The amount of mail entering the U.S. fell by 80% on the first day President Trump imposed tariffs on small packages that were previously exempt, according to a UN agency.
Why it matters: TheUniversal Postal Union, the UN arm charged with maintaining free circulation of mail, said airlines and shippers were unable to independently tally the duties on millions of small packages heading to the U.S., bringing mail delivery to a near standstill.
The U.S. is willing to lower tariffs on certain goods for countries that make favorable deals — including edible insects, human hair and a variety of live animals.
Why it matters: International trade isn't all about washing machines and cars and fancy dresses.
America's blue-collar workforce is shrinking, as President Trump's policies hit the same sectors he vowed to reinvigorate.
Why it matters: Hiring is stalling out nearly across the board amid drastic shifts in trade and immigration policies. But perhaps nowhere is it more apparent than in the labor sectors that expected a Trump-era boost.
The White House says it will consider lowering tariffs on hundreds of products across sectors including food and pharmaceuticals, depending on what specific deals can be struck with trading partners.
Why it matters: As evidence mounts that inflation is creeping back into the economy, the prospect of lower tariffs on a sweeping list of grocery staples in particular could ease some of the pressure on consumers.
The unemployment rate for Black women rose sharply in August to 7.5%, per government data released Friday morning.
Why it matters: That's significantly higher than the overall unemployment rate, and is partly a result of President Trump's cuts to the federal workforce, which have disproportionately hit Black women.
The Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol will provide former Vice President Kamala Harris with protection until another plan is established, the LAPD confirmed to Axios on Friday.
Why it matters: President Trump recently revoked Harris' Secret Service protection, which had been extended beyond the usual six months provided to vice presidents.
Public Broadcasting Service on Thursday announced a 15% staff cut in response to recent federal funding cuts that stripped PBS and National Public Radio of nearly $1.1 billion in funding for 2026 and 2027.
Why it matters: PBS has received federal funding for more than 50 years. It's used that funding to launch iconic children's and educational programming, such as "Sesame Street" and "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."
Hiring stalled again in August, with the labor market adding just 22,000 jobs and the unemployment rate at the highest levels since 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Friday.
Why it matters: The economy is rapidly cooling, as global tariffs put pressure on America's businesses.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a data outage on its website Friday morning, just minutes before the expected release of a crucial monthly jobs report.
Why it matters: It's the first monthly employment report since President Trump fired the BLS commissioner and accused the agency of rigging jobs data against him.
Elon Musk stands to become the world's first trillionaire if he fully earns a new pay package at Tesla — which comes with an astronomical series of goals for increasing the company's market value.
Why it matters: Achieving those goals would make Tesla the most valuable company in history, and Musk, already the world's richest person, massively wealthier still.
Wall Street is bullish on 2026, with many calls seeing a reaccelerating economy.
Why it matters: The economic vibes don't feel great, but the data has yet to indicate a sharp slowdown. With several policy headwinds set to ease, investors are eying an early growth cycle that could lift both stocks and the economy.
President Trump's attempt to rebrand the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act can't mask a grim reality: His economic approval is collapsing, and the data underneath is only getting worse.
Why it matters: Trump is in danger of getting trapped in the same "vibecession" dynamic that doomed President Biden — only this time, the structural signals are flashing red and Trump's signature legislation is toxic.
Why it matters: Without flashy earnings growth to power stocks forward, investors may now be forced to consider the market risks they brushed aside all summer.
President Trump hosted the elite of Big Tech at a White House dinner Thursday evening, including Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft's Bill Gates — and each took turns to lavish praise on him.
Why it matters: The dinner comes at a time when tech leaders are pushing for a hands-off government approach to AI, and as current FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson is an outspoken critic of Big Tech.
