Bill Gates pledges his remaining fortune to the Gates Foundation, which will close in 20 years

SEATTLE (AP) — Bill Gates says he will donate 99% of his remaining tech fortune to the Gates Foundation. Today, that would be worth an estimated $107 billion. He also announced the foundation will now close in 2045, earlier than previously planned. The pledge is among the largest philanthropic gifts ever. The Gates Foundation's announcement Thursday promises steady support over the next 20 years to its grantees and partners, particularly in global health and education in the U.S. But it also signals an eventual end to the foundation’s immense worldwide influence.

The Gates Foundation’s first 25 years: How it changed global health and philanthropy

SEATTLE (AP) — In its first 25 years, the Gates Foundation became one of the world’s largest charitable foundations and one of the most powerful institutions in global health. The foundation was formed in 2000 by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates. The former couple had grand ambitions but little experience in global health or philanthropy when they got started. The foundation’s flagship issue is its work to reduce the number of preventable childhood deaths through vaccines and treatment for malnutrition. As its influence over global health policy has grown, researchers have questioned some of its strategies, including its support for public-private partnerships.

US and UK are expected to announce a trade deal that Trump says will cement their relationship

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Britain are expected to announce a trade deal that will lower the burden of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. A deal would seem to be a political victory for U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump says a deal is due to be announced Thursday morning. The Republican president says the deal will be a “full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come.” Starmer’s office says the prime minister will give an “update” about U.S. trade talks later. Trump placed a 10% tax on imports from Britain and 25% tariffs on autos, steel and aluminum.

Bank of England cuts main interest rate by 0.25% to 4.25% in face of US tariff uncertainty

LONDON (AP) — The Bank of England is cutting its main interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 4.25% amid concerns over the potential shock to global growth emanating from the tariff policies of the Trump administration. The decision comes ahead of a trade deal between the U.S. and the U.K., which will likely lower the burden of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform Thursday that a deal due to be announced at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) will be a “full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come.”

From Oval Office blowout to landmark minerals deal, how Ukraine's diplomacy unfolded

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The road to the U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement was paved with challenges. Those included an unprecedented Oval Office blowout, hundreds of revisions, mutual recriminations and a breakthrough moment on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral. The idea started with a pitch by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last fall. He hoped that it would appeal to Trump's penchant for transactions-based diplomacy and ensure a steady flow of future American support in return. The deal will bring closer Ukraine-U.S. ties and provides a vehicle for future military assistance.

India suspends flight operations from several airports as tensions flare with Pakistan

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian airlines have canceled hundreds of flights from more than two dozen airports until Saturday amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Some of the key airports in northern and western regions of India have been shut following the closure of airspace. Country’s largest airline Indigo canceled 165 flights Wednesday while Air India and Air India Express had a similar number of cancellations. Several passengers were stranded at airports. India's Civil Aviation Ministry hasn't officially commented on the closure of airports. A spokeswoman declined to comment on Thursday.

Melinda French Gates reflects on legacy of Gates Foundation as it announces it will close in 2045

Melinda French Gates says she and her ex-husband, Bill Gates, always intended for the foundation they started together to spend down all of its resources rather than to exist in perpetuity. The Gates Foundation announced Thursday that it would close in 2045, sooner than had been planned. French Gates stepped down from the Gates Foundation last year. She says the decision about exactly when to close was made by Bill Gates and the foundation's trustees. She says while the foundation's goals for its next 20 years, like eradicating polio, may now be harder, “We never thought it was going to be easy.”

How a Chinese delicacy got caught in the crossfire of Trump's trade war

SUQUAMISH, Wash. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s trade war with China is crippling an entire industry that hand-harvests geoducks. Pronounced “gooey-duck,” the world’s largest burrowing clam has been harvested for centuries by Pacific Northwest tribes. In recent years, it’s become a lucrative American seafood export to China. Pre-tariff costs were as high as $100 per pound in restaurants but escalating tariffs are effectively shutting down the U.S. market. Washington state typically sends 90% of its geoducks to China. The sweet but briny mollusk is sliced raw for crisp sashimi out west while Chinese consumers prefer it chewy in stir-fries or hot pot soups. It is generally reserved for special occasions like Chinese New Year, or to celebrate a business gathering.

In his own words: Bill Gates on giving away the remainder of his wealth

INDIAN WELLS, Ca. (AP) — Bill Gates is pledging 99% of his remaining fortune to the Gates Foundation, which will spend it all within 20 years. The funds will be delivered over time and will allow the foundation to spend another $200 billion by the time it closes in 2045. In interviews with The Associated Press, Gates spoke about closing the foundation earlier than planned and the potential impact of health and foreign aid cuts on the foundation's goals. Gates' pledge is one of the largest commitments in the history of U.S. philanthropy. He says he'd love for others to beat that record.

Wall Street on track to open with strong gains on optimism of a US-UK trade deal

Wall Street was on track to open with strong gains on optimism over an expected announcement of a U.S. trade deal with Great Britain. Futures for the S&P 500 jumped 1.1% before the bell on Thursday, while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%. Big Tech and chip stocks pushed Nasdaq futures 1.5% higher. U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he would announce a deal with a “big, highly respected country” on Thursday, which he did not identify. A U.S. official confirmed the country was Britain, speaking on condition of anonymity. Markets in Europe also posted strong gains by midday.