Businesses can claim refunds starting Monday for Trump tariffs declared unconstitutional
NEW YORK (AP) — A refund system for businesses that paid tariffs which the U.S. Supreme Court eventually struck down is scheduled to launch on Monday. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says importers and their brokers will be able to begin claiming refunds online beginning at 8 a.m. It’s the first step in a complicated process that also might eventually lead to refunds for consumers who were billed for some or all of the tariffs on products shipped to them from outside the United States. In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in late February that President Donald Trump usurped Congress’ taxation authority when he set double-digit import tax rates on products from almost every other country.
Trump wants to stop states from regulating AI. This Utah Republican isn't listening
RIVERTON, Utah (AP) — Doug Fiefia once worked at Google. Now he's a Utah state representative running to be a state senator. And like some other tech employees who've gone into politics, he's made regulating the artificial intelligence industry a campaign centerpiece. That's put him on a collision course with President Donald Trump’s administration. Earlier this year, it helped block the lawmaker's state proposal requiring companies to include child safety protocols. The White House wants a single national AI standard. But with no progress on that front in Congress, state lawmakers are struggling to address concerns about the game-changing technology.
Oil prices rise anew after a US-Iran standoff in the Strait of Hormuz strands tankers
NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices are rising in early trading as a standoff between Iran and the U.S. prevented tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz. The price of U.S. crude oil increased 6.4% to $87.90 per barrel an hour after trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, climbed 5.8% to $95.64 per barrel. The market reaction followed more than two days of lifted hopes and dashed expectations involving the strait. Crude prices plunged more than 9% on Friday after Iran said it would fully reopen the strait to commercial traffic. The country's government reversed course on Saturday after the U.S. vowed to maintain a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Carney says Canada's economic ties with US are a weakness that must be corrected
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s strong economic ties to the U.S. were once a strength but are now a weakness that must be corrected. Carney spoke in a video address released Sunday about his government’s efforts to strengthen the Canadian economy by attracting new investments and signing trade deals with other countries. He said the world is more “dangerous and divided” and noted the U.S. has changed its approach to trade by raising tariffs to levels last seen in the Great Depression. Carney said tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump have impacted workers in such major industries as auto and steel and prompted businesses to hold back investments.
Oil prices and stocks climb as the US-Iran standoff keeps the Strait of Hormuz in limbo
Oil prices have climbed more than 5% while Asian shares also advanced as a standoff between Iran and the U.S. prevented tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz. The Persian Gulf waterway was closed again after Iran reversed a decision to reopen the strait and President Donald Trump said a U.S. Navy blockade of Iranian ports would remain in effect. On Friday, oil prices had dropped back to where they were in the early days of the war, and the S&P 500 leaped 1.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average leaped 1.8%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.5%. A freer flow of oil could take pressure off prices for gasoline and many other products.
US Navy seizes an Iranian-flagged ship near Strait of Hormuz and Tehran vows swift response
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. says it has attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz that tried to get around its blockade of Iranian ports. Iran's joint military command says Tehran will respond soon and calls it an act of piracy. It’s the first interception since the U.S. naval blockade began last week. The incident raises questions about the fragile ceasefire that expires within days. Trump's announcement earlier on Sunday about another round of U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan this week is now in question. Iran hasn't confirmed its attendance. The Strait of Hormuz is crucial for global oil trade, and prices are rising again.
Baby food brand HiPP recalls jars in Austria after samples test positive for rat poison
VIENNA (AP) — HiPP is recalling some baby food jars in Austria after samples tested positive for rat poison in Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Officials believe the tampering occurred in 190-gram jars of carrot and potato baby food for 5-month-olds sold at SPAR supermarkets. The first sample tested positive on Saturday. HiPP says it is recalling all jars sold at SPAR, EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR, and Maximarkt stores in Austria as a precaution. Vendors in Slovakia and the Czech Republic have removed all of the brand’s baby jars from sale. Police say the suspicious products likely have a white sticker with a red circle on the bottom of the glass.
‘Lee Cronin’s The Mummy’ is no match for ‘Super Mario’ or ‘Hail Mary’ at the box office
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and “Project Hail Mary” continue to lead the North American box office. The Mario sequel has topped the charts for three weekends, adding $35 million and reaching $747.5 million globally. “Project Hail Mary” dropped only 15% in its fifth weekend, earning $20.5 million domestically and bringing its worldwide total to $573.1 million. Meanwhile, “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” debuted in third place with $13.5 million. Despite mixed reviews, it has a worldwide total of $34 million. The overall box office is up 16% from last year, with more big releases expected soon.
What consumers can do as the Iran war impacts the cost and availability of flights
As the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran squeezes global oil supplies, travelers have valid reasons to worry about the cost and availability of flights as they plan their late spring and summer trips. Experts say booking earlier, and staying flexible on dates, destinations and departure airports can help reduce costs. Packing light means avoiding rising baggage fees. Using airline points or signing up for a travel credit card are other ways to make flights more affordable. Travel experts caution consumers against purchasing Basic Economy tickets, though. Even though they are the cheapest, they may rule out refunds or credits if passengers need to cancel.
Traffic and trepidation in the Persian Gulf could keep gasoline prices from dropping quickly
NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices plunged and the stock market rallied after U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran’s foreign minister said that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open. Drivers are hoping that freeing oil tankers to leave the Persian Gulf will lead to lower gasoline prices. But energy experts say it could take months for prices to fall to levels enjoyed before the war began. The speed oil tankers travel from ports to refineries, traffic in the strait, lingering security concerns and damage to energy infrastructure in the Middle East are all playing a role in the price of gasoline.
