The cost of mailing a letter will climb again this summer after federal regulators approved another round of U.S. Postal Service (USPS) price increases, including a 4-cent increase in the price of a Forever stamp.

The Postal Regulatory Commission on Wednesday approved USPS’ proposed mailing services price changes, clearing the way for the new rates to take effect on July 12. 

The price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp will increase from 78 cents to 82 cents, while mailing service prices overall will rise by about 4.8%, according to the Postal Service.

Other approved price changes include:

• Domestic postcards: 61 cents to 65 cents
• Metered 1-ounce letters: 74 cents to 78 cents
• International postcards: $1.70 to $1.75
• International 1-ounce letters: $1.70 to $1.75

The additional-ounce charge for single-piece letters will remain 29 cents. USPS has said the latest increase is necessary as it continues grappling with rising operating costs and longstanding financial challenges.

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The new rates will take effect on July 12.  (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“In the midst of the severe financial crisis facing the Postal Service and continued rising operational costs, the Postal Service is using all available tools… to ensure we can continue to fulfill our universal service obligation and serve the American public,” USPS said when it proposed the increase in April.

The Postal Service generally receives no taxpayer funding for operating expenses and instead relies on revenue from postage, products and services.

The price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp will increase from 78 cents to 82 cents. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

While the Postal Regulatory Commission approved the rate changes, it also warned that USPS continues to face significant long-term challenges, including declining mail volume, service performance issues and a deteriorating financial outlook. The commission said it had no legal basis to reject the increase because it complies with current law.

The commission also said USPS used essentially all the pricing authority available for First-Class Mail under current regulations and remains concerned about substantial declines in market-dominant mail volume, ongoing service issues and the Postal Service’s overall financial condition as it reviews whether the current ratemaking system is meeting Congress’ objectives.

The Postal Service generally receives no taxpayer funding for operating expenses. ( Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Forever stamps purchased before the increase will continue to be valid for mailing a standard one-ounce letter regardless of when they are used.

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Hak Guna Bangunan (HGB) is a preferred land right for foreign investment in Indonesia, enabling legal entities to build and operate on land temporarily, supporting commercial, industrial, and development projects.

Hak Guna Bangunan (HGB) in Indonesia

Hak Guna Bangunan (HGB) is the most common land right utilized by foreign investors for commercial projects in Indonesia. It enables eligible legal entities, including foreign-managed PT PMAs, to develop and operate buildings on land for a predetermined period. While HGB offers significant development rights, it is merely one of several recognized land rights under Indonesian law, which also includes Hak Milik, Hak Pakai, Hak Guna Usaha (HGU), and Management Rights (HPL). Each type affects ownership, business activities, financing options, and future dealings differently.

Importance of Land Titles in Investment Projects

Having a clear land title, especially an HGB, is crucial for foreign investors engaged in acquiring commercial properties, establishing manufacturing units, leasing industrial land, or developing hospitality ventures. HGB has become the preferred choice because it permits development and operational activities on land held by Indonesian legal entities, including foreign-owned companies, supporting long-term business stability.

HGB: Rights and Limitations

Hak Guna Bangunan allows investors to construct and possess buildings on land for a specified period without granting outright ownership of the land itself. This legal framework ensures investors can develop, utilize, and commercialize properties effectively. However, it is important to recognize that HGB does not confer full ownership rights, which can influence future transactions and mortgage options.

Fiat is bringing its tiny electric Topolino to the U.S., offering American buyers a two-seat neighborhood EV that costs less than many used cars but tops out at just 19 mph.

The Stellantis-owned brand announced Tuesday that the Topolino is available to order through select U.S. dealers. It starts at $13,995, or $14,985 after destination fees.

The low sticker price comes as vehicles remain historically expensive. Three-year-old used vehicles averaged $31,548 in the first quarter of 2026, the second-highest first-quarter price on record behind 2022’s first-quarter peak of $32,164, according to Edmunds.

But the bargain price comes with limits. The vehicle is designed for use “beyond crowded streets,” including private neighborhoods, resorts, coastal areas and golf-cart-friendly communities, according to Fiat.

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The vehicle comes in two body styles, the Topolino and the Topolino Dolcevita.  (Fiat)

The EV is about 8 feet long, weighs 1,073 pounds and gets up to 46 miles of range from a 5.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. Fiat said it can fully charge in about five hours using a 2.3-kilowatt AC charger.

By the end of the summer, owners will be able to add a free conversion kit that turns the Topolino into a federally regulated low-speed vehicle, or LSV. 

The upgrade would raise the Topolino’s top speed to 25 mph and allow it on public roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less.

“An LSV is a federally regulated street-legal motor vehicle capable of speeds between 20 and 25 mph. Unlike standard golf carts restricted to the golf course, LSVs are legal on public roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less,” the company said in the announcement.

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The Topolino gets up to 46 miles of range and uses a 5.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. (Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)

The vehicle will be offered in two body styles, the Topolino and the Topolino Dolcevita.

Features include a Verde Vita exterior color, 14-inch wheels with vintage covers, LED lamps, hinged opening windows, a digital cluster, phone holder, bag hook and luggage space.

The standard Topolino comes with a panoramic sunroof, while the Topolino Dolcevita adds a roll-back soft top and rope-style doors.

“Topolino represents a new chapter for the brand in the U.S. – defined not just by size, but by purpose,” Olivier Francois, brand CEO at Fiat, said in a statement. “With Topolino, we bring a feeling, a lifestyle, a reminder that mobility can be joyful, expressive and beautifully simple.”

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Fiat and Citroen electric vehicles are seen at Tanger Med Port near Tangier, Morocco, before export on June 6, 2024. (Abdelhak Balhaki/Reuters)

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The U.S. launch gives Fiat another electric model beyond the 500e as the brand looks to grow its American customer base, according to Reuters.

The Topolino first launched in Europe in 2023. Its name, Italian for Mickey Mouse, comes from one of Fiat’s best-known cars from the 1930s.

The latest 1ST Airport Taxis Travel Confidence Index suggests the conflict in the Middle East, coupled with rising airline ticket prices, has weakened travel confidence among UK travellers during April, May and June 2026.

While Heathrow Airport recorded only a modest decline in overall passenger numbers during the period, the impact on travel to and from the Middle East was considerably more pronounced. Many survey respondents said they had delayed bookings, reconsidered destinations or postponed travel altogether.

Survey Highlights

Among the 3,200 respondents:

• Rising air fares were cited as one of the main reasons for delaying or reconsidering international travel.
• Geopolitical uncertainty influenced destination choices for many travellers.
• Respondents were more likely to choose European holidays instead of long-haul destinations affected by the conflict.
• Families reported becoming increasingly price-conscious as the overall cost of travel continued to rise.

Heathrow Traffic Overview

April 2026

April recorded the sharpest decline during the three-month period.

According to Heathrow, passenger numbers fell 5.3% year on year, to approximately 6.7 million, compared with around 7.1 million in April 2025. The airport attributed the decline to disruption linked to the Middle East conflict and temporary airspace closures.

Survey Insight

Respondents most frequently cited:

• Flight cancellations
• Regional airspace closures
• Higher ticket prices
• General uncertainty surrounding international travel

May 2026

Passenger traffic stabilised but remained 1.2% below the same month a year earlier.

Despite the overall decline, Heathrow recorded its busiest single day ever for the month of May, driven largely by stronger demand for European and African destinations. This suggests many travellers chose alternative routes rather than cancelling overseas travel altogether.

Survey Insight

Respondents reported:

• Switching destinations
• Booking later than usual
• Looking for lower fares
• Choosing shorter holidays

June 2026

By June, Heathrow had revised its passenger outlook for the remainder of 2026, forecasting traffic around 1.1% belowprevious expectations, citing continued downward pressure linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

Survey Insight

Many respondents said they intended to:

• Monitor prices more closely before booking
• Delay non-essential international travel
• Choose destinations they considered lower risk

The Hidden Story: Middle East Routes

Although Heathrow’s overall passenger decline remained relatively modest, the largest impact was concentrated on routes serving the Middle East.

Heathrow’s published traffic data showed:

• April: Passenger numbers on Middle East routes fell 52.4% year on year.
• May: Passenger traffic remained 31.1% lower than the previous year.

At the same time, Heathrow experienced stronger demand on routes serving Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, helping offset the decline on Middle East services. Transfer passenger numbers also remained comparatively resilient.

Rising Ticket Prices

Survey respondents consistently identified higher ticket prices as a significant concern when planning international travel.

One contributing factor has been higher aviation fuel costs. Jet fuel typically accounts for 20% to 30% of an airline’s operating costs, meaning sustained increases in fuel prices are often reflected in higher fares paid by passengers.

Conclusion

The 1ST Airport Taxis Travel Confidence Index suggests the Middle East conflict has influenced travel behaviour well beyond the region itself.

Rather than abandoning travel altogether, many UK travellers said they had changed destinations, delayed bookings or sought better-value alternatives. Heathrow’s overall decline in passenger numbers remained relatively limited because stronger demand for European, African and Asia-Pacific routes helped offset the sharp reduction in travel to and from the Middle East.

Methodology

The 1ST Airport Taxis Travel Confidence Index surveyed 3,200 UK travellers from a sample of 30,000 customers and subscribers. Responses were collected online during June 2026.

Traveller opinions and booking intentions presented in this report are based on the survey findings. Passenger traffic figures are drawn from Heathrow Airport’s published traffic updates and investor reports.

The state of Oregon’s utility regulator is implementing a new rule starting Wednesday that will raise the electricity bills of data centers and other large energy users to allow lower rates for other customers.

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved updated electricity rates for data centers and other residential and commercial customers that Portland General Electric (PGE) was required to change under a state law known as the Protecting Oregonians With Energy Responsibility (POWER) Act.

Under the law, PGE will raise rates by an average of 29% on data center customers, while residential customers will see an average decrease of 1.3%, commercial rates will fall by an average of 2.1%, and other industrial customers’ rates will decline by an average of 1.4%. PUC estimated that the move will impact about 963,000 customers across PGE’s service territory.

“These changes ensure that costs created by data centers in PGE’s territory are more accurately reflected in their rates,” said Commission Chair Letha Tawney. “By putting this structure in place now, we are getting ahead of a bigger issue, enabling responsible data centers to pay their own way, and protecting customers from higher costs in the future.”

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Data centers in PGE’s footprint will pay higher electric rates under Oregon’s new law. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

PGE’s rate changes officially take effect on Wednesday after a month-long review by PUC, after the changes were delayed from their original implementation date in early June to accommodate the more in-depth review. It is the first utility in Oregon to adopt a new rate schedule for data center customers under the law.

The POWER Act was signed into law last year by Gov. Tina Kotek after the legislation passed the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature on votes that largely went along party lines in both chambers.

Kotek said in a statement that the POWER Act “was intended to ensure fairness and accountability when large energy users, like data centers, take up more load on Oregon’s electrical grid.”

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Data centers help power AI models as well as enable cloud storage and other digital tools. (Lexi Critchett/Bloomberg)

Oregon’s move comes amid concerns about the impact of the rapid build out of data centers powering artificial intelligence (AI) tools on the electric grid and the costs borne by consumers and other businesses.

The Data Center Coalition, a group representing data center owners, operators and builders, has said it supports efforts to protect consumers from price increases and data centers paying the cost of expanding grid capacity, but told FOX Business that Oregon PUC’s order is “significantly out of step with the approaches and best practices being implemented in many other states.”

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The rapid buildout of AI data centers has increased the load on the electric grid. (Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

DCC’s vice president of energy, Aaron Tinjum, said in a statement to FOX Business that the group has filed a petition for Oregon PUC to reconsider its order, emphasizing that the data center industry is “committed to paying its full cost for the energy it uses to ensure that those costs are not shifted to other customers.”

“A workable approach, like those established in other markets, should align costs with cost causation, protect existing customers, and give data center customers a clear path to continue helping to drive clean energy and economic growth in Oregon,” Tinjum said. 

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“Protections should be evidence-based, structured carefully, and grounded in specific cost risks; otherwise they risk creating market friction, introducing uncertainty, and making Oregon less predictable and less competitive,” he added.