A pillar of environmental enforcement is targeted by Trump and Musk's AI company
WASHINGTON (AP) — Right-leaning legal activists and Elon Musk's AI company are challenging the right of private groups to sue to enforce several major laws. They are challenging so-called citizen suit provisions and argue that the Constitution reserves tremendous power to the president and federal agencies to enforce the law. The Trump administration has supplied critical backing. The Supreme Court's conservative majority has expanded executive power, raising concerns about the outcome. Critics argue that citizen suits are essential for holding polluters accountable, especially when government resources are limited. Momentum has built in recent years to challenge the authority of private individuals to sue.
A New Mexico judge ordered new child safeguards for Meta. Advocates hope other courts follow
In a landmark ruling against Meta, a New Mexico judge likened the company’s social media platforms to factories. The psychological harm to children who use Facebook and Instagram, he said, can be seen as their pollution. Judge Bryan Biedscheid fined the company $567 million in his ruling Thursday, but he also ordered new safety measures including time limits for kids and AI chatbot restrictions. How easily those features can be implemented, and how effective they could be at protecting young users from mental health harms, are unresolved questions. But the judge’s order showed a possible path forward for other court fights around the country as Meta faces mounting legal challenges.
Africa wants more homegrown solar to boost self-reliance, but China's shadow remains
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Africa's largest economies are ramping up efforts to develop their domestic solar manufacturing capacity. Ethiopia, South Africa, Morocco and Nigeria are building solar equipment factories, a trend that industry experts say reflects both industrial ambitions and concerns over reliance on imports from China. China dominates the global solar supply chain, even in projects in other regions. In 2010-2024, Chinese renewable energy investment and relevant construction projects in Africa reached an estimated $66 billion. Experts say Africa’s manufacturing ambitions won’t easily displace Chinese imports. However, South Africa, Nigeria and Morocco are already seeing more domestic and joint venture-led investments.
US job market stalled in July as employers cut 23,000 jobs, delivering political setback to Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers unexpectedly cut 23,000 jobs last month, and Labor Department revisions shaved 103,000 jobs off payrolls in May and June. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.1% only because Americans left the job market. The July jobs numbers from the Labor Department Friday marked a sharp reversal for the American labor market and amount to a political setback for President Donald Trump less than three months before his Republican party seeks to keep full control of Congress in the upcoming midterm election. Forecasters had expected job creation to approach 100,000 last month.
US stocks jump as employers unexpectedly cut 23,000 jobs, raising hopes that rate hikes can wait
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose on Wall Street and Treasury yields fell after the government reported that employers unexpectedly cut 23,000 jobs last month. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% Friday, topping the all-time high it set on Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite added 1.3%. The weaker signal on the job market raised hopes that the Federal Reserve can wait longer before raising interest rates to fight inflation. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.64%. The price of Brent crude rose 1.3%.
New Mexico attorney general hopes Meta ruling leads to Big Tech review. Here's what to know
New Mexico's attorney general hopes a huge ruling against social media giant Meta is just a step in addressing how Big Tech can harm children. A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million and make changes to protect users under 18. This decision follows a previous $375 million judgment, bringing Meta's total liability to $942 million. The court found Meta knowingly harmed children's mental health and concealed child exploitation on its platforms including Facebook and Instagram. The ruling requires Meta to improve age verification, limit chatbot interactions with children, and reduce addictive features. Meta plans to appeal and says it is confident in how it protects children on its platforms.
Some US adults are using AI for financial guidance but few trust it, Gallup poll finds
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. adults are using artificial intelligence for financial guidance, but it’s far from the most trusted source of advice. That's according to a new Gallup survey conducted in partnership with financial services firm Edward Jones. About 1 in 5 Americans who sought financial guidance in the past year used AI, but fewer than 3 in 10 adults overall have any confidence in its expertise, according to the survey. The poll found a disconnect between the resources Americans trust for financial advice, and the ones they actually rely on.
China's exports slow slightly in July despite robust demand for high-tech products
BANGKOK (AP) — China has reported its exports slowed slightly in July from the month before despite strong growth in demand for high-tech electronics and vehicles. Customs data released Friday showed China’s trade surplus narrowed to $112.5 billion from $125.6 billion in June. Exports rose nearly 24% in July from a year earlier, while imports were up 27.5% year-on-year. Trade data show China has fully transitioned from providing mostly low-cost manufacturing to supplying vital machinery and components for advanced manufacturing. Exports of high-tech items surged nearly 41% in January-July from the same period the year before, while shipments of vehicles jumped 55%.
FAA orders crack inspections for hundreds of Boeing 737 Max jets
CHICAGO (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration orders inspections for hundreds of Boeing planes, following reports of cracks in some older models. The rule, finalized Thursday, applies to certain Boeing 737 Max models and takes effect September 10. The FAA estimates this covers 471 planes. So far, no cracks have been found in these specific Max models. However, the FAA received reports of cracks in older 737 planes. Boeing says it has been working with operators on this issue for six years and already initiated its own inspections. The company supports the FAA's latest directive.
Army opens test ranges to small companies to try to get weapons quicker to the battlefield
CAMP GRAYLING, Mich. (AP) — The U.S. Army says it’s opening up test ranges to private companies developing missiles and drones. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told The Associated Press that it was driven in part by his observations of the war in Ukraine and how quickly that country has moved to produce new weapon systems. He told reporters Friday at a range in Michigan that he pledged to grant companies access to ranges within 30 days of a request. The announcement comes as warfare is rapidly changing, particularly with the use of cheap drones in Ukraine and Iran. The Pentagon also is grappling with the costs of the Iran war, which has diminished the nation’s stockpiles of advanced weapons.
