UN forecasts global economic growth of 2.7% this year

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – The United Nations is forecasting that the global economy will grow by 2.7% this year, slightly lower than last year’s estimate, citing the impact of higher U.S. tariffs, economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions.

Gmail adds new AI features, turning it into a personal assistant

More artificial intelligence is being implanted into Gmail as Google tries to turn the world’s most popular email service into a personal assistant that can improve writing, summarize far-flung information buried in inboxes and deliver daily to-do lists.

Experts say Trump pullout from UN climate fighting will hurt world

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the entire United Nations climate-fighting apparatus takes America’s environmental isolation to another level and is likely to damage both the United States and the world as the planet flirts with ecological tipping points, experts say.

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

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Trump's $1.5 trillion defense budget sends military contractor shares higher

President Donald Trump caused some commotion for investors in U.S. defense contractors this week. First, Trump criticized the companies for taking too long to produce military equipment and also failing to maintain it while at the same time paying out billions in dividends and stock buybacks to investors. But then the president proposed a $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, a big jump from the $901 billion provisioned for 2026.

How Americans feel about crowdfunding websites like GoFundMe

NEW YORK (AP) – Quintin Sharpe considers it a duty to support those without means. Whether collecting food pantry goods through local service groups or helping out his parents’ nonprofit music school, he regularly gives back to his small-town waterside community in southeast Wisconsin.

Budget office expects Federal Reserve to cut rates in 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve is expected to cut short-term rates in 2026, with its key interest rate settling at 3.4% towards the end of President Donald Trump ‘s term in office in 2028, according to a new report released Thursday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

From climbing vacuums to cyber pets: Some highlights of CES 2026

LAS VEGAS (AP) – CES 2026 offered a glimpse of a future that feels straight out of a sci-fi movie: bendable screens, paper-thin TVs and cars and gadgets that can think for themselves as they get to know you and your family’s wants and needs.

Chen Zhi extradited to China over scam online empire

BANGKOK (AP) – Chen Zhi boasted of pulling in $30 million a day, prosecutors in the United States said – a suspected criminal mastermind and onetime internet cafe manager who authorities say presented himself as a legitimate businessman.