Month: April 2026
Soaring energy costs are rattling investors. Why the ‘food price shock’ could be worse
Surging energy prices amid the Iran war are worrying Wall Street, but UBS warned that higher food costs could follow. Since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, international Brent crude futures have surged 50%, while West Texas Intermediate futures have gained 66%. UBS economist Arend Kapteyn said the energy jump is subsequently […]
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Warren Buffett strikes measured tone on markets in his first remarks since stepping back
Warren Buffett offered a measured but cautionary read on markets in his first public comments since stepping back from the chief executive role at Berkshire Hathaway , warning of lingering fragility in the banking system while downplaying the significance of recent volatility. Speaking in an interview with CNBC, the 95-year-old investor said stress in financial […]
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‘Silent killers’: How AI start-ups are trying to solve one of the retail industry’s biggest problems
Moment Makers Group | Istock | Getty Images It pinches here; drags there; the draping is wrong. These are some of the examples of the feedback a new crop of artificial intelligence apps might give a prospective customer trying on clothing ahead of a purchase, and in the process reduce the chances of a product […]
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Pope Leo XIV urges peace in first Easter Mass, skips naming conflicts in Urbi et Orbi
Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd from the main balcony of St. Peter’s basilica for the Urbi et Orbi message and blessing to the city and the world as part of Easter celebrations, at St Peter’s square in the Vatican on April 5, 2025. Alberto Pizzoli | Afp | Getty Images Pope Leo XIV […]
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OPEC+ debates making oil output hike amid Iran war paralysis, sources say
Jonathan Raa | Nurphoto | Getty Images OPEC+ may approve an oil output increase on Sunday, four sources from the group said, a rise that will largely exist on paper as its key members are unable to raise production due to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The war has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz […]
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Trump confirms both military officers missing in Iran have been rescued
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle piloted by a member of the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron takes off from Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, in support of regional security operations, April 30, 2021. Staff Sgt. Zade Vadnais | U.S. Air Force photo U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that two military […]
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‘Anything but autos’: Can defense save Europe’s ailing car industry?
Ludovic Marin | AFP | Getty Images The European car industry is in a structural crisis. Slowing demand for electric vehicles, lost market share to Chinese competitors and higher borrowing costs have created the perfect storm for the sector over the past five years, as sales volumes continue to slump well below pre-pandemic levels. Europe’s […]
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Polymarket removes wagers on U.S. service member rescue mission in Iran
Samuel Boivin | Nurphoto | Getty Images Polymarket removed a forum related to the rescue mission of U.S. military servicemembers amid political pressure, the latest sign of mounting scrutiny around prediction markets. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., decried the Polymarket page that allowed users to bet on which day the U.S. would confirm the rescue of […]
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Trump administration asks appeals court to pause order halting White House ballroom construction
US President Donald Trump looks out at the White House Ballroom construction while arriving for a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Trump administration is arguing that a judge’s order to halt […]
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These are Bank of America’s top picks for the second quarter after a tough start to 2026
As the second quarter kicks off, Bank of America believes that stocks such as Meta Platforms and Spotify are positioned to outperform. The first quarter was marked with macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical volatility, characterized by ramping tensions in the Middle East. The S & P 500 jumped to begin April’s trading and the second quarter, […]
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