Category Archives: WPTF News

US inflation held steady last month as tariff hit offset by cheaper gas, food

US inflation held steady last month as tariff hit offset by cheaper gas, food

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. inflation was unchanged in July as rising prices for some imported goods were balanced by falling gas and grocery prices, leaving overall prices modestly higher than a year ago. The figures suggest that slowing rent increases and cheaper gas are offsetting some impacts of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. Many businesses are also absorbing much of the cost of the duties. Tuesday’s figures likely include some impact from the 10% universal tariff Trump imposed in April, as well as higher duties on countries such as China and Canada.… Continue Reading

YouTube to begin testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the U.S.

YouTube to begin testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the U.S.

YouTube is ready to start testing a new age-verification system in the U.S. using artificial intelligence to distinguish between adults and minors based on their viewing habits. The tests, scheduled to being Wednesday, initially affect a small portion of YouTube’s U.S. audience. If successful, the system could become more widespread. It works when viewers are logged into their accounts, regardless of the birth date entered. If flagged as under 18, users face restrictions like privacy warnings and limited video recommendations. Concerns about privacy and free speech have been raised by digital rights groups. The political pressure for better age verification has increased since a recent Supreme Court decision.… Continue Reading

Texas is No. 1 in preseason AP Top 25 for first time, edging Penn St, Ohio St; 10 SEC teams ranked

Texas is No. 1 in preseason AP Top 25 for first time, edging Penn St, Ohio St; 10 SEC teams ranked

Texas is No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 for the first time. The Longhorns narrowly edged out Penn State in the closest preseason vote since 1998. Texas received 25 first-place votes, while Penn State received 23. The Nittany Lions have their highest preseason ranking since they were No. 1 to open 1997. The Southeastern Conference leads with 10 teams in the Top 25. The Big Ten has two of the top three teams for the third straight year. The Big 12 has four ranked teams and the ACC has three.… Continue Reading

Trump suggests he’ll know if Putin wants a peace deal with Ukraine soon into their meeting

Trump suggests he’ll know if Putin wants a peace deal with Ukraine soon into their meeting

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump says he expects to know quickly if a deal can be made with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to halt the war in Ukraine. Trump plans to meet Putin on Friday in Alaska. He suggested on Monday that he could know how serious Putin is within two minutes. He also refused to say if the meeting should involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and appeared dismissive of Zelenskyy’s role. European allies want Ukraine involved to prevent a deal favoring Moscow. Germany plans a separate, virtual meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy and other leaders to prepare for peace negotiations.… Continue Reading

Trump says he’s placing Washington police under federal control and deploying the National Guard

Trump says he’s placing Washington police under federal control and deploying the National Guard

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s placing the Washington, D.C., police department under federal control and deploying the National Guard to make the nation’s capital safer. Trump has promised to address homelessness and crime. Trump posted online Monday the nation’s capital would be “LIBERATED” and he’d end the “days of ruthlessly killing, or hurting, innocent people.” Last week, Trump directed an increased federal law enforcement presence in the city for seven days “with the option to extend as needed.” The Republican president’s claims are leading the city’s Democratic mayor to voice concerns about the potential use of the National Guard to patrol the streets.… Continue Reading

US stocks slip as Wall Street braces for an update on inflation

US stocks slip as Wall Street braces for an update on inflation

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks edged back from their record heights in Wall Street’s final moves before an upcoming update on inflation. The S&P 500 fell 0.3% after flirting with its all-time high earlier in the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.5%, and the Nasdaq shaved 0.3% off its record. The highlight of this week for Wall Street is likely to arrive on Tuesday, when the government will report how bad inflation was across the country in July. A hot reading could discourage the Federal Reserve from delivering the cuts to interest rates that President Donald Trump has been demanding.… Continue Reading

Judge denies request to unseal transcripts from grand jury that indicted Ghislaine Maxwell

Judge denies request to unseal transcripts from grand jury that indicted Ghislaine Maxwell

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge in New York has ruled transcripts of secret grand jury testimony in the sex trafficking case against Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell won’t be released. Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued his written ruling on Monday. The judge says releasing the transcripts would risk unraveling the foundations of secrecy upon which the grand jury is premised. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison term after her conviction on sex trafficking charges for helping procure girls for Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse. Maxwell recently was interviewed by the Department of Justice and was moved from a prison in Florida to a prison camp in Texas. Maxwell’s attorney says she testified truthfully.… Continue Reading

Walden: N.C. economy still strong despite national slowdown

Walden: N.C. economy still strong despite national slowdown

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — While the national economy shows signs of slowing, North Carolina remains in good shape, according to N.C. State University Economist Emeritus Dr. Mike Walden. Walden, the guest on this week’s Carolina Newsmakers, said tracking the effectiveness of tariffs is challenging and most economists did not expect the U.S. to be in its current position. He noted that President Donald Trump’s administration has taken a new approach to trade policy.… Continue Reading

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears is on the defensive in Virginia’s race for governor

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears is on the defensive in Virginia’s race for governor

HOPEWELL, Va. (AP) — Republican Winsome Earle-Sears says she’s running her campaign for Virginia governor like a military-style operation. And at this point, a few months away from the November election, it’s looking like a campaign on the defensive. The lieutenant governor is facing a Democratic Abigail Spanberger, a former congresswoman who has more campaign money and a unified party behind her. Earle-Sears has replaced a pastor with little political experience who had been her campaign manager. And her team has failed to gain traction with big money donors. An Earle-Sears victory would make her the first Black woman in U.S. history to serve as a governor.… Continue Reading

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