Trump’s ‘forever’ tariffs are kicking in for the long haul – and US consumers are footing the bill

President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements no longer cause the market gyrations that they did in 2025. But their sticker shock for American consumers is becoming increasingly clear – just as economic sentiment is souring ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. Many business groups had hoped that the tariff wars would end in February, when […]

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China is shaping the future of open-source technology – including AI

As you read this article on your computer or smartphone, you are almost certainly using open-source technology in some way. It forms the foundation of the global digital economy, from operating systems and web servers to databases and encryption protocols. While the United States and Europe have led the development of open-source technology, China is […]

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As oil profits skyrocket, calls for windfall taxes rise

When Chevron reported its highest quarterly profit in six years on July 31, 2026, it was just one detail in a larger picture: Analyst firm Wood Mackenzie estimates the global oil and gas industry is on course for a cash windfall of US$495 billion in 2026. That’s profit above and beyond what the industry expected […]

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Layoffs tied to AI hurt worker productivity – and the reason may surprise managers

Business leaders and investors face a deepening paradox: Companies are pouring more money into artificial intelligence than ever, but they’re not seeing the gains in productivity that they expect. Even CEOs are starting to admit this disconnect. One Atlanta Federal Reserve study found that about 90% of executives believe AI has not yet boosted productivity […]

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A little-remembered Gilded Age millionaire helped make milk safe for American kids through his ‘retail giving’

The 1844 edition of the widely used schoolbook written by William H. McGuffey, “Newly Revised Eclectic Fourth Reader,” includes a dialogue about the difference between “true and false philanthropy”: Mr. Fantom: I despise a narrow field. O for the reign of universal benevolence! I want to make all mankind good and happy. Mr. Goodman: Dear […]

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US employers are relying more and more on ‘disposable’ workers

When I leave my Boston condo every day, I say good morning to the concierge, who works for a contracting company providing staff to residential buildings. When I conduct an interview in a nearby building, the people who clean that office at night are contractors. The person who serves me my lunch sandwich is a […]

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The typical gig worker is changing – and struggling more than ever to make ends meet

The next time you call an Uber ride or order food delivery with an app, there’s a good chance that the gig worker you meet is getting government benefits. In 2025, companies such as DoorDash, Lyft and Uber had the most workers receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits among all major employers, according to a […]

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Trump administration’s Freedom 250 organization allegedly misdirected donors away from bipartisan America250 charity

Funding and planning for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence fell largely to two nonprofits with similar names: America250 and Freedom 250. That similarity has sowed a lot of confusion over who was in charge of which celebrations. And according to a report House Democrats released on July 2, 2026, […]

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How new SNAP restrictions could hit Greater Pittsburgh’s food access and economy

Food assistance is one of the most effective tools for fighting poverty in America. New federal rules are testing that reputation. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, helps low-income people afford groceries. The program’s benefits reach far beyond the grocery bill, with research linking the program to better outcomes for K-12 students […]

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What critics of college athletes making money get wrong about name, image and likeness policies

A lot has changed since college athletes began earning compensation in 2021. A small percentage have become rich due to their talent and marketability. The vast majority, however, have earned much more modest additional income, if any at all. But one thing hasn’t changed: Opponents of college students cashing in on marketing their name, image […]

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