Editor's Note: Some linked articles may be behind subscription paywalls.
1. Air India flight crashes after takeoff
More than 200 are dead after an Air India flight bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, the New York Times reports. The flight had 242 passengers and crew members onboard.
The plane crashed into a dining facility at the nearby medical college, killing at least five students there, the newspaper reports. Rescue workers continue to search the crash site.
2. Vermont governor vetoes hotel shelter bill
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott vetoed a bill passed by the state legislature aimed at revamping its hotel-motel program for sheltering the homeless, WCAX reports. The bill would have moved the administration of the program from the state Agency of Human Services to multiple community action agencies.
“Rather than continuing to fund a program that isn’t good for those in it, I believe we should focus on real solutions like building additional shelter capacity and requirements to engage in work, training and treatment for those who need it,” Scott said in a letter to state lawmakers.
3. Hoteliers closely watch the transaction market
Though the hotel deals pace has been slower in the U.S. than many predicted for the first half of the year, there's optimism it may pick up in the second half, reports CoStar News' Natalie Harms from the 2025 NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum.
"There's a lot of capital," said Sean Gormley, managing director at Morgan Stanley. "Capital markets are healthy on both the equity and the debt side. They're looking for growth and they're looking for value, and when you apply that to this industry, I think you're going to see, especially in the near-term transactions, in one of those two themes. But as we get into '26, I think an opportunity for a broader base of growth across lodging — that's really what's going to drive increase in activity."
4. UK economy contracted in April
The United Kingdom's economy contracted by 0.3% in April compared to March, more than the 0.1% slowdown predicted by economists, the Wall Street Journal reports. The country's economy grew by 0.7% in the first quarter.
The introduction of U.S. tariffs in April, even though it was followed by a new trade deal between the U.S. and U.K., still created some disruption for consumers and businesses.
“You hear it around the country when you go to businesses,” Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey told lawmakers. “Investment is an irreversible decision, so the appeal of waiting goes up.”
5. US businesses prepare for harsher immigration enforcement
Businesses across the U.S. are preparing for an expected crackdown on illegal immigration by the federal government, the New York Times reports. Though headlines are focused now on protests in Los Angeles, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are targeting places of employment in every state.
"Nerves are particularly high in sectors like construction, hospitality, healthcare and manufacturing," according to the article.
Brian Turmail, a spokesman for the Associated General Contractors of America, said the organization has been telling contractors they need to prepare for construction site visits from ICE agents. Employers generally are conducting I-9 audits to review the eligibility of their employees and exposure to any enforcement actions.