National and World News

Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold

WPTF StaffMar 17, 2025
Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP Business Writers WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. shoppers stepped up their spending just a bit in February after a sharp pullback the previous month, signaling that Americans are shopping more…

St. Patrick’s Day brings boisterous parades and celebrations to New York and other cities

St. Patrick’s Day brings boisterous parades and celebrations to New York and other cities

NEW YORK (AP) — St. Patrick’s Day, the annual celebration of all things Irish, is being marked in cities across the country on Monday with boisterous parades and celebrations. New York City hosts one of…

Trump orders strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and issues new warning

Trump orders strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and issues new warning

By MICHELLE L. PRICE, SAMY MAGDY and LOLITA C. BALDOR Associated Press WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump said he ordered a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Saturday, promising to use…

Trump signs a bill funding the government for 6 months, avoiding a shutdown

Trump signs a bill funding the government for 6 months, avoiding a shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed into law legislation funding the government through the end of September, ending the threat of a partial government shutdown and capping off a struggle in Congress that…

Wall Street tumbles after Trump escalates his trade war; S&P 500 sinks 1.2%, and Dow drops 500

syndtrothMar 13, 2025
Wall Street tumbles after Trump escalates his trade war; S&P 500 sinks 1.2%, and Dow drops 500

By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street’s sell-off is accelerating Thursday after President Donald Trump upped the stakes in his trade war by threatening huge taxes on European wines and alcohol. Not even a double-shot of good news on…

Putin agrees in principle with proposal for Ukraine ceasefire and says more discussions are needed

Putin agrees in principle with proposal for Ukraine ceasefire and says more discussions are needed

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that he agrees in principle with a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, but he emphasized that the terms are yet to be worked out and noted that any truce should…