Wall Street’s three main indices have closed slightly higher after a choppy session as oil prices lost ground, with some officials ‌citing progress in US-Iran peace talks even as both sides took opposing stances over an Iranian uranium stockpile and control of the Strait of Hormuz.

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Amber Alert system, a nationwide emergency notification program for abducted children, takes its name from Amber Rene Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered in Arlington, Texas, in January 1996.

Amber Hagerman was riding her bicycle in a parking lot near her grandparents’ home on Jan. 13, 1996, when an unknown man abducted her. Her body was found four days later in a creek a few miles away. The crime remains unsolved.

In response to the tragedy, local residents and broadcasters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area pushed for a better emergency alert system. Radio stations and law enforcement collaborated to create an early warning mechanism that could quickly inform the public about child abductions.

The system was officially named in memory of Amber Hagerman. Although “AMBER” is presented as the acronym for “America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response,” this is a backronym created after the system was already named for the girl.

The first Amber Alert was issued in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 1996. It quickly spread to other Texas regions and then nationwide. By the early 2000s, the program had expanded across the United States and into Canada and Mexico.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) played a key role in standardizing criteria and promoting the system. Amber Alerts are now activated only in cases meeting specific guidelines: confirmed abduction, risk of serious harm or death to the child, and sufficient descriptive information for public assistance.

As of 2026, the Amber Alert system has helped recover more than 1,000 children safely since its inception. It utilizes emergency broadcast systems, highway signs, cell phone alerts, social media and news outlets to distribute information rapidly.

Amber’s mother, Donna Williams, has spoken publicly about her daughter’s legacy. She has expressed gratitude that the alert system continues to save lives in her daughter’s name.

The program has evolved with technology. In 2015, Facebook partnered with NCMEC to deliver Amber Alerts directly to users’ news feeds and notifications based on location. Wireless Emergency Alerts now reach cell phones in targeted areas without requiring apps.

Alternative names were used in some states early on, such as “Levi’s Call” in Georgia or “Rachael Alert” in Utah, but the Amber Alert name became the national standard.

The system is administered through partnerships between law enforcement, broadcasters, wireless providers and NCMEC. Activation criteria are strict to avoid overuse and maintain public trust.

Amber Hagerman was born Nov. 25, 1986. She was described by family as an outgoing child who loved riding her bicycle. Her abduction occurred in broad daylight, highlighting vulnerabilities even in familiar neighborhoods.

The case galvanized the community. A local radio station manager and others advocated for immediate public alerts, leading to the creation of what became the Amber Alert.

President George W. Bush signed the PROTECT Act in 2003, which included national support for Amber Alert systems. The law enhanced coordination and funding for the program.

Today, every U.S. state has an Amber Alert plan. The system has expanded internationally, with similar programs in other countries using different names but following comparable principles.

Amber’s legacy is honored annually on National Amber Alert Awareness Day, observed around the anniversary of her abduction. Law enforcement and child safety advocates use the occasion to educate the public on prevention and response.

The Amber Alert has become one of the most recognized emergency notification systems in the United States. It demonstrates how one child’s tragedy led to a nationwide tool that continues to protect others.

Authorities stress that Amber Alerts are reserved for the most serious abduction cases. The rapid public response they generate has proven effective in many recoveries.

The unsolved murder of Amber Hagerman remains under investigation by Arlington police. Her family continues to advocate for child safety and support for the alert system named in her honor.

The Acronym: What it Stands For As the program expanded nationwide and globally, the name was turned into a “backronym” (an acronym created from an existing word) to officially describe the system’s function: A – America’s M – Missing: B – Broadcast E – Emergency R – Response

Stellantis on Thursday announced a $70 billion turnaround strategy that aims to refocus the automaker on core brands, partnerships and more efficient use of factory capacity.

The investment is over five years and includes the production of 60 new models by 2030, including a mix of internal combustion engine, hybrid and fully electric vehicles.

The pivot marks a shift under the leadership of new CEO Antonio Filosa to more external partnerships for Stellantis – the parent company of brands such as Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram.

“The plan is grounded in reality,” Filosa told investors at the company’s capital markets day. “It is designed to create a condition for profitable and sustainable growth.”

STELLANTIS TAKES MASSIVE $26B HIT AFTER MOVING AWAY FROM EVS

New partnerships for Stellantis include production tie-ups with Chinese firms Leapmotor and Dongfeng, as well as cooperation with Tata Motors and its U.S. unit JLR. 

Those partnerships will allow Stellantis to utilize some of its excess manufacturing capacity to generate revenue through contract production by third-parties instead of unused plants sitting idle and accumulating costs.

The strategic shift also includes technology partnerships with Qualcomm, Applied Intuition and self-driving startup Wayve. The approach will allow the company to share costs with partners while accelerating development in areas like software and autonomous driving.

STELLANTIS UNVEILS MASSIVE $13B US INVESTMENT PLAN

Ticker	Security	Last	Change	Change %
STLA	STELLANTIS NV	7.56	+0.03	+0.40%

Filosa also outlined a new hierarchical structure for Stellantis’ 14 brands that will affect how product investment is directed.

Stellantis will focus about 70% of brand and product investment on Jeep, Ram, Peugeot and Fiat, as well as its Pro One division that makes commercial vehicles.

Brands like Chrysler and Alfa Romeo will be repositioned to have more of a regional focus, while Lancia and DS will shift into specialized roles under Fiat and Citroen.

STELLANTIS OFFERS EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT TO US BUYERS AS AUTO TARIFFS TAKE EFFECT

The product focus at Stellantis will focus on a range of more affordable vehicles that can support volume growth in addition to profitability.

Stellantis said it’s planning to invest over $27 billion in its platforms, powertrains and technologies, while it’s aiming to cut nearly $7 billion in annual costs by 2028 compared with a year ago.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Shares in the automaker were up slightly with prices up 0.2% as of early afternoon Thursday, rebounding after the stock opened the day in the red. Stellantis shares are down nearly 34% year to date and over 28% in the last year.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling more than 54,000 Elantra Hybrid vehicles in the U.S. due to a defect in the hybrid power system that could overheat and spark a fire, federal regulators said.

The recall covers certain 2024–2026 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid models. About 54,337 vehicles are being recalled, though Hyundai estimates only 1% may actually contain the defect, according to notices this past week from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

At the center of the recall is the vehicle’s hybrid power control unit (HPCU), which regulates electrical power in the hybrid system. NHTSA said a transistor inside the unit can overheat under heavy electrical loads.

TESLA RECALLS MORE THAN 218K VEHICLES OVER REARVIEW IMAGE ISSUE THAT POSES CRASH RISK

Drivers could experience a “no start” condition, reduced-power “limp mode,” or warning lights while driving. In rare cases, the overheating could damage internal components and raise the risk of a fire.

“Overheating of the HPCU could increase the risk of a fire,” NHTSA said.

Hyundai said it knows of four U.S. incidents tied to the issue, including one reported fire. No injuries or crashes have been reported.

WAYMO RECALLS MASSIVE AUTONOMOUS FLEET AFTER INCIDENT FLAGS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE

Hyundai dealers will fix the problem with a free HPCU software update. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed starting July 13.

“All owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail with instructions to bring their vehicle to a Hyundai dealer, where technicians will update the HPCU software,” NHTSA said. 

“This remedy will be offered at no cost to owners for all affected vehicles.”

MASSIVE HONDA RECALL IMPACTS 440K VEHICLES OVER AIRBAGS POTENTIALLY DEPLOYING ‘UNEXPECTEDLY’

Earlier this year, Hyundai said it was recalling more than 61,000 Palisade SUVs in the U.S. after an issue with powered seats was linked to the death of a child.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Hyundai did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

ET Intelligence Group: ITC‘s cigarette business reported margin pressure in the March quarter due to the recent increase in taxes. While other segments such as FMCG and paperboards showed improved profitability, their smaller size meant they could not fully offset the decline in cigarette margins.

To manage the impact of higher tax, the company is implementing tactics around pricing and product portfolio. It has taken multiple steps in recent months to strengthen its portfolio and protect market share. However, revenue growth and profitability in the near term remain exposed to the risk of higher illicit cigarette trade.

The stock has dropped nearly 24% so far in 2026, reflecting concerns around the company’s growth prospects following the tax increase. While valuations appear attractive, with the price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple at around 18 times, below its three- and five-year average of 23-24 times, the stock is likely to remain under pressure until there is more clarity on how the company navigates these challenges and whether its strategies deliver results.

The company stated that sharp tax hikes have historically fuelled illicit trade, with India being the fourth-largest market globally, according to Euromonitor estimates. It makes up nearly one-third of the legal market. The recent tax increase may further widen price gaps and encourage illicit activity.
ITC’s margin was weighed down by weakness in the cigarette business, which accounted for nearly half of revenue. The standalone operating margin before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA margin) on gross revenue basis dropped to 50% from 61% in the year ago quarter.

The agri segment’s margin also contracted to 5.8% from 7% during the period due to US tariffs, climate-related supply issues and West Asia-led logistical disruptions. Domestically, the government’s imposition on stock limits and export curbs on key commodities restricted business opportunities.
This was partly offset by margin expansion in the FMCG segment to 8.3% from 6.3%.