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Global Markets Mixed; U.S.-China Trade Talks in Focus

Global Markets Mixed; U.S.-China Trade Talks in Focus

U.S. stock futures pointed to a slightly lower open Monday after gains last week buoyed by optimism around U.S.-China trade talks, and after the U.S. jobs market held up better than expected.
The main focus this week is on those trade talks in London, while U.S. inflation data for May are due on Wednesday.

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Mark Cuban says left-leaning Bluesky's ‘lack of diversity of thought' driving users back to Elon Musk's X
Mark Cuban says left-leaning Bluesky's ‘lack of diversity of thought' driving users back to Elon Musk's X

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Mark Cuban says left-leaning Bluesky's ‘lack of diversity of thought' driving users back to Elon Musk's X

Mark Cuban says Bluesky has 'grown ruder and more hateful' and warned that a 'lack of diversity of thought' on the platform is pushing users back to Elon Musk's X, the social network formerly known as Twitter. The billionaire entrepreneur and longtime tech enthusiast had been one of Bluesky's most visible champions, but now says the platform's predominantly left-leaning user base has created a hostile echo chamber where dissenting or even mildly nuanced opinions are met with outrage. 'The lack of diversity of thought here is really hurting usage,' Cuban wrote this week in a series of critical posts. 'There used to be great give and take discussions on politics and news. Not so much any more. Doesn't have to be this way.' Cuban, the tech billionaire who once owned the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and who recently concluded a lengthy stint as one of the investor 'sharks' on the hit reality show 'Shark Tank,' posted a link to a Washington Post opinion piece titled: 'The Bluesky bubble hurts liberals and their causes. In the piece, columnist Megan McArdle argued that the platform's left-leaning user base fosters a political silo. Cuban agreed with the piece's assessment. 'The moderation and block tools on here are so advanced, if you see someone you don't want to see on here, just block them. Don't attack them,' he added. He supported Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election but didn't donate to her campaign, joined Bluesky in late 2024 and has posted nearly 2,000 times since. His first post — 'Hello Less Hateful World' — set a hopeful tone. But that optimism has since faded. 'Engagement went from great convos on many topics, to agree with me or you are a nazi fascist,' Cuban wrote. 'We are forcing posts to X.' He said even small disagreements are met with outsized hostility. 'Even if you agree with 95% of what a person is saying on a topic, if there is one point that you might call out as being more of a grey area, they will call you a fascist etc.,' Cuban wrote. According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Cuban's net worth stands at approximately $8.35 billion. Some users didn't take kindly to Cuban's critiques — and they made their feelings known in blunt, often profane language. In response to his concerns, one user wrote, 'Go wipe your crocodile tears with a wad of hundreds you tw-t. People are over the idea of 'cool' billionaires.' Another told him, 'Man if I were as rich as you I'd probably be less of a p—y,' while a third simply said, 'F–kin leave then, p—y.' Yet another post, which Cuban also reposted, read: 'It's like you, as a billionaire, are a despicable bastard and we want you to stop pushing AI and big business here and just Go Away.' Bluesky launched as a decentralized social media alternative and saw explosive growth in the aftermath of Elon Musk's full-throated endorsement of Donald Trump's reelection campaign in late 2024. Musk's backing of Trump triggered an exodus from X, driving millions of liberal-leaning users to Bluesky in search of a quieter, more ideologically aligned environment. Between November 2024 and May 2025, Bluesky's user base tripled — from roughly 10 million to over 30 million — according to Pew Research Center. That analysis also found that many of the platform's most prominent news influencers lean left politically. Bluesky CEO Jay Graber acknowledged the politically driven migration in a June 4 podcast interview with Vox's Peter Kafka. 'It's people wanting to just try something new. It's people finding their community here,' she said. 'I think in general it's both people looking for something and people looking to get away from something.' But for Cuban, that community appears to have turned inward. He now worries the platform is discouraging debate and becoming a digital echo chamber. The Post has sought comment from Bluesky.

Rachel Reeves 'a gnat's whisker' from having to raise taxes, says IFS
Rachel Reeves 'a gnat's whisker' from having to raise taxes, says IFS

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Rachel Reeves 'a gnat's whisker' from having to raise taxes, says IFS

Rachel Reeves is a "gnat's whisker" away from having to raise taxes in the autumn budget, a leading economist has warned - despite the chancellor insisting her plans are "fully funded". Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), said "any move in the wrong direction" for the economy before the next fiscal event would "almost certainly spark more tax rises". 'Sting in the tail' in chancellor's plans - politics latest Speaking the morning after she delivered her spending review, which sets government budgets until 2029, Ms Reeves told hiking taxes wasn't inevitable. "Everything I set out yesterday was fully costed and fully funded," she told Sky News Breakfast. Her plans - which include £29bn for day-to-day NHS spending, £39bn for affordable and social housing, and boosts for defence and transport - are based on what she set out in October's budget. That budget, her first as chancellor, included controversial tax hikes on employers and increased borrowing to help public services. Chancellor won't rule out tax rises The Labour government has long vowed not to raise taxes on "working people" - specifically income tax, national insurance for employees, and VAT. Ms Reeves refused to completely rule out tax rises in her next budget, saying the world is "very uncertain". The Conservatives have claimed she will almost certainly have to put taxes up, with shadow chancellor Mel Stride accusing her of mismanaging the economy. Taxes on businesses had "destroyed growth" and increased spending had been "inflationary", he told Sky News. New official figures showed the economy contracted in April by 0.3% - more than expected. It coincided with Donald Trump imposing tariffs across the world. Ms Reeves admitted the figures were "disappointing" but pointed to more positive figures from previous months. Read more: 'Sting in the tail' She is hoping Labour's plans will provide more jobs and boost growth, with major infrastructure projects "spread" across the country - from the Sizewell C nuclear plant in Suffolk, to a rail line connecting Liverpool and Manchester. But the IFS said further contractions in the economy, and poor forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility, would likely require the chancellor to increase the national tax take once again. It said her spending review already accounted for a 5% rise in council tax to help local authorities, labelling it a "sting in the tail" after she told Sky's Beth Rigby that it wouldn't have to go up.

Northwest Pipe Company Announces New Corporate Name
Northwest Pipe Company Announces New Corporate Name

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Northwest Pipe Company Announces New Corporate Name

New name and rebrand reflects growth, innovation, and future-focused vision VANCOUVER, Wash., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwest Pipe Company (Nasdaq: NWPX), a leading manufacturer of water-related infrastructure products, has announced its new corporate name and identity, NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. ("NWPX Infrastructure"). The rebrand to NWPX Infrastructure marks a significant milestone in the Company's ongoing evolution and growth, symbolizing its transformation into a modern, solutions-driven infrastructure provider with a national footprint. The new name reflects the Company's expanded capabilities in precast and engineered systems and a broader, more diversified product offering—while honoring its legacy of quality, integrity, and performance by retaining its long-standing Nasdaq ticker symbol, NWPX. "Our transition to NWPX Infrastructure represents much more than a name change," said Scott Montross, President and Chief Executive Officer of NWPX Infrastructure. "It reflects who we are today—a forward-looking company addressing the nation's most critical water infrastructure challenges. We're positioning ourselves for long-term growth while remaining grounded in the values that have guided Northwest Pipe for more than five decades." To leverage its strong market recognition, the Company will continue to operate its engineered steel pressure pipe plants and products under the Northwest Pipe Company brand. To better align the precast business and expand market reach, the Geneva Pipe and Precast and ParkUSA lines will transition to NWPX Geneva and NWPX ParkUSA, respectively. The rebranding includes a new corporate logo and visual identity that will be rolled out across all business operations, product lines, and digital platforms. NWPX Infrastructure will continue to trade on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol "NWPX." Customers, partners, and stakeholders can expect the same trusted products, industry expertise, and commitment to excellence—now delivered under a brand that better represents the Company's integrated approach to water infrastructure solutions. To learn more about the rebrand and the Company's continued commitment to building the nation's water infrastructure, visit About NWPX Infrastructure – Founded in 1966, NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of water-related infrastructure products. The Company is the largest manufacturer of engineered water transmission systems in North America and produces steel casing pipe, bar-wrapped concrete cylinder pipe, and pipeline system joints and fittings through its Engineered Steel Pressure Pipe segment. The Company provides solution-based products for a wide range of markets including high-quality reinforced precast concrete products, lined precast sanitary sewer system components, water distribution and management equipment including pump lift stations, wastewater pretreatment and stormwater quality products through its Precast Infrastructure and Engineered Systems segment. Strategically positioned to meet growing water and wastewater infrastructure needs, the Company's skilled team is committed to quality and innovation while upholding its core values of accountability, commitment, and teamwork. Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, NWPX Infrastructure operates 13 manufacturing facilities across North America. For more information, please visit Contact: Aaron Wilkins Chief Financial Officer NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. 360-397-6294 • awilkins@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE NWPX Infrastructure

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