TazaPulse

US stock markets today (April 15, 2026): S&P 500 nears record high after two-week rally; hopes hinge on US-Iran talks

TazaPulseApril 15, 2026

Wall Street edged higher on Wednesday, with benchmark indices approaching record levels after a strong two-week rally driven by optimism that the global economy may avoid a worst-case fallout from the US-Iran conflict.The S&P 500 rose 0.2% in early trade and was on track to surpass its January record, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average...

Technology

Allbirds pivots from shoes to AI, BIRD stock soars

TazaPulseApril 15, 2026

A woman walks past an Allbirds store in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., Feb. 16, 2021. Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images Allbirds made a surprising announcement Wednesday that it is pivoting from shoes to artificial intelligence. The move boosted shares of the miniscule market cap company — it was valued at about...

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Mortgage applications rise as rates fall to one-month low

TazaPulseApril 15, 2026

In an aerial view, two-story single family homes line the streets of neighborhood on Jan. 13, 2026 in Thousand Oaks, California. Kevin Carter | Getty Images Mortgage rates fell to the lowest level in a month, boosting refinance activity and offsetting weak demand from homebuyers. As a result, total mortgage application volume rose 1.8% last...

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U.S. farmers struggling to afford fertilizer amid Iran war

TazaPulseApril 15, 2026

Fertilizer is spread across a field in China Grove, North Carolina, on April 10, 2026. Grant Baldwin | AFP | Getty Images On a farm in Goldsboro, North Carolina, where her husband’s family has worked the land for generations, Lorenda Overman is facing familiar hurdles — but also new pressures she couldn’t have predicted only...

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Earned Income Tax Credit would rise to $5,500 per kid under new Dem bill

TazaPulseApril 15, 2026

State Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet addresses supporters of her campaign for Congress during a primary election night watch party in Saginaw, Michigan, on Aug. 6, 2024. Andrew Roth | AP Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Mich., will introduce a new bill to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide up to a $5,500 credit to...

Auto & EV deals steady but cautious in 2026: What’s changing?

TazaPulseApril 15, 2026

India’s automotive and electric vehicle (EV) sector saw a steady but cautious start to 2026, with deal activity remaining selective despite improving investor confidence. According to Grant Thornton Bharat’s latest Dealtracker report, the industry recorded 35 deals worth USD 745 million in the January–March quarter, largely in line with the 34 deals seen in Q4...

Donald Trump targets Fed chief Jerome Powell again, threatens to fire him if he is ‘not leaving on time’

TazaPulseApril 15, 2026

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed his attack on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, saying he would fire him if he continues in the role beyond the end of his mandate.Powell’s term as Fed chair ends in mid-May, and Trump has repeatedly criticised him for not cutting interest rates more aggressively, AFP reported.“I’ll have...

3 ways Google aims to support the 2024 Indian General Elections

TazaPulseApril 15, 2026

Google supports the Indian General Election by providing easy access to voting information and countering misinformation. Initiatives include partnering with the Election Commission, prioritizing trusted content on YouTube, and implementing advertising policies for transparency. Measures against AI-generated content are also taken. Google has announced a series of initiatives aimed at supporting the democratic process and...

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Cleveland Fed President Hammack expects interest rates to stay on hold ‘for a good while’

TazaPulseApril 15, 2026

Cleveland Federal Reserve President Beth Hammack said Wednesday that the central bank is weighing threats to both inflation and employment and should keep interest rates on hold as conditions evolve. In a live CNBC interview, the central bank official advocated a patient approach to monetary policy as officials watch incoming data for clues about where...

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Starbucks launches beta app in ChatGPT to fuel new drink discovery

TazaPulseApril 15, 2026

A sample prompt in ChatGPT using Starbucks’ beta app Source: Starbucks Starbucks has launched a beta app in ChatGPT to provide inspiration for customers’ drink orders, the company said Wednesday. To use the beta app, customers need to enable the Starbucks app through ChatGPT’s app directory and then enter a prompt on the chatbot that...