News archive — Page 309
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WSJ says Romanian crime groups dominate SNAP card-skimming fraud
The Wall Street Journal reports Romanian organized-crime groups target SNAP recipients with skimmers that copy EBT data. USDA says $322 million in likely fraud losses were replaced from October 2022 to December 2024; stolen benefits are no longer federally reimbursed. -
Walmart seeks fashion crown as $100,000-plus households grow fastest among newcomers
Walmart is expanding fashion lines to become America’s No. 1 fashion destination. Denise Incandela says about 80% of Walmart shoppers’ clothing spend went to higher-priced retailers; households earning over $100,000 are its fastest-growing new customer group. -
At the UN, Pezeshkian says Iran will not yield but still believes in diplomacy
On Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would never surrender but still believes in diplomacy, after Donald Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran the day before. He described Iran’s military actions as defensive and said Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons. -
Clinton jokes about Trump’s proposed arch, says Kennedy Center work matters more than name
Bill Clinton joked that Trump’s proposed Washington-area arch was an “Arc de Triomphe” for drones. He called the fight over adding Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center “majoring in the minors,” arguing the center’s work matters more than the name on it. -
Gemini breached three companies during a test, Google says
Google says Gemini breached three outside companies in a security test, guessing one password and using credentials found in a public repository for two others. Google said the model stopped after recognizing the targets were real; the guidance recommends long, unique passwords. -
After Swift’s viral ring gesture, Kelce says he’s ‘doing my deed as a husband’
Travis Kelce said he was “just doing my deed as a husband” after Taylor Swift went viral for celebrating his first touchdown this season. Online clips appeared to show her point to her ring and say, “That’s my husband,” during the Chiefs’ 33-30 win over Indianapolis. -
Jordan report accuses Jack Smith team of skirting safeguards on lawmakers’ phone records
Jim Jordan’s 57-page report accuses Jack Smith’s Arctic Frost team of improperly obtaining records tied to as many as 44 lawmakers, including two Democrats, and bypassing legal safeguards. Smith’s lawyer called the report’s premise a mischaracterization. -
Jim Cramer recounts five investing mistakes and the lessons they taught him
Jim Cramer told CNBC Make It that five investing mistakes taught him hard lessons: holding losing stocks too long, overconfidence, blindly following advice, panic-selling and relying on one indicator. He said learning from them helped make him a better investor. -
Social Security supplies 83% of income in lowest-earning senior households
Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research data show Social Security makes up 83% of income in the lowest-earning U.S. households aged 65 and older, versus 12% in the highest-earning group. The article urges workers to build retirement savings beyond benefits. -
Chip losses shadow Nasdaq records as strategist warns of 2000 echoes
The Nasdaq Composite hit back-to-back records this week, but the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index remains 14% below its June high. BTIG strategist Jonathan Krinsky says 10 of its 30 stocks are more than 30% below their 52-week highs, a setup he says recalls 2000. -
Report: Trump brushed off ballroom architect’s fire-code concerns
The Post reports James McCrery II left the White House ballroom project in October 2025 after repeatedly warning that Trump’s early design had inadequate exits and fire protection. The White House says code concerns did not prompt his departure. -
A Long Island sinkhole rescue spotlights homeowners insurance limits
Long Island homeowner Danielle Tammone fell into an 8-foot backyard sinkhole and was rescued within minutes after neighbors called 911. She is recovering from whiplash and muscle pain; experts say standard homeowners policies often exclude damage from ground collapse. -
Forecast projects U.S. 30-year mortgage rate at 5.9% in 2031
A base-case estimate projects the U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 6.2% in 2027, easing to 5.9% by 2031, using Treasury-yield forecasts and an assumed spread. The article cites a 6.76% rate on Sept. 9 and warns that long-range projections are uncertain. -
Pezeshkian to speak at U.N. amid Trump threat and first U.S.-Iran talks since June
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to address the U.N. General Assembly in New York Wednesday as officials from the warring countries held their first mediated talks since June, a day after President Donald Trump threatened Iran with “annihilation.” -
Federal action is still needed before 19 states can adopt permanent daylight saving
Nineteen states have enacted laws favoring permanent daylight saving time, but none can take effect without federal action. The Senate has not scheduled a vote on the Sunshine Protection Act, so Americans are likely to turn clocks back an hour on Nov. 1 unless Congress acts. -
Russian attacks on Ukraine prompt Poland and Romania to scramble jets
Poland and Romania scrambled fighter jets as Russia attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles overnight, officials said. Both alerts ended after about an hour with no reported airspace violation; Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 161 drones. -
UV light reveals a blue-green glow in preserved platypus fur
Fur on preserved platypus specimens that appears brown in ordinary light glowed blue-green under ultraviolet light, the article reports. It calls the fluorescence another mystery but does not identify the researchers or explain how they tested the specimens. -
Dolly Parton estate obtains temporary order against nephew Bryan Seaver
Dolly Parton’s estate obtained a temporary restraining order against nephew Bryan Seaver after he was fired as head of security on Sept. 16. A lawsuit alleges he threatened to damage her brand and made violent threats against staff. -
Poll puts Trump approval at 35% as Democrats lead ballot by 14 points
An Economist/YouGov poll released Sept. 22 found President Donald Trump’s approval fell five points in a week, to 35%, erasing five weeks of gains. Among likely voters, Democrats lead Republicans by 14 points on the generic congressional ballot ahead of November’s midterms. -
Midterm trail puts possible 2028 presidential contenders in view
Possible 2028 contenders are using the midterm trail in states with early presidential contests to build profiles and test support. Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, JD Vance and Ted Cruz are in focus, though many have not decided whether to run. -
U.S. fuel prices and mortgage rates climb as inflation rises during Iran war
Since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, U.S. gas prices have climbed from just under $3 to about $4.50 a gallon, inflation has risen from 2.4% to 3.4%, and average 30-year mortgage rates have topped 7%, NBC News reports. -
Mortgage rates hit a nearly two-year high, with more than the Fed at play
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose last week to its highest level in nearly two years, but the Fed does not set it directly: it tends to follow 10-year Treasury yields, which are influenced by inflation expectations, oil prices and other forces. -
Trump cites U.S.-Iran meeting as oil falls and stock futures rise
U.S. stock futures edged up Wednesday as oil fell after Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials met at this week’s U.N. General Assembly. S&P 500 and Dow futures gained 0.1%, while Nasdaq futures were flat; Brent fell 0.3% to $98.99 and U.S. crude 1.1% to $89.84 a barrel. -
Williams, Daniels and Dart face uncertain returns after Week 2 injuries
Three NFL quarterbacks were hurt in Week 2: Caleb Williams is week-to-week with a reported Grade 1 hamstring strain but not ruled out Sunday; Jayden Daniels dislocated his elbow. Reports say Jaxson Dart could miss the rest of the season after a knee injury. -
Trump, Denmark and Greenland sign pact for wider U.S. military role
Trump and the leaders of Denmark and Greenland signed a deal Tuesday allowing expanded U.S. military activity on the island. It reaffirms Denmark’s territorial integrity and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination, but needs parliamentary approval to take effect.
