Trump says tariffs have created an economic miracle. The facts are different

WASHINGTON (AP) – Looking back on the first year of his second term, President Donald Trump boasts that he has resurrected the American economy by imposing big import taxes on foreign products. He made his case in a recent opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, chiding the paper and critics, including mainstream economists, who predicted that tariffs would backfire, raising prices and threatening growth. “Instead,” he wrote, “they have created an American economic miracle.”

Uber found liable in sexual assault case and ordered to pay $8.5 million

A federal jury this week found Uber to be legally responsible in a 2023 case of sexual assault – ordering the rideshare giant to pay $8.5 million to a woman who said one of its drivers raped her during a trip using the platform.

EU proposes further sanctions on Russian oil trade and financial services

BRUSSELS (AP) – The European Union’s executive arm proposed further sanctions against Russia on Friday over the Ukraine war, including a ban on shipping services that help Moscow’s oil industry and measures targeting the country’s financial services and trade sectors.

Musk's underground tunnels in Las Vegas face scrutiny over safety

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Elon Musk’s “Vegas Loop,” a network of underground tunnels to ferry passengers in Teslas, was under fresh scrutiny this week from Nevada lawmakers who raised concern about alleged workplace safety and environmental violations.

Facing high Trump tariffs, South Africa negotiates new trade deal with China

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) – China and South Africa signed a framework agreement for a new trade deal on Friday as Africa’s leading economy looks to other options following the high import tariffs imposed on it by the U.S. and its diplomatic fallout with the Trump administration.

Bitcoin Plummets 46% Since October to $67,000

The price of bitcoin continued its monthslong slide Thursday, falling another 11% to $67,000, its lowest level in 15 months. The original cryptocurrency, pitched as “digital gold,” has lost 46% of its value since Oct. 6, when it hit a record high of $126,210.50, according to crypto trading platform Coinbase. As of 10:30 a.m. EST Thursday, its price had dipped to $67,245.

Sony says profit up 11% on strong sensor and games sales

TOKYO (AP) – Sony’s profit in the last quarter surged 11% on healthy global sales, prompting the Japanese entertainment and electronics company to raise its full year profit forecast. Tokyo-based Sony Group Corp. said Thursday that it recorded an October-December net profit of 377.3 billion yen ($2.4 billion), up from 341 billion yen the year before.

EU accuses TikTok of 'addictive design' that harms children

LONDON (AP) – The European Union on Friday accused TikTok of breaching the bloc’s digital rules with “addictive design” features that lead to compulsive use by children, in preliminary charges that strike at the heart of the popular video sharing app’s operating model.

Europe's central bank maintains interest rate with economic growth resilient

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) – The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged Thursday as the economy in the 21 countries that use the euro chugs past the disruption from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs with modest yet resilient growth.