China’s exports grew 2.5% in March in a sharp slowdown as Iran war raises uncertainty

HONG KONG (AP) — China’s exports grew 2.5% in March from a year ago, significantly slowing from the previous two months as uncertainties rose from the Iran war and its impact on energy prices and global demand. The March export data released by China’s customs agency Tuesday missed analysts’ estimates and was sharply down from the 21.8% export growth recorded for January and February. Imports last month surged 27.8%, up from the 19.8% year-on-year increase in the first two months of this year.

US stocks rally and return to where they were before the US-Iran war

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rallied and recovered the last of their losses caused so far by the U.S.-Iran war, as hope remains on Wall Street that the global economy can still avoid a worst-case scenario. The S&P 500 rose 1% Monday and is back to where it was before the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February, just 1.3% below its record set early this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.2%. Even in the oil market, where prices jumped above $100 per barrel after ceasefire talks failed to end the war, prices pared their gains as Monday progressed.

How a US blockade near the Strait of Hormuz could work and the impact ahead for the global economy

A blockade of Iranian ports that President Donald Trump said began Monday could further disrupt oil prices. It also is spurring questions about international law and leaves doubts about whether the pressure tactic will force Tehran to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz. Trump threatened to impose the blockade after talks to further a fragile ceasefire ended without a deal this past weekend. Experts say enforcing the blockade is likely to demand significant resources from the U.S. Navy and could prompt concerns about military force and international law. Supply chain restrictions alsp could undermine the flow of oil, fertilizer, food and other goods to consumers already facing higher prices.

Aviation safety bill based on deadly midair collision near Washington faces a House vote

An aviation safety bill seeking to address lessons learned from last year’s midair collision of a jet and an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., is up for a vote Tuesday. But the families of the 67 victims and key senators think the bill still needs to be strengthened. The National Transportation Safety Board said last month that the bill now addresses its key recommendation to require all aircraft flying around busy airports to have crucial locator systems that let pilots know more precisely where other aircraft are flying around them. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy has said such a system could have prevented the collision of the American Airlines jet and the Black Hawk helicopter.

Millions in the US never finished college. With targeted help, reenrollments are ticking up

WASHINGTON (AP) — A growing number of working-age people in the U.S. have attended college without earning a degree — a group that often has student loans to pay but without the credential to boost their earnings. Often referred to as “stopouts,” the group includes about 38 million people. In recent years, however, colleges and local governments have gotten better at helping them get back on track. The number of stopouts reenrolling has been on the rise, reaching more than 1 million in the the 2023-2024 school year, a 7% increase from the year before, according to enrollment data.

The US is short 10 million houses. A new White House report lays out a blueprint to fix that

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House economists estimate the United States has a shortage of 10 million houses. That’s according to a report out Monday. It says more construction would lower prices, increase home ownership and fuel faster economic growth. President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have slumped because of concerns over his handling of the economy. Trump has taken some steps to make it easier to build houses, but he’s been slow to embrace other measures. The new report is from the White House Council of Economic Advisers. It lays out a blueprint for how more construction could help the middle class and the economy, setting up an argument Trump could make to voters.

Judge dismisses Trump’s $10B lawsuit against WSJ, Murdoch over reporting on ties to Epstein

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch over a story on his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles in Florida wrote in the order issued Monday that Trump had failed to make the argument that the article was published with the intent to be malicious, but gave the president a chance to file an amended complaint. Trump's lawsuit came after the Journal published an article that described a sexually suggestive letter the newspaper said bore Trump’s signature and was included in an album compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday. Trump has denied writing it. After the ruling, Trump said he has a “powerful case” and will be refiling the complaint.

Trump family deal spree could open door for future presidents to profit from office

NEW YORK (AP) — For the Trump family, business is booming. Whereas the Trump Organization didn’t do a single deal overseas in Donald Trump's first term as president, it did eight in the past year. It got more than double the money in four months selling Trump “meme” coins than it did in four years running a massive Washington D.C. hotel. And there are more potential conflicts as the family makes money investing in companies dependent on federal contracts and seeking taxpayer funded grants and loans. While past presidents avoided even the appearance of profiting from their office, some historians worry how Trump's approach might influence future holders of the office.

Hollywood heavyweights voice 'unequivocal opposition' to Paramount-Warner merger in open letter

NEW YORK (AP) — More than a thousand movie stars, writers, directors and other Hollywood professionals announced their “unequivocal opposition” to the proposed Paramount merger with Warner Bros. Discovery in an open letter published Monday. A large swath of the movie industry, including Denis Villeneuve, Kristen Stewart, J.J. Abrams and Joaquin Phoenix came out forcefully against the $111 billion deal that would consolidate two legacy studios into one, arguing it would further reduce jobs and movies in an already downsized Hollywood. In late February, David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance reached a deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in one of the largest media mergers ever. The deal awaits a shareholder vote and regulatory approval.

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.

Indiana woman faces felony drug charge in Cherry County

Republicans are moving to fund Homeland Security 'the hard way' after end of talks

Hoiberg Named First-Team Academic All-American

Justice Department moves to toss seditious conspiracy convictions of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys