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U.S. job openings were unchanged at 6.9 million

U.S. job openings were essentially unchanged at 6.9 million in March, another sign the American labor remained sluggish even before the full impact of the Iran war hit the economy. The job market has been up and down so far this year after a dismal 2025. And the Iran war has clouded the outlook. On Tuesday, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed that layoffs rose in March. But hiring improved and more people quit their jobs — a sign of confidence in the economy. Job openings have come down more or less steadily since peaking at a record 12.3 million in March 2022 as the ...

Shipping firms being whipsawed as they wait for Hormuz to open

NEW YORK — With hundreds of vessels still stuck in the Persian Gulf and costs piling up, shipping companies are being whipsawed by uncertainty over how and when the Strait of Hormuz might reopen more than two months into the Iran war. On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced “Project Freedom,” a way for the U.S. to “guide” ships to exit the strait. Two ships made the transit, but by Tuesday Trump abruptly paused the effort to allow time for a deal to end the war. Meanwhile, the risks for ships and crew haven’t faded. A cargo container ship operated by the CMA CGM Group ...

Ticker: Lower-income Americans hit hardest by gas prices

Lower-income Americans sharply reduced their gas consumption in the month following the Iran war, yet spiking prices still forced them to spend more at the pump, worsening the economy’s disparities, new research released Wednesday showed. Higher-income households, meanwhile, ratcheted up their spending on gas while barely reducing their consumption, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Middle-income households fell in-between. Hopes for strait reopening push Asian shares higher Asian shares are sharply higher and the price of crude oil was holding above ...

Tribes sue to halt drilling near sacred Black Hills site

Nine Native American tribes in South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska are suing the federal government in a bid to stop exploratory drilling for graphite near a sacred site in the Black Hills. A small group of opponents has been demonstrating at the drilling location and at the mining company’s headquarters in what they call a land defense effort since they learned ground was broken on the drilling project in late April. The tribes filed their federal lawsuit Thursday in South Dakota against the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture, alleging the agencies violated ...

Actors, studios reach tentative deal

LOS ANGELES — Union board members representing television and movie actors are set this week to review a tentative contract deal with studios and streaming services. While an agreement was announced Saturday, it still must be approved by the board of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, then ratified by a member vote. If both those things happen — as they’re expected to — the industry will avoid a repeat of the 2023 actor and writer strikes that seriously shook the entertainment industry. This year’s negotiations were drama-free, and ...

Briefcase: Sweet Spot Creamery opens

DUNCANSVILLE The Sweet Spot Creamery, 1524 Third Ave., Duncansville, behind Coffee on 3rd, is now open for business. The Sweet Spot Creamery, featuring Penn State Creamery ice cream, is a partnership between the Hollidaysburg Area School District and Coffee on 3rd. The school district ran a mentor program for seven students who created the business. Coffee on 3rd owner Ashlyn Dugan is the owner of The Sweet Spot Creamery and provided the space for the Hollidaysburg School District program. The Creamery will be staffed by students. BELLWOOD Job fair set for library Pennsylvania ...