Oil prices resume their climb and Asian markets decline as US prepares for blockade of strait

TOKYO (AP) — Oil prices have resumed their climb and Asian markets mostly declined as the U.S. military prepared to blockade ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, where most shipping has been stalled by Iran since the start of the war. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the planned blockade after U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks in Pakistan ended without an agreement, and the U.S. military said the blockade would begin Monday at 10 a.m. EDT. Oil prices have been rising as shipping through the strait has essentially stalled. On Monday, benchmark U.S. crude jumped nearly 7% and Brent crude, the international standard, rose 6.5%. Markets fell in Japan, Australia, South Korea and Hong Kong, while shares were little changed in Shanghai.

Iran war's global energy crisis sharpens China’s advantage in clean tech

HONG KONG (AP) — The war in Iran is sharpening China’s advantage in promoting a renewable energy future, as oil disruptions expose the fragility of fossil fuel systems. Higher fuel prices are accelerating interest in electric vehicles and other clean technologies across Asia. China, with firms such as its biggest electric vehicle maker BYD and battery maker CATL, is well positioned to meet that demand. That contrasts a more fragmented U.S. approach that has promoted fossil fuels. Analysts say this fundamental shift will likely remain even if the Iran war ends and ultimately may lead to the strengthening of China's global influence.

US military says it will blockade Iran's ports as ship traffic appears to halt in Strait of Hormuz

CAIRO (AP) — U.S. Central Command says it will begin a blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas at 10 a.m. EDT Monday, or 5:30 p.m. in Iran, to be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations.” But it will allow ships traveling between non-Iranian ports to transit the Strait of Hormuz. That's a step down from an original vow by President Donald Trump to entirely blockade the strait. Early reports are indicating that traffic in the strait has ground to a half since the blockade was announced. The two-week ceasefire remains in doubt. Pakistan, which hosted the talks, says it will seek more dialogue.

Already under financial pressure, Midwest soybean farmers are squeezed further by tariffs, Iran war

WAHOO, Neb. (AP) — Midwest soybean farmers are facing an array of compounding issues. Costs, such as equipment, have crept up over time while soybean prices have stayed low. Tariffs levied by the Trump administration last year and the resulting monthslong trade war with China in 2025 only made things worse, they say. Then the Iran war bottled up shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, sending fertilizer prices sky high. A ceasefire deal announced April 7 raised hope that bottlenecks in the strait would abate, but the future of the agreement was uncertain. Experts say it will take time for global supply chains to recover from the war. China is buying U.S. soybeans again, but farmers say a recent $12 billion federal aid package isn't enough to recoup their losses during the trade war.

As AI use increases at work, many employees still choose not to use it: Gallup poll

A new Gallup poll finds that more American workers are experimenting with artificial intelligence in their jobs, but there is a cohort of employees who remain skeptical. The survey finds an increase in the share of U.S. employees who are frequently using AI for work, up from the end of last year. At the same time, there’s also been an uptick in alarm that new technologies will replace their jobs, and many workers who are not using AI say they prefer to work without it, have ethical opposition to the technology or worry about data privacy. The poll points to a divergence in how AI is reshaping American workplaces.

An underwater bus in Havana becomes the ride that matters during Cuba's fuel crisis

HAVANA (AP) — In Havana, a special underwater bus has become essential as Cuba faces its worst energy crisis in decades. Known as the Ciclobús, the big, metallic bus transports bicycles, scooters and electric motorcycles through the Havana Bay Tunnel. It accommodates around 60 travelers and their vehicles. The U.S. energy blockade has forced Cuba to ration gasoline, leaving public transportation at a standstill. Streets are now filled with bicycles and small electric motorcycles. The Ciclobús route is just 1.8 miles but offers an affordable alternative to costly taxis. The service, revived from the 1990s, is now crucial for daily commutes across the city.

What to know about Trump's tax breaks for tips and overtime when filing state tax returns

Millions of Americans are expected to claim new federal tax breaks for tips and overtime wages under a law enacted by President Donald Trump. However, many states have decided not to match these federal changes. That means workers who receive federal deductions for tips or overtime will still owe state taxes on those earnings. Federal tax deductions for tips, overtime and auto loan interest are being matched in only about a half-dozen states. Arizona's situation is unique -- the tax deductions are being offered there under an executive order, even though state law has not been changed to officially allow them.

Workers at major Colorado meatpacking plan win wage increases in deal with JBS USA

Workers at the Swift Beef Co. plant in Greeley, Colorado, have reached a deal with plant owner JBS USA. Both parties announced the agreement on Sunday, ending weeks of uncertainty at one of the largest meatpacking plants in the country. The deal calls for wage increases and a bonus, and wraps up a multiweek bid for higher wages and better health care by unionized workers. The company said in its announcement that the meat processing plant will immediately return to normal operations. JBS is the world’s largest meatpacking company with a market capitalization of $17 billion. It is the top employer in Greeley, a city of more than 100,000 people northeast of Denver.

‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ rockets to $629 million worldwide at the box office

“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is dominating the box office in its second weekend. Universal and Illumination's sequel added $69 million from 4,284 theaters in the U.S. and Canada. Its domestic total now stands at $308.1 million, with a global total of $629 million. The figures mark a 48% drop from its first weekend, which is modest for a blockbuster. The sequel cost $110 million to produce and is being considered a hit despite not matching the first film's initial success. Meanwhile, Universal's “You, Me & Tuscany” debuted in fourth place with $8 million. The romantic comedy starring Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page is getting mixed reviews but positive audience feedback.

Irish prime minister announces fuel tax cuts to stop protests over soaring pump prices

LONDON (AP) — Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin says his government will offer new fuel tax cuts to address protests over soaring fuel costs. He criticized the tactics of farmers and truckers who blocked access to the nation's only oil refinery and several depots. The package, worth nearly $600 million, aims to ease cost-of-living pressures since the U.S.-Israel war on Iran cut off a major route for global oil supplies. Protests that began on Tuesday have caused chaos, with blockades preventing fuel deliveries. Police began breaking up the protests on Saturday. The relief measure needs parliamentary approval. It’s unclear if the proposal will quell the uprisings.

Iran says no port in Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman will be safe if its own ports are threatened as U.S. declares blockade

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An underwater bus in Havana becomes the ride that matters during Cuba's fuel crisis