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Map shows US states where minimum wage is at least $15 per hour

Virginia lawmakers approved legislation that will raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2028.

2026-04-10T19:53:11Z

S&P lowers PH outlook from 'positive' to 'stable'

Credit watcher S&P Global Ratings has lowered its outlook for the Philippines from “positive" to “stable," indicating waning chances of a rating upgrade due to the war in the Middle East and its impact on global oil prices. In a dispatch released Thursday, S&P affirmed the country’s “BBB+” investment-grade rating while it downgraded its outlook to stable, implying that the rating is unlikely to change over the intermediate term or the next six...

2026-04-09T12:02:57Z

Tiger Global backs PopUp Bagels at $300 million valuation

Tiger Global has agreed to invest in PopUp Bagels at a $300 million valuation, according to people familiar with the matter — roughly five times what the startup was quoted at as recently as five months ago.

2026-04-11T14:51:36Z

Over 300K barrels of diesel arrive in PH amid Middle East crisis

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin on Saturday announced the arrival of over 300,000 barrels of diesel ordered by the Philippine government to boost the country’s stockpile of fuel amid the ongoing Middle East crisis. “Dumating na!” Garin said in a Facebook post. (It has arrived.) The Energy chief said the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp.’s (PNOC-EC) shipment from Malaysia totals 329,000 barrels, or over 52 million liters, of diesel....

2026-04-11T06:03:00Z

Anthropic will use CoreWeave’s AI capacity to power Claude

Anthropic PBC agreed to tap data center capacity from CoreWeave Inc. as part of efforts to handle increasing demand for its artificial intelligence services.

2026-04-10T12:16:41Z

What is the petrodollar—and what if oil trade shifts to China’s yuan?

As tensions in the Middle East raise fresh concerns over global oil supply, questions are emerging on whether the long-standing “petrodollar” system could be challenged by China’s yuan in future oil trade. The petrodollar system dates back to 1974, when the United States and Saudi Arabia agreed to price and trade oil using the US dollar. In return, the US committed to providing security and military support to the Gulf nation. Over time, other...

2026-04-07T11:02:58Z

PH stocks jump, peso strengthens to P59.43:$1 on US-Iran ceasefire

Philippine financial markets posted significant gains on Wednesday to hit nearly four-week highs, amid hopes of an easing conflict in the Middle East as the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 132.04 points or 2.22% to close at 6,089.91. This is the best showing of the local stock barometer since it closed at 6,113.58 on March 12, 2026. The broader All Shares index gained 65.00...

2026-04-08T11:02:58Z

Apple hires Uber’s Asia-Pacific government relations chief

Apple Inc. has hired Uber Technologies Inc.’s head of public policy and government relations for Asia-Pacific as it looks to revamp its supply chains in the region.

2026-04-11T02:12:05Z

Italy to limit number of Sinochem directors on Pirelli board

The Italian government has taken steps to limit the number of directors that China’s Sinochem Group can appoint to the board of Pirelli & C SpA as it seeks to protect the tiremaker’s access to the US market, according to people familiar with the matter.

2026-04-10T21:57:02Z

Jury reaches no verdict on first day deliberating at Live Nation ticket monopoly trial

NEW YORK (AP) — A jury finished its first day of deliberations Friday without reaching a verdict in an antitrust case pitting 34 states against the concert giant Live Nation Entertainment. The states argue in the civil case that the company and its ticketing arm, Ticketmaster, are monopolizing the industry and driving up prices to see live music. L...

2026-04-10T15:39:53Z

Mythos AI alarm bells: Fair warning or marketing hype?

Anthropic postponing the release of its new AI model Claude Mythos, said to be so skilled at coding it could be a wicked weapon for hackers, has encountered a mix of alarm and skepticism. Meyers saw embedding a tiny AI model directly into malicious code infecting networks as a natural tactic to be explored by hackers.

2026-04-10T22:11:19Z

Home sellers break worrying record

More than one third of home sellers in the U.S. cut their asking price in February, as they deal with cautious buyers.

2026-04-11T13:23:45Z

Federal court hears new case against Trump's latest global tariffs

NEW YORK (AP) — The centerpiece of President Donald Trump's economic policy — sweeping taxes on global imports — is under legal assault again. The U.S. Court of International Trade, a specialized court in New York, heard oral arguments Friday in an attempt to overturn the temporary tariffs Trump turned to after the Supreme Court in February struck ...

2026-04-10T16:05:00Z

Gov’t allots P1B for service contracting

The Philippine government has allocated an initial P1 billion for a two-week service contracting program for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators starting April 15, 2026, with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) seeking an additional P5 billion to extend it until July. According to DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez, the P1-billion initial funding will be sourced from the 2026 budget of the agency for service contracting. The...

2026-04-10T04:02:58Z

Tribal gas stations offer a reprieve from high prices during Iran war

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Junelle Lewis was on the hunt for a reprieve from Seattle-area gas prices driven high by the Iran war when an app on her phone gave her the answer: the Tulalip Reservation north of the city, almost half an hour from her home. She didn’t hesitate. “I purposely drove here just for the gas,” Lewis said while filling up her C...

2026-04-11T04:21:44Z

The NFL faces increased federal scrutiny as more games shift to streaming

The NFL is facing increased scrutiny from the federal government over the league's moves to put more games on streaming services. The Justice Department is investigating the NFL for potential anticompetitive practices. A government official, who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation by name and spoke on condition of anonymity, said...

2026-04-10T20:46:29Z

Map reveals top 10 cities where home prices increased most

House prices increased the most in Toledo, Ohio; Lincoln, Nebraska; and San Francisco, California, between 2025 and 2026.

2026-04-10T15:33:28Z

BRB gets $3 billion offer for master assets, government says

Banco de Brasilia SA’s controlling shareholder said the lender received an offer of 15 billion reais ($3 billion) for assets it obtained from Banco Master SA, as it seeks fresh capital to plug a hole left by its transactions with the failed bank.

2026-04-10T21:16:36Z

Nexstar to replace local network news segments with NewsNation

Nexstar Media Group Inc., the largest owner of local television stations in the US, has embarked on a sweeping effort to limit the reach of national networks like ABC, NBC and CBS through its affiliate stations across the country, according to a regulatory document and people with knowledge of the matter.

2026-04-10T22:51:42Z

FDI net inflows hit four-month low in January — BSP data

Net inflows of foreign direct investments fell to a four-month low in January as investor sentiment was weighed by geopolitical risks, data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Friday showed. Central bank data showed that FDI net inflows stood at $443 million in January, lower than the $560 million the previous month and $729 million the same month last year. This is also the lowest since September 2025’s $316 million. “This...

2026-04-10T06:02:59Z

PEN America launches a US safety program for authors facing harassment

NEW YORK (AP) — A coalition of publishers and literary agencies are teaming with PEN America on an initiative meant to counter a growing trend of harassment against members of the literary community. PEN America, the century-old free expression organization, announced Friday that it was launching the U.S. Safety Program, which would provide safety ...

2026-04-10T13:19:59Z

Aldi worker lays into customers: "Follow our system or shop somewhere else"

Worker frustrations highlight challenges balancing efficiency rules with everyday customer behavior.

2026-04-10T11:13:33Z

Judge bars Arizona from regulating prediction market operators and pauses prosecution of Kalshi

PHOENIX (AP) — A federal judge on Friday temporarily barred Arizona from enforcing its gambling laws against predictive market operators and put the brakes on a criminal wagering case that the state has filed against Kalshi. U.S. District Judge Michael Liburdi's ruling means a Monday arraignment hearing for Kalshi has been called off. State prosecu...

2026-04-10T23:16:46Z

Lessons learned in '70s have made the US and world economies less vulnerable to oil shocks

WASHINGTON (AP) — The world economy is experiencing a disorienting flashback to the 1970s. Oil prices are once again surging in the wake of war in the Middle East, driving up the cost of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel and threatening a return to stagflation – the toxic mix of higher prices and slower growth that made economic life so miserable a hal...

2026-04-12T09:01:59Z

EU, US near critical minerals deal to combat Chinese control

The European Union and US are nearing an agreement to coordinate on producing and securing critical minerals, part of a push to break reliance on Chinese supplies.

2026-04-10T08:56:22Z

Man arrested for throwing Molotov cocktail at Altman’s home

San Francisco police arrested a man on Friday for throwing a Molotov cocktail at the home of OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman. No one was injured.

2026-04-10T18:06:34Z

Mexico central bank taps Heffner to be new chief economist

Mexico’s central bank has tapped Aldo Heffner Rodriguez as its new chief economist, filling a role that has been vacant for half a year.

2026-04-11T06:56:58Z

OpenAI accuses Musk of 'ambush' as $100 billion-plus trial looms

OpenAI says Elon Musk has suddenly changed direction on what he’s seeking in his lawsuit against the startup in a “legal ambush” just weeks before trial.

2026-04-11T05:36:34Z

Couple excited about 'perfect' house—until they meet neighbors

A homebuyer faces a tough decision after early encounters reveal possible neighbor conflicts before closing on a dream property.

2026-04-10T10:43:42Z

Warren seeks US probe of 'suspicious' wartime oil trades

US Senator Elizabeth Warren is asking the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to investigate “unusual trading patterns” in oil futures that took place immediately preceding Trump administration announcements of a potential ceasefire in the Iran war.

2026-04-10T19:41:06Z

Gas prices in US jump 21% in March—largest monthly increase since 1967

The extent to which gas prices surged amid the Iran war was revealed in a new report released on Friday.

2026-04-10T16:53:08Z

Food prices deliver unexpected boost for Americans

Despite fears of increases, food prices remained flat from February to March. But US shoppers are not out of the woods just yet.

2026-04-11T10:43:46Z

Federal judge extends restraining order on $6.2B merger of local TV giants Nexstar and Tegna

A federal judge on Friday extended an emergency restraining order on a $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna for one week while he decides whether a longer block on the deal is needed. Eight state attorneys general and DirecTV sued to block the merger between the local television giants, arguing that it would raise consumer pric...

2026-04-10T16:11:45Z

Domestic Indian migrants weigh return home in energy crunch

Domestic migrants in India, who often travel thousands of kilometres for work are weighing up whether to leave New Delhi for good as energy resources choked by the Middle East war dwindle. For domestic migrants, that is back in their home village.

2026-04-12T03:35:22Z

What to do if money sent to wrong number? GCash outlines steps

Globe-backed fintech firm GCash on Wednesday said reversing money transfer to a wrong account needs to undergo due process. The mobile wallet issued a statement following a viral post involving the transfer of P13,000 to a wrong GCash number, which was resolved following intervention by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). “A recent viral post about an incorrect money transfer has sparked a much needed conversation about financial...

2026-04-08T06:02:58Z

DPWH eyes bidding for Maharlika Highway rehabilitation in April 2026

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is targeting to start the bidding for the massive rehabilitation of the over 3,000-kilometer Pan-Philippine Highway popularly known as the Maharlika Highway, within the month. “We have not started [the bidding] yet… but we’re eyeing it this month as well,” Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon told reporters at the sidelines of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) general membership...

2026-04-08T10:03:01Z

Harvard’s Kreiman seeks $100 million to build AI memory tech

A new artificial intelligence lab spun out of Harvard University is in talks with investors to raise about $100 million, according to people familiar with the matter, to pursue a mission that sounds like science fiction: “a world where humans can remember everything.”

2026-04-10T20:11:36Z

Nevada police may be tracking your phone's location without a warrant. Here's how.

Nevada quietly signed an agreement earlier this year with a company that collects location data from cellphones, allowing police to track a device virtually in real time — all without a warrant. The software from Fog Data Science, adopted this January in Nevada through a Department of Public Safety contract, pulls information from smartphone apps i...

2026-04-10T20:31:27Z

Inflation jumps to highest level seen under Trump as approval ratings crater

U.S. inflation jumped to 3.3 percent, the highest of Donald Trump’s presidency, as gas prices surged amid Iran war.

2026-04-10T12:53:48Z

PH foreign reserves down to $107.5B in March 2026 — BSP data

The Philippines foreign liquidity buffer declined in March, its lowest in about a year, data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed. The country’s gross international reserves (GIR)—a measure of the ability to settle import payments and settle foreign debt—stood at $107.511 billion as of end-March, down from $113.264 billion as of end-February. Sought for comment, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort...

2026-04-08T03:02:57Z

Explainer: What are credit ratings?

Credit ratings are similar to financial report cards and indicate how likely a borrower, such as the Philippines is able to repay its debts. Credit watchers such as Fitch Ratings, Moody’s, and S&P Global Ratings provide their ratings using letter grades, which investors then use to decide where to invest their money. A higher credit rating is seen as more favorable, as this indicates a better perception of lenders. Different credit watchers use...

2026-04-09T14:03:01Z

Property taxes jump across US—what it means for homeowners

The Northeast and Midwest had the highest property tax burdens in the country in 2025.

2026-04-10T14:43:58Z

Former OpenAI Stargate leaders plan to join Meta Platforms

Three key players in OpenAI’s massive effort to set up hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of artificial intelligence data center capacity are joining Meta Platforms Inc., according to people familiar with the matter.

2026-04-11T02:12:00Z

Higher power rates loom in April on higher WESM costs

Electricity consumers across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao should brace for higher bills this month due to an increase in spot market prices resulting from lower supply seen last month. In a statement on Wednesday, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP)—the private operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM)—said tighter supply margins seen in March resulted in a systemwide average market price...

2026-04-08T12:02:58Z

Tariff refund tool will go live on April 20, US Customs says

Importers seeking tariff refunds will be able to begin filing their requests on April 20, US Customs and Border Protection said Friday.

2026-04-10T20:31:32Z

DOTr eyes unified grand central station completion by Q2 2027

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting to complete the construction of the Unified Grand Central Station (UGCS) Project—a common station linking three major rapid transit lines in Metro Manila—by the second quarter of 2027. Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez bared this in his keynote speech at the Management Association of the Philippines’ general membership meeting in Taguig City on Wednesday. “Last year, we had to terminate...

2026-04-08T11:02:59Z

NYC’s car capital stung by high gas prices, GOP lawmaker says

Motorists in Staten Island, the borough with the highest percentage of car ownership in New York City, are getting hit by soaring gas prices resulting from the US war in Iran, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis said.

2026-04-10T20:11:31Z

Don’t expect to feel effects of peso appreciation right away — economist

Do not expect the effects of the peso’s appreciation against the US dollar to be felt immediately, especially as the prices of fuel and other goods that have already increased, an economist said. The Philippine peso strengthened following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, gaining 90 centavos to close at P59.43:$1 from Tuesday’s finish of P60.33:$1 to mark its best showing since March 12, 2026 when it...

2026-04-08T14:03:00Z

DOE: PH lacks sufficient oil storage capacity

The Philippines cannot simply keep buying large volumes of oil to build up reserves due to limited storage capacity, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Wednesday. In Chino Gaston’s report on "24 Oras," the DOE noted that it remains uncertain whether the recent decline in global crude oil prices—driven by a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran—will translate into lower local fuel prices. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin told...

2026-04-08T15:02:59Z

'Stop hiring humans'? Silicon Valley confronts AI job panic

AI industry insiders want workers to code smarter, think harder and lean into their humanity -- but still dodge the question of how many jobs artificial intelligence will destroy. In his view, coding is not an obsolete skill -- AI has simply made it available to more people.

2026-04-12T01:41:16Z