Crude oil prices surpass $100 a barrel as the Iran war impedes production and shipping
CHICAGO (AP) — Oil prices have jumped past $100 a barrel as the Iran war disrupts oil production and shipping in the Middle East. The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, was at $101.19 shortly after trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, up 9.2% from its settlement price of $92.69 Friday. Crude prices haven’t been that high in more than three and a half years. The Middle East is home to the world’s largest concentration of proven oil reserves. Supply concerns have driven crude and gasoline higher as the war ensnares major oil-producing countries and hinders exports from the Persian Gulf.
Trump’s ‘roaring’ economy meets a rough start to 2026: What the latest numbers show
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump promised that 2026 would be a bumper year for economic growth. Instead it’s kicked off with job losses, rising gasoline prices and more uncertainty about America’s future. In his recent State of the Union address, Trump said “the roaring economy is roaring like never before.” The latest batch of data on jobs, gasoline prices and the stock market suggests otherwise. There’s a gap between the boom that Trump has predicted and the results he’s produced. And that could set the tone in this year’s midterm elections as he tries to defend Republican majorities in the House and Senate.
Oil prices are soaring, but Trump is downplaying the need to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices have soared in the week since the U.S. and Israel launched their war against Iran, but President Donald Trump on Saturday downplayed the idea of turning to America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve to ease the pressure. In the U.S., consumers are already facing higher gas prices, a key cost of living. Trump’s Republican Party is under pressure over the issue of affordability ahead of November midterm elections. Tapping the reserve is among the few things a president can do on his own to try to make an impact on oil prices.
Oil built the Persian Gulf. Desalinated water keeps it alive. War could threaten both
As the Iran war widens, experts say the Middle East’s real strategic weak point may be water — not oil. Much of the Gulf’s drinking supply comes from desalination plants clustered along vulnerable coastlines within easy range of Iranian missiles and drones. Many of the individual plants supply water to millions of people. Without them, major cities could not sustain their current populations. In recent days, desalination plants have been struck by both the U.S. and Iran. Oil spills, contamination and sabotage also could disrupt supplies of the fresh water that also sustains hotels, industry and some agriculture.
Cocoa beans rot and West African farmers seek other options after commodity crash
KONA, Ghana (AP) — West African cocoa farmers are facing a squeeze after the price of the global commodity crashed on the international market in recent months. Now some across Ghana and Ivory Coast are turning their land over to other purposes like mining sites. The two countries are responsible for nearly 70% of the world’s supply of the commodity that feeds global chocolate cravings. Markets fluctuate, but one former agricultural union leader says authorities were not prepared for a crisis of this scale. Governments have long set the price for which farmers can sell their crop, but now the tradition is being challenged.
AI is spurring a big expansion of high-voltage power lines. Landowners and locals are fighting back
SUGARLOAF, Pa. (AP) — Bigger and bigger data centers are leading to proposals for massive electric power transmission lines, sometimes across hundreds of miles. These high-voltage power lines cost tens of billions of dollars a year and are the latest front line in the battle over tech giants’ massive operations. Artificial intelligence advances are seen by President Donald Trump as critical to the nation’s economic and national security. But their energy needs are threatening to overwhelm the power grid and the transmission expansion is drawing opposition from landowners, conservationists, local officials, consumer advocates and states.
Oil and gas prices rapidly rise as Iran war shows no signs of letting up
NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil surged higher and showed no signs of halting its rapid climb a week after the U.S. and Israel launched major attacks on Iran that escalated into a war in the Middle East. Oil prices surpassed $90 a barrel Friday. The conflict has left ships that carry roughly 20 million barrels of oil a day stranded in the Persian Gulf. That disruption and damage to key oil and gas facilities in the Middle East has led to an interruption in the supply of oil and gas. The fallout is ratcheting up what consumers and business will pay for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, with some drivers already feeling it at the pump.
Fox News apologizes for showing old video of a hatless Donald Trump at a dignified transfer ceremony
Fox News has apologized for airing old video of a hatless President Donald Trump at a dignified transfer ceremony as part of its coverage. In polarized times, online critics suggested that Fox was trying to make Trump look better with pictures that suggested he wasn’t wearing a baseball cap on Saturday during the ceremony for the return of the remains of six service members killed in the Middle East war. Fox insisted this wasn’t so, that a staff member inadvertently called up video of an old ceremony when preparing the story. Fox News anchor Johnny “Joey” Jones said he believed it was an honest mistake, “but that doesn’t mean it was an acceptable one.”
Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ bounds to No. 1 as Warner Bros.’ ‘The Bride!’ is on life support
Disney and Pixar’s new film “Hoppers” is leading the North American box office with a strong debut, while Warner Bros.’ “The Bride!” is stumbling. Studio estimates on Sunday show “Hoppers” made $46 million in its first weekend domestically and $88 million globally after adding in international receipts. In the same weekend, “The Bride!” opened with about $7.3 million in North America and a total of $13.6 million globally, despite a big production budget. “Hoppers” is a boost for original Pixar movies after “Elio” failed to connect with audiences. Reviews and audience scores also favor “Hoppers.” Meanwhile “The Bride!” is collecting mixed reactions from audiences and critics.
Federal judge rules Trump administration’s actions to dismantle Voice of America are illegal
A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration’s actions to dismantle the Voice of America over the past year are illegal. U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth said that Kari Lake, President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the federal agency overseeing Voice of America, did not have authority under the law to take her actions. He ruled Saturday on a lawsuit filed by three journalists laid off by Lake, the former Arizona broadcaster-turned-politician who has been overseeing the U.S. Agency for Global Media. Lake called it a bogus ruling by an activist judge that will be appealed. The journalists say they feel vindicated.
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