Powell alluded to the possibility that a stronger economy could push policy makers beyond existing plans for only three hikes. He is taking over the Fed at a time when the world's largest economy may be shifting gears to faster growth and declining unemployment, though inflation remains below the central bank's 2 percent goal. 

Russia hasn't paid the price. The head of the National Security Agency said Vladimir Putin hasn't been sufficiently punished for interfering in the 2016 election. And with midterms coming up, Trump, whose campaign is the subject of a criminal probe into potential collusion with the Kremlin, hasn't given the NSA any direction or additional authority on how to deter the Russians from doing it again, Admiral Mike Rogers told Congress. 

Comcast cuts in on Murdoch and the mouse. The American cable company has interrupted a complicated dance between Fox and Disney with a $31 billion offer for U.K. pay-TV channel Sky. Disney CEO Bob Iger sees the channel as the crown jewel of the package he's trying to buy from Rupert Murdoch, meaning Comcast's sudden appearance may make a mess of things.

The global super-rich are moving to Italy. The country is luring the ultra-wealthy with a flat $123,000 tax if they make the nation their home. The offer is part of a strategy to speed up its economic recovery by attracting investment and fresh capital.

A trillion reasons not to worry about Brexit. The world’s biggest sovereign wealth fund pledged to stick with the U.K. no matter what. The nation is the second largest investment market for Norway's $1 trillion fund, with $67 billion in stocks, $18.5 billion in bonds, and $6.3 billion in property.

All those empty storefronts are working out well for someone. Starbucks is certain it will soon be able to negotiate cheaper rents, thanks to all the retail vacancies across America. So if more than 14,000 U.S. locations aren't enough for you, wait awhile.

For one shining moment in the 1970s, LED watches were the future. The Hamilton Pulsar was a sensation and the first star of the quartz watch revolution. Johnny Carson didn't like it, but a lot of people did, if only for a short time.