Posts by Amelia Frost
U.S. Economy Expands By 2% In First Quarter But Iran War Muddies The Outlook
The U.S. economy expanded by 2% in the first quarter of the year, rebounding after the last three months of last year’s 0.5% increase. The Commerce Department noted that the federal government’s spending and investment grew by 9.3% annual rate in the reported period, adding more than half a percentage point to growth. Growth in…
Read MoreTrump Says Pentagon Is Considering Withdrawing Troops From Germany Amid Spat With Chancellor
President Donald Trump said the Pentagon is considering withdrawing some troops from Germany amid a spat with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time,” Trump said in a social media post. In…
Read MoreVideo: Why the U.A.E. Is Quitting OPEC
new video loaded: Why the U.A.E. Is Quitting OPEC The United Arab Emirates is walking away from OPEC this May. The New York Times’ energy reporter, Rebecca Elliott, breaks down how the war with Iran provided the perfect opening for the Emirates to go solo. By Rebecca F. Elliott, Nour Idriss, Jon Miller, Stephanie Swart…
Read MoreBailout Talks Between Trump Admin And Spirit Airlines Reportedly Stall As Company Faces Cash Crunch
Bailout talks between the Trump administration and Spirit Airlines have reportedly stalled as the company faces an acute cash crunch that could see it run out of cash within days. President Donald Trump has confirmed that the government is considering a $500 million package to rescue the company in exchange for a 90% stake. CBS…
Read MoreThe Hidden Economics of a Throwaway Appliance Culture: Why Repair Is Quietly Beating Replace in 2026
Walk into any big-box appliance showroom in 2026, and the price tags tell a story most consumers have not fully absorbed yet. A mid-range French-door refrigerator that retailed for around US$1,500 a decade ago now routinely lists between US$2,400 and US$3,200. Front-load washers have followed a similar trajectory, and high-end gas ranges have entered four-figure…
Read MoreCrypto Becomes Front Line In US–Iran Sanctions Battle As Wallet Freezes Tighten Digital Finance Channels
The war between the U.S. and Iran is increasingly playing out across blockchain networks, where cryptocurrency is being used to move funds outside traditional banking systems while regulators respond with sanctions, wallet seizures and expanded tracing of digital transactions. The result is a financial contest unfolding in real time across exchanges, private wallets, and state-linked…
Read MoreTrump Appears To Criticize British PM Starmer While Praising King Charles
President Donald Trump appeared to criticize British Prime Minister Keir Starmer while praising King Charles, who is visiting the U.S. Speaking at the Oval Office, Trump called the king a “great friend” and described him as “fantastic.” “I think if he were doing that, if that were up to him, he would have probably helped…
Read MoreAmerican Airlines Restricts Power Banks Amid Lithium Battery Concerns
American Airlines is tightening rules on portable chargers, limiting how many passengers can bring and how they must be stored during flights, as concerns grow over lithium battery safety. Starting Friday, travelers will only be allowed to carry up to two power banks on board. Each device must stay within reach at all times and…
Read MoreCitadel CEO Ken Griffin Blasts Mamdani’s Tax Video as ‘Personal Attack’
Ken Griffin has sharply criticized a viral video released by Zohran Mamdani, calling it a “personal attack” after the mayor highlighted Griffin’s luxury penthouse while promoting a new tax proposal. The dispute began when Mamdani posted a video on April 15 announcing a planned pied-à-terre tax. The policy would place an annual fee on high-value…
Read MoreDisney CEO Reportedly Pauses Long-Running ESPN Spinoff Consideration
The Walt Disney Company is reportedly putting a pause on plans to spin off ESPN, choosing instead to keep the sports network inside the company as it focuses on expanding its streaming business. The move is one of the first major decisions under new CEO Josh D’Amaro, who stepped into the role in March. According…
Read MoreSpaceX Approves Elon Musk Pay Package Linked to Mars Settlement Goal
SpaceX has approved an ambitious compensation plan for its CEO Elon Musk, linking his potential earnings to the company’s most daring goal: creating a permanent human settlement on Mars. According to documents reviewed by Reuters, the plan—approved in January—would grant Musk 200 million super-voting restricted shares if several major targets are met. These include SpaceX…
Read MoreFederal Tariff Refund System Rejects Thousands of Business Claims
A new federal system designed to refund tariffs to US businesses has already rejected thousands of claims just days after launching, raising questions among importers trying to recover payments. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection said about 15% of refund requests submitted through its new portal were denied as of April 26. The system, called…
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