NEW YORK (AP) — The year 2025 was scary good for investors. It was scary because the U.S. stock market plunged to several historic drops on worries about everything from President Donald Trump’s tariffs to interest rates to a possible bubble in artificial-intelligence technology. In the end, though, it was a good year for anyone…… MORE
NEW YORK (AP) — Enhanced tax credits that have helped Americans offset the cost of Affordable Care Act health insurance for the last four years expired overnight. The arrival of the New Year’s Day deadline with no fix from Congress cemented higher health costs for millions of Americans, including many self-employed workers, small business owners,…… MORE
Bulgaria is welcoming a new year and a new currency. The nation of 6.4 million in southeastern Europe will become the 21st member of the shared euro currency on Jan. 1. It means deeper integration with the European Union and smoother trade, travel and investments. It’s something the Bulgarian government has for years pressed for.…… MORE
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed a New Year’s Eve proclamation delaying increased tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities for a year, citing ongoing trade talks. Trump’s order signed Wednesday keeps in place a 25% tariff he imposed in September on those goods, but delays for another year a 30% tariff on…… MORE
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Betty Boop and “Blondie” are among the highlights of titles entering the public domain with the arrival of 2026. The first cartoons that feature Boop and the first “Blondie” comic strips debuted in 1930, and with the passage of 95 years, their U.S. copyrights expired as of Thursday. The first novels…… MORE