Tesla faces wider probe of self-driving feature

NEW YORK (AP) – Federal auto regulators have escalated a probe of Tesla after several of its cars crashed while using its self-driving feature, just as CEO Elon Musk prepares to roll out a new model with no steering wheel or pedals.

American Airlines and Google say AI helped reduce contrails that trap heat

American Airlines and Google said Thursday that they significantly reduced the climate impact of some of the airline’s flights using an AI-based forecasting tool to help prevent contrails. When airplanes fly through cold and humid areas, ice crystals can form around the soot particles emitted from the engine, creating clouds that trap heat and warm the planet.

European Central Bank holds rates unchanged as war causes uncertainty

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) – The European Central Bank left its key interest rates unchanged Thursday and warned that the Iran war would boost inflation in the short term through higher energy prices – but that the long-term impact on consumer prices and the economy was uncertain.

Editorials from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Bank of England holds main interest rate at 3.75%

LONDON (AP) – The Bank of England held its main interest rate at 3.75% on Thursday as the sharp oil and gas price hikes following the start of the Iran war have stoked renewed concerns about inflation.

DOJ investigation into Powell could backfire on Trump and keep Fed chair in office

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has for months wanted to remove Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve. But instead, an investigation by one of his own officials could end up extending Powell’s time at the top of the central bank even after his term formally ends May 15.

Average US long-term mortgage rate rises to 6.22%

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed this week to its highest level in more than three months, a setback for prospective home shoppers this spring homebuying season. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate rose to 6.22% from 6.11% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the rate averaged 6.67%.

Iran war underscores risks of Trump's relentless focus on oil

WASHINGTON (AP) – When President Donald Trump returned to office last year, he launched a crusade to shift the country away from renewable energy, drastically undoing the climate-friendly policies of his Democratic predecessor to focus instead on oil and other fossil fuels as the answer to his goal of American energy dominance.

Trade with Cuba collapses as Trump escalates pressure on Communist Party leadership

MIAMI (AP) – The Cuban Communist Party has shown an astonishing resilience over six decades in power. Whether it’s the United States trade embargo to counter Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution, or the widespread starvation of the “special period” that followed the breakup of its Cold War patron, the Soviet Union have proven no match for the country’s leadership.