Author: Leslie Stewart

Core inflation was already above the Federal Reserve’s target even before the recent spike in energy prices, according to a key measure released Thursday. It provides the central bank with a snapshot of the situation leading to war with Iran.The Commerce Department reported that the core consumer spending price index, which excludes food and energy, rose a seasonally adjusted 3% in February. The overall inflation rate for all items increased by 2.8%.Both measurements were in line with the Dow Jones consensus. The core annual inflation rate was 0.1 percentage points lower than in January, but the headlines remained unchanged.On a…

New attack on ThursdayIsrael has vowed to press ahead with its operations in Lebanon, insisting that Lebanon is not included in the cease-fire agreement.Hezbollah launched its latest ground and air attacks on Lebanon last month, after launching a joint attack on Iran and attacks on northern Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The Israel Defense Forces announced on Wednesday that it had carried out at least 100 airstrikes in a short period of 10 minutes, the largest barrage of any military operation to date.The IDF said it attacked Hezbollah’s headquarters, military arrays and command and…

A month after the worst oil supply disruption since the 1970s Arab embargo, economic pain across Asia is reviving uncomfortable questions. “Could this be 1997 again?” It’s hard to ignore the similarities. Asian currencies are under pressure, increasing the risk of capital outflows. Rising energy costs have prompted governments around the world to take emergency measures, while central banks are drawing down foreign exchange reserves. In Thailand, policymakers are moving to ration gasoline. Meanwhile, the government declared a national emergency due to soaring pump prices in the Philippines. Widening trade deficits and rising inflation expectations across the region are reminiscent…

A Tennessee county school board voted unanimously Wednesday to censure a member who told a student, “God, you’re hot,” during a public board meeting last week. Subscribe to read this story without ads Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The Washington County Board of Education approved the censures in an emergency meeting following public calls for the firing of School Board Member Keith Irvin and District Superintendent Jerry Boyd.At the April 2 board meeting, which was livestreamed, Irvin told a high school girl next to him, “Oh my god, you’re hot. You know that? Shit. What school do…

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on March 18, 2026, in New York City, USA, as Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s press conference after the Fed’s interest rate announcement is broadcast on a screen. Brendan McDiarmid | ReutersTraders are eyeing a potential interest rate cut by the end of the year after the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire.The probability of a rate cut rose sharply on Wednesday morning to about 43%, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool, which uses 30-day federal funds futures contracts to calculate market expectations for Fed moves.…

IE11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit our site in a different browser.to the nextHow are markets reacting as the US-Iran ceasefire takes hold?01:44Israel says Iran ceasefire deal does not apply to Lebanon01:35US and Iran claim victory after two-week ceasefire agreement02:50Samsung shuts down Messages app, tells users to switch to Google00:22Artemis II crew watches ‘Project Hail Mary’ before going into space01:20Lindsey Vonn talks Olympic failure, her legacy, future plans and more05:47Artemis II crew shouts out Al Roker from 252,000 miles into space01:15Rapper Offset hospitalized after being shot in Florida00:25ICE agents detain the wife of a U.S. soldier…

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 6: US President Donald Trump speaks with Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe (L) and Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth (R) during a press conference in the James S. Brady Press Conference Room at the White House on April 6, 2026 in Washington, DC.Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesA temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran sparked widespread relief rallies across the property on Wednesday, but experts warned that any deal on a lasting peace would be complicated by a large trust deficit. The cease-fire followed a flurry of diplomatic efforts led…

Republican prosecutor Clay Fuller won a special election to replace Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia’s runoff elections on Tuesday, NBC News reported.Subscribe to read this story without ads Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The special election to fill Greene’s unexpired term in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District was a runoff after no candidate received a majority of votes in last month’s crowded all-party primary. However, in the first round, Republican candidates received about 60% of the votes, making Mr. Fuller, the district attorney, the clear favorite.See live results hereFuller also entered Tuesday’s runoff as an endorsement of…

IE11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit our site in a different browser.Currently playingSee amazing images of the far side of the moon from the Artemis II crew02:49to the nextMichigan coach Dusty May talks about historic NCAA basketball win03:51Indianapolis City Councilman says he was shot in his home00:31Average gas price is now 88 cents higher than in 202500:31President Trump vows to target Iranian civilian infrastructure if no deal02:08President Trump threatens ‘total destruction’ of Iranian infrastructure02:17Coach Cori on UCLA women’s quest for historic national title03:23Savannah Guthrie back to TODAY: ‘It’s good to be home’01:22Terry and Rebecca Crews talk…

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is scheduled to voluntarily meet with the House Oversight Committee on May 6 to answer questions about his relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a person familiar with the schedule.Subscribe to read this story without ads Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced in early March that Mr. Lutnick had “affirmatively agreed to appear voluntarily” before the committee. However, no date has been decided until now.CNN first reported the date of Lutnick’s interview.The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment…