Slovakia election pits a pro-Russia former prime minister against a liberal pro-West newcomer
Voters in Slovakia are casting ballots in an early parliamentary election that pits a populist former prime minister who campaigned on a pro-Russia and anti-American message against a liberal, pro-West newcomer.
Court orders Subway franchise owners to pay workers nearly $1M - and to sell or close their stores
A federal court ordered the owners of 14 Subway locations north of San Francisco to pay employees nearly $1 million in damages and back pay — and also to sell or shut their businesses, with any sale proceeds going to the Labor Department.
Netflix’s DVD-by-mail service bows out as its red-and-white envelopes make their final trip
The curtain is finally coming down on Netflix’s once-iconic DVD-by-mail service, a quarter century after the birth of a concept that obliterated Blockbuster video stores while providing a springboard into video streaming that has transformed entertainment.
TikTok videos promoting steroid use have millions of views, says report criticized by the company
TikTok has become a key marketing channel for vendors promoting steroids and other bodybuilding drugs to millions of the app’s users, according to a report released Thursday that the social media company disputes.
The average long-term US mortgage rate reaches highest point in nearly 23 years, hitting 7.31%
Home loan borrowing costs climbed again this week, pushing the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate to its highest level in nearly 23 years, another blow to prospective homebuyers facing an increasingly less affordable housing market.
16-year-old boy arrested in England over the 'deliberate' felling of a famous tree at Hadrian's Wall
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in northern England in connection with what authorities described as the “deliberate” felling of a famous tree that had stood for nearly 200 years next to the Roman landmark Hadrian’s Wall.
Netflix's DVD-by-mail service bows out as its red-and-white envelopes make their final trip
The curtain is finally coming down on Netflix’s once-iconic DVD-by-mail service, a quarter century after the birth of a concept that obliterated Blockbuster video stores while providing a springboard into video streaming that has transformed entertainment.
Slightly fewer number of Americans apply for jobless benefits as layoffs remain rare
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits inched up modestly this week after reaching their lowest level in eight months the previous week, as the labor market continues to defy the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes meant to cool it.
US government estimates economy grew last quarter at a 2.1% rate, unchanged from previous projection
The U.S. economy grew at a 2.1% annual pace from April through June, extending its sturdy performance in the face of higher interest rates, the government said Thursday, leaving its previous estimate unchanged.
Man arrested in killing of Baltimore tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere was released from prison in 2022
Baltimore police have arrested a man in the killing of a Baltimore tech entrepreneur last week as authorities alleged the suspect was in the midst of a violent rampage that also included a recent rape, arson and attempted murder.
Inside scientists' mission to save America’s wine industry from climate change
The U.S. West Coast produces over 90% of America’s wine, but it’s also prone to wildfires — a combustible combination that spelled disaster in 2020 for the industry and one that scientists are scrambling to neutralize.
TikTok says it regrets Indonesia's decision to ban e-commerce sales on social media platforms
Chinese-owned app TikTok says it regrets the Indonesian government’s decision to ban e-commerce transactions on social media platforms and particularly the impact it would have on the millions of sellers who use TikTok Shop.
ExxonMobil loses bid to truck millions of gallons of crude oil through central California
ExxonMobil has lost a court bid to truck millions of gallons of crude oil through central California — a crucial part of its efforts to restart offshore oil wells that were shut in 2015 after a pipeline leak caused the worst coastal spill in 25 years.
New rules aim to make foster care with family easier, provide protection for LGBTQ+ children
The Biden administration is moving to make it easier for caregivers to take in family members in the foster care system, requiring states to provide them with the same financial support that any other foster home would receive.
University of the People founder and Arizona State professor win Yidan Prize for education work
Shai Reshef, president and founder of the online, tuition-free University of the People, and Arizona State professor and researcher Michelene Chi, who has developed a framework to improve how students learn, are the 2023 winners of The Yidan Prize, the biggest award in education.
Justice Department targets eBay for alleged unlawful sales of pesticides and other toxins
The U.S. Justice Department filed a civil complaint against eBay, claiming the online marketplace unlawfully sold and distributed hundreds of thousands of products like pesticides and motor vehicle emission-evading devices that violate environmental laws.
Britain approves new North Sea oil drilling in welcome news for the industry but not activists
Britain has given the go-ahead for a major oil and gas project in the North Sea, ignoring warnings from scientists and the United Nations that countries must stop developing new fossil fuel resources if the world is to avoid catastrophic climate change.
Black Americans express concerns about racist depictions in news media, lack of coverage efforts
In a major new study, Black Americans expressed broad concerns about how they are depicted in the news media, with majorities saying they see racist or negative depictions and a lack of effort by journalists to cover broader segments of their community.
Swiss prosecutors indict an ex-employee of trading firm Gunvor over bribes paid in Republic of Congo
Swiss federal prosecutors say they have indicted a former employee of the Geneva-based commodities trading firm Gunvor over bribes paid to obtain access to the Republic of Congo’s petroleum market more than a decade ago.
More money pledged from Michigan for a $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant after Ford pauses
More money is being pledged in Michigan for the development of a $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant after Ford said it would pause construction until it’s sure it can run the factory competitively.