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UK accuses
settlers
LONDON (AP) -- The United Kingdom has banned trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, where it says “settler terrorists” are carrying out “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians. In response, Israel said it would close the British consulate in Jerusalem.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Tuesday that the U.K. will ban imports of all goods from the settlements and bar companies from providing services for the settlements. He said France and Canada would also ban trade in goods from settlements. The economic impact is likely to be limited, since the settlements produce only a small amount of largely agricultural exports. But the move is a symbolic expression of displeasure.
Hawaii hit by
fierce winds
HONOLULU (AP) -- Damaging winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Lowell have pelted Hawaii’s western islands, causing widespread power outages. The storm’s center passed west of the islands early Tuesday and now is moving away from Hawaii.
There’s still the threat of floods and mudslides.
The island of Kauai has widespread power outages. Officials there are asking everyone to stay off the roadways so emergency crews can get out.
Meta launches
Muse agent
(AP) -- Meta is launching a personal artificial intelligence agent, Muse, for people 18 and over. The parent company of Instagram and Facebook said the agent can help with day-to-day tasks like schedules, shopping and long-term goals.
Meta is stressing the safety and privacy features of the agent.
Meta says it runs on a dedicated, secure virtual machine that houses both the agent and the user's data. Tech companies are touting AI agents as the next step after chatbots, which can answer questions and retrieve information but won't take action on the user's behalf.
Oil prices
climb higher
NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. stocks fell in their return to trading from a three-day weekend after the latest fighting in the war with Iran pushed oil prices higher. The S&P 500 sank 0.6% Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.2%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3%.
They felt pressure after the cost for a barrel of Brent briefly neared $99.50. More expensive oil has worsened worries about inflation and is giving extra heft to a couple of reports on inflation that are coming later this week.
They will be the final updates the Federal Reserve hears on inflation before its meeting on interest rates next week.