Dollar holds losses after Trump announces Japan trade deal

Chevron is laying off 575 employees in Houston as part of its recent merger with Hess, streamlining operations after the deal closed. The cuts reflect typical post-merger restructuring, but they’ll hit local workers hard in an already competitive energy job market.

Editor’s Note: Mergers often mean cost-cutting, and for employees, that’s rarely good news. While Chevron’s move isn’t surprising—big deals usually lead to overlaps—it’s a tough blow for Houston’s energy sector, where job stability can hinge on oil prices and corporate reshuffles. For the broader industry, it’s another sign of consolidation tightening its grip.

Private equity firms are dusting off their portfolio companies and rolling them out for US IPOs again—but there’s a catch. These companies are coming to market with heavier debt loads than we’ve seen in other recent listings, which could make investors a little wary. It’s a test of whether Wall Street’s appetite for risk is strong enough to swallow these leveraged bets.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a few companies going public—it’s a pulse check on the market’s tolerance for risk. If investors bite, it could signal confidence in the economy (or just desperation for returns). If they balk, it might mean private equity pushed too far. Either way, it’s a sign of how financial players are navigating a tricky landscape.

A recent graduate named Aishah has been recognized with an award for founding her own food bank, Aishah's Food Charity, which provides essential supplies like food and sleeping bags to people in need within her community.

Editor’s Note: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by stories of hardship, but this is a reminder that small, grassroots efforts can make a real difference. Aishah’s initiative not only addresses immediate needs like hunger and homelessness but also highlights how young people are stepping up to tackle local challenges. Stories like this inspire others to take action in their own neighborhoods.

Chevron is laying off 575 employees in Houston as part of its recent acquisition of Hess Corp., according to a regulatory filing. The cuts reflect the typical streamlining that follows big corporate mergers, but they’ll still leave hundreds of local workers jobless.

Editor’s Note: Mergers often mean cost-cutting, and this one’s no exception—real people are losing jobs as Chevron consolidates after its Hess deal. For Houston’s energy sector, it’s another shakeup in an industry already navigating volatile markets and shifting priorities. If you’re in oil and gas, this is a reminder that even big players aren’t immune to restructuring.

Jacob Helberg, a key figure in tech policy and soon-to-be Under Secretary of State for economic growth, sat down with Bloomberg to break down the White House's AI Action Plan under Trump. The conversation likely digs into how the administration aims to balance innovation, regulation, and global competitiveness in AI—a topic Helberg knows inside out.

Editor’s Note: AI isn’t just a tech buzzword—it’s shaping everything from jobs to national security. When someone like Helberg weighs in, it’s a signal that policymakers are grappling with how to steer AI’s growth without stifling it. Whether you’re in tech or just use it daily, this stuff will eventually touch your life.