US weekly unemployment claims fall to 208,000, fewest in 10 weeks

WASHINGTON (AP) – Filings for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in 10 weeks as U.S. layoffs remain historically low.

Retail sales up just 0.2% in June, but shoppers are resilient

NEW YORK (AP) – Shoppers slowed their spending in June from May, but excluding business at the gas pump, shoppers showed resilience despite ongoing economic uncertainty as they bought cars and took advantage of summer sales events.

The ex-CEO of Italian highway operator convicted in deadly 2018 bridge collapse

GENOA, Italy (AP) – An Italian court on Thursday convicted the former CEO of Italy’s main highway operator and 31 others in the 2018 Genoa highway bridge collapse that sent vehicles plunging and killed 43 people, a disaster that exposed serious lapses in the maintenance of Italian infrastructure.

Amazon will launch its satellite internet in South Africa, seemingly beating Musk

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) – Amazon said Wednesday that the technology company will launch its new satellite internet service Amazon Leo in South Africa in 2027, seemingly pushing ahead of Elon Musk’s rival Starlink to win business in Africa’s most advanced economy.

US Mint produces a $1 coin bearing Trump's face for 250th birthday

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. Mint has begun producing a new $1 coin bearing President Donald Trump’s face to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the Treasury Department said Wednesday.

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

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Fed chair Warsh sidesteps Senate questions on inflation, AI, contact with Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh on Wednesday sought to evade a range of questions from senators on issues such as the impact of AI on inflation, what contacts he has had with President Donald Trump, and how the central bank will determine the persistence of inflation.

US producer prices drop 0.3% from May to June on lower energy prices

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. wholesale inflation fell from May to June on plunging energy prices, but intensifying hostilities with Iran are clouding the outlook.

Buffett says Gates' Epstein ties are 'distasteful'

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Billionaire Warren Buffett said Wednesday that his decision to cut the Gates Foundation out of his charitable giving is more about believing his three kids are ready to handle giving away his entire fortune than it is about Bill Gates ‘ ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.