24/7 NEWS
US Stocks Rose Again in 2025 After Overcoming Turbulence From Tariffs and Trump’s Fight With the Fed
NEW YORK (AP) — This was a scary good year 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 great year for anyone with the stomach to stick through the swings. As of Monday’s close the S&P 500 was on track for its third consecutive double-digit gain. Outside of stocks, bitcoin soared and then swooned and the “queasy” bond market got Trump’s attention. As the year ends, fears of an AI bubble appear ready to carry over into 2026.
(Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Trump Administration Moves to Overhaul How H-1B Visas Are Granted, Ending Lottery System
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security is replacing its lottery system for H-1B visas with a new approach prioritizing skilled, higher-paid foreign workers. The change follows actions by the Trump administration to reshape the visa program. Critics say it has been a pipeline for overseas workers willing to work for lower pay. A press release Tuesday says the new system will increase the probability that visas go to higher-skilled workers. It will go into effect February 27, 2026. Supporters say the program drives innovation and growth, while critics argue it often fills entry-level positions.
(Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
US Drivers Are Seeing Lower Gas Prices This Holiday Season
This holiday season, many U.S. drivers are getting the gift of lower gas prices. According to data from motor club AAA, December has been the cheapest month for prices at the pump this year. The national average for unleaded gasoline has stayed below the $3 mark since Dec. 2, falling to its lowest level of about $2.85 a gallon on Monday. Relief at the pump is welcome for consumers who have been feeling higher prices in other parts of their budgets — as worries about the costs of goods ranging from groceries to holiday gifts rise amid ongoing inflation and U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign imports.
(Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Consumer Confidence Slumps to Lowest Level Since the US Rolled Out Tariffs in April
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumers were less confident in the economy in December as Americans remain anxious about still-high prices and the impact of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell 3.8 points to 89.1 in December from November’s upwardly revised reading of 92.9. That reading was 85.7 in April, when Trump rolled out his import taxes on U.S. trading partners. A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market remained stable at 70.7, but remains well below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead. It was the 11th straight month that reading has come in under 80.
(Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Cautious Shoppers Step Up Spending to Start Holiday Season
NEW YORK (AP) — Consumers stepped up gift giving during the first seven weeks of the holiday shopping season, yet uncertainty about the economy is making them more targeted in their buying. From Nov. 1 through Sunday, cash and credit card sales rose 4.2%, which is less than the 4.8% increase during the same period a year ago, according to Visa’s Consulting & Analytics division. When adjusted for inflation, retail sales rose a more modest 2.2% for the first seven weeks of the holiday period, according to Visa’s U.S. principal economist Michael Brown. That compares with the inflation-adjusted 3% last year.
(Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Trump Administration Suspends 5 Wind Projects Off the East Coast, Cites National Security Concerns
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is suspending leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction on the East Coast due to what it said were national security risks identified by the Pentagon. The pause is effective immediately and will give the Interior Department, which oversees offshore wind, time to work with the Defense Department and other agencies to assess the possible ways to mitigate any security risks posed by the projects, the administration said. The statement did not detail the national security risks. It is the latest step the administration has taken to hobble offshore wind in its push against renewable energy sources.
(Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Trevon Diggs Faces an Uncertain Future With the Cowboys as a Lengthy and Mysterious Absence Ends
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Trevon Diggs faces an uncertain future with the Dallas Cowboys after a two-month absence that started when he got a concussion in an accident at home. The star cornerback played for the first time since Week 6 in a 34-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cowboys have said the delay in Diggs’ return was due to lingering issues with his knees. Diggs acknowledged the reality that he might have played his last home game for the Cowboys in a career that has gone sideways. Dallas is out of the playoffs and finishes the season with two road games.
(Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
US Says Talks With Ukraine, Europe on Ending War With Russia ‘Constructive’
A White House envoy says he held “productive and constructive” talks in Florida with Ukrainian and European representatives to end the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine. Steve Witkoff says Sunday the talks aimed at aligning a shared strategic approach between the United States, Ukraine and Europe. A Kremlin envoy says talks are proceeding “constructively,” while the Ukrainian president says they were moving “quickly.” The talks are part of the Trump administration’s push for peace.
(Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Top Trump Administration Official Defends Partial Release of Epstein Files as Democrats Cry Foul
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is defending the Justice Department’s decision to release just a fraction of the Jeffrey Epstein files by the congressionally mandated deadline. Blanche is pledging that the Trump administration will eventually meet its obligation required by law. But he tells NBC’s “Meet the Press” that his department was obligated to act with caution as it goes about releasing thousands of documents that can include sensitive information. Friday’s partial release of the Epstein files has led to a new crush of criticism from Democrats. They accuse the Trump administration of trying to hide information. Blanche calls the pushback disingenuous.
(Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Coast Guard is Pursuing Another Tanker Helping Venezuela Skirt Sanctions, US Official Says
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing another sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea. Word of the pursuit comes as the Trump administration appears to be intensifying its targeting of such vessels connected to the Venezuelan government. The tanker pursuit Sunday was confirmed by a U.S. official. The official says the vessel was flying a false flag and was under a judicial seizure order. Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro Maduro says on Telegram that his country has spent months “ denouncing, challenging and defeating a campaign of aggression” being waged against it.
(Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)