U.S. stocks edged lower as investors navigated a mix of rising oil prices, corporate earnings signals, and shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all turned down after early gains, reflecting a market grappling with geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Indexes Pull Back All three major indexes slipped roughly between 0.3% and 0.6%, giving back some of the previous session’s momentum. The downturn followed renewed volatility in energy markets and cautious sentiment around consumer spending. Oil Prices Add Fresh Pressure Crude prices extended their sharp rally, driven by heightened worries over a potential U.S.–Iran conflict. Brent crude climbed above $71 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $66 — its biggest daily jump since October. Rising energy costs revived inflation concerns and weighed on equities. Walmart Earnings in Focus Walmart posted stronger‑than‑expected results, but its cautious pro...
Power begins to return after huge outage hits Spain and Portugal, Cause Still Unclear
Power has been almost fully restored across Spain and Portugal following one of the most significant blackouts in European history. The outage, which began on April 28, 2025, disrupted daily life for millions, grounding flights, halting metro systems, and leaving cities in darkness. By early April 29, over 99% of energy demand in Spain and all power substations in Portugal were back online.
Despite the restoration efforts, the root cause of the blackout remains a mystery. Initial investigations have ruled out cyberattacks and sabotage, with experts pointing to potential anomalies in the interconnected European power grid. Spanish and Portuguese authorities continue to work closely with energy operators to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the unprecedented outage.
As life returns to normal, questions linger about the resilience of the region's power infrastructure and the measures needed to prevent future disruptions. For now, the Iberian Peninsula breathes a sigh of relief as lights flicker back on and daily routines resume.
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