and undocumented immigrants to cryptocurrency probes and the Trump family’s business links.
Paul Weiss chairman Brad Karp resigned after the U.S. Department of Justice released emails that describe his exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement, Karp said recent reporting has “created a distraction” and that he would remain at the firm where he has worked for decades.
US job openings fell to 6.5 million in December, the lowest level in more than five years, a sign that hiring remains sluggish even as overall economic growth stays strong. The Labor Department said vacancies declined from 6.9 million in November, while layoffs rose slightly and the number of people quitting their jobs held steady at 3.2 million.
Argentina and the United States signed a trade and investment agreement in Washington that will cut hundreds of reciprocal tariffs and expand market access between the two countries, according to officials. The deal advances President Javier Milei’s effort to open Argentina’s economy and reflects the Trump administration’s push to lower costs for Americans, the Associated Press reported.
Wall Street fell sharply Thursday as technology shares slid and bitcoin sank again, while reports pointing to weakening U.S. hiring pushed bond yields lower. The S&P 500 logged its sixth loss in seven days after a quarterly earnings report from Qualcomm brought a warning tied to an industrywide memory shortage.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said it is investigating Nike for allegedly discriminating against white employees through the company’s diversity policies. The EEOC disclosed the probe in a motion filed in Missouri federal court seeking full compliance with a subpoena, including information on layoffs, race and ethnicity tracking, and programs described in court documents as offering race-restricted mentoring or career development.
A coastal town in eastern Cuba has faced recurring power outages, leaving residents in Santa Cruz del Norte to rely on coal, firewood and makeshift cooking and lighting as U.S.-related oil and energy tensions worsen. The Associated Press reported that people in the area say the outages deepened again about a week ago, after months when the town had electricity.
A federal judge has ruled that a 2021 Texas law restricting state investment in some companies that the state says boycott fossil fuels is unconstitutional. In a summary judgment issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Alan Albright said the law’s definition of “boycotting” was “facially overbroad” and raised concerns under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
Koko Networks, a Kenya-based bioethanol fuel company that expanded access to cleaner cooking stoves, shut down abruptly after failing to secure approvals needed for carbon-credit sales and bioethanol imports, leaving thousands of fuel supply points idle. Households that relied on refillable canisters, including residents of Nairobi’s Kibera, are now weighing a return to charcoal or finding money for more expensive liquefied petroleum gas.
Bitcoin fell another 11% to about $67,000 on Thursday and was trading at $66,301 by 2 p.m. ET, according to Coinbase data cited by the Associated Press. The drop marks the cryptocurrency’s value falling below levels seen before President Donald Trump’s second term began.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Wednesday released a $28.7 billion budget plan that would use a fiscal-guardrails maneuver to send a $200 rebate to eligible individuals and $400 to eligible couples in an election-year bid to lower costs for working families. The proposal also expands some benefits, including universal free school breakfast, while asking lawmakers to roll back a previously ordered hospital tax hike.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday it will allow food labels to say “no artificial colors” if products are free of petroleum-based dyes, even when they contain color additives derived from plants and other natural sources. The agency said the change replaces a previous standard that required products to have “no added color whatsoever.” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the label shift is meant to encourage companies to use natural colors instead of synthetic dyes.
Toyota reported a 43% drop in quarterly profits and said CFO Kenta Kon will become chief executive and chairman in April, replacing Koji Sato. The company also said it expects shareholder approval in June and raised its full-year profit forecast despite weaker performance in its October-December period.
A new report from University of Hawaiʻi economists argues that Hawaiʻi’s affordability problem is not only about high prices, but also about low incomes and a lack of high-paying jobs that has helped drive people to leave the state. The report, released in connection with work on economic equity, compares Hawaiʻi’s labor market and outmigration pressures with places where residents say they’re being priced out.
The Bank of England kept its main interest rate unchanged at 3.75% on Thursday, even as inflation remained above its 2% target and the economy shows signs of improving. In a close vote on the nine-member Monetary Policy Committee, five members backed holding rates while four supported a quarter-point cut.
Federal Reserve governor Stephen Miran has stepped down as chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, ending an arrangement in which he held roles at both institutions. White House spokesman Kush Desai confirmed late Tuesday that Miran submitted his resignation from the CEA.
President Donald Trump, reviewing his first year of a second term, argued that tariffs on foreign products have produced an “American economic miracle” while inflation and trade outcomes improve. An AP fact check finds several of his figures are cherry-picked or based on data distorted by disruptions, and it says the tariff story does not match the broader picture for growth, inflation and the trade deficit.
Donald Trump said Monday he plans to reduce tariffs on Indian products to 18% from 25% after India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, agreed to stop buying Russian oil. Trump linked the move to ending Russia’s war in Ukraine and said India would also cut to zero import taxes on U.S. goods.
The Trump administration said it wants to form a critical minerals trading bloc with allies and partners, using tariffs to help maintain minimum prices and secure access to materials that China controls. Vice President JD Vance made the case at a meeting hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio with officials from several dozen European, Asian and African nations on Feb. 4 in Washington.
Miami International Airport expects to process about 990 million stems of cut flowers in the weeks before Feb. 14, with most fresh Valentine’s Day blooms traveling through the South Florida hub. Officials and industry representatives said tariffs on imports from Colombia and Ecuador and higher costs this year could push up retail prices.
The European Commission on Friday proposed additional sanctions against Russia, targeting shipping services that help Moscow’s oil industry as well as parts of Russia’s financial services and trade. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the measures are aimed at cutting Russia’s energy revenues and increasing pressure during talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Energy Star, an Environmental Protection Agency-run program that helps consumers choose more efficient appliances, remains funded after President Donald Trump signed new budget legislation, an Associated Press report said. The program got $33 million in the legislation, slightly above 2024 levels, though environmental advocates said uncertainty about how it will be administered under a reduced EPA staff could affect its future.
OpenAI and Anthropic are taking their rivalry into the Super Bowl, with Anthropic running commercials that mock OpenAI’s decision to place ads on free versions of ChatGPT. The advertising push comes as both companies roll out new product updates aimed at winning enterprise customers for their AI models and tools.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin said Trump administration officials are seeking to speed up permitting for reconstruction of tens of thousands of homes destroyed by last year’s Los Angeles wildfires, after the president signed an executive order aimed at reducing “unnecessary, duplicative, or obstructive” requirements. The officials met residents in Pacific Palisades and said they will review why more than 1,000 permit applications were sent back, as local leaders and state officials questioned the legality and criticized a lack of disaster funding.
Couples at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show are leaning on a shared love of dogs as the event moves through its breed-by-breed rounds and heads toward the best-in-show award Tuesday night. Among them are two-time Westminster-winning handler Bill McFadden and his wife, Taffe, who have built their partnership around competing, traveling and managing a home full of dogs. The show also features breed finalists chosen Monday, including an Afghan hound and a Lhasa apso, along with other competitors’ families and show-business connections.
President Donald Trump has said Washington has wanted a towering arch for nearly two centuries and that the city’s capital planning was repeatedly derailed. An Associated Press review found several of his historical references do not match the origins of similar landmarks in Washington, including an Arlington Memorial Bridge and a 1919 World War I “Victory Arch.”
Yum Brands said it will close about 250 Pizza Hut restaurants in the first half of 2026 as it targets underperforming locations in the U.S. The company said it is also working through a formal review of options for the brand after struggling store performance and competition.
In Harlem, a Muslim-owned thrift shop called Modify Thrift blends modest fashion with faith and sustainability, offering vintage pieces and cultural clothing alongside a community-focused mission. The shop opened last May on Malcolm X Boulevard, and its owner, Kadjahtou Balde, said the store aims to challenge stereotypes about Muslim women’s style and to help customers find clothing that fits their modesty needs.
McDonald’s is rolling out a limited-time “McNugget Caviar” kit for Valentine’s Day, pairing a one-ounce tin of Paramount Siberian sturgeon caviar with a $25 gift card to buy McNuggets. The free kit, available Feb. 10 at McNuggetCaviar.com, also includes crème fraîche and a caviar spoon, the company said.
A government lawyer assigned to handle immigration cases in Minnesota was removed from her Justice Department post after comments in court in which she told a federal judge, “This job sucks.” The remarks came during a Tuesday hearing in St. Paul for several immigration cases amid a surge in immigration enforcement in the state.
Michigan’s corrections officers union says violent assaults on prison staff have risen, arguing the state is placing dangerous inmates in lower-security housing units, and it is asking Gov. or the Michigan Department of Corrections to address the problem.
An Ecuadorian Indigenous Quichua family is working to rescue and replant endangered Amazon plants on a 32-hectare farm, El Picaflor, in a remote area southeast of Quito. Ramón Pucha and his family say climate change and drought have reduced the forests’ seed output, pushing them to travel deep into the jungle to gather seeds. They warn that a new government plan to merge environmental responsibilities with the energy and mines ministry could weaken efforts to protect the landscape.
Amazon reported fourth-quarter revenue of $213.4 billion, up from $187.8 billion a year earlier, and forecast sales between $173.5 billion and $178.5 billion for the current quarter. Shares fell 11% in after-hours trading after the company said it plans to increase capital spending by nearly 60% to $200 billion from last year’s $128 billion, as investors grappled with the timing of returns amid only slightly below-expected profits.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a $200 million plan for instant electric-vehicle rebates that would reduce upfront costs for buyers at the point of sale. The proposal, set to be overseen by the California Air Resources Board, would require automakers to match state funds dollar-for-dollar if the Legislature approves it.
Coca-Cola said it is discontinuing Minute Maid frozen juice concentrates in the United States and Canada, ending sales in a category it said has shifted as customers increasingly prefer fresh options. The company said the frozen products will be discontinued by April, with remaining inventory available while supplies last.
The Trump administration said it used emergency orders to keep aging coal-fired power plants running during a winter storm that brought “brutally frigid weather” to much of the United States. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the orders helped prevent a major blackout, even as ice accumulation caused scattered outages. Critics said the administration’s approach understated the role of wind and solar and could raise costs for consumers.
FEMA will resume staff reductions that were paused during January’s severe winter storm, according to two FEMA managers, renewing concerns inside the agency about being able to handle disasters with fewer workers. The planned cuts affect term-limited hires known as the “Cadre of On-Call Response/Recovery,” or CORE employees, FEMA managers said.
Alphabet reported fourth-quarter profit of $34.5 billion, up 30% from a year earlier, alongside revenue growth to $113.8 billion, up 18%. The company said Wednesday its digital advertising business and Google Cloud gained momentum during the October-December period, while it outlined plans for higher capital spending to expand AI computing capacity. Alphabet Chief Executive Sundar Pichai said search usage rose as AI continued to drive what he described as an expansionary moment.
West Virginia is projected to lose access to 28% of its federally subsidized low-income rental housing as federal rent restrictions tied to affordability periods expire, according to a statewide housing report. The report says nearly 200 properties are scheduled to reach the end of those federal affordability terms between 2029 and 2034, raising the stakes for seniors, children and people with disabilities who rely on rental assistance.
China opened many more coal power plants in 2025 than in recent years, even as solar and wind growth accelerated, according to a report released this week. The report found more than 50 large coal units commissioned last year and said China added 78 gigawatts of new coal capacity, raising questions about how quickly the world’s biggest emitter can cut emissions.
The U.S. Small Business Administration said it will bar green card holders from applying for SBA loans starting March 1, according to a policy note. The agency said the change is part of efforts to tighten loan restrictions and restructure the SBA. The SBA said it will no longer guarantee loans for small businesses owned by foreign nationals, and an advocacy group criticized the move.
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Florida seeks $10 billion after what Trump describes as a leak of confidential tax information. Legal experts said the case raises questions about whether it is appropriate for Trump, who leads the executive branch, to sue the government he directs.
Japanese brewer Kirin will sell the Four Roses bourbon brand to drinks company Constellation? (No.) California wine and spirits maker E. & J. Gallo is buying the Four Roses bourbon brand from Kirin in a deal valued at up to $775 million, with closing expected in the second quarter, Kirin said. Gallo said it plans no changes to Four Roses operations, production or distribution after it acquires the brand.
The United States stands out in a new Gallup world poll for how many Americans—especially older residents—say politics and government are the top issue they face. The survey, conducted from March to October 2025, also finds that younger Americans are more likely than young people in many other wealthy countries to prioritize affordability and other economic concerns.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a roughly $1.2 trillion government funding bill that ends a partial federal shutdown that began over the weekend. The bill passed the House on a 217-214 vote and includes provisions that fund the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks, through Feb. 13.
Disney said its parks chief Josh D’Amaro will succeed Bob Iger as chief executive, with the leadership change effective March 18. The company also appointed Disney Entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden to a newly created president and chief creative officer role.
The allies of the United States are increasingly trying to reduce their exposure to President Donald Trump’s tariffs by striking trade arrangements with one another, according to a report this week by the Associated Press. The article cites efforts by governments and institutions to accelerate trade diversification, including in Europe and Asia, while also pointing to market signals that reflect changing investor sentiment toward the U.S. dollar.
WASHINGTON — Higher-income Americans and those with college degrees have increased their spending faster than other consumers in the past three years, new data released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows, pointing to widening inequality. The New York Fed also found that in the final three months of last year, inflation was higher for lower-income and rural households than for higher-income households. The findings, released Tuesday, add detail to a growing “K-shaped” economy narrative, where upper-income consumers account for a larger share of consumption while lower-income households see smaller gains.
Wall Street fell Tuesday as tech stocks led declines even as gold and silver prices rebounded after their latest sell-off, according to AP market reporting. The S&P 500 dropped 0.8%, the Dow slipped 0.3% and the Nasdaq fell 1.4%, while gold gained 6.1% and silver rose 8.2%. Also, several company results and deal announcements moved individual stocks.
Colombian and Ecuadorian truckers and merchants staged a protest at a border crossing Tuesday, calling for both governments to remove 30% tariffs on goods amid an escalating trade war. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced the tariffs on Colombian goods last month, citing cocaine smuggling, and Colombia responded with reciprocal 30% tariffs and a threat to halt electricity sales.
New York and New Jersey sued the Trump administration on Tuesday, asking a federal judge to declare unlawful a freeze of $16 billion in federal funding for a Hudson River rail-tunnel project. The states said construction could be forced to stop as early as Friday, unless payments resume.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said they support a proposed new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, as the team seeks a long-term home in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays are under lease at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg through at least the 2028 season, but hurricane damage in 2024 and a canceled redevelopment deal have renewed questions about the franchise’s future. A Hillsborough County Commission meeting on Wednesday is set to discuss the proposal.
Federal immigration officials have begun scouting and purchasing warehouses to expand detention and processing space, prompting pushback from local leaders and property owners in multiple states. In several places, city and county officials said they were not told in advance, while others warned that federal acquisition could bypass local zoning or permitting rules.
PayPal said it is replacing CEO Alex Chriss with Enrique Lores, citing that the company’s pace of change and execution has not met board expectations over the past two years. Lores will take over March 1, while David Dorman will serve as independent chair effective immediately and Jamie Miller will serve as interim CEO.
Elon Musk is combining his space and artificial intelligence ventures into a single company, SpaceX announced Monday. The planned merger is expected to come ahead of what the billionaire has said is a major initial public offering later this year, according to the Associated Press.
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed into law a short extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The extension runs only until Dec. 31 and is intended to be modified to reflect tariffs imposed under Trump’s “America First” trade policy.
U.S. stocks rose Monday after sharp overnight swings that included tumbles for Asian markets. The S&P 500 gained 0.5%, the Dow advanced 1.1% and the Nasdaq added 0.6% as precious-metals prices kept sliding.
The U.S. Labor Department said it will not release the January jobs report on Friday as scheduled because of the partial federal government shutdown. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also postponed a separate jobs data release covering job openings that was due Tuesday.
Cuba does not have a formal dialogue table with the United States amid heightened tensions after President Donald Trump threatened new sanctions tied to petroleum shipments, a senior Cuban official said Monday. The vice foreign minister, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, said Cuba instead communicates with Washington through informal channels focused on migration and drugs while insisting it wants relations like with other countries.
The Republican National Committee reported raising 172 million dollars in 2025, finishing the year with 95 million dollars in cash, while the Democratic National Committee reported 145 million dollars and ended with 14 million dollars in cash and 17 million in debt, according to year-end reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Severe cold and prolonged power outages continued Monday across parts of the eastern U.S., as states from the Carolinas north dug out from snow and ice and more than a week of outages lingered for some households. In North Carolina, four unoccupied homes on Outer Banks islands collapsed into the Atlantic, while farmers in Florida waited for temperatures to rise enough to assess damage to crops.
The Trump administration plans to deploy nearly $12 billion to create a strategic reserve of rare earth elements aimed at reducing U.S. vulnerability to China’s rare-earth leverage in trade talks. President Donald Trump announced the effort on Monday, calling it “Project Vault” and saying he expects the government to make a profit from the loan used to start the reserve.
A federal judge cleared the Sunrise Wind offshore wind project for construction to resume Monday, the fifth such project affected by the Trump administration’s December pause to be put back on track. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said the government failed to show offshore wind is an imminent national security risk that warrants halting the projects in the United States.
Syria signed a memorandum of understanding for its first offshore oil and gas development, with Chevron and a Qatar-based company, Damascus-based state media reported. The agreement was signed in the presence of the U.S. special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, and involves cooperation in offshore exploration and development in Syria’s territorial waters.
Disney’s first-quarter profit topped analyst expectations as the company credited box-office performance from “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” The Walt Disney Co. also warned that modest operating income growth is expected in its Experiences business during the second quarter, citing weaker international tourism to the United States.
Japan said it has successfully drilled and retrieved deep-sea sediment containing rare earth minerals from the seabed near Minamitorishima, as it seeks to reduce reliance on China. The retrieval test by the research vessel Chikyu was conducted at nearly 6,000 meters (19,700 feet), Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said.
Nevada school leaders say flat K-12 funding, higher costs and enrollment declines are straining district budgets, after a 26% funding increase three years ago. Several districts are projecting deficits that could force program cuts, school consolidations and personnel reductions, and at least one district is eligible for a state takeover.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday that he is “not ripping down” the Kennedy Center, even as he insisted the performing arts venue needs to close for about two years for construction work. Trump also said the cost would be about $200 million and that the shutdown would keep patrons from coming and going during the renovations.
Waymo, the robotaxi company backed by Alphabet, said it has raised an additional $16 billion, valuing the business at $126 billion as it plans to expand beyond current service areas. The fundraising, led by Alphabet, includes participation from prominent venture capitalists and investment funds, and follows fresh competition pressure from companies backed by Amazon and Tesla.
A commercial flight operated by Sudan’s national flag carrier, SUDANAIR, landed in Khartoum on Sunday for the second time since the war began nearly three years ago, state-run SUNA reported. The flight arrived at Khartoum International Airport Sunday afternoon after taking off from Port Sudan in the eastern Red Sea, SUNA said.
Westminster Kennel Club’s 150th dog show added an agility event that tests teams on a fast, obstacle-by-obstacle course. Handlers describe how they coach dogs with commands, body signals and training strategies as scores combine time and accuracy.
Starbucks is losing ground in U.S. coffee-shop spending as rivals expand and new chains, including drive-thru-focused operators, compete for drinkers. According to Technomic, Starbucks’ share fell to 48% in 2024 and 2025, down from 52% in 2023. At an investor conference, Starbucks executives said efforts to improve service and add more seating are aimed at boosting traffic as competition intensifies.
Michigan lawmakers are considering changes to help address severe shortages of doctors, dentists and other health care workers as the state’s population ages. Proposed steps include letting nurse practitioners prescribe and dispense controlled substances, creating temporary licenses for some internationally trained physicians, and joining interstate licensing compacts.
French technology company Capgemini said Sunday it will begin selling a subsidiary that provides technology services to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as scrutiny grows over ICE tactics in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The company said it immediately will start the process to sell Capgemini Government Solutions, after French authorities urged it to explain its dealings with the agency.
New Delhi—India’s government presented its 2026-27 budget to Parliament on Sunday, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman saying it would keep investing in infrastructure and domestic manufacturing while maintaining fiscal discipline. The budget targets a deficit of 4.3% of gross domestic product next fiscal year and projects economic growth in a 6.8% to 7.2% range.
Las Vegas buffets have shifted from low-cost, quick meals to higher-priced “luxury” dining as longtime properties closed or transformed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The change reflects rising costs, evolving tastes and the city’s rise as a foodie destination, several longtime visitors and local food experts said.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new wave of departures has hit the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Minnesota, AP sources said Tuesday, as additional federal prosecutors leave amid frustration over the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement and the Justice Department’s response to fatal shootings by federal agents. The most recent exits come after multiple attorneys left last month over disagreements about the Justice Department’s handling of the killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer.
President Donald Trump said the United States is beginning talks with Cuban leaders as his administration increases pressure on the island by cutting off key oil supplies. Speaking Saturday night while flying to Florida, Trump linked the moves to earlier steps he said would force Cuba to the negotiating table.
President Donald Trump said Friday he is nominating government economist Brett Matsumoto to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Trump has previously accused the agency of releasing low monthly jobs numbers to make him look bad, and he replaced the BLS director after the July jobs report.
President Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor, to become the next chair of the Federal Reserve, a role expected to shape U.S. interest-rate policy and global markets. Warsh would replace Jerome Powell when his term ends in May, and his confirmation would require Senate action after markets and lawmakers signaled they are watching closely.
Beginning Sunday, air travelers in the U.S. who do not have a REAL ID or another TSA-accepted form of identification will face a $45 fee to verify their identity at the airport through the TSA’s ConfirmID option, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The fee, which can be paid online in advance, covers verification for a 10-day travel period but does not guarantee approval, the TSA said.
Mexico’s Southeast Gateway pipeline, which brings U.S. natural gas to serve Mexico’s power needs and eventually the Yucatán Peninsula, has drawn resistance from coastal communities and environmental groups. Residents and Indigenous activists say they were not consulted under Mexico’s constitution, while opponents warn of leak and reef impacts and a wider threat to the country’s climate goals.
New York spot gold hit a fresh record above $5,418 per troy ounce early this week, and prices have since swung lower. The surge has drawn more consumers to local jewelry stores and precious-metal dealers to either cash in or buy into gold, including through investments such as exchange traded funds.
The Farmers’ Almanac announced it would stop printing after more than 200 years, but the publication says it will continue under a new owner, Unofficial Networks. The deal moves the almanac from Maine to New York City and includes plans for a new website and a future print edition, its new publisher said.
President Donald Trump held his first Cabinet meeting of 2026 on Thursday, with remarks touching the economy, housing, energy, health initiatives and drug prices. The Associated Press reviewed several claims Trump and administration officials made during the meeting and found multiple were false or misleading.
President Donald Trump held his first Cabinet meeting of 2026 on Thursday, with the administration highlighting the economy, housing, energy, health initiatives and drug prices. The Associated Press checked some of the claims Trump and other officials made during the meeting, including statements about investment totals, housing sales and California wildfire recovery.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that his public comments on U.S. trade policy could backfire as the formal review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, approaches. Bessent issued the warning in an interview on CNBC, urging Carney not to “pick a fight” before talks tied to the 2020 deal. Carney later told reporters he meant what he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that would impose tariffs on goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, escalating pressure on Havana amid its worsening energy crisis. The order could primarily affect Mexico, which has provided oil shipments to Cuba even as Trump has urged Mexico to distance itself from the Cuban government.
Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates edged higher for the second week in a row, though they remain just above the lowest level in more than three years, Freddie Mac said Thursday. The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.1% from 6.09% the week before.
Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez signed a law Thursday that overhauls the country’s oil industry, reversing long-standing state control to allow private companies to manage production and sales. The move came after the National Assembly approved the bill and as the U.S. Treasury began easing sanctions on Venezuelan oil.
ATLANTA (AP) — Republicans in Georgia have unveiled a plan to phase out most property taxes on homeowners by 2032, following similar state-level pushes in Florida and North Dakota. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has said he wants to phase out nonschool property taxes on homeowners over 10 years, while North Dakota is using oil-related earnings and tax credits aimed at bringing homeowner property taxes to zero. The proposals are running into questions about how much revenue would replace the money that cities, counties and K-12 schools rely on.
Mark Carney told reporters in Ottawa that he “meant what” he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, pushing back on claims he had walked back the comments during a phone call with President Donald Trump. The Canadian prime minister also said Canada plans to sign a series of new trade deals to reduce its dependence on the United States.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday he told President Donald Trump that he meant the criticism of US economic coercion he delivered at Davos last week. Carney rejected the Trump administration's claim that he had walked back his remarks during a Monday phone call with the president. Carney said Trump told him he was impressed with Canada's plan to negotiate a dozen new trade deals across four continents in six months.
In Vermillion, South Dakota, a small group of long-time residents has begun building the state’s first cohousing development, called Dakota Prairie Commons, a project intended to strengthen community ties and add housing options. Founding member Betty Smith said the vehicle-free campus will center around a large common house, with homes connected by footpaths and parking kept at the development’s edge.
Tesla reported Wednesday that its net income fell 46% last year to $3.8 billion, its lowest annual profit since the pandemic ended, as the EV maker lost the title of the world’s biggest to a Chinese rival and faced boycotts that hit sales. On a conference call, Elon Musk said Tesla would close production of older Model S and Model X vehicles in the second quarter and convert a Fremont, California factory to produce Optimus robots instead.
Tax filing season has started, with the IRS expecting 164 million people to file returns by April 15. The agency says refunds for electronic filers generally arrive in 21 days or less, while paper returns can take four weeks or more, especially if amendments or corrections are needed.
Starbucks said it plans to open up to 175 new stores in the United States this year and about 400 in 2028, adding seating at thousands of existing locations. The company also outlined steps to speed service, adjust its loyalty program starting March 10, and grow same-store sales in its 2026 fiscal year.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association has voted to seriously consider moving its headquarters from Colorado to Wyoming, according to AP. Conservative lawmakers in Wyoming are raising concerns about a proposed $15 million state incentive, which could hinge on decisions during the state’s Feb. 9 budget session.
The New Orleans City Council on Wednesday (Jan. 28) passed a one-year ban on data centers and started a process to clarify zoning rules for future proposals. Council members said the moratorium is meant to pause development while officials define how data centers should be treated in city zoning, addressing concerns raised by neighbors about energy and water use.
Las Vegas saw its fewest visitors in four years in 2025, as the Strip’s gaming revenue rose less than 1% and tourism was pressured by economic and travel disruptions. The figures were released this week, and officials and analysts said the market is now looking past the year amid plans for trade shows and convention demand.
The Sorrell family in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, brought a newborn calf inside after it was found frozen in single-digit temperatures, according to Macey Sorrell. After warming and caring for the animal, the calf was able to reunite with its mother the next morning and is doing well, she said.
Patrick James, the former CEO of bankrupt auto parts supplier First Brands Group, and his brother Edward were indicted on federal fraud charges and arrested Thursday in Ohio, according to the U.S. government. Prosecutors said the brothers carried out a yearslong scheme that allegedly bilked banks and investors out of billions of dollars using fake documents and false financial reports.
Apple said its iPhone sales rose to a new quarterly high in the holiday quarter, even as early artificial-intelligence missteps pushed it to seek outside help for upcoming features. The company reported iPhone revenue of $85.3 billion for the October-December period, along with quarterly profit of $42.1 billion, results that beat analysts’ expectations.
BELGRADE, Serbia — A small, run-down 19th-century mansion on a central street in Belgrade has survived as a theater known as Takovska17, keeping period furnishings and a heritage listing intact while much of the surrounding neighborhood has changed. Built in 1894 and protected, the house has hosted intimate productions staged by local troupes for audiences of a few dozen, according to an Associated Press report.
Dozens of public housing tenants in Detroit are being offered a priority chance to buy homes as the Detroit Housing Commission sells its 195 single-family houses, the agency said. The program will include a $1.2 million Rocket Community Fund commitment aimed at helping buyers with down-payment assistance and up to $60,000 in home repair work.
A federal judge on Tuesday allowed Vineyard Wind, a near-complete Massachusetts offshore wind project, to continue despite a Trump administration stop-work order tied to national security concerns. The ruling in U.S. District Court in Boston halted the administration’s order as developers and states pursue legal challenges to the broader pause of East Coast projects.
South Dakota’s deposits of minerals classified as “critical” have renewed interest from mining and exploration companies, even as Native American and environmental groups raise concerns about water and land impacts. The debate comes as federal and other research identifies where the state holds reserves and as state lawmakers have considered—but not passed—changes to how lithium mining is regulated.
President Donald Trump said he has directed the United States to reopen all commercial airspace over Venezuela and that Americans could travel there “very shortly.” He also said he told his transportation secretary and U.S. military leaders to take steps to make the change by the end of the day. The State Department continued to warn Americans not to travel to Venezuela, while at least one U.S. airline said it expects to resume direct flights.
New York stocks finished nearly where they started Thursday after a day of sharp swings, with the S&P 500 down 0.1% and the Nasdaq down 0.7%. Microsoft fell 10% after results that beat expectations, while gold briefly dropped below $5,200 after earlier trading near $5,600 an ounce.
Apple reported a holiday-quarter surge in iPhone sales to a new quarterly high, while acknowledging delays and early missteps in its artificial intelligence efforts. The company said the October-December results it announced Thursday showed iPhone revenue of $85.3 billion, up 23% from the same period a year earlier.
Dozens of Detroit public housing tenants will get priority to buy homes from the Detroit Housing Commission as the agency sells its full portfolio of 195 single-family properties, the commission said. The program is expected to be announced Wednesday, along with a $1.2 million commitment from the Rocket Community Fund to help support the first 10 home purchases.
Former First Brands Group CEO Patrick James and his brother, Edward James, were indicted on federal fraud charges and arrested Thursday in Ohio, the U.S. government said.
U.S. stocks fell Friday as investors weighed what Donald Trump’s new nominee to lead the Federal Reserve could mean for interest-rate policy. After Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh, the U.S. dollar reversed course and precious metals sold off sharply, with gold and silver both plunging.
President Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh to chair the Federal Reserve, a decision that will require Senate confirmation. Warsh, whose term would begin as Jerome Powell’s chair role ends in May, faces intense scrutiny from lawmakers and markets over whether he can keep the Fed insulated from politics while also aligning with Trump’s demand for lower interest rates.
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits for the week ending Jan. 24 fell by 1,000 to 209,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday, a proxy for layoffs that remains in a historically healthy range. The four-week average of jobless claims rose by 2,250 to 206,250, while the total number of Americans filing for benefits the prior week dropped to 1.83 million, the fewest since Sept. 21, 2024.
Taiwan’s economy expanded 8.6% in 2025, the fastest pace in 15 years, as exports benefited from an artificial-intelligence boom and rising shipments to the United States, Taiwan’s statistics agency said in an advanced estimate. The growth figure came in on Friday and exceeded economists’ forecasts.
Europe’s economy grew modestly in the last three months of 2025, according to Eurostat, easing some recession worries linked to higher potential U.S. tariffs. But a sharp dollar slide against the euro is raising concerns that exports will face price pressure in a key foreign market.
President Donald Trump said Thursday night that he plans to announce his choice for the next chairman of the Federal Reserve on Friday morning. The long-awaited decision comes amid mounting tensions between Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose term as chair ends in May.
Kevin Warsh is in line to become the next Federal Reserve chair as President Donald Trump has pushed for lower interest rates, setting up a confirmation fight and a test of the Fed’s independence. The outcome hinges on whether Warsh can persuade Fed officials to cut rates while avoiding a loss of trust from the White House and the Senate banking committee.
President Donald Trump said Friday he would tap former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as Fed chair in May, framing the choice as one that could deliver on his economic promises. The nomination puts Warsh, 55, at the center of a fight over how quickly the central bank should cut interest rates.
The Supreme Court is still considering a decision in President Donald Trump’s tariffs case months after it granted unusually quick arguments, with the justices not scheduled to meet in public for more than three weeks, according to a report Thursday by the Associated Press. Lawyers had urged speed, citing warnings about the risk of economic disruption from delay.
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday left its key interest-rate target unchanged at about 3.6%, delaying further rate cuts despite President Donald Trump’s continued pressure for lower borrowing costs. In remarks after the decision, Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed’s outlook “has clearly improved since the last meeting” and pointed to signs that the job market is stabilizing.
Workers across the U.S. are reporting increased anxiety as more companies announce job cuts and hiring remains weak amid economic uncertainty. The job market added only about 50,000 jobs in the latest month cited by economists in this story, down from a revised 56,000 the prior month. Employers attributed some layoffs to rising costs, including tariffs, persistent inflation and shifting consumer spending, while others pointed to restructuring that includes artificial intelligence.
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at about 3.6% on Wednesday, even as President Donald Trump continued to pressure the central bank to lower borrowing costs. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the economy's outlook "has clearly improved since the last meeting" in December, citing signs of a stabilizing job market and economic growth that should support hiring over time.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing that the Trump administration soon will allow Venezuela to sell some oil currently subject to U.S. sanctions, with revenue initially earmarked for basic government services and placed under U.S. oversight. Rubio said the United States would control the dispersal of the money through Treasury, while Venezuela’s interim leaders would submit monthly budgets for funding needs.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the Trump administration’s deployment of federal troops to six U.S. cities has cost taxpayers about $496 million through the end of December. The CBO said continued deployments could cost more than $1 billion for the rest of the year, depending on how long the deployments last.
President Donald Trump and the U.S. Treasury are preparing a new program called “Trump Accounts” that would provide $1,000 for newborns if parents open an account. The money would be invested in stock index funds by private financial firms and would generally be available only when the child turns 18.
Dow plans to cut about 4,500 jobs as it puts more emphasis on using artificial intelligence and automation in its business, the company said Thursday. The chemicals maker said it expects about $600 million to $800 million in severance costs tied to the layoffs as it simplifies operations and streamlines. The company, based in Midland, Michigan, said shares fell before the market opened.
A federal judge ruled that ConocoPhillips Alaska can proceed with planned winter oil and gas exploration in a portion of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska after rejecting a bid to halt the project while lawsuits play out. U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason said conservation groups and a group aligned with Iñupiat interests did not show they have a “fair chance of success” on the merits of their claims. The decision follows a court filing that a mobile drilling rig toppled onto snow-covered tundra while being transported last week.
President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit in Florida federal court seeking $10 billion from the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department, accusing the agencies of failing to prevent leaks of his tax information to news outlets between 2018 and 2020. The suit, filed Thursday, names Trump, his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., and the Trump Organization as plaintiffs.
San Diego has sued federal agencies over razor wire fencing built on city land near the Mexican border, alleging the barrier damaged sensitive habitat and trespassed on municipal property. The complaint, filed in federal court on Jan. 5, names the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, as well as top officials including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
President Donald Trump signaled a willingness to ease tensions in Minneapolis after a second deadly shooting by federal immigration agents, but federal enforcement operations and confrontations with activists continued Wednesday in Minneapolis and St. Paul. In a leadership shift tied to the crackdown, Trump sent his top border adviser to Minnesota and praised Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey after phone calls. Still, residents and court watchers described little day-to-day change, even as a federal judge warned ICE about violating court orders.
Microsoft reported revenue of $81.3 billion for its October-December quarter, beating Wall Street expectations as it pushes for wider adoption of its artificial intelligence tools. The company said net profit for the quarter was $30.9 billion, or $4.14 per share, and it described changes to how it accounts for its investments tied to OpenAI.
Meta reported fourth-quarter results that beat analysts’ expectations, driven by stronger advertising revenue, sending shares higher in after-hours trading on Wednesday. The company also said its costs are set to rise further this year, with expenses growing faster than revenue in the quarter.
Many drivers looking for an SUV on a budget can consider “extra-small” used models, with prices often below $20,000 even as the average cost of a new vehicle hovers around $50,000, Edmunds said. The automotive website compiled five small, used SUV picks it says balance affordability, fuel economy and everyday usability.
Gerber is recalling certain lots of its arrowroot teething biscuits that may contain pieces of soft plastic or paper and should not be eaten, the company said. The recall covers 5.5-ounce packages with best-by dates between Oct. 16 and Dec. 16, 2026.
ITC Michigan, the company that owns much of the state’s electrical transmission system, plans to add more than 350 miles of new poles and wires in the coming years as it prepares for renewable power, extreme weather and new energy demand. The first phase focuses on a 50-mile, 345-kilovolt segment near Lansing, with officials holding open houses for neighbors who say the routes could threaten views, property values and nearby communities.
The IRS’s 2026 tax filing season will likely present challenges for taxpayers who run into problems, the national taxpayer advocate warned, citing workforce cuts and extensive new tax law changes. National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins released her annual report to Congress on Wednesday, two days after the season began, warning that the filing season’s success will depend on how well the IRS assists people facing issues. The IRS has said it expects a smooth filing season.
Amazon will cut about 16,000 corporate jobs in a second round of layoffs announced Wednesday, about three months after it announced cuts of 14,000 workers. The company said it expects U.S.-based staff to be given 90 days to seek internal roles, and that those who do not secure positions will receive severance pay, outplacement services and health insurance benefits.
Gerber is recalling certain lots of its arrowroot teething biscuits because they might contain pieces of soft plastic or paper, the company said. The recall covers 5.5-ounce packages with best-by dates between Oct. 16 and Dec. 16, 2026, and consumers are advised not to eat the affected biscuits.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday visited Iowa to pitch his administration's economic record, focusing on tax cuts and tariffs as his White House navigates fallout from a federal immigration officer shooting in neighboring Minnesota. Trump gave his speech in Clive, a suburb of Des Moines, claiming that tax cuts had enriched Americans and stock market performance had soared under his administration. The visit was part of a White House strategy to emphasize affordability ahead of midterm elections this year — elections that will determine control of Congress.
Major corporations are cutting tens of thousands of jobs, intensifying worker anxiety in a labor market that has nearly ground to a halt. Amazon announced Wednesday it would eliminate 16,000 corporate positions in its second major round of cuts within three months. United Parcel Service said Tuesday it plans to cut as many as 30,000 operational jobs this year. Verizon, Intel, HP, Dow, and dozens of other firms have announced similar reductions.
Americans’ consumer confidence in the U.S. economy fell sharply in January to its lowest level since 2014, the Conference Board reported. The index dropped 9.7 points to 84.5 as concerns grew about both the present situation and short-term expectations for the job market and income.
Nevada's higher education regents voted Friday to approve tuition increases of 9 to 12 percent at the state's eight public colleges and universities, with the hikes taking effect over three years to address a $46.5 million annual budget shortfall.
Colombia’s government on Tuesday denounced Ecuador’s plan to sharply raise pipeline fees for Colombian oil as an “aggression,” as a tariff dispute between the neighbors escalated. Energy Minister Edwin Palma said the move is a “new aggression against the people,” following Ecuador’s announcement of a tenfold increase in per-barrel transportation charges.
Kauai Coffee Company, the largest coffee grower in the United States, says it will cease operations and lay off nearly all its 136 employees by the end of March unless its land lease with property owner Brue Baukol Capital Partners is renewed. The company's lease is set to expire at the end of March after nearly two years of stalled negotiations, leaving the fate of an operation that has been a community fixture for decades uncertain. The Colorado-based investment firm that owns the land says it remains committed to keeping the company's workers employed and the land in agricultural use.
Organic whole milk powder linked to the ByHeart baby formula outbreak—which has sickened 51 infants in 19 states—tested positive for the bacteria that causes botulism, according to the Associated Press. The contaminated powder was supplied by Organic West Milk Inc., a California company, and processed at a Dairy Farmers of America facility in Fallon, Nevada, though officials said the source of the contamination remains unknown.
Amazon is cutting 16,000 corporate jobs in the second round of mass layoffs in three months, the company announced Wednesday. The cuts represent Amazon's biggest layoff since 2023, when it cut 27,000 workers. CEO Andy Jassy is pushing to reduce organizational layers and use artificial intelligence to replace some workers. U.S.-based employees have 90 days to find new positions internally or will receive severance pay, outplacement services and health insurance benefits.
Staff at a Pennsylvania nursing home reported a smell of natural gas in the basement on the morning of December 23, hours before a deadly explosion ripped through the building, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board released Wednesday. The explosion at Bristol Health & Rehab Center in Bristol, just outside Philadelphia, killed two residents and an employee and injured about 20 people, including a utility worker who had been at the facility investigating the odor. Part of the building collapsed, trapping people inside.
The Alabama prison system has transferred three prominent inmate activists to solitary confinement at Kilby Correctional Facility, with family members and attorneys saying the men are being held in severe isolation. Robert Earl Council, Melvin Ray and Raoul Poole were moved from their existing prisons two weeks ago and are now in isolated cells with severely restricted contact with family and other inmates, according to their lawyers.
Amazon said it plans to close almost all of its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores within days, moving to narrow its focus on food delivery and its grocery business, Whole Foods Market. The company said some closed stores will be converted into Whole Foods locations. Amazon said the last day of operation for Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores is Sunday, with exceptions for its California locations to comply with state requirements.
CBS News chief Bari Weiss told staff three months after taking over that the network risks falling behind if it sticks with its current strategy. In remarks released publicly Tuesday, Weiss invoked Walter Cronkite as an example of old thinking and said “we’re toast” without changes that broaden how CBS News meets audiences.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas state agencies and public universities to halt new H-1B visa petitions until next year, starting Tuesday. The freeze runs through May 31, 2027, with exceptions allowed if the Texas Workforce Commission grants permission.
Vermont’s state government is failing to meet and monitor goals aimed at reducing the amount of energy the state consumes, according to a report by the Vermont State Auditor’s Office. The findings, led by auditor Doug Hoffer, focus on shortcomings in two energy-management initiatives used to guide agencies’ efforts and implement projects in state buildings. The report was published after the Department of Buildings and General Services did not measure progress and lacked systems to track key aspects of energy use, Hoffer said.
Wall Street traded mostly flat Wednesday after the Federal Reserve held its main interest rate steady as investors expected, while the dollar stabilized following a recent slide. The S&P 500 stayed near its all-time high and the Dow and Nasdaq posted small gains, as gold surged to another record. In his remarks on CNBC, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. government is not intervening in the currency market and continues to want a “strong dollar.”
Russia is turning to unprecedented recruitment methods to fill its depleted ranks in Ukraine, offering substantial cash bonuses, prisoner releases, and accelerated paths to citizenship. As the war enters its fourth year, the Kremlin has drawn fighters from South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere to avoid the political cost of a nationwide draft. Over 18,000 foreign nationals have fought or are fighting on the Russian side, with nearly 3,400 killed and hundreds more held as prisoners of war by Ukrainian forces, according to a Ukrainian agency cited by the Associated Press.
President Donald Trump visited Iowa on Tuesday to campaign on his administration's economic record, touting tax cuts and stock market gains as part of a White House push to focus on affordability ahead of November's midterm elections. The trip to Clive, a suburb of Des Moines, marks the beginning of a strategy to have Trump travel outside Washington once weekly through the midterms, which will determine control of Congress.
Top US trading partners pledged more than $5 trillion in investment in America, responding to President Donald Trump's use of tariff threats to extract concessions. But a study released Tuesday by researchers at the Peterson Institute for International Economics raises substantial doubts about whether the money will actually materialize. "How realistic are these commitments?" wrote Gregory Auclair and Adnan Mazarei of the Peterson Institute. "The short answer is that they are clouded with uncertainty." The researchers examined investment pledges made in 2025 by the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the Persian Gulf states of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
Wall Street reached a new all-time high on Tuesday despite mixed corporate earnings and a sliding U.S. dollar that hit its lowest point since 2022, reflecting divergent signals about the economic outlook. The S&P 500 rose 0.4% to 6,978.60, edging past its previous record set weeks earlier, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.8% and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.9%.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday that some U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats should be understood as “positioning” ahead of renewed U.S.-Canada free-trade talks. Carney made the remarks as Canada prepares for a review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement this year, with trade officials characterizing the process as a “review” rather than a full renegotiation.
India and the European Union reached a sweeping free trade agreement on Tuesday after nearly two decades of negotiations, a deal that will cut tariffs on wine, automobiles, textiles and medicines for two of the world's major economies. The agreement, described by the European Commission chief as the "mother of all deals," affects nearly 2 billion people and comes as both nations seek alternatives amid escalating United States tariffs.
Yale University is eliminating tuition and other costs for new undergraduates from families earning less than $100,000 a year, the Ivy League school announced Tuesday. The policy takes effect for students entering this fall, raising the income threshold from the previous $75,000 ceiling and extending coverage to nearly half of American households with children ages 6 to 17.
An Israeli soldier held two Italian Carabinieri officers at gunpoint on Sunday in the West Bank near Ramallah, drawing a strong protest from Italy and a pledge of investigation from Israel. Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned Israeli Ambassador Jonathan Peled to Rome, where Peled expressed regret and committed to an investigation.
An Associated Press investigation found that Bangladeshi migrant workers were lured to Russia with false promises of civilian jobs — as janitors, cleaners, and chefs — only to be coerced into military service and sent to fight on the front lines of the Ukraine war. Three workers who escaped told AP they were presented with Russian military contracts upon arrival in Moscow, sent to army camps for weapons training, and threatened with violence, imprisonment, and death when they resisted. Documents including travel papers, military contracts, medical reports, and photographs corroborated the accounts.
Tampa Bay Rays president and CEO Ken Babby said the team is working to finalize a new stadium proposal in Tampa after signing a nonbinding memorandum with Hillsborough College for a multiuse development. The team says it wants a roof and is continuing talks with city officials, while Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida will not finance the stadium but could help with related infrastructure and moving a juvenile justice facility.
President Trump signed an executive order Friday directing federal agencies to streamline permits for rebuilding homes destroyed by the January 2025 Los Angeles area wildfires, White House officials said Tuesday. The order seeks to preempt state and local permitting rules, allowing builders to "self-certify" compliance with building standards.
The U.S. population growth rate fell to 0.5% in 2025, the lowest level since 1919, driven by a sharp decline in immigration that followed stricter Trump administration policies, according to Census Bureau estimates released Tuesday. The nation's population reached nearly 342 million, but the growth rate plummeted from nearly 1% in 2024, when increased immigration was the primary engine of growth.
Starbucks reported fiscal first-quarter results that topped Wall Street expectations as holiday beverages and a viral “Bearista” cup helped boost demand. Same-store sales rose 4% for the October-December period, and Starbucks’ revenue increased to $9.9 billion, the company said Thursday.
Germany’s government cut its forecast for economic growth for 2026, projecting gross domestic product will expand about 1% this year, Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said Wednesday. The revision comes as the chancellor’s coalition seeks to revive an economy that grew only modestly after a two-year contraction.
The European Union’s new free trade agreement with India, announced Tuesday, highlights the bloc’s push to diversify its economic ties amid uncertainty in U.S. trade and security policy. The deal, which reflects nearly two decades of negotiations, could affect as many as 2 billion people and cut tariffs on most goods traded between the EU and India, according to the European Commission and EU officials.
France’s finance minister, Roland Lescure, urged lawmakers late Tuesday to press French tech company Capgemini to be “fully transparent” about a contract it signed with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The contract, awarded in December through Capgemini’s subsidiary Capgemini Government Solutions, is drawing new scrutiny as calls grow to examine the agency’s role in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas universities and state agencies on Tuesday to halt new H-1B visa petitions, which employers use to hire foreign workers with specialized skills, until May 31, 2027. The pause applies to new petitions at state-funded institutions and comes as the Trump administration pursues broader changes to the visa program. Abbott said in his order that "state government must lead by example and ensure that employment opportunities — particularly those funded with taxpayer dollars — are filled by Texans first."
U.S. consumer confidence plummeted to a 12-year low in January as Americans grew increasingly concerned about their financial futures. The Conference Board reported Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell 9.7 points to 84.5, the lowest reading since May 2014 and below the depressed levels recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nevada's higher education system approved tuition increases of between 9 and 12 percent Friday, with regents voting 8 to 5 to raise costs across eight public universities and colleges. The hikes, phased in over three years, are intended to cover a $46.5 million systemwide budgetary shortfall driven in part by historic faculty cost-of-living payments authorized in 2023 and 2024. At the University of Nevada, Reno and University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada undergraduate students will pay an additional $1,200 annually, while out-of-state undergraduates will pay $3,800 more per year. The increase comes atop an existing 12.6 percent tuition hike, also phased in over three years, meant to help institutions keep pace with inflation.
Bari Weiss, three months into her role as CBS News chief, told staff on Tuesday that the network faces an existential crisis without strategic transformation. "We're toast" if CBS News continues relying on its remaining broadcast television audience, Weiss said in remarks she released publicly.
UPS announced Tuesday that it has retired its entire fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes, less than three months after one crashed during takeoff in Louisville, killing 15 people — the three-person crew and 12 others on the ground. CEO Carol Tome said during a fourth-quarter earnings call that the company decided to "accelerate our plans and retire all MD-11 aircraft in our fleet." The Nov. 4 crash resulted when the plane's left engine fell off the wing, leaving the aircraft unable to climb beyond 30 feet before it struck a nearby recycling plant and auto salvage yard.
An estimated 31,000 registered nurses and other front-line Kaiser Permanente health care workers launched an open-ended strike on Monday in California and Hawaii, demanding higher wages and better staffing from the health care giant. Workers are seeking a 25% wage increase over four years, saying their compensation has not kept pace with inflation and staffing levels are inadequate to meet patient demand. The walkout marked the second major strike in recent months by employees represented by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals.
Vermont's state government is failing to meet its longstanding energy reduction goals, according to a recent audit by State Auditor Doug Hoffer. The Department of Buildings and General Services, which oversees the State Energy Management Program, has not been measuring the state's progress despite a legal requirement to report on it every two years.
Amazon said Tuesday it is closing almost all of its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh locations by the end of the week, exiting a decade-long effort to build cashierless grocery shopping. The last day of operation for most locations is Sunday, though California stores will remain open longer to comply with state requirements. "While we've seen encouraging signals in our Amazon-branded physical grocery stores, we haven't yet created a truly distinctive customer experience with the right economic model needed for large-scale expansion," Amazon said in a blog post. The company plans to convert some shuttered stores into Whole Foods Market locations, accelerating a pivot toward that grocery chain, which Amazon acquired in 2017.
Vermont’s U.S. Postal Service has implemented changes to how some mail is transported and postmarked that advocates say could slow delivery for many residents, according to reporting published Sunday. The changes include a new regional processing approach tied to the agency’s “Delivering for America” plan and a clarification that USPS says explains what postmarks do, not a shift in procedures.
After U.S. Border Patrol shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in late January, more than 60 Minnesota-based corporate executives—including the heads of Target, Best Buy, and UnitedHealth—quickly signed an open letter calling for "an immediate deescalation of tensions." Yet the letter carefully avoided naming immigration enforcement directly or acknowledging the widely-circulated videos showing federal agents detaining two Target employees in the same state just days earlier. The tension reflected a broader dilemma: American businesses are increasingly both targeted by immigration enforcement operations and pressured publicly to take stronger stances against those same operations.
Maine's forests face a mounting threat from six invasive pests and diseases expanding despite recent control successes, state forestry officials warned at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show on January 14. A combination of deep freezes and targeted control efforts have knocked back some pests, but warming winters from climate change and drought are undermining those gains and creating vulnerability to new outbreaks, said Mike Parisio, entomologist for the Maine Forest Service.
Fauna Robotics unveiled Sprout, a 3.5-foot humanoid robot, on Tuesday, marking the startup's first public demonstration of a machine designed to seem friendly rather than threatening. The robot, built over two years of secret development, stands covered in soft sage-green foam and is designed to be small enough for a 5-year-old to interact with comfortably. It represents an attempt to open a new market for robots in homes and social spaces, distinct from the industrial humanoids being developed by Tesla and Boston Dynamics.
Nasry Asfura, a Trump-backed businessman, was sworn in Tuesday as president of Honduras, pledging to lead the country "with the full commitment required to deliver real solutions to every corner of our beloved Honduras." The 67-year-old took office at Congress in an austere ceremony without foreign dignitaries, though diplomatic representatives attended.
U.S. stock indexes rose on Monday, January 26, as gold surged past $5,100 per ounce for the first time, reflecting investor moves toward safer assets. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.4%. The divergence between stocks and precious metals underscored mounting anxiety about potential tariffs and persistent economic uncertainty.
Americans have increasingly incorporated artificial intelligence into their work, with 12% of employed adults saying they use AI daily, according to a Gallup Workforce survey. The poll found that about a quarter of workers use AI at least frequently, and nearly half use it at least a few times a year. The survey, conducted in the fall among more than 22,000 U.S. workers, also suggests adoption may be slowing after rapid growth in 2024 and 2025.
The Federal Reserve is expected to keep its key short-term interest rate unchanged at a two-day meeting ending Wednesday, as Chair Jerome Powell refocuses the central bank on economic factors after months of political and legal scrutiny. The meeting follows three quarter-point cuts last year, when the Fed lowered borrowing costs after hiring slowed amid tariff-related uncertainty. Investors are watching closely because the Fed’s next move may depend on whether unemployment and inflation continue to move in the direction policymakers want.
President Donald Trump announced Monday he is increasing tariffs on South Korean goods because the country's legislature has yet to approve a trade framework announced last year. Import taxes on autos, lumber and pharmaceutical drugs from South Korea will be raised, while rates on other goods would increase from 15% to 25%, Trump said on social media.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Sunday that Canada has no intention of pursuing a free trade agreement with China, responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada. Carney said Canada’s recent China agreement cuts tariffs on a limited set of sectors that had been hit with tariffs, and he said the country is instead honoring commitments tied to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told European Union lawmakers on Monday that Europe cannot defend itself without U.S. military support and would need to more than double current defense spending—and develop its own nuclear arsenal—to achieve independence from American protection.
The U.S. Commerce Department announced Monday a $1.6 billion investment in USA Rare Earth, an Oklahoma-based company, providing funding and financing to advance rare earth mining operations in Texas and build a magnet manufacturing facility in Oklahoma. The Commerce Department will receive equity stake and future purchase rights as part of the agreement. The investment is part of a broader Trump administration effort to reduce American dependence on China, which processes more than 90% of the world's critical minerals.
From family-run cafes to retail giants, U.S. businesses are increasingly caught between public pressure to respond to immigration enforcement and becoming the sites of federal arrests themselves. The pressure on businesses intensified on Sunday in Minneapolis after federal agents shot and killed a man; more than 60 Minnesota CEOs—including Target, Best Buy, and UnitedHealth—signed a letter calling for de-escalation of tensions. The letter, however, stopped short of directly naming immigration enforcement or the arrests already occurring at businesses, according to the Associated Press.
California sued the Trump administration, seeking to block federal approval of plans to restart two oil pipelines along the state’s coast, the Associated Press reported. The lawsuit, filed Friday, challenges a Trump-era shift away from regulatory barriers to offshore oil drilling.
Alexander Soofer, the 42-year-old CEO of Abundant Blessings, a Los Angeles nonprofit contracted to house and feed homeless residents, was arrested Friday at his $7 million home on federal and state fraud charges. Prosecutors allege he diverted approximately $23 million in public funds intended for more than 600 homeless residents to finance a luxury lifestyle including a $125,000 Range Rover, a $2,450 Hermès jacket, and vacations to Greece and Hawaii.
The U.S. Treasury Department has ended its contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, citing the defense contractor's failure to safeguard confidential tax information. The decision follows the 2024 conviction of Charles Edward Littlejohn, a former Booz Allen employee who worked as an IRS contractor and was sentenced to five years in prison for leaking tax data about thousands of wealthy Americans, including President Donald Trump.
A major winter storm that grounded 11,400 flights, left hundreds of thousands without power, and killed at least 25 people across much of the American East is likely to cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars, but economists sharply disagree over how much. AccuWeather announced a preliminary estimate of $105 billion to $115 billion in damage, drawing immediate pushback from other experts who say the number is far too high and lacks sufficient detail.
Southwest Airlines is ending the open-seating system that has distinguished the airline for more than 50 years. Starting Tuesday, January 27, the Dallas-based carrier will move to assigned seats and offer passengers the option to pay for preferred locations or extra-legroom seats. The shift comes as Southwest faces investor pressure to increase profitability.
Maine's forests face an expanding pest threat as climate change weakens natural defenses against infestations. While recent cold snaps and coordinated pest-control efforts have slowed some prominent insect and disease populations over the past two years, warming winters are likely to allow pests to move inland and establish in forests that had been protected by cold, state forestry officials warned at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show on January 14.
Former Alaska Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum deviated from state policy when investing $50 million in a private equity fund, according to an outside review released Monday. The investigation, conducted by D.C. law firm WilmerHale at Gov. Mike Dunleavy's direction, found that Crum failed to perform necessary due diligence before committing the funds to DigitalBridge and violated fiduciary duties under state law. The state ultimately lost roughly $859,000 on the investment after selling it to an Israeli insurance company.
Morocco and Senegal's prime ministers signed 17 economic agreements Monday in Rabat, pledging to strengthen ties and boost trade between the two African nations after diplomatic tensions flared during last week's chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final.
Freezing and in the dark, residents in Kyiv are spending long hours trapped inside tower blocks as Russia targets Ukraine’s power system, the Associated Press reported. Olena Janchuk, a 53-year-old with severe rheumatoid arthritis, has spent weeks stuck on the 19th floor during rolling blackouts that can last for much of the day. In January, with temperatures dropping to minus 10 degrees Celsius, her family has relied on candles, USB charging and portable power to get through each scheduled outage.
President Donald Trump said in a Friday interview that the U.S. employed a secret weapon he called "The Discombobulator" to disable Venezuelan military equipment during the operation that captured Nicolás Maduro. Speaking to the New York Post, Trump claimed the weapon prevented Venezuelan forces from launching Russian and Chinese rockets and said "they pressed buttons and nothing worked." Trump also renewed threats to conduct military strikes against drug cartels, saying the U.S. could extend operations from South America into Mexico and Central America. "Could be anywhere," he said when asked if strikes could occur in Mexico or Central America. The comments came days after the U.S. carried out a strike Friday on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, the first such action since Maduro's capture in early January.
American workers adopted artificial intelligence into their jobs at a rapid pace over the past few years, according to a Gallup Workforce survey of more than 22,000 U.S. workers conducted in late October and early November 2025. Twelve percent of employed adults said they use AI daily on the job, while roughly one-quarter reported using it at least a few times a week, and nearly half said they use it at least occasionally.
The captain of an oil tanker intercepted by the French navy in the Mediterranean Sea was in custody for questioning following the seizure of the vessel on suspicion of violating international sanctions against Russia. The Grinch, which departed from Murmansk in northwestern Russia, is suspected of operating as part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' — a network of over 400 vessels used to evade economic penalties imposed over the war in Ukraine.
Iran unveiled a mural in central Tehran on Sunday warning the United States against military strikes, as U.S. warships including the USS Abraham Lincoln moved toward the region. The image depicts a damaged aircraft carrier with exploding fighter planes and bodies strewn across the flight deck, with the warning text "If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind" emblazoned across it.
A massive winter storm swept across the United States on Sunday, January 25, canceling more than 11,400 flights and disrupting travel for millions of passengers. The system threatened approximately 180 million people—more than half the nation's population—spanning from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England, according to the National Weather Service.
More than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies signed an open letter posted Sunday on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce website calling for state, local and federal cooperation in response to an immigration enforcement operation that has fractured state politics. Signatories included leaders from Target, Best Buy, UnitedHealth, General Mills and 3M.
Thousands of flights across the United States were canceled as a winter storm brought heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain, causing power outages and dangerous icy roadways across parts of the country, the National Weather Service said Saturday night. The storm threatened nearly 180 million people in a path stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England.
The UK Labour Party's National Executive Committee voted Sunday to block Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from running as a candidate in a special parliamentary election, a decision the party said would prevent unnecessary costs but that prompted criticism from some members who questioned whether leadership tensions drove the outcome.
President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if Canada proceeded with a trade deal with China, intensifying a dispute with Prime Minister Mark Carney over both trade policy and geopolitical alignment. Trump said in a social media post that if Carney "thinks he is going to make Canada a 'Drop Off Port' for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken."
Bill Pulte, President Trump's federal housing finance director, granted government-backed mortgage lenders the authority to hold significantly more bonds than previously permitted, according to an email obtained by The Associated Press. The Jan. 12 email from the Federal Housing Finance Agency eliminated caps that prohibited Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from each holding more than $40 billion in mortgage bonds, raising the limits to $225 billion apiece. The move reverses nearly two decades of post-2008 financial-crisis safeguards, according to the AP.
Democrats Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico differed more on style than substance in their first U.S. Senate debate on January 24 at the Texas AFL-CIO convention, though they distinguished themselves on the future of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and impeachment of President Donald Trump. Crockett, an outspoken second-term House member from Dallas, said she would support impeachment proceedings against Trump, starting with investigations into his use of tariffs. Talarico, a four-term state representative and Presbyterian seminarian, stopped short of endorsing impeachment, saying instead he would fairly weigh any evidence presented during a Senate trial. Both candidates aligned on major domestic policy, including calls for higher taxes on wealthy earners, support for Medicare for all, and ending Trump's tariffs. The two will compete in the March 3 Democratic primary, with the winner facing either Sen. John Cornyn, Rep. Wesley Hunt or Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a race expected to be challenging for Democrats in a heavily Republican state.
Myanmar's military and its allies secured control of Parliament in the final round of a three-stage election held Sunday, capping a process that critics say was designed to legitimize military rule after a 2021 coup. The results continue a pattern established in the first two rounds: the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party leading in seat counts, with a structure guaranteeing the armed forces themselves 25 percent of parliamentary seats.
Toyota announced Friday a recall of approximately 162,000 pickup trucks in the United States after discovering that the vehicles' multimedia displays could malfunction in ways that compromise driver safety. The recall affects the company's 2024-2025 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid models. Affected customers are being notified, according to Toyota.
A major winter storm swept across the United States starting Saturday, canceling 12,200 flights and stranding travelers nationwide. Weather forecasters warned that damage from the storm could rival that of a hurricane, with ice and snow pounding multiple regions.
Testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found evidence Friday that powdered whole milk used in ByHeart infant formula may be the source of a botulism outbreak that sickened 51 babies in 19 states beginning in December 2023, according to federal health officials. The FDA detected the dangerous bacteria in samples of the milk powder and found that the contamination matched samples collected from sick infants and from unopened ByHeart formula cans.
Five Michigan universities are launching a collaborative two-year initiative to address a critical teacher shortage forcing districts to rely increasingly on instructors with temporary credentials. Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University, Northern Michigan University and Western Michigan University are partnering with the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative to improve teacher preparation, recruitment, retention and quality in the state.
Hermès menswear designer Véronique Nichanian presented her final collection Saturday during Paris Fashion Week, closing 37 years leading the house's menswear design. The Fall-Winter 2026 show, staged at the Palais Brongniart—the former Paris stock exchange—featured her signature understated aesthetic and concluded with Nichanian stepping out to acknowledge a standing ovation.
The U.S. stock market drifted through mixed trading Friday as tariff relief and falling inflation expectations offered brief respite from a volatile week. The S&P 500 edged up less than 0.1%, notching a second straight week with modest losses. The Nasdaq composite rose 0.3%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 285 points, or 0.6%. Chip company Intel weighed on the market, tumbling 17% after reporting better fourth-quarter results than expected but issuing a first-quarter forecast that fell short of Wall Street's expectations. Gold, meanwhile, set another record, nearing $5,000 per ounce — a signal of investor nervousness despite the week's market steadying.
The Supreme Court appeared Wednesday to carve out a distinct exception for the Federal Reserve from President Trump's expanded authority to fire heads of independent agencies. Justice Brett Kavanaugh said allowing Trump to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook would "weaken, if not shatter, the independence of the Federal Reserve." The justices' signals suggest they see the Fed differently than other government agencies where they have already permitted Trump to dismiss officials for any reason.
San Diego imposed its first-ever parking fees at Balboa Park this month to secure dedicated funding for the century-old cultural site and help close a city budget gap, but the policy prompted immediate backlash that has already reshaped how residents and tourists engage with the park. Museum visitation dropped 20 percent in the opening days, vandals defaced parking meters, and two city council members who voted for the program now call for suspending the fees.
President Donald Trump has based significant diplomatic decisions on personal slights during the past week — revoking Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's invitation to his Board of Peace and threatening tariffs on Switzerland, Denmark, and Canada over his personal interactions with their leaders. The moves illustrate what Trump and his advisers describe as a "maximalist strategy" and what alarmed allied leaders increasingly call a destabilizing departure from the rules-based international order that has underpinned U.S. foreign policy since World War II.
Mali's government announced fuel rationing Thursday to manage shortages caused by al-Qaeda-linked militants attacking fuel convoys in border regions. The landlocked West African country said cars would be limited to refueling every 72 hours and motorcycles every 48 hours, part of an effort to ensure equitable distribution as supply routes have deteriorated. Since September, jihadist militants have increasingly attacked fuel trucks, burning more than a hundred vehicles and crippling the country's import and distribution network. Over 2,000 tanker trucks entered Mali since the start of the year, significantly less than the 6,000 per month that arrived before the attacks began.
President Donald Trump dominated geopolitical discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, overshadowing traditional business focus with policy announcements while deepening apparent fractures with Western allies. During his roughly 24-hour visit, Trump reversed his earlier threats of tariffs against European countries, agreed to an Arctic security framework with NATO Chief Mark Rutte, and launched a "Board of Peace" to address the Israel-Hamas conflict. Governor Gavin Newsom of California criticized Trump during the forum, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Chief Mark Rutte praised his efforts to support Ukraine and strengthen Western defense.
California lawmakers are proposing a package of consumer-protection and insurer-timing rules for wildfire claims after survivors described problems ranging from delayed communication to payouts that fall short of rebuilding costs. The bills include requirements to notify policyholders when adjusters are assigned and to speed up payments, as well as larger penalties for insurers that violate fair-claims practices during declared emergencies.
California sued the Trump administration on Friday for approving Houston-based Sable Offshore Corp.'s plans to restart two oil pipelines along the state's coast, escalating a dispute over federal authority to override state regulation of facilities in California's jurisdictional waters. Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta said the federal administration "has no right to usurp California's regulatory authority." The Trump administration, through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, defended the approval, saying it would bring "much needed American energy to a state with the highest gas prices in the country."
TikTok finalized a deal on January 23 to form a new American entity with major investors including Oracle, Silver Lake and the Emirati firm MGX, clearing away the threat of a ban that had loomed for years over the platform used by more than 200 million Americans. The new structure preserves user access while establishing safeguards over data protection, algorithm security, content moderation and software integrity.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Friday he was optimistic about a White House meeting with President Trump scheduled for Feb. 3, marking a significant diplomatic shift after months of hostility. The optimism comes after the United States revoked Petro's visa and imposed sanctions on him and his family in September over what he characterized as unproven drug-trafficking allegations.
Little fire ants have reached a critical tipping point on Maui, with detections surging sharply in 2024 after years of controlled spread, according to the Maui Invasive Species Committee. The invasive species, first discovered on the island in 2009, was found at an average of two new locations per year until 2024, when that pattern shattered with eight new sites identified in a single year.
An approaching ice storm threatens to cut power to millions of people across the eastern two-thirds of the United States this weekend. In the South, where a majority of homes are heated by electricity, losing power means losing heat — a danger that utility officials say ice storms pose more severely than hurricanes. Electricity heats the majority of homes in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. When ice accumulates on power lines and trees, the added weight brings infrastructure crashing down.
Pastor Monique French and her congregation at Washington Heights United Methodist Church in Battle Creek are raising money to build 17 affordable homes in one of the Cereal City's poorest neighborhoods, joining a growing number of faith-based organizations across the country stepping into affordable housing development. Churches in Traverse City, Charlevoix, Grand Rapids, Detroit and elsewhere across Michigan have accelerated their homebuilding efforts as the state confronts a shortage of roughly 119,000 homes—a gap that economists say stifles growth by limiting personal wealth and exacerbates worker scarcity.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission voted to rescind its 2024 workplace harassment guidance on Thursday, a move framed by the agency’s Republican majority as aligning civil-rights enforcement with President Donald Trump’s executive orders. Chair Andrea Lucas said the decision would not leave a void and cited examples of harassment cases. Commissioner Brittany Panuccio said private-sector resources would fill any gaps.
The European Union's executive Commission signaled Friday that it is ready to implement a sweeping free trade agreement with the Mercosur group of South American countries on a provisional basis, bypassing a parliamentary vote this week to delay the deal for legal review. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, said the EU would move ahead as soon as at least one Mercosur country ratifies the agreement. "There is a clear interest that we ensure that the benefits of this agreement apply as soon as possible," she said at the conclusion of a Brussels summit of EU leaders. "In short, we will be ready when they are ready."
Global economic leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos said Friday that the world economy is showing unexpected resilience despite tensions from the Trump administration's trade policies. The International Monetary Fund raised its growth forecast to 3.3 percent for 2026, though leading policymakers warned the growth is insufficient to address mounting challenges.
Saks Global, parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, filed for bankruptcy protection this week, leaving suppliers with unpaid bills ranging from $600,000 to $10 million and prompting Amazon, a minority investor, to challenge the company's proposed financing plan. The filing came roughly a year after Saks Global acquired Neiman Marcus for $2.65 billion, a deal that left the merged company heavily indebted at a time when luxury spending has slowed.
CSX Corp. said its fourth-quarter profit slipped 2% as weak shipping demand and severance costs weighed on results. The Jacksonville, Florida-based railroad reported it earned $720 million, or 39 cents per share, in the quarter. Chief Executive Steve Angel also pointed to uncertainty ahead as Class I railroads weigh competitive pressures.
The U.S. economy expanded at a 4.4% annual pace in the third quarter, the fastest growth rate in two years, the Commerce Department said Thursday. Consumer spending, which accounts for 70% of U.S. GDP, grew 3.5%, with services spending rising 3.6% and goods spending up 3%. The third-quarter growth was faster than the government's initial estimate of 4.3%.
President Donald Trump sued banking giant JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon for $5 billion on Thursday, alleging the bank closed his accounts in February 2021 for political reasons. The lawsuit, filed in Miami-Dade County court in Florida, claims JPMorgan terminated multiple accounts with just 60 days notice and no explanation, and placed Trump and his businesses on a "reputational blacklist" used to prevent future banking relationships.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp suspended state Rep. Sharon Henderson from office Thursday following her indictment on federal unemployment fraud charges. A state review commission found that the charges against the Democratic legislator hurt her ability to perform her duties, and Kemp accepted that determination.
President Donald Trump's reversal on threatened tariffs sent U.S. stocks higher for a second consecutive day Thursday, building on Wednesday's gains. Trump said he reached 'the framework of a future deal' on Greenland with the head of NATO and withdrew 10% tariffs he had threatened on European countries. The S&P 500 gained 0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite advanced 0.9%.
Consumer prices rose 2.8% in November from a year earlier, according to the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, while consumer spending climbed 0.5% during the month. The data points to a mostly strong economy with inflation still elevated above the Fed's 2% target but sharply down from the four-decade peak of June 2022.
About half of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults said they want the government to prioritize the high cost of living and inflation — a share roughly 15 percentage points higher than for U.S. adults overall — according to a poll released Thursday by AAPI Data and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The survey of 1,029 AAPI adults, conducted in early December, also found that cost anxiety within this community has grown since the previous year.
Karen Bennett, a former Georgia House member first elected in 2012, pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying on applications for federal pandemic unemployment assistance. The 70-year-old admitted in U.S. District Court that she falsely claimed to be prevented by quarantine from working at Metro Therapy Providers, a company she owned. U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross set sentencing for April 15, with prosecutors agreeing to seek no prison time or supervised release.
Minneapolis businesses are reporting severe economic damage from the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities. Some companies have seen sales drop 80%, and customers and employees are avoiding the area out of fear, according to a lawsuit filed this month by Minnesota and the city. Hotels have stopped accepting reservations, while restaurants and stores have temporarily closed or cut hours.
Florida Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon announced her candidacy Thursday for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Ashley Moody, citing what she called an affordability crisis that Florida's leadership has ignored.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Thursday that it will make permanent the safety rules imposed after a January 2025 collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet near Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people. The rules, effective Friday, require military aircraft to broadcast their locations and prohibit air traffic controllers from relying on visual separation near the airport.
Venezuela's legislature gave initial approval Thursday to a bill that would loosen decades of state control over the country's vast oil sector, opening the door to private companies operating fields independently and settling disputes in international courts. The bill represents the first major overhaul of the oil industry since late socialist leader Hugo Chávez nationalized portions of it in 2007. The measure follows intense pressure from the Trump administration, which has pushed the government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez to invite greater investment from U.S. energy companies in Venezuela's flagging oil industry.
The Trump administration has canceled multimillion-dollar solar projects in Puerto Rico aimed at helping low-income families as the island grapples with chronic power outages and a deteriorating electrical grid. The U.S. Energy Department said the grid cannot reliably accommodate more distributed solar power, a justification that industry officials sharply disputed.
The Missouri House of Representatives voted Thursday to reprimand Democratic state Rep. Jeremy Dean for sending a sexually vulgar text message to Republican colleague Cecelie Williams during a September redistricting protest. The penalties include barring him from House committees, requiring him to stay at least 50 feet away from Williams, and undergoing additional sexual harassment training.
Los Angeles labor leaders say they are preparing to use the 2028 Olympics as leverage to win new contracts and press for housing and worker protections. Inspired by labor actions around the Paris Games, unions representing tens of thousands of Southern California workers are looking at contracts that expire in 2028, shortly before the Olympics’ opening.
Kindness at work can mean limiting meetings, giving honest feedback, and bending rules when circumstances warrant, according to workplace experts. As the pace of work accelerates, small acts of kindness—from supporting employees through family crises to protecting time for reflection—improve engagement and productivity.
Paramount Global, controlled by Skydance Media, extended the deadline for Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders to tender stock until Feb. 20, maintaining its hostile offer of $30 per share in cash. The move marks the second extension since Paramount challenged Warner's agreed merger with Netflix in December.
The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission voted Thursday to rescind a 190-page workplace anti-harassment guidance document, marking a significant shift in federal civil rights enforcement under President Donald Trump's second administration. The Republican-controlled agency's vote, led by Chair Andrea Lucas and Commissioner Brittany Panuccio, was justified by Trump's executive order declaring there are "two immutable sexes, male and female." The guidance had been designed to help employers comply with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and included specific protections for transgender workers. Commissioner Kalpana Kotagal, the commission's lone Democrat, voted against the rescission.
Rhode Island lawmakers are weighing whether to discontinue the Mr. Potato Head specialty license plate, a fixture of the state's motor vehicles offerings since 2002, after toy maker Hasbro announced plans to relocate its headquarters to Boston. Rep. Brian Newberry, a Republican from North Smithfield, introduced legislation this month to end the program as Hasbro prepares to leave Pawtucket, where the company has operated for nearly 70 years.
Clothing retailer Under Armour is investigating a data breach that exposed 72 million customer email addresses and personal information, the Baltimore-based company said. The breach, believed to have occurred in late 2025, included customer names, genders, birthdates and ZIP codes, but no passwords or financial information, according to company officials and cybersecurity experts.
Roughly 15,000 nurses negotiating contracts for three major New York City hospital systems returned to the bargaining table Thursday, marking the 11th day of a strike that has tested the nation's largest urban healthcare providers. The New York State Nurses Association said the union and hospital administrators for Montefiore, Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian resumed talks aimed at ending what is already the city's largest nursing walkout in decades.
From January 2020 through November 2025, Omaha has granted mayoral pardons to more than 60 residents convicted of municipal violations. Lincoln has pardoned two. The disparity reflects fundamentally different thresholds and philosophies in how Nebraska's two largest cities offer formal forgiveness for past mistakes and a path forward for residents whose criminal histories have limited employment and housing opportunities.
CSX's fourth-quarter profit fell 2% to $720 million as weak shipping demand and severance costs from recent layoffs pressured results, the Jacksonville-based railroad said Thursday. The carrier earned 39 cents per share, up from 38 cents the year before, though results faced about $50 million in one-time costs tied to CEO Steve Angel's workforce reductions last fall.
Berkeley's City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday night to allow homeowners to sell backyard cottages and basement apartments as condominiums, opening a new path to ownership in a city where the median single-family home price hovers around $1.4 million, according to Berkeleyside reporting distributed by the Associated Press.
Workers in Covington, Ky., are installing the final features of a two-year restoration of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, a Catholic landmark nicknamed "America's Notre Dame" for its French Gothic exterior modeled on the Paris original. New terra cotta gargoyles — replicas cast from precise scans of 32 worn originals — have been fitted to the cathedral's towering facade in recent weeks, with 26 rooftop chimeras remaining as the final step before a targeted March completion.
The European Union is preparing countermeasures against the United States amid rattled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats over Greenland, the Associated Press reported. Because the EU is primarily a trading bloc, its toolkit is largely financial, including steep tariffs and an instrument known as the Anti-Coercion Instrument.
Gov. Ned Lamont directed Connecticut officials to pause new state valuations for agricultural land, citing “unforeseen lack of data” and concerns that the changes could drive steep tax increases. The decision keeps in place recommended land values last updated in 2020 as municipal assessors head toward a Jan. 31 deadline to finalize grand lists.
Minneapolis businesses say a surge in federal immigration enforcement has disrupted staffing, consumer traffic and hotel reservations, as protests roil parts of the Twin Cities. The effects are showing up amid plans for a general strike Friday to demand an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, according to organizers. The economic fallout comes as Minnesota and the Twin Cities seek court relief to halt the operations.
The U.S. stock market bounced back Wednesday after President Donald Trump announced a framework for a deal on Greenland and said he would not impose tariffs on eight European countries he had previously threatened. The S&P 500 rallied 1.2%, recovering just over half of Tuesday's 2.1% plunge as investors reassessed the likelihood of Trump's tariff threats translating into actual policy.
The U.S. economy expanded at a 4.4% annual pace in the third quarter, the fastest growth in two years, after a slight upgrade of the government’s first estimate. The Commerce Department said the increase, from July through September, was driven largely by consumer spending and contributions from exports.
U.S. military forces boarded and took control of a seventh oil tanker connected with Venezuela on Tuesday, the U.S. Southern Command said, part of the Trump administration’s effort to take control of the South American country’s oil. The Command said forces apprehended the Liberian-flagged Motor Vessel Sagitta “without incident,” and said the tanker was operating in defiance of President Donald Trump’s “established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.”
A Canadian man prosecutors say posed as a working airline pilot pleaded not guilty Tuesday in federal court in Hawaii to wire fraud charges, after allegedly obtaining hundreds of free tickets from three U.S. carriers over four years by presenting fraudulent crew credentials. Dallas Pokornik, 33, of Toronto, was arraigned following his extradition to the United States. He had been arrested in Panama after a federal grand jury in Hawaii indicted him last October. His federal public defender declined to discuss the case.
President Donald Trump will travel to the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, on the anniversary of his inauguration, as he seeks to persuade Americans he can make housing more affordable. The Associated Press reported that he is preparing a major address aimed at affordability while surrounded by leading figures in the Swiss resort town.
President Donald Trump sued JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon for $5 billion, alleging the bank stopped providing banking services to him and his businesses for political reasons after he left office in January 2021. The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Miami-Dade County court in Florida, according to the complaint described by The Associated Press.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits edged up last week, but U.S. layoffs remained historically low despite signs of labor-market softening. Jobless claims for the week ending Jan. 17 rose to 200,000, according to the Labor Department.
Japan posted a trade deficit for the fifth straight year in 2025, according to preliminary Finance Ministry data released Thursday. The deficit was 2.65 trillion yen ($17 billion), as exports were pressured by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and a diplomatic rift with China.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments on whether President Donald Trump can force Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her post over mortgage fraud allegations she denies, with at least six justices expressing skepticism about the effort. No president has ever fired a sitting Federal Reserve governor in the institution's 112-year history.
Karen Bennett, a former Georgia House member, pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying to collect federal pandemic unemployment benefits. The 70-year-old physical therapist fraudulently obtained $13,940 in federal assistance designed for those harmed by COVID-19. Bennett will repay the funds and faces sentencing in April.
President Trump outlined four policies Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, aimed at making homeownership more affordable: lower interest rates, a ban on large institutional investors buying single-family homes, a credit card interest rate cap, and federal mortgage bond purchases.
The U.S. House voted 214-208 on Wednesday to lift a 20-year federal ban on mining near Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, passing a resolution under the Congressional Review Act that now heads to the Senate. If approved there, the measure would go to President Donald Trump for his signature.
President Donald Trump backed down on a threatened tariff campaign tied to Greenland and said he had agreed with NATO on a “framework of a future deal” on Arctic security, according to a post on his social media site Wednesday. The reversal came shortly after Trump told the World Economic Forum that the U.S. wanted Greenland and warned he would not rule out using “excessive strength and force.”
Anxiety about costs and affordability is running high among Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians, according to a new poll. About half of AAPI adults surveyed in early December said they want the government to prioritize addressing high cost of living and inflation, the survey found. The poll was released by AAPI Data and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Argentina received its first shipment of Chinese electric and hybrid vehicles as President Javier Milei’s government expands tariff-free access for the cars, according to Associated Press reporting. The first shipload arrived at a river port in eastern Argentina on Monday and was unloaded Wednesday in Zárate.
China has met an initial goal to buy U.S. soybeans, but uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s shifting tariff policy could disrupt a trade agreement announced last October, the Associated Press reported. The milestone was described Tuesday by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after he met with China’s Vice President He Lifeng during a major economic forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Colombia said Thursday it will apply a 30% tax on some products from Ecuador and suspend energy sales to that country as the neighbors’ trade dispute escalates. The move follows Ecuador President Daniel Noboa’s government announcing matching tariffs the previous day, after public protests over a trade deficit.
Nathan’s Famous, the Coney Island hot dog business known for its July 4 eating contest, is being acquired by Smithfield Foods for $450 million in an all-cash deal, the companies announced Wednesday. Smithfield will buy all of Nathan’s outstanding shares for $102 each, the companies said.
The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge rose in November, adding to signs that prices remain elevated, even as consumer spending increased, the Commerce Department said. Consumer prices rose 2.8% in November from a year earlier, while spending climbed 0.5% from the prior month. The report was issued as the Federal Reserve prepares to meet next week.
Investors appeared to have helped prompt President Donald Trump to step back from threatening tariffs on European allies over his Greenland push, as he met world leaders at Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Trump also told the packed conference room he would not use military force to take over Greenland. Hours later, he said he was retreating from the tariffs after discussions with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte produced a “framework” on Greenland.
President Donald Trump outlined four housing-related proposals at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, aiming to make homeownership more affordable. His plan includes pushing for lower interest rates on home loans and credit cards and seeking limits on large institutional investors buying single-family homes.
President Donald Trump marked his first year back in office by highlighting accomplishments to world leaders in Davos, Switzerland, and during a White House press briefing, while also repeating or overstating claims that the Associated Press says are false or misleading. In an AP fact check published Wednesday, the outlet examined Trump’s statements about the 2020 election, Greenland, NATO spending and “eight wars,” as well as claims about inflation, energy and coal.
President Donald Trump’s pledge to impose tariffs on European countries tied to Greenland has drawn outrage and warnings of a rupture with Washington among European leaders and allies. The European Union’s top official said the planned tariffs over Greenland are a “mistake,” and Denmark’s and Greenland’s governments urged respect for territorial integrity and international law.
U.S. stocks rose again Thursday as President Donald Trump walked back tariffs he had threatened over Greenland, following earlier market volatility linked to the initial threat. The S&P 500 gained 0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.6% and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.9%.
Stocks fell broadly on Wall Street Tuesday after President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs on eight European countries over tensions involving Greenland. The S&P 500 dropped 2.1%, while the Dow fell 1.8% and the Nasdaq composite fell 2.4%.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday withdrew threatened tariffs on eight European nations and announced agreement with NATO on Arctic security, marking a dramatic reversal from his demands that the U.S. control Greenland. Trump said he had reached a "framework of a future deal" with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Arctic issues, potentially defusing the geopolitical crisis his earlier threats had triggered.
Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, reduced wages for members of Congress by about 30% on Tuesday, as the country faces a budget crunch and prepares for elections in the first half of the year. The cut is set to take effect in July, after Colombia’s legislative elections in March, followed by presidential elections in May.
The Federal Trade Commission said it will appeal a federal judge's November ruling that found Meta Platforms Inc. does not hold a monopoly in social networking, according to a statement Tuesday. The FTC continues to contend that Meta "illegally maintained a monopoly" through "anticompetitive conduct" including its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The appeal represents the FTC's effort to overturn a significant loss in its antitrust challenge against the social media giant.
The Trump administration has canceled solar projects in Puerto Rico worth millions of dollars, according to an email obtained by The Associated Press. The cancellations come as the U.S. territory struggles with chronic power outages and a fragile electric grid.
President Donald Trump’s appointees on the Commission of Fine Arts asked architects and officials Thursday about the design and scale of a proposed White House ballroom expansion, during an online meeting. The hearing included questions about how the addition would affect views of the White House and whether certain elements could be toned down.
Rising coal demand across Southeast Asia is outpacing the region’s renewable-energy push, according to the International Energy Agency, complicating efforts to cut emissions tied to global warming. The trends are also raising questions about Indonesia and Vietnam’s 2022 Just Energy Transition Partnerships and about the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s moves to reverse climate policies.
The Internal Revenue Service announced a major leadership reorganization on Tuesday to improve taxpayer service and modernize the agency, according to Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano. The changes include naming Gary Shapley—a whistleblower who publicly testified about Hunter Biden tax investigations—as deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation division. Guy Ficco, the Criminal Investigation head, is set to retire, and Jarod Koopman will replace him while also serving as chief tax compliance officer. The agency is implementing new tax relief provisions for tips and overtime, along with deductions for older Americans.
President Trump's Air Force One returned to Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday evening about an hour after departing for Switzerland, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. The crew identified a minor electrical issue after takeoff and decided to turn around out of an abundance of caution. Trump subsequently boarded an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757 normally used for domestic travel, and continued to Davos for the World Economic Forum shortly after midnight.
Gov. Tate Reeves announced Monday that Mississippi will participate in a federal school-choice tax-credit program, permitting residents to contribute up to $1,700 annually to organizations that award scholarships to private-school students. The program, created by federal legislation passed during the Trump administration, provides dollar-for-dollar tax credits beginning in the 2027 tax year. The move creates a new mechanism for school-choice expansion as Mississippi lawmakers debate the issue.
A financial adviser pleaded guilty Wednesday to wire fraud in a Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 2,000 people of $380 million. Todd Burkhalter, 54, of St. Petersburg, Florida, founded Drive Planning LLC and marketed fraudulent investment schemes promising quarterly returns of 10 percent. Prosecutors plan to recommend a sentence of more than 17 years in prison.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont ordered a halt to new farm land valuations on Monday, citing an "unforeseen lack of data" that had undermined the state's effort to update property assessments. The decision came after weeks of intense pressure from farmers who warned that the reassessments would sharply increase taxes and potentially force families to sell their land. The state will maintain property tax valuations last set in 2020 while a working group of farmers, municipal leaders, and officials studies how to improve the assessment process. The halt averts what could have been significant financial strain for Connecticut's agricultural community.
Greg Abel, Warren Buffett's newly appointed successor as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, appears to be considering his first significant corporate move: selling the conglomerate's entire stake in Kraft Heinz. Kraft Heinz disclosed in a filing Tuesday that Berkshire Hathaway "may offer to sell, from time to time" its 325 million shares in the food company, which Buffett helped create in a 2015 merger with Brazilian investment firm 3G Capital. The potential sale marks a departure from Buffett's approach over six decades leading Berkshire. Berkshire took a $3.76 billion writedown on its Kraft Heinz stake last summer, and Buffett said last fall that he was disappointed in Kraft Heinz' plan to split the company in two. Kraft Heinz shares fell nearly 4 percent to $22.85 after the filing announcement.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced 31 deregulatory actions within President Trump's first 100 days in office, targeting federal pollution standards from methane emissions to the legal framework obligating the EPA to regulate climate-changing pollution. Zeldin called the actions the agency's "greatest day of deregulation." The EPA also froze research grants, shrank its workforce, and removed references to climate change and environmental justice from its websites. Environmental advocates said the moves signal the EPA's new direction will prioritize deregulation over public health protections. Texas, the nation's top oil and gas producer and home to the Dallas, Houston, and Fort Worth metropolitan areas, faces particular exposure to the rollbacks because state environmental officials have shown limited interest in strengthening enforcement as federal standards weaken. Conservation groups fear the changes will bring higher pollution and health risks to communities near industrial sites.
Nathan's Famous, the Coney Island hot dog stand that opened as a five-cent eatery in 1916, has been sold to packaged-meat giant Smithfield Foods in an all-cash $450 million deal announced Wednesday. Smithfield will purchase all outstanding shares for $102 each.
Beth Brown, a company director of health and well-being, said she was moved by a colleague’s message during a difficult stretch that included caring for her 6-month-old daughter with COVID-19 and arranging her mother’s funeral. Brown described her partner on a major project checking in rather than pushing to review remaining tasks. The Associated Press story highlights how workplace kindness can show up in everyday management and in workplace policies.
Mexican authorities said they arrested an alleged organized crime figure known as “El Botox” in connection with the killing of an outspoken leader of the state’s lime growers. The arrest was announced by Mexico City-based Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch on Thursday, according to AP.
Argentina received its first shipment of Chinese electric and hybrid vehicles this week, with more than 5,800 vehicles and related units arriving at a fluvial port in the Buenos Aires province, AP reported. The unloading took place after the BYD Changzhou container ship docked on Wednesday, following a 23-day trip from Singapore, according to AP. The arrival comes as President Javier Milei seeks to cut trade barriers and as opposition and regional governments watch the implications for local industry.
The average U.S. long-term mortgage rate rose slightly this week but remained near its lowest level in more than three years, according to Freddie Mac. The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate increased to 6.09% from 6.06% last week.
Berkeley’s City Council voted to allow accessory dwelling units, including backyard cottages, to be converted and sold as condominiums under a new ordinance. The decision, approved Tuesday night, is intended to increase housing opportunities for residents in one of California’s highest-cost markets.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has revoked grazing permits in Phillips County, Montana, that American Prairie used to sustain its bison herd, the Department of the Interior said Friday. The decision follows a three-and-a-half-year dispute involving the Montana livestock industry, backed by Gov. Greg Gianforte and the state attorney general, and American Prairie, a conservation nonprofit.
Hawaii has launched an “Essential Rural Medical Air Transport” pilot program to offer free charter flights for some Molokai and Lana‘i residents traveling to off-island medical appointments, and to help Honolulu-area doctors travel to the neighbor islands. The Associated Press reported the initiative, funded by Hawaii lawmakers in 2024, began launching flights late last week as part of a project expected to begin with routes from Molokai later this month and from Lana‘i in February.
The Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday it will appeal a November decision that ruled in favor of Meta in the FTC’s antitrust case over social networking. The FTC said it continues to allege that Meta “illegally maintained a monopoly” in social networking through anticompetitive conduct involving Instagram and WhatsApp.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders rallied with nurses in Manhattan on Tuesday, the ninth day of a strike affecting multiple major hospital systems. The rally took place outside Mount Sinai West on the Upper West Side as nurses continued walking off the job beginning Jan. 12.
Missouri gambling regulators rejected a request from the NCAA to restrict wagers on the performance of college athletes, the Associated Press reported Thursday. The Missouri Gaming Commission said it did not yet have enough information to prohibit college athlete prop bets, though it left open the possibility of revisiting the issue.
Netflix is offering Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders an all-cash deal valued at $72 billion, the companies said Tuesday, as Netflix moves to fend off a hostile bid from Skydance-owned Paramount. Warner leadership backed the revised agreement, which the companies said could lead to a shareholder vote by April. The deal would give Warner stockholders $27.75 per share plus additional value from shares of Discovery Global, which would be separated into a separate public company.
Netflix reported a profit and revenue increase for the fourth quarter, but its shares fell in extended trading as investors focused on signs its subscriber growth is slowing. The results, announced Tuesday, came as Netflix seeks to buy Warner Bros. Discovery’s movie studio and add HBO to its U.S. streaming lineup.
New York City nurses on strike resumed contract negotiations Thursday with hospital administrators in an effort to end what the New York State Nurses Association called the city’s biggest walkout in decades. The union said talks restarted in the morning with officials at Montefiore, Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian. Roughly 15,000 nurses walked off the job on Jan. 12, the union said.
Skydance-owned Paramount extended its hostile takeover offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, giving Warner stockholders until Feb. 20 to tender shares at $30 each in cash. The company also moved forward with a proxy fight against Warner’s Netflix merger and filed preliminary materials to solicit proxies.
Pharrell Williams opened Louis Vuitton’s monogram anniversary year with a Fall-Winter 2026 men’s show at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris on Monday, marking the house’s 130th anniversary of its signature. The event combined a fashion presentation with a cinema-like set, featuring a glass-walled minimalist “apartment” on a grassy runway and a celebrity-heavy front row.
Rhode Island lawmakers are considering whether to end Mr. Potato Head specialty license plates after Hasbro announced it would move its headquarters to Boston, according to a proposal filed in January. The measure would have the state Division of Motor Vehicles stop offering the plate, which currently costs about $40 and directs half of that amount to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
President Donald Trump has pledged to lower oil prices to $50 a barrel, an idea Texas industry and economists say could reduce drilling activity and affect jobs and local tax revenue. The promise comes as Texas’ oil and gas sector rebounded in recent years, after COVID-19-era price declines.
Workers who spend long hours on their feet are pushing for “right to sit” protections and seating access at work, citing health risks tied to prolonged standing. In interviews and contract talks in the United States, employees and union leaders said employers’ policies often limit when workers can use chairs, stools or other seating options.
President Donald Trump plans to address housing affordability Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on the anniversary of his inauguration. The speech comes in a Swiss mountain town where luxury ski chalets rent for $4.4 million—and where he may encounter many of the billionaires he has surrounded himself with during his first year back in the White House.
U.S. military forces seized the Motor Vessel Sagitta on Tuesday, a seventh oil tanker connected to Venezuela, as the Trump administration consolidates control over Venezuela's oil production following the January 3 ouster of President Nicolás Maduro. U.S. Southern Command said the seizure occurred "without incident." The command stated the tanker was operating in violation of the Trump administration's "established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean."
European Union leaders warned Tuesday of sweeping countermeasures against the United States after President Donald Trump announced plans to impose 10 percent import tariffs on goods from eight European nations, framing the taxes as retaliation for those countries' deployment of troops to Greenland in symbolic support of Danish sovereignty. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, called the plan a "mistake" and warned that the bloc's response "will be unflinching, united and proportional." French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU could use its anti-coercion instrument — known colloquially as a trade "bazooka" — against the United States for the first time.
China has completed its initial commitment to purchase 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Tuesday from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. But the broader trade agreement—which requires China to buy 25 million tons annually over the next three years—faces uncertainty as President Donald Trump threatens to shift tariff policy.
The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on President Trump's unprecedented bid to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her post, a case that probes whether the central bank can remain independent from political pressure. Trump's lawyers contend Cook committed mortgage fraud, allegations she denies. If successful, the effort would mark the first time a president has fired a sitting Fed governor in the agency's 112-year history.
Stocks fell sharply on Wall Street on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 declining 2.1% to 6,796.86 after President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 10% tariff on imports from eight European nations including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland.
President Donald Trump repeated false and misleading claims about the 2020 election, the U.S. economy, and international conflicts while marking his first year back in office, according to an Associated Press fact check published January 20. Trump claimed the 2020 election was rigged, said he settled eight wars, and overstated economic improvements during an appearance Tuesday at the White House and Wednesday in Davos, Switzerland.
Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a four-term congresswoman and former Navy helicopter pilot, was inaugurated Tuesday as New Jersey's 57th governor, becoming only the second woman to lead the state. In her inaugural address delivered in Newark, Sherrill adopted a confrontational stance toward the Trump administration, invoking the Declaration of Independence while directly criticizing federal tariffs and immigration enforcement.
Netflix reported fourth-quarter 2025 earnings Tuesday that beat analyst expectations on profit and revenue, but the company's subscriber growth dramatically slowed, adding about 23 million customers last year—far fewer than the 41 million it added in 2024 and a sign that growth in the world's largest streaming service may be plateauing.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders rallied with striking nurses Tuesday at Mount Sinai West on the Upper West Side, calling on hospital executives to return to the negotiating table. The rally came during the ninth day of the largest nursing strike the city has seen in decades, involving approximately 15,000 nurses across three hospital systems.
State Transportation Director Ed Sniffen said Hawaii will deploy deputy sheriffs statewide for traffic enforcement, using $2 million in federal highway safety funding for overtime. The effort comes after traffic deaths on Hawaiian roads surged to 129 last year, a 20% increase from 2024 and the highest number of fatalities since 2007.
Hawaii launched a $2 million charter-flight pilot program for Moloka'i and Lana'i patients who face barriers reaching off-island medical specialists amid commercial airline disruptions. The program will provide free chartered flights for patients with physician referrals, with service beginning this month.
The U.S. Department of the Interior revoked grazing permits that American Prairie, a conservation nonprofit, had been using to sustain a herd of approximately 900 bison on federal public lands in Phillips County, Montana, the agency announced Friday. The decision concludes a 3.5-year dispute between the nonprofit and Montana's livestock industry, backed by Gov. Greg Gianforte and state officials, over whether bison qualify as production animals under federal law.
President Donald Trump's promise to bring oil prices down to $50 a barrel could devastate Texas' oil and gas economy, according to energy analysts and industry leaders. The pledge, which Trump has suggested could be accomplished by flooding the U.S. market with Venezuelan oil, would harm a state that has benefited from sustained drilling activity and higher prices since 2024. Regional economies like the Permian Basin, which depend heavily on oil and gas tax revenue and employment, stand to lose billions if production declines as predicted.
The New York Stock Exchange is working on a digital platform intended to let investors trade digital tokens around the clock, according to its owner Intercontinental Exchange. Intercontinental Exchange said the platform would be separate from the NYSE, which trades only on weekdays, and would aim for instant settlement of transactions.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell plans to attend the Supreme Court's oral argument Wednesday in the case over President Donald Trump's attempted firing of Fed governor Lisa Cook, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. The appearance would mark a more public show of support for Cook than Powell has previously offered, as the Fed chair moves toward open confrontation with the White House over central bank independence.
China’s economy expanded at a 5% annual pace in 2025, buoyed by strong exports even after the United States raised tariffs under President Donald Trump. Growth slowed to a 4.5% rate in the last quarter, the government said Monday.
President Donald Trump's threat on Saturday to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on imports from eight European nations that oppose U.S. control of Greenland rattled financial markets on Monday, sending European stocks mostly lower and pushing U.S. futures into negative territory while American exchanges were closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Germany's DAX fell 1.3 percent, France's CAC 40 declined 1.9 percent, and Britain's FTSE 100 shed 0.4 percent, according to the Associated Press. S&P 500 futures dropped 1 percent, Dow futures fell 0.8 percent, and Nasdaq futures slid 1.2 percent as of 11:48 a.m. Eastern time.
President Donald Trump linked his push to seize Greenland to Norway's decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize, telling Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in a text message that he no longer felt obligated to think only about peace, according to a message released Monday by the Norwegian government. The White House confirmed the message and has not ruled out military force to take control of the Danish autonomous territory. Trump also announced 10 percent tariffs beginning in February on products from eight European countries — including Norway and Denmark — after several of those nations deployed small troop contingents to Greenland, which European officials said was intended to demonstrate commitment to Arctic security in response to Trump's stated concerns about Russian and Chinese interference in the region.
Hungary's MOL Group has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire a 56.15% stake in Serbia's state-controlled oil company NIS, which is majority-owned by Russia's Gazprom Neft and subject to United States sanctions. The binding heads of agreement requires approval from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control before the deal can close, with the parties targeting a final sales and purchase agreement by March 31.
A 10-month-old Portland, Oregon, boy remains on a feeding tube and is relearning how to crawl and talk after contracting infant botulism from ByHeart baby formula his mother received through a charitable program serving poor and homeless families. Ashaan Carter was hospitalized twice — for nearly two weeks in November, then again in December — after an Oregon Department of Human Services caseworker provided the formula days before a nationwide product recall. His case is among more than 50 infant botulism infections across the United States linked to ByHeart products.
Federal and state government offices, courts, most schools, banks, and U.S. stock markets are closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. National parks remain open but will no longer offer free admission on the holiday this year, following a policy change directed by President Donald Trump. Most retailers and other businesses are operating on regular schedules.
The International Monetary Fund raised its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.3% on Monday, matching last year's pace and exceeding its October projection of 3.1%, as a surge of artificial intelligence investment in North America and Asia helped the world economy absorb US-led trade disruptions. The fund said the upgrade reflected an unexpectedly sturdy global expansion that has so far outrun the drag from protectionist trade policies.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he may punish countries with tariffs unless they support a U.S.-controlled Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. The remarks came as a bipartisan Congressional delegation met Danish and Greenlandic lawmakers in Copenhagen to reduce tensions.
Ukrainians in and around Kyiv are enduring freezing temperatures at home as Russian strikes damage energy infrastructure and leave many households without electricity, according to emergency repair crews and residents. In the Kyiv region town of Boryspil, workers said they are restoring power only for a few hours at a time as outages last days and the cold deepens. The situation has created dark streets and widespread hardship during what officials described as the longest and broadest outages since Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly four years ago.
The European Union and Mercosur formally signed a long-sought free trade agreement Saturday in Asuncion, Paraguay, the Associated Press reported. The deal would gradually eliminate more than 90% of tariffs on goods traded between the blocs and must still be ratified by the European Parliament before it can take effect.
The dispute between the United States and Europe over Greenland's future is the latest in a long series of deep disagreements that have strained the trans-Atlantic alliance since World War II, the Associated Press reported Saturday. From the Suez crisis to the invasion of Iraq to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, American and European allies have repeatedly clashed over strategy, sovereignty, and the use of force — rifts that tested, without severing, the partnership that anchors Western security.
Canada broke with the United States and slashed its 100% import tax on Chinese electric vehicles, striking a trade deal that it said lowers Chinese tariffs on Canadian exports, including canola. The shift, announced Friday, comes as U.S. President Donald Trump renews broad tariff pressure on trade partners and as Canada prepares for negotiations tied to the renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
U.S. stock futures and European shares mostly fell on Monday after President Donald Trump threatened a 10% extra tariff on imports from eight European countries over their opposition to U.S. control of Greenland. Trading was muted in the United States for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, while investors looked ahead to a fresh week of corporate earnings and another inflation update for the Federal Reserve.
The International Monetary Fund expects global economic growth of 3.3% this year, saying the world economy is showing resilience despite U.S.-led trade disruptions. The IMF said in an update to its World Economic Outlook that the pace is unchanged from 2025.
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, llegó a Davos, Suiza, para participar en el Foro Económico Mundial, que comienza esta semana con el lema “mejorar el estado del mundo” y el tema “Un espíritu de diálogo”. El encuentro de cuatro días congrega a líderes empresariales, de defensa y gubernamentales mientras el foro se desarrolla en un contexto de inquietud por la desigualdad económica y la erosión de la confianza.
President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would charge a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European countries, accusing them of opposing U.S. control of Greenland. Trump said the rate would rise to 25% on June 1 if no deal was reached for “the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.” The comments set up a test of U.S. trade leverage with NATO allies as European leaders warned the tariff threat could damage transatlantic relations.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of 10% tariffs against European countries over Greenland sparked a sharp rebuke from Denmark and other allies on Sunday, warning the move could “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.” In a joint statement, the countries said troops sent to Greenland for a Danish-led NATO training exercise “pose no threat to anyone” and urged Washington to stay engaged in dialogue.
The European Union is weighing possible countermeasures after the White House threatened tariffs over Denmark’s and other European countries’ opposition to U.S. control of Greenland. U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would impose a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European nations and raise it to 25% on June 1 if the U.S. does not secure “the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.” European leaders sent representatives to Brussels for an emergency meeting after condemning the proposal as economic coercion.
A bipartisan group in the Senate and House is working to revive federal health care subsidies that expired at the start of the year, but disagreements over abortion coverage are making compromise difficult. The effort has faced a renewed risk of stalling as negotiations centered on abortion rules—particularly for people buying plans through Affordable Care Act options—have proved hard to resolve.
MOL Group said it signed a preliminary agreement to buy a 56.15% stake in Serbia’s NIS, a Russia-owned oil supplier sanctioned by the United States. The deal, announced Monday in a statement, would require approval from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control before it can be completed.
Vienna-based analysts say spiraling tensions around Iran’s crackdown on protests raise concerns about potential nuclear risks, including the protection of highly enriched uranium stockpiles. The Associated Press reports that two former nuclear officials and a nonproliferation advocate warned that internal upheaval could weaken security and continuity at sensitive sites.
Southern California Edison filed cross-complaints in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, accusing Los Angeles County, seven water agencies and the Southern California Gas Company of a series of failures the utility says made last year's Eaton Fire more deadly. The filings shift blame to other parties even as investigators continue to examine evidence suggesting that one of Edison's own idled power lines may have ignited the blaze.
Indonesian search teams recovered a body during the search for 11 people after a turboprop plane crashed while approaching mountainous terrain on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island. The recovery was reported Sunday by Muhammad Arif Anwar, who leads Makassar’s Search and Rescue Office.
The Trump administration is delaying its plans to withhold wages and federal payments from some federal student loan borrowers in default, the U.S. Department of Education said Friday. The department said involuntary collection efforts would remain on hold as it finalizes new repayment plans that are scheduled to be available starting July 1.
Three weeks after the Trump administration launched "Operation Metro Surge," vendors at Karmel Mall in south Minneapolis sat alone in empty storefronts on a recent afternoon, waiting for customers who were not coming. Businesses at the sprawling complex of more than 100 shops — a commercial and community anchor for the city's Somali community — have lost foot traffic sharply since federal immigration enforcement intensified across the region, owners and workers said.
Fannie Mae aired a one-minute advertisement Sunday featuring an AI-generated voice of President Donald Trump, created with his administration's permission, as the White House escalates its push on housing affordability. A disclaimer in the video identifies the narration as AI-produced. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
President Donald Trump said credit card issuers have until Jan. 20 to comply with his demand for a 10% cap on interest rates. With days left, banks and consumer groups say they still do not know what the White House plans for companies that do not lower rates.
Longtime climate activist Bill McKibben said in Vermont this week that President Donald Trump’s stance against solar and other low-cost green energy will push electricity bills higher and could affect GOP fortunes in the 2026 elections. The Associated Press reported McKibben made the comments after installing a new set of plug-in solar panels on his home, adding to systems he has used for about 25 years.
Norwegian Cruise Lines began charging passengers Hawaii’s transient accommodations tax and related “green fee” for port stays despite a New Year’s Eve court injunction barring collection by state officials, according to the Associated Press and a passenger’s account. The cruise line said it would refund customers if the industry prevails in court.
A company plans to test deep-sea desalination off Southern California that would use ocean pressure to power reverse osmosis and produce freshwater, aiming to reduce both energy use and environmental impacts from traditional plants. OceanWell’s planned “Water Farm 1” is designed to sit about 1,300 feet (400 meters) below the ocean surface and would produce up to 60 million gallons (nearly 225 million liters) of freshwater a day, the company said.
Egipto y Sudán dijeron el sábado que dan la bienvenida a una oferta del presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, para reiniciar la mediación con Etiopía sobre la Gran Represa del Renacimiento Etíope (GERD, por sus siglas en inglés), en el río Nilo. El mandatario etíope no emitió comentarios de inmediato, mientras Trump publicó el viernes una carta dirigida al presidente egipcio Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.
Egypt and Sudan welcomed President Donald Trump’s offer to restart U.S. mediation efforts with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a project that has strained relations in the Nile River basin. In separate statements posted Saturday, Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Sudan’s top general Abdel-Fattah Burhan praised the initiative. The renewed talks come after years of deadlock since U.S.-led mediation collapsed in 2020.
The FAA on Friday urged U.S. aircraft operators to “exercise caution” when flying over the eastern Pacific Ocean near Mexico, Central America and parts of South America, citing “military activities” and possible satellite navigation interference. The warning was issued in Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, that warn of potential risks at all altitudes for aircraft during overflight as well as arrival and departure phases of flight.
India and the United Arab Emirates on Monday finalized agreements spanning trade, energy, defense and technology, as President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The two countries set a goal of doubling bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032, India’s foreign secretary Vikram Misri said. The deals were signed amid regional tensions in West Asia.
Indonesian officials said a passenger aircraft carrying 11 people lost contact with ground control Saturday while approaching a mountainous area in South Sulawesi, and a search and rescue operation has been launched. The turboprop ATR 42-500 was last tracked in the Leang-Leang area of Maros, and emergency procedures were declared after radio contact was lost. Weather at the time included clouds and about 8 kilometers of visibility, officials said.
OpenAI said it will soon begin showing advertisements to ChatGPT users who do not pay for a premium version. The company said Friday it has not yet rolled out the ads, but will start testing them in the coming weeks.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Monday that the country has discovered a new natural gas deposit near the disputed South China Sea, off Palawan. Marcos said the “significant discovery” northwest of Palawan, near the existing Malampaya gas field, could help avert a potential power crunch in Luzon. The undersea reservoir, called Malampaya East 1, was found about 5 kilometers east of the main Malampaya field.
U.S. cities are increasingly turning some one-way streets back into two-way roads, citing concerns that the layouts can encourage speeding and complicate navigation for pedestrians and cyclists. The shift is underway in places including Indianapolis, Louisville, Kentucky, and Lynchburg, Virginia, according to transportation planners and officials.
Shoppers this holiday season are being warned about online ads that present fake “family-run” businesses and crafted backstories, including sweater retailers that appear to be legitimate but are not. The Associated Press reported that two such sites used similar photos and product images and that their domains were registered in China shortly before the holiday shopping rush. Experts said scammers increasingly use AI-generated imagery and “advertorial” style pages to make ads look authentic.
President Donald Trump’s voice appears in a new Fannie Mae ad that uses an artificial-intelligence–cloned narration, the Associated Press reported on Jan. 18. The video includes a disclaimer about the AI-generated voice and says the narration uses Trump’s permission, according to the report.
Corporate executives and government leaders will gather in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum’s four-day annual meeting beginning Tuesday, with U.S. President Donald Trump set to attend as major questions hang over the event’s dialogue and business-forward agenda. The forum’s program will tackle issues including inequality, AI’s impact on jobs and what organizers call a more competitive, contested global landscape.
DAVOS, Switzerland — Nearly 3,000 high-level participants are converging on Davos for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, bringing together business, government and other leaders, along with activists, journalists and outside observers. The forum’s main event debuted in 1971 in the Alpine ski resort town, and this year’s agenda spans more than 200 sessions.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will cut its 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products after two days of meetings with Chinese leaders in Beijing. Carney said the deal includes an initial annual cap of 49,000 Chinese EVs entering Canada at a tariff rate of 6.1%, rising to about 70,000 over five years.
President Donald Trump on Friday said he would like to keep his top economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, at the White House rather than potentially nominating him to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, whose term ends May 15. Speaking at a White House event, Trump told Hassett, “I actually want to keep you where you are, if you want to know the truth.”
Taiwan’s premier said on Friday the island secured what he called the “best tariff deal” in its trade arrangement with the United States, as China’s foreign ministry criticized the accord in Beijing. The agreement cuts U.S. tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15% in exchange for $250 billion in new investments in the U.S. tech industry.
Canada slashed its 100% import tax on Chinese electric vehicles and secured sharply lower Chinese tariffs on canola seeds in a trade deal struck Friday in Beijing, as Prime Minister Mark Carney moved to diversify Canada's economic partnerships amid sustained U.S. tariff pressure. The agreement reduces Canada's EV tariff to 6.1% for a quota of 49,000 Chinese vehicles annually — rising to about 70,000 in five years — while China cut its tariff on Canadian canola from 84% to 15%.
Thousands of Greenlanders marched Saturday from downtown Nuuk to the U.S. Consulate, chanting "Greenland is not for sale" and waving their national flag in what witnesses described as the largest protest in the capital against U.S. President Donald Trump's stated ambition to seize the Arctic island. As the march concluded, Trump announced from his Florida home that the United States would impose a 10% import tax, beginning in February, on goods from eight European countries over their opposition to American control of Greenland.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that eight European nations will face a 10 percent import tariff beginning in February because of their opposition to U.S. control of Greenland, prompting European Union leaders to warn of a "dangerous downward spiral" in transatlantic relations. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland would face the initial levy, Trump said in a Truth Social post from his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The rate would climb to 25 percent on June 1 if no deal had been reached for what he called the "Complete and Total purchase of Greenland" by the United States.
President Donald Trump’s administration has escalated its pressure campaign against the Federal Reserve, with the Justice Department serving subpoenas on the Fed, prompting Senate Republicans to rally behind Chair Jerome Powell. Republican senators said they see grounds to defend an independent central bank chair even as Powell is the subject of a legal cloud, and Powell responded by accusing the administration of using “pretexts” to pressure the Fed. The developing dispute highlights a rare split inside the president’s own party over the central bank’s independence.
Stocks edged lower on Wall Street Friday, after the first week of corporate earnings season ended with major indexes trading near record levels. The S&P 500 slid 0.1% to 6,940.01, while the Dow fell 0.2% to 49,359.33 and the Nasdaq fell 0.1% to 23,515.39.
The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday issued a series of advisories urging U.S. aircraft operators to "exercise caution" when flying over the eastern Pacific Ocean near Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. The agency cited "military activities" and possible satellite navigation interference. The 60-day alerts warn that "potential risks exist for aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight and the arrival and departure phases of flight."
LAS VEGAS — Health technology showcased at the annual CES trade show promised consumers new ways to track and interpret personal health, from smart scales to hormone and perimenopause monitors. But experts questioned the accuracy of some AI-driven products and warned that data privacy safeguards may not cover consumer devices as federal oversight shifts. During CES, the Food and Drug Administration also announced plans to relax regulations for certain so-called “low-risk” general wellness products.
Transportation planners across the United States have been reconverting one-way streets to two-way traffic flows, reversing a mid-20th-century redesign that prioritized suburban commuters over walkable downtowns. Indianapolis completed conversions on two major corridors last year and has budgeted an estimated $60 million for 10 additional projects, according to city officials. Louisville, Lynchburg, Virginia, Austin, Texas, and other cities are pursuing similar reversals, citing research showing one-way configurations create unpredictable hazards for pedestrians at shared intersections.
Climate activist Bill McKibben predicted this week that rising U.S. electricity prices will become the defining pocketbook issue of the 2026 midterm elections, drawing a direct comparison to the food inflation that cost Democrats in 2024. McKibben spoke in Ripton, Vermont, shortly after installing his fourth solar panel system on his home, as federal clean energy tax credits expired and the Trump administration continued to restrict offshore wind development. National average electricity costs rose from 15.94 cents per kilowatt-hour when President Donald Trump took office in January 2025 to 17.98 cents in October — a 12.8% increase in 10 months that exceeded the rate of increase over the prior two years combined, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
With President Donald Trump's self-imposed Jan. 20 deadline for a 10% credit card interest rate cap days away, banks, consumer advocates, and members of Congress remained uncertain Friday about what the White House has planned — or whether any enforcement mechanism exists. The White House has not specified what consequences, if any, credit card companies will face if they do not comply.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the EU-Mercosur free-trade agreement would be signed in Paraguay on Saturday while he decided not to attend the ceremony, according to remarks Friday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa also spoke as the deal moves toward formal signing.
A federal judge ruled Friday that work on a Virginia offshore wind project could resume, the third such decision this week against the Trump administration’s pause on offshore wind leasing. The ruling allows Dominion Energy Virginia’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project to continue while the company’s legal challenge proceeds.
Un juez federal permitió el jueves que el proyecto de energía eólica marina Empire Wind en Nueva York reanude la construcción mientras considera una orden del gobierno del presidente Donald Trump para suspenderlo. El fallo, dictado por el juez de distrito Carl J. Nichols, fue una victoria para Equinor, el desarrollador del proyecto.
Nevada agencies have spent about $1 billion of roughly $2.7 billion in flexible federal pandemic relief funds, leaving a large share unspent with about a year left before a federal “use it or lose it” deadline, according to information presented to Nevada lawmakers.
New York City nurses on strike restarted contract talks Friday with another major hospital system as the walkout entered its fifth day, according to the New York State Nurses Association. The union said its bargaining team resumed meetings with counterparts at the three Mount Sinai hospitals at the request of a mediator.
President Donald Trump said Friday he would like to keep Kevin Hassett, his top economic adviser, at the White House rather than nominate him to lead the Federal Reserve — an offhand remark at a public event that immediately upended months of White House searching for one of the most powerful financial appointments in the world. The comment shifted the odds in favor of Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor already considered a top contender to replace current chair Jerome Powell.
President Donald Trump said Friday he may impose tariffs on countries that refuse to back U.S. control of Greenland, extending the economic pressure he has wielded over the months-long dispute with NATO ally Denmark. Trump made the statement during an unrelated White House event on rural health care, hours after a bipartisan Congressional delegation arrived in Copenhagen to meet with Danish and Greenlandic leaders and lower tensions over his push to acquire the semiautonomous Arctic territory.
Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates fell again this week, with the benchmark 30-year fixed rate dropping to 6.06%, Freddie Mac said Thursday. That was down from 6.16% the prior week, and compared with 7.04% a year earlier.
An AP-NORC poll finds about 4 in 10 U.S. adults approve of President Donald Trump’s performance in his second term, a figure that is virtually unchanged from spring 2025. The survey also shows lower approval for Trump on the economy and immigration, while a majority disapproves of his approach to foreign policy.
U.S. businesses operating in China worry more about China’s slowing economy than about U.S.-China trade tensions, according to a survey released by the American Chamber of Commerce in China. The survey found 64% of 368 responding companies ranked slowing growth as their No. 1 worry, while 58% cited trade tensions as a key challenge.
Major U.S. stock indexes closed slightly lower on Friday, ending a week of modest declines just below record territory. The S&P 500 fell 0.1% to 6,940.01, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.2% to 49,359.33, and the Nasdaq composite declined 0.1% to 23,515.39, according to the Associated Press. Each index posted a net loss for the week.
Canada agreed this week to cut its tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for concessions on Canadian farm products, a deal that industry analysts said could accelerate Chinese automakers' expansion into North American markets and sharpen competitive pressure on American car companies.
A Justice Department investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has focused attention on a question with broad implications for U.S. monetary policy: whether Powell will remain on the Fed's board of governors after his chairmanship ends May 15, or step down as nearly all of his predecessors have done. Powell's choice will determine whether President Trump can achieve majority control of a central bank that has operated largely insulated from day-to-day presidential politics for decades.
Senate Republicans closed ranks this week behind Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, defending central bank independence as the Trump administration escalated its pressure campaign with Justice Department subpoenas and the threat of criminal charges. Powell, 72, went on the offensive, releasing a video statement accusing the administration of using "pretexts" to coerce the Fed into cutting interest rates. Even some of Trump's most reliable Senate allies broke with the White House, calling the investigation unfounded and vowing to block administration nominees to the central bank until the legal cloud over the Fed chair is resolved.
Nearly a year into President Donald Trump's second term, Republican voters express strong support for his immigration enforcement but say his economic performance — particularly on the cost of living — has fallen well short of expectations, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released Thursday. The survey, conducted Jan. 8–11 among 1,203 adults nationwide, found that only 16% of Republicans say Trump has helped "a lot" in addressing the cost of living during his current term. In an April 2024 AP-NORC poll, 49% of Republicans said the same about his first-term record on the same question. On immigration, about eight in ten Republicans say Trump has helped "at least a little" on immigration and border security — a level roughly comparable to their assessment of his first-term performance on the issue.
Nearly a year into President Donald Trump’s second term, an AP-NORC survey finds most Republicans approve of his job performance overall, with large support for his approach to immigration and border security. But the poll finds a significant gap between Republicans’ expectations for economic improvements and their assessment of what has happened so far, especially on costs of living and job creation.
Chinese automakers are expanding their electric-vehicle sales across North America, and the move could give them an easier path into Canada after the country agreed to cut tariffs this week. The shift is raising concerns among U.S. officials about competitiveness and jobs as American automakers lag electrification efforts, according to analysts and U.S. remarks described by the Associated Press.
The Justice Department’s investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has revived a question that will play out at the central bank in coming months: whether Powell will leave the Fed when his chair term ends on May 15, or remain as a governor. Powell’s chair term ends in May, but his separate term on the Fed’s seven-member board lasts until Jan. 31, 2028, a timeline that could become a hinge for U.S. monetary policy.
The United States and Taiwan agreed on Thursday to a trade deal that cuts tariffs on Taiwanese goods while Taiwan’s technology companies plan $250 billion in new U.S. investment. The agreement comes as President Donald Trump has pursued new tariff arrangements and as Taiwan-based chipmaker TSMC has outlined sharply higher spending for 2026.
Fewer Americans filed initial claims for unemployment benefits in the latest week, a sign layoffs remained limited even as concerns grew about hiring slowing in the US. For the week ending Jan. 10, 198,000 people applied for jobless aid, down from 207,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, speaking at the Detroit Auto Show, warned that President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy would worsen auto industry conditions and benefit Chinese competitors. Whitmer’s remarks came two days after Trump defended his tariff approach in Detroit, where he toured a Ford plant in Dearborn.
Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez used her first state-of-the-union message on Thursday to urge opening the state-run oil industry to more foreign investment and to pursue warmer ties with the United States. In a 44-minute speech in Caracas, she also called for faster approval of oil-sector reforms tied to foreign firms’ access to Venezuela’s reserves. The remarks came less than two weeks after the U.S. captured and toppled former President Nicolás Maduro, according to the Associated Press report.
President Donald Trump this week appointed four members to the Commission of Fine Arts, restoring a quorum to the federal panel that must review his proposed 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom addition. The appointments, revealed in court papers filed Thursday, set up a Jan. 22 commission meeting at which the administration's East Wing Modernization project is on the agenda. The panel had been unable to meet for months after Trump dismissed six of its members last fall.
The Trump administration on Friday delayed plans to resume seizing wages and federal tax refunds from Americans who have defaulted on federal student loans, reversing course weeks after announcing it would restart collections this month following a pandemic-era pause. The Education Department said both administrative wage garnishment and withholding of federal payments through the Treasury Offset Program will remain on hold while the agency finalizes new repayment options.
The Trump administration and a bipartisan group of governors on Friday pressed PJM Interconnection, the operator of the nation’s largest electric grid, to take urgent steps to increase power supply and slow electricity price increases tied to data centers and artificial intelligence. The White House and governors proposed holding a power auction that would let tech companies bid on 15-year contracts for new generation, arguing that data-center operators should bear the cost of meeting their own demand.
New York City nurses entered the fifth day of a major strike Friday with contract talks resuming at Mount Sinai hospitals at a mediator's request, while overnight negotiations with NewYork-Presbyterian broke down with little progress after running past midnight.
Norwegian Cruise Line is collecting Hawaii's 14 percent transient accommodations tax from passengers on its current Hawaii voyages, even though a federal appellate court blocked state officials from collecting those taxes on cruise ships just hours before they were set to take effect on Jan. 1. Passengers aboard Norwegian's Pride of America discovered the charges mid-voyage this week. Don Yonce, a Dallas resident, said an invoice he received during the interisland voyage Sunday included a $1,035 charge in state and county transient accommodations tax, based on the weeklong cost of his family's cabin suite.
OpenAI said Friday it will begin testing advertisements on the free version of ChatGPT within weeks, as the San Francisco-based company seeks new revenue to cover more than $1 trillion in financial obligations for computer chips and data centers powering its artificial intelligence services. The company said ads have not yet appeared on the chatbot but testing would begin in the coming weeks.
Federal auto safety regulators have granted Tesla a five-week extension to respond to a government investigation into its Full Self-Driving software, which has been linked to dozens of reported incidents involving vehicles running red lights, traveling the wrong way on roads and colliding with other vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration set a new response deadline of Feb. 23, extending the original Jan. 19 date, according to the agency.
Nevada state agencies had not yet spent more than $700 million of the $2.7 billion in flexible pandemic relief funds the state received in 2021, with roughly one year remaining before unspent dollars must revert to the federal government, according to information presented to state lawmakers at a December meeting. Two of the largest projects still outstanding — a $203 million rural broadband expansion and a $25 million effort to relocate residents from a sinking North Las Vegas neighborhood — have each spent a fraction of their allocated funds.
A federal judge in Virginia on Friday granted a preliminary injunction allowing construction to resume on Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, making it the third East Coast offshore wind project this week to win a court order blocking the Trump administration's 90-day lease suspension. The ruling followed similar orders earlier in the week that cleared Empire Wind off New York and Revolution Wind serving Rhode Island and Connecticut to restart work.
Curtis International expanded a minifridge recall in the United States after reports of fires, bringing the total number of Frigidaire-branded units covered to about 964,000, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The company on Thursday recalled an additional 330,000 minifridges with model number EFMIS121 sold at Target.
Ex-NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ newly launched cryptocurrency token, dubbed NYC Token, fell sharply after an account linked to the token’s creation withdrew $2.5 million in coins, according to a crypto-analytics firm. After surging to a nearly $600 million valuation minutes after the launch, the token lost nearly 75% of its value by that evening, Bubblemaps reported. Adams, now a private citizen, has denied that he or anyone connected to the project profited or moved investor funds.
The North American International Auto Show in Detroit opened this year with EV-focused tracks that have since been widened to hybrids and gas-powered vehicles, signaling a retreat from all-electric emphasis in the U.S. market. Organizers and executives said the change reflects what they see as shifting industry priorities and “consumer choice.”
An explosion on a residential street in central Utrecht, Netherlands, injured at least four people on Thursday, emergency services officials said. The blast caused a fire and damaged buildings, but the cause was not immediately known.
New York City nurses on strike resumed negotiations with hospital administrators Thursday, the fourth day of what the union called the city’s biggest walkout in decades. The New York State Nurses Association said bargaining members began meeting with NewYork-Presbyterian late Thursday and planned additional talks with other affected hospitals on Friday.
Hawaiʻi public defenders have been waiting for 20% salary increases that took effect more than six months ago, with the state Department of Budget and Finance’s own staffing shortages delaying payroll adjustments. The delays have left attorneys short for about 12 straight pay periods, according to reporting by Civil Beat and the Associated Press. The House judiciary committee chair, Rep. David Tarnas, said lawmakers had done their part and called the administration’s lack of follow-through “troubling.”
Wall Street steadied on Thursday as chip stocks linked to the artificial-intelligence boom rebounded and oil prices eased sharply. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% and ended a two-day losing streak, while the Dow gained 292 points and the Nasdaq added 0.2%.
A bipartisan pair of U.S. senators on Thursday introduced legislation to create a new independent agency funded with $2.5 billion to stockpile rare earth elements and other critical minerals, stabilize prices, and encourage domestic and allied production. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., sponsored the Senate bill; Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., introduced the House companion. The move comes as the Pentagon has separately committed billions of dollars in equity stakes and partnerships to reduce American dependence on China, which processes more than 90 percent of the world's critical minerals and has used that leverage to extract trade concessions from Washington.
Betsy McCaughey, a Republican and former lieutenant governor of New York, filed paperwork Thursday to seek the GOP nomination for Connecticut governor, challenging Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont, who is running for a third term. McCaughey, 77, a conservative host on Newsmax and New York Post columnist who lives in Greenwich, Connecticut, announced her candidacy the previous evening, according to the Associated Press.
About 4 in 10 U.S. adults approved of President Donald Trump's performance as president as of early January, according to a new AP-NORC poll — a figure virtually unchanged from March 2025, shortly after Trump began his second term. The poll, conducted Jan. 8–11, 2026, among 1,203 adults, found Trump's overall approval has remained unusually stable despite a year of active domestic and foreign policy moves.
A federal judge is considering whether to set aside an order from the Trump administration pausing work on the Empire Wind offshore wind farm off New York, the developer said the suspension could end a project that is 60% complete. District Judge Carl J. Nichols, an appointee of President Donald Trump, heard arguments in the case Wednesday and is to issue a decision Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
Fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week as layoffs remain subdued, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Initial jobless claims for the week ending Jan. 10 fell by 9,000 to 198,000 — well below the 215,000 that analysts polled by FactSet had forecast and down from 207,000 the prior week.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday at the Detroit Auto Show that President Donald Trump's tariff strategy has contracted American auto manufacturing and is benefiting Chinese competitors, delivering her first speech of 2026 two days after Trump defended his trade policies in the same city. Whitmer, a term-limited Democrat in her final year as governor, said American manufacturing has contracted for months, causing job losses and production cuts. "This will only get worse without a serious shift in national policy," she said.
U.S. Coast Guard and military forces seized a sixth sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea on Thursday, boarding the vessel named Veronica in an operation conducted with troops launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced. The ship had previously passed through Venezuelan waters and was operating in defiance of a U.S.-imposed quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the region, Noem said.
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions Thursday on Iranian officials accused of ordering violence against demonstrators in nationwide protests that have challenged Iran's government, while also targeting a shadow banking network the U.S. says has been used to launder revenue from Iranian oil sales.
President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the outlines of a health care plan he wants Congress to take up, centering on direct government payments to Americans for health savings accounts and steps to lower prescription drug prices, as Republicans face pressure after enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expired at the end of 2025. The White House released a taped video in which Trump described the plan's core mechanism. "The government is going to pay the money directly to you," Trump said. "It goes to you and then you take the money and buy your own health care."
A federal judge on Thursday cleared New York's Empire Wind offshore wind project to resume construction, handing Norwegian energy company Equinor a victory and dealing the Trump administration its second federal court defeat this week in its effort to halt East Coast offshore wind development. District Judge Carl J. Nichols, a Trump appointee, ruled that construction could proceed while he considers the merits of the government's suspension order. Nichols faulted the administration for failing to respond to key points in Equinor's court filings, including the contention that the administration violated proper procedure when it issued the freeze.
Beyond Meat is moving into the beverage aisle with a new protein drink called Beyond Immerse, the company said Thursday. The drink comes in two nutrition options and three flavors and will be sold for a limited time through the company’s direct-to-consumer website, Beyond Test Kitchen.
NEW YORK — Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley reported double-digit fourth-quarter profit increases Wednesday, as a rising stock market and a rebound in corporate deal-making drove strong results at both Wall Street investment banks. Goldman Sachs posted net earnings of $4.62 billion, or $14.01 per share, a 12% increase from a year earlier. Morgan Stanley earned $4.4 billion, or $2.68 per share, compared with $3.71 billion, or $2.22 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2024.
DETROIT — Electric vehicles no longer hold a dedicated lane at the North American International Auto Show, where indoor tracks once reserved exclusively for EVs now admit hybrids and gas-powered vehicles — a change organizers say reflects a broader industry shift under President Donald Trump's pro-fossil fuels agenda. U.S. electrified vehicle sales, including plug-in hybrids, grew just 1 percent in 2025, according to data released this week by Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, as China posted 17 percent growth and Europe 33 percent over the same period.
Health advocates, labor unions and progressive lawmakers rallied at the California Capitol steps Wednesday, demanding Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators find new funding for Medi-Cal after President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans approved billions of dollars in federal Medicaid cuts.
Kaiser Permanente affiliates will pay $556 million to settle a federal lawsuit alleging the Oakland-based health care giant committed Medicare fraud by pressuring physicians to record more severe patient diagnoses than warranted in order to receive higher government reimbursements, federal prosecutors said Wednesday. The settlement resolves a U.S. Department of Justice case filed in San Francisco more than four years ago that consolidated allegations from six whistleblower complaints. Kaiser said the deal includes no admission of wrongdoing or liability.
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez used her first state of the union address Thursday to call for opening the country's state-run oil industry to foreign investment and to advocate for resuming diplomatic ties with the United States, less than two weeks after Washington captured and ousted former President Nicolás Maduro.
Curtis International, a Canada-based appliance distributor, expanded a minifridge recall Thursday to cover roughly 964,000 Frigidaire-branded units sold in the United States, after six fires linked to a newly recalled model compounded dozens of incidents reported under a larger recall last year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said electrical components in the affected fridges can short circuit and ignite the plastic casing, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.
Wall Street snapped a two-day losing streak Thursday as a stronger-than-expected earnings report from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. lifted chip and artificial-intelligence stocks, while oil prices fell sharply after President Donald Trump said executions in Iran appeared to have stopped amid widespread protests. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% to close at 6,944.47, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 292.81 points, or 0.6%, to 49,442.44, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.2% to 23,530.02, according to the Associated Press.
Eric Adams, the former mayor of New York City, stood in Times Square on Monday to announce his first post-mayoral initiative — a new cryptocurrency meme coin called NYC Token — only to watch its value plunge roughly 75% the same day after an account linked to the token's creation withdrew $2.5 million worth of coins shortly after launch, according to crypto analytics firm Bubblemaps. The coin had surged to a valuation of nearly $600 million within minutes of its debut before the sell-off collapsed investor confidence.
More than six months after Hawaiʻi's Legislature approved a 20% pay raise for state public defenders, 101 attorneys have gone through 12 consecutive pay periods without seeing the increase in their paychecks, according to records obtained by Honolulu Civil Beat. Staffing shortages at the state Department of Budget and Finance — the agency responsible for processing salary adjustments for the Office of the Public Defender and six other state agencies — have stalled implementation of the raises that took effect July 1.
Michigan lost nearly 8,000 teachers last academic year while gaining only 7,900, a near-even exchange that researchers at Michigan State University said represents an unsustainable churn threatening the stability of the state's 1.4 million-student public school system. The annual report, released Thursday by the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative at MSU, found that more than 1-in-20 teachers currently leading classrooms — 5.3% — hold no teaching certificate, even as the state has spent at least $275 million over five years on recruitment and training programs.
A Southern California startup is developing technology it says would use the natural pressure of the deep ocean to power seawater desalination, cutting energy consumption by about 40% compared to conventional land-based plants. OceanWell plans to anchor reverse osmosis pods 1,300 feet below the surface of Santa Monica Bay, roughly four miles off the coast, using the ocean's own weight to force seawater through membranes that strip out salt and impurities. The company says its planned Water Farm 1 would produce up to 60 million gallons of drinking water daily while also reducing two environmental harms that have made conventional desalination the subject of years of legal challenges: concentrated brine discharged back into the sea and intake systems that draw in and kill marine life.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp delivered his final State of the State address Thursday in Atlanta, proposing to spend $1.17 billion from the state's budget surplus on income tax rebates and calling to accelerate a planned reduction in the state's flat income tax rate to 4.99%. Kemp, who refused President Donald Trump's demands to overturn Georgia's 2020 presidential election results and survived Trump's subsequent political retaliation, is working to extend his influence in Georgia politics well past his departure from office.
Striking New York City nurses resumed contract negotiations with hospital administrators Thursday, returning to the bargaining table for the first time since Sunday on the fourth day of what union officials described as the city's largest nursing walkout in decades. The New York State Nurses Association said its bargaining members met with officials at NewYork-Presbyterian late Thursday, with additional talks planned Friday at hospitals operated by Mount Sinai and Montefiore — though the union said some facilities had not yet agreed to resume discussions.
Fake online storefronts are using AI-generated images and fabricated family histories to impersonate small businesses on social media and the web, deceiving shoppers into purchasing goods that consumer reviewers say arrive shoddy or not at all, an Associated Press investigation found. Two sweater retail sites — Melia & Co and Olivia Westwood Boutique — display many of the same Icelandic, Nordic and festive sweaters using identical stock images while presenting themselves as distinct family-run operations, operating under domains registered in China in November, ahead of the holiday shopping season.
President Donald Trump signed the "Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act" at the White House on Wednesday, but the Oval Office ceremony became a vehicle for a series of unrelated announcements — including Trump's claim that Iran had halted plans for mass executions, the arrest of a leaker he connected to Venezuela, and the signing of executive orders on semiconductor and rare earth mineral tariffs. The dairy legislation arrived near the end of the event, with a glass bottle of whole milk placed on the Resolute Desk going untouched throughout.
California's Senate Housing Committee approved a $10 billion affordable housing bond by an 8-1 vote last week, while a separate proposal to cap annual rent increases died in the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Tuesday after receiving only four of the seven votes needed to advance, marking a split start to a legislative session housing advocates have called critical.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that Democrats have assembled teams of senators and lawyers to counter any effort by President Donald Trump to interfere with the 2026 midterm elections. In a 20-minute telephone interview with the Associated Press, Schumer said cost of living was the dominant concern for American families and outlined a five-issue economic platform the party plans to run on through November.
U.S. retail sales rose 0.6% in November from the prior month, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday, beating expectations and signaling that holiday spending accelerated after a revised 0.1% decline in October. Year-over-year, retail and food-service sales were up 3.3%, according to Commerce Department data. The report arrived more than a month late, delayed by the 43-day federal government shutdown that stalled several economic data releases.
The Labor Department on Wednesday released a months-delayed report showing U.S. wholesale prices rose a modest 0.2% in November from October and 3% from a year earlier, the agency said, completing the first of several economic data releases that last fall's 43-day federal government shutdown pushed past their scheduled dates. The November producer price index was originally scheduled for December 11.
The S&P 500 fell for the second consecutive session Wednesday, dropping 0.5% as earnings reports from major banks disappointed investors and technology stocks retreated from recent highs tied to the artificial-intelligence frenzy. All told, the S&P 500 lost 37.14 points to close at 6,926.60. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 42.36 points, or 0.1%, to 49,149.63. The Nasdaq composite fell 238.12 points, or about 1%, to 23,471.75.
President Donald Trump said Monday he would impose a 25% tax on imports to the United States from countries that do business with Iran, a move aimed at pressuring Tehran to end what the White House and activists describe as a crackdown on nationwide protests. The tariffs, first described in a social media post, could also raise prices Americans pay for imports and create ripple effects for the United States’ trade truce with China.
A Congressional Budget Office analysis released Wednesday found that renaming the Department of Defense the "Department of War" could cost U.S. taxpayers as much as $125 million, depending on how broadly and how quickly the change is implemented. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in September authorizing "Department of War" as a secondary title for the Pentagon, saying the switch was intended to signal that the United States was a force to be reckoned with. Congress, which must formally approve any permanent name change, has shown no serious interest in doing so.
A 90-mile section of California's Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast fully reopened Wednesday, three years after a series of landslides and a roadway collapse shut the scenic route connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco. The California Department of Transportation said the opening came three months ahead of schedule.
The Trump administration has moved to freeze or withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to Minnesota, targeting programs that provide food assistance, health care, and child care to low-income families, while filing a civil lawsuit against the state over its government hiring practices, according to the Associated Press.
Montana state officials are weighing three options for the governor's executive residence in Helena — demolition, remodeling, or sale — after years of deferred maintenance left the 67-year-old building with rotted ceilings, non-functional toilets, a failing electrical system, and asbestos. The state Department of Administration closed a public survey on the building's fate last month, and the Capitol Complex Advisory Council is expected to review the results and cost estimates at a forthcoming meeting, the date of which has not yet been scheduled.
Federal health officials confirmed Wednesday that laid-off workers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are being reinstated, months after the Trump administration eliminated close to 900 of the agency's roughly 1,000 employees. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents NIOSH staff, said all terminations have been rescinded. A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman confirmed the reinstatements but did not say how many workers would return.
The Gates Foundation approved a record $9 billion budget for 2026 and a plan to reduce its workforce by up to 500 positions by 2030, foundation CEO Mark Suzman said Wednesday. The board simultaneously capped annual operating costs at $1.25 billion — approximately 14 percent of total spending — to ensure more dollars reach grantees as the organization accelerates toward its planned 2045 closure. The foundation currently employs 2,375 people.
President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act on Wednesday, allowing schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to serve whole and 2% fat milk for the first time since 2012. The signing reverses Obama-era restrictions that had limited cafeteria milk to skim and low-fat varieties. The change will affect meals served to roughly 30 million students enrolled in the program.
The National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday that Boeing documented four failures of a critical engine-mounting component on three aircraft as far back as 2011, but at the time concluded the defect would not threaten flight safety — years before a UPS cargo plane lost its left engine during takeoff in Louisville, Kentucky, on Nov. 4, 2025, killing 15 people.
Food companies are affixing "GLP-1 Friendly" labels to frozen meals, smoothies and snacks to court the growing number of Americans on weight-loss drugs — but the labels carry no regulatory standard, and dietitians warn that the marketing can mislead consumers about what the products actually provide.
The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday announced a regulatory change that will allow foreign-born religious workers to re-enter the United States immediately after leaving to reset their temporary visas, removing a requirement that had forced clergy to remain abroad for a full year.
Fintech company Bilt announced Wednesday it will cap interest rates on all new credit cards at 10% for the first year, positioning itself ahead of a bipartisan push to reduce consumer borrowing costs. The New York-based startup, valued at $10.75 billion, unveiled three new card products at an event atop One World Trade Center.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that air leakage accounts for more than a quarter of the energy used to heat or cool a typical American home — a hidden drain that energy experts say can be meaningfully reduced with about $100 in hardware store supplies and a free afternoon. With winter cold keeping millions of households running their furnaces at capacity, energy auditors and home-improvement specialists say small, inexpensive fixes can cut heating costs and reduce energy use throughout the year — and provide the same benefit in summer when the same gaps allow cool air to escape.
At least 45 people across 21 states have been sickened with salmonella poisoning linked to Live it Up-brand Super Greens diet supplement powder, federal health officials said Wednesday. The maker, Superfoods Inc., recalled original and wild berry flavors with expiration dates from August 2026 through January 2028. At least 12 people were hospitalized; no deaths have been reported, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A federal district judge appointed by President Donald Trump sharply questioned the administration's legal justification for pausing construction on a major offshore wind farm near New York on Wednesday, telling government attorneys their court briefs failed to address key procedural challenges raised by the project's developer. District Judge Carl J. Nichols said the government's filing did not even acknowledge the developer's argument that the administration acted arbitrarily, and said he planned to rule Thursday.
Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance on Monday proposed a one-time education tax levy to raise $12 million for the Anchorage School District, saying the district's financial crisis was too urgent to wait for a broader city revenue package. LaFrance said she was asking the Assembly to set aside her previously proposed 3% sales tax in order to focus the spring ballot on the school levy. If eight Assembly members approve the measure by Jan. 27, it would go to voters on April 7.
A St. Johns County sheriff's deputy captured a runaway emu west of St. Augustine last Friday after the large flightless bird kicked at the officer with its talons and fled before being cornered, secured with a makeshift lasso, and returned to its owners unharmed, the sheriff's office said.
The University of Michigan Board of Regents unanimously approved Kent Syverud as the institution's 16th president on Monday, selecting the current Syracuse University chancellor and president to lead a flagship university contending with federal grant cuts, back-to-back athletic department scandals, and the second-highest in-state tuition among Michigan's public universities. Syverud, 69, will begin the role July 1 under a five-year contract with a base salary of $2 million and a potential annual performance award of up to 30 percent of that figure. Syverud becomes U-M's third president in five years and the first U-M alumnus to serve in the role in nearly a century. He replaces interim President Domenico Grasso, the former U-M Dearborn chancellor who assumed the office since May after Santo Ono stepped down after less than three years.
Saks Global, the New York company that owns Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday in the Southern District of Texas, less than 18 months after completing a $2.65 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus that compounded already significant debt. The company said it has secured roughly $1.75 billion in financing and that its stores will remain open and continue to honor customer programs during restructuring.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers and a Honolulu city council member are considering whether to reinstate mandatory written tests at driver's license renewals, a practice the state abandoned in 1997, after 129 people died on Hawaiʻi roads last year — the highest toll in 18 years. A Honolulu City Council committee was set to take up the proposal Thursday afternoon.
Crime victim service organizations across Washington state are confronting a cascading funding crisis after federal Victims of Crime Act dollars fell 76% between 2018 and 2024 — from $74.7 million to $17.86 million — forcing layoffs of therapists and advocates, reductions in emergency financial assistance, and the closure of at least one children's advocacy center, according to a report by InvestigateWest distributed through the Associated Press. Gov. Bob Ferguson's proposed state budget allocates $12 million for crime victim services in the next fiscal year, roughly $9 million short of what state officials and providers say is the minimum needed to keep the statewide network intact.
About 15,000 nurses under the New York State Nurses Association remained on strike Wednesday at three New York City hospital systems, entering a third consecutive day of walkout with no formal negotiations held and union leaders accusing hospital administrators of misrepresenting their contract demands.
California wildlife officials said Tuesday they have stopped actively searching for two juvenile gray wolves from the Beyem Seyo pack, which killed or injured at least 92 calves and cows in Northern California's Sierra Valley over a seven-month period in 2025. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said its expert biologists and law enforcement officers had been unable to locate or approach the animals closely enough to safely capture them.
Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo reported higher profits and said consumers and businesses are showing resilience, even as they clash with President Donald Trump over his push to cap credit-card interest rates at 10%. In their latest earnings reporting, bank executives said they are willing to work with the administration on affordability, but warned that a rate cap would restrict credit—especially for borrowers who rely on it.
China’s auto exports rose 21% in 2025, driven by shipments of electric vehicles and other “new energy” cars, an industry association said Wednesday. The association pointed to slowing domestic demand as China’s automakers compete in an overcrowded home market.
Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley reported double-digit profit increases in the fourth quarter, helped by a surging stock market and brisk deal making. Goldman’s net earnings rose 12% from a year earlier to $4.62 billion, while Morgan Stanley said it earned $4.4 billion. The banks also pointed to higher investment-banking fee revenue and growing deal backlogs.
U.S. regulators have cleared Nvidia to export its H200 artificial intelligence chips to Chinese buyers, according to new rules from the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security. The approvals come with conditions, including limits on military use of the chips and restrictions tied to how much of Nvidia’s supply can go to China.
U.S. existing home sales stayed near a 30-year low in 2025, the National Association of Realtors reported, with high home prices and mortgage rates keeping many buyers sidelined. In December, sales rose, helped by easing mortgage rates late in the year, but affordability remained a constraint going into the spring market.
U.S. car buyers planning purchases in the next few months may find more negotiating leverage as used-vehicle supply improves, trade-in values stay strong and financing costs ease, according to Edmunds. The auto-shopping site said the 2026 market will also include more off-lease electric vehicles and more longer loan terms that can increase buyers’ total costs.
Maui residents displaced by the 2023 wildfires on the Hawaiian island are waiting to learn whether FEMA rental assistance for staying housed will be extended beyond February, a decision expected in the coming weeks. The choice could determine whether about 1,000 households must leave FEMA-managed housing or seek new rentals in a market with few available units and steep rent increases.
A proposed one-time 5% tax on California billionaires’ assets to fund health services has ignited political conflict in Silicon Valley, with tech leaders warning they may reduce their ties to the state. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is trying to stop the measure from reaching the ballot before a November vote, arguing a wealth tax would hurt California’s economy and could backfire.
US greenhouse gas emissions rose 2.4% in 2025 compared with the year before, reversing recent reductions, according to a study released Tuesday by the Rhodium Group. Researchers said a cool winter, higher natural gas prices, and rising electricity demand from data centers and cryptocurrency mining contributed to the increase.
A federal judge on Thursday cleared the way for a New York offshore wind project to resume construction while he reviews the merits of an administration order to pause it. District Judge Carl J. Nichols, an appointee of President Donald Trump, ruled that construction on the Empire Wind project could proceed as he considers the government’s request to suspend the work. Equinor, the developer behind Empire Wind, said it welcomed the decision.
Michigan is losing teachers at a rate officials say is difficult to sustain, leading districts to rely more on interim or temporary instructors, according to a report released Thursday. The Education Policy Innovation Collaborative at Michigan State University said the churn is also worsening shortages in special education and some other subjects.
President Donald Trump announced Monday he would impose a 25% tariff on imports from any country that does business with Iran, seeking to pressure Tehran to end its violent suppression of nationwide protests that have killed more than 2,500 people, according to activists. Trade analysts and economists warned the measure threatened to unravel a fragile trade truce with China and could raise prices for American consumers.
JPMorgan Chase reported Tuesday that fourth-quarter net income rose 9% on an adjusted basis, beating analyst expectations despite a one-time $2.2 billion loan-loss reserve charge tied to its purchase of the Apple Card portfolio from Goldman Sachs. The bank earned $13.03 billion, or $4.63 per share, for the quarter, with adjusted earnings of $5.23 per share exceeding the $4.85 consensus analyst estimate, according to FactSet.
The Republican-controlled House voted 226-197 on Tuesday to pass legislation loosening federal water efficiency standards for showerheads, with 11 Democrats crossing the aisle to advance a bill that would allow stronger water flow from shower nozzles than current federal rules permit. The measure — formally named the Saving Homeowners from Overregulation With Exceptional Rinsing Act, or Shower ACT — is part of a broader House effort to encode President Donald Trump's executive actions into federal law, according to the Associated Press.
President Donald Trump held off on threatened military action against Iran on Monday as the White House said it was exploring private diplomatic outreach from Tehran, even as his administration announced 25% tariffs on countries doing business with the Islamic Republic. The decision came as Iranian security forces continued a violent crackdown on antigovernment protests that has left more than 600 dead and thousands arrested. Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff was identified as the administration's key contact for any talks with Iran.
Top Wall Street executives warned the White House on Tuesday that President Donald Trump's push to cap credit card interest rates and his administration's investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will harm, not help, the American economy. Trump did not back down. JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon, BNY Chief Executive Robin Vince, and other bank leaders told reporters that threatening the Fed's independence risks pushing interest rates higher — the opposite of Trump's stated affordability goals. The warnings came as major banks reported quarterly earnings and shares of credit card companies fell sharply.
President Donald Trump toured a Ford Motor Co. assembly plant in Dearborn, Michigan, on Tuesday and addressed the Detroit Economic Club to defend his tariff policy, asserting that import taxes have triggered what he called a domestic manufacturing boom. The visit was Trump's third trip to a swing state in as many months to make the case for his economic record amid persistent voter concern over rising prices. Consumer prices rose 0.3% in December from the prior month, the Labor Department said — the same rate as in November — providing modest evidence that cost pressures are easing but not reversing.
DETROIT — The Detroit Auto Show opened its media and industry preview days Tuesday at a Detroit convention center, showcasing more than 40 vehicle brands and leaning heavily on test-track ride experiences rather than the high-profile model unveilings that once defined the annual event. The show drew 275,000 attendees a year ago, organizers said, when participants took more than 100,000 rides in vehicles on display.
California lawmakers are advancing a $10 billion bond proposal aimed at building and preserving affordable homes, while a broader effort to curb rent increases failed to advance in the state Assembly on Tuesday. The Senate Housing Committee approved Senate Bill 417 in an 8-1 vote, directing the measure to the Senate Appropriations Committee next week.
Fintech company Bilt announced Wednesday that its new credit cards will offer an introductory interest rate of 10% for one year. The move comes as President Donald Trump has also called for a one-year cap on credit card interest rates at 10%.
China’s trade surplus surged in 2025 to a record of almost $1.2 trillion, the government said Wednesday, even as exports to the United States fell after President Donald Trump returned to office and escalated tariffs. The reported surplus followed export growth of 5.5% for the year, while imports stayed flat, according to customs data cited by the government.
The U.S. wholesale producer price index rose 0.2% in November from October, the Labor Department reported, in data delayed by last fall’s federal government shutdown. The index was up 3% from a year earlier, according to the report. Excluding food and energy, so-called core wholesale prices were unchanged from October and up 3% from November 2024.
U.S. retail sales rose 0.6% in November from October as holiday shopping picked up, according to a report from the Commerce Department released after a government shutdown delayed the data. The report said October retail sales were revised to show a 0.1% decline from September.
Wall Street closed lower Wednesday as losses at several banks and big technology companies pulled major indexes down, even as more individual stocks rose than fell. The S&P 500 slipped 0.5% for a second straight decline after setting an all-time high.
President Donald Trump linked his push to take control of Greenland to Norway's decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize, releasing a text message to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stating he no longer felt "an obligation to think purely of Peace." Trump also announced 10 percent import taxes beginning in February on eight European nations that had sided with Denmark over Greenland, including Norway. The White House has not ruled out seizing Greenland by military force, and Denmark's foreign minister said Monday that nothing could be excluded from the range of possible U.S. actions. The confrontation prompted diplomatic responses from Britain, France, and NATO, and drew thousands of Greenlanders into weekend protests.
About 800,000 fewer Americans have selected Affordable Care Act health insurance plans compared to the same point last year, federal data released Monday shows, as the expiration of enhanced tax credits pushes premiums out of reach for many. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services put total sign-ups at roughly 22.8 million through early January — a 3.5% decline — counting both new enrollees and returning customers who did not renew their plans.
Brad Smith, Microsoft's president and vice chair, met Tuesday with federal lawmakers to press for an industry-funded model for AI data center expansion, calling on technology companies to bear the full costs of the computing infrastructure powering AI services rather than shifting expenses to taxpayers or utility ratepayers. "Local communities naturally want to see new jobs but not at the expense of higher electricity prices or the diversion of their water," Smith said in an interview with The Associated Press. President Donald Trump aligned with the position Monday evening in a Truth Social post, stating he does not want Americans to "pick up the tab" for data centers or pay higher utility costs.
A part that Boeing said had failed on other McDonnell Douglas-built MD-11 jets years earlier broke on a UPS cargo plane that crashed in Kentucky after takeoff, killing three pilots and 12 people on the ground, the National Transportation Safety Board said. The NTSB said Wednesday it is reviewing whether a 2011 Boeing service bulletin and UPS’s response were adequate, after investigators found cracks in components that held the left engine to the wing.
A federal judge ruled Monday that the Trump administration acted illegally when it canceled $7.6 billion in clean energy grants for projects in states that supported Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024. The decision by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said the terminations violated the Constitution’s equal protection requirements.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers are considering requiring some drivers to take written refresher tests when renewing their licenses, after a rise in statewide traffic deaths, the Honolulu Civil Beat reported and the Associated Press distributed. The proposal would be discussed first in a Thursday Honolulu City Council committee meeting.
Montana’s vacant governor’s mansion near the state Capitol is deteriorating badly enough that officials are asking the public what to do with the property, with a decision process expected soon. A survey completed last month presented options including demolition and turning the site into a park, remodeling for another use, or selling the mansion.
The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday proposed new constraints on states' and Native American tribes' authority to block or impose conditions on pipelines, dams, and other major infrastructure projects through water quality reviews under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. The proposed rule would narrow the scope of those reviews and impose strict deadlines, reversing Biden-era rules that allowed broader environmental evaluation.
New York City's biggest nursing strike in decades entered its second day Tuesday without new bargaining sessions, as the New York State Nurses Association filed an unfair labor practice charge against Mount Sinai Medical Center for terminating three nurses on the eve of the walkout. The union said the dismissals were meant to deter nurses from joining roughly 15,000 colleagues who walked off the job Monday at multiple campuses of three major hospital systems. Mount Sinai disputed that account, saying security footage showed the nurses had hidden supplies from replacement workers during emergency preparedness drills.
Anchorage city leaders are proposing a one-time tax increase to raise millions for the Anchorage School District, which faces an $83 million budget shortfall, officials said. Mayor Suzanne LaFrance said Monday she is asking the Assembly to set aside a slate of revenue proposals, including her office’s proposed 3% sales tax, to focus on a $12 million education tax levy. If the Assembly approves the levy, city officials say it would appear on the April city ballot.
California’s Highway 1 near Big Sur fully reopened Wednesday after three years of closures and repairs following landslides and a roadway collapse, the Associated Press reported. The reopening came around midday, Caltrans said, and officials pointed to the route as a key connection for tourism along the state’s central coast.
Federal officials are reinstating hundreds of NIOSH workers who were laid off last year from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a workplace safety agency, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Wednesday. The American Federation of Government Employees said the administration rescinded all terminations for NIOSH and parts of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Blasting heat at home but still feeling cold? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that air leakage accounts for more than a quarter of the energy used to heat or cool a typical home. The Associated Press reports that homeowners can often cut those losses with low-cost sealing fixes.
PARIS — The Louvre Museum will raise admission prices for most non-European visitors by nearly half, the museum said, as it moves to a new “differentiated pricing” policy. The increases take effect Wednesday, with the standard rate for visitors outside Europe rising to 32 euros from 22 euros, according to the museum.
Dutch-based chipmaker Nexperia faced a corporate mismanagement case in Amsterdam on Wednesday, as lawyers urged judges not to open an investigation into alleged failures involving the company’s Chinese owners. The hearing at the enterprise chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal was convened to decide whether judges should order the probe, and no immediate decision was expected.
New York City nurses represented by the New York State Nurses Association went on strike for a third day Wednesday, seeking new contract terms covering health care, safe staffing and workplace violence. The strike affects three private, nonprofit hospital systems—Mount Sinai, Montefiore and NewYork-Presbyterian—as negotiations remain stalled between the parties.
U.S. supermarkets are increasingly featuring meals and snacks marketed with “GLP-1 Friendly” labels to attract people taking weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound. Dietitians say the labels are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and advise consumers to read nutrition facts and talk with clinicians about what nutrients they need.
Saks Global, the owner of Saks Fifth Avenue, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Southern District of Texas on Wednesday as it looks to restructure about $1.75 billion in financing tied to its debt load after buying Neiman Marcus. The privately held company said its stores will remain open during the restructuring and that it plans to honor customer programs, while suppliers and employees will be paid.
Wildlife crews have stopped the active search for two juvenile gray wolves in California’s Sierra Valley that were part of a pack accused of killing dozens of cows and calves last summer, an official said. The two wolves were members of the Beyem Seyo pack, and the change followed weeks of efforts to locate them for capture.
China’s auto exports surged 21% in 2025 as Chinese manufacturers shipped more electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids overseas, an industry association said Wednesday. The same group said domestic passenger-car demand slowed amid weaker sales late in the year and changes to government trade-in subsidies.
NEW YORK — Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo reported higher profits and steady consumer activity this week, even as their leaders warn that President Donald Trump’s push for a 10% credit card interest rate cap would squeeze access to credit. The banks’ executives said they are not seeing evidence of a widening divide in consumer outcomes as they navigate growing tensions with the White House.
U.S. existing-home sales stayed near a 30-year low in 2025, the National Association of Realtors said, as home prices rose and mortgage rates remained high enough to keep many would-be buyers on the sidelines. In December, sales picked up to the fastest pace in nearly three years after mortgage rates eased late in the year, but affordability remained a hurdle.
The Trump administration has cleared Nvidia to sell its H200 artificial intelligence chips to China, but only with new export conditions, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security said. The rules require a third-party review before exports and limit how much China can import relative to what the company sells to U.S. customers. The decision follows Trump’s earlier signal that licenses would go to “approved customers.”
Car shoppers looking to buy in the next few months may find more used inventory, stronger trade-in values and some easing in auto loan offers in 2026, according to automotive research and pricing firm Edmunds. The company also said shoppers may see more off-lease electric vehicles, alongside longer-loan financing that buyers should scrutinize for total cost.
At least 646 people have been killed since protests erupted in Iran on Dec. 28, according to a U.S.-based human rights monitoring group, as President Donald Trump on Monday announced 25 percent tariffs on countries that do business with Tehran and said the Islamic Republic wants to negotiate. The announcements came after Oman's foreign minister traveled to Iran over the weekend in a visit that activated a channel Muscat has long used as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran, though Tehran did not issue a public statement in response to Trump's comments.
U.S. stock indexes closed at records Monday even as financial markets absorbed the shock of a Justice Department subpoena targeting the Federal Reserve and a threat of criminal indictment against Fed Chair Jerome Powell — conduct Powell said was retaliation for the central bank's decision to set interest rates independently of White House preferences. The S&P 500 gained 0.2% to 6,977.27, the Dow Jones Industrial Average recovered an early loss of nearly 500 points to add 86 points and close at 49,590.20, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.3% to 23,733.9.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on all countries doing business with Iran on Monday and said Tehran has privately sought talks with Washington, as the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that at least 646 people had been killed in two weeks of protests against the Iranian government. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran, said the protest situation was "under total control" and that Iran was "open to diplomacy," while blaming the United States and Israel for the violence without offering evidence. Iran's foreign ministry said a diplomatic channel to Washington remained open but insisted talks could not be one-sided.
The Trump administration's Justice Department threatened Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell with criminal indictment over testimony he gave about the central bank's headquarters renovation, escalating a months-long campaign to exert greater control over the institution and its interest-rate decisions, the Associated Press reported. Powell, in a departure from his previous responses to Trump administration pressure, called the criminal charge threat mere "pretexts" to undermine the Fed's independence on rate policy.
The Trump administration's criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell drew swift condemnation Monday from Republican senators, three former Fed chairs, and a coalition of top economists, who called the Justice Department's subpoenas an unprecedented attempt to use prosecutorial power to undermine the central bank's independence.
The Justice Department threatened Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell with criminal indictment over his congressional testimony about the central bank's building renovation project, Powell said Sunday — a move he characterized as a "pretext" to undermine the Fed's independence in setting interest rates. The threat, disclosed as U.S. financial markets opened broadly lower Monday, represents the administration's most direct legal challenge yet to the institutional autonomy of the country's central bank.
The Justice Department has subpoenaed the Federal Reserve and threatened criminal indictments of Chair Jerome Powell after his Senate Banking Committee testimony defending the central bank's independence, Powell said Sunday in a video statement. Powell, whom President Donald Trump appointed as Fed chair in 2017, called the action a "pretext" to weaken the Fed's historic independence to set monetary policy without presidential influence. Trump told NBC News over the weekend that he knew nothing about the inquiry.
The Trump administration's Justice Department has subpoenaed the Federal Reserve and threatened Fed Chair Jerome Powell with criminal indictment, escalating the president's confrontation with the independent central bank over cost overruns in a $2.5 billion renovation of its Washington headquarters. Powell, abandoning an earlier posture of publicly ignoring Trump's criticism, said Sunday that the criminal-charges threat is a "pretext" for the administration to seize control of U.S. interest rate policy. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump did not direct the Justice Department to investigate Powell; Trump said on NBC News that he knew nothing about the investigation.
The Department of Justice has served the Federal Reserve with subpoenas and threatened Chair Jerome Powell with criminal indictment over his June testimony about the central bank's $2.5 billion office renovation, Powell announced Sunday. Powell called the threat a "pretext" to coerce the Fed into setting interest rates at the president's direction rather than based on economic evidence. The move represents an unprecedented escalation in President Donald Trump's sustained campaign against the independent monetary authority.
Bargain grocer Aldi said it will open more than 180 new stores in the United States this year as more Americans cook at home and trade down amid higher grocery and electricity prices. Food inflation has slowed but remains elevated, with U.S. grocery prices up 2.4% last year and up about 25% since the pandemic, according to U.S. data.
Central bankers from around the world said Tuesday they “stand in full solidarity” with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell as President Donald Trump escalated his confrontation with the Fed, including a Justice Department investigation and threats of criminal charges. The heads of nine national central banks, including European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, issued a statement supporting the Fed’s independence and emphasizing rule of law and democratic accountability.
JPMorgan Chase said its fourth-quarter profits rose 9% on an adjusted basis, benefiting from strength across both consumer and investment banking. The bank reported $13.03 billion in profit, or $4.63 per share, and said results included a one-time 60 cents per share hit tied to its Apple Card portfolio acquisition.
The U.S. Justice Department has threatened the Federal Reserve with a criminal accusation tied to testimony by Fed Chair Jerome Powell this summer, according to an Associated Press report published Jan. 12. The threat is described as part of an effort by the Trump administration to exert more control over the Fed’s independence.
President Donald Trump visited a Ford factory floor in Dearborn, Michigan, on Tuesday to defend his sweeping tariffs and argue they have boosted domestic manufacturing. At the Detroit Economic Club and later at the MotorCity Casino, he linked his economic message to concerns about job weakness and higher prices. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-michigan-manufacturing-8843cdb26cdfcdf9bf8c8273823c6d84">Associated Press reported</a> the trip came as Democrats pressed his record and voters remained worried about the economy.
Wall Street executives urged President Donald Trump to stop attacking the Federal Reserve and the credit card industry after the administration proposed a one-year 10% cap on credit card interest rates. The comments came as Trump said he was not backing down, and as major banks reported quarterly results.
A federal judge ruled Monday that the Trump administration acted illegally when it canceled $7.6 billion in clean energy grants for projects exclusively in states that voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta found the terminations violated the Constitution's equal protection clause, saying the administration offered no legitimate basis for targeting recipients based on their states' electoral preferences. The decision was the second federal court ruling in a single day to halt the administration's rollback of clean energy programs.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Monday that his government is not in negotiations with the United States, a day after President Donald Trump warned Cuba to "make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE." Trump's message followed a U.S. military operation on Jan. 3 that killed 32 Cuban officers in Venezuela and led to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro. Díaz-Canel wrote in posts on X that any future dialogue must be grounded in "international law rather than hostility, threats, and economic coercion."
Former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress, announced Monday she will challenge Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska's 2026 midterm Senate race. Peltola, a Yup'ik Democrat, framed her candidacy around economic pressures facing Alaskans — particularly in rural communities where high transportation costs push the price of basic goods to extremes. "Life is difficult here, and we know that we have to take care of each other," Peltola said in a video announcement.
Fewer Americans have selected Affordable Care Act health insurance plans this year as expiring enhanced tax credits and other factors raise costs for many people, according to new federal data. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported Monday that about 800,000 fewer people have chosen plans compared with the same point last year, a 3.5% drop in total ACA enrollment.
President Donald Trump said Sunday that he is "inclined" to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela after the oil company's chief executive declared the country "uninvestable" during a White House meeting with energy executives on Friday. Trump made the remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he departed West Palm Beach, Florida.
Meta on Monday named Dina Powell McCormick, a former national security adviser in the Trump administration and veteran Goldman Sachs executive, as the Facebook owner's president and vice chairman, the company announced.
A federal judge ruled Monday that a nearly complete offshore wind project serving Rhode Island and Connecticut can resume construction, dealing the Trump administration a legal setback on the same day President Donald Trump declared the United States "will not approve any windmills." Senior Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said the government failed to explain why it could not take action short of a complete construction halt on Revolution Wind while it considers national security concerns, and did not provide sufficient reasoning for its change in position.
About 15,000 nurses walked off the job Monday at three major New York City hospital systems — NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, and Montefiore — after weekend negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough on disputes over staffing levels, benefits, and limits on the use of artificial intelligence, according to their union, the New York State Nurses Association. The hospitals remained open, hiring temporary nurses to fill the gap, amid a severe flu season.
LAS VEGAS — Allegiant Air said Monday it will acquire Sun Country Airlines in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $1.5 billion, including debt, combining two budget U.S. carriers that focus on leisure travel. The merged airline would serve approximately 175 cities across more than 650 routes with a fleet of roughly 195 aircraft, the companies told investors.
A 10-year-old dressed in tribute to movie character Joe Dirt took top honors Monday at the Pennsylvania Farm Show's annual mullet contest in Harrisburg, where about 150 competitors vied before a crowd of more than a thousand spectators. Drew Fleschut of Dallas, Pennsylvania — wearing a red-and-black shirt and carrying the character's signature mop — claimed the top prize, the rear bumper of a Corvette, at the event billed as the day's "mane" attraction.
Phoenix-based Urban Communities bought all 21 multifamily buildings in Detroit's Palmer Park Historic District over about a year beginning in late 2020, then collapsed financially — leaving every property in receivership, foreclosed, or severely distressed, according to court records and Wayne County property filings reviewed by Outlier Media. The failure has hollowed out more than a third of the apartment buildings in a neighborhood that Detroit historian Amy Elliot Bragg called "a really one-of-a-kind collection that you don't see anywhere else in the city."
Southern California Gas Co. has proposed blending up to 5% hydrogen into the natural gas infrastructure of Orange Cove, a predominantly Latino farming town of roughly 10,000 in California's Central Valley, as part of a state-directed program to test whether existing pipelines can carry cleaner fuel. Residents who oppose the plan say they face health risks they cannot easily avoid and were not given a meaningful role in the decision.
Mattel Inc. introduced an autistic Barbie on Monday, expanding its Fashionistas line with a doll developed over more than 18 months in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. The nonprofit, which advocates for the rights and improved media representation of autistic people, worked closely with Mattel to shape design features reflecting how some autistic people experience and process the world around them.
Apple and Google disclosed a partnership Monday that will bring Google's Gemini artificial intelligence technology to the iPhone, allowing Apple to draw on its rival's AI systems to overhaul Siri and deliver a suite of features the Cupertino, California, company has fallen behind in delivering. The deal was announced in a joint statement from the two Silicon Valley companies.
Google's corporate parent Alphabet Inc. became the fourth major technology company to reach a $4 trillion market valuation on Monday, joining a club that had previously admitted only computer chipmaker Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft as investors continued to wager heavily on artificial intelligence. The milestone arrived roughly four months after a federal judge found Google's search engine to be an illegal monopoly but declined to impose the breakup remedies federal prosecutors had sought.
David M. Webb, a prominent Hong Kong shareholder activist known for pushing corporate transparency, died Tuesday in Hong Kong at 60, according to a statement shared on his social media. Webb, an investment banker turned activist, was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire last year for his work on corporate governance standards.
The Detroit Auto Show opens this week with automakers scaling back splashy model debuts and leaning more on live experiences, including test drives. Show chairman Todd Szott said the event is designed to let people get up close, talk to brand representatives and experience vehicles firsthand.
Hospital officials and union leaders exchanged barbs Tuesday but did not return to bargaining during the second day of New York City’s biggest nursing strike in decades, according to the Associated Press. The union accused Mount Sinai of illegally firing three nurses, while Mount Sinai said they sabotaged emergency preparedness drills. Other hospital systems criticized the union’s proposals and said they have tried to keep patients’ access to care.
Microsoft President Brad Smith met with federal lawmakers Tuesday to push for Big Tech to pay the full costs of AI data centers instead of taxpayers, as local opposition grows over electricity prices and water use. In an interview edited for clarity and length with The Associated Press, Smith said his approach involves partnering with utilities and “paying our own way,” adding that electricity is a larger driver of local costs than water.
Puerto Rico’s government said it will conduct compulsory visits to all public housing projects to assess residents’ living conditions and whether occupants are authorized to live there. The effort will involve inspections across hundreds of projects in the U.S. territory, Public Housing Administration Director Juan Rosario Hernández said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday he is “inclined” to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela after Exxon’s chief raised skepticism about oil-investment plans there. Trump spoke aboard Air Force One as he left West Palm Beach, Florida, according to the Associated Press.
U.S. President Donald Trump will lead a record-large U.S. delegation to the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, next week, organizers said Tuesday. The Geneva-based forum said the event runs from Monday through Jan. 23.
The University of Arizona has begun planning to reopen the Arizona State Museum after the Arizona Board of Regents declined in 2024 to act on a $50 million funding request, leaving the museum closed for more than a year. University leaders said they are pursuing options that do not depend on the original request, while the Board of Regents approved rate and fee increases tied to work on state trust lands.
Wall Street pulled back from record levels on Tuesday after JPMorgan Chase reported weaker profit and revenue than analysts expected and Delta Air Lines forecasted more modest results. The S&P 500 fell 0.2%, while the Nasdaq slipped to 23,709.87 as Treasury yields eased on inflation data near economists’ expectations.
Consumer prices rose 0.3% in December from November, matching the prior month’s pace, the U.S. Labor Department said. Core prices increased 0.2%, also unchanged from November, signaling that stubborn cost pressures may be easing even as food prices remain elevated.
The Trump administration’s criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell prompted backlash from Republicans in Congress and defense from former Fed leaders on Monday, the day Powell revealed subpoenas and described them as “pretexts” to pressure him on interest-rate cuts. The scrutiny is unfolding as Powell’s term as chair ends in May and as the White House prepares to nominate a successor.
President Donald Trump has escalated his confrontation with the Federal Reserve, with the Justice Department investigating and serving subpoenas to the independent central bank and threatening a criminal indictment, according to a statement from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The dispute is centered on Powell’s testimony to Congress in June about the cost of a renovation of Fed buildings in Washington.
The Justice Department has threatened to seek a criminal indictment against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over testimony he gave this summer about the Fed’s building renovations, Powell said over the weekend. The comments add to concerns that President Donald Trump has pushed for greater control over the independent central bank, after he repeatedly attacked Powell for cutting rates and questioned the Fed’s handling of a $2.5 billion renovation project.
Wall Street rose to more records Monday after shaking off worries about a deepening feud between the White House and the Federal Reserve. The S&P 500 added 0.2% to its prior all-time high, while the Dow recovered from an early loss and the Nasdaq gained 0.3%.
President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a fresh ultimatum to Cuba's communist government, demanding Havana strike an unspecified "deal" with Washington and declaring that no more Venezuelan oil or money would reach the island — days after the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro severed the oil lifeline Cuba had depended on for years. Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel rejected the demand hours later, accusing the United States of lacking moral authority to criticize his government.
President Donald Trump said Sunday he is “inclined” to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela after the company’s top executive raised concerns about oil investment plans following the toppling of former President Nicolás Maduro. Trump made the remark aboard Air Force One as he departed West Palm Beach, Florida, after a Friday meeting with oil executives.
New York Attorney General Letitia James sued the Trump administration on Friday in federal court in Washington over a decision to halt two major offshore wind projects off Long Island, expected to power more than 1 million homes in the state. James challenged a Dec. 22 order from the U.S. Department of the Interior suspending construction on the Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind projects, saying it was arbitrary and unwarranted.
A federal judge ruled Monday that work on Revolution Wind, a major offshore wind project for Rhode Island and Connecticut, can resume while courts consider challenges to a Trump administration order that paused multiple offshore wind farms over national security concerns. The decision came as developers including Orsted and Equinor sought to block the freeze in separate court proceedings.
Google said Sunday that it is teaming up with Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair and other major retailers to enable shopping and instant checkout directly within its Gemini AI chatbot, allowing customers to find and buy products through a conversational interface without navigating to a retailer's website. The announcement came on the opening day of the National Retail Federation's annual convention in New York, where the role of artificial intelligence in e-commerce was expected to dominate the three-day gathering of roughly 40,000 retail and technology industry attendees.
President Donald Trump said Friday the United States "is going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not," renewing his push to acquire the Danish autonomous territory. But geologists and industry experts say Greenland's rare earth deposits face years of logistical, geological, and financial hurdles that would persist regardless of who controls the island.
An anonymous trader collected more than $400,000 from prediction market platform Polymarket after wagering that former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro would fall from power, the Associated Press reported. The bulk of those bets were placed just hours before President Donald Trump announced a surprise nighttime U.S. military raid that resulted in Maduro's capture, AP reported, fueling online suspicions of potential insider trading. Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres on Friday introduced a bill aimed at restricting government employees from trading on politically related event contracts — the first legislative response to the episode, according to AP.
Nearly 15,000 nurses at three of New York City's largest hospitals could walk off the job early Monday in what union officials said would be the largest nurses strike in city history, if no contract agreement is reached before the weekend deadline. The New York State Nurses Association said talks had produced little progress as of Sunday morning, with staffing levels, guardrails on the use of artificial intelligence, and workplace security among unresolved disputes at Mount Sinai, Montefiore Medical Center, and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Allegiant Air said Monday it will acquire Sun Country Airlines in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $1.5 billion, including debt, combining two low-cost U.S. carriers focused on leisure travel. Allegiant CEO Gregory Anderson said the companies’ leisure-focused models are “consistently profitable,” and urged confidence in the benefits of combining them.
Alphabet Inc., Google’s corporate parent, reached a $4 trillion market value on Monday, joining other Big Tech giants whose valuations have been propelled by investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. The milestone comes about four months after a federal judge’s remedy in the U.S. government’s antitrust case against Google followed a ruling that branded its search business an illegal monopoly.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, head of the Democratic Governors Association, said Democrats seeking to win more gubernatorial seats in 2026 should focus their campaigns on helping Americans deal with the everyday pressure of housing, health care and other essentials. He made the remarks Monday in a sit-down interview with The Associated Press.
California plans to run pilot projects that blend hydrogen into natural gas used by homes and businesses, as regulators weigh how to set safety rules. The proposal has drawn scrutiny in Orange Cove in California’s Central Valley, where residents have raised concerns about health risks and lack of transparency as the state and Southern California Gas Co. prepare test plans.
Cuba is bracing for wider disruption as the United States increases seizures of Venezuela-linked oil tankers, raising fresh concerns about whether the island’s government and economy can weather another shock. The Associated Press reported that experts warn a sudden halt in Venezuelan oil shipments could deepen Cuba’s already severe blackouts and supply shortages, potentially fueling unrest and migration.
Phoenix-based Urban Communities began buying multifamily buildings in Detroit’s Palmer Park neighborhood in 2020, but more than three years later the portfolio is largely in receivership, foreclosure or severe distress, according to court records and inspection materials reviewed by Outlier Media. Close to two dozen buildings are described as practically abandoned, raising concerns for the viability of the neighborhood and its historic structures.
Mattel is introducing an autistic Barbie on Monday, adding to a Fashionistas line that highlights different disabilities and other traits, the company said. The doll is designed with input from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a nonprofit that advocates for the rights and media representation of people with autism.
Meta named Dina Powell McCormick, a former Trump administration adviser and longtime finance executive, as president and vice chairman, the company said on Monday. Meta said she previously served on Meta’s board and would help guide the company’s strategy, including execution of multi-billion-dollar investments. U.S. President Donald Trump praised the appointment in a post on Truth Social.
Thousands of nurses in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend did not resolve disputes with three major hospital systems over staffing, benefits and other issues, the New York State Nurses Association said. Nurses picketed outside NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Upper Manhattan and at hospitals in the Mount Sinai and Montefiore systems. The strike involves private, nonprofit hospitals and could stress other parts of the city’s health care network during a severe flu season.
China and the European Union agreed on Monday on steps aimed at resolving their dispute over imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles, the European Commission said. The EU released a guidance document for Chinese EV makers on submitting price offers for battery electric vehicles, which could influence how the bloc applies its anti-subsidy tariffs. The two sides have traded tariffs and counter-tariffs since the EU’s 2024 anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Treasury Department is taking a closer look at financial transactions between Minnesota residents and businesses and Somalia as federal immigration enforcement ramps up in the state. He announced actions aimed at combating fraud, including investigations into businesses used to wire money abroad, during a Friday visit amid protests in Minneapolis.
Railroads and federal regulators have failed to implement many safety recommendations from major crash investigations, a new analysis by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland finds. The report says the Federal Railroad Administration has fully implemented only five of 81 National Transportation Safety Board recommendations issued from 2015 through 2024.
President Donald Trump posted a graphic on social media late Thursday showing U.S. jobs figures from December that were not scheduled to be released until Friday’s Labor Department employment report. Trump said Friday he had been given “some numbers” and posted them, as questions swirled over the confidentiality process at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
President Donald Trump on Friday night called for a one-year, 10% cap on credit card interest rates, reviving a campaign pledge that banking and credit card companies immediately opposed. The industry donated heavily to his 2024 campaign and has backed his second-term agenda. Trump did not specify in his Truth Social post whether the cap would take effect through executive action or legislation. He said he hoped it would be in place by Jan. 20, 2027, one year after he took office. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said he had spoken with the president Friday night and planned to advance legislation with Trump's "full support."
President Donald Trump on Friday pushed a one-year cap of 10% on credit card interest rates, reviving a campaign pledge that he said could save Americans tens of billions of dollars. Industry and banking groups immediately opposed the idea, arguing it would steer consumers to costlier, less-regulated alternatives.
President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Cuba to “make a deal” after Nicolás Maduro was deposed in Venezuela, as Cuba faces a cut-off from Venezuelan oil shipments amid U.S. operations targeting Venezuelan crude. Trump said Cuba had long relied on Venezuelan “oil and money” and posted that there would be “ZERO” further support. Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, responded that those who “turn everything into a business, even human lives” have “no moral authority” to criticize Cuba.
Ukrainian drones sparked a fire at an oil depot in Russia’s southern Volgograd region, Russian officials said Saturday. The strike came after Russia launched a hypersonic missile and other weapons that disrupted Kyiv’s power supply and heating, Ukrainian officials said.
New York Attorney General Letitia James sued the Trump administration on Friday in federal court in Washington, asking a judge to reverse a Dec. 22 Interior Department order that suspended construction on two offshore wind projects off Long Island expected to power more than 1 million homes. James called the stop-work order — which the Interior Department justified on national security grounds — arbitrary and legally unsupported, noting that the projects had cleared more than a decade of federal, state and local safety and security reviews.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Saturday to prevent Venezuelan oil revenues held by the United States from being seized in judicial proceedings. The order declares the funds to be Venezuelan property held for 'governmental and diplomatic purposes' and not subject to private claims — a new legal instrument layered onto the administration's broader effort to control Venezuela's oil industry.
HAVANA — U.S. forces seized their fifth Venezuela-linked oil tanker on Friday as part of a broader administration push to control Venezuelan oil distribution globally, intensifying fears among experts and residents that Cuba's already battered economy may not survive a full cutoff of Venezuelan crude. Cuba had been receiving an estimated 35,000 barrels of oil per day from Venezuela before the Jan. 3 U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, according to Jorge Piñón of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, who tracks shipments using oil tracking services and satellite technology.
A Los Angeles-based nonprofit is using virtual reality headsets to give California prison inmates brief escapes to far-flung destinations and practice for real-world challenges — from Bangkok street markets to simulated job interviews — in a program its founder calls a "hope machine." Creative Acts founder Sabra Williams said the program grew from earlier prison arts work that incorporated theater, music, poetry, dance and painting, and is designed to both broaden inmates' sense of the outside world and equip them with tools to reenter a society that has changed around them.
Argentina has repaid to the United States the funds it received under a $20 billion credit line used for currency exchange, the U.S. Treasury secretary said. Scott Bessent said the repayment was completed “rápida y completamente” after an October agreement involving President Javier Milei’s government.
Brazil’s largest soy producers said this week they are withdrawing from the soy moratorium, a voluntary pact that has helped limit planting on land cleared from the Amazon. The withdrawal, disclosed by the industry association ABIOVE, threatens the agreement’s survival and challenges President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s pledge to end deforestation by 2030.
Google said it is expanding shopping features in its Gemini AI chatbot by teaming with Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair and other retailers. The update, announced Sunday at the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York, is designed to let users buy items within the Gemini chat through an instant checkout function.
President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States would “do something on Greenland whether they like it or not,” renewing his push to take control of the Arctic island from Denmark as part of an effort to reduce reliance on China for rare earths. The report describes why Greenland’s remoteness, infrastructure gaps and the geology of deposits have so far blocked commercial rare-earth mining. It also quotes experts who say the focus on Greenland has been more about geopolitical posturing than a fast supply solution for critical minerals used in products such as electric-vehicle magnets and wind turbines.
A trader at Polymarket reportedly pocketed more than $400,000 after betting that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro would soon be out of office, drawing renewed attention to prediction markets. The bets were placed hours before President Donald Trump announced a nighttime raid that led to Maduro’s capture, according to the report.
Thousands of tourists were stranded at Kittilä airport in Finnish Lapland after flights were canceled due to severe cold, the Associated Press reported. The temperature at the airport fell to minus 37 degrees Celsius (minus 34.6 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday morning, Yle reported.
Thousands of nurses at some of New York City’s biggest hospitals could begin a strike Monday if no agreement is reached in negotiations with hospital systems during a severe flu season, the New York State Nurses Association said. The nurses’ union president, Nancy Hagans, said as of Sunday morning little progress had been made at the bargaining table.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at protecting revenue from Venezuelan oil that the U.S. is holding from being seized in U.S. judicial proceedings, the White House said. The order was made public Saturday as Trump met with U.S. oil executives, including ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods, in Florida.
President Donald Trump said Friday he was unsure whether officials posted confidential jobs figures early after he shared a graph on social media before the Labor Department’s monthly employment report. The posting, according to the AP report, included unemployment data for December and revisions that were scheduled for release Friday at 8:30 a.m. eastern.
A judge in upstate New York on Thursday ruled that a Trump administration prosecutor, John Sarcone, was unlawfully serving in the role of acting U.S. attorney, expanding a broader pattern of federal court decisions. The same judge also denied Sarcone’s request for a court order directing the IRS to disclose tax return information in a separate criminal investigation, saying Sarcone lacked the authority to seek the records.
An Arlington, Virginia, group expects to break ground this summer on a new Sept. 11 visitor education center near the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, according to Joseph Kornhoff, executive director of the Pentagon Memorial Fund. The planned $35 million facility would include permanent exhibit space and connect to the memorial by pedestrian improvements, with an expected completion by mid-2029.
Michigan must move decisively to protect its $348 billion stake in the global automotive industry or risk losing jobs, engineering and production to rival states and overseas competitors, according to a new report from MichAuto, the statewide industry advocacy group. Glenn Stevens, MichAuto's executive director, said the state has reached "an inflection point like we've never seen before" and called 2026 a decisive year for the state's signature economic sector. The report arrives as Michigan prepares for the Detroit Auto Show, scheduled for January 17–25 at Huntington Place.
Washington — U.S. employers added just 50,000 jobs in December, the Labor Department reported Friday, capping a year in which the economy created only 584,000 positions — the fewest since the COVID-19 pandemic decimated the labor market in 2020 and the smallest annual gain outside a recession since 2003. The unemployment rate edged down to 4.4%, its first decline since June.
The United Nations forecast on Thursday that the global economy will grow 2.7% this year, slightly lower than its estimate for 2025, citing the impact of higher U.S. tariffs, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. UN economists also projected growth would edge to 2.9% in 2027.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced Friday it had signed nuclear power agreements with TerraPower, Oklo, and Vistra Corp. to supply electricity for Prometheus, a 1-gigawatt artificial intelligence data center cluster under construction in New Albany, Ohio. The three deals will support up to 6.6 gigawatts of new and existing clean energy capacity by 2035, Meta said. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Michigan's Employer-Assisted Housing Fund has been exhausted after the state housing authority approved $3.2 million in December for new worker housing projects in Detroit and Kalamazoo, draining a $10 million pool that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer launched in January 2025. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority signed off on both projects at its December board meeting. Whether the program — which has helped produce 619 rental units or homes across the state — will continue depends on a legislature that omitted new funding from its October budget.
Federal officials have approved Nevada's plan to spend approximately $170 million of its nearly $500 million federal broadband award to extend high-speed internet to about 28,000 homes, businesses, and community organizations statewide, Gov. Joe Lombardo announced Thursday. The approval came after the Trump administration rescinded Nevada's original broadband plan in June — weeks before construction was set to begin — under revised federal guidelines that favored satellite internet over fiber-optic technology.
Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration projected a $2.9 billion budget deficit for California in the current fiscal year, the governor's office said Friday, extending the state's streak of multibillion-dollar shortfalls to four consecutive years. The $2.9 billion projection is lower than the $18 billion shortfall the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office forecast in November. Newsom's administration said revenues came in higher than expected, driven by stock market gains and investment in artificial intelligence, helping narrow the gap. The shortfall nonetheless leaves the Democratic governor with limited room to advance new programs in his final year in office. Newsom cannot seek a third term and leaves office in January.
China holds at least $10 billion in outstanding loans from Venezuela backed by crude oil, according to analysts, setting up a potential conflict with the Trump administration's plan to assert direct control over Venezuelan oil sales. Two Chinese state-owned enterprises — China National Petroleum Corp. and Sinopec — are entitled to 4.4 billion barrels of Venezuela's oil reserves under contracts signed with the government of former President Nicolás Maduro, the highest share for any foreign country, according to a Morgan Stanley research note. The competing claims emerge as Trump is expected to travel to Beijing in April to protect a trade truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping, creating pressure on the administration to avoid turning Venezuela into a diplomatic flashpoint, analysts said.
South Dakota's Department of Transportation is midway through a $72 million project to rebuild and widen 15 miles of U.S. 385 through the central Black Hills, where the crash rate runs more than double the state average, according to DOT data. The project, which began in 2024 and is scheduled for full completion in 2027, aims to cut that crash rate by 50 percent by eliminating tight curves, expanding sight lines and widening road shoulders from as little as 2 feet to as much as 8 feet.
Argentina has repaid the funds it drew from a $20 billion U.S. credit line, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Friday, marking what he described as a landmark vindication of the Trump administration's financial rescue of President Javier Milei's government. The Argentine Central Bank confirmed the repayment. The U.S. Exchange Stabilization Fund, tapped to fund the bailout, now holds no Argentine pesos, Bessent said.
Two large-scale data centers proposed for Southern Arizona moved forward this week after the Marana Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to rezone roughly 600 acres for a facility developed by Beale Infrastructure, and Pima County completed a land sale exceeding $27 million for a second Beale project east of Tucson known as Project Blue on Christmas Eve. The back-to-back advances put the region on the verge of hosting its first major data centers — and deepened a conflict over who will bear the costs of powering and cooling them.
General Motors will record approximately $6 billion in charges in the fourth quarter after the U.S. government ended tax incentives for electric vehicle purchases and relaxed auto emissions standards, the Detroit automaker disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Thursday. The charges sent GM shares down almost 3% Friday and mark the second consecutive quarter the company has booked significant EV-related write-downs.
Hawaii ended 2025 with fewer working physicians than it started the year with, and a widening gap between the doctors available and the doctors needed, according to a new report to the state Legislature. Of 12,688 licensed physicians in Hawaiʻi, fewer than a third — 3,647 — provided patient care, and when part-time practice is accounted for, the full-time equivalent count fell to just over 3,000, leaving the state 644 doctors short of demand. The gap widens to 833 when the state's island geography is factored in, because emergency, intensive care, and psychiatric physicians on Oʻahu cannot fill needs on the neighbor islands. The findings come from the Hawaiʻi Physician Workforce Assessment Project at the University of Hawaiʻi's John A. Burns School of Medicine, which has tracked the state's physician supply and demand since 2010.
President Donald Trump on Friday brushed off questions about posting jobs figures from December that were not supposed to be released until the Labor Department’s monthly employment report. The White House released the graph on social media Thursday night ahead of the 8:30 a.m. ET release, and Trump told reporters he posts numbers he is given.
A new Sept. 11 visitor education center near the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial is expected to reach a key milestone later this year, with groundbreaking planned for this summer, Joseph Kornhoff, the executive director of the Pentagon Memorial Fund, said Friday. The center would be located about 200 yards from the memorial and would include permanent exhibits, with an expected completion date in mid-2029, according to Kornhoff.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Treasury Department is taking a closer look at financial transactions involving Minnesotan residents and businesses and Somalia as the federal government ramps up its immigration crackdown in the state. Bessent made the remarks during a Friday visit amid protests in Minneapolis after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a woman in a residential neighborhood on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump said Thursday he is directing the federal government to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds, using cash reserves held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government-controlled mortgage companies. Trump posted the announcement on social media, saying the move would drive mortgage rates and monthly payments down and make homeownership more affordable. The White House did not immediately respond to questions about the timeline for the purchases.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projected Thursday that the Federal Reserve will cut its benchmark interest rate in 2026, with the key rate settling at 3.4% by the end of President Donald Trump's term in 2028. The projection carries a significant caveat for home buyers: even as short-term rates fall, the 10-year Treasury yield — the benchmark that sets mortgage rates — stood at 4.15% on January 8 and is projected to climb to 4.3% by the fourth quarter of 2028, meaning mortgage borrowing costs could increase over the next two years.
Initial filings for unemployment benefits rose by 8,000 to 208,000 for the week ending Jan. 3, the Labor Department reported Thursday, arriving in line with analyst expectations as the U.S. labor market continued to show slowing momentum. Outright layoffs remain historically low, but hiring has faltered sharply since spring, weighed down by uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tariffs and the lingering effects of elevated interest rates.
Connecticut's state-run health insurance partnership for municipal workers paid nearly $22.6 million more in claims than it collected in premiums in the 2024-25 fiscal year, which ended June 30, according to a report from state Comptroller Sean Scanlon's office released this week. The plan paid out nearly $731.4 million in total claims during the year, serving roughly 60,000 public-sector workers and their family members across 109 of the state's 169 cities and towns. Scanlon attributed the shortfall to surging hospital service fees and medical inflation, which he said have pressured health plans nationally.
The House passed a bipartisan package of three federal spending bills Thursday by a vote of 397 to 28, funding several government agencies through September and reducing the risk of a second shutdown before a Jan. 30 deadline. Congressional leaders from both parties backed the measure, and the White House described it as a "fiscally responsible bill," signaling likely passage in the Senate as well.
Michigan’s Housing Development Authority approved new employer-assisted housing projects for Detroit and Kalamazoo, even as a state fund supporting the program is left with limited remaining money. The projects, totaling $3.2 million, were approved last month and are expected to be funded by the remaining balance of a $10 million Employer-Assisted Housing Fund Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled in January 2025.
Employers added just 50,000 jobs in December, a sluggish finish to a year that left many job seekers frustrated even as layoffs and unemployment stayed low, according to the U.S. Labor Department. The unemployment rate fell to 4.4%, the first decline since June.
Denmark's ambassador to Washington and Greenland's chief representative met Thursday with White House National Security Council officials, pressing U.S. officials to step back from President Donald Trump's call to acquire the Arctic island — possibly by military force, according to Danish government officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly. The envoys also held a series of meetings this week with American lawmakers, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet with Danish officials next week.
Russia's Foreign Ministry on Thursday strongly condemned the U.S. military seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, warning the action would escalate military and political tensions in the Euro-Atlantic region. The seizure Wednesday of the vessel Bella 1 — which U.S. European Command said was taken for "violations of U.S. sanctions" — drew furious rhetoric from Moscow and criticism from Russian military commentators who accused the Kremlin of failing to respond quickly enough. Russian President Vladimir Putin had not publicly commented on the seizure as of Thursday.
Connecticut officials said Thursday they are considering extending the state's 2026 Affordable Care Act open enrollment deadline by one to two months, citing ongoing uncertainty over whether Congress will revive enhanced premium subsidies that lapsed Dec. 31. Access Health CT CEO James Michel said the marketplace is in discussions with carriers about pushing the final deadline — currently Jan. 31 — into February or March if federal action comes within the next few weeks. The pandemic-era enhanced subsidies had been in place since 2021. Their lapse has pushed premiums sharply higher for many Connecticut residents and millions of Americans nationwide. As of Jan. 2, roughly 150,000 Connecticut residents had enrolled in 2026 ACA plans — about 3 to 5 percent above the same point last year — even without the enhanced subsidies, Michel said.
Defense contractor shares swung sharply this week after President Donald Trump criticized major military suppliers on Truth Social for paying billions in dividends and stock buybacks while underinvesting in production capacity, then reversed investor anxiety by proposing a $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027. Shares of Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, and RTX — the parent of Raytheon — fell on Trump's initial posts, then recovered after he announced the proposed budget, which would represent a substantial increase from the $901 billion allocated for 2026.
Defense contractors posted sharp gains Thursday after President Donald Trump announced plans to raise U.S. military spending to $1.5 trillion in 2027, while the broader market moved in a narrow range amid mixed economic data. The S&P 500 added less than a point to close at 6,921.46 — remaining near its all-time high set earlier in the week — while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 270 points and the Nasdaq composite fell 104 points to 23,480.02.
Meta says it signed deals with TerraPower, Oklo and Vistra to supply nuclear power for its Prometheus artificial intelligence data center project in New Albany, Ohio. The company said Friday the agreements will support up to 6.6 gigawatts of new and existing clean energy by 2035, and it expects Prometheus to come online this year.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration said the state faces a $2.9 billion budget deficit this year, a shortfall that could still require cuts even as the governor proposes a $349 billion budget. The announcement comes with Newsom in his final months in office, after Democrats last year rolled back plans amid a $12 billion deficit.
For office workers confined to windowless cubicles and back-to-back meetings, even small doses of nature — a lunchtime walk to a nearby garden, a potted plant on the desk, or a video call taken on a wooded path — can ease stress and sharpen focus, workers and workplace wellness advocates said.
Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI will spend $20 billion to build a data center in Southaven, Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves announced Thursday, calling it the largest private investment in the state's history. The facility, named MACROHARDRR, is being built in DeSoto County near Memphis, Tennessee, and is expected to begin operations next month.
Michigan's roughly 122,000 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle owners face the nation's highest special registration surcharges in 2026, after a road funding package signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer triggered an automatic fee increase tied to the state's gas tax rate. Annual fees for light-duty EVs climbed from $160 to $267, while plug-in hybrid fees rose from $60 to $113, surpassing all 40 states that levy a similar charge, according to Bridge Michigan and the Associated Press.
Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services faces a projected budget shortfall of between $85 million and $87.5 million for the current fiscal year, forcing an immediate near-halt on new foster care placements and the elimination of supplemental support for children with complex medical and developmental needs — even as the state reports a $14 billion budget surplus. The deficit was disclosed at a Joint Judiciary Juvenile and Appropriations Human Resources Subcommittee meeting on December 18, 2025, drawing sharp criticism from state legislators over the gap between the agency's austerity measures and the state's overall fiscal health.
The U.S. Transportation Department warned North Carolina on Thursday that the state could lose nearly $50 million in federal funding unless it revokes commercial driver's licenses issued to immigrants who are not qualified to hold them. A federal review of 50 such licenses found problems with more than half, and 924 unexpired licenses of this type remain active in the state.
About 1 in 5 U.S. adults donated to an online crowdfunding campaign in 2025, with medical expenses ranking as the most commonly supported cause, according to an AP-NORC poll released Thursday. The survey of 1,146 adults also found that most donors gave $50 or less, and that Americans harbor broad doubts about whether crowdfunding platforms charge reasonable fees and whether campaign beneficiaries truly need the money.
Austin Peay State University has reinstated a tenured professor and agreed to pay him $500,000 after firing him for a social media post he shared following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Clarksville, Tennessee, school announced. Darren Michael, who teaches theater and dance, returned to his position effective Dec. 30 under a settlement that Tennessee's governor, attorney general, and comptroller authorized.
The IRS will begin accepting 2025 income tax returns on Jan. 26, opening a filing season complicated by a 26% reduction in agency staffing and retroactive tax law changes in Republicans' spending package enacted last summer. The deadline to file and avoid penalties and interest remains April 15. The agency expects to receive roughly 164 million individual income tax returns, on par with last year.
Consumer and privacy advocates announced the annual "Worst in Show" anti-awards at the CES gadget expo in Las Vegas on Thursday, naming Samsung's voice-activated AI refrigerator the overall worst product of the show and citing Amazon's Ring doorbell camera system for what judges called a significant expansion of home surveillance. The independent contest — whose judges have no affiliation with CES or the Consumer Technology Association that organizes the show — singles out products considered invasive, wasteful or unnecessarily fragile.
Southern Arizona’s efforts to bring large-scale data centers to the region advanced this week after Marana approved rezoning for a project known as Beale Infrastructure’s plan, and Pima County completed a land sale tied to Project Blue. Both moves have also prompted renewed fights over power and water, as well as energy-rate terms and local environmental concerns.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that Argentina has repaid funds it drew from a $20 billion credit line tied to the Trump administration. The payment is described as a step for President Javier Milei to restore confidence in Argentina’s economy.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation is rebuilding and widening a 15-mile stretch of U.S. 385 through the central Black Hills, using dynamite blasts and excavators to improve safety on a road with a high crash rate, officials said. The $72 million project began in 2024 and includes full road closures south of Pactola Reservoir that require a 40-mile detour through Rapid City.
CES 2026 in Las Vegas showcased a range of AI-enabled consumer and industrial technologies, from wearables and service robots to new approaches to grief therapy and self-driving mobility. The trade show also featured new consumer products, including a magnetic QWERTY keyboard and an OLED TV positioned as just 9 millimeters thick.
California will lose $160 million in federal transportation funding after federal officials said the state delayed revoking about 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses issued to some immigrants, the officials announced Wednesday. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he had already withheld $40 million and accused Gov. Gavin Newsom of failing to meet safety requirements.
Georgia Republicans moved this week to end the state’s personal income tax by 2032, setting off a debate over how a zero-income-tax plan would be paid for. The proposal, backed by Republican leaders in the state Senate, would also expand exemptions and follows years of income-tax cuts under Gov. Brian Kemp.
General Motors said late Thursday it will record about $6 billion in charges in the fourth quarter as U.S. electric-vehicle tax incentives have ended and auto emissions standards have been eased. The charges follow an earlier plan to take a $1.6 billion charge for the same reasons in the previous quarter.
Michigan faces a “critical time” in its $348 billion auto industry and needs to move decisively to keep jobs and production in the state, a Michigan industry group said. Glenn Stevens, executive director of MichAuto, described the moment as an “inflection point” and said the state must strengthen innovation and workforce development. The warnings come as Michigan prepares for the annual Detroit Auto Show in January.
President Donald Trump’s effort to assert control over Venezuela’s oil could collide with China’s debt and oil-linked claims built into contracts signed years ago, according to an Associated Press report. The potential friction comes as U.S. officials move to seize and manage sanctioned tankers and begin sales of Venezuelan crude, while China seeks to protect economic ties after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro.
Block Communications Inc. announced Wednesday it will cease publication of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on May 3, closing one of Pennsylvania's oldest newspapers after the company said two decades of financial losses had become unsustainable. The announcement came on the same day the U.S. Supreme Court declined PG Publishing Co. Inc.'s emergency appeal to halt a National Labor Relations Board order requiring the company to honor health care coverage terms from an expired union contract.
U.S. stocks rose to record levels on Friday after a mixed jobs report showed employers hired fewer workers during December than expected but left the unemployment rate lower than economists projected. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6%, the Dow rose 0.5% and the Nasdaq gained 0.8%, while investors reassessed expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next interest-rate move.
Marines and Navy sailors boarded another sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, the U.S. military said, as the Trump administration targets vessels carrying oil to and from Venezuela. The Pentagon said the vessel, named Olina, was seized after a predawn raid launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, with the Coast Guard then taking control of the ship.
President Donald Trump on Friday urged oil executives to invest in Venezuela, telling them they would have “total safety” after the U.S. military raid that captured former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The White House meeting sought to draw major oil companies toward projects that, the administration said, could help secure roughly $100 billion in investment to repair Venezuela’s infrastructure and tap its petroleum reserves.
The White House told a federal review commission on Thursday that it was not feasible to save the East Wing of the White House because of structural problems, decay and water damage, and it said demolition and reconstruction would cost less over time. At a public meeting, officials also outlined preliminary plans for President Donald Trump’s new ballroom, including a projected height that a commissioner said could overwhelm existing buildings.
Ultraprocessed foods account for about 60% of the U.S. diet and an even larger share of what kids and teens eat, according to researchers and nutrition experts. As more studies link higher consumption of these foods with health problems, experts say the evidence so far often shows connections rather than proof that the processing itself causes harm.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Friday there were “no ideological objections” to the European Union’s long-negotiated free trade deal with Mercosur after Italy signaled support for the bloc’s bid to finalize the agreement. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the pact would boost exports, as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the vote would send a “strong signal” of European economic clout and stability.
State legislatures and governors are set to make major budget and policy decisions in 2026 after President Donald Trump signed a sweeping federal law that shifts more responsibilities to the states. The changes will affect Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and how states respond to federal tax cuts, amid what lawmakers and policy experts describe as some of the tightest state budgets since the early pandemic.
As the U.S. pressures Venezuela after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, environmental experts are warning that Washington’s push to revamp and boost Venezuela’s oil production could worsen pollution and increase planet-warming emissions. They cite the heavy, “very dense, very sloppy” nature of the crude, decaying infrastructure, high methane and flaring rates, and a history of spills that have left ecosystems in fragile regions struggling to recover.
Wall Street's four-day winning streak ended Wednesday as the S&P 500 slipped from its latest record, with homebuilder and real-estate stocks leading declines after President Donald Trump posted social media comments targeting institutional home buyers, while crude oil prices fell after Trump announced a Venezuelan oil supply deal.
The House voted 221-205 on Wednesday to advance a three-year extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that expired last month, with nine Republicans joining Democrats to overpower Speaker Mike Johnson and House GOP leadership. The procedural vote, forced by a rare discharge petition, sets up a final-passage vote expected Thursday. Four Republican centrists — Reps. Mike Lawler of New York and Brian Fitzpatrick, Robert Bresnahan, and Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania — signed the discharge petition to push it to the 218 signatures required to compel a floor vote. All four represent competitive swing districts expected to help determine which party controls the House after fall elections.
The Trump administration on Wednesday finalized a plan to rescind federal regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act, the 56-year-old law requiring federal agencies to assess a project's environmental impacts before granting approval. The White House Council on Environmental Quality, led by Katherine Scarlett, said the action eliminates bureaucratic delays that have slowed energy and infrastructure projects for years.
U.S. employers posted 7.1 million job openings at the end of November, down from 7.4 million in October and the lowest tally since September 2024, the Labor Department said Wednesday. Outside that month, it was the lowest in nearly five years. Layoffs also fell, indicating companies are holding onto workers even as they remain reluctant to expand payrolls.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said Thursday it expects the Federal Reserve to cut short-term interest rates in 2026, even as the yield on 10-year Treasury notes rises gradually through 2028. The CBO forecast also projects the unemployment rate will peak in 2026 before easing by 2028, and it projects inflation will remain above the Fed’s 2% target in the near term.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday that he will travel to China next week to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit, scheduled for Jan. 13 to 17, comes as Canada tries to reduce reliance on the United States amid tariff threats. Carney said the plan is aimed at building “stronger and more resilient” partnerships for Canada’s economy.
U.S. applications for jobless benefits rose in the last week of 2025, but layoffs remained low, according to Labor Department data. For the week ending Jan. 3, claims increased by 8,000 to 208,000, the department reported Thursday.
President Donald Trump said Thursday he is directing the federal government to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds, a move he said would lower mortgage rates. The announcement came as he seeks to address voter concerns about home affordability ahead of the November midterm elections.
The Trump administration on Wednesday seized two more sanctioned oil tankers carrying Venezuelan petroleum and announced plans to selectively lift sanctions to oversee the global sale of Venezuela's oil — moves that administration officials said would give the United States control over proceeds from the world's largest proven crude reserves. The tankers, the Bella 1 seized in the North Atlantic and the M Sophia captured in the Caribbean Sea, join at least two others taken by U.S. forces last month.
Georgia Senate Republican leaders on Wednesday backed a proposal to eliminate the state's personal income tax by 2032, joining a wave of GOP-led states pursuing full income tax abolition despite unresolved questions about how to replace the lost revenue. The tax is projected to generate about $16.5 billion this year — 44% of Georgia's general revenue — and getting to zero would require phasing out that entire stream over six years.
LAS VEGAS — Siemens and Nvidia announced an expanded partnership Tuesday to deploy artificial intelligence across manufacturing, production, and supply chain management, as Day 2 of the Consumer Electronics Show drew crowds to autonomous robots, AI companions, and health technology demonstrations on the Las Vegas showroom floor. Commonwealth Fusion Systems joined the two companies in a separate announcement, pledging to use AI to accelerate development of its experimental nuclear fusion prototype in Massachusetts.
The U.S. population will grow by only 15 million people over the next 30 years — a smaller gain than previously projected — because of President Donald Trump's immigration restrictions and an expected long-term decline in the fertility rate, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday. The nonpartisan agency projected the nation's population will rise from 349 million in 2026 to 364 million by 2056, a 2.2% smaller increase than it had forecast in 2025. Without immigration, the U.S. population would begin to shrink by 2030, when deaths would start to exceed births.
Lebanon’s economy minister said the country’s financial recovery depends not only on economic changes but also on security and political reforms, including steps to remove weapons from non-state groups and expand state control. Amer Bisat made the remarks after a cabinet session in which the Lebanese military reported progress on a plan to disarm Hezbollah and deploy more forces in southern Lebanon.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned the U.S. seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic and said the move could further escalate military and political tensions in the Euro-Atlantic region. The ministry warned it could lower the “threshold for the use of force” against “peaceful shipping,” in a statement that also criticized U.S. threats to prosecute the crew.
Ted Koerner moved back into his rebuilt Altadena home shortly before Thanksgiving with his 13-year-old golden retriever Daisy Mae — among the first of thousands of homeowners displaced by the January 2025 Los Angeles area wildfires to complete a rebuild.
One year after the Palisades and Eaton fires killed 31 people and destroyed roughly 13,000 homes and residential properties across Los Angeles County, fewer than a dozen homes have been rebuilt, the Associated Press reported. About 900 homes are under construction, but more than 600 properties where single-family homes were destroyed have already been sold as survivors unable to afford rebuilding leave their communities behind. Insurance payouts falling far short of construction costs — which can easily exceed $1 million — have left most survivors unable to commit to rebuilding projects. Less than 20% of people who experienced total home loss had closed out their insurance claims by December, according to a survey by the Department of Angels, a nonprofit formed after the disaster to advocate for recovery efforts.
Mount Etna in Sicily is erupting again, and guides who take tourists to see the volcano say new restrictions imposed by local authorities have gone too far. In Catania, authorities have suspended or limited excursions to lava flows after a round of eruptions in recent weeks, prompting guides to stage a strike and protest.
The Trump administration has frozen federal child care subsidies for five states — California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York — citing unspecified concerns about possible fraud in a $12 billion program that supports 1.4 million children from low-income households, the Associated Press reported Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the freeze Tuesday, requiring states to submit extensive documentation before receiving funds.
The State Department on Tuesday added 25 more countries to its visa bond list, bringing the total to 38 nations whose passport holders must post financial guarantees of up to $15,000 to apply for entry to the United States, according to a notice posted on the agency's travel.state.gov website. The bond requirement for the newly added countries takes effect Jan. 21. Most of the 38 countries on the list are in Africa, with others in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia.
President Donald Trump called on Congress Wednesday to ban large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, saying the move would make homeownership more accessible for younger families. Trump framed the proposal as part of a broader affordability push ahead of November midterm elections, promising to outline more detailed housing plans at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in two weeks.
Following President Donald Trump's use of military force to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the administration moved to access Venezuela's oil reserves — announcing the country would provide 30 to 50 million barrels of crude to the United States and selectively removing sanctions to enable Venezuelan oil sales worldwide. Venezuela holds an estimated 303 billion barrels of crude oil, about 17% of the world's supply, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But analysts and industry experts say the country's decimated infrastructure, severe brain drain, and uncertain political future pose enormous obstacles to any rapid expansion of production.
Warner Bros. Discovery's board rejected Paramount's $77.9 billion hostile takeover bid for the second time Wednesday, urging shareholders to support a rival $72 billion offer from Netflix for the company's studio and streaming operations. The board said Paramount's offer was "not in the best interests of the company or its shareholders," citing excessive debt financing and inadequate shareholder protections.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Wednesday he stands behind his newly appointed director of tenant protections, Cea Weaver, after critics circulated years-old social media posts in which she called homeownership "a weapon of white supremacy" and advocated treating private property as a "collective good." The backlash drew condemnations from officials in the U.S. Department of Justice, the editorial board of The Washington Post, and former Mayor Eric Adams, according to the Associated Press.
Norwegian energy company Equinor and Danish company Orsted filed civil suits late Tuesday in federal court challenging the Trump administration's Dec. 22 order suspending leases on five East Coast offshore wind projects for at least 90 days. Connecticut and Rhode Island filed a separate request Monday for a preliminary injunction. Dominion Energy Virginia, first to sue, called the order 'arbitrary and capricious' and unconstitutional.
The union representing 48,000 teaching assistants, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate student researchers at University of California campuses is asking the university to establish a $750,000 legal fund to help international employees navigate visa and immigration complications — a demand reflecting growing anxiety among the roughly 40 percent of UAW Local 4811's membership who come from outside the United States. The fund request is part of contract negotiations with the university ahead of the current agreement's Jan. 31 expiration date. Union negotiators are also asking UC to continue paying researchers temporarily stranded abroad by visa problems and to reimburse members for visa-related fees.
Federal transportation officials announced Wednesday that California will forfeit $160 million in highway funding after the state delayed the revocation of 17,000 commercial driver's licenses that federal auditors found were issued unlawfully to immigrants. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the state had promised to complete the revocations by Jan. 5 but instead postponed action until March after immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit.
Automakers and technology companies showcased AI-powered vehicles at CES in Las Vegas on Tuesday that can recognize individual occupants, track emotions and adapt in real time to drivers and passengers. The demonstrations intensified questions about how much personal data smart cars may collect, retain and use — and who sets the rules for what companies can do with it.
Austin Peay State University in Tennessee reinstated a professor who was fired for a social media post after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The university is also paying Darren Michael $500,000 as part of a settlement, according to the agreement and university statements.
California is getting a financial boost from an artificial intelligence boom, but lawmakers and analysts warn the state’s growing reliance on AI-related income could be volatile if the industry downturns. A new analysis by the Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates that tax revenue tied to stock-option withholding from major tech companies accounted for about 10% of all income-tax withholding in 2025, based on data through the second quarter of 2025.
CES organizers and consumer and privacy advocates on Thursday released an annual “Worst in Show” list criticizing some of this year’s most prominent artificial intelligence products. The awards spotlighted a Samsung AI refrigerator, Amazon’s Ring doorbell upgrades and other devices judges said rely on invasive data collection, disposable designs or security risks. The list was unveiled during a ceremony at the Consumer Technology Association trade show in Las Vegas.
Google said it is adding new artificial intelligence features to Gmail, aiming to improve writing, summarize information in users’ inboxes, and suggest daily to-do lists. The company announced the changes Thursday, with initial availability in English for users in the United States.
Detroit’s Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to open in early 2026 with lanes for vehicles plus a separate multiuse path for pedestrians and cyclists to cross into Canada. Organizers said the project will be about 98% complete as of Nov. 13, with construction starting in 2018.
Eco-friendly toilet paper can have different environmental impacts depending on where the material comes from and how it is made, experts say. Researchers and environmental groups recommend starting with recycled-content options and looking for independently vetted certifications, and they say reducing overall use—such as with bidets—can also cut waste.
Ice cream makers representing about 90% of the U.S. frozen dessert market pledged to remove seven artificial dyes from their products by 2028, federal health officials said July 14. The Food and Drug Administration and other officials described the effort as a response to concerns raised by the Trump administration about potential health effects.
Spending time outdoors can help people feel more calm and focused, but many jobs offer little access to nature during working hours. Cathy Bussewitz’s reporting for AP’s Be Well section describes how some workers bring the outdoors into the office or around their schedules. The article highlights examples from a psychotherapist in Utah, a wellness program at Atlantic Packaging in North Carolina, and workplace design changes at Ford’s headquarters in Michigan.
Michigan’s annual registration fees for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are set to rise to the highest level in the nation in 2026, driven by a road-funding package passed last fall. The increase will raise light-duty EV registration fees from $160 to $267 and plug-in hybrid fees from $60 to $113, according to a Bridge Michigan report distributed by the Associated Press. Critics say the change unfairly burdens EV drivers, while supporters say it charges EV drivers for their use of roads.
North Carolina could lose nearly $50 million in federal funding if it does not revoke commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrants who are not qualified to hold them, the U.S. Transportation Department said Thursday. The department said an audit found problems with more than half of the 50 commercial driver’s licenses it reviewed in the state, and that records show 924 such licenses remain unexpired.
A suburban Philadelphia shop selling President Donald Trump-themed merchandise plans to close at the end of this month, owner Mike Domanico said. The store opened in 2020 in Bucks County and became a destination for supporters who wanted Trump gear, including hats, flags and T-shirts.
Protesters angry over Iran’s ailing economy staged a sit-in at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on Tuesday, witnesses said, as security forces fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators and nearby shops shut down. The violence has killed at least 36 people and authorities have detained more than 2,000 others, activists abroad said. The demonstrations that began Dec. 28 have widened as the rial hit a record low and the central bank cut subsidized dollar exchange rates.
President Donald Trump criticized U.S. defense contractors for paying out large dividends and stock buybacks while also taking too long to deliver and maintain military equipment, and he said he would not “permit” the payouts until those problems are “rectified.” He also proposed a $1.5 trillion U.S. defense budget for 2027, up from $901 billion for 2026.
Wall Street largely drifted on Thursday as defense and military contractors rose after President Donald Trump said he wants to increase U.S. military spending sharply. The S&P 500 edged up less than 0.1%, while the Dow gained 0.6% and the Nasdaq fell 0.4%.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced that xAI will spend $20 billion to build a data center in Southaven, Mississippi, in DeSoto County near Memphis, Tennessee. Reeves said the project would be the largest private investment in the state’s history and that it would create hundreds of permanent jobs and thousands of indirect subcontracting jobs.
The IRS will begin accepting and processing 2025 tax returns on Jan. 26, kicking off the 2026 filing season. The deadline to file to avoid penalties and interest is April 15, according to the agency’s timetable.
Nevada has written off more than $106 million in “bad debt” since the start of 2023, according to an analysis by The Nevada Independent. The figures include debts from more than 50,000 accounts that were approved for write-off by Nevada’s Board of Examiners, as well as other write-offs approved later.
Technology stocks pushed Wall Street to fresh records Tuesday, with the S&P 500 closing at 6,944.82 — a gain of 0.6% on only the third trading day of 2026. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 484.90 points, or 1%, to 49,462.08, its second consecutive record close. Roughly three out of every four S&P 500 stocks advanced, extending gains across health care, retail, and industrial sectors.
Federal prosecutors on Monday charged former Georgia state House member Karen Bennett with one count of making false statements to collect $13,940 in federal pandemic unemployment benefits, making her the second Georgia Democratic legislator accused of defrauding a COVID-era aid program. Bennett, of Stone Mountain, waived indictment, pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bail after a federal court appearance. She had resigned from the House the previous Thursday.
The New Year’s tuna auction at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market brought a record price for a prized tuna that weighed 535 pounds (243 kilograms), selling for $3.2 million (510 million yen) on Monday. The top bidder was Kiyomura Corp., whose owner, Kiyoshi Kimura, runs the Sushi Zanmai chain.
Vietnam’s rapid factory growth in places such as Bac Ninh has been fueled by foreign investment redirected from China amid U.S. tariff pressure, but rising labor costs and infrastructure gaps are beginning to test the pace of expansion. The story comes as Vietnam is trying to move into higher-value manufacturing and expand beyond the United States while neighbors compete for new projects.
Wall Street’s strong start to the year lost momentum Wednesday as major stock indexes slid, Treasury yields moved on mixed economic reports, and oil prices fell after President Donald Trump said Venezuela would supply U.S. needs. The S&P 500 slipped 0.3% from its latest all-time high, while the Dow fell 466 points, or 0.9%. The Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%.
Wall Street opened the first full week of the year higher, with energy stocks leading gains as U.S. crude prices rose after forces captured Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro in a weekend raid. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to 6,902.05, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average set a new record.
U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, an Edinburg Republican, announced Monday she would seek a new federal visa category for construction workers after South Texas builders told her that immigration enforcement arrests had halted job sites and threatened the regional industry. De La Cruz said she plans to meet with the U.S. Department of Labor to explore a program modeled on the H-2A agricultural visa. "We'd like to see where the construction industry would fit," she said.
China and South Korea’s leaders pledged to bolster trade and safeguard regional stability during a visit by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to Beijing on Monday, even as North Korea launched ballistic missiles just hours earlier. Chinese President Xi Jinping met Lee at the Great Hall of the People, where both sides emphasized efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Enrollment in Hawaiian language immersion schools, known as Kaiapuni, has risen sharply over the past decade even as the state Department of Education struggles to hire enough qualified teachers, according to education officials and a university professor. The Department plans to open two new Kaiapuni programs next year, but it has unfilled teaching roles and says it cannot expand classrooms without staff.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said it is scrapping safety screening for two reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant in central Japan after the operator was found to have fabricated earthquake-risk data. The regulator said it confirmed the falsification and that the utility acknowledged the fabrication in mid-December.
The U.S. population is projected to grow by 15 million people over the next 30 years, less than previously forecast, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday. The CBO attributed the slower growth to President Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration policies and an expected decline in fertility.
U.S. energy shares rose sharply Monday after President Donald Trump said the United States would take control of Venezuela’s oil industry. The move, the U.S. said it plans following its capture of President Nicolás Maduro, raised expectations that American companies could help revive Venezuela’s oil sector and reshape energy markets.
U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, a Texas Republican, said Monday she is looking at ways for migrant construction workers to work legally, including by urging the U.S. Department of Labor to help design a special visa program. De La Cruz’s proposal follows concern from South Texas builders that Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests at job sites have disrupted projects.
The Trump administration has finalized a plan to roll back regulations that implement the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, which requires federal agencies to consider environmental impacts before approving energy and infrastructure projects. The White House Council on Environmental Quality on Wednesday rescinded regulations tied to NEPA environmental review, according to the administration.
The Palisades and Eaton fires killed 31 people and destroyed 16,246 structures across Los Angeles County on Jan. 7, 2025, and one year later only 10 homes have been rebuilt, according to city and county data compiled by the Associated Press.
Power was being restored Wednesday to thousands of households in Berlin that had been without electricity in freezing temperatures for four days after authorities said high-voltage lines were attacked. The outage followed a fire on a bridge carrying power cables over the Teltow Canal in southwest Berlin that knocked out service for tens of thousands of homes and businesses.
One year after the Palisades and Eaton wildfires erupted in the Los Angeles area, fewer than a dozen homes have been rebuilt in Los Angeles County, leaving many neighborhoods still marked by ash, dirt lots and unanswered insurance questions. The fires killed 31 people and destroyed about 13,000 homes and other residential properties after burning for more than three weeks.
Detroit's Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to open in early 2026 after reaching 98 percent completion as of Nov. 13, bringing with it the first pedestrian and bicycle access across the Detroit River to Canada in decades. The $4.4 billion span will add six lanes of vehicle traffic while becoming the only bridge from Michigan to Canada with a multiuse path for foot and bike travel.
California is collecting a growing share of its income-tax revenue from tech companies riding the artificial intelligence boom, but a new state analysis warns the windfall is concentrated among a small number of workers and could evaporate if the AI market stalls. Tech companies' stock-option withholding made up roughly 10% of all California income-tax withholding in 2025, up from more than 6% just three years ago, according to an analysis by the Legislative Analyst's Office. The gains have come without broad job growth — and as the state braces for a nearly $18 billion budget deficit.
Trump Mobile, a smartphone venture operating under President Donald Trump's family business, has not shipped its T1 phone after missing its promised end-of-2025 delivery window — while continuing to accept $100 deposits from customers who signed up for the device. The T1, pitched at launch as a $500 smartphone that would be "proudly designed and built in the United States," has quietly shed that manufacturing claim and seen its release timeline grow steadily vaguer since the service debuted last June.
Captain Brandon Fisher, the Alaska Airlines pilot praised by the heads of the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and Boeing executives for safely landing Flight 1282 after a door plug panel separated from the aircraft in January 2024, has sued Boeing in an Oregon court. Fisher's lawyers allege that Boeing, despite a federal finding that the blowout resulted from a manufacturing defect, attempted to shift blame onto him and the crew — leading some passengers to name Fisher in their own litigation against the manufacturer.
West Virginia has exhausted the $30 million in federal pandemic relief funds it used to reimburse local governments for demolishing abandoned buildings, leaving municipalities without state support to address a problem a statewide survey estimated would cost approximately $150 million to resolve. The state's Demolition Landfill Assistance Program, established in 2021 and funded a year later with federal COVID-19 recovery money, helped communities tear down about 1,800 structures in two years. About 240 demolitions remain ongoing, but state officials say the last of the program's funds have been dispersed and the legislature has proposed no replacement.
Three significant rule changes affecting U.S. retirement savers took effect in 2026, altering how high-income 401(k) participants must structure catch-up contributions, how much state and local tax can be deducted from federal returns, and what new deduction is available to Americans 65 and older, according to an analysis by Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning at Morningstar, distributed through the Associated Press. The changes flow from two pieces of legislation: the SECURE 2.0 Act, which continues to phase in retirement account provisions, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which modified tax rules beginning in 2025.
An Oregon café where American Sign Language is the primary language has become a gathering space for the Deaf community, the Associated Press reported. The cafe, Woodstock Cafe in Portland, also provides jobs for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
A massive bluefin tuna sold for a record 510 million yen ($3.2 million) at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market in the first auction of 2026, according to The Associated Press. The 243-kilogram (535-pound) fish was sold at the predawn auction on Monday, drawing a field of bidders around rows of torpedo-shaped tuna.
California’s push to cut oil use while phasing out fossil fuels is raising concerns that refinery closures could contribute to higher fuel prices in Nevada, especially in the Las Vegas area. Recent refinery shutdowns in California and planned closings involving Phillips 66 and Valero have analysts warning of price spikes as Western states rely on fuel transported from the Golden State. The issue has prompted Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo to form a fuel resiliency subcommittee, which he says will develop long-term strategies to protect the state’s infrastructure and energy supply routes.
China announced it has launched an investigation into imported dichlorosilane from Japan, escalating trade tensions between the two countries. The Commerce Ministry said the probe was triggered after domestic industry applied for action, citing a 31% drop in the price of the chemical gas between 2022 and 2024.
The European Union renewed internal negotiations over a long-discussed free-trade agreement with Mercosur nations, meeting in Brussels a week after the United States detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Ministers of Agriculture from across the EU’s 27 countries met to discuss how to protect farmers while pursuing the deal’s economic and geopolitical benefits.
GameStop said in a regulatory filing that CEO Ryan Cohen would have no guaranteed pay under a new compensation package dependent on meeting “significant” performance targets. The filing says Cohen’s award would fully vest only if the company grows its market capitalization to $100 billion and reaches $10 billion in cumulative performance EBITDA. The package must be approved by shareholders at a special meeting scheduled for March or April.
Graduate student workers represented by United Auto Workers Local 4811 are asking the University of California to create a legal aid fund to help them navigate immigration and visa issues, as uncertainty rises for international students in the United States. The union’s request is part of contract negotiations that began months ago and will cover teaching assistants, postdocs and researchers at UC campuses, including UC Berkeley.
Greece’s government said Monday that a major radio communications failure that shut the country’s airspace the day before is unlikely to have been a cyberattack, while authorities continue investigating the cause. Flights across Greece were grounded, diverted or delayed for several hours after noise was reported on multiple air traffic communication channels.
A Minnesota hotel under the Hilton brand apologized after canceling reservations for federal immigration agents this month, saying the refusal violated its own policies. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted screenshots of an email it said came from a Hilton address canceling the bookings at the Hampton Inn Lakeville property about 20 miles south of Minneapolis.
Mexico will not send additional oil shipments to Cuba, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday, even as the United States moves to seize Venezuelan oil and the Trump administration hardens its stance toward Havana. Speaking in Mexico City, Sheinbaum said exports are not increasing beyond historical levels, though she did not provide figures on the number of barrels.
Mississippi has more than 19,000 families waiting for child care vouchers after pandemic-era funding for the voucher program ended, according to the Mississippi Department of Human Services. The state is exploring alternative ways to use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds as it develops new work-support programs expected to become clearer in 2026, the department said.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday defended his newly appointed housing official, Cea Weaver, amid backlash over years-old social media posts. The posts included calls to treat private property as a “collective good” and a 2017 message linking homeownership to “white supremacy.”
Pipeline safety regulators have issued a record $9.6 million fine to Third Coast Midstream after an oil spill into the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana in 2023, the Associated Press reported. The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said the spill involved 1.1 million gallons of oil and stemmed from safety failures including emergency procedures. The record penalty was assessed Monday.
Small farms in South Dakota are expanding sales and visitor experiences as consumer demand grows for locally grown foods, including USDA-organic products. The Associated Press reports on farms and farm-linked businesses that see opportunity in farm tours, on-site sales and community events, while training for USDA certification and managing challenges tied to rural geography. (AP)
Surging electricity costs are forcing some West Virginia residents to delay repairs, skip medications and ration food, according to reporting distributed by The Associated Press. The article points to steep increases in residential power prices in recent years and says energy-burdened households in the state face some of the highest electricity costs.
Edmunds has published a list of five affordable cars and SUVs for 2026, ranking models across different price and size classes. The Associated Press, which ran the write-up provided by Edmunds, said the recommendations consider base prices, fuel economy and safety ratings.
Offshore wind developers and state officials sued after the Trump administration suspended leases for five offshore wind projects on the East Coast for at least 90 days, setting up a legal fight over national security claims. Equinor and Ørsted filed civil suits in the District of Columbia late Tuesday, and Connecticut and Rhode Island sought a preliminary injunction on Monday for a separate project. The administration said the pause is intended to protect national security and military readiness, but it did not disclose specifics.
President Donald Trump’s administration said it seized two sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers and outlined plans to relax some sanctions so U.S. authorities can oversee the sale of Venezuelan petroleum worldwide. The administration said the move follows a surprise nighttime raid that ousted Nicolás Maduro and that it intends to route oil “in and out of Venezuela” only through channels approved under U.S. law and national security interests.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday he wants Congress to codify a ban on large institutional investors buying houses, arguing it would make it easier for younger families to buy first homes. Trump made the case as voters weigh housing affordability ahead of the November midterm elections.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Venezuela would provide 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States at a market price, and he pledged to use proceeds from any sale “to benefit the people” of both countries. He also said the White House will hold a meeting Friday with U.S. oil executives to discuss Venezuela.
U.S. employers posted 7.1 million job openings at the end of November, down from 7.4 million in October, a Labor Department report showed Wednesday. The drop points to continued sluggish hiring even as other data suggest economic growth picked up.
The federal government has selected RTX and the Spanish firm Indra to replace 612 aging radar systems used by air traffic controllers across the United States, the Trump administration said Monday. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration said the replacements are targeted for completion by the summer of 2028.
Warner Bros. Discovery again rejected Paramount’s takeover offer and urged shareholders to keep backing a separate bid from Netflix, the company said Wednesday. The Warner board said Paramount’s latest proposal would leave shareholders facing “an extraordinary amount of debt financing” and other risks tied to closing and protections if a deal fails.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development announced a revised global tax plan under which nearly 150 countries agreed to stop large multinational companies from shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions. The amended deal, finalized after negotiations involving President Donald Trump’s administration, excludes large U.S.-based multinationals from paying the 15% global minimum tax. The OECD said the agreement will enhance “tax certainty” and reduce complexity.
A congressional ethics watchdog said in a report released Monday that there is substantial reason to believe Brandon Phillips, former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, improperly hired his girlfriend as an office intern. The Office of Congressional Conduct found that the woman was paid $5,044 in November and December 2023 and $5,244.44 in October through December 2024 for work in Collins’ Georgia district office.
Energy stocks led Wall Street to broad gains Monday as investors priced in the potential for American oil companies to rebuild Venezuela's oil industry following the U.S. military capture of President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend. Halliburton surged 7.8%, Chevron jumped 5.1%, and Exxon Mobil rose 2.2% — among the session's strongest performers. U.S. crude oil prices climbed 1.7% to $58.32 per barrel. The Dow Jones Industrial Average set an all-time record, climbing 594.79 points, or 1.2%, to 48,977.18. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to 6,902.05, just below its own record set in late December. The Nasdaq composite closed at 23,395.82, up 0.7%. Smaller company stocks outpaced the broader indexes, with the Russell 2000 rising 1.6%.
Broad gains led by technology stocks pushed Wall Street to more records on Tuesday, with about three out of every four companies in the S&P 500 rising. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to a record 6,944.82 on the third trading day of the year, while the Dow hit a record for a second straight day.
China announced it will ban exports of dual-use goods to Japan that could enhance Japan’s military power, a step it said took effect Tuesday. The Chinese commerce ministry said transfers to Japanese military users and other end-users that could help boost Japan’s military capability are prohibited, and violators would face legal consequences.
Israel has cleared a final hurdle to begin construction on the E1 settlement project near Jerusalem, a government tender said, setting the stage for work that critics say would cut the West Bank in two. The tender would open the way to start development of the E1 project, an open tract of land east of Jerusalem, and seeks bids for 3,401 housing units, according to the tender.
Gavin Newsom enters his final year as California governor this week with key campaign promises on housing, homelessness, and health care largely unmet, as he prepares to address the Legislature and present a budget proposal while confronting an estimated $18 billion deficit. Newsom, widely expected to pursue a Democratic presidential primary campaign after his term ends, is scheduled to deliver a State of the State address Thursday.
A Portland, Oregon cafe where American Sign Language is the primary language of business has drawn workers and patrons from across the country, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Woodstock Cafe, owned by the nonprofit CymaSpace, takes orders in ASL and offers non-signing customers a microphone that transcribes their words onto a screen. Plans to expand the site into a Deaf Equity Center stalled after much of the federal funding was cut following the change of presidential administration, according to one of the cafe's founders.
Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics gave its humanoid robot Atlas its first-ever public demonstration Monday at the CES technology showcase in Las Vegas, putting a life-sized, two-armed machine through its paces before a crowd and sharpening a race with Tesla and other rivals to build robots capable of human-like tasks. An engineer remotely piloted the robot during the showcase, though the company said Atlas will operate autonomously in real-world use.
Enrollment in Hawaii's Hawaiian-language immersion schools has grown 68 percent over the past decade, with the number of state-run campuses rising from 14 to 26, according to state education officials. But the pool of qualified teachers is not keeping pace with demand, creating staffing shortfalls that threaten further expansion of the programs, known as Kaiapuni schools. The Hawaii Department of Education has at least three unfilled Kaiapuni positions and 25 unlicensed educators still working toward their credentials, while one advisory group projects the state will need 165 additional Kaiapuni teachers over the next decade.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development announced Monday that nearly 150 countries have agreed to a revised global minimum corporate tax framework that carves out large U.S.-based multinationals from the 15% floor, closing out negotiations that reshaped a landmark 2021 agreement. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hailed the outcome as a sovereignty win while tax transparency advocates warned it would allow the largest American companies to continue sheltering profits in low-tax jurisdictions.
Amaya Jones, a full-time Kroger employee and mother of two in Mississippi, planned to return to school this month to study social work. That plan depends on regaining a child care voucher she lost in June — and she is one of more than 19,000 Mississippi families now on a growing waitlist after pandemic-era federal funding that expanded the state's voucher program ran out, according to the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
Two major California oil refinery closures are raising alarms about fuel shortages and price spikes in Nevada, which depends on the Golden State for roughly 88% of its gas, diesel and jet fuel, energy industry experts and state officials said. Phillips 66 shuttered its Los Angeles-area refinery in October, and Valero has submitted notice of plans to close a Bay Area facility by April 2026. Combined, the two plants produced 284,000 barrels of oil per day — about 17% of California's total refining capacity.
The Federal Aviation Administration selected defense contractor RTX and Spanish firm Indra on Monday to replace 612 radar systems that air traffic controllers rely on nationwide, accelerating a multibillion-dollar effort to retire infrastructure that in some locations still depends on floppy discs and spare parts sourced from eBay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced the contracts, setting a target of completing the radar replacement by summer 2028.
West Virginia residential electricity rates rose nearly 34% between 2019 and 2024, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data, making the state one of the fastest-rising residential power markets in the country. More than 266,000 households — 37% of the state — are now considered energy-burdened, spending more than 6% of their household income on electricity and other power costs. Some families are selling jewelry, skipping medications and going without food to keep their lights on.
Federal pipeline safety regulators on Monday issued a record $9.6 million fine against Third Coast Midstream, the Houston-based company whose 2023 pipeline failure spilled 1.1 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana's coast. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said Third Coast's violations were systemic — including inadequate emergency procedures, insufficient risk assessments, and improper maintenance of the 18-inch Main Pass Oil Gathering pipeline — contributing to a leak that operators allowed to continue for nearly 13 hours before shutting down the line.
Shares of major U.S. energy companies rose broadly Monday after President Donald Trump announced plans to take control of Venezuela's oil industry, saying American companies would lead a revitalization of the sector following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Oilfield services firms posted the steepest gains, while refiners and major explorers also moved higher at the opening bell.
As protests over Iran's currency collapse stretched into their second week in January 2026, unrest in the Islamic Republic entered a familiar pattern: a severe economic shock, mass demonstrations, and a government response that included severing the country's internet and telephone connections to the outside world. The current demonstrations, triggered by the rial's fall to 1.4 million to the dollar following tightening sanctions and a 12-day war with Israel, are at least the seventh major episode of mass unrest to shake Iran over the past 50 years, according to the Associated Press.
Small farms across South Dakota are capitalizing on rising consumer demand for locally grown food by building diversified operations that combine produce sales with agritourism, specialty events, and direct-to-consumer marketing — even as the state's count of USDA-certified organic producers has dropped sharply since 2022. At Bear Butte Gardens near Sturgis, co-owners Michelle and Rick Grosek have developed their 80-acre certified organic farm into a year-round destination since opening in 2010, adding overnight rentals, fiber festivals, cooking classes, and farm tours alongside sales to local grocers and restaurants.
A Texas teachers union sued the Texas Education Agency on Tuesday, accusing the agency and Education Commissioner Mike Morath of a “wave of retaliation” against public school employees for comments they made on social media about Charlie Kirk after he was fatally shot in September. The union filed in federal court in Austin.
The new year brings changes affecting how some Americans save for retirement, including changes tied to the Secure 2.0 law and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The updates include new rules that require certain high-income workers to make 401(k) catch-up contributions to the Roth option starting in 2026, along with changes to state and local tax (SALT) deductions and a senior deduction.
President Donald Trump’s family business, Trump Mobile, has not released the T1 smartphone it promoted last year, leaving the promised $500 “golden” phone absent from the market as consumer-tech companies display new gadgets at CES in Las Vegas. The company continues to take $100 deposits for the device, while its website lists the targeted release date as “later this year,” according to an Associated Press report published Monday.
West Virginia’s Demolition Landfill Assistance Program, which reimbursed communities for demolishing abandoned buildings, is running out of money and leaving municipalities to cover costs on their own. The state program, created in 2021 and funded a year later with federal COVID-19 recovery funds, helped Charleston and other local governments tear down unsafe structures and address repeated neighborhood complaints.
U.S. stocks eked out small gains on Wall Street Friday to kick off 2026, with markets mostly quiet after New Year’s Day. Technology stocks drove much of the up-and-down action as investors looked ahead to a busy week of economic data and Fed updates.
The U.S. economy expanded at its fastest quarterly pace in two years during 2025, yet job growth fell badly short of that performance as companies pulled back on hiring amid tariff uncertainty and the rapid spread of artificial intelligence, the Associated Press reported. The unemployment rate climbed from 4 percent in January to 4.6 percent by November — its highest level in four years — even as GDP grew at a 4.3 percent annual rate in the third quarter. The economy shed jobs outright in three separate months.
Nationwide demonstrations demanding economic relief have spread across all of Iran's 31 provinces, according to data from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, as the Islamic Republic's government shut down the internet and deployed security forces against protesters. The agency reported Thursday that more than 600 protests have taken place nationwide, with a death toll of at least 2,615 and 18,470 people arrested. Iran's rial has fallen to more than 1.4 million per dollar while an annual inflation rate of about 40 percent erodes living standards, the Associated Press reported.
Tesla said it delivered 1.64 million vehicles in 2025, down 9% from the year before, as the company lost its title as the world’s bestselling electric-vehicle maker to China’s BYD. The Associated Press reported the sales decline runs for a second straight year, with Tesla pointing to expiring U.S. tax credits and heavier competition overseas.
Energy analysts and oil industry experts said Saturday that President Donald Trump's plan to revitalize Venezuela's oil industry following the U.S. military seizure of President Nicolás Maduro faces a years-long rebuilding timeline and approximately $100 billion in required investment before production could return to historic levels — and that global oil markets are unlikely to feel an immediate impact.
President Donald Trump has ordered the unraveling of a $2.9 million computer chip deal after concluding that the current owner, HieFo Corp., could pose U.S. security risks if it retained control of the technology, according to an executive order. The order requires HieFo to divest the technology within 180 days, citing “credible evidence” that the company is controlled by a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, the Associated Press reported.
U.S. stocks eked out small gains on Wall Street Friday to kick off the new year, with the technology sector driving much of the up-and-down action. Markets were mostly quiet on the first trading day of 2026, capping a holiday-shortened week after they were closed for New Year’s Day. The S&P 500 rose to 6,858.47, while the Dow gained and the Nasdaq slipped.
Americans ended 2025 with a mix of solid growth and weaker hiring, with inflation still above the Federal Reserve’s goal as unemployment rose, according to an Associated Press analysis. The AP piece also points to disruptions from a six-week government shutdown last fall that clouded economic data as the year closed. It highlights questions for 2026, including whether growth can translate into better jobs and whether artificial intelligence could drive what some economists call a “jobless expansion.”
Nationwide protests erupted in Iran as the government grappled with an economic crisis, and authorities responded by cracking down while shutting down internet access, according to an Associated Press explainer published Jan. 4. The unrest has been accompanied by reports of hundreds of demonstrations across Iran’s provinces and thousands of arrests, while Iran’s government has not released overall casualty figures.
U.S. forces conducted what the Trump administration called a "large-scale strike" across Caracas on Jan. 3, 2026, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and placing them aboard a U.S. warship bound for New York to face criminal charges. Attorney General Pam Bondi said both had been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges related to a narco-terrorism conspiracy. The operation ended months of escalating U.S. military action that included more than 35 strikes against alleged drug-smuggling vessels in Caribbean and Pacific waters, killing at least 115 people, according to administration announcements.
Tesla said Friday it delivered 1.64 million vehicles in 2025, down 9% from a year earlier, as the company lost its spot as the world’s best-selling electric-vehicle maker to China’s BYD. The sales decline marks the second straight year of falling deliveries, a period that includes the expiration of a U.S. tax credit for EV buyers and intensifying competition overseas. Tesla stock fell 2.6% to $438.07.
Tech companies and developers racing to build data centers for artificial intelligence and cloud computing are losing a growing number of local zoning fights across the United States, as residents from farming towns to growing suburbs organize to block proposals they say threaten their communities' character, water supply and electric rates. Between April and June, Data Center Watch — a project of AI security consultancy 10a Labs — counted 20 proposals valued at $98 billion across 11 states that were blocked or delayed amid local opposition and state-level pushback, amounting to roughly two-thirds of the projects it was tracking during that period.
A U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday triggered the cancellation of hundreds of flights across the eastern Caribbean, grounding nearly 60 percent of departures from San Juan's international airport and stranding holiday travelers across nearly two dozen island destinations. The Federal Aviation Administration imposed airspace restrictions following the operation, halting all commercial airline traffic over Venezuela. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Saturday night the restrictions would end at midnight Eastern time, allowing airlines to resume normal operations Sunday.
Sprinkles Cupcakes, the bakery chain known for automated vending machines that dispensed fresh cupcakes in malls and airports across the United States, has shut down after 20 years of operation, according to its founder. The closure was announced Dec. 30.
More than 100 firefighters battled a three-alarm blaze Friday evening at a three-story apartment complex under construction in southeast Denver, officials said. The fire was still burning more than two hours after it started, according to Denver Fire. No injuries had been reported.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States would not govern Venezuela day-to-day beyond enforcing an existing “oil quarantine,” even as President Donald Trump reiterated that the U.S. would be “in charge” after a military operation that ousted Nicolás Maduro. Speaking as Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodríguez urged the U.S. to collaborate, Rubio described using oil-related leverage to press for changes in Venezuela.
President Donald Trump’s plan to take control of Venezuela’s oil industry and seek American investment is unlikely to cause a major change in global oil prices in the near term, analysts said. Venezuela’s output is about 1.1 million barrels of oil a day, and rebuilding the sector after years of sanctions and neglect would likely take years, analysts said.
In 2025, U.S. stocks delivered nearly 18% returns for index funds tied to the S&P 500, setting a record high on Dec. 24. The gains came after the market endured sharp drops tied to President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements and investor worries about interest rates and artificial-intelligence valuations.
Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett’s final day in the top job is Wednesday after six decades building the Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate, with Greg Abel set to take over leadership as Buffett remains chairman, according to the Associated Press. Buffett has long used Berkshire’s annual meetings and shareholder letters to share investing and life advice, including well-known rules such as “Rule No. 1: Never lose money.”
The Trump administration ordered the owners of Colorado’s Craig Station Unit 1 to keep the coal-fired generator running beyond its Wednesday retirement date, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The order came after Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association said a broken valve had taken the 446-megawatt unit out of operation, and that compliance would require repairs.
The Trump administration has ended a lease agreement for three public golf courses in Washington, offering President Donald Trump a chance to reshape federal land recreation. The National Links Trust, which has run the courses on behalf of the federal government for the past five years, said the Department of the Interior terminated the nonprofit’s 50-year lease after it failed to meet required capital-improvement plans.
President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the unraveling of a $2.9 million computer chips deal involving Emcore and HieFo, saying the current owner poses U.S. security risks. The executive order gives HieFo 180 days to divest the technology, citing “credible evidence” the company is a citizen of the People’s Republic of China.
The CEO of Saks Global Enterprises, which owns Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, is stepping down as the luxury retailer works through a heavy debt load. Marc Metrick will depart effective immediately, the company said Friday, and Richard Baker will replace him as executive chairman.
Bulgarians began withdrawing euros for the first time after the country joined the euro currency union, Bulgaria’s 21st member state, the Associated Press reported. The switch started on Thursday, with bank machines in Sofia dispensing brand new euro banknotes for withdrawals.
Syria has begun circulating new banknotes as it seeks to stabilize the economy after the fall of President Bashar Assad’s government. The rollout started Saturday in Syria, with a presidential decree saying “old Syrian currency” will be gradually withdrawn through exchange centers.
Starting this year, Californians will pay a 1.5 percent surcharge — capped at $15 — every time they buy a product with a non-removable battery, from power tools and gaming consoles to singing greeting cards. The fee, which took effect January 1, expands the state's electronic-waste recycling program to cover the lithium-ion batteries now embedded in thousands of everyday consumer products. The change stems from Senate Bill 1215, authored by former state Sen. Josh Newman, a Democrat who represented parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, and signed into law in 2022 by Gov. Gavin Newsom. California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery estimates about 7,300 tons of batteries reach landfills illegally or by accident each year.
California's 2025 push to regulate data centers' surging electricity demand ended with a single surviving measure: a law directing state utility regulators to publish a report on cost impacts by 2027. Stronger proposals — including a separate electricity rate for data centers, grid battery mandates, and electricity-disclosure requirements — collapsed under pressure from Big Tech, business groups, and Gov. Gavin Newsom. The lone survivor, authored by state Sen. Steve Padilla, D-Chula Vista, began as a plan to shield households and small businesses from higher energy bills by creating a distinct rate structure for data centers. By the time it passed, that core provision had been stripped out.
A Texas state audit released this week found sweeping financial control failures at Texas Southern University, including vendor records that were wrong or missing in 97 percent of checked cases and no physical inventory of university assets since 2019. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called the findings "beyond disturbing" on Wednesday and announced that he, Gov. Greg Abbott, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows have halted all TSU contract spending except ongoing expenses needed to keep the school open.
Iran’s widening protests sparked by economic pressures spread into rural provinces, with authorities reporting at least seven people killed, according to AP on Thursday. The deaths were reported across multiple cities, with two fatalities reported Wednesday and five on Thursday, AP said.
New Year’s Day, 2026 will bring closures for many parts of government and for banks and the stock market, while many major retailers across the U.S. will still be open with modified hours in some locations. Post offices, courts and schools are expected to be closed, according to the Associated Press.
Sprinkles Cupcakes, a company known for selling desserts through vending-machine “cupcake ATMs,” has shut down after about 20 years, according to its former owner. The closure was announced Dec. 30, and Candace Nelson, who started the company after losing her job in 2005, said she is “still” connected to it and “isn’t how I thought the story would go.”
Turkmenistan legalized cryptocurrency mining and cryptocurrency exchanges on Thursday, a shift signed into law by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The legislation brings “virtual assets” under civil law and sets up a licensing scheme for exchanges overseen by the central bank, while barring digital currencies from being used as a means of payment, currency or security.
A U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flew him out of the country early Saturday disrupted air travel across parts of the eastern Caribbean during the New Year holiday weekend. The Federal Aviation Administration imposed flight restrictions, and major airlines canceled hundreds of flights to and from Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Aruba and other destinations.
U.S. stocks eked out small gains on the first trading day of 2026, with the S&P 500 rising 0.2% to 6,858.47 and the Dow climbing 0.7% to 48,382.39. Trading was described as “mostly quiet” after markets closed Thursday for New Year’s Day.
On New Year’s Day, Bulgaria became the 21st country to join the euro currency union, deepening its integration with the European Union. The shift arrives as Bulgaria faces political upheaval and public skepticism amid concerns that prices could rise during the currency changeover.
Iran appointed Abdolnasser Hemmati as the country’s new central bank governor on Wednesday, as protests erupted after the rial fell to a record low against the U.S. dollar. The appointment came after President Masoud Pezeshkian’s Cabinet accepted the resignation of Mohammad Reza Farzin, who stepped down on Monday.
Protests erupted across Iran on Monday after the rial fell to a record low versus the U.S. dollar and the head of the central bank resigned, according to state television and official news agencies. In Tehran, demonstrators gathered around major bazaars and shopkeepers closed businesses, while police used tear gas in some areas to disperse crowds, witnesses told The Associated Press.
Federal Reserve officials voted to cut the central bank’s key interest rate by a quarter point earlier this month, but the decision produced unusual dissent and exposed disagreements over whether weak hiring or still-elevated inflation posed the bigger risk to the economy, minutes released Tuesday showed. The Fed cut the rate at its December 9-10 meeting to about 3.6%, a level described as the lowest in nearly three years.
Widening demonstrations sparked by Iran's ailing economy spread Thursday into rural provinces, with at least seven people killed in the first fatalities reported among protesters and security forces since the unrest began, authorities said. The deaths — two on Wednesday and five on Thursday — occurred across four cities largely home to Iran's Lur ethnic group.
Federal tax incentives for electric vehicles end after a Congress-passed package takes effect, but buyers have until Sept. 30 to qualify for the credits on EVs. Even without the federal tax breaks, experts say many drivers could still save money over time and may see climate benefits compared with gasoline cars.
Millions of Americans who buy health plans through the Affordable Care Act are set to see higher premium costs in 2026 after enhanced tax credits expired overnight, the Associated Press reported. The change affects people who do not get coverage through an employer and do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, including many self-employed workers and small-business owners.
A Walt Disney World employee was knocked to the ground and injured Tuesday while trying to stop a 400-pound (181-kilogram) prop boulder that moved off its track and rolled toward seated audience members at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. A second worker stopped the boulder before it reached the spectators, the company confirmed Wednesday.
Tesla said it delivered 1.64 million vehicles in 2025, down 9% from a year earlier, as it lost the title of the world’s top electric-vehicle maker to China’s BYD. The company also reported weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter sales, while analysts pointed to expiring U.S. tax credits for EV buyers and intensifying overseas competition.
A federal appeals court blocked enforcement of Hawaii's first-in-the-nation climate change tourist tax on cruise ships on New Year's Eve, halting a levy that had been set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Two judges of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted injunctions pending appeal after Cruise Lines International Association challenged the law as an unconstitutional tax on vessels entering Hawaii ports.
Enhanced tax credits that reduced health insurance costs for more than 20 million Affordable Care Act enrollees expired at midnight Wednesday, beginning 2026 with premium increases averaging 114% for subsidized participants, according to an analysis by the health care research nonprofit KFF. The expiration affects self-employed workers, small business owners, farmers, and others who purchase coverage on the individual market and do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare.
Most major U.S. retailers will be open on New Year's Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, while government offices, courts, post offices, banks, and stock markets will remain closed for the federal holiday, the Associated Press reported. Hours vary by location, and shoppers should verify schedules with their local stores before heading out.
California enacted a law that requires regulators to study how data centers affect the energy grid and rates for years to come, after Big Tech and business groups pushed back on broader rules. The measure is a scaled-down remnant of last year’s effort to address the energy demand behind artificial intelligence, and it could shape debates in the 2026 legislative session. (CalMatters via the Associated Press)
Authorities in Finland and Estonia are investigating damage to an undersea telecommunications cable in the Gulf of Finland early Wednesday, between the capitals of Finland and Estonia, the Associated Press reported. Finnish police opened an investigation into aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage and aggravated interference with telecommunications.
Bulgaria will adopt the euro currency on New Year’s Day, becoming the 21st country to use the European Union’s shared currency. The switch will convert bank accounts at a fixed rate of 51 euro cents to the outgoing lev and allow lev payments for about a month, with change paid in euros. The change arrives amid polling that shows many Bulgarians oppose joining, with concerns ranging from possible price increases to doubts about official institutions.
Chinese factory activity expanded for the first time in eight months in December, according to purchasing managers’ surveys released Wednesday. The official manufacturing purchasing managers index rose to 50.1, edging above the 50 level that separates expansion from contraction.
Americans are boosting their protein intake, and a new wave of products and videos is pushing dietary fiber as the next major food fad, according to market research and nutrition experts. The push is being fueled by growing attention to gut health and weight management, as well as by branding that ties fiber to modern diet trends.
State-backed developer China Vanke narrowly avoided default last week on a 2 billion yuan ($284 million) bond, underscoring how slowly China’s property market is recovering, according to credit rating agencies and analysts. Bondholders agreed to extend repayment of another 3.7 billion yuan ($530 million) of onshore debt due Dec. 28, with the new deadline set for February.
Texas Southern University faces significant financial and asset-management weaknesses, according to a Texas state audit released this week. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called the findings “beyond disturbing,” and said his office and other Republican leaders have ended TSU spending on contracts outside ongoing university expenses needed to keep the school open.
Jobless claims fell below 200,000 for the week ending Dec. 27, underscoring that layoffs have stayed low even as the labor market shows signs of cooling. The Labor Department reported 199,000 initial applications, down from 215,000 the prior week.
Farmers are starting to learn how much federal assistance they can expect under a $12 billion package President Donald Trump announced earlier this month, after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released Wednesday the per-acre amounts for major row crops. The payments are designed to help producers weather disruptions from the tariff dispute with China, which halted purchases of American soybeans.
President Donald Trump made numerous tariff threats and trade promises in 2025, but several of the most sweeping ones had not taken effect as of late December. An Associated Press review of his public comments found examples ranging from plans for a new “External Revenue Service” to proposals for 100% tariffs on imports ranging from films to pharmaceuticals.
Wall Street slid on a thin trading day Wednesday as investors closed out positions ahead of New Year’s Day, extending a recent losing streak to a fourth session. The S&P 500 fell 0.7%, the Dow dropped 0.6% and the Nasdaq ended 0.8% lower.
US stocks rose again in 2025 after investors weathered swings tied to tariffs and pressure on the Federal Reserve, Associated Press reported. For investors with diversified stock exposure, the year ended with strong gains, even as markets periodically reeled from trade and interest-rate concerns.
President Donald Trump has argued that the White House needs more space to entertain, and a longtime White House chief usher says that concern has surfaced with multiple presidents. Gary Walters, who served in the residence through seven administrations, said earlier presidents discussed the limits of the State Dining Room and East Room during state dinner setups.
The Trump administration has ordered Tri-State Generation and Transmission to keep Unit 1 of its Craig Station coal-fired power plant running beyond its Wednesday retirement date, citing an electricity-generation shortage in the northwestern United States. Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued the emergency order after a broken valve put 446-megawatt Unit 1 out of operation in December, and Tri-State said complying will be costly.
TikTok has signed binding agreements with Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX to form a new U.S. joint venture, according to an internal memo seen by The Associated Press. CEO Shou Zi Chew told employees the deal is expected to close on Jan. 22 and that the U.S. venture will have protections for Americans’ data and U.S. national security.
Oysters, crab and about $400,000 worth of lobster meat were stolen in separate incidents in New England within weeks of each other, authorities and industry figures said. The cases included 14 cages full of oysters taken from an aquaculture site in Falmouth, Maine, and a later lobster theft tied to a shipment arranged for Costco stores.
Warren Buffett offered investors and employees advice that has become part of his public legacy as his last day leading Berkshire Hathaway approaches, with Greg Abel set to take over the company’s leadership. In an Associated Press roundup from Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett’s longtime themes—about risk, patience, ethics, and “America”—are collected from his earlier remarks and writings.
New Year’s resolutions often focus on money goals, but financial planners and coaches told The Associated Press that people usually do better when they turn intentions into trackable plans for 2026. Several people making those plans described how they are budgeting, paying down debt, building savings and balancing spending with long-term priorities.
California announced Tuesday it would delay until March the revocation of roughly 17,000 commercial driver's licenses, giving eligible truckers and bus drivers more time to preserve their permits — one week after immigrant commercial drivers filed a class-action lawsuit challenging the revocation plan.
A Walt Disney World employee was knocked to the ground Tuesday while trying to stop a 400-pound prop boulder that rolled off its track toward seated spectators at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular in Orlando, Florida, according to Disney. A second worker intervened and stopped the boulder before it reached the audience. Disney said Wednesday it would not disclose the injured employee's condition, citing privacy reasons, and that it was reviewing why the prop moved off its track.
With 2026 arriving, a new set of state laws is taking effect that spans climate policy, alcohol enforcement, prescription drug pricing and vehicle licensing. Hawaii plans to raise a tourist lodging tax to fund climate resilience projects, while Utah expands rules intended to keep alcohol out of the hands of people convicted of drunken driving. California, Washington and Georgia are also among the states introducing changes involving insulin pricing, minimum wage increases and specialty license plates.
Nevada lawmakers and casino executives are pressing Congress to reverse a federal tax change that, starting in 2026, limits the deduction of gambling losses. The change reduces players’ deductible losses from 100% to 90%, a shift casino leaders and poker players say is already affecting planning for the new year.
Berkshire Hathaway is entering a new era as Warren Buffett steps back and hands more responsibility to Greg Abel, who is set to take over later this week, the company’s succession plan made public years ago. Abel has already managed Berkshire’s noninsurance businesses for several years and will continue to work within the firm’s decentralized structure, according to people familiar with the company’s approach.
Italy’s Parliament on Dec. 30 approved the government’s 2026 budget, setting deficit-cutting measures aimed at bringing the deficit down to 2.8% of gross domestic product, from a previously targeted 3%. The conservative coalition led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni won final approval in the lower house by a 216-126 vote.
Lee Enterprises said it has reached a compromise with billionaire investor David Hoffmann, who offered a $50 million investment to stabilize the newspaper company’s finances. The deal is expected to reshape governance at Lee, including leadership changes after Hoffmann takes control of the chain, which publishes titles including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Buffalo News.
Federal Reserve officials were deeply divided over the central bank's December interest rate reduction, with some who voted for the quarter-point cut saying they could just as easily have backed holding rates steady, according to meeting minutes released Tuesday. The 9-3 vote at the December 9–10 Federal Open Market Committee meeting — an unusual level of dissent for a body that typically acts by consensus — reflected a committee split over which posed the greater threat to the economy: a weakening job market or inflation that remains above the central bank's 2% target.
Holiday shopping leading into the week after Christmas showed early signs of weaker traditional gift-giving and a shift toward thrift stores, alongside fewer returns so far, according to data analyzed by Visa and Mastercard, Placer.ai and Adobe Analytics. The trends are unfolding as some Americans express unease about the U.S. economy and as higher prices tied to President Donald Trump’s tariffs alter buying behavior.
NEW YORK — A federal district court judge blocked the White House from stopping funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, ruling that the CFPB should keep getting money from the Federal Reserve, so employees can keep getting paid. The decision came days before the bureau’s funds would have likely run out, according to the court.
Nevada lawmakers and gaming industry leaders are pressing Congress to restore a federal tax deduction that will reduce how much gamblers can deduct losses from winnings starting in 2026. Lawmakers including Rep. Dina Titus and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto say the change will hurt Nevada’s casinos and the broader sports-betting and tournament economy in the months ahead.
Work requirements for low-income people receiving federal benefits would expand under a Trump administration priority that drew sharp criticism from economists and policy experts. The rules would affect adults receiving SNAP food assistance, certain Medicaid enrollees beginning in 2027, and potentially tenants using public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers if HUD adopts a proposed rule.
For many people, the new year is a prompt to reset financial goals and build routines that can be tracked through 2026. Financial planners and coaches told The Associated Press that successful resolutions often start with a budget, an emergency fund and a payoff strategy that fits real life. Several people preparing for 2026 said they are aiming to pay down credit card debt, save for a home and set aside even small amounts for emergencies.
Lee Enterprises said it reached a compromise with billionaire investor David Hoffmann to secure $50 million in fresh funding aimed at stabilizing its finances. Hoffmann, whose family investment firm already owns more than 40 publications, will become Lee’s chairman as he seeks to make the company its largest newspaper publisher.
California will delay revoking about 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses until March after immigrant groups sued, state officials said Tuesday. The action comes amid pressure from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who said the state could lose $160 million if it misses a Jan. 5 revocation deadline.
Berkshire Hathaway is beginning a leadership transition after Warren Buffett said he is stepping back this week, with Greg Abel set to take over later this week. The company’s new era will test whether Abel makes changes to Berkshire’s famously decentralized model while investors focus on issues such as cash management and whether a dividend becomes more likely.
In China, some economic indicators point to resilience, including strong exports and momentum in artificial-intelligence and other advanced industries. But many ordinary people and small business owners say the property slump is dragging down consumer confidence and job and income prospects, particularly in large cities such as Beijing. Economists also warn that official growth figures may overstate how fast the economy is actually slowing, as analysts look to 2026 and beyond for a weaker consumption-and-investment outlook.
Duke University says it has cut $299 million through staff buyouts and building closures after federal funding changes tied to the Trump administration’s higher-education agenda, according to a report distributed by The Associated Press.
Italy’s parliament approved the government’s 2026 budget in a vote that reduced the planned deficit target to 2.8% of gross domestic product, down from an earlier 3% target, according to the European Union’s requirements. The conservative coalition led by Premier Giorgia Meloni won the final vote in the lower house by 216-126, while the center-left opposition criticized the package as austerity.
Michigan saw about $540 million in climate-related federal grants canceled or held up after President Donald Trump took office, according to an analysis compiled by Atlas Public Policy. The shift also corresponds with changes in state and automaker plans for clean-energy manufacturing, including cancelled or delayed electric-vehicle and battery projects, the reporting says.
South Korea has outlined plans to retire most of its coal-fired power plants by 2040 and cut emissions by 2035, but the country’s climate goals are drawing scrutiny amid negotiations to increase U.S. liquefied natural gas purchases tied to trade talks with President Donald Trump. At recent UN climate talks, South Korea’s new Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said the shift is central to its carbon-cutting pledge. Climate advocates and energy analysts say adding more LNG could undercut the planned move away from fossil fuels, even if gas burns cleaner than coal.
Some South Dakota tribal nations are beginning to treat tourism as a source of economic development as the South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance works with reservation leaders and organizations to reshape how visitors engage Native communities. In interviews, South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance officials said outreach has required addressing concerns about exploitation while developing tours that connect visitors with land, culture and history.
Power outages triggered by winter storms, heat waves, wildfires, or accidents can turn serious — or even fatal — depending on duration and outside temperature, emergency preparedness experts said. The American Red Cross, the American Public Power Association, and the Consumer Energy Alliance urged U.S. residents to build emergency kits and establish plans before the next outage strikes.
A federal district court judge ruled Tuesday that the White House cannot stop funding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau through the Federal Reserve, a decision aimed at keeping the CFPB able to pay its employees. The ruling came as the administration argued the bureau would run out of money based on the Fed’s “combined earnings” for the agency.
South Korea has pledged to retire most of its coal-fired power plants by 2040 and cut carbon emissions by 2035, but it is also in talks tied to U.S. trade demands that could increase imports of U.S. liquefied natural gas. At United Nations climate talks, South Korea’s new ministry laid out the coal phaseout and emissions goals, while climate and energy experts said the parallel push for LNG could lock the country into fossil-fuel dependence. The potential U.S.-Seoul energy deal would include large-scale investment and LNG purchases alongside negotiations shaped by Trump-era tariffs.
President Donald Trump’s administration made work requirements for people receiving public benefits a priority, with changes reaching SNAP, Medicaid and HUD-subsidized housing. An Associated Press review of the policy shifts describes how new or expanded work rules—aimed at able-bodied adults without dependents—could force millions to document employment, job training, volunteering or other activity to keep benefits. Economists and policy experts cited by AP said the evidence for broader labor-market effects is mixed, while critics warn the rules could reduce access and increase administrative burdens.
Nevada lawmakers and gaming industry leaders are pressing Congress to restore a 100% federal tax deduction for gambling losses after a new law cut the deductible share to 90% starting in 2026. Supporters say the change could affect tournaments, jobs and sports betting in Nevada as the new year approaches. Rep. Dina Titus and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto have introduced legislation aimed at reversing the deduction reduction.
Dominion Energy Virginia has asked a federal judge to block a Trump administration order that paused construction of its offshore wind project and four others, saying the government acted without proper basis. The order from the Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management set a 90-day period to assess national security threats, while a hearing is set for 2 p.m. Monday on Dominion’s request for a temporary restraining order.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s inspector general will audit clean energy grant cancellations totaling $7.6 billion that the Trump administration terminated across 16 states. The move follows a court filing in which the government said the selection of grants was influenced by whether a grantee’s address was in a state that votes for Democratic candidates. Acting inspector general Sarah Nelson said the review will examine whether the cancellations followed “established criteria.”
Greg Abel faces the challenge of taking over Berkshire Hathaway from Warren Buffett later this week, as the legendary investor steps back from day-to-day leadership. Buffett will remain chairman and plans to keep coming into the office each day to advise Abel and help the company spot new investments.
Tyson Foods plans to close its beef plant in Lexington, Nebraska, laying off 3,200 workers, the company says it will do next month. The shutdown, which comes after more than two decades of operation, threatens jobs across the town’s restaurants and service businesses as families weigh whether to leave. Workers and residents described a sense of uncertainty spreading through the community ahead of the Jan. 20 closure.
Many people set New Year’s resolutions that focus on financial goals, from paying down credit card debt to building an emergency fund. Financial planner Erica Grundza says the best approach is to revisit the “why” behind money goals and make an optimistic, realistic plan for the year ahead. The Associated Press spoke with people planning their 2026 finances, including approaches such as budgeting, checking credit reports and pairing savings with debt payoff.
Italy’s Parliament approved the government’s 2026 budget on Tuesday, backed by deficit-cutting measures that would reduce the deficit target to 2.8% of gross domestic product. The conservative coalition led by Premier Giorgia Meloni won in the lower house 216-126, while the center-left opposition said the plan leans on austerity and does not address low pay and high taxes.
Duke University expects to reduce its spending by $364 million after federal funding changes tied to the Trump administration’s higher-education agenda, according to university documents and internal presentations reported by The Chronicle. The cuts, including buyouts that reduced staff and prompted some building closures, follow proposals that would cap universities’ federally funded grant-reimbursement rates and limit certain types of research funding.
California has dropped a lawsuit that sought to reinstate $4 billion in federal funding for the state’s long-delayed high-speed rail project, according to the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The authority said it will shift to other funding sources after the U.S. Transportation Department cut the money, including the agency’s plan to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Chinese households and small business owners say weak property prices and uncertainty about jobs and incomes have made everyday life feel harder, even as exports and technology sectors project strength. The Associated Press reports that by late 2025, many residents described tightening budgets while economists said China’s growth may lag behind official figures. The picture has also unfolded against a partial truce after President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping moved to avert a wider trade fight.
Michigan has lost about $540 million in climate-related federal grants since President Donald Trump took office, according to an Atlas Public Policy database cited by Bridge Michigan. The cancellations come as auto and battery manufacturers have scaled back or halted some electric-vehicle projects and shifted investment toward gas and hybrid production.
As 2026 begins, several U.S. states will roll out new laws that include a Hawaii tourism “Green Fee” aimed at climate impacts and a California program to sell state-labeled insulin. Other changes taking effect range from tighter Utah alcohol-identification requirements for bar and restaurant customers to new vehicle license plates in Georgia that feature “America First.”
New York’s subway system will stop selling or refilling MetroCards after Dec. 31, 2025, as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority transitions the system fully to OMNY, a tap-and-go payment option. Officials say more than 90% of subway and bus trips are already paid through OMNY, which riders can use by tapping a credit card, phone or other smart device.
Setting a home thermostat a few degrees higher while away — rather than shutting the air conditioner off entirely or leaving it running at the usual temperature — is the best balance of energy savings, comfort, and humidity control for most U.S. households, three experts told the Associated Press. The recommendation applies broadly but varies by climate, building type, and the length of absence.
About 40 ice cream and frozen dairy dessert makers representing approximately 90 percent of the U.S. supply pledged Monday to remove seven petroleum-based artificial dyes from their products by 2028, federal health officials announced. The commitment follows similar pledges in recent weeks from companies including Nestle, Kraft Heinz and General Mills, as the Trump administration presses food manufacturers to eliminate synthetic dyes over concerns about potential health effects.
Congress has eliminated federal tax incentives for electric vehicles, ending a $7,500 credit on new EVs and up to $4,000 on used ones before a Sept. 30 deadline for qualifying purchases. Even without the credits, transportation researchers and consumer advocates say electric vehicles remain financially and environmentally superior over the life of the car for buyers who can afford the higher sticker price.
Retail workers and labor unions across the United States are pushing employers and legislatures to guarantee workers the right to sit down during work, citing documented health risks from prolonged standing. The effort spans contract negotiations at major retailers and new local and state laws, reflecting a shift in how worker advocates frame occupational safety.
Sales of raw milk in the United States have risen significantly since the H5N1 bird flu virus was detected in dairy cattle for the first time, according to market data that contrasts with explicit health warnings from federal agencies.
