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Wall St mixed as benchmark Treasury yields reach 5%, oil takes a pause

NEW YORK — Wall Street was mixed on Friday as benchmark U.S. Treasury yields topped 5 percent, and crude prices reversed earlier gains but remained above $100 per barrel, keeping inflation worries front and center. Investors approached the end of a week that was essentially split in two: first, restless anticipation in the days before the U.S. Federal Reserve's widely expected interest rate hike, and then the aftermath of that decision. A semiconductor rally helped the Nasdaq evade the broader selloff, which pulled the S&P 500 and the Dow marginally lower. The S&P 500 is on track to end the session with a weekly loss, while the tech-laden Nasdaq is on course to end nominally higher than last Friday's close. The blue-chip Dow is headed for its biggest weekly percentage decline since March. Inflation concerns remained prominent as crude prices stayed above $100 per barrel, but they paused their upward climb after China, at the request of Saudi Arabia, asked Iran to limit attacks by Houthi rebels on Saudi oil infrastructure. Soaring oil prices have sent diesel prices to record levels, whic

Trump extends push for $100,000 H-1B visas by another year

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump has extended an executive order that would impose a fee of $100,000 for H-1B non-immigrant visas by another year, the White House said on Friday. U.S. employers seeking to hire skilled foreign workers can use the federal government's H-1B visa program for a fee, allowing tech and other professionals from abroad to work in the United States for a few years. Trump, who has pursued an aggressive immigration crackdown, has criticized the program and wants to permanently raise the fee from between $2,000 and $5,000 to at least $100,000, though the attempt has faced legal challenges. A Boston-based appeals court is reviewing a June decision by a federal judge who deemed the higher fee imposed by the Trump administration illegal and blocked the government from collecting it. Another court is considering whether a judge properly rejected a challenge to the fee by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest U.S. business lobbying group. Trump's initial order for a fee hike, first released in September 2025, was set to expire this month. It did not apply to

US Treasury's Bessent to discuss AI, rare earths with China's He, source says

WASHINGTON — U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent plans to discuss artificial intelligence (AI), trade, rare earths and economic issues when he meets with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York City this weekend, according to a source familiar with his plans. The discussions are significant because the U.S. and China are the two major forces driving development of advanced AI tools and the global adoption of the technology. Rare earths play a crucial role in the manufacturing of technology. Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and He will meet on Sunday in New York ahead of a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24 in Washington, Greer's office said in a statement. "The Trump Administration will continue to pursue balanced trade with China by monitoring the implementation of recent commitments, optimizing trade in non-sensitive goods, and improving market access for American farmers, manufacturers, and workers," Greer said in the statement. Bessent said in a separate statement that he expects the discussions to cover

Scottish gran thought she won a horse, then discovered £15 ticket had won her a £4m Cornwall mansion

A 72-year-old Scottish grandmother thought she had won a horse after being contacted by Omaze, only to discover her £15 entry had won a £4 million Cornwall mansion. The mortgage-free property comes with £250,000 cash and £200,000 in furnishings, leaving Mary Dickson and husband John stunned by their life-changing prize.

Brighton v Arsenal LIVE: Champions face early Premier League test against high-flying Seagulls

Brighton face Arsenal in an early meeting of two in-form teams in the Premier League

Four in 10 Brexit backers want UK to strengthen defence ties with Europe, new poll shows

Exclusive: Impact of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on global security means Andy Burnham’s Brexit ‘red lines’ are putting the UK at risk, Lib Dems say on the first day of their annual conference in Brighton

Riyadh airport: Explosions, black smoke and flight disrupt after Saudi ‘hostile aerial threat’ alert amid Houthi attacks

Saudi authorities did not identify the source of the threat or say whether any incoming missile or drone had been intercepted. The alert marked the first such warning for Riyadh since the latest escalation involving Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group began in July.

Netflix axes popular drama leaving fans devastated

Netflix has cancelled the romantic drama series Sweet Magnolias after five seasons.

US military AI failure reportedly ‘almost started a war’ with China

Millwall goalkeeper alleges he was spat at by West Ham’s Taty Castellanos

Goalkeeper Filip Marschall alleged that he was spat at by the forward Taty during an altercation between the players in the second half

James Bond author shares his verdict on 007 frontrunner

Jakob Ingebrigtsen pipped to gold in thrilling World Road Running Championships

The Norwegian was unable to claim a third major title this season after 5000m gold in the European Championships and at the Ultimate Championships