Breaking News

Uncategorized

Wall Street mixed, oil prices steady

(AP) — Wall Street hovered around yesterday’s levels and oil prices barely budged early Friday amid a shaky ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, which maintained its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Futures for the S&P 500 were flat before the opening bell, while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average inched down less than 0.1%. Nasdaq futures gained less than 0.1%. Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency, close to the Revolutionary Guard, claimed that talks wouldn’t happen unless Israel stopped its attacks in Lebanon. U.S. President Donald Trump ...

‘Godfather’ tactics

As a fan of the movie “The Godfather,” there is a classic line that is referenced that sets the tone for the entire movie. Michael Corleone tells his soon-to-be wife how his father was able to establish himself as a ruthless negotiator. In essence, “my father made a person an offer that they could not refuse” — translation: Either you give me what I want or else. “Because I assure you your brains or your signature will be on the contract in front of you.” In the movie, it worked. Oh well.... that is great theater. But it is not necessarily true in real life, especially ...

Five charged with murder in fireworks warehouse explosion

(AP) — Five people have been charged with murder in a deadly Northern California explosion at a fireworks warehouse that killed seven people and shook a tiny farming community, authorities said Friday. The charges stem from a grand jury indictment that found five people, including a former Yolo County Sheriff lieutenant, responsible for the explosion that injured two others, Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Clara Nabity said. The deadly fireworks explosion near the community of Esparto sparked a massive fire and led to nearby Fourth of July celebrations being called off. The ...

McIlroy pulls away with birdie binge and sets Masters record

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The only thing that stopped Rory McIlroy in the Masters was running out of holes to play Friday. McIlroy stood on the 12th tee in a tie with Patrick Reed and with a dozen other players bunched together in what was shaping up to be a compelling chase for the green jacket. Six birdies over his final seven holes for a 7-under 65 left everyone to wonder if they were playing for second. McIlroy’s fourth straight birdie to close out the best round of the week gave him a six-shot advantage, setting the Masters record for largest 36-hole lead. “I knew I had some ...

FAA says proper use of anti-drone lasers is safe for flights

(AP) — Anti-drone lasers used near the southern border by the U.S. military and Homeland Security to combat cartel drones are safe and shouldn’t necessitate airport closures, the Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday after a review prompted by airspace closures in Texas earlier this year. The FAA and Defense Department have signed an agreement outlining the safety precautions that they say will protect travelers anytime these lasers are used, but their statement didn’t spell out what those safeguards will be. The FAA didn’t immediately respond to questions seeking ...

War in Iran sends inflation soaring and the mood of American consumers plunging

WASHINGTON (AP) — The largest monthly jump in gas prices in six decades caused a sharp spike in inflation last month, creating major challenges for the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve and heightening already substantial political hurdles for the White House. Consumer prices rose 3.3% in March from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Friday, up sharply from just 2.4% in February and the biggest yearly increase since May 2024. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.9% in March from February, the largest such increase in nearly four years. It’s the first read on inflation ...