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Washington CNN  —  Americans didn’t feel any sense of optimism about the US economy this month, despite tensions easing somewhat in President Donald Trump’s ever-evolving trade war. Consumer sentiment held steady in May compared to the prior month at a final reading of 52.2, the University of Michigan said in its latest survey released Friday. Sentiment was slightly worse earlier this month, according to a preliminary reading, which “turned a corner in the latter half of the month following the temporary pause on some tariffs on China goods,” according to a release. May’s reading matched April’s for the fourth-lowest reading…

America’s fertility rate is hovering around historic lows, with approximately 1.6 births per woman over her lifetime. This is below the level needed to sustain the population, which is 2.1 births per woman.”Our population will, in the not too distant future, start to decline,” said Melissa Kearney, a professor of economics at the University of Maryland. “That’s why this is an issue for governments and for the economy, and politicians are starting to pay attention.”The economic implications of a shrinking population are broad. For example, fewer births mean fewer future workers to support programs like Social Security and Medicare, which…

Pakistani squash ace Noor Zaman clinched the final spot in the main draw of the prestigious British Open underway in Birmingham after beating Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey 3-1. The duo had met a month earlier, where Zaman’s 3-2 win over El Torkey saw him being crowned U23 World Champion on home turf in a thrilling comeback. Yesterday, 44th ranked Zaman defeated the Egyptian 11-5, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7 in a 46-minute game at the Solihull Arden Club in Birmingham. “Alhamdulillah, after a 20-year gap, I have qualified for the Main Round of the British Open. I am the first Pakistani to…

CNN  —  American consumers reined in their spending in April following a tariff-fueled buying binge the month before, according to new data released Friday that also showed inflation cooled off again. Friday’s report from the Commerce Department showed that consumer spending rose 0.2% last month, a weaker-than-anticipated reading but a notable retreat from March’s 0.7% surge when Americans front-loaded purchases — notably new cars — ahead of potential price increases from President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The latest data also showed inflation moving closer to the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%, almost where it was before the tariffs rollout. The Personal…

President Donald Trump holds a chart as he announces a plan for tariffs on imported goods during an event April 2, 2025, in the Rose Garden at the White House. Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty ImagesThe fate of many of President Trump’s tariffs is uncertain after a string of court rulings this week.But even if a court block on country-specific tariffs is upheld, others that would remain on the books — for products like steel and automobiles — are still expected to cost consumers almost $1,000 a year, according to a new analysis by the Yale Budget Lab.”It does…

RIYADH: Saudi officials are in “difficult” talks to keep Cristiano Ron­aldo in the country, a source with kno­wledge of the negotiations told AFP on Thursday, after the star footballer suggested he was leaving Al Nassr. The Portuguese superstar, whose arrival in 2023 heralded a rush of late-career players to the oil-rich country, could transfer to Al Hilal and feature at the upcoming Club World Club, the source said. “There is an ongoing difficult negotiation to convince Ronaldo to stay and play” in the Saudi Pro League next season, said the source from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), a major investor…

Alexander Spatari | Moment | Getty ImagesFederal student loan borrowers could be in repayment for up to 30 years under proposed changes in the House Republicans’ massive spending and tax package, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”Currently, most student loan repayment plans range from 10 years to 25 years — which already generate concerns about people bringing their education debt into middle-age and beyond, said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz.”A 30-year repayment term means indentured servitude,” Kantrowitz said.The House passed the bill last week. With control of Congress, Republicans can use “budget reconciliation” to pass their legislation, which only…

LAHORE: A pumped-up Pakistan side will look to go all out against Bangladesh in the second T20 International in Lahore on Friday to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series. Pakistan during the past year or so have experienced an alarming decline in their T20 International contests, winning only nine while losing nineteen. Currently languishing at eighth in the ICC T20 International team rankings, the Green-shirts under new captain Salman Ali Agha no doubt will seek to make progress against Bangladesh who are ninth. The home side in the series opener on Wednesday comfortably defeated Bangladesh by 37 runs…

Javelin star Arshad Nadeem and compatriot Muhammad Yasir on Friday qualified for the finals of the Asian Athletics Championships, months after the former made the country proud with his historic win at the Paris 2024 Olympics. On Thursday, Arshad had said that he was preparing to participate and secure a win in the tournament. More than 2000 athletes from 43 countries are competing at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships, taking place in South Korea. The Mian Channu-born elite athlete cruised into the final with an 86.34m throw on his first and only attempt in the A Qualification round. He will…

CNN  —  President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs — both those he has threatened and those he has already enacted — have led many economists and American consumers to predict that the US economy could enter a recession while also pushing up inflation. But a federal court’s ruling late Wednesday that found Trump exceeded his authority to impose many tariffs could significantly disrupt the president’s trade agenda — and potentially even nullify tariffs that are already in effect. The White House immediately appealed the ruling. And it remains to be seen whether the tariffs being challenged can remain in effect during…