Business

President Trump announced a two-week suspension of U.S. attacks on Iran after receiving a 10-point proposal, and Iran said it would halt defensive operations if attacks cease. Despite the ceasefire taking effect, several Gulf countries reported incoming missiles and drones and activated air defenses.

A law school graduate reported living in her parents' 230-square-foot accessory dwelling unit after finishing school because Los Angeles housing costs and debt made renting unaffordable; her parents said they spent about $125,000 to build the unit.

The SBA's Lower Rio Grande Valley District has named winners for National Small Business Week and will honor them at a May 6 ceremony in Weslaco.

Iran's foreign minister said Tehran would stop its "defensive operations" and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz was "possible" for the next two weeks, and oil prices fell below $100 per barrel, prompting a relief rally and lower U.S. Treasury yields.

Foreign ministers and officials from more than 40 countries met to press Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; they agreed to increase diplomatic pressure at the United Nations, explore sanctions options, and share information with shipping operators.

Southwest Airlines has begun service at Charles M. Schulz‑Sonoma County Airport with nonstop routes to cities including Las Vegas, Burbank, San Diego and Denver, and local leaders say the new service is expected to increase travelers and economic activity in Sonoma County.

A free‑roaming Olaf animatronic debuted at the World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris, and a March 30 video showing the character losing its carrot nose went viral; Walt Disney Imagineering says Olaf will appear at parks worldwide and on Disney cruise ships.

A British Airways flight from London to Houston diverted to St. John's on March 31 after a reported medical emergency and later developed a technical fault, leaving passengers delayed and housed in local hotels.

A University of Alberta student group asked the province to limit online gambling advertising and lower betting limits as Bill 48 moves forward, and Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said the bill includes funding for responsible-gambling programs and a system-wide self-exclusion tool.

The IEA's executive director says the fuel shortfall tied to the war with Iran has already exceeded the combined losses of the 1973, 1979 and 2022 crises, and leaders from the IEA, IMF and World Bank will meet next Monday to discuss coordination and support.

Dan Simpson, a 68-year-old part-time Domino's driver in Boise, bought a Diet Coke for a visually impaired customer after the store ran out; a Ring video of the gesture went viral and a fundraiser raised tens of thousands of dollars.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the Iran war has increased the risk of higher inflation and weaker global growth, prompting the IMF to prepare cuts to its growth forecasts; Georgieva will address the situation at next week’s IMF–World Bank spring meetings.

Early data show more consumers researching electric vehicles and hybrids as gas prices rise, while higher upfront vehicle costs and the end of federal EV tax credits are limiting how many buyers can act.

SpaceX is reported to be targeting a $2 trillion valuation for a planned IPO, and shares of Rocket Lab, Planet Labs and AST SpaceMobile rose after the news.

South Korea is sending its chief of staff to Kazakhstan, Oman and Saudi Arabia to secure crude oil and naphtha after disruptions linked to Iran in the Strait of Hormuz; Seoul also reached an agreement with the United Arab Emirates for 24 million barrels of crude and initial shipments have arrived.

Deere will pay $99 million into a settlement fund for eligible farmers and provide digital repair tools for large agricultural equipment for 10 years; the proposed agreement requires a federal judge's approval.

NFL officials say free activities and exhibits will fill Point State Park and the North Shore during draft weekend, including a red carpet, autograph stage, locker room and Hall of Fame exhibits; officials also emphasized registering via the NFL One Pass App for schedule and map details.

Yemen's Houthi rebels said they coordinated with Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah to launch an attack on Israeli sites; the World Health Organization verified 92 attacks on health facilities in Lebanon, and Lebanese authorities say 1,497 people have been killed, including 57 health workers.

A Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction report released April 6 found about 5,260 educator program completers in 2023–24 and roughly 1,700 did not begin teaching in Wisconsin; the report also notes many new teachers leave within their first three years.

An AEI analysis of U.S. Census data finds about 31% of households now qualify as upper middle class, making it the largest income group, based on family income trends from 1979 through 2024.

Warren Buffett stepped down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO on December 31 but still goes into the office daily and remains involved in investment decisions; Greg Abel is now CEO and the two speak frequently.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah formally recognized Bookme as a strategic partner after signing an agreement to enable end-to-end digital issuance of Umrah visas for Pakistani pilgrims, integrated with Saudi government systems.

The Treasury said BNY Mellon will be the financial agent and Robinhood the brokerage and initial trustee for new Trump accounts, which will begin accepting deposits in July. The IRS reports four million children are enrolled and about one million qualify for a $1,000 federal seed contribution.

Many card issuers let parents add teenagers as authorized users so account activity appears on the teen's credit report. The primary cardholder remains responsible for charges, and both positive and negative activity can affect the teen's credit.

Volatile, higher gold prices have pushed up engagement ring costs and led some couples to delay purchases, increase use of financing or repurpose heirloom gold; jewelers report faster quote changes and shifts toward lower‑karat or alternative metals.

An Iranian missile strike on a residential building in Haifa killed two people, and Lebanese officials said Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed at least 15 people.

A retired miner in Datong now runs a lamb-skewer restaurant for tourists, and the article reports that China is prioritizing renewable energy over coal, prompting changes for mining workers.

U.S. officials said they rescued an injured American airman from Iran with no U.S. casualties, and leaders and agencies reported strikes and threats across Iran, Israel, Lebanon and Gulf states.

Two Wake County parents were arrested and charged after authorities reported alleged abuse of their six children; they appeared in court and are being held without bond.

A passenger on Caribbean Airlines Flight BW005 went into labor and gave birth as the plane was about to land at JFK; crew reported the situation over air traffic control and requested assistance. The airline said the mother and newborn were attended by medical personnel after arrival.