Missed Chatbots? Don't Miss AI Agents

Investors who rode C3.ai and SoundHound saw billions created overnight. The next wave? AI Agents. Acting, transacting, rewarding users, not just talking. $3B processed, 88% margins, launch in Q3 2025.

Business News Digest

DAVID BAUDER
August 18, 2025

Here are the AP's top business stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit AP Newsroom's Coverage Plan.

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FINANCIAL MARKETS

Wall Street holds near its record heights

SUMMARY: Wall Street is holding near its records. The S&P 500 was virtually unchanged Monday, coming off its first loss after setting an all-time high in three consecutive days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was also roughly flat, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.1%. Later this week will come profit reports from Walmart and other big U.S. retailers, which could show how households are navigating a slowing job market and worries about tariffs. The week's highlight will likely arrive Friday, when the Federal Reserve's chair will give a speech that Wall Street hopes will hint at cuts to interest rates coming soon.

WORDS: 718 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 9:46 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8ce2c10890cf8df125a0a81c4c5e03e1&mediaType=text

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US--MEDIA-MSNBC-NAME CHANGE

Cable's MSNBC will change its name later this year as part of corporate divorce from NBC

SUMMARY: The television network MSNBC will change its name later this year as part of its corporate divorce from NBC. The new name will by My Source News Opinion World, or MS NOW for short. MSNBC, which will also removed NBC's peacock corporate logo from its insignia, has been building a separate news division from NBC News by hiring new reporters and executives in recent months. It has been known as MSNBC since its formation in 1996, as a partnership then between Microsoft and NBC. It runs second in cable news ratings to Fox News Channel with personalities like Rachel Maddow, Nicole Wallace and Ari Melber.

WORDS: 433 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 9:42 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dc47bd203e163ea79553d16976b1efa3&mediaType=text

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CLIMATE CHOICES-HEAT PUMPS

Thinking about a heat pump? Some things to know about choosing what's best for you

SUMMARY: Switching to a heat pump is often touted as a climate-friendly choice that can help your wallet, too. But there's plenty to know as you're shopping around for this big-ticket purchase, including that there's more than one kind of heat pump. Air-source heat pumps cost less up front, take up less space and save plenty of money on utilities. Ground-source heat pumps save even more on your utility bills and work better in extreme hot or cold than air-source pumps. But they need more space to install and they cost a little more up front.

WORDS: 993 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 9:17 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9dc1e265aac7b98fad94f600c0c2953b&mediaType=text

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US-MED--FDA MEETINGS-CONFLICTS

FDA's new expert panels are rife with financial conflicts and fringe views

SUMMARY: A series of panels convened by the Food and Drug Administration is raising concerns that the agency is skirting federal rules and promoting fringe views about antidepressants and other products. The FDA has more than 30 panels of experts specializing in drugs, vaccines and other products. But increasingly, the agency isn't calling them. Instead, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary is holding ad hoc sessions with outside experts who often have contrarian views and financial interests in the topics under discussion. The meetings have focused on issues of interest to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including depression pills and talc powder.

WORDS: 1191 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 9:09 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:afbd525b29ca5e2585b79548a075be75&mediaType=text

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AS--AUSTRALIA-GOOGLE

Google to pay $36M fine for anticompetitive deals with Australia's largest telcos

WORDS: 305 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 2:55 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8b65a65c0eb68ad83fb9d03d61a07d4a&mediaType=text

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AS--HONG KONG-JIMMY LAI

Hong Kong court begins hearing final arguments in Jimmy Lai's national security trial

SUMMARY: A Hong Kong court is hearing final arguments in the national security trial of former Apple Daily publisher Jimmy Lai. He was arrested in 2020 under a national security law imposed by Beijing after massive 2019 anti-government protests. He is accused of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to issue seditious publications. The trial is widely seen as a test of press freedom and judicial independence. Prosecutors allege Lai sought foreign countries' action against Beijing. But Lai says he would not have instigated foreign sanctions after the security law took effect. When the verdict will be delivered is not clear.

WORDS: 842 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 9:43 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:097242241e3b4b5891844b254d81b5f7&mediaType=text

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CN--CANADA-AIR CANADA-FLIGHT ATTENDANTS

Air Canada suspends restart plans after flight attendants union defies return to work order

SUMMARY: Air Canada has suspended plans to restart operations after the union representing 10,000 flight attendants decided to defy a return-to-work order. The Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered staff back by Sunday afternoon, but the union refused, calling the order unconstitutional. Air Canada now plans to resume flights Monday evening. The shutdown, which began early Saturday, affects about 130,000 people daily. The airline has canceled hundreds of flights, and it could take days to stabilize operations. Passengers can request refunds or alternative travel options, but rebooking may be difficult due to peak travel demand.

WORDS: 769 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 3:06 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:541145adf4092a677f3e7f2df7ffd7b4&mediaType=text

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AS--AUSTRALIA-QANTAS

Qantas fined $59M for illegal pandemic layoffs

WORDS: 735 - MOVED: 08/18/2025 12:09 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:965b80da6e9b14dbf7a4809a85f803ac&mediaType=text

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