Prices ticked up in November as Americans keep spending

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge ticked up in November in the latest sign that prices remain stubbornly elevated, while consumers spent at a healthy pace. Consumer prices rose 2.8% in November from a year earlier, the Commerce Department said Thursday, up from a 2.7% annual pace in October.

Venezuela opens debate to open up oil sector as Trump seeks role for US firms

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – Venezuela’s legislature advanced a bill on Thursday to loosen state control over the country’s vast oil sector in the first major overhaul since the late socialist leader Hugo Chávez nationalized parts of the industry in 2007. The legislation would formally break decades of state command over some of the world’s largest oil reserves.

Under Armour looking into data breach affecting customers' email addresses

BALTIMORE (AP) – Clothing retailer Under Armour is investigating a recent data breach that purloined customers’ email addresses and other personal information, but so far there are no signs the hackers stole any passwords or financial information.

Editorials from The Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and others

Jan. 19 – The Washington Post says Congress has dropped the ball regarding oversight of ICE, DHS. Geraldo Lunas Campos died at a Texas detention center on Jan. 3 while pleading for air as guards choked him, according to a fellow detainee. The local medical examiner’s office is considering classifying his death as a homicide, The Post reports.

Google offers AI mode for photos, email for more personalized answers

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Google is leveraging its artificial intelligence technology to open a new peephole for its dominant search engine to tailor answers that draw upon people’s interests, habits, travel itineraries and photo libraries.

Japan records a 5th straight yearly trade deficit

TOKYO (AP) – Japan posted a trade deficit for the fifth straight year in 2025, according to government data released Thursday, as exports were hit by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and a diplomatic rift with neighboring China.

Ryanair CEO dismisses Elon Musk's idea of buying the airline as feud escalates

LONDON (AP) – The CEO of Ryanair on Wednesday dismissed Elon Musk’s idea of buying the budget airline and shrugged off insults from the billionaire, in a war of words that erupted over installing Starlink systems on aircraft. The spat between one of the world’s richest individuals and one of Europe’s most outspoken corporate bosses has been escalating for days.

Inflation fears are high. A new poll shows one group is particularly worried

WASHINGTON (AP) – Anxiety about costs and affordability is particularly high among Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians, even at a moment when economic stress is widespread, according to a new poll. About half of Asian American and Pacific Islander adults said they wanted the government to prioritize addressing the high cost of living and inflation.

EU lawmakers vote to hold up Mercosur trade agreement

BRUSSELS (AP) – European Union lawmakers on Wednesday voted to hold up ratification of a major free trade agreement with the Mercosur group of South American countries over concerns about the legality of the deal.