The state has seen a sharp rise in company bankruptcies, climbing 25 % last year to the highest level since 2013. Nationwide, many people and firms are filing for bankruptcy, but Oregon’s rate is almost four times faster than the national average. High interest rates and inflation are squeezin
The recent dismissal of the Justice Department’s antitrust chief signals a shift toward a more business‑friendly climate in Washington. Law firms are now drafting memos that reflect the current administration’s willingness to approve corporate mergers, a reversal from last year’s campaign rhetoric t
In Munich, the air felt tense as European leaders gathered to discuss the long‑running war in Ukraine. Four years earlier, U. S. officials had arrived with satellite images and intercepted Russian conversations that warned of an imminent invasion. European officials largely dismissed the evidence, c
The United States is heading toward a point where the money it borrows could cost more than its economic output. The Treasury issues bonds that pay interest, and those rates have climbed after the Federal Reserve raised rates. Now the average cost is about 3. 3 percent and is expected to reach nea
South Portland’s city council set a 2025 plan to turn the old Mahoney Middle School into a community hub, while also aiming to add more affordable homes for middle‑income families. The 2026 agenda repeated the housing push and added a bond vote for city buildings in November. In practice, the Mahon
The United Arab Emirates poured half a billion dollars into the Trump family’s cryptocurrency venture after he was re‑elected in 2024. That funding is just the beginning of a series of deals that many say cross ethical lines in American politics. The UAE’s investment came with a twist: the Tru
Emma Thompson heads a tense thriller that lands on HBO Max this week. The film follows a lonely man who gets lost near a Minnesota lake during a blizzard and discovers a cabin where a young woman is held captive by an armed couple. Fans of gritty, atmospheric stories will find the mood just right.
The world of music is getting a new helper: computer‑made tunes. These tracks can help people heal, let artists tweak their work, and spark fresh ideas. But when machines start filling the air with songs that look almost like real music, it becomes hard for teachers, fans and creators to know what i
The U. S. Secretary of State spoke in Munich, calling America a “child of Europe” to show that the two sides still care about each other. He hoped to calm worries in Europe over war, trade and changing global rules. The speech was brief and avoided talking about Russia, which made some people wonder
Disney is using its biggest attractions to stir up housing markets across the U. S. When a theme park gets bigger, it brings more jobs, tourists and money into the area, which in turn pushes up house prices and encourages new rental projects. The company’s latest moves show how careful planning ca
