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Stock markets in Canada and the U.S. soared in early trading after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would not attempt to fire the head of the Federal Reserve.Trump said Tuesday he had no intention of firing Jerome Powell. The U.S. president had previously insinuated otherwise as he said he co...
The medical device maker with a large presence in Minnesota reported double-digit sales growth and announced CFO Daniel Brennan’s retirement.
A dozen states sued President Donald Trump and his administration, seeking a court order declaring that his new tariffs are illegal. “The president does not have the power to raise taxes on a whim, but that’s exactly what President Trump has been doing with these tariffs,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement on the lawsuit. The suit was filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade in Washington, D.C.A dozen states sued President Donald Trump and his administration on Wednesday, seeking a court order declaring that his new tariffs are illegal.“The president does not have the power to raise taxes on a whim, but that’s exactly what President Trump has been doing with these tariffs,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement on the lawsuit.The suit was filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade in Washington, D.C. It argues that a president has no authority to arbitrarily impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the U.S. law that Trump has cited in executing his tariff policy.The civil complaint comes more than a week after a group of five small businesses filed a similar lawsuit against Trump in the same court, challenging the legality of the new tariffs on the same grounds.This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.
Linde (NASDAQ:LIN) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 4.09% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 14.0%. Currently, Linde has a market capitalization of $215.00 billion. Buying $100 In LIN: If an ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration warned Tuesday that borrowers who haven’t had to pay down their college student loans during the past few years will be expected to start repayments on May 5 — or soon have to answer to...
– Oral presentation will serve as first presentation of detailed results from the Phase 3 VERITAC-2 clinical trial –
Up to 100 workers at Volvo Group’s engine and transmission plant in Hagerstown will be part of hundreds of layoffs in three states amid market uncertainty and recent tariffs.
Trump says he has ‘no intention’ of firing Federal Reserve chief The Washington PostStock Market News, April 22, 2025: Stock Futures Jump After Trump Says He Has No Plans to Fire Fed Chair WSJTrump says he has 'no intention' of firing Fed Chair Powell CNBCStocks, Dollar Gain on Trade Talks, Fed Reprieve: Markets Wrap Bloomberg.comStocks, dollar rebound in Asia as Trump steps back Reuters
NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until June 17, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against NET Power Inc. ("Net Power" or the "Company") (NYSE:NPWR), if they purchased the Company's securities between June 9, 2023 and March 7, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of NET Power and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
Tesla Inc.'s (NASDAQ:TSLA) plans to ramp up production of its humanoid robot Optimus are facing significant roadblocks due to supply chain constraints and China's new export restrictions on rare earth materials.What Happened: On Tuesday, during Tesla's first-quarter earnings call, CEO Elon Musk said that Optimus remains in early-stage development, with mass production still months away.Musk said the company hopes to produce thousands of the robots by the end of the year, but cautioned that progress is "totally impossible" to predict.The billionaire highlighted one key challenge as China's requirement for export licenses on rare earth magnets—critical components in Optimus actuators.Tesla's robot arms use permanent magnets to stay compact and efficient, but the new restrictions have disrupted the supply, Musk said.See Also: Ford Recalls Nearly 150,000 Vehicles Over Brake And Powertrain Issues: NHTSA“We're working through ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
Intel’s new CEO plans to cut another 20% of its jobs, Bloomberg reports OregonLive.comIntel to Announce Plans This Week to Cut More Than 20% of Staff Bloomberg.comIntel may cut 20% of its workforce: 'The move is part of ...' Times of IndiaIntel to cut over 20% of workforce, Bloomberg News reports Yahoo FinanceIntel results to spotlight new CEO Tan's strategy to reverse years of missteps Reuters
Dems' Biden Problem: They Broke Him, They Bought Him Authored by Frank Miele via RealClearPolitics,Joe Biden was resurrected – for at least one night – when he delivered a paid speech last week to a conference of Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled in Chicago.While passing up the opportunity to make a tasteless “blind leading the blind” joke, I do think it is necessary to at least question the wisdom of putting the former president, with his now publicly acknowledged mental shortcomings, in the limelight to lead a rear-facing assault on the current administration.Let’s face it. In the wake of a slew of books and articles detailing Biden’s cognitive decline, it’s hard to take seriously his “analysis” of any major issue without being told up front who wrote his speech.Still, Biden mostly stayed on script as he attacked President Trump and accused him, without evidence, of trying to gut Social Security. Yes, Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency announced that 7,000 jobs would be lost in the agency out of 57,000 total. But there is no proof that those jobs were necessary, and if you asked the average American if they think government agencies are bloated and inefficient, you would get little argument.But Democrats know that Americans are also sensitive about protecting Social Security in order to ensure that the program’s benefits will be available to them when they reach retirement age. So the loss of jobs is a perfect target of opportunity for politicians (and former presidents and their handlers) who want to demagogue the issue.“In fewer than 100 days, this new administration has made so much damage and so much destruction,” Biden said. “They’ve taken a hatchet to the Social Security Administration.” He added:Ask yourself, “Why is this happening? Why are these guys taking aim at Social Security now?” Well, they’re following that old line of tech startups. The quote is, “Move fast, break things.” They’re certainly breaking things. They’re shooting first and aiming later. As a result, there’s always a lot of needless pain and sleepless nights.The octogenarian Biden probably doesn’t know much about tech startups, but he does know a lot about breaking things. Consider his ruinous border policy which invited millions of illegal aliens into the country and twisted U.S. laws to allow them to stay indefinitely. When he claimed he needed a new law to fix the problems he created, many believed him, but Trump closed the border within days of taking office – by following existing law.Instead of talking about how Trump is breaking things, Democrats should be looking at the disastrous Biden administration and asking themselves how they can get out from under its burdensome notoriety. But the American people won’t let that happen. They have one simple question: Who allowed the cognitively challenged Biden to take office in the first place, and who stood him up for years to deteriorate in public and hide in private? Because Democrats enabled Biden to stay in office despite his obvious disability, they “bought” both him and his “broken” legacy.It’s no surprise that CNN and MSNBC barely acknowledged the resurfacing of President Biden in his Chicago speech. Only Fox News covered the event live, since any reminder of Biden is good news for conservatives.Democrats are sure to demand that Biden return to his basement strategy that worked so well in 2020. Just stay out of the way and hope no one catches on that you are just a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”This quote from an anonymous Democratic operative says it all:It takes a special level of chutzpah as the man most responsible for reelecting Donald Trump to decide it’s your voice that is missing in this moment. The country would be better served if he rode off into the sunset.And if Biden does continue to make speeches, it wouldn’t surprise me to find out that it was Republicans who were footing the bill.Frank Miele, the retired editor of the Daily Inter Lake in Kalispell, Mont., is a columnist for RealClearPolitics. His book “The Media Matrix: What If Everything You Know Is Fake” is available from his Amazon author page. Visit him at HeartlandDiaryUSA.com or follow him on Facebook @HeartlandDiaryUSA and on X/Gettr @HeartlandDiary. Tyler DurdenTue, 04/22/2025 - 22:35
U.S. President Donald Trump said he has “no intention” of firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expects “there will be a de-escalation” in Trump’s trade war with China. Markets rally on promising comments made by Trump and Bessent. Tesla’s first-quarter earnings fall short of expectations. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, said he will be spending “significantly” less time at DOGE. One safe-haven currency has been strengthening, pushing up an exchange-traded fund linked to it.The latest CNBC All-America Economic Survey found that Americans’ opinion of how U.S. President Donald Trump is managing the economy has plunged: For the first time since he entered the White House, more respondents disapprove than approve of the president on the economy.Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been a significant contributor to the Trump administration, has also seen a decline in his and his company’s reputations. More than 47% of the American public view Tesla negatively, according to the same survey, compared with just 10% for General Motors. As for Musk himself, around half of the respondents see him in a disapproving light.Markets, however, are open-minded and often react almost instantaneously to any positive changes. On Tuesday, Trump’s denial that he wishes to kick Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell out of office, and Musk’s clarification that he will be spending less time in Washington, D.C., were enough to send stock indexes and Tesla shares higher — even though the electric vehicle company’s first-quarter earnings missed expectations.Though Cassio in Shakespeare’s play Othello describes reputation as “the immortal part” of himself, in the markets, the barometer for character tends to be more forgiving.What you need to know today‘No intention’ of firing Powell: TrumpU.S. President Donald Trump has “no intention” of firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, he told reporters on Tuesday. “None whatsoever,” Trump said in the Oval Office when asked to clarify that he did not seek Powell’s removal. “Never did.” That said, the president added that he “would like to see [Powell] be a little more active in terms of his idea to lower interest rates.”‘De-escalation’ in U.S.-China trade war Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a closed-door meeting Tuesday he expects “there will be a de-escalation” in Trump’s trade war with China in the “very near future,” a person in the room told CNBC. Negotiating with China is likely to be “a slog,” Bessent said at a private investor summit hosted by JPMorgan Chase, but added that neither side “thinks the status quo is sustainable.”Markets jump on promising newsU.S. markets rallied Tuesday on Trump and Bessent’s statements. The S&P 500 rose 2.51%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.66% and the Nasdaq Composite added 2.71%. Asia-Pacific markets rose sharply Wednesday. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index jumped almost 2.5% and Japan’s Nikkei 225 added nearly 2%. However, the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday downgraded its growth forecasts for major Asian economies in 2025, citing trade tensions and “high policy uncertainty.”Tesla’s earnings fall shortTesla reported Tuesday first-quarter revenue and earnings that missed expectations. Total revenue slid 9% to $19.34 billion from $21.3 billion a year earlier. Net income plummeted 71% to $409 million, or 12 cents a share, from $1.39 billion or 41 cents a year ago. Analysts were expecting a revenue of $21.11 billion and a profit of 39 cents a share, according to LSEG data. Tesla is planning to enter the India market, CFO Vaibhav Tanej said during its earnings call.Musk says he will spend less time at DOGEDespite Tesla’s disappointing earnings, which it announced after the bell, its shares popped more than 5% in extended trading. Investors could be cheering CEO Elon Musk’s statement that his time spent running Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency will drop “significantly” starting in May. As of Monday, Tesla shares were down 44% for the year, generating $11.5 billion in mark-to-market profits for Tesla shorts in 2025.[PRO] Safe-haven currency amid flight from U.S.As the U.S. dollar slides and the stock market whipsaws, investors are piling into one safe-haven currency. An exchange-traded fund linked to it has surged 8% in April, bringing its 2025 gains to 11%. Paul Feinstein, Audent Global Asset Management CEO, called the currency “one of the most enduring safe havens.” And finally...Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Jan. 30, 2019.U.S. regulatory scrutiny fans Chinese stock delisting fearsIncreased regulatory scrutiny of U.S.-listed Chinese firms has stoked delisting worries, threatening the decade-plus run of Alibaba and other Chinese companies on U.S. exchanges.A broad “everything is on the table” comment from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on April 9 has reignited fears on Wall Street that hundreds of billions of dollars may flow out in a forced delisting of Chinese stocks from U.S. exchanges.Thanks to the latest version of a law made in 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission can prompt a Chinese stock delisting if the company is deemed noncompliant with audit requests for two straight years. Paul Atkins, sworn in on Monday as SEC chairman, indicated during a hearing last month that he would uphold that process for scrutinizing U.S.-listed Chinese stocks.
Futures rose as President Trump said China tariffs will fall "substantially" and won't fire Fed chief Powell. Stocks boomed Tuesday on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Tesla earnings fell with Elon Musk bullish.The post Dow Jones Futures Jump On Trump's China, Powell Comments; Tesla Rises On Bullish Elon Musk appeared first on Investor's Business Daily.
NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until May 12, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against Fluence Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNC), if they purchased the Company's shares between October 28, 2021 and February 10, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.What You May DoIf you purchased shares of Fluence and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
A federal review of helicopter safety around some of the busiest U.S. airports has revealed dangerous flying conditions at the Las Vegas airport
NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until May 5, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP), if they purchased the Company's securities between May 10, 2023 and March 26, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of AppLovin and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-app/ to learn more. ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
Elon Musk said that China’s new trade restrictions on rare earth magnets have affected the production of Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots. He added that the company was working through the issue with Beijing and hoped to get approval to access the critical components. Tesla CEO Elon Musk says China’s new trade restrictions on rare earth magnets have affected the production of the company’s Optimus humanoid robots, which rely on the exports. Speaking on a Tesla earnings call on Tuesday, Musk said that the company was working through the issue with Beijing and hoped to get approval to access the critical resources.China, earlier this month, imposed new export controls on seven rare earth elements and magnets used in everything from defense to energy to automotive technologies. The move was in retaliation for U.S. President Donald Trump’s escalating tariffs.According to Musk, Beijing has asked Tesla to guarantee that the rare earth magnets under expert control will not be used for military purposes.“China wants some assurances that these aren’t used for military purposes, which obviously they’re not. They’re just going into a humanoid robot,” he said.The new restrictions, which have raised the risk of global shortages, require exporters of medium and heavy rare earths in question to receive licenses from China’s Ministry of Commerce.China dominates the market for many of these rare earths, with the U.S. unprepared to fill a potential shortfall, according to the Center for Strategic & International Studies. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has launched an investigation into potential new tariffs on all U.S. imports of critical minerals in response to China’s export controls. Future growth at risk?During the earnings call on Tuesday, Musk emphasized the importance of humanoid robots to the company’s future plans. “The future of the company is fundamentally based upon large scale autonomous cars and large scale, large volume and vast numbers of autonomous humanoid robots,” he said. Previously, Musk had announced plans for Optimus to produce about 5,000 units this year as the technology grows as part of Tesla’s future business plans. Moreover, he said that Tesla would deploy the robots in its EV factories. It’s unclear to what extent export controls might alter these plans. However, Musk reassured investors on Tuesday that the company still plans to produce thousands of robots this year, with thousands also expected to be deployed at Tesla factories.The emerging technology could help Tesla drive some investor optimism as its EV business struggles, with its stock down about 37% year-to-date.Steve Westly, founder and managing partner of The Westly Group and former Tesla Board member, told CNBC’s ‘Closing Bell Overtime‘ on Tuesday that the company needs to find a new growth engine soon. The company is expected to face stiff competition from other humanoid robot players in China, such as Unitree Robotics and AgiBot, both of which reportedly plan to enter mass production this year. The export controls could give the Chinese players another advantage over their U.S. competitors, according to some analysts.While Musk is upbeat about Tesla’s prospects in the space, going so far as to claim that it is ahead of the competition, he is concerned that the leaderboard will be filled with Chinese companies.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Tuesday (April 22) that the time he spends with the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, will “drop significantly” starting in May. During Tesla’s Q1 earnings call, Musk said and he will be devoting “far more” of his time to the electric vehicle maker. DOGE’s work is “mostly done,” Musk [...]The post Tesla Q1 Falls Far Short, Musk to Scale Back DOGE Involvement appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
HOUSTON, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EWR Digital, a national leader in enterprise SEO and digital strategy, is expanding its corporate advisory services to help midsize organizations navigate the complex intersection of digital marketing, in-house team development, and AI enablement....
Stocks volatile after Trump pressures Powell for rate cuts, Tesla earnings on tap: Live Updates Fox BusinessUS Stocks Rally as Attention Shifts to Tesla Earnings Results Bloomberg.comWall St bounces back after selloff as investors focus on earnings ReutersDow surges more than 400 points after brutal selloff over Trump’s escalating threats on Federal Reserve New York PostWall Street rallies to recover some of its sharp losses as the dollar and US bond market steady New York Daily News
Port Wentworth is mourning the loss of a cornerstone in the Monteith community.William "Uncle Bill" Johnson passed away on Sunday. Johnson and his brother Robert were the owners of The Promised Land Farm.Robert, affectionately known as "Uncle Bob", passed away last summer. Known for its popular collard greens, the 31-acre property is steeped in history [...]
MSCI Inc (NYSE: MSCI) reported fiscal 2025 first-quarter results Tuesday. The quarterly revenue grew by 9.7% year-on-year to $745.8 million, topping the analyst consensus estimate of $744.2 million. The adjusted EPS of $4.00 beat the analyst consensus estimate of $3.91.The total run rate on March 31, 2025, rose 9.3% Y/Y to $2.98 billion. Also Read: BofA Sees Mostly Inline Q1 For Industrials, Highlights 3M, JCI, GE Vernova As Top PicksThe organic recurring subscription run rate growth was 8.2%. The retention rate was 95.3% compared to 92.8% last year.The investment ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
The company just announced packages for 2026 that include a really delicious offer.
Kimberly-Clark Cuts Profit Outlook as New Tariff Costs Mount WSJKleenex, Huggies parent cuts growth outlook as tariffs boost supply-chain costs MarketWatchKimberly-Clark cuts annual profit forecast as tariffs set to drive up costs Yahoo FinanceKimberly-Clark Stock Tumbles as CEO Warns Tariffs Could Boost Costs Barron'sDiaper-Maker Kimberly-Clark Cuts Profit Outlook on Tariff Costs MSN
US FDA suspends milk quality tests amid workforce cuts ReutersFDA seeks contractors to replace dozens of feds laid off two weeks ago Federal News NetworkFDA making plans to end its routine food safety inspections, sources say CBS NewsHow FDA cuts could make the food and drug supply less safe NPRFDA hiring contractors to replace fired staff who supported safety inspections AP News
Wall Street rallies to recover some of its sharp losses as the dollar and US bond market steady
Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ:SMCI) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 16.6% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 26.07%. Currently, Super Micro Computer has a market capitalization of $17.88 billion. Buying $1000 In SMCI: ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
New facility is expected to create over 1,000 new jobs and make nutritious, natural food more accessible NEW BERLIN, N.Y., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In the heart of New York's Mohawk Valley, where history and industry meet, a new chapter is unfolding. After announcing a $500 million...
PITTSBURGH, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "When I had my cesarean section, I was unable to bathe my newborn without immense stress and pain. I then realized mothers who have other surgical procedures may have the same struggles when caring for their child," said one of two inventors,...
Menlo Park RIA with Over $870M in RAUM and Tech Entrepreneur & Executive Niche LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lido Advisors, a leading wealth advisory firm with over $29 billion in RAUM*, announced today that it will be partnering with BluePointe Capital Management, a Menlo...
Olin Corp., the Clayton-based manufacturer and distributor of chemicals and ammunition, has completed a deal that expands its Winchester ammunition business, but put out less cash than expected when the deal was first announced.
NEW YORK, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential state and federal law claims on behalf of purchasers of Nike-themed non-fungible tokens ("NFTs"), crypto collectibles, or other crypto assets ("The Nike NFTs") issued by RTFKT, Inc.SO WHAT: If you purchased Nike NFTs issued by RTFKT, Inc., you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=36711 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email Full story available on Benzinga.com
Secrets of the Penguins is rich with never-before-seen footage that reminds audiences around the world of the rich variety of life on Earth at risk from climate change.The post Climate Change And The Secrets Of The Penguins appeared first on CleanTechnica.
Manhattan Congestion Toll Remains In Effect Despite Trump Admin Deadline For Removal A Trump administration deadline to remove a toll charged to drivers in Manhattan, New York City, by April 20 has not been met by local authorities.On Jan. 5, the city implemented a congestion pricing policy under which drivers of cars, small vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs are charged a $9 toll for entering Manhattan below 60th Street between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays and between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends.The rates change during other times based on peak traffic. Trucks, taxis, buses, motorcycles, and Uber services are also subject to the toll.In February, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) terminated approval for the congestion pricing policy. New York state’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the state agency overseeing the tolls, then sued the federal government for canceling the program.The DOT had initially given the MTA until March 31 to stop the collection of tolls under congestion pricing. This deadline was later extended by a period of 30 days, until April 20. By Sunday’s deadline, congestion pricing was still in effect in New York City.But, as Naveen Athrappully reports below for The Epoch Times, both New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office and the MTA confirmed on Sunday that its system of traffic cameras continues to collect the fee assessed on most cars entering the borough below Central Park.“The cameras are staying on,” Hochul’s spokesperson Avi Small said.John J. McCarthy, the MTA’s chief of policy and external relations, said, “In case there were any doubts, MTA, State and City reaffirmed in a court filing that congestion pricing is here to stay and that the arguments Secretary Duffy made trying to stop it have zero merit.”The DOT said it would not remove the deadline even as the court case plays out, saying it would “not hesitate to use every tool” at its disposal if the state failed to stop the toll.The MTA argues that toll fees help raise money to upgrade the city’s aging transit systems.Hochul previously said the money would underpin $15 billion in debt financing for mass transit capital improvements, with 80 percent of the money to be spent on the subway and bus system and 20 percent on two commuter rail systems.The Trump administration opposed the toll over concerns it negatively affects small businesses and average American citizens.In a March 20 statement on social media platform X, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the “unlawful pricing scheme charges working-class citizens to use roads their federal tax dollars already paid to build.”Duffy said Hochul’s “refusal to end cordon pricing“ and her ”open disrespect towards the federal government is unacceptable.”On Monday, Duffy sent a letter to Hochul regarding the state’s “illegal toll,” according to an April 21 statement from the DOT.The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has been given 30 days to describe how its noncompliance is not illegal.If the tolls are not stopped by then, or if the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), after evaluating NYSDOT’s response, determines that New York is out of compliance, the agency will take multiple actions, it saidThis includes ceasing further “advance construction” projects within Manhattan and no more National Environmental Policy Act approvals for projects in the borough. The only exception would be if the projects are deemed to be essential for safety, the agency said.If the noncompliance continues, more restrictive actions will be taken, including ceasing approvals for certain projects within New York City, it saidThe corrective measures “may be expanded to other geographic areas within the State of New York if noncompliance continues,” DOT said.Cars pass under E-ZPass readers and license plate-scanning cameras on the George Washington Bridge as congestion pricing takes effect in New York City on Jan. 5, 2024. Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty ImagesMTA Versus DOTIn its complaint against the federal government, MTA said that the FHWA, a division of the DOT, had executed the Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP) allowing the congestion toll collection in November 2024.It criticized the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate the congestion pricing, calling them “unlawful.”The defendants have provided “no basis” for reversing their position on the program despite having approved it only a few months back, the MTA argued. Defendants in the case include the DOT, FHWA, and Duffy.“Neither the VPPP Agreement nor applicable law or regulations permit FHWA to unilaterally terminate the VPPP Agreement,” the lawsuit said.“This makes good sense. If FHWA had the right to unilaterally terminate a VPPP program that had already been approved and implemented, it would create uncertainty around the future of such programs any time leadership at FHWA, USDOT, or the White House changed—uncertainty that may make it difficult to issue bonds for other projects and would clearly undermine the purposes of the VPPP.”Terminating the VPPP agreement is an “open disregard of a host of federal statutes and regulations” while also violating MTA’s rights under the U.S. Constitution, the complaint said.In a Feb. 19 letter to Hochul, Duffy said New York City’s need for congestion pricing “appears to be driven primarily by the need to raise revenue for the Metropolitan Transit Authority system as opposed to the need to reduce congestion.”Toll rates set under VPPP “should not be driven primarily by revenue targets,” he said.Signs advising drivers of congestion pricing tolls are displayed near the exit of the Lincoln Tunnel in New York City on Feb. 19, 2025. Seth Wenig/AP PhotoDuffy said he recognized that the Federal Highway Administration under the Biden administration had deemed the congestion pricing policy eligible for approval under the VPPP initiative.The Federal Highway Administration “did not explain the basis for its conclusion,” he wrote.Even though the NYSDOT and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) have relied on the VPPP agreement to collect tolls, Duffy said such reliance “should not prevent the termination” of the agreement.While NYSDOT and TBTA “have incurred costs related to the program, many of these costs were incurred” before the agreement was signed. The Federal Highway Administration “is not aware of any substantial costs associated with the physical stopping of the program,” the letter said.The Epoch Times reached out to Hochul and the MTA for comment but did not receive a response by publication time. Tyler DurdenMon, 04/21/2025 - 22:40
US stocks and dollar tumble as Trump renews attacks on Fed Chair Powell Al JazeeraUS stocks and dollar plunge as Trump attacks Fed chair Powell BBCUS dollar hits three-year low after Trump intensifies attack on Fed chair Powell – business live The GuardianStock markets tumble as investors pull back from American assets CBCDow Headed for Worst April Since 1932 as Investors Send ‘No Confidence’ Signal WSJ
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's Republican-dominated Senate voted 33-8 on Monday to kick the Republican treasurer out of office over a $1.8 billion accounting error.
Dow Jones Futures: President Trump called Fed Chair Powell a "major loser" Monday, sparking a stock market sell-off. Apple, Nvidia and Tesla tumbled.The post Dow Jones Futures Rise: Trump Calls Powell 'Loser'; Apple, Nvidia, Tesla Sell Off appeared first on Investor's Business Daily.
U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. American stocks and the dollar fell while gold prices hit a fresh high. Shares of Tesla dropped a day before the company announces its first-quarter earnings. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met U.S. Vice President JD Vance in New Delhi, where both leaders hailed progress on a trade deal. Japanese investment bank Nomura said Tuesday it will buy the U.S. and European public asset management businesses of Macquarie. Markets would likely have a “severe reaction” if Trump moves to remove Powell, according to Evercore ISI.Yesterday’s edition of this newsletter cautioned that U.S. President Donald Trump’s desire to intervene in the Federal Reserve, as he expressed to reporters on Friday, could result in upheaval in the markets. That didn’t happen because markets were closed for the Good Friday holiday.On Monday, trading resumed. So have Trump’s attacks on the central bank — and, more pointedly, on Fed Chair Powell, describing him as “Mr. Too Late” and “a major loser” for not cutting interest rates. Trump appointed Powell to the Federal Reserve’s highest seat in his first presidential term during 2017.With no market closure to shield shares from Trump’s threats, investors unloaded their stocks. All major U.S. indexes fell, weighed down by steep declines in the “Magnificent Seven” group of shares. The U.S. dollar weakened to a three-year low while gold prices hit a new high, suggesting, in combination, that global investors are losing confidence in the U.S. economy and reallocating their capital to safer assets shielded from Trump.What you need to know todayTrump escalates attacks on PowellU.S. President Donald Trump on Monday renewed and escalated his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. ′′’Preemptive Cuts’ in Interest Rates are being called for by many,” Trump said on Truth Social. “There can be a SLOWING of the economy unless Mr. Too Late, a major loser, lowers interest rates, NOW,” Trump wrote, referring to Powell. On Friday, Trump also called for Powell to cut rates.Stocks and U.S. dollar fall as gold hits highStocks in the U.S. fell Monday. The S&P 500 lost 2.36%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 2.48% and the Nasdaq Composite was down 2.55%. The ICE U.S. Dollar Index fell as low as 97.92 on Monday, the lowest level since March 2022, according to FactSet. Gold prices jumped to $3,452.30 per ounce, a fresh record. Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Tuesday. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed nearly 0.5% but Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined roughly 0.2%. The Bank of Japan will likely pause rate hikes in its May meeting, said Moody’s Analytics.Shares of Tesla drop before earningsTesla shares fell almost 6% on Monday, a day ahead of its first-quarter earnings report. The stock is now down 44% for the year after wrapping up their worst quarter since 2022 in March. In the online forum that Tesla solicits investor inquiries before its earnings calls, one investor, referring to CEO Elon Musk, asked, “What steps has the board of directors taken to mitigate the brand damage caused by Elon’s political activities?”Vance and Modi optimistic on dealIndia’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who was in India for a mostly personal trip, in the nation’s capital on Monday. A statement from Modi’s office said the two leaders “welcomed the significant progress in the negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement.” On Monday, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said both countries have “finalized the terms of reference to lay down a roadmap for the negotiations on reciprocal trade.”Nomura to buy parts of MacquarieJapanese investment bank and brokerage group Nomura said Tuesday it will buy the U.S. and European public asset management businesses of Macquarie, an Australian investment banking company, for $1.8 billion. The all-cash deal is expected to close by the end of this year, subject to regulatory approvals.[PRO] Markets could have ‘severe’ reaction to TrumpStocks and bonds would likely have a “severe reaction” and sell off sharply if Trump makes a move to get rid of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, Evercore ISI’s vice chairman, Krishna Guha, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” Monday. While Powell has said he doesn’t believe the president can legally remove the Fed Chair, Guha highlighted one way that Trump can pressure Powell without firing him.And finally...Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesAs the dollar falters, the world’s central banks tread a tightrope — devalue their currency or notUncertainty about U.S. policymaking has led to a flight from the greenback and Treasurys in recent weeks, with the dollar index weakening more than 9% so far this year. The drop in the U.S. dollar has led other currencies to appreciate against it, especially safe havens such as the Japanese yen, the Swiss franc and the euro.While a stronger local currency might help tame inflation through cheaper imports, it complicates export competitiveness particularly under renewed U.S. tariffs, said Thomas Rupf, VP Bank’s co-head for Singapore and Asia chief investment officer.Currency devaluation is likely to be more of an active consideration across emerging markets, particularly in Asia, said Nick Rees, head of macro research at Monex Europe. However, those countries and Asian central banks will need to tread a fine line to avoid capital flight and other risks.
U.S. stock markets experienced a downturn today, with the Nasdaq Composite dropping over 400 points to end the day at 15,870.90. The S&P 500 also saw a decline, falling by 2.36% to 5,158.20, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 2.48% to 38,170.41.These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA)Tesla’s shares fell by 5.96%, closing at $227.42. The stock reached an intraday high of $232.21 and a low of $222.79, with a 52-week range between $488.54 and $138.80. Investors are keenly awaiting Tesla’s first-quarter earnings report, expected to be released after market hours on Tuesday. Analysts predict earnings of 41 cents per share on $21.35 billion in revenue. The market is closely watching CEO Elon Musk’s ability to shift the narrative around the company’s declining stock.Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)Amazon’s stock dropped 3.11% to close at $167.32, with a daily high of $169.60 and a ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
Bitcoin rose higher Monday as pro-cryptocurrency Paul Atkins was sworn in as the new chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.CryptocurrencyGains +/-Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC)+1.18%$87,335.05Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) -2.56%$1,574.22Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) +0.92%$0.1595What Happened: The apex cryptocurrency touched an intraday high of $88,821.47 after crossing $87,000 the day before, as investors cheered the breakout following weeks of sideways price action. The excitement was reflected through a 98% jump in trading volumes to $38.64 billion.The uptick, however, failed to lift Ethereum out of the doldrums, as the second-largest cryptocurrency fell below $1,600.Bitcoin's dominance reached 63.7%, signaling continued rotation of capital from altcoins to the leading digital asset.The sentiment may have been bolstered overnight by news of Atkins’ swearing-in as the 34th SEC Chair. Atkins had previously stated that building a regulatory framework for digital assets would be his top priority.Total liquidations reached $270 million in the last 24 hours, with nearly equal number of bullish and bearish bets erased.Bitcoin’s Open Interest ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
The property was previously under contract to sell to owners planning a boutique hotel and restaurant, but the deal fell through.
The reconstruction of this contentious project with a huge price tag could clear the environmental assessment phase soon, moving it toward construction. But plenty of hurdles remain, not the least of which is money.
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We Took The Buyout: Federal Employees On Why They Accepted The Offer To Quit Authored by Stacy Robinson via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),Shortly after taking office, the Trump administration offered federal employees a deal many couldn’t refuse: resign voluntarily and receive full benefits and paid leave lasting until September.Demonstrators rally outside the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in Washington on Feb. 5, 2025. Nathan Howard/ReutersMore than 75,000 workers eventually accepted the Deferred Resignation Program, or buyout, which came as part of the administration’s broader efforts to shrink the size of the federal bureaucracy. Since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, the government has already laid off hundreds of thousands of federal employees and contractors.As the federal government concludes a second round of buyout offers to nudge still more government workers out of the bureaucracy, The Epoch Times spoke with several employees who took the first buyout—and one who was not allowed to take it—about how the decision has affected their lives.It wasn’t just Democrats who took the buyout, either: All who spoke to The Epoch Times about their decision were Trump supporters, and their accepting the offer was based on personal, rather than political, reasons. Most asked to remain anonymous over privacy concerns.A former meteorologist told The Epoch Times that the buyout was too good to pass up. He was already eyeing retirement, and the government’s offer simply allowed him to jump-start those plans.This was the most common reason for several others who took the deal as well.Bill Page, a former curriculum manager for Army University, said he and most of his colleagues were in the same situation.“Almost everybody in my section also took it. We were all older, or most of us were older, and were thinking about retiring anyway. And this opportunity came up.”Page said his department was somewhat superfluous anyway. The employees who were too young to retire—or simply wanted to keep working—were allowed to move to other departments. Those who were already eligible for retirement had their buyout compensation extended to December, making the transition into retirement easier.The Epoch Times asked Page about his next chapter.“I’m 71, my next chapter is probably dying or something,” he joked. “But one of the reasons I didn’t retire until now was because I didn’t know what I would do with myself. I thought I wouldn’t have anything to do, and I was wrong. I’ve done all kinds of things ... and I’m enjoying myself.”A former cybersecurity agent told the Epoch Times that the buyout was “a blessing.”On Jan. 20, eight days before the buyout offer was announced, Trump asked federal agency heads to bring employees back into the office “as soon as practicable.” For years, and especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, many federal employees have been permitted work remotely, rarely or never coming into the office physically.By this time, the cybersecurity agent said, he and his wife had moved to the midwest and had little desire to return to the east coast.Fortunately, he was eligible to retire in September after a decade of service.“So it worked out for me. Like I said, I don’t know if everybody has that experience, but for me, it worked out real well.”Not everyone was as enthusiastic about their decision to take the offer.One man, a 58-year-old in asset management, told The Epoch Times that he was essentially forced to accept the buyout due to the prohibition on remote work.He said he had worked remotely for years when the call to return to the office came in. His agency had a building that was only about a 20 minute drive that he hoped would suffice.However, he later learned that, due to his particular set of duties, he might be required to work out of the Washington office, on the opposite side of the country. He said he didn’t find such a move desirable or financially feasible. Thus, he felt forced to take the buyout and retire two years early.“I wouldn’t get a reduced retirement once I turned 60,” he said.But he said available information at the time “wasn’t full and complete.” His department pushed off any final decision on remote workers beyond the window to take the buyout.Uncertain about whether he'd have to move, he took the offer just to be safe, he said. But he expressed concern that the reduced retirement benefit may cause a bit of financial strain in the future.Not everyone was allowed to take the buyout, which was only available to those not considered “essential.”One young woman, an acquisitions specialist, jumped at the chance to live her dream of being a full-time homemaker when she learned about the offer. She said the lagging economy had forced her to work for over a decade, since she and her husband needed the extra income to support their two small children.Her husband expects to receive enough military disability benefits to support the family, but not until later this year. In the interim, she suggested the family is struggling.“It’s just kind of hard right now, with just things being so expensive and just not having enough resources.”She had hoped to use the buyout to allow her to leave work early and begin homeschooling her 5-year old. But the government rejected her request, labeling her an “essential” worker.“It was kind of frustrating. They promised you, you know, you’re gonna get paid out till September, and then they made it seem like everybody would get approved.”She had been told beforehand that rejections would be rare, but in her department the opposite turned out to be true. Less than 20 employees were approved, perhaps because the department’s work was deemed to be especially crucial. But she insisted there was still plenty of fat to trim there.“I do see a lot of positions in our agency that they could do away with to save the government money. I feel like they have a lot of employees that do similar jobs that they could kind of cut, especially in our headquarters.”Although everyone who spoke to The Epoch Times was in favor of the program—and the reduction in the size of government that prompted it—they also generally felt the Trump administration’s plans had all been conducted a bit hastily.Some, like the meteorologist, noted that while there was substantial federal bloat to remove in some agencies, their own departments were already “woefully understaffed.”One former employee said that his younger colleague was set to be promoted, but had to wait until workforce reductions were comp.leted. If he had taken the promotion when it was scheduled, it would have put him in “probationary status,” and there was a chance he might have been targeted for firing.Joseph Lord contributed to this report. Tyler DurdenMon, 04/21/2025 - 22:15
Climate TRACE will bring scientists, governments, and the business community near real time data on global emissions. The post Climate TRACE Makes Real Time Tracking Of Pollution Possible For The First Time appeared first on CleanTechnica.
Increased congestion on the roads is an external sign of the population boom in the Metroplex and a topic that's top of mind for residents already frustrated with waiting in traffic to get to work. If things don’t change, the region's council of governments anticipates a 118% increase in the time spent in our cars daily by 2050.
City of Calgary posts increased budget surplus of $276M for 2024 CBC
Milwaukee-based manufacturer Regal Rexnord Corp (NYSE:RRX) may be down, but Andreas Halvorsen's Viking Global Investors is clearly not out. What Happened: An April 18 13G filing revealed the $30.9 billion hedge fund scooped up 2.68 million shares of the industrial components maker on April 11 — marking a jaw-dropping 309.19% increase in its RRX stake.While the stock has tumbled 39.91% over the past year and is already down 35.81% in 2025 alone, Halvorsen's move signals he sees more torque than trouble under the hood. With the stock now ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
One of the most interesting investors over the past few years isn’t some hedge fund manager or Wall St veteran, it’s congressional representative Nancy Pelosi. Her investing disclosures include early bets on Nvidia and Tempus AI before both companies had a massive run-up in valuation, along with many other profitable trades. While insider trading is [...]
Tech and auto stocks dive: Market struggles with widespread declines ForexliveDow Jones Slides 550 Points On China Trade Warning; Nvidia, Tesla Sell Off Investor's Business DailyStocks Poised for Lower Open Barron'sBreaking News: Dow, S&P, Nasdaq Futures Tumble Ahead of Big Earnings Week Yahoo FinanceWhy did Nvidia’s stocks plummet this week? Take our business and investing news quiz for the week ending April 18 The Globe and Mail
Saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to ChatGPT costs tens of millions of dollars, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman admits New York PostSaying 'please' and 'thank you' to ChatGPT costs OpenAI millions, Sam Altman says YahooOpenAI CEO: Being courteous to ChatGPT is an expensive waste The Jerusalem PostYour politeness could be costly for OpenAI TechCrunchData Reveals the Real Cost of Being Polite to ChatGPT Men's Journal
Be it protecting public or private property, the need for private security guards has climbed in recent years as the Triangle continues to grow.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Village Farms International, Inc. (“Village Farms” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: VFF) today announced that on April 21, 2025, it received notification from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) that Nasdaq approved the Company’s request for a 180-calendar day extension (the “Extension”) to regain compliance with the minimum closing bid price of US$1.00 per share listing requirement (NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2)). The Extension follows the expiration on April 16, 2025 of the initial 180-calendar day period to regain minimum closing bid price compliance. As a result of the Extension, the Company now has until October 13, 2025 (the “New Compliance Period”) to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement.
Putin Confirms End Of Easter Truce, Large-Scale Fighting Resumes Russia has confirmed the end of its 30-hour Easter truce, which reportedly had some success as areas across the frontlines saw guns and shelling fall silent for the first time in well over three years.On Monday the Kremlin acknowledged that military action has resumed, and also emphasized again that the ceasefire which began Saturday evening was indicative of its attitude that it is indeed open to any peace initiatives."Our attitude to ceasefires is positive, and that is why we proposed the initiative, especially as it was during the holy Easter days," Putin had said of the special holiday weekend truce. "We’ve seen the initial reaction [from Kiev], as I believe everyone did. The statement characterized our proposal as ‘playing with lives’ and so on."Via Al Jazeera footageZelensky had quickly accused Putin of not being genuine, and suggested it was a PR move intended to signal the Trump administration. "As of Easter morning, we can say that the Russian army is trying to create a general impression of a ceasefire, but in some places, it does not abandon individual attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine," he had posted on X."In practice, either Putin does not have full control over his army, or the situation proves that in Russia, they have no intention of making a genuine move toward ending the war, and are only interested in favorable PR coverage," Zelensky wrote.But Putin had pointed out, "Apparently, smarter people – probably foreign handlers – explained that refusing such a proposal is a losing proposition for the Kiev regime, and [the Ukrainians] swiftly agreed."Putin has also shot back in fresh Monday statements that Zelensky was "ready to reject Easter ceasefire — until his Western curators reminded him it's bad PR to oppose peace outright."Ukraine has meanwhile proposed extending the truce for 30 days after it ended midnight Sunday, resulting in the Kremlin saying it is studying the possibility. Putin has since said he is reviewing a Ukrainian proposal for each side to case attacks on any civilian infrastructure.Still, Putin has made clear that he's not interested in a merely temporary solution, but wants to achieve something lasing, on fears that Ukraine would just use a 30-day window to rearm and regroup.Russian state media has published footage showing that during the Easter truce there was some positive, peaceful engagement among some troops on the ground.Rare moment of direct communication between Russian & Ukrainian soldiers during Easter ceasefireThey soon returned to their positions, retrieving their wounded pic.twitter.com/gyD6U2trcy— RT (@RT_com) April 21, 2025As the for US, the State Department on Sunday that the US remains committed to "a full and comprehensive ceasefire." The Trump administration has made clear it is losing patience, and that both sides need to move fast toward the negotiating table.Ukraine's Air Force confirmed on Monday the resumption of heavy strikes, describing Russian forces launched 96 drones and three missiles on eastern and southern Ukraine overnight. Tyler DurdenMon, 04/21/2025 - 10:45
IRS wants to classify EVERYBODY as an employee. Why? Because they guarantee Social Security and Medicare taxes are paid on earnings and, most likely, federal income tax is withheld.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With Earth Day on the horizon, eco-conscious travel is gaining serious momentum. According to Squaremouth, the nation's top travel insurance comparison service, sustainable travel is seeing a notable surge this spring. Full story available on Benzinga.com
Japan Posts Record Population Drop, Shrinking For 14th Year, As Demographic Crisis Deepens Japan's already collapsing population just posted its biggest annual drop on record, falling by 898,000 people as of last October compared to a year earlier, Kyodo News reported.This marked the 14th consecutive year of population decline in the country, according to a government estimate. The previous record drop was 861,000, reported in July 2024.This was the largest demographic drop since 1968.Some more details: according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan’s total population was 123,802,000, as of October 1, 2024, down by 550,000 or a 0.44% year-on-year decrease.The population of only Japanese citizens was 120,296,000, plunging by 898,000, or a 0.74% YoY drop.The IMF projects that the total population will shrink by a further 3.5 million by the end of the decade.The natural population decline, calculated by subtracting births from deaths, reached a record high of 890,000, rising for the eighteenth year running. This decline was 437,000 for women and 453,000 for men. The silver lining: for the third straight year, there was a net increase in immigration, with 340,000 more people entering than leaving Japan. Which is good news for globalists: if they are so worried where to put all those African and Middle Eastern refugees who have swept across Europe sparking unprecedented blowback against establishment politics, there is always Japan... assuming the locals accept the flood of foreigners.The data underscore the country's unprecedented demographic crisis amid a rapidly aging society and collapsing birthrate.Japan's total fertility rate -- the average number of children a woman bears in her lifetime -- fell to its lowest level in 2023 since records began in 1947, while the death/birth ratio at over 2.2, is the highest on record.The figures, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, show that only Tokyo and neighboring Saitama prefecture registered population increases.By age group, the working population, consisting of people aged 15 to 64, stood at 73,728,000, a year-on-year decrease of 224,000, while the population aged 65 or older (red and orange in the figure below) increased by 17,000 to 36,243,000. Those 75 or older (red) increased by 700,000, to 20,777,000, and this age bracket now accounts for 57.3% of those aged 65 or older.In response to the demographic crisis, the Japanese parliament passed a law in June 2024 aimed at reversing the falling birthrate. Measures under the law include expanded child allowances and enhanced parental leave benefits.And beginning this month, the city government of Tokyo started offering its employees a four-day workweek, hoping to increase the population and create a healthier work-life balance in a country notorious for long hours at the office.Officials have warned that the period leading up to 2030 represents a critical window to address the trend. Late marriages, financial insecurity, and limited support for working parents are commonly cited as contributing factors. Tyler DurdenSun, 04/20/2025 - 22:45
BTC Leads XRP, ETH, and ADA Higher as Perceived Threat to Fed Independence Sends Dollar Crashing CoinDeskStocks, dollar slide as Trump's attacks on Fed shake markets ReutersHow Trump might topple the dollar The EconomistTrump’s Push Against Powell Is Latest Reason to Sell US Assets Bloomberg.comSingapore Dollar Strengthens Amid Trump’s Threats Against U.S. Institutions WSJ
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing renewed scrutiny after The New York Times reported he created a second Signal chat group.
BEIJING, April 20 (Reuters) – China’s soybean imports from the United States rose 12% in March from the same period last year, as shipments secured in late 2024 by buyers concerned about the...
U.S. President Donald Trump again called for Powell to cut rates. CNBC survey shows growing disapproval of how Trump’s handling the economy. The People’s Bank of China keeps its loan prime rates steady. China vows to retaliate against any country that makes a deal with the U.S. to isolate Beijing. Economic activity might “fall off” in summer, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said. The Trump administration could overhaul the U.S. State Department. Tesla and Alphabet are announcing first-quarter earnings this week.An independent central bank is seen by most (including this newsletter) as the bedrock of a functional economy. Officials steer the economy by calibrating the benchmark interest rate on which bank loans and mortgages, among other debt, are based.Corporations and consumers, in general, like low interest rates because the cost of borrowing is cheaper. The former is incentivized to expand and invest, which, in turn, tend to increase income and spending among the latter. But such behavior can overheat the economy, causing prices to shoot up.U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates might make businesses and people happy — at the cost of letting inflation run rampant again. Factor in Trump’s tariffs, which are taxes on imports and hence fundamentally price increases, and inflation could be getting two shots in the arm.That’s why central bankers tend to operate independently from the government. An administration that aims to please the populace might cut rates despite high inflation, leading to further economic difficulties.It’s a relief markets in the U.S. and Europe were on a break for the Good Friday holiday when Trump made his comments.What you need to know todayTrump again calls for Powell to cut ratesU.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that “if we had a Fed Chairman that understood what he was doing, interest rates would be coming down, too.” The White House said Friday that officials are assessing whether they can remove the Fed chair. This is not the first time Trump has criticized Powell’s approach to U.S. monetary policy.Growing disapproval of Trump’s economic handlingAccording to a CNBC survey of 1,000 Americans, 55% of respondents disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy, the first time in any CNBC poll that he has been net negative on the economy while president. More Americans now believe the economy will get worse than at any time since 2023, and they are sharply more pessimistic about the stock market, according to survey results.China keeps interest rates steadyAsia-Pacific markets were mixed Monday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost roughly 1.3%. However, mainland China’s CSI 300 added around 0.3% as the People’s Bank of China kept its loan prime rates unchanged. The 1-year LPR currently stands at 3.1% and the 5-year rate is at 3.6%. Economists polled by Reuters had expected this outcome, which suggests the PBOC is prioritizing the stability of the yuan over stimulating the economy.Beijing vows ‘reciprocal countermeasures’ China’s Ministry of Commerce warned on Monday that Beijing firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests. If this happens, China will not accept it and will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures,” according to a CNBC translation. The Trump administration is reportedly planning to use tariff negotiations to pressure U.S. partners into curtailing their dealings with China. U.S economic activity might ‘fall off’ in summerThe U.S. economy could be experiencing an elevated level of activity now as shoppers and businesses stock up on goods before tariffs kick in, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said Sunday. “Activity might look artificially high in the initial, and then by the summer, might fall off — because people have bought it all.” Sectors most affected include the auto industry and electric components, Goolsbee said.Executive order to overhaul State DepartmentThe Trump administration could soon roll out sweeping changes to the U.S. State Department, according to a 16-page draft executive order obtained by CNBC. If enacted, the order would shutter American embassies across Southern Africa, eliminate bureaus that work on issues like democracy and human rights, as well as international organizations like the United Nations.[PRO] Earnings might displace tariffs as focusMarket gyrations because of Trump tariffs might be subdued — but not entirely subside — this week, according to strategists. Investor attention will turn to first-quarter earnings reports, with Tesla and Alphabet announcing their performance on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.And finally...Kent Nishimura | ReutersU.S. President Donald Trump meets with Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House in Washington, U.S., Feb. 7, 2025. Trump tariffs push Asian trade partners to weigh investing in massive Alaska energy projectAlaska has long sought to build an 800-mile pipeline that would eventually cool gas into liquid for export to Asia. The project, which has a staggering price tag topping $40 billion, has been stuck on the drawing board for years.Alaska LNG, as the project is known, is showing new signs of life — with Trump touting the project as a national priority. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier this month that the liquified natural gas project could play an important role in trade negotiations with South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.“We are thinking about a big LNG project in Alaska that South Korea, Japan [and] Taiwan are interested in financing and taking a substantial portion of the offtake,” Bessent told reporters on April 9, saying such an agreement would help meet Trump’s goal of reducing the U.S. trade deficit.
Leading cryptocurrencies rose on Sunday evening following weeks of sideways price action, while stock futures dipped.CryptocurrencyGains +/-Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC)1.93%$87,151.15Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) -0.22%$1,607.66Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) +1.60%$0.1591What Happened: Bitcoin breached the $86,000 barrier to touch $87,000 for the first time in nearly three weeks. The apex cryptocurrency's breakout spurred a similar price action for Dogecoin.Ethereum, on the other hand, failed to generate momentum, as the second-largest cryptocurrency remained in the $1,600 range.Bitcoin's monthly gains reached nearly 3%, in stark contrast to ETH’s 13.26% drop.The late evening rally pushed the 24-hour liquidations past $220 million, with over $140 million in short positions erased.Bitcoin’s Open Interest rose marginally by 0.50% in the last 24 hours, indicating a surge in volatility and speculative demand. The percentage of traders placing bullish long bets on Bitcoin surged to 55%, according to the Long/Short Ratio, indicating expectations of a sustained rally.The market sentiment stayed in the “Fear” category, according ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
Alice Romero Drever, a former nanny for royal families aboard luxury megayachts in the Middle East, has launched Nanny & Governess — a specialist agency providing elite nannies, governesses, and private educators to high-net-worth families in the UK, the Gulf, and worldwide. Drawing on her personal experience in the field, Alice offers a bespoke, discreet placement service that prioritises trust, compatibility, and excellence.
Donald Trump raised nearly $240 million for his inauguration — more than double the previous record, new filings show CNNTrump Raised $239 Million for Inauguration, More Than Doubling His Own Record The New York TimesHyundai, Nvidia Help Trump Raise Record $239 Million for Inaugural Festivities Bloomberg.comDonald Trump’s inaugural committee raised record-breaking $240mn Financial TimesExclusive | From Ken Griffin to Robinhood: The Donors Who Funded Trump’s Inauguration Revealed WSJ
Bitcoin 'breaking out' as it retakes $87K after early April slump CointelegraphBitcoin prepares for launch from $85K, BNB, HYPE, TAO and RNDR could follow CointelegraphBitcoin Ready To Reclaim $90,000? BTC’s ‘Next Big Move’ Could Come Next Week TradingViewBitcoin Price Watch: Rebound or Reversal? Chart Patterns Send Mixed Messages Bitcoin.com NewsHere Are The Bitcoin Levels To Watch For The Short Term - Analyst Bitcoinist.com
General Motors agreed to pay a $35 million settlement for drivers of certain Chevrolet and GMC vehicles. Here's who's eligible for money
-Día Mundial de I+D 2025 de Henlius: Aprovechar el poder de la innovación para impulsar la estrategia global a nuevas alturas SHANGHAI, 21 de abril de 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Henlius (2696.HK) celebró su Día Mundial de I+D 2025, bajo el lema "Colaborar para crear", reuniendo a altos...
By Bloomberg News Apr 19, 2025 (Bloomberg) –The China Shipowners Association said it will continue to “actively communicate” with the US and other relevant parties about the Trump administration’s proposed levies...
Not only does this year’s Nissan Rogue have a new and stylish horizontal grille replacing years of its staid V-Motion design, it also adds some high-tech cameras that minimize or eliminate front-end damage.
The U.S. Commerce Department said last week that it would require export licenses for Nvidia’s H20 graphics processing units in a move that has halted the product’s sale to China. The move is expected to boost demand for Chinese companies like Huawei as they seek to provide a domestic alternative to Nvidia.As the U.S. tightens controls on Nvidia’s sales to China, the country’s rising domestic artificial intelligence chipmakers like Huawei stand to benefit, semiconductor analysts say. The Commerce Department said last week that Nvidia’s H20 graphics processing units — designed to comply with previous U.S. restrictions — would now require export licenses, as would additional chips from AMD. Nvidia says it has already halted exports of the GPUs, resulting in a quarterly charge of approximately $5.5 billion. But the American AI darling’s loss could be a gain for China’s local AI chip players as China continues to search for its own Nvidia alternative, semiconductor analysts told CNBC. “There are several local Chinese companies that produce chips to compete with Nvidia,” said Brady Wang, associate director at Counterpoint Research. Examples of these local AI chipmakers include tech powerhouse Huawei and the partially state-owned and publicly listed Cambricon Technologies, which designs GPUs. Shares of Cambricon were up over 10% in the past five trading days amid news of the latest Nvidia controls. The stock is up over 400% in the past 12 months. These local competitors now have greater impetus and opportunity to grow and improve their solutions, Wang said, adding that he expects that demand for their GPUs will increase.Can China fill the gap?Analysts pointed to Huawei as a clear leader in China’s race to find a Nvidia competitor. The U.S.-blacklisted company has been working on its own “Ascend 910” GPU series, the latest of which is reportedly the Ascend 910C.“With NVIDIA’s H20 and other advanced GPUs restricted, domestic alternatives like Huawei’s Ascend series are gaining traction,” said Doug O’Laughlin, an industry analyst at independent semiconductor research company SemiAnalysis.A recent report from SemiAnalysis states that although Huawei remains “a generation behind in chips,” the company is “making waves” with the hardware that uses them.“While there are still gaps in software maturity and overall ecosystem readiness, hardware performance is closing in fast,” O’Laughlin added. However, experts note that export controls have also hindered China’s ability to produce advanced GPUs at the same scale that Nvidia can through contract chipmakers like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest contract chip maker.“Huawei has shown to be a competitive fabless chip designer ... but they struggle to find enough supply from their foundries,” said Phelix Lee, a semiconductor-focused equity analyst for Morningstar. Because TSMC’s chipmaking equipment includes U.S. technology, the company has complied with U.S. trade restrictions on Huawei and the shipment of advanced chips to China. That has left Chinese companies increasingly reliant on domestic foundries like Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation.Nevertheless, SMIC is under its own export controls, which prevents it from accessing some of the world’s most advanced chipmaking equipment.Given those conditions, Lee said, he remains “very skeptical” that Chinese chip foundries would be able to supply enough H20 GPU alternatives to meet the demand of Chinese tech companies anytime soon.Are export controls working?However, experts say that Chinese chip makers won’t need to immediately fill this H20 demand thanks to stockpiles and previous export exemptions and loopholes. Last month, the Information reported that Chinese companies had placed orders for at least $16 billion in H20 server chips in the first three months of the year. Nvidia did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment.According to Counterpoint’s Wang, it’s unclear how long different firms’ existing stockpiles will last, but they provide Chinese chipmakers more time to scale up their GPU manufacturing. In the short term, “I believe the impact of the controls is limited ... In the middle to longer term, it will depend on the progress of this local GPU development,” he said. Meanwhile, according to the SemiAnalysis report, Huawei’s Ascend chip shows how China’s export controls have failed to stop firms like Huawei from accessing critical foreign tools and sub-components needed for advanced GPUs. “While the Ascend chip can be fabricated at SMIC, this is a global chip that has HBM from Korea, primary wafer production from TSMC, and is fabricated by 10s of billions of wafer fabrication equipment from the US, Netherlands, and Japan,” the report said.The SemiAnalysis report added that SMIC’s production capacity has the potential to grow massively, given continued access to foreign tools and the lack of effective sanctions and enforcement.TSMC is reportedly under investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce after a chip it made for the China-based Sophgo matched one found in Huawei’s Ascend 910B artificial intelligence processor. Given Huawei’s GPU progress and reports of export control workarounds, a number of experts have expressed doubt that U.S. export controls on Nvidia will achieve their intended purpose. “U.S. controls on GPUs and semiconductor manufacturing equipment have primarily damaged US companies, including Nvidia, while having marginal impact on the ability of Chinese companies to develop frontier AI models,” said Paul Triolo, partner and senior vice president for China at DGA Group.Instead, export controls have encouraged the Chinese semiconductor industry to become more innovative while “designing out U.S. technology,” he added.Next month, Nvidia may face additional restrictions on what it can export, under “AI diffusion rules” first proposed by the Biden administration.
Enhertu plus pertuzumab demonstrated highly statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival vs. THP as 1st-line therapy for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer AstraZenecaENHERTU® Plus Pertuzumab Demonstrated Highly Statistically Significant and Clinically Meaningful Improvement in Progression-Free Survival Versus THP as First-Line Therapy for Patients with HER2 Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Business WireAstraZeneca, Daiichi report PFS gains for Enhertu, Perjeta combo in front-line HER2+ breast cancer FirstWord PharmaEnhertu: drug approved for advanced cancers – here’s what you need to know The ConversationAstraZeneca Touts Positive Survival Data for Enhertu Combo in Broad Breast Cancer Population marketscreener.com
After taking away some of its most famous passenger perks, the airline has accidentally done something nice.
Southwest Airlines finally has some good news for passengers TheStreetSouthwest Airlines Just Made Another Big Change. This Time It’s Actually Smart Inc.comSouthwest Airlines Announces 'Unprecedented' Change Amid Free Bag Outrage Men's JournalSouthwest Airlines adding new Florida flights, laying off nearly 1,800 workers. What we know The News-PressScore Southwest’s New Extra Legroom Free From May 1—No Premium Fees Until 2026 View from the Wing
These large-cap stocks were the worst performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) stock dipped 23.60% after the company reported worse-than-expected first-quarter results and cut its FY25 adjusted EPS guidance below estimates.Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN) shares declined 16.55% after the company announced it had bought a stake in Worldpay for $6.6 billion.Applovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP) stock decreased 9.71% after Goldman Sachs analyst Eric Sheridan cut ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
Pembroke Pines, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - April 20, 2025) - As businesses look to increase efficiency and improve sales performance, new data suggests that AI-driven CRM automation is a critical factor in accelerating deal closure rates. A recent study by BluePaperclip found that companies leveraging automation and AI-assisted lead management reduced their sales...
Amazon makes urgent move to avoid US-China trade war impact TheStreetTariff Turmoil: One Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Down 26% to Buy Hand Over Fist Right Now The Globe and MailAmazon Is Better Prepared for the Trade War Than Investors Think - WSJ WSJAmazon (AMZN) Sellers Set to Lower Ad Spend and Hike Prices in Wake of Tariff Turmoil The Globe and MailTrump’s Tariffs Haven’t Resulted in Higher Prices on Amazon—Yet WIRED
The online retail giant is raising eyebrows with its latest move.
Major update required in April to keep Social Security benefits The Mirror USSSA confirms that it will block all payments to those who do not meet this requirement TododiscaSocial Security’s new anti-fraud measures start Monday. Here’s what you need to know CNNWhat to know as Social Security anti-fraud measures take effect NewsNationDo Retirees Now Need to Visit a Social Security Office to Apply for Benefits? Yahoo Finance
Boeing jet returns to U.S. from China, a victim of Trump’s tariff war CP24Boeing jet returns to US from China, a victim of Trump’s tariff war CNNOpinion: Boeing’s self-inflicted damage leaves it vulnerable in trade war as China halts delivery of company’s jets The Globe and MailHow China’s Boeing Ban Threatens to Backfire on Its Own Plane Maker - WSJ WSJA new Boeing jet meant for a Chinese airline reportedly returned to the U.S. because of the ongoing trade war Fortune
Boeing jet returns to U.S. from China, a victim of Trump’s tariff war CTV NewsBoeing jet returns to US from China, a victim of Trump’s tariff war CNNHow China’s Boeing Ban Threatens to Backfire on Its Own Plane Maker - WSJ WSJA new Boeing jet meant for a Chinese airline reportedly returned to the U.S. because of the ongoing trade war FortuneChina Orders Boeing Jet Delivery Halt as Trade War Expands Bloomberg
In the face of economic uncertainty, President Donald Trump‘s approval rating stands at 45% in a new Gallup poll.What Happened: Trump’s approval rating of 45% in the first quarter of his second term compates to the 41% approval rating he garnered one quarter into his first term. The average first-quarter approval rating for U.S. presidents from 1952 to 2020 stands at 60%.An Economist/YouGov poll at 42%, down 16 points from when he took office in January.Earlier in the month, Trump declared a 10% baseline tax on nearly all imports and ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
First shockwaves of Trump’s tariffs are about to hit the world economy FortuneView Full Coverage on Google News
The Family Home: From Shelter To Asset To Liability Authored by Charles Hugh Smith via OfTwoMinds blog,The deflation of asset bubbles and higher costs are foreseeable, but the magnitude of each is unpredictable.With the rise of financialized asset bubbles as the source of our "growth," family home went from shelter to speculative asset. This transition accelerated as financialization (turning everything into a financial commodity to be leveraged and sold globally for a quick profit) spread into the once-staid housing sector in the early 2000s. (See chart of housing bubbles #1 and #2 below).Where buying a home once meant putting down roots and insuring a stable cost of shelter, housing became a speculative asset to be snapped up and sold as prices soared.The short-term vacation rental (STVR) boom added fuel to the speculative fire over the past decade as huge profits could be generated by assembling an STVR mini-empire of single-family homes that were now rented to tourists.Now that housing has become unaffordable to the majority and the costs of ownership are stair-stepping higher, housing has become a liability. I covered the increases in costs of ownership in The Cost of Owning a Home Is Soaring 11/11/24). Articles like this one are increasingly common:'I feel trapped': how home ownership has become a nightmare for many Americans: Scores in the US say they're grappling with raised mortgage and loan interest rates and exploding insurance premiums.The sums of money now required to own, insure and maintain a house are eye-watering. Annual home insurance for many is now a five-figure sum; property taxes in many states is also a five-figure sum. As for maintenance, as I discussed in This Nails It: The Doom Loop of Housing Construction Quality, the decline in quality of housing and the rising costs of repair make buying a house a potentially unaffordable venture should repairs costing tens of thousands of dollars become necessary.Major repairs can now cost what previous generations paid for an entire house, and no, this isn't just inflation; it's the result of the decline of quality across the board and the gutting of labor skills to cut costs.Here's the Case-Shiller Index of national housing prices. Housing Bubble #2 far exceeds the extremes of unaffordability reached in Housing Bubble #1:Here's a snapshot of housing affordability: buying a house is now an unattainable luxury for those without top 20% incomes and help from parents.The monthly payments as a percentage of income are at historic highs:Property taxes are rising in many locales as valuations bubble higher and local governments seek sources of stable revenues:Home insurance costs vary widely, but all are skewing to the upside.As I often note, the insurance industry is not a charity, and to maintain profits as payouts for losses explode higher, rates have to climb for everyone--and more for those in regions that are now viewed as high-risk due to massive losses in fires, hurricanes, wind storms, flooding, etc.All credit-asset bubbles pop, and that inevitable deflation of home valuations will take away the speculative punchbowl. What's left are the costs of ownership. As these rise, they offset the rich capital gains that home owners have been counting on for decades to make ownership a worthwhile, low-risk investment.The deflation of asset bubbles and higher costs are foreseeable, but the magnitude of each is unpredictable. The ideas that have taken hold in the 21st century--that owning a house is a wellspring of future wealth, and everything is now a throwaway destined for the landfill--are based on faulty assumptions, assumptions that have set a banquet of consequences few will find palatable.* * *Become a $3/month patron of my work via patreon.com.Subscribe to my Substack for free Tyler DurdenSun, 04/20/2025 - 10:30
Many of the cruise line's sailings have a major catch.
Satellite Images Expose China's Secretive Nuclear Submarine Force Newly published satellite imagery shows the latest developments at a Chinese naval base, which serves as the hub for China's nuclear-powered submarine fleet.Naval analyst Alex Luck noted that Google Earth recently updated satellite imagery of China's Qingdao First Submarine Base on the eastern coast. The images reveal at least six submarines docked near a pier, with one additional submarine visible in a drydock, per Luck's observations.The analyst observed that five of the nuclear-powered submarines captured in the imagery were equipped with conventional armaments.Close-ups. 1) 2x 09I SSN. 2) 09III(A) SSN. 3) 09III(A) SSN bottom, 09IV SSBN top, 4) unidentified SSN. pic.twitter.com/MgDPecGLF8— Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9) April 11, 2025Measuring the boomer, it should actually be the sole Type 09II SSBN, still hanging around. pic.twitter.com/N05hiRRIrj— Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9) April 11, 2025According to Newsweek:The sole Chinese Type 092 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine also appeared in the image. The experimental Type 092 is now inoperable and is replaced by its more advanced successor, the Type 094, the Federation of American Scientists wrote in a report in March. With regard to the unidentified submarine in the drydock, Luck suggested that it could be a boat undergoing scrapping, given maintenance is regularly also performed at another site. -NewsweekThe latest research by Department of Defense says it believes that China will expand its submarine fleet from 60 to 65 by the end of 2025. China’s submarine fleet could reach 80 in the next ten years, according to the Pentagon.As China continues to expand its military might, the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, is sounding the alarm of the U.S.’s ability to confront China. “The U.S. does not have the throughput, responsiveness, or agility needed to deter our adversaries,” Gen. Caine told the Senate Armed Services Committee. The U.S. military is bracing for possible confrontation with China over the Taiwan Strait. Adm. Sam Paparo, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, warned that China is actively preparing for major military actions targeting Taiwan, according to the Washington Times.China is said to be building a novel type of amphibious vessel called Shuiqiao, or “water bridges,” to bolster a possible Taiwan invasion, the India Defense Review reports. These adaptable barges are engineered to swiftly transport heavy equipment across challenging coastal terrain, the report said.* * * Try IQ Biologix Astaxanthin - a super potent antioxidant (read more here).Satisfaction guaranteed. Simply ask for a refund...Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, has vowed to boost the island nation’s defense spending to 3 percent of its gross domestic product. The increase would bring its military spending to up approximately one-fifth of its total spending budget. “Of course, there is the possibility that Xi Jinping would decide that this is the right time for the Chinese Communist Party to take aggressive action,” Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) said of China’s dictator. “I think it’s exactly the wrong thing for them to do,” Coons added. “I think they would find a forceful and united response.” Tyler DurdenSat, 04/19/2025 - 22:45
Some Canadian stores are labeling US imports with a T for 'tariffs' — and buyers are snapping up alternatives Business InsiderView Full Coverage on Google News
Easter Sunday: What restaurants, stores are open and which are closed for the holiday AxiosIs Walmart open or closed on Easter 2025? Here's what to know USA TodayWhat stores are open on Easter? Details on Target, Walmart, Starbucks and fast-food hours El Paso TimesIs Wegmans open on Easter? See which grocery stores are open this Sunday Democrat and ChronicleEaster 2025: What’s open, what’s closed? Walmart, Target, Publix, Aldi and more AL.com
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Biden Judge Blocks Trump's Order Ending 'X' Gender Marker On Passports Authored by T.J. Muscaro via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s executive order banning the use of an “X” on passports marked by people self-identifying as neither male nor female.AliaksaB/ShutterstockU.S. District Judge Julia Kobick of the District Court of Massachusetts - who in 2017 was part of a legal team that sued the Trump administration over an ACA provision and has been a judge less than 18 months, awarded the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) a preliminary injunction on April 18, staying the president’s executive action requiring sex, instead of gender identity, to be used as an identifier on government-issued identification documents.The executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” was one of several signed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office.“It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female,” the order stated. ”These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality.”The order stated that gender identity “reflects a fully internal and subjective sense of self, disconnected from biological reality and sex and existing on an infinite continuum, that does not provide a meaningful basis for identification and cannot be recognized as a replacement for sex.”U.S. District Judge Julia KobickIt ordered the secretaries of State and Homeland Security, and the director of the Office of Personnel Management to “implement changes to require that government-issued identification documents, including passports, visas, and Global Entry cards, accurately reflect the holder’s sex.”It also ordered the rescinding of prior federal guidance documents, including “The White House Toolkit on Transgender Equality.”The ACLU took legal action against the order on behalf of five plaintiffs who identify as transgender and two who identify as nonbinary, seeking to preserve the pro-LGBT policies put in place under President Joe Biden, allowing a third option on identification documents.“We all have a right to accurate identity documents, and this policy invites harassment, discrimination, and violence against transgender Americans who can no longer obtain or renew a passport that matches who they are,” ACLU lawyer Sruti Swaminathan said in a statement.The Trump administration argued that the president had broad discretion in setting the passport policy, and those policy changes did not “violate the equal protection guarantees of the Constitution.” The federal government also denied any harm befalling the plaintiffs due to the policy, since they were still free to travel abroad.The judge said the administration didn’t demonstrate substantial government interests in changing the rule.“The Executive Order and the Passport Policy on their face classify passport applicants on the basis of sex and thus must be reviewed under intermediate judicial scrutiny,” Kobick wrote. “That standard requires the government to demonstrate that its actions are substantially related to an important governmental interest. The government has failed to meet this standard.”Stacy Robinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Tyler DurdenSat, 04/19/2025 - 22:10
Here is a list of all the major retailers closing this year on April 20.
A Visual Breakdown Of Who Owns America's Wealth There are two types of households in the U.S.: the rich half and the poorer half.And the data is quite striking in this regard.This graphic, via Visual Capitalist's Pallavi Rao, breaks down America’s wealth (the total net worth of all U.S. households) by wealth percentile, and lists the number of households in each percentile.Data for this chart is sourced from the Federal Reserve as of Q3, 2024.U.S. Wealth Distribution is Top HeavyFor reference, the total net worth of all U.S. households is close to $160 trillion.The rich half own about $156 trillion (or about 98% of it). The poorer half only own about $4 trillion.Breaking down that top half even further, the top 1% (1.3 million families) owns about $49 trillion (or about one-third of the total share) by themselves.And going even further, about half of that $49 trillion is owned by the top 0.1%. That’s only around 136,000 households and includes all of America’s wealthiest people.Demographics of Wealth BandsThe Federal Reserve also has some insight of how much one needs to own in each wealth band.From their last analysis in 2022, households with less than $192,000 were the bottom 50% of the country. This band also had a higher concentration Black or Hispanic families without a bachelor’s degree.On the other hand, to be in the top 10% (not pictured in this graphic), a household needed at least $1.92 million in 2022. Asian and White families with at least a bachelor’s degree were overrepresented here.To find out the threshold for the top 1%, a different source, DQYDJ, estimated $13.7 million as the minimum household wealth. It takes $62 million for a household’s net worth to be in the top 0.1%.The rich are, in fact, growing richer. Check out: The 1%’s Share of U.S. Wealth Over Time to see the gains made. Tyler DurdenSat, 04/19/2025 - 21:35
Ojas restaurant drops 'plant-based' label as it adds meat to menu SooToday.com
Easter 2025: What’s open, what’s closed? Walmart, Target, Publix, Aldi and more AL.comWhat’s open and closed on Easter Day 2025 CNNWhat's open and closed on Easter 2025? Sunday hours for key stores and food chains. CBS NewsWhat stores are open, closed on Easter Sunday? Fox BusinessWhat retail stores are open Easter 2025? See details for Macy's, TJ Maxx, IKEA, more USA Today
A plus-size traveler claims discrimination after a flight attendant allegedly refused to push her wheelchair due to her weight. Stewartville StarPeople Are Ruthless After Plus-Sized Woman Complains About Not Being Pushed In Wheelchair AOL.comPlus-size traveler feels 'discriminated against' at airport after worker 'refused to push her wheelchair' The Mirror USPlus-size traveller says she was 'discriminated against' at airport after worker 'refused to push her wheelcha Daily Mail
Solar and wind power have been dominating new power installations all around the world. Renewables accounted for 92.5% of new power capacity globally in 2024, a stunning achievement, even if it’s been expected for the past decade. All of that new power capacity from clean, renewable energy is also gradually ... [continued]The post Zero-Emissions Electricity Surpasses 40% of World Electricity appeared first on CleanTechnica.
The 7,400-square-foot mansion stands as one of the few remains of the 75-room Penshurst Estate, built in 1901 on hundreds of acres and demolished just three decades later.
81% Bitcoin holders sit on gains, but inflows cool: What’s ahead for BTC? AMBCryptoWhales Are Taking Over Bitcoin... Are They Preparing For A Bullish Shock? CointribuneBitcoin Whale Accumulation Hits Highest Level Since April 2024 By U.Today Investing.com CanadaBitcoin’s 10% weekly gain amid worrying US economic data shows crypto trader sentiment shift CointelegraphBitcoin STH MVRV Climbs To 0.90, Is A Price Rebound On? Bitcoinist.com
Over the past several years, homeownership has become increasingly expensive, locking many young buyers out of the housing market. Inflation has increased the cost of living across the board, raising home prices and making it difficult for homebuyers to save...
NEWBURYPORT — Anna Jaques Hospital officials are replacing their longtime emergency department provider group due to a contract dispute.
ROME (AP) — Iran and the United States will begin having experts meet to discuss details of a possible deal over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program, the top Iranian diplomat said Saturday after a second round of negotiations in Rome.
A strategy that’s worked well for the big-box giant is getting a second look.