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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UPCOMING
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CONSUMER WATCHDOG-DROPPED CASE
DESCRIPTION: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has dropped an investigation into a buy now, pay later company with close ties to Donald Trump Jr., saying the investigation was conducted in a biased manner and based off politics.
UPCOMING: By 08/22/2025 12 p.m. EDT, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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US--FEDERAL RESERVE-POWELL
Powell signals Fed may cut rates soon even as inflation risks remain
SUMMARY: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday opened the door ever so slightly to lowering a key interest rate in the coming months but gave no hint on the timing of a move and suggested the central bank will proceed cautiously as it continues to evaluate the impact of tariffs and other policies on the economy. In a high-profile speech that will be closely watched at the White House and on Wall Street, Powell said that there are risks of both rising unemployment and stubbornly higher inflation. That puts the Fed in a tough spot, because it would typically cut its short-term rate to boost hiring, while keeping it high -- or raising it -- to fight inflation.
WORDS: 606 - MOVED: 08/22/2025 10:20 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:287af1c758a30d67f5384d17423c5029&mediaType=text
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FINANCIAL MARKETS
Wall Street rallies on hopes for lower interest rates
SUMMARY: Wall Street is rallying after the head of the Federal Reserve indicated cuts to interest rates may be coming in a highly anticipated speech, though he gave no clear clue about when. The S&P 500 jumped 1.3% Friday and erased all of its loss for the week. It's coming off its fifth straight modest loss after setting an all-time high last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 649 points, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. Treasury yields also eased after Jerome Powell indicated the next move for the Federal Reserve may be a cut, even if concerns about inflation remain.
WORDS: 662 - MOVED: 08/22/2025 10:12 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2fcc29096ecaec4fff8fa555e4fda967&mediaType=text
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US--HIGH-HAZARD FLAMMABLE TRAINS
Apply safety rules to more trains carrying flammable cargo, lawmakers urge
SUMMARY: Federal safety investigators and some members of Congress want to expand special safety rules that apply to trains carrying flammable material to many more trains, saying the risk to many U.S. communities is far greater than currently known. An analysis by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism found the proposals could apply the heightened safety rules to an average of 10 times more trains. The current rule only applies to trains carrying large quantities of flammable liquids. The DERAIL Act, reintroduced by Rep. Chris Deluzio, aims to redefine these trains to include even a single car of flammable gas or liquid.
WORDS: 1610 - MOVED: 08/22/2025 10:10 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:edfc6204a02698722c0d4b4788a34cf0&mediaType=text
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CHINA-US-NVIDIA
Nvidia's CEO says it's in talks with Trump administration on a new chip for China
SUMMARY: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says the company is discussing a potential new computer chip designed for China with the Trump administration. Huang was asked about a possible "B30A" semiconductor for artificial intelligence data centers while on a visit to Taiwan. He said Nvidia was "in dialogue" with the U.S. government on the potential new product, but it was too soon to know what will happen. Huang praised the the Trump administration for approving sales of Nvidia's H20 chips to China. He said he was also speaking with Beijing to reassure Chinese authorities that the chips do not pose a "backdoor" security risk. Unconfirmed reports have said Beijing is pushing Chinese companies to avoid using the chips.
WORDS: 652 - MOVED: 08/22/2025 3:08 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:51467ac87644089788b2447c912552d3&mediaType=text
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US--CLIMATE CHOICES-AI IMPACT
As AI becomes part of everyday life, it brings a hidden climate cost
SUMMARY: As AI becomes a part of everyday life, its massive energy and water needs are coming more into focus. For example, simple AI queries require more than 20 times the energy of a Google search that doesn't use AI. Generating a three-second video uses the same energy as turning on a lightbulb for a year. The technology is likely here to say, so the AI experts have tips on how environmentally conscious users can minimize their impact.
WORDS: 1061 - MOVED: 08/22/2025 9:01 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c6218681ffdbad5bf427b47347fddcb9&mediaType=text
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AS--CLIMATE-CHINA-SOLAR
China races to build world's largest solar farm to meet emissions targets
SUMMARY: Chinese officials have showcased what they claim will be the world's largest solar farm on the Tibetan plateau. It covers 610 square kilometers, or about 235 square miles, and is part of China's rapid solar expansion. A study published Thursday said China's carbon emissions fell 1% in the first half of the year, continuing a trend since March 2024. This decline suggests emissions may have peaked well ahead of the nation's goal of before 2030. However, experts say a sharper reduction is needed for China to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. One challenge is aligning green energy distribution with industrial needs across the country.
WORDS: 902 - MOVED: 08/22/2025 12:26 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ab119c39f226cfbeb2f5c1449747cae9&mediaType=text
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CHINA-RARE EARTHS POLICY-WHAT TO KNOW
What to know about China's new regulations on rare earths
SUMMARY: China has released new interim measures to tighten controls on mining and processing of rare earths that are used in many high-tech products including electric vehicles, smartphones and fighter jets. The rules released Friday by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology apply both to rare earths originating in China and those that are sent to China for refining. They require companies to comply with quotas for various minerals. Companies must have government approval to deal with rare earths and must accurately report the amount of rare earths products being handled. Violators will face legal penalties and also have their quotas for rare earths reduced.
WORDS: 583 - 08/22/2025 8:30 a.m. EDT
EU--GERMANY-ECONOMY
German economy shrank by 0.3% in second quarter in worse showing than initially thought
SUMMARY: Official data shows the German economy shrank by 0.3% in the second quarter compared with the previous three-month period. That was a significantly worse showing than was initially reported for Europe's biggest economy. In a preliminary report at the end of July, the Federal Statistical Office had said gross domestic product contracted by 0.1% in April-June compared with the first quarter. The office on Friday said full data showed output in manufacturing and construction was worse than expected in June. Household spending for the quarter also was revised downward. The decline followed growth of 0.3% in the first quarter.
WORDS: 331 - MOVED: 08/22/2025 3:12 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ed5a0ca6732d3cf92828e045144defc2&mediaType=text
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BBO--MLB-TV NEGOTIATIONS
How MLB's upcoming deals will change how you watch out-of-market, Sunday night and Wild Card games
SUMMARY: ESPN is nearing a deal with Major League Baseball to distribute out-of-market games. This comes after ESPN opted out of its previous contract with MLB in February. ESPN aims to secure a reworked package at a lower cost. Meanwhile, NBC, Netflix, and Apple TV are in talks for regular-season packages, the Wild Card round, and the Home Run Derby. Negotiations are expected to conclude by the end of the regular season next month. MLB is also trying to appease its other rights holders, Fox and Turner Sports, as it navigates these new deals.
WORDS: 859 - MOVED: 08/22/2025 9:19 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:35aa6d8f9cf9c748a43dc572f4085e1c&mediaType=text
