For: March 3, 2026
>>Watching Wall Street
(New York, NY) -- The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed mixed yesterday as investors took in the widening conflict in the Middle East. Stocks trimmed losses in late trading after a sharp morning selloff. A rally in tech shares and a rise in defense stocks helped fuel the comeback as oil prices moderated. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 73 points to 48-904. The S&P 500 rose two points to 68-81. The Nasdaq gained 80 points to 22-749.
>>Oil Shipping Severely Restricted Through Strait Of Hormuz
(Undated) -- Oil shipping has nearly stopped through the Strait of Hormuz as Iran threatens to attack any tanker that tries to pass through the critical energy corridor. About one-fifth of the world's oil typically moves through the strait, movement that ground to a halt after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. Some 150 tankers have been left stranded and the situation is sending oil prices surging. Companies are rerouting ships around the southern tip of Africa, which is greatly increasing shipping times and costs. About 70 percent of the oil sent through the strait is bound for Asia.
>>Court Rejects Trump Admin's Tariff Appeal
(Washington, DC) -- A federal appeals court is rejecting a Trump administration request to delay issuing tariff refunds after the Supreme Court ruled last month that most of President Trump's global tariffs are illegal. The administration had asked for 90 days to try and find a political solution. The Supreme Court decision ushered in numerous lawsuits seeking refunds, from companies including FedEx and Costco. Monday's ruling lets the process begin now.
>>Apple Announces iPhone 17e
(Cupertino, CA) -- Apple is unveiling the iPhone 17e as part of its new hardware rollout this week. It starts at 599 dollars and will be available in stores next Wednesday, March 11th. Apple calls it "a powerful and more affordable addition to the iPhone 17 lineup."
>>Paramount+, HBO Max To Combine
(Burbank, CA) -- Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery will combine streaming services once their merger is complete. Paramount CEO David Ellison discussed the plans to make Paramount-Plus and HBO Max one streaming service during a call with investors on Monday. He added HBO will "operate with independence" as a brand. This comes after Netflix pulled out of a deal to buy Warner Bros.' studio and streaming businesses on Friday, clearing the way for Paramount. The 110-billion-dollar merger is expected to close in the third quarter of this year.
>>Southwest Airlines 'Refining' New Seating Process
(Dallas, TX) -- Southwest Airlines is "refining" its new seating policy. The airline's announcement follows complaints from some Southwest customers over the new policy. Southwest sent an email to customers on Friday, sharing that "several enhancements" are being made to help tackle newer issues caused by the transition to assigned seating. Changes include plans to upgrade the majority of its aircraft's cabins with larger overhead bins and designate certain bins as reserved for use by those who purchased a more premium "Extra Legroom" option.
