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The broadcaster is in advanced negotiations to produce a version of the long-running comedy series for the first time View the full article

Musk’s cull of agency’s workers disproportionately affected staff overseeing tech on which he has staked Tesla’s futureView the full article

Violent gyrations in equity markets are not just a matter for New York billionairesView the full article

Investors and governments are relieved by the latest U-turn, but the outlook remains uncertain View the full article

Wix has announced the launch of Astro, a new AI-powered business assistant designed to streamline site and business management for users of the Wix and Wix Studio platforms. Astro integrates directly into the Wix dashboard, enabling users to perform various tasks and access essential tools through a chat-based interface. According to the company, Astro is the first in a planned series of AI agents aimed at enhancing user productivity and helping businesses grow. The assistant is designed to simplify operations by offering real-time insights, guiding users to relevant tools and features, and facilitating app installations and package upgrades. “Astro seamlessly integrates powerful capabilities into a single interface, making it easier than ever for users to manage their businesses efficiently,” said Guy Sopher, Head of the AI Platform Group at Wix. “With this being the largest collection of skills we’ve ever incorporated into a single assistant at Wix, boasting hundreds of different skills and capabilities, with more added every day, Astro acts as a trusted guide, Astro provides real-time insights and personalized recommendations to help users optimize their sites. By streamlining workflows and simplifying access to essential tools, it empowers users to accomplish more in less time. As they engage more deeply with the platform’s features, they can ultimately unlock greater opportunities for growth, visibility, and business success.” Key Features and Capabilities Astro is integrated throughout the Wix dashboard, allowing users to query and complete tasks such as site optimization, feature discovery, and administrative functions. Its main capabilities include: Data-Driven Insights & Optimization: Astro helps users monitor website traffic, analyze visitor behavior, assess sales trends, and evaluate SEO performance. These insights assist in generating reports and refining growth strategies. Creative Content Creation: The assistant supports content creation and management, including blog posts, media integration, email campaigns, and marketing content for social platforms. It also enables the setup of structured online programs for training or educational use. Drive Business Expansion: Astro allows users to add new products, explore dropshipping options, and customize site services to support business growth. Subscription and Permissions Management: Users can manage premium plans, view billing history, access invoices, and control site permissions. The tool also supports role management and collaborator invitations. Wix expects Astro to boost engagement with its platform by encouraging users to explore premium features and install new apps, ultimately improving customer retention and business outcomes. Astro is currently available in English, with additional language support planned for future releases. The company describes Astro as a key step in its broader strategy to integrate advanced AI solutions across its services. This article, "Wix Introduces Astro, an AI Assistant for Business and Site Management" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Wix.com Ltd. (NASDAQ: WIX) has announced the launch of Astro, a new AI-powered business assistant designed to streamline site and business management for users of the Wix and Wix Studio platforms. Astro integrates directly into the Wix dashboard, enabling users to perform various tasks and access essential tools through a chat-based interface. According to the company, Astro is the first in a planned series of AI agents aimed at enhancing user productivity and helping businesses grow. The assistant is designed to simplify operations by offering real-time insights, guiding users to relevant tools and features, and facilitating app installations and package upgrades. “Astro seamlessly integrates powerful capabilities into a single interface, making it easier than ever for users to manage their businesses efficiently,” said Guy Sopher, Head of the AI Platform Group at Wix. “With this being the largest collection of skills we’ve ever incorporated into a single assistant at Wix, boasting hundreds of different skills and capabilities, with more added every day, Astro acts as a trusted guide, Astro provides real-time insights and personalized recommendations to help users optimize their sites. By streamlining workflows and simplifying access to essential tools, it empowers users to accomplish more in less time. As they engage more deeply with the platform’s features, they can ultimately unlock greater opportunities for growth, visibility, and business success.” Key Features and Capabilities Astro is integrated throughout the Wix dashboard, allowing users to query and complete tasks such as site optimization, feature discovery, and administrative functions. Its main capabilities include: Data-Driven Insights & Optimization: Astro helps users monitor website traffic, analyze visitor behavior, assess sales trends, and evaluate SEO performance. These insights assist in generating reports and refining growth strategies. Creative Content Creation: The assistant supports content creation and management, including blog posts, media integration, email campaigns, and marketing content for social platforms. It also enables the setup of structured online programs for training or educational use. Drive Business Expansion: Astro allows users to add new products, explore dropshipping options, and customize site services to support business growth. Subscription and Permissions Management: Users can manage premium plans, view billing history, access invoices, and control site permissions. The tool also supports role management and collaborator invitations. Wix expects Astro to boost engagement with its platform by encouraging users to explore premium features and install new apps, ultimately improving customer retention and business outcomes. Astro is currently available in English, with additional language support planned for future releases. The company describes Astro as a key step in its broader strategy to integrate advanced AI solutions across its services. This article, "Wix Introduces Astro, an AI Assistant for Business and Site Management" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

B2B Stars, an AI-powered business analytics and reputation platform, has officially launched in the United States to help small and midmarket businesses (SMBs) improve corporate visibility, identify trustworthy partners, and attract new clients. Originally launched in Europe in 2024, B2B Stars is now available to U.S. companies and includes data on more than three million firms across the U.S. and Western Europe. Part of the Expandi Group, a global adtech and martech firm, B2B Stars offers what it describes as a level playing field for smaller businesses long overshadowed by larger enterprises in general-purpose search engine rankings. “Traditionally, it has been hard for smaller businesses to get recognized through general purpose search engines, as companies are ranked on soft metrics like website traffic,” said Raffaele Apostoliti, CEO of B2B Stars. “B2B Stars simplifies corporate reputation management, providing SMBs with an all-in-one platform that makes it easy for businesses to find verified information, get discovered by potential clients, and qualify credible partners.” The platform features a free-to-access directory of verified business data, covering over 95% of B2B companies with 10 or more employees in the U.S. and Western Europe. At the core of B2B Stars is its AI-driven search and ranking engine, which aggregates verified B2B reviews, filters out consumer data, and generates satisfaction scores alongside AI-created company summaries highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. “B2B Stars’ holistic approach, with its integrated platform that seamlessly combines a comprehensive business directory, a purpose-built search engine, and a sophisticated reputation management system, ensures businesses can make informed decisions based on transparent and trustworthy criteria,” said Mohamed Alaa Saayed, Senior Program Director & Fellow at Frost & Sullivan. “The platform’s emphasis on verified reviews and comprehensive reputation scores makes it a powerful asset for small and medium-sized businesses to gain access to a wealth of information that goes beyond traditional directories.” Another standout feature of B2B Stars is its corporate reputation scoring. Rather than relying on factors like website traffic, the platform assesses companies based on peer reviews, credit ratings, and recognitions from industry analysts and employee feedback. This approach provides a deeper and more reliable assessment of a company’s market standing. “A strong corporate reputation is essential for business growth and profitability, but it can be difficult for smaller B2B companies to boost their corporate reputation with existing tools,” said Giuliana Berchicci, U.S. Director, B2B Stars. “B2B Stars provides SMBs a platform to cultivate their corporate reputation and leverage data to support their credibility and harness earned trust to drive long-term financial success.” B2B Stars positions itself as a smarter alternative to traditional search tools that often yield outdated or incomplete results. Its combination of AI-powered analytics, comprehensive business directories, and reputation management tools aims to empower SMBs in the competitive U.S. B2B market. The platform is available now for American businesses. More information can be found at www.b2bstars.com. Image: B2B Stars This article, "AI-Powered Platform B2B Stars Launches in U.S. to Boost SMB Visibility and Trust" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

B2B Stars, an AI-powered business analytics and reputation platform, has officially launched in the United States to help small and midmarket businesses (SMBs) improve corporate visibility, identify trustworthy partners, and attract new clients. Originally launched in Europe in 2024, B2B Stars is now available to U.S. companies and includes data on more than three million firms across the U.S. and Western Europe. Part of the Expandi Group, a global adtech and martech firm, B2B Stars offers what it describes as a level playing field for smaller businesses long overshadowed by larger enterprises in general-purpose search engine rankings. “Traditionally, it has been hard for smaller businesses to get recognized through general purpose search engines, as companies are ranked on soft metrics like website traffic,” said Raffaele Apostoliti, CEO of B2B Stars. “B2B Stars simplifies corporate reputation management, providing SMBs with an all-in-one platform that makes it easy for businesses to find verified information, get discovered by potential clients, and qualify credible partners.” The platform features a free-to-access directory of verified business data, covering over 95% of B2B companies with 10 or more employees in the U.S. and Western Europe. At the core of B2B Stars is its AI-driven search and ranking engine, which aggregates verified B2B reviews, filters out consumer data, and generates satisfaction scores alongside AI-created company summaries highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. “B2B Stars’ holistic approach, with its integrated platform that seamlessly combines a comprehensive business directory, a purpose-built search engine, and a sophisticated reputation management system, ensures businesses can make informed decisions based on transparent and trustworthy criteria,” said Mohamed Alaa Saayed, Senior Program Director & Fellow at Frost & Sullivan. “The platform’s emphasis on verified reviews and comprehensive reputation scores makes it a powerful asset for small and medium-sized businesses to gain access to a wealth of information that goes beyond traditional directories.” Another standout feature of B2B Stars is its corporate reputation scoring. Rather than relying on factors like website traffic, the platform assesses companies based on peer reviews, credit ratings, and recognitions from industry analysts and employee feedback. This approach provides a deeper and more reliable assessment of a company’s market standing. “A strong corporate reputation is essential for business growth and profitability, but it can be difficult for smaller B2B companies to boost their corporate reputation with existing tools,” said Giuliana Berchicci, U.S. Director, B2B Stars. “B2B Stars provides SMBs a platform to cultivate their corporate reputation and leverage data to support their credibility and harness earned trust to drive long-term financial success.” B2B Stars positions itself as a smarter alternative to traditional search tools that often yield outdated or incomplete results. Its combination of AI-powered analytics, comprehensive business directories, and reputation management tools aims to empower SMBs in the competitive U.S. B2B market. The platform is available now for American businesses. More information can be found at www.b2bstars.com. Image: B2B Stars This article, "AI-Powered Platform B2B Stars Launches in U.S. to Boost SMB Visibility and Trust" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The move comes three months after Katie Sweeney, former BAC CEO, announced she would be stepping into an executive advocacy role for Rocket's Pro channel. View the full article

Lenders and borrowers have taken advantage of the dips in interest rates, but the industry has long-warned of pain for players like home builders.

Snapchat has introduced Sponsored AI Lenses, a new advertising format powered by the company’s proprietary Generative AI technology. This new feature is designed to offer brands a creative and interactive way to connect with Snapchat’s user base by placing consumers at the center of AI-powered, branded experiences. According to Snapchat, Sponsored AI Lenses allow users to visualize themselves in imaginative scenarios, such as wearing ‘90s hairstyles, exploring the Wild West, or showcasing high-fashion runway styles. These personalized, AI-driven images aim to enhance self-expression while promoting brand visibility among friends. “With advancements in AI transforming the way we create and connect, we’re excited to introduce Sponsored AI Lenses, a new ad format powered by Snap’s proprietary Generative AI technology,” the company stated in its announcement. The new format enables brands to gain high visibility by positioning their lenses at the forefront of the Snapchat Camera. Snapchat reports that this placement can generate 25–45% more impressions in a single day. Several brands and artists have already utilized Sponsored AI Lenses in recent campaigns. Uber launched its “My Thanksgiving Vibe” AI Lens, offering users a festive experience, while Tinder introduced a playful “My 2025 Dating Vibe” AI Lens for New Year’s Eve. Coldplay used the format to immerse fans in a virtual universe during the launch of Moon Music. Snapchat noted that these campaigns achieved higher-than-average engagement, with users spending more time interacting with Sponsored AI Lenses compared to standard formats. Over the past two years, Snapchat has been developing its Generative AI capabilities to streamline ad production. The company states that Sponsored AI Lenses eliminate the need for traditional 3D and VFX design, replacing them with AI-generated templates that reduce production time and cost. “This technology fuels creativity with unique, unexpected visuals that help elevate brand storytelling and deepen engagement,” Snapchat explained. Sponsored AI Lenses appear in the Lens Carousel, where more than 300 million Snapchatters engage with augmented reality experiences daily. Snapchat says it plans to continue enhancing these tools to support advertisers in delivering innovative, AI-driven brand experiences. “We look forward to continuing our work to help advertisers stay at the forefront of AI-powered creativity and bring their brand to life for Snapchatters in entirely new ways,” the company stated. This article, "Snapchat Launches Sponsored AI Lenses for Immersive Brand Advertising" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Snapchat has introduced Sponsored AI Lenses, a new advertising format powered by the company’s proprietary Generative AI technology. This new feature is designed to offer brands a creative and interactive way to connect with Snapchat’s user base by placing consumers at the center of AI-powered, branded experiences. According to Snapchat, Sponsored AI Lenses allow users to visualize themselves in imaginative scenarios, such as wearing ‘90s hairstyles, exploring the Wild West, or showcasing high-fashion runway styles. These personalized, AI-driven images aim to enhance self-expression while promoting brand visibility among friends. “With advancements in AI transforming the way we create and connect, we’re excited to introduce Sponsored AI Lenses, a new ad format powered by Snap’s proprietary Generative AI technology,” the company stated in its announcement. The new format enables brands to gain high visibility by positioning their lenses at the forefront of the Snapchat Camera. Snapchat reports that this placement can generate 25–45% more impressions in a single day. Several brands and artists have already utilized Sponsored AI Lenses in recent campaigns. Uber launched its “My Thanksgiving Vibe” AI Lens, offering users a festive experience, while Tinder introduced a playful “My 2025 Dating Vibe” AI Lens for New Year’s Eve. Coldplay used the format to immerse fans in a virtual universe during the launch of Moon Music. Snapchat noted that these campaigns achieved higher-than-average engagement, with users spending more time interacting with Sponsored AI Lenses compared to standard formats. Over the past two years, Snapchat has been developing its Generative AI capabilities to streamline ad production. The company states that Sponsored AI Lenses eliminate the need for traditional 3D and VFX design, replacing them with AI-generated templates that reduce production time and cost. “This technology fuels creativity with unique, unexpected visuals that help elevate brand storytelling and deepen engagement,” Snapchat explained. Sponsored AI Lenses appear in the Lens Carousel, where more than 300 million Snapchatters engage with augmented reality experiences daily. Snapchat says it plans to continue enhancing these tools to support advertisers in delivering innovative, AI-driven brand experiences. “We look forward to continuing our work to help advertisers stay at the forefront of AI-powered creativity and bring their brand to life for Snapchatters in entirely new ways,” the company stated. This article, "Snapchat Launches Sponsored AI Lenses for Immersive Brand Advertising" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The market turmoil and pressure from Wall Street to Capitol Hill proved too much for the US presidentView the full article

Basketball great LeBron James has become the first professional male athlete to have his likeness depicted in a Ken doll. Mattel Inc. unveiled the LeBron Ken doll on Wednesday to kick off the toy manufacturer’s “Kenbassador” series. Last year, nine female athlete Barbies, including tennis star Venus Williams, were introduced. “As a young kid, I was fortunate to have role models who not only inspired me but also showed me what’s possible through hard work and dedication,” James said. “Now, as an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to. That’s why partnering with Barbie to release the LeBron James Kenbassadors doll is such an honor. It’s an opportunity to recognize the powerful impact of role models who instill confidence, inspire dreams, and show kids that they, too, can achieve greatness.” The LeBron doll wears sunglasses, headphones and a blue-and-white letterman’s jacket with “LJ” on the left breast, his number 23 on the right sleeve and Ohio and crown patches on the other. His first name is on the back with “Just a kid from Akron” underneath. His T-shirt says “We Are Family,” a nod to the LeBron James Family Foundation. His blue shoes, of course, are Nikes. The doll costs $75 and goes on sale Monday. In an Associated Press-produced video of James seeing the doll for the first time, the “King” expressed his approval, repeatedly calling the doll “dope,” another word for “cool.” While looking it over, he put an “I Promise” wristband on the doll’s wrist and adjusted the strap on its fanny pack. “OK, now we ready,” James said. “I mean, he might need to do a little lifting. Legs look a little skinny. Little fraily little fellow. Nah, that’s dope.” Mattel senior vice president Krista Berger noted that Ken is Barbie’s longtime best friend and supporter. “We are excited to bring fans a new presentation of Ken that celebrates LeBron as a role model, his icon status, lasting impact on culture, and dedication to setting a positive example for the next generation to reach their limitless potential,” Berger said. View the full article

U.S. pediatricians and infectious disease experts say the fight against rising measles cases nationwide is being hampered by a lack of forceful advocacy for vaccination from government health officials and statements on unproven treatments that are confusing parents. Since January, 505 people have been infected in Texas and more than 90 total in neighboring New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas. Two children have died in Texas, including an 8-year-old girl last week, and an adult death in New Mexico is under investigation. The United States has more than 600 known cases and outbreaks in six states, according to HHS. Dr. Sue Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said leaders need to speak with a consistent science- and fact-based message about measles vaccination, calling that the only way to handle an outbreak like this. “That is the number one message we’re trying to put in front of everyone.” Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a long history of advocating against vaccines, has backed vaccination as the best way to prevent measles from spreading since becoming the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But unlike previous health secretaries faced with containing outbreaks, his comments are not unequivocal. He has also made misleading claims about nutrition, vitamin A and other treatments, while exaggerating vaccine risks, even as U.S. vaccination rates are falling. “Our work is becoming harder by the minute,” said Dr. Rana Alissa, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Florida chapter, a state where kindergarten vaccination rates last school year were 81%, far below the 95% needed to establish community protection. An HHS spokesman in a statement disputed that there was a lack of strong federal messaging, saying Kennedy has repeatedly reinforced the important role of vaccines. The spokesman said HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been monitoring the situation and are collaborating with state and local health authorities, including by providing resources. “Secretary Kennedy remains committed to ensuring Americans have accurate information on all available treatment options,” the statement said. In an interview on CBS News on Wednesday, Kennedy repeated that it was his and the government’s position that people should get the measles vaccine. On Sunday, however, he followed a post on X championing the vaccine with another praising alternative treatments, drawing fresh criticism from disease experts. The CDC, the nation’s lead agency on infectious disease outbreaks which reports to Kennedy, has made just two official public statements and provided a weekly tally of cases on its website. HHS said the CDC has issued statements and updates as needed. Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said the CDC needs to conduct frequent press conferences and issue multiple press releases urging Americans to vaccinate their children. In 2019, when a New York measles outbreak recorded 1,274 cases, CDC officials did just that and New York City made the vaccine mandatory, issuing summonses to families who failed to comply. That year, Health Secretary Alex Azar forcefully endorsed the measles vaccine, calling it “among the most-studied medical products we have”, and launched a national immunization campaign. Doctors are looking to fill in the communication void. AAP has produced new website content, several press releases, 20 social media posts and launched a misinformation-fighting initiative, aimed at clarifying the safety of vaccines and the role of Vitamin A, which Kennedy has touted. There is no treatment for the highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease beyond those to address symptoms and complications, AAP’s Kressly said. Vitamin A is only recommended when administered by a doctor in specific quantities as too much can cause liver damage. Some pediatricians in Texas have reported cases of liver toxicity among children, Kressly said. In his Sunday X post, Kennedy promoted the inhaled steroid budesonide, which is used to treat asthma, and the antibiotic clarithromycin. Antibiotics cannot treat a viral infection and using an inhaled steroid to treat measles-related inflammation is risky because it suppresses the immune system, which could make the infection “significantly worse,” said Dr. Tina Tan, a professor of pediatric infectious diseases at Northwestern University and president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. “Massive epidemic” The Texas outbreak likely involves thousands of cases as official case counts only tally laboratory-confirmed cases, Offit said. “This is a massive measles epidemic.” Measles typically causes one-to-three deaths per 1,000 cases. Three deaths linked with the Texas outbreak suggest there could be as many as 1,000 to 3,000 cases, epidemiologist Dr. Katelyn Jetelina wrote in her Substack blog on Monday. Rising vaccine skepticism and misinformation have resulted in only 11 U.S. states with vaccination rates of 95% or above – the level needed to protect residents unable to receive the vaccine. The measles vaccine is 97% effective after two doses and 93% after one. Dr. Michael Donnelly, who crafts messaging for pediatricians across Medstar Health’s 10 hospitals in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore areas, said Kennedy’s comments set this year apart from the concerns raised by parents in prior years. “On one side, you have people panicking when they don’t need to. And then on the other side, you have people who are pretty blase.” Dr. Alisa Kachikis, who cares for women with high-risk pregnancies at UW Medicine in Seattle, noted that measles can cause miscarriage and birth defects. She recommends pregnant women who are unvaccinated get the shot right after delivery to protect their baby. The vaccine can’t be given to children younger than six months and is usually not given until a child reaches 12 months. Dr. Theresa Horton, a pediatrician in Owasso, Oklahoma, said she used to tell parents if they didn’t vaccinate their children, they were relying on others who were vaccinated to protect them. With vaccination rates among Oklahoma kindergartners hovering around 88%, she now tells them: “We no longer have herd immunity.” —Julie Steenhuysen, Reuters View the full article

Whether you're filling a prescription, rebooking a flight, or asking a question about your taxes, it seems like the first line of defense between you and any sort of real human helper is a never-ending string of automated prompts. But not all questions can be answered by a computer—especially when it comes to your taxes. The IRS expects more than 140 million individual tax returns for 2024 to be filed this season, which has a deadline of April 15, 2025. That's a lot of taxpayers on hold. Over the past few years, the IRS has certainly made improvements on its phone service, as well as expanding online tools. Still, anyone who has tried calling the IRS knows it can seem impossible to get a real human to take your call. Of course, the IRS recommends checking its online resources before calling. It has a list of common issues that might answer your question about your tax return, payments, or identity theft concerns. But sometimes you need to talk to a real person. To do this, I used what I like to call the "1-2-3" hack to reach an actual agent within 60 seconds. Here’s how you can reach someone that quickly, too. How long will you have to wait to talk to someone at the IRS?Most callers either get frustrated with the long waits or fed up with the complicated phone tree that only leads from one automated message to another, so they simply hang up. If you do stick it out, the IRS claims this year's wait times average 12 minutes. That's a significant improvement from the 27-minute average from the past few years, but still—it's a headache. Plus, some phone lines may have longer wait times. The IRS also says the longest waits typically fall on Mondays and Tuesdays. How to reach an actual person at the IRS: Use the 1-2-3 hackThe IRS telephone number is 1-800-829-1040, and is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. To speak with someone at the IRS, you have to call, navigate through a menu, and eventually get routed to find an agent if one is available. Here's how I reached an agent as soon as possible. The first question the automated system will ask you is to choose your language. Press 1 for English. Once you’ve set your language, press 2 to select “For answers about your personal income taxes...” instead. Next, press 3 once you hear “for all other questions.” I didn't listen to any of the full prompts, enter my SSN or EIN, or waste any time at all, really. Instead, as soon as I heard an automated voice start the next prompt, I hit the next number. I pressed 1-2-3, and I was speaking with a real person within the minute. At this point, this real person you've reached is the operator who will direct your call to the right department. My operator estimated it would take me about five minutes to reach a real human agent in the right department, and they were right. I didn't have to waste any of my precious time listening to all those damn automated options, either. Make sure you’re prepared before you call the IRS with questionsBefore you call, make sure you’ve gathered everything you might need while talking with the agent. The IRS recommends having the following items ready: Social Security numbers (SSN) and birth dates Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for taxpayers without a Social Security number Filing status (single, head of household, married filing joint, or married filing separate) Prior-year tax return The tax return you’re calling about Any correspondence from the IRS What to do if you can’t get in touch with anyone at the IRSIf you live near a local IRS office, you may want to skip the main phone line and call it directly. They probably can’t answer your questions by phone, but your Taxpayer Assistance Center (see the state-by-state directory here) can schedule an appointment. If you’re still having a hard time getting help from a real live person, try contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service. It’s an independent office within the IRS that exists to help people with their ongoing tax issues. View the full article

Three U.S. agencies lack a "comprehensive, government-wide strategy," according to a report that echoes complaints banks have made for years. View the full article

With prices possibly rising over 4% through next year, respondents to a Fall 2024 survey said they would turn to their investment portfolios to fund the down and monthly payments. View the full article

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accuses Beijing of doing nothing to stop Moscow enlisting its citizensView the full article

Washington scraps most tariffs against countries that have not retaliated but increases levies on China View the full article

The move would allow the Chinese-owned steelmaker to prolong production at the remaining furnace at its Scunthorpe site View the full article

iPhone maker is facing one of the biggest threats to its business in yearsView the full article

The Netherlands expanded a government-run initiative on Monday allowing legal cannabis sales. While growing cannabis is still illegal, cannabis shops—known as coffeeshops—in 10 municipalities will be allowed to sell marijuana from 10 licensed producers. “Weed was sold here legally for 50 years, but the production was never legal. So it’s finally time to end that crazy, unexplainable situation and make it a legal professional sector,” Rick Bakker, commercial director at Hollandse Hoogtes, one of the regulated producers, told the Associated Press. Some 80 coffeeshops are taking part in the experiment which advocates hope this will ultimately end a long-standing legal anomaly—you can buy and sell small amounts of weed without fear of prosecution in the Netherlands, but growing it commercially remains illegal. Bakker’s company in Bemmel, near the German border, is indistinguishable from the surrounding greenhouses producing tomatoes and peppers. But it makes 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of weed per week and is one of the largest producers in the experiment. A trailblazer in decriminalizing pot since the 1970s, the Netherlands has grown more conservative. Amsterdam, long a magnet for marijuana smokers, has been closing coffeeshops in recent years and has banned smoking weed on some of the cobbled streets that make up its historic center. Advocates have been pushing for a legal growing for years, citing the safety of the product as well as concerns about crime. Benjamin Selma, the head grower at Hollandse Hoogtes who worked in cannabis production in California for more than a decade, said the quality control for the cannabis is extremely high. “We do a full test, microbial, cannabinoid, terpene, as well as yeast and anaerobic bacteria, heavy metals as well. So it’s very, very controlled,” he told the AP. The company, which does not use pesticides and tightly regulates growing conditions, has an eye to the environment. The production facility gets its energy from solar panels and uses biodegradable packaging. “It is also a great opportunity to see how cooperation within the closed chain between legal growers, coffeeshop owners and all other authorities involved works,” Breda Mayor Paul Depla told the AP when the first phase was launched in 2023. The experiment “is really a political compromise,” according to Derrick Bergman, chairman of the Union for the Abolition of Cannabis Prohibition. The plan dates to 2017, when Christian political parties and pro-legalization parties agreed to a test run after a bill to decriminalize production failed. The government will evaluate the experiment after four years. “A research team, advised by an independent guidance and evaluation committee, is examining the effects of a controlled cannabis supply chain on crime, safety and public health,” the government said in a statement. Selma said he is happy to be working without concerns about prosecution. “I’ve seen some bad moments,” he said, “and I don’t know if I ever believed I would be so free.” The coffeeshops taking part in the initiative are located in Almere, Arnhem, Breda, Groningen, Heerlen, Hellevoetsluis, Maastricht, Nijmegen, Tilburg, and Zaanstad. —Molly Quell, Associated Press View the full article

Long-delayed talks between London and New Delhi given fresh impetus by US taxes on importsView the full article

Oil price hit by recession fears as trade war between US and China escalatesView the full article