Jerome Powell, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, at a news conference after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 18, 2024. Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images This report is from today’s CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything…
Much of the heart of Hollywood is blanketed in thick smoke. You can barely see the tops of the towering palm trees that line streets here. It is utter chaos on the streets near the fire. People are using sweatshirts to cover their faces so they can breathe. Many are carrying bags and suitcases looking…
Elon Musk’s plan to host a chat with the leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on his X social media platform has angered European politicians— but they’ll struggle to stop him. The tech billionaire is set to speak on Thursday with Alice Weidel, head of the AfD — Germany’s far-right party. It is…
A mandatory evacuation order has been issued in the Hollywood Hills following the spread of the wildfires raging across Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) said there was an “immediate threat to life” in the area and that it was being legally closed to the public. At least five fires are currently active…
BBC Firefighters in Los Angeles are battling a number of blazes in city suburbs, as tens of thousands of residents are forced to flee. The rapidly changing situation is compounded by Santa Ana winds and extremely dry conditions. Currently authorities say there is no possibility of bringing some of the fires under control. The Palisades…
Singapore has the world’s most powerful passport, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index. The nation-state was one of six countries which tied for the top spot in 2024 in the list produced by the migration consultancy Henley & Partners, which ranks passports by the number of destinations that holders can access without needing a…
The Chinese government has expanded a list of products that people can trade in to get a discount of as much as 20% on new products as the country tries to boost its flagging economy. The list now includes items like microwave ovens, dishwashers, rice cookers and water purifiers. State-backed trade-in schemes already covered televisions,…
Residential homes in Discovery Bay, California, US, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. Mortgage rates in the US increased to the highest level since July. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Mortgage rates last week moved higher for the fourth week in a row. That caused already very weak mortgage demand to drop even…
The grill of a Rolls Royce motor car in view of residential properties in Mayfair in London, UK, on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images British luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce Motor Cars on Wednesday said it is investing over £300 million ($369.9 million) to expand its global headquarters, citing growing demand for…
Jerome Powell, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, during a news conference following a Federal Open Market Committee meeting in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images This report is from today’s CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed…
