Author: News Room

Searches for virtual private networking (VPN) software briefly spiked in Texas this week after Pornhub suspended service in the state over a law forcing adult websites to verify the age or identities of their users. The four-fold rise in Google searches for tools that can circumvent the state-level blocking suggests the law may already be having unintended side effects, days after a federal appeals court upheld the legislation and said it could remain in effect. Visitors with Texas IP addresses who visit Pornhub’s website are now presented with a full-page message calling the Texas law “ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous.” “Until…

When on July 7, 2023, President Biden first publicly declared the United States’ intention to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, defining their basic purpose as creating a strong foundation for further deterring Russia with a focus on the long-term, post-war perspective, Western partners had the idea that the United States would be the first country to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. In other words, the United States should become a guiding light for Ukraine’s other Western partners, leading them by example. Indeed, the United States was the first among Ukraine’s partners to move in this direction, starting negotiations on security guarantees…

Happy Friday! Dollar Tree is looking a lot more like Dollar Forest as the budget chain is raising its price ceiling again, this time to $7.But first, we’re staying in Miami.If this was forwarded to you, sign up here.The big storyFlorida migrationKen Griffin is used to making big bets as the founder of two of the most powerful firms on Wall Street, but one of his most ambitious wagers took place outside the markets.Nearly two years ago the billionaire uprooted his hedge fund, Citadel, and market maker, Citadel Securities, from their Chicago headquarters to Miami.South Florida always held a financial…

The National Association of Realtors announced a $418 million settlement to end antitrust lawsuits. The NAR agreed to a new set of rules, which will reset long-held standards on commissions.  Real estate stocks including Zillow and Redfin fell Friday after the announcement.  Shares of real estate companies plunged on Friday following an announcement from the National Association of Realtors that resolves a lawsuit with home-selling groups and effectively nixes the standard 6% commission for home purchases.In a landmark case, the NAR — which represents over one million real estate agents in the US —  said it would pay $418 million…

There is no evidence for former President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that “the Congo” has emptied prisons to allow violent criminals to come to the US border as migrants – and the governments of both the Democratic Republic of Congo and the neighboring Republic of Congo say Trump’s assertions are entirely false. “Everything he is saying isn’t true,” Democratic Republic of Congo spokesperson Patrick Muyaya Katembwe told CNN in a text message on Thursday. Asked specifically about Trump’s claims about Congolese prisons being emptied of violent criminals, he said, “Never ever, it’s not true.” And, he said, “we want him…

For decades, research has showed that earning a degree is almost always worthwhile.Recent college graduates working full-time earn $24,000 more a year than those with just a high school diploma, according to newly released data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.Additionally, finishing college puts workers on track to earn a median of $2.8 million over their lifetime, compared with $1.6 million if they only had a high school degree, according to “The College Payoff,” a report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.In general, bachelor’s degree holders earn 75% more over their career, the report found — and, in…

Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a “Morning Meeting” livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here’s a recap of Thursday’s key moments. U.S. stocks fell and bond yields climbed Thursday following another hotter-than-expected inflation report. This time it was February’s producer price index, which came two days after a hotter print on consumer prices. Investors should not buy at these levels because the stock market is overbought, Jim Cramer said. “I’m very, very concerned,” he added. Jim also said the Federal Reserve has no business cutting interest rates any time soon based on recent upticks in inflation…

Solana price has hit a high of $198 after a 15% rally in 24 hours and 31% in a week. Solana witnessed strong upside momentum despite a broader crypto market selloff on Friday. Top reasons behind the strong rally are Solana-based projects including meme coins and decentralized exchanges. Solana Rises on its Genesis Day “Solana Genesis Day 2024” marks four years of Solana launch on Mainnet Beta, with the primary focus to support smart contracts and decentralized apps. Solana’s total value locked (TVL) reached over $10 billion in November 2021, over a year after the launch. However, it fell after…

Canadian Dollar is mostly flat on Friday with limited momentum. Housing Starts in Canada since November ticked higher. Next week: Canadian CPI inflation, US Fed rate call. The Canadian Dollar (CAD) was mostly higher on Friday but stuck close to the day’s opening range against the US Dollar (USD) as markets shuffled in place ahead of the weekend. The University of Michigan US Consumer Sentiment Index ticked slightly lower early in the American trading session, and the highest print of Canadian Housing Starts since November sailed by without much notice from investors. Canada brings February’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation…

Inflation rose 3.20% in the 12 months ending February 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. One of the largest increases was in motor vehicle insurance, which rose by a staggering 20.60% during the same period. There were several other items that rose substantially including transportation services up 9.90%, baby food and formula up 8.80%, photographic equipment and supplies up 9.30%, sewing machines up 11.00%, and home care for invalids and the elderly up 9.00%. Several items also saw a decline in price including motor fuel -4.20%, airline fares -6.10%, major appliances -7.60%, computer software -6.10%, smartphones -10.50%, and…