The U.S. Navy will begin escorting vessels through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as it is “militarily possible,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with Sky News, addressing shipping safety in one of the world’s most strategic waterways amid the Iran war. Bessent’s comments, reported by Sky News and carried by…

Washington lawmakers are moving closer to creating a new income tax aimed at the state’s highest earners, after the state House approved a proposal commonly described as a “millionaires tax.” The bill now heads to the Senate, where it will face further debate and a confirmation vote. The House action followed an extended floor debate…

Bumble is preparing to launch an AI dating assistant called “Bee,” expanding its app with new tools aimed at helping users navigate the dating process. The assistant, branded as Bee, is tied to a broader AI dating experience Bumble is testing. Recent reports describe the company’s plans as a shift toward a more guided, AI-supported…

A shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia left two people injured and the gunman dead, according to published reports. The incident prompted an immediate law enforcement response on and around the campus. Reports from multiple outlets said the two injured people survived and were taken for medical care. The gunman was reported dead at…

Iran has carried out attacks targeting commercial ships, Dubai’s airport and oil facilities in the Gulf region, a sharp escalation that comes as economic concerns mount inside the country and as international pressure grows for Tehran to halt strikes on its neighbors. The attacks have focused on key nodes of global commerce and energy: shipping…

Rivian’s upcoming R2 electric vehicle will begin deliveries this spring with a launch model priced around $58,000, setting the starting point for what the company has described as a more affordable next step in its lineup. The initial R2 variant is expected to carry a price tag of $58,000, according to recent reports. Bloomberg pegged…

A Russian court has convicted 19 people in connection with the deadly 2024 attack on a Moscow concert hall, according to reports from multiple news outlets. The case centers on the mass-casualty assault that struck a major concert venue in Moscow in 2024. The attack, widely described as one of the deadliest in the Russian…

Google is adding a new artificial intelligence feature to Google Maps called “Ask Maps,” expanding how users can interact with the app by letting them ask more complex, natural-language questions about navigation and getting around. The update centers on “Ask Maps,” a tool that allows people to pose questions in everyday language instead of relying…

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the United States is “not ready” to escort commercial tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring limits on what the U.S. Navy can provide to the shipping industry in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. Wright’s comments come as shipping companies and energy markets watch security conditions in…

Google Play is expanding its gaming lineup and adding new features aimed at helping users discover, try, and play more titles across devices, including PCs. The update includes additional paid games and PC games, game trials, new community-style posts, and other changes rolling out across the Play experience. Google’s Play Store has long been a…

Oil prices climbed back above $100 a barrel, rattling global markets as Iran struck economic targets across the Middle East and renewed concerns about energy supplies and shipping. The move pushed benchmark crude back into triple-digit territory, a level not seen in recent months, and put immediate pressure on businesses and consumers facing higher fuel…

Brent crude climbed to $100 a barrel on Tuesday as traders pushed prices higher amid persistent concerns about Middle East supply disruptions, even after new plans to release oil from strategic reserves failed to calm the market. The move marked a fresh escalation in energy costs tied to the widening conflict involving Iran. The benchmark’s…