WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. inflation slowed unexpectedly last month according to data that was delayed and likely distorted by the government shutdown. The Labor Department reported Thursday that its consumer price index rose 2.7% in November from a year earlier. Yet, year-over-year inflation remains well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, and Americans are complaining…… MORE
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. This move could ease regulations and expand medical research by shifting marijuana from a Schedule I drug, like heroin, to a Schedule III substance, similar to ketamine. This change won’t legalize recreational use nationwide but…… MORE
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — TikTok has signed a deal to sell its U.S. business to three American investors — Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX — ensuring the popular social video platform can continue operating in the United States. The deal is expected to close on Jan. 22, according to an internal memo seen by The…… MORE
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose following an encouraging report on inflation that could help the Federal Reserve keep cutting interest rates next year. A strong profit report from Micron Technology also helped AI stocks halt their sharp slides on Thursday, at least for now. The S&P 500 gained 0.8% to break a four-day…… MORE
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank is leaving interest rates unchanged for the fourth meeting in a row as the economy in the 20 countries that use the euro increasingly looks strong enough to get by without the stimulus of lower borrowing costs for businesses and consumers. The bank’s rate-setting council on Thursday…… MORE
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Federal regulators will allow tech companies to effectively plug massive data centers directly into power plants. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s order Thursday comes as the Trump administration urges it to help the U.S. lead the world in artificial intelligence. FERC’s order is designed to clear up pressing issues around so-called…… MORE
Delivery company Instacart will pay $60 million in customer refunds under a settlement reached with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC said Thursday that Instacart has been falsely advertising free deliveries and not disclosing service fees. It also said Instacart failed to disclose that customers who enrolled in a free trial would be charged membership…… MORE
The parent company of President Donald Trump’s Truth Social media platform announced Thursday it is merging with a fusion power company, an unusual pairing of the Trump name with a futuristic clean energy venture that aims to power the next wave of artificial intelligence. Trump Media & Technology will combine with TAE Technologies in an…… MORE
The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage edged lower this week, staying relatively close to its low for the year. The decline brings the average long-term mortgage rate to 6.21% from 6.22% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.72%. Mortgage rates began easing in July in…… MORE
Associated Press: President Donald Trump offered a glowing account of progress under his watch in a speech from the White House. But some of his claims Wednesday night were out of tune with the experience of price-squeezed Americans and the story told by some of his government’s own statistics. For one, he claimed consumer prices…… MORE
