Lines are growing at Russian gas stations -- and so is the frustration and uncertainty as several months of Ukrainian attacks have set oil refineries ablaze and choked supplies for motorists across the vast country. Fuel rationing has been introduced in many regions, with hourslong queues of cars snaking beside roads. Social media videos show drivers aghast at the length of the lines or swearing at empty gas pumps and rising prices. The fuel crisis — unprecedented for a nation that's one of the world’s biggest energy producers — has brought Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine home to ordinary Russians. It drew a rare admission from President Vladimir Putin, who acknowledged the problems for motorists and businesses.

The U.S. stock market drifted to a mixed finish after several AI stocks veered back up the roller coaster, while Apple shares dropped after hiking prices on many of its products. The S&P 500 slipped less than 0.1% Thursday after swinging between gains and losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.5%. Micron Technology helped lead the market after the computer memory company reported much stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts anticipated. Treasury yields eased in the bond market after a report said inflation is behaving pretty much as economists expected.

President Donald Trump visited a Mack Trucks facility in Pennsylvania, for a speech meant to focusing on the economy. Instead, he spent most of the time talking about himself — reliving highlights from his 2024 presidential campaign. Tuesday's visit marked Trump's first major public event outside Washington since signing an interim agreement to end the Iran war. Trump toured the facility and addressed a cheering crowd. He touched on various topics, including the economy, the U.S.-Mexico border, and prescription drugs. Trump urged support for Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in the upcoming elections. His visit highlighted Pennsylvania's importance as a swing state, with rising prices potentially impacting voter opinions.

Pullbacks in big technology companies sent indexes lower on Wall Street. The S&P 500 fell 1.4% Tuesday. The selling was concentrated in AI-related companies that have had huge run-ups in recent months and sent the market to record after record, most recently in early June. Investors are becoming worried that the growing likelihood of interest rate hikes this year to fight inflation will weigh on economic growth. The Nasdaq fell 2.2%. The Dow, which has less weighting in tech, held up better with a drop of just 0.1%. Chip companies, which have soared in recent weeks, sank. Micron Technology lost 13.2%.

Stocks closed higher on Wall Street, taking back most of their losses from a day earlier that were driven by anticipation that the Federal Reserve will likely raise interest rates this year in an effort to fight inflation. The S&P 500 rose 1.1% Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 1.9%. Crude oil prices wavered after the United States and Iran signed an agreement to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil tanker traffic. Treasury yields eased in the bond market.

U.S. stocks dropped on speculation the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates this year to keep a lid on inflation. The S&P 500 slumped 1.2% Wednesday after the Fed released projections showing nearly half its policymakers foresee at least one increase to its main interest rate in 2026. The Dow Jones Industrial Average went from a gain of 0.5% in the morning to a drop of 1%, while the Nasdaq composite sank 1.3%. Treasury yields climbed on rising expectations for a hike to rates. Higher rates can tap the brakes on inflation, but they also slow the economy and hurt prices for investments.

Economists and industry analysts say that even after oil starts flowing again from the Middle East, it could take awhile for the Iran war's effects on consumer prices to recede. That's because the fighting disrupted not only fuel supplies but also the supply chains for fertilizer, food and even footwear. Experts say that as long as business costs are elevated, customer prices are likely to be too. Gasoline, groceries, airline tickets and other items have all gotten more expensive during the war.