Trump Says He Does Not Want to Extend Ceasefire with Iran President Donald Trump told CNBC in an interview on Tuesday that he did not want to extend a ceasefire with Iran, asserting that the United States was in a strong negotiating position and would ultimately secure a favorable deal. When asked about the possibility of prolonging the ceasefire, Trump stated, "I don't want to do that. We don't have that much time," emphasizing his reluctance to commit to further pauses in hostilities. The U.S. government has expressed confidence that ongoing talks with Iran will proceed in Pakistan, where negotiations are expected to take place. A senior Iranian official confirmed that Tehran is considering participation in the discussions, though the exact terms and timeline remain uncertain. Despite the potential for renewed diplomatic efforts, Trump warned that the U.S. would resume military operations against Iran if a deal was not reached soon. "I expect to be bombing because I think that's a better attitude to go in with," Trump said, adding that the military was "raring to go" if necessary. His comments reflect a hardline stance toward Iran, which has been a focal point of U.S. foreign policy amid regional tensions. The administration has maintained that the ceasefire, which was brokered in recent months, has not fully resolved underlying conflicts, particularly regarding Iran's nuclear program and regional influence. The prospect of further peace talks remains unclear, with both sides expressing cautious optimism. However, Trump's public statements suggest a preference for maintaining military pressure as a bargaining chip. Analysts have noted that the U.S. approach balances diplomatic engagement with the threat of force, a strategy that has characterized U.S.-Iran relations for years.#pakistan #iran #middle_east #donald_trump #cnbc
Fashion Retailers Embrace AI Virtual Try-On Technology to Cut Returns Fashion retailers are increasingly integrating AI-powered virtual try-on tools into their digital strategies to address the persistent issue of high product return rates, according to a report by CNBC published on April 5, 2026. The shift is driven by the need to reduce the financial burden of returns, which have long been a significant challenge for the industry. Startups such as Catches, along with major platforms like Shopify and Google, are leveraging generative AI and advanced fabric physics simulations to create realistic virtual fitting experiences for customers. These tools aim to bridge the gap between online shopping and in-store try-ons by allowing shoppers to visualize how garments would fit and look on their bodies without physically purchasing the item. The National Retail Federation (NRF) reported that in 2025, approximately 15.8% of retail sales—amounting to $849.9 billion—were attributed to returns. This figure highlights the scale of the problem, as returns not only incur direct costs for retailers but also strain supply chains and logistics operations. By offering virtual try-on capabilities, retailers hope to mitigate these issues by increasing customer confidence in their purchases. The technology simulates how clothing items would drape, stretch, and move on a virtual avatar, taking into account factors such as body shape, posture, and fabric properties. This level of realism is achieved through generative AI models trained on vast datasets of human body measurements and material behaviors. The adoption of these tools is part of a broader trend toward digital innovation in retail.#national_retail_federation #cnbc #shopify #fashion_retailers #ai_virtual_try_on
Meta Cutting Several Hundred Jobs Across Multiple Divisions Meta is laying off several hundred employees on Wednesday, according to CNBC. The layoffs are affecting multiple departments within the company, including Facebook, global operations, recruiting, sales, and its virtual reality division, Reality Labs. A source familiar with the company’s plans confirmed the restructuring, though they requested anonymity due to confidentiality concerns. Some impacted employees are being offered new roles within the company, though in some cases, these positions may require relocation. A Meta spokesperson stated that teams across the company regularly undergo restructuring to align with strategic goals. The spokesperson added, “Where possible, we are finding other opportunities for employees whose positions may be impacted.” The layoffs come as Meta shifts its focus toward artificial intelligence, investing billions of dollars to compete with rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. This move follows previous cuts in January, when Meta laid off employees in its Reality Labs division and shut down several VR studios. Those layoffs affected over 1,000 jobs, representing about 10% of the unit responsible for Quest VR headsets and the Horizon Worlds virtual social network. The company has also been scaling back its VR ambitions, with recent reports indicating a reduction in the number of VR titles in development. Meta’s stock rose nearly 3% in March after Reuters reported that the company could cut more than 20% of its workforce. However, a Meta spokesperson at the time dismissed the report as speculative, emphasizing that the company had not confirmed any such plans. Despite the layoffs, Meta continues to prioritize hiring talent in generative AI and related technologies.#meta #cnbc #reality_labs #hugo_barra #dreamer
Bitcoin and Ethereum Price to Surge in March? Tom Lee Bullish On Rebound Despite WW3 Threat Bitcoin and Ethereum’s prices could rebound in March, according to Fundstrat’s Tom Lee, who has remained optimistic despite escalating Middle East tensions that risk a broader global conflict. Lee told CNBC that historical market behavior during geopolitical shocks suggests investors often benefit from staying invested rather than exiting positions. He argued that while fears of a larger conflict, even World War III, persist, markets historically recover quickly unless such worst-case scenarios materialize. Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Lee acknowledged growing investor concerns about geopolitical tensions escalating into a larger conflict. However, he emphasized that markets have historically shown resilience in such scenarios. “A lot of experts are going to worry that this could encompass a larger conflict,” Lee said, adding that he expects markets broadly—including Bitcoin and Ethereum—to rebound in the coming weeks. He noted that March could be an up month for the stock market, citing early weakness in technology stocks, major AI companies, and cryptocurrencies as signs the market may already be near a bottom. Lee, who chairs the Ethereum treasury Bitmine, reiterated his confidence in Ethereum’s long-term fundamentals. He pointed to growing activity on the Ethereum network, including nearly every major tokenized fund announcement occurring on the platform. “There’s so much being built on Ethereum now,” he said, suggesting that this activity should eventually translate into higher prices. VanEck, another analyst, also signaled optimism about the crypto market bottoming. Speaking on CNBC earlier this week, the executive noted the recent rally in Bitcoin and major crypto-related stocks could indicate the worst of the downturn is passing.#ethereum #tom_lee #fundstrat #cnbc #bitmine
