Trump Says Iran 'Better Stop Now' If It's Charging Oil Tankers Fees to Go Through Strait of Hormuz
Former President Donald Trump warned Iran on Truth Social to stop charging fees for oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is reportedly planning to levy cryptocurrency payments for passage, a move that could tighten an already fragile cease‑fire reached two days earlier. The strait carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil, and the U.S. has tied a two‑week suspension of hostilities to an immediate, unrestricted reopening. Trump’s statements also framed the cease‑fire as a victory and dismissed media criticism.
OpenAI Slams Anthropic in Memo to Shareholders as Its Leading AI Rival Gains Momentum
OpenAI circulated an investor memo this week accusing Anthropic of operating on a "meaningfully smaller" compute curve, noting OpenAI’s plan to reach 30 gigawatts of AI compute by 2030 versus Anthropic’s projected 7‑8 gigawatts by the end of 2027. Anthropic responded by...
Keir Starmer: 'I'm Fed Up' With Trump and Putin Affecting UK Energy Costs
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told ITV’s Talking Politics podcast he is "fed up" with UK energy bills swinging wildly because of actions by U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He linked the volatility to recent oil‑price spikes...
U.S. Postal Service Seeks Hike in Price of First-Class Mail Stamps to 82 Cents in July
The U.S. Postal Service announced a proposal to raise the price of First‑Class Forever stamps from 78 cents to 82 cents, effective July 12. The increase represents a 4.8% hike and is part of a broader set of price adjustments,...
Iran Attacks on Crucial Saudi Pipeline and Production Facilities Slash Kingdom's Oil Output
Iran attacked Saudi Arabia's strategic East‑West pipeline, knocking out about 700,000 barrels per day of capacity, and simultaneously struck the Manifa and Khurais production complexes, trimming Saudi output by roughly 600,000 barrels per day. The pipeline, which routes crude to...
How 'Married Filing Separately' Status Could Affect Trump Tax Breaks This Season
The 2025 tax season introduces new deductions under President Trump’s recent legislation, but married couples must decide whether to file jointly or separately. Filing jointly generally offers a larger standard deduction and broader eligibility for credits, while filing separately can...
Automatic U.S. Military Draft Registration Planned by December, Filing Shows
The Selective Service System filed a proposal to automatically enroll every U.S. male citizen aged 18 to 26 in the draft registry by December 2026, fulfilling a requirement added to the National Defense Authorization Act. Registration compliance slipped to 81%...
Salesforce Won't Be Discarded in the AI Boom, but What Companies Want Is Changing
Salesforce remains a core player as AI reshapes enterprise software, but customers are demanding lower‑cost, AI‑driven alternatives. Blavity plans to replace its Salesforce CRM with an AI solution, targeting 50‑60% savings, while retaining Slack for internal communications. Salesforce has rolled...
47% of College Students Have Seriously Considered Changing Majors Due to AI: Survey
A recent Lumina Foundation‑Gallup survey of 3,801 U.S. college students finds that 47% have seriously considered changing their major because of AI‑related job‑market concerns. Already, 13% of bachelor’s students and 19% of associate‑degree students have switched majors. Consideration is higher...
OpenAI Looks to Take on Anthropic with $100 per Month ChatGPT Pro Subscriptions
OpenAI introduced a $100‑per‑month ChatGPT Pro tier that delivers five times the Codex usage limits of its $20 Plus plan, aiming at developers with intensive coding needs. The move expands OpenAI’s personal subscription lineup to five tiers and directly challenges Anthropic’s...
The Strait of Hormuz Is Not Open as Iran Controls Access After Ceasefire, UAE Oil CEO Says
Following a U.S.-Iran cease‑fire, Iran has begun requiring ships to obtain its permission before transiting the Strait of Hormuz, effectively keeping the waterway closed to free navigation, according to ADNOC CEO Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber. The restriction affects roughly 20 % of...
Inflation Held Sticky at 3% as U.S. Headed Into War with Iran, Key Fed Gauge Shows
The core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index held at a 3% annual rate in February, while headline inflation ticked up to 2.8%, both in line with expectations. Consumer spending rose 0.5% month‑over‑month, but personal income slipped 0.1%, underscoring mixed...
Family Offices Piled Into Oil After Capital Dried Up. The Recent Rally Has Made for Big Gains
Family offices have capitalized on the recent oil price surge, which rose about 30% to over $94 a barrel after the Iran conflict began in February. With institutional investors pulling back due to ESG pressures, these ultra‑wealthy firms entered the...
Oil Prices Rise to Nearly $100 After Iran Accuses U.S. of Breaching Ceasefire Deal
Oil prices surged on Thursday, with Brent crude reaching $98.54 a barrel and U.S. WTI climbing to $99.41, after Iran accused Washington of violating three elements of a two‑week cease‑fire agreement. Iran’s parliamentary speaker cited Israel’s strikes in Lebanon, a...
As Millions Lose Weight on GLP-1s, They're Starting to Turn to Retailers to Refresh Their Wardrobes
Millions of Americans are shedding pounds with GLP‑1 drugs such as Wegovy, Foundayo and Ozempic, creating a new wave of demand for smaller clothing. Market research shows about 13% of adults are currently on a GLP‑1, with projections of 30 million...
Britain to Call for Toll-Free Strait of Hormuz, Says Lebanon Must Be Part of Iran Ceasefire
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to call for toll‑free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, countering Iran’s push to levy fees on one of the world’s key oil chokepoints. In the same speech she will press for Lebanon’s...
From War to Weather: A 'Super El Niño' Event Poses Fresh Risks to Global Food Costs
A potentially “super El Niño” is forecast for late 2026, raising the risk of severe drought and heat across major agricultural regions. The weather threat compounds already‑high fertilizer and energy prices caused by the Iran‑Hormuz conflict, which has choked roughly one‑third...
Jim Cramer Says the Market's Rally Is a Peek Into What Stocks Are Worth Buying
Jim Cramer said Wednesday’s rally, driven by President Donald Trump’s two‑week pause in U.S. attacks on Iran, revealed which stocks investors should buy as volatility eases. The Dow jumped 2.85%, the S&P 500 rose 2.51% and the Nasdaq added 2.8%, while...
South Korea Stocks Lead Gains in Asia as U.S.-Iran Agree to a Ceasefire
South Korean equities led an Asian rally on April 7 after President Donald Trump announced a two‑week suspension of planned attacks on Iranian infrastructure, contingent on the Strait of Hormuz reopening. The Kospi jumped nearly 6% while the Kosdaq rose...
Oil Prices Plunge Below $100 After Iran Agrees to Safe Passage Through Strait of Hormuz During Ceasefire
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude plunged 15% to $95.63 per barrel after President Donald Trump agreed to suspend attacks on Iran for two weeks in exchange for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The cease‑fire, brokered with Pakistan’s prime...
Trump Faces Calls for Removal over Threats to Wipe Out 'Whole Civilization' In Iran
President Donald Trump warned on Truth Social that "a whole civilization will die tonight" if Iran did not comply, prompting a wave of calls for his impeachment and invocation of the 25th Amendment. Democrats, joined by a handful of Republicans,...
Trump-Iran Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire, Plan to Open Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump announced a two‑week suspension of planned attacks on Iranian infrastructure, contingent on Iran’s immediate and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The cease‑fire follows intense social‑media threats and was negotiated with Pakistan’s prime minister and military...
Novo Nordisk's Explosive Wegovy Pill Launch Draws a New Wave of Patients Into GLP-1 Weight Loss Treatment
Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy pill launched in January and has already generated over 600,000 prescriptions within three months, attracting tens of thousands of new patients who previously avoided GLP‑1 injections. The drug is priced at $149‑$299 per month, markedly lower...
Google CEO Sundar Pichai Says 'AI Shift' Opens Opportunities to Invest in Startups
Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the AI boom is opening new opportunities for Alphabet to invest in high‑growth startups. The company’s early bet on SpaceX now values at roughly $100 billion, while recent commitments to Anthropic, Stripe and Waymo total billions...
Elon Musk Seeks Ouster of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as Part of Lawsuit
Elon Musk has filed a lawsuit seeking to remove OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman from their officer roles, alleging the company defrauded him after a $38 million donation. The filing, submitted on April 7, also demands that OpenAI revert...
Cramer Says Tuesday’s Stock Market Action Gives Investors a Glimpse of the U.S. Economy’s Fate if Iran War Persists
Jim Cramer warned that Tuesday’s market action signals a bleak outlook for the U.S. economy if the Iran conflict drags on. The S&P 500 slipped for most of the session while the Dow fell 0.2% and the Nasdaq barely rose....
Delta, Southwest Raise Checked Bag Fees $10 Amid Jet Fuel Price Surge, Joining Other Carriers
Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines are each adding $10 to their checked‑bag fees, raising the first bag charge to $45 and the second to $55. The hikes follow similar moves by United and JetBlue and come as jet‑fuel prices...
Apple Shares Sink on Report of Foldable iPhone Delays
Apple’s shares slipped about 2% on Tuesday after Nikkei Asia reported engineering challenges delaying its first foldable iPhone, originally slated for a September 2026 launch alongside the iPhone 18. The report highlighted that the company’s supply chain is under pressure...
Levi Strauss Revenue Jumps Again, with DTC Making up More than Half of Sales for the First Time
Levi Strauss reported a 14% revenue jump to $1.74 billion, with direct‑to‑consumer (DTC) sales climbing 16% to account for 52% of total revenue for the first time. The company beat Wall Street expectations on both top and bottom lines and lifted...
House Democrats Call on Federal Regulator to Crack Down on Offshore Prediction Market War Bets
House Democrats sent a letter to CFTC Chair Michael Selig urging the agency to crack down on offshore prediction‑market bets tied to war and other government actions, citing alleged insider trading on contracts about Venezuela and Iran. They argue the...
Universal Music Stock Rises After Pershing Square's $64 Billion Takeover Proposal
Pershing Square has lodged a €55.8 billion cash‑and‑stock offer for Universal Music Group, pricing shares at €30.4 each – a 78% premium to the recent close. The proposal combines €9.4 billion in cash with 0.77 new shares per existing share and calls...
Anthropic Limits Mythos AI Rollout over Fears Hackers Could Use Model for Cyberattacks
Anthropic unveiled Claude Mythos Preview, an advanced AI model that excels at spotting software vulnerabilities, and is rolling it out through a restricted initiative called Project Glasswing. The first cohort includes Apple, Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AWS and security firms such as CrowdStrike and...
Is It Time to Buy Tech, Again? A Flurry of Good News From Broadcom May Hold the Answer
Tech valuations have fallen to levels comparable with the broader market, sparking renewed investor interest despite lingering geopolitical risks. Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo note that AI‑driven growth and defensive characteristics make the sector attractive, even if a deeper Iran‑related...
NASA Artemis II Photo Captures Moon Eclipse of Sun — 'Absolutely Stunning'
NASA’s Artemis II mission captured a striking image of the Moon eclipsing the Sun during its six‑hour lunar flyby, a moment NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman called “absolutely stunning.” The crew also broke Apollo 13’s 56‑year‑old record for the farthest distance traveled by...
41-Year-Old High School Teacher's Side Hustle Brings in $3.8 Million a Year—He Shares 'Every High and Every Low' With Students
Kevin Corey, a 41‑year‑old business teacher at Uniondale High School, co‑founded Stall Mates, a flushable bathroom wipes brand that posted more than $3.8 million in revenue for 2025. The company grew from a $14,000 seed investment and now sells roughly 250,000 units...
With Gas Prices Above $4, Drivers Across the Country Grapple with Higher Costs: “I Have to Spend It—There’s No Other...
U.S. gasoline prices have risen to a national average of $4.14 per gallon, driven by geopolitical tensions and supply concerns. At the $4 threshold, 59% of Americans say they would modify driving habits, and the share climbs to three‑quarters at...
Iran War Upends Spring Housing Market. Here's What Real Estate Agents Are Seeing
The Iran‑Israel conflict has pushed 30‑year mortgage rates from a pre‑war low of 5.99% to around 6.5%, dampening buyer enthusiasm in the spring housing season. Real‑estate agents report that buyers now worry more about the broader economy and financing costs...
Jet Fuel Supply Concerns Grow as War with Iran Drags on, Airlines Cut Flights
Jet fuel prices in the United States have nearly doubled since late February, driven by the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran and the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The spike is forcing major carriers such as Lufthansa, United and...
Chrysler CEO Says There Is a Minivan 'Resurgence' But Stays Quiet on Product Plans
Chrysler CEO Matt McAlear announced a minivan resurgence at the New York International Auto Show, unveiling the premium Pacifica Pinnacle while hinting at broader product plans to be detailed at Stellantis' May 21 investor day. He emphasized that Chrysler remains...
Trump Accounts Put Robinhood in Front of the Next Generation of Investors, Says CEO Vlad Tenev
Robinhood will serve as broker and trustee for the Treasury‑backed Trump Accounts, a fee‑free custodial investment product for children born between 2025 and 2028. The government will seed each account with $1,000, and more than 4 million children have already been...
Used Car Prices Rise to Highest Point Since Summer 2023
Used‑vehicle prices surged 6.2% year‑over‑year in March, pushing Cox Automotive’s Manheim Index to its highest level since summer 2023. Days‑supply of used cars slipped below 40 days, the lowest point of 2026, reflecting tight inventory. Strong consumer demand persists despite...
'The Thaw Is Real': Indian Delegation Visits China to Talk EVs and More
India’s PHD Chamber led its first business delegation to China in more than five years, meeting firms in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Wuxi. The eight companies, mainly EV‑charging and battery startups, explored joint ventures and technology transfers to bolster India’s renewable‑energy...
India Turns to Iran for Oil and Gas After 7-Year Hiatus, Signaling Limits to U.S. Tilt
India has restarted oil and LPG purchases from Iran after a seven‑year break, following a U.S. waiver that temporarily lifts sanctions on Iranian crude. The Ministry of Petroleum confirmed shipments, including a 44,000‑metric‑tonne LPG cargo, as refiners seek to offset...
Zohran Mamdani and the Business Exodus? New York's Office Real Estate Market Is up Under New Mayor
New York City’s office market proved resilient in Q1 2026, with leasing volume reaching 8.5 million sq ft, vacancy slipping to 13.5% and rents climbing 3.5% year‑over‑year. The surge is fueled by a wave of AI‑focused firms locking in premium space, including a...
'Silent Killers': How AI Start-Ups Are Trying to Solve One of the Retail Industry's Biggest Problems
AI start‑ups such as Catches are rolling out virtual‑try‑on platforms that create realistic digital twins of shoppers, aiming to curb the retail sector’s $850 billion return problem. The National Retail Federation reports that 15.8% of U.S. sales – 19.3% online –...
Asia-Pacific Markets Mostly Rise in Easter Trade on Hopes for Hormuz Reopening
Asia-Pacific equity markets rose on Friday as hopes grew that Iran and Oman’s draft protocol could reopen the Strait of Hormuz for oil shipments. The prospect lifted crude prices, with U.S. WTI futures climbing to $112 per barrel and Brent...
Warner, Schiff Probe Potential Insider Trading in Government
Senators Mark Warner and Adam Schiff have sent a formal letter to SEC Chair Paul Atkins and the Department of Defense inspector general demanding an investigation into possible insider trading by federal officials. The inquiry cites unusually large equity and...
Eli Lilly Opposes Push to Pass Trump's Drug Pricing Deals Into Law, CEO Says
Eli Lilly is publicly opposing the White House’s effort to turn its voluntary “most‑favored‑nation” (MFN) drug‑pricing agreements into law. The company, along with more than a dozen peers, signed MFN deals in 2025 to align U.S. prices with those in other...
Warren Buffett Says He Sold Apple Too Soon and Would Buy More of It, Though Not in This Market
Warren Buffett told CNBC he sold Berkshire Hathaway’s Apple shares too early and would be willing to increase the stake if the price fell further, but not under current market conditions. Apple remains Berkshire’s largest holding, valued at roughly $62 billion...
Credit Card APRs Have an 'Economically Meaningful' Impact on Consumer Spending, Boston Fed Finds
The Boston Federal Reserve’s new paper shows that a one‑percentage‑point rise in credit‑card APR cuts overall card spending by about nine percent, roughly $74 per consumer each month, and up to fifteen percent for balance‑carrying borrowers, especially lower‑income households. Average...
