US Retail sales growth slowed in April from March wth higher gas cost

NEW YORK (AP) – Shoppers tempered their spending in April as higher gas prices fueled by the Iran war meant less money left over for some nonessentials like clothing and furniture. But they’re still buying, thanks to more generous government tax refunds.

Kentucky Republicans race to replace McConnell while carefully keeping him at arm's length

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell is considered such a titan in his home state that Kentucky lawmakers voted to put a statue of him alongside Abraham Lincoln in the Capitol. After overcoming polio as a child, McConnell rose to become the longest-serving Senate leader in history and helped secure a conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Canada doubles down on clean energy commitment

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a clean electricity strategy Thursday he says will help double Canada’s electricity grid by 2050 and lower energy costs for the majority of Canadian households.

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

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

BRICS foreign ministers meet in India as Iran war tests the bloc's unity

NEW DELHI (AP) – Foreign ministers from the BRICS nations began a two-day meeting in New Delhi on Thursday as the expanding bloc faces divisions over the war in Iran, rising energy prices and growing global economic uncertainty. The meeting brings together diplomats from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa along with newer member countries.

Tensions flare near Strait of Hormuz as ship is seized and another sunk

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – A ship anchored off the United Arab Emirates was seized and taken toward Iran and another – a cargo ship near Oman – sank after being attacked, authorities said Thursday, as tensions escalated near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran war drives interest in biofuels across hard-hit Asia

BENGALURU, India (AP) – Taxi driver Ravi Ranjan, who lives with his wife and child in New Delhi said shipping disruptions caused by the Iran war have forced him to pay higher prices for cooking fuel at a time when India’s prime minister is also urging residents to reduce driving and travel.

War worsens Lebanon's economic crisis with job losses and price gouging

CHIYAH, Lebanon (AP) – Ayman al-Zain watched on a recent afternoon as a bulldozer cleared the rubble of what used to be his sports clothing store, which was one of dozens of buildings destroyed in Israeli strikes against the Hezbollah militant group.

Jeffries' job grows more difficult in race for House and speaker's gavel

WASHINGTON (AP) – House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries had warned Republicans they would come to regret the congressional redistricting fight, and when Democrats counterpunched last month with a redrawn Virginia map, he had made his point.