Good morning! On this day in 1869, Transcontinental railroad travel became possible when the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads met in Promontory, Utah, connecting the eastern U.S. rail networks to the West Coast.
We hope you’ve done your Mother’s Day planning, but we know some people prefer to wing it at the last minute—which, of course, is now. Let us know how far in advance you do your planning by taking our Poll below.
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Trump Suggests Reducing China Tariffs
President Trump said Friday morning he was open to slashing tariffs on China’s goods to 80%, down from the 145% rate set earlier, as the two nations prepare to start trade talks this weekend.
The news comes as the first freight ships carrying Chinese cargo began arriving at ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, loaded with goods for Amazon, Home Depot, Ikea, Procter & Gamble, and others.
Trump said in a Truth Social post Friday that the ultimate tariff level was up to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who’s scheduled to meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Switzerland today to open negotiations.
Group Reveals Secret Iranian Nuke Facility
New satellite images have revealed an alleged secret Iranian nuclear weapons facility that’s been in operation for over a decade.
The newly identified site, code-named the “Rainbow Site,” is far from the nation’s already known nuclear facilities. The Iranian government, which denies the claims, says the site is a chemical production factory.
The allegations, including aerial photos, were made public by the National Council of Resistance of Iran, a group the Iranian government labels as a terrorist organization. The group says the site is “heavily fortified” with radar and air defense systems.
The U.S. is currently in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. Earlier this week, Vice President JD Vance said the talks remain on track.
List: Most Reliable Used Car Brands
Seven Japanese automakers ranked among the top 10 most reliable used car brands for 2025, with Lexus taking the top spot.
Over 150,000 five- to 10-year-old vehicles from 26 brands were analyzed across 20 potential trouble areas and assigned an overall reliability rating
Lexus topped the reliability rankings with a score of 81, followed by parent company Toyota with a score of 74.
American manufacturers Buick and Cadillac ranked No. 6 and No. 10 with scores of 53 and 48, respectively, while Volvo, scoring 49, was the only other non-Japanese brand in the top 10 at No. 7. See the full list of reliable cars here.
➤ Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, appointed by President George H.W. Bush, died Thursday at age 85. Though appointed by a Republican president, he voted regularly with the court’s liberal wing. (More)
➤ The Department of Defense has begun removing 1,000 transgender service members and given others 30 days to self-identify and voluntarily remove themselves, two days after the Supreme Court declined to block the move. (See Details)
➤ President Trump says he will appoint Fox News host and former prosecutor Jeanine Pirro as interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. She replaces Trump’s previous choice of Ed Martin, after Martin lost support among key Senate Republicans. (More)
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➤ The University of North Carolina said it had not barred coach Bill Belichick’s girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, from the team’s football facility, denying media reports that claimed she was banned (More)
➤ The Texas Rangers signed Korean superstar Kim Sung-joon to an MLB contract on Thursday. The “Korean Shohei Ohtani” could join the team as early as this season. (More)
➤ Newly elected Pope Leo XIV is a Chicago White Sox fan, according to his brother, despite his mother being a Cubs fan. (More)
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Daily Market Report 05/09/2025
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➤ The India-Pakistan conflict has escalated to drone warfare, with both sides accusing each other of unmanned attacks in a shift from traditional artillery exchanges. (More)
➤ A coalition of European officials, led by France and Britain, will hold talks in Ukraine today to discuss Europe’s role in providing post-war security guarantees. (More)
➤ A Japanese man was granted entry into this year’s World Expo in Japan using an 85-year-old ticket from the 1940 Grand International Exposition of Japan, which was cancelled due to war between Japan and China. (See Details)
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➤ Federal Aviation Administration officials confirmed a 90-second radar blackout at Newark Liberty International Airport early Friday, the second in two weeks at the troubled airport. (More)
➤ Vatican officials announced Pope Leo XIV will be formally installed as pontiff on May 18, when he holds his inaugural public Mass in St. Peter’s Square. (More)
➤ The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first-ever at-home cervical cancer screening test, developed by healthcare startup Teal Health. (More)
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