US employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 jobs last month, rebounding from a weak February
WASHINGTON (AP) — American employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 new jobs last month, rebounding from a dismal February. And the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%. The Labor Department reported Friday that hiring marked a rebound from the loss of 133,000 jobs in February. The job gains were about three times what economists had forecast. The unemployment rate was down from 4.4% in February. But uncertainty surrounding the war with Iran — and its impact on energy prices — is clouding the outlook for the labor market.
Trump unveils 100% tariff on some patented drugs on 'Liberation Day' anniversary
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that could slap long-threatened pharmaceutical tariffs of up to 100% on some patented drugs from companies that don’t reach deals with his administration in the coming months. Companies that have signed a “most favored nation” pricing deal and are actively building facilities in the U.S. to onshore production of patented pharmaceuticals and their ingredients will have a 0% tariff. For those that don’t have a pricing deal but are building such projects in the U.S., a 20% tariff will apply but increase to 100% in four years. Companies still have months to negotiate before the 100% tariffs kick in. Also Thursday, Trump rolled out an update on his 50% tariffs on imported steel, aluminum and copper.
Wall Street closed for Good Friday, but US futures inch lower following strong March jobs report
U.S. futures were trading modestly lower following surprisingly strong jobs data from the federal government. Equities markets are closed for Good Friday, but futures markets were trading into Friday morning, albeit quietly. Futures for S&P 500 dipped 0.3% early Friday, futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.2% and Nasdaq futures were down 0.4%. American employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 new jobs last month, rebounding from a dismal February that saw 133,000 job losses. Markets in Asia mostly rose, while European markets were also closed for Good Friday.
Company backed by Trump sons looks to sell drone interceptors to Gulf states being attacked by Iran
NEW YORK (AP) — A drone maker backed by President Donald Trump’s two oldest sons is trying to win contracts with Gulf countries under threat by Iran and protected by the U.S. military led by their father. Powerus is holding demonstrations in “several” Gulf countries of how its defensive drone interceptors could help them ward off the attacks, according to co-founder Brett Velicovich. Powerus recently struck a deal that will bring on the Trump brothers, Eric and Donald Jr., as stakeholders in the military contractor. The president’s oldest sons have expanded their business interests rapidly beyond hotels and golf courses in a little over a year since their father took office again.
White House scales back plan to dismantle the CFPB but still wants to slash staff by two-thirds
NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration has scaled back its plans to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Under the new plan, the bureau’s headcount would be reduced from 1,700 authorized employees before Trump’s second term to roughly 550 staffers. The administration originally intended to shrink the bureau’s staff to around 200 employees. This plan, revealed in a memo and court documents this week, faces opposition from the CFPB’s employee union and likely requires a federal judge's approval. The proposed cuts would significantly shrink the bureau’s supervision and enforcement divisions.
AI machine sorts clothes faster than humans to boost textile recycling in China
ZHANGJIAGANG, China (AP) — A company in eastern China is using an artificial intelligence-powered machine to sort clothes and boost recycling. It offers a glimpse into how AI could help reduce the impact of synthetic textile waste. The Fastsort-Textile machine was named one of Time magazine’s Best Inventions of 2025 and was created by Databeyond. The Chinese AI recycling company was founded in 2018. The equipment operates in Zhangjiagang and can sort 100 kilograms of clothes in two to three minutes. That compares with one worker taking around four hours to do the same thing.
Kids ate the multiplex: How family movies are taking over moviegoing, one blockbuster at a time
NEW YORK (AP) — As “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” lands in theaters, coloring stations, collectible popcorn containers and mascot Marios are all in place to entice arguably the most prized moviegoers to Hollywood today. Kids. Despite a lot of talk about the imperiled future of moviegoing, future moviegoers are turning out in droves and fueling today’s biggest blockbusters. By Sunday, Universal Pictures expects the five-day opening of the “Super Mario” sequel to reach $186 million domestically, and around $350 million worldwide. That would make it easily the biggest hit of the year. Increasingly, the multiplex belongs to kids.
No sign of war winding down in Mideast as Friday dawns with attacks across region
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — There has been little sign Friday of the war in the Mideast winding down as Israel says it faced incoming fire from Iran, and Kuwait and Bahrain also reported being under attack. In Iran, eight people were killed while celebrating the close of Persian new year near a major bridge hit by a U.S. strike. Tehran continued to demonstrate its ability to strike its neighbors even as U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the threat from the country was nearly eliminated. Iran’s strikes on its neighbors along with its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted the world’s energy supplies far beyond the Middle East.
Checking a bag on United Airlines now costs $10 more as jet fuel costs soar
United Airlines is raising checked bag fees starting Friday, as higher fuel costs ripple through the airline industry. Most travelers flying within the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Latin America will now pay $45 for their first checked bag and $55 for a second. That's $10 more than before the war in the Middle East started Feb. 28. United says it’s their first baggage fee increase in two years, though some customers, including loyalty members and premium cabin passengers, will still get a free bag. JetBlue also raised fees this week. Airlines say rising crude oil prices are pushing up costs. Fuel typically makes up about a quarter of airline expenses, and analysts expect more carriers to pass those costs on to travelers.
Lawyers say up to 75 women expected to benefit from Bank of America settlement in Epstein sex abuse
NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers say up to 75 women who were sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein since 2008 may benefit from a $72.5 million fund set up as part of a settlement Bank of America reached with lawyers representing the women. Federal Judge Jed S. Rakoff gave the deal preliminary approval Thursday and set a final approval hearing for late August. Lawyers for victims sued the bank, saying it ignored suspicious financial transactions involving Epstein that occurred while the abuse was going on. Epstein died in August 2019 in a Manhattan federal jail after he was charged with sex trafficking a month earlier. The death was ruled a suicide.
