The Federal Safety Net Isn’t Ready for Artificial Intelligence
The article warns that the U.S. unemployment insurance system, limited to 26 weeks of benefits, is ill‑suited for potential AI‑driven job displacement. Existing job‑retraining programs are outdated or have lapsed, and recent Republican legislation has tightened eligibility for food and health assistance. While overall unemployment remains low, layoffs are rising in AI‑heavy sectors, and worker anxiety is growing. If AI triggers large‑scale layoffs, many affected workers could find federal aid insufficient or inaccessible.
Europeans Prepare for a More Dangerous World in a Time of Economic Upheaval
Poland has launched the wGotowości (Readiness) program, the largest civilian defense training in its history, aiming to train 400,000 citizens by the end of 2026. Sessions, like the one at the 133 Light Infantry Battalion in Cieszyn, bring together families,...
The Return for These Investors Isn’t Money, It’s More Affordable Housing
Invest Chattanooga, a city‑run fund, pledged $8 million to a four‑story, 170‑unit apartment project in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In exchange, the fund received a 51% equity stake and secured a requirement that 30% of the units be priced below market rates. This...
A 22,000-Home Community Is Being Built in a 5,000-Person Town
Master‑planned community Chatham Park in Pittsboro, N.C., will add over 22,000 homes and 22 million square feet of commercial space, potentially swelling the town’s population from 5,000 to more than 60,000 within two decades. Since the first houses launched six years...
‘Devil Wears Prada’ Sequel Leads Box Office With $77 Million
Meryl Streep returned as Miranda Priestly in "The Devil Wears Prada 2," delivering a $77 million domestic opening—the strongest debut for a traditional comedy in 11 years. The film added $157 million from overseas markets, pushing its worldwide total to roughly $234 million. Female...
MAHA Awaits Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Definition of Ultraprocessed Foods
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pushing a federal definition of “ultraprocessed” foods as part of his Make America Healthy Again agenda. The FDA has drafted a definition that could label roughly 75% of American food products as ultraprocessed, potentially restricting...
These Countries Embrace E.V.s to Avoid Oil Price Shocks
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is accelerating in developing regions, with Costa Rica leading the Western Hemisphere at 18% of new car sales in the first quarter of 2026. Across Latin America, Africa and much of Asia, EV sales jumped 79%...
5 Money Lessons From People Caring for Their Elderly Parents
A recent New York Times piece gathers money lessons from Generation X caregivers handling elderly parents, highlighting the hidden costs of home repairs, health care, and long‑term housing. The article notes that roughly 11,400 Americans turn 65 each day, and many underestimate how...
Schwab Affiliate Halts Customer Donations to Southern Poverty Law Center
Charles Schwab’s donor‑advised fund, DAFgiving360, has suspended account holders’ ability to recommend grants to the Southern Poverty Law Center following a Justice Department indictment alleging financial crimes. The move aligns with similar actions taken by Fidelity and Vanguard‑branded donor‑advised funds,...
Netflix Plans First Wide Theatrical Release With ‘Narnia’
Netflix announced it will give Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of “The Magician’s Nephew” a wide theatrical run before streaming. The film opens in cinemas on Feb. 12, 2026 and arrives on Netflix on April 2, marking the company’s first month‑long theatrical window for...
Oil Cools Slightly After a 4-Year High as Gasoline Jumps
Brent crude slipped to $108.27 a barrel on Friday after hitting a four‑year high above $120 amid shaky U.S.–Iran peace talks. West Texas Intermediate fell about 3% to $101.92, reflecting broader market cooling. Meanwhile, U.S. gasoline prices rose 9 cents...
Thermos Recalls 8.2 Million Jars and Bottles After Customers Are Injured
Thermos announced a voluntary recall of about 8.2 million food jars and beverage bottles after reports that the containers’ stoppers can eject violently when opened, causing injuries including vision loss. The recall, overseen by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, includes...
Charlie Kirk’s Former Security Chief Sues Candace Owens for Defamation
Former head of security for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, Brian Harpole, filed a 69‑page defamation lawsuit against right‑wing commentator Candace Owens. Harpole alleges Owens falsely claimed he met Kirk’s wife at a military base and was part of...
U.S. Economy Grew 2 Percent in Early 2026 Even as War in Iran Began to Hit Energy Prices
U.S. gross domestic product expanded at a 2% annualized pace in Q1 2026, marking continued resilience despite a sharp oil price surge tied to the Iran‑Houthi conflict. The Commerce Department’s inflation‑adjusted data showed private investment, consumer spending and government outlays all...
With the Arrival of Goop Kitchen, Is New York Food Going Full L.A.?
Goop Kitchen, Gwyneth Paltrow’s health‑focused fast‑casual chain, opened its first New York City location on West 46th Street, instantly breaking the brand’s previous sales records. The takeout‑and‑delivery‑only concept, which already operates 14 sites from Los Angeles to the Bay Area, is drawing strong demand...
Why the U.A.E. Is Quitting OPEC
The United Arab Emirates announced it will leave OPEC in May 2026, opting to set its own oil‑production policy. The decision comes as the regional war with Iran creates a strategic opening for the Emirates to operate independently. Analysts see...
Senators Say Lawyers Helped Wealthy Clients Dodge Taxes in Puerto Rico
Senate Finance Committee has asked the IRS to examine whether wealthy Americans used Act 60, Puerto Rico’s tax incentive, to dodge federal taxes on capital gains earned before moving. The committee identified roughly 100 taxpayers who may have improperly avoided taxes...
U.S. Gas Prices Climb Further as Effects of Iran War Reverberate
Oil prices rose sharply on Wednesday as the war in Iran continued to disrupt Persian Gulf energy supplies. Brent crude jumped to about $109 a barrel for July delivery, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose above $105 a barrel for...
What’s Happening at the Federal Reserve Today.
The Senate Banking Committee voted 13‑11 to advance President Trump’s nominee Kevin M. Warsh for Federal Reserve chair, bringing his confirmation closer as Jerome Powell’s term ends May 15. At the Fed’s mid‑June policy meeting, officials are expected to keep the...
Uber Expands to Hotel Bookings With Expedia Partnership
Uber announced that users can now book hotel rooms directly through its app via a partnership with Expedia Group. The move extends Uber’s portfolio beyond rides, food, and freight, aiming to become a one‑stop travel super‑app. Uber One subscribers will...
New Disney Boss Is Tested by Trump and His Administration
Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s chief executive since February, is confronting a cascade of crises. A $1 billion OpenAI partnership fell apart, a major video‑game collaboration stalled, and ABC’s "The Bachelorette" collapsed amid scandal. The new CEO also announced marketing layoffs and now...
Transition to a New Fed Chair Is Unlikely to Mean Immediate Rate Cuts
The Federal Reserve is expected to keep its benchmark rate steady at 3.5%‑3.75% as Jerome Powell chairs what is likely his final meeting as Fed chair. Powell’s term as a governor runs until early 2028, but his successor, Kevin Warsh,...
Stephen Colbert Gets Ready to Hang It Up
Stephen Colbert announced that his final episode of "The Late Show" will air on May 21, ending an 11‑season, two‑decade run. CBS confirmed the cancellation last summer, attributing it to the show losing tens of millions of dollars annually. The...
The World Needs Natural Gas Now, but the U.S. Is Exporting All It Can
The war in Iran has shut the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off Qatari LNG shipments and sending European and Asian prices soaring. The United States, now the world’s largest LNG exporter, is already operating its export terminals at full capacity,...
Pentagon Can Temporarily Require Escorts for Journalists
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that the Pentagon may temporarily require journalists to be escorted while it appeals a prior decision that struck down many of its press restrictions as unconstitutional. The three‑judge panel accepted...
Budget Airlines Ask Trump Administration for Billions as Fuel Costs Rise
The Association of Value Airlines, representing low‑cost carriers, has asked the Trump administration for $2.5 billion to offset soaring jet fuel costs triggered by the Iran conflict. Jet fuel rose to $4.10 per gallon, an 88 percent year‑over‑year jump, prompting airlines to...
Supreme Court Appears Divided Over Roundup Weedkiller Case
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on a pivotal Roundup case, revealing a split among the justices. The dispute stems from a 2019 Missouri lawsuit alleging glyphosate caused non‑Hodgkin lymphoma, and it could set precedent for thousands of similar state‑level...
Dwarkesh Patel’s Podcast Lets You Eavesdrop on the A.I. Elite
Dwarkesh Patel, once a bored college sophomore, now hosts a podcast featuring top AI figures like Jensen Huang and Mark Zuckerberg, delivering in‑depth conversations with leading researchers. The show, titled “AI Elite,” has quickly become a go‑to source for insights...
U.S. Sanctions Zigzag in New World of Economic Warfare
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the United States would not extend the waiver permitting sales of Russian oil, with the existing exemption set to expire on May 16. After a brief 30‑day reprieve, the Treasury confirmed the waiver will not be...
SiriusXM Said to Be in Early Talks to Acquire iHeartMedia
Satellite radio provider SiriusXM has entered early‑stage talks to acquire broadcast giant iHeartMedia, potentially forming the largest audio company in the United States. The discussions follow a history of shared ownership through the former Liberty SiriusXM Group, which once held...
Inside Trump and David Ellison’s Private Party in Washington
Paramount Pictures CEO David Ellison hosted a private dinner in Washington that included President Donald Trump, senior administration officials, and CBS News executives as the studio seeks federal approval for its $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Attendees also included...
The ‘Lasting Damage’ of Pirro’s Investigation of the Federal Reserve and Powell
The Justice Department’s criminal probe of the Federal Reserve and Chair Jerome Powell has been closed without any charges, ending a months‑long political showdown. The investigation began after President Trump’s surprise visit to the Fed’s Washington headquarters and his criticism...
How Jet Fuel Shortages Could Affect Summer Travel to Europe and Beyond
Jet fuel prices have jumped more than 70% since the Iran‑Russia conflict escalated in February, tightening supplies across Europe and prompting airlines such as Lufthansa and KLM to slash schedules. The surge is driving U.S. carriers to face billions in...
$450 Million Worth of Newhouse Trophies Come to Christie’s
Christie’s will host an evening auction on May 18 featuring 16 works from the late S.I. Newhouse Jr.’s museum‑quality collection, including a Jackson Pollock drip painting and a Constantin Brâncuși bronze head. The sale is projected to generate more than $450 million in...
Tesla Profit Rises but Remains Below Earlier Highs
Tesla reported first‑quarter profit of $477 million, a modest 17% rise from $409 million a year earlier, yet still far below the more than $3 billion earned in Q1 2022. Revenue climbed 16% to $22.4 billion as vehicle sales rebounded, but total car deliveries appear...
Iran Again Tightens Its Grip on Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran renewed its campaign in the Strait of Hormuz, striking two cargo vessels on Wednesday after traffic fell to a single ship on Tuesday—the lowest level since the conflict began eight weeks ago. The attacks effectively halted most shipping through...
Stocks Rise as Investors Weigh Cease-Fire Extension
The S&P 500 nudged to a fresh record high on Wednesday as traders digested President Trump’s decision to extend the cease‑fire with Iran and the Iranian seizure of two cargo vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the diplomatic move, oil...
Supreme Court Rejects Oil Company Argument in Fight Over Great Lakes Pipeline
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling that keeps a lawsuit over Enbridge Energy’s aging Great Lakes pipeline in Michigan state court. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that Enbridge failed to meet a 30‑day deadline, waiting 887 days before attempting...
Devin Nunes Departs Trump Media After 4 Years as C.E.O.
Devin Nunes, who led Trump Media & Technology—the parent of Truth Social—since late 2021, announced his departure as chief executive on April 21, 2026. The exit was disclosed in a news release by Donald Trump Jr., a board member who...
Trump Seeks Suitors for Spirit Airlines While Dismissing Another Merger
President Donald Trump publicly rejected a merger between United Airlines and American Airlines while urging a buyer for Spirit Airlines, which is in its second bankruptcy filing. He suggested the federal government could assist in rescuing Spirit, citing the airline’s...
A Year After U.S.A.I.D.’s Death, Fired Workers Find Few Jobs and Much Loss
A year after the Trump administration shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development, former staff and contractors are struggling to find work, with less than half securing full‑time employment. Many have depleted savings, tapped retirement accounts, and rely on...
Oil Prices Jumped and Stock Futures Fell on Renewed Iran Conflict
Oil prices surged on Sunday after a U.S. Navy destroyer seized an Iranian‑flagged cargo ship and Iran re‑imposed strict control over the Strait of Hormuz, attacking two Indian‑flagged vessels. The renewed tension in the strategic waterway revived fears of supply...
This Is a Hard Time to Start a Career. These Two Words Can Help.
Graduates of 2026 are entering a labor market strained by AI‑driven automation and rising unemployment among degree holders. Economists warn that many entry‑level roles could disappear, while digital interview platforms add a layer of impersonal assessment. In her commencement address,...
Hollywood Talent Giant Draws Suitors Amid Epstein Fallout
The Team, formerly known as Wasserman, is up for sale after founder Casey Wasserman's emails appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files. The agency rebranded in March to distance itself from the scandal, and several parties—including United Talent Agency, private‑equity firm Permira,...
Why Your Paycheck Feels Smaller
Chief economics correspondent Ben Casselman explains that U.S. wages are lagging behind inflation, causing real paychecks to shrink. He cites data showing wage growth of roughly 1.5% while consumer prices have risen over 4% year‑over‑year. The gap is most pronounced...
Reopening Strait of Hormuz Would Ease Oil Crisis but Only So Much
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy, remains under "strict" Iranian control despite talk of reopening. Even a full opening would require weeks before Persian Gulf oil and gas reach international markets, leaving supply tight. Prices for...
The Mighty Engine That Jaguar Built, and Built Jaguar
For four decades the XK engine was Jaguar’s engineering cornerstone, powering everything from post‑war sports cars to luxury sedans. In 2024 the British automaker announced a bold pivot to an all‑electric lineup, a move echoed by its Formula E program. Last...
You Have Some Options for Dealing With Rising Property Taxes
Property taxes rose 3% in 2025, pushing the average single‑family home bill above $4,400. The increase reflects higher home values and, in many jurisdictions, higher tax rates as local governments grapple with inflation‑driven costs and reduced federal aid. The Northeast...
The Only Thing N.B.A. Players Love More Than Basketball Is Starting Podcasts
NBA players are rapidly turning to podcasting, seeing it as a platform for personal branding and a potential post‑playing career. Stars like LeBron James, Draymond Green and Paul George host shows that blend game analysis, behind‑the‑scenes stories, and pop‑culture interviews....
Reed Hastings Will Leave Netflix as Board Chairman
Reed Hastings, Netflix’s co‑founder and board chair, announced he will step down in June 2026. In a shareholder letter he said the move will let him focus on new pursuits. Hastings has overseen Netflix’s evolution from a DVD‑mail service to...