Business

Will tariffs reduce trade deficits? Experts weigh in

Feb. 14, 2025

President Donald Trump has spent his first few weeks in office rolling out his trade agenda, which has thus far focused on increasing tariffs. Part of that strategy is Trump's belief that tariffs will help reduce trade deficits. After his initial announcement of 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, Trump said the countries "have to balance out their trade" with the U.S. for him to consider not implementing those tariffs, which are currently delayed until at least March after the two countries announced border security measures. "We have deficits with almost every country – not every country, but almost – and we're going to change it," the president added about America's broader trade deficit. Trump has also announced higher tariffs on products imported from China and is planning to impose reciprocal tariffs on foreign trading partners after a review that's expected to conclude by April 1.

Business

Court blocks Biden admin's airline fee transparency rule: What passengers should know

Feb. 14, 2025

The Department of Transportation (DOT), which argued that travelers were overpaying for their fares due to the so-called "junk fees," claimed in a report that the rule would have saved consumers more than $500 million annually. In contrast, the trade group for the country's largest airlines contended that there was nothing in the department's findings that proved the rule would help consumers, even saying that it would interfere with airlines' efforts to meet customer needs. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit didn't side with either argument. Instead, it ruled that the DOT "failed to fully comply with the requirements" under the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs the process by which federal agencies develop and issue regulations. The court still upheld the department’s right to impose such rules and instead sent the matter back to the DOT so airlines and others could comment on the cost savings that the department estimated would benefit passengers by making certain fees more transparent.

International News

Hamas official says the militant group will release three hostages on Saturday

Feb. 14, 2025

Hamas will free three hostages — Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Alexander Troufanov and Iair Horn — on Saturday, a spokesperson for the militant group said Friday. Abu Obaida, a spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing Al Qassam Brigades, told NBC News on Friday that Hamas will release the three hostages according to the terms of the ceasefire deal it brokered with Israel on Jan. 19.

Entertainment

Prince William steals kiss from Kate Middleton in rare Valentine’s Day photo

Feb. 14, 2025

Prince William and Kate Middleton are putting their love on display in a rare romantic moment shared with the public. The royal couple marked Valentine’s Day with a sweet photo of the two, as Prince William is spotted stealing a kiss from the Princess of Wales. In the candid photograph, Kate is all smiles, hand in hand with William, as the Prince of Wales gives his loving wife a kiss on the cheek. The pair are seated on a quilted blanket with a woodsy background.

Weather

Las Vegas finally breaks its streak of 214 dry days — with 0.01 inches of rain

Feb. 14, 2025

LAS VEGAS — After 214 straight days with no measurable rain, a drizzle finally came to the Las Vegas Valley. The National Weather Service on Thursday officially measured 0.01 inches of rain at Harry Reid International Airport, snapping one of the longest dry streaks in the city’s recorded history.

Entertainment

What to watch: Oh Captain, my captain

Feb. 14, 2025

Love movies? Live for TV? USA TODAY's Watch Party newsletter has all the best recommendations, delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now and be one of the cool kids. Happy Valentine's Day, Watch Party crew! It's a day all about loves and here's one of mine: I heart Captain America.

Weather

Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Zelia slams Australia's iron ore hub

Feb. 14, 2025

SYDNEY — Tropical Cyclone Zelia made landfall on Australia’s west coast on Friday, the weather bureau said, lashing the world’s largest iron ore hub with heavy rain and wind gusts up to 180 miles an hour. The eye of the storm crossed the coast east of Port Hedland just after 12 p.m. (11 p.m. ET Thursday) as a category five cyclone, the highest rating on the scale.

Sports

Canadian hockey fans boo Team USA players, national anthem at 4 Nations tournament in Montreal

Feb. 14, 2025

The 4 Nations Face-Off began this week in Montreal, and Team USA is public enemy no. 1 up north. Team USA played its first game of the tournament on Thursday against Finland, a day after Canada defeated Sweden in overtime, and they were across enemy lines to start the tournament. As the team took the ice, the team was vigorously booed by the crowd, who continued to cheer on Finland all night.

International News

Ukraine launches major strikes on Russian cities

Feb. 14, 2025

Moscow said Tuesday that Ukraine had fired six U.S.-made ATACMS ballistic missiles, six UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles and at least 146 drones into Russia in an attack that it said would not go unanswered. After Ukraine first launched ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles into Russia last year, Moscow responded on Nov. 21 by launching a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile known as “Oreshnik,” or Hazel Tree, at Ukraine.

Sports

New York Giants ownership is exploring the possibility of selling minority stake in franchise

Feb. 14, 2025

The New York Giants ownership is considering the sale of a minority stake in the franchise, the team confirmed on Thursday. The Giants did not outline the percentage of the stake potentially for sale, but did confirm they had acquired the services of an investment bank to explore the opportunity. “The Mara and Tisch families have retained Moelis & Company to explore the potential sale of a minority, non-controlling stake in the New York Giants,” the Giants said in a statement sent to CNN.