Biden hiking tariffs on Chinese EVs, solar cells, steel, aluminum — adding to tensions with Beijing
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is announcing plans to slap new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, advanced batteries, solar cells, steel, aluminum and medical equipment. It’s an election-year move that’s likely to increase friction between the world’s two largest economies. The tariffs come in the middle of a heated campaign between President Joe Biden and his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump. Both candidates are vying to show who’s tougher on China. White House officials say the tariffs will help thwart Beijing’s efforts to dominate the market for emerging technologies in ways that pose risks to U.S. national security and economic stability.
OpenAI launches GPTo, improving ChatGPT’s text, visual and audio capabilities
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — OpenAI has introduced a new artificial intelligence model. It says it works faster than previous versions and can reason across text, audio and video in real time. GPTo, short for “omni,” will power the company’s popular ChatGPT chatbot and will be available to users, including those who use the free version, in the coming weeks. The company announced the development during a short live-streamed update Monday. During a demonstration with Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati and other executives, the AI bot chatted in real time, adding emotion to its voice as requested. It helped with a simple math equation and a more complex coding problem on a computer screen.
US investigating Waymo autonomous vehicles after reports of crashes or possible traffic violations
DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government’s highway safety agency has opened another investigation of automated driving systems, this time into crashes involving Waymo’s self-driving vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the probe after getting 22 reports of Waymo vehicles either crashing or doing something that may have violated traffic laws. In the past month, the agency has opened at least four investigations of vehicles that can either drive themselves or take on at least some driving functions as it appears to be getting more aggressive in regulating the devices. In the probe of Waymo, formerly Google’s self-driving vehicle unit, the agency said it has reports of 17 crashes and five other reports of possible traffic law violations.
US energy panel approves rule to expand transmission of renewable power
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal energy regulators have approved a rule to expand the amount of renewable energy such as wind and solar power that is transmitted to the electric grid. Transmission of clean energy is a key part of President Joe Biden’s goal to eliminate carbon emissions economy-wide by 2050. Monday’s rule approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is intended to boost the nation’s aging power grid to meet surging demand fueled by huge data centers, electrification of vehicles and buildings, artificial intelligence and other uses. The increased demand comes as coal-fired power plants continue to retire and the grid is increasingly tested by extreme weather events driven by climate change.
US airlines are suing the Biden administration over a new rule to make certain fees easier to spot
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. airlines are trying to kill a new rule requiring them to disclose fees more quickly when consumers shop for flights. The airlines asked a federal appeals court to block the rule, which the Transportation Department issued last month. The rule requires better disclosure of fees on baggage and changing or canceling a reservation. The airlines say the new rule will confuse consumers by giving them too much information during the ticket-buying process. The Transportation Department said Monday it will defend the rule to crack down on what it calls “hidden junk fees.”
Home Depot’s sales continue to soften in 2024 as inflation, delayed start to spring weigh on sales
Home Depot’s sales continued to soften in the first quarter as the nation’s largest home improvement retailer not only was constrained by high mortgage rates and customers dealing with inflation concerns, but it also had to deal with a delayed start to spring. Sales slipped 2.3% to $36.42 billion for the period ended April 28, falling short of the $36.65 billion that analysts polled by Zacks Investment Research expected.
Arthur Irving, who grew his family’s oil business and was one of Canada’s richest men, dies at 93
SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick (AP) — Canadian billionaire Arthur L. Irving has died at 93 after a life spent growing the oil business his father founded. Irving was one of Canada’s richest citizens and the second-born son of Canadian industrialist K.C. Irving. The company said he died Monday surrounded by his family. Forbes Magazine listed Arthur Irving as being among the top 10 richest Canadians in 2023. At the time of his death, he had an estimated net worth of US$6.4 billion, which includes a Saint John, New Brunswick, refinery that is Canada’s largest, along with the Whitegate refinery in Ireland.
K-pop fans around globe rally for climate and environment goals
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Fans of Korean pop bands around the world are increasingly channeling their millions-strong online community into climate and environmental activism. One group, Kpop4Planet, has joined other climate organizations to rally K-pop fans for climate causes such as urging K-pop entertainers to cut back on waste, petitioning companies to drop business deals linked to coal and raising awareness about other climate-related issues. After Kpop4Planet petitioned South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co., it scrapped a deal linked to coal power plants in Indonesia. The ability to quickly organize a large, dedicated group has made K-pop fans an increasingly influential online lobby for protests and promotingyikes causes that have included the Black Lives Matter movement.
Stock market today: Global shares are mixed in muted trading after Wall Street barely budges
TOKYO (AP) — Global shares are mixed in muted trading after U.S. shares finished little changed. Investors are waiting for updates on inflation. Shares fell slightly in France and Germany in early trading, while gaining in Britain. U.S. futures were also little changed. Tokyo’s benchmark rose, but Chinese markets were flat ahead of an expected announcement by the Biden administration on raising tariffs on imports from China. The U.S. government will release its latest monthly update on consumer inflation this week. Other reports include updates on wholesale prices and sales at U.S. retailers. The U.S. dollar was trading about 156 yen.
Major agricultural firm sues California over farmworker unionization law
SAN DIEGO (AP) — One of California’s most influential agricultural companies has filed a lawsuit against the state to stop a contentious law that was meant to make it easier for farmworkers to unionize. Monday’s legal action by the Wonderful Co. comes as it battles the United Farm Workers over a newly formed UFW local at one of its businesses. The $6 billion company makes a host of products recognizable to most grocery store shoppers from Halos mandarins to Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice. It says the 2022 law is unconstitutional. The law replaces voting for a union at polling places and instead allows for employees to organize if half sign an authorization card.
