Truck drivers in Iran blocked roads and ports Wednesday as part of their strike protesting low salaries, high insurance rates, and a possible hike in fuel prices.

The strikes, which began last Thursday in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, one of the country's main transportation and shipping hubs, have now spread across Iran. The protests are slowly gaining steam, supported by prominent dissident voices, and could morph into more serious protests against the government.

A federal trade court on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law. The ruling from a three-judge panel came after several lawsuits arguing Trump has exceeded his authority, left U.S. trade policy dependent on his whims and unleashed economic chaos.

At least seven lawsuits are challenging the levies, the centerpiece of Trump's trade policy. Tariffs must typically be approved by Congress, but Trump says he has the power to act because the country's trade deficits amount to a national emergency.

Germany will "do everything" to make sure the damaged Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia will not resume deliveries of natural gas to Europe, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday.

Money-losing Japanese automaker Nissan is banking on its latest "e-Power" technology for a turnaround.

A kind of hybrid, e-Power comes equipped with both an electric motor and gasoline engine, much like the Toyota Motor Corp. Prius. It's different from a Prius in that it doesn't switch back and forth between the motor and engine during the drive.

European markets and U.S. futures jumped early Tuesday following a weekend trade truce between the E.U. and U.S. after Trump's threat late last week to tack on 50% imports from the trading bloc.

Futures for the S&P 500 climbed 1.5% before the bell, while futures for the Nasdaq rose 1.6%. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.4%. Those premarket gains were enough to wipe out all the losses from Friday when Trump went on his E.U. trade tirade.

Tesla sales across Europe plunged by half last month even as growth in the electric car market picked up pace, according to data released Tuesday.

The numbers are the latest indication of how much the Tesla brand is suffering because of the backlash against billionaire CEO Elon Musk over his far-right views.

European shares have opened higher and U.S. futures also surged after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would delay a threatened 50% tariff on goods from the European Union to July 9.

Oil prices rose while Asian shares were mostly lower.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Monday that Lebanon will return to the Arab fold and is seeking investments from Arab countries.

"There has been a clear decision about Lebanon's return to the Arab world," Salam said, adding that he hopes that this step would pave the way for more partnerships and quality investments.

The Trump administration says making cents doesn't make sense anymore.

The U.S. Mint has made its final order of penny blanks and plans to stop producing the coin when those run out, a Treasury Department official confirmed Thursday. This move comes as the cost of making pennies has increased markedly, by upward of 20% in 2024, according to the Treasury.

President Donald Trump rewarded top investors in one of his cryptocurrency projects with a swanky dinner on Thursday night, an event that showed the ascendance of an emerging financial industry — and also the president's willingness to mix public office with personal profit.

Some 220 of the biggest investors in the $TRUMP meme coin were invited to Trump's luxury golf club in Northern Virginia, where they dined on filet mignon and halibut. According to participants' posts on social media, Trump spoke for about half an hour before dancing to the song "YMCA."