The American Express Times
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Watch prices are rising
Luxury watch prices have surged in early 2026, with average increases of around 7% for mainstream luxury brands and nearly 28% for ultra-prestige labels, driven by inflation, currency shifts, and premiumization strategies. This widespread price growth is reshaping the market by pushing many brands upscale while creating openings for lower-tier and microbrand watches to attract…
★ Featured Stories
Kraft, Patriots sue Foxborough over licensing arrangement
The Kraft Group and the New England Patriots have sued Foxborough, Massachusetts, alleging the town unlawfully imposed excessive fees—far beyond the $100 legal limit—as conditions…
Their time was short, their treasures many
Kelli Peters and her fiancé Fox held a brief wedding ceremony in a hospital room as his rare cancer rapidly progressed, with the city registrar…
The secret behind Cape Verde’s World Cup moment
Cape Verde held reigning European champions Spain to a goalless draw in their first-ever World Cup match, with goalkeeper Vozinha making seven key saves to…
Can’t find a primary care doctor? Join the club.
Massachusetts Senate leaders have introduced a bill to increase primary care spending from current levels to 15 percent over three years and promote new payment…
★ All Stories
Saints Re-sign Cameron Jordan for Final NFL Season
New Orleans Saints defensive star Cameron Jordan has signed a one-year contract to play his final NFL season with the team where he has spent…
Several Letters Criticize Trump’s UFC Event and Presidency
Several readers criticized the UFC event held on the White House South Lawn during the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, viewing it as…
Kerry Critical of Trump’s Plan to End Iran War
John Kerry criticized the Trump administration’s recent memorandum of understanding intended to end the conflict with Iran, arguing that withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal…
Data center CEO faces domestic violence charge tied to incident
Jeffrey Markley, CEO of the Markley Group data center company, was arrested and charged with assault and battery following an alleged domestic incident at his…
‘Belongs to the USA now’: Scottish soccer superfan lost his kilt
Craig Ferguson, who completed a 3,100-mile walk from Los Angeles to Boston wearing a rare, torn blue kilt, has reported the loss of the garment…
US offers $500M loan for rare-earths plant
The Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital has provisionally committed $500 million in debt financing to Phoenix Tailings Inc. for building a rare-earth processing plant aimed…
Housing bill deal reached in Congress after months of fighting
Congressional leaders reached a bipartisan agreement on a major housing reform bill that limits institutional investors' purchases of single-family homes and includes deregulatory banking measures.…
SpaceX deal for AI coding tool Cursor enriches MIT classmates
Four MIT graduates became multibillionaires as SpaceX agreed to acquire their AI-driven coding startup, Cursor, in an all-stock deal valued at $60 billion. The acquisition,…
Messi’s Hat Trick Leads Argentina to World Cup Win
Lionel Messi scored a hat trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their World Cup opener, marking his first World Cup…
US Disputes Iran’s Complaints About World Cup Logistics
The United States disputed complaints from Iran’s national soccer team about being required to leave the country immediately after their opening World Cup match, citing…
Knicks’ Historic Playoff Run Culminates in NBA Title Parade
The New York Knicks won their first NBA championship since 1973, capping a dominant playoff run with a victory parade through Manhattan's financial district. This…
How Hockey Scored Its 5-in-5 Goal: NCAA Modifies Eligibility Proposal
The NCAA has approved a revised “5-in-5” eligibility rule for college hockey that starts a player’s eligibility clock when they turn 19 or enroll in…
Why it matters that Trump’s name is off the Kennedy Center
A federal judge ordered the removal of Donald Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after he added it without…
No relief as Boston classrooms overheat
Several classrooms in Boston Public Schools, particularly in eight schools without air conditioning, have experienced dangerously high indoor temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit,…
Quincy council votes down purchase of college campus
The Quincy City Council voted 6-3 to decline the $22.5 million purchase of the closed Eastern Nazarene College campus, rejecting a proposal to acquire its…
Coordinated care: Novel Mass. General clinic meets unhoused people where they are
Massachusetts General Hospital has launched a quarterly vascular surgery clinic that provides comprehensive, coordinated care for unhoused individuals with serious vascular conditions to prevent emergency…
CVS to open in Nubian Square
CVS Pharmacy will open a new location in Nubian Square, Roxbury, this July, returning a major chain drugstore to the area after multiple Walgreens closures.…
Both parents now work full time in most US families
In 2023, 52 percent of two-parent families in the U.S. had both parents working full time, a rise driven mainly by mothers with higher education…
Norway’s Erling Haaland shines in 4-1 World Cup win over Iraq
Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in a World Cup Group I match, with Erling Haaland scoring twice and playing a key role in shifting momentum for…
Mbappé Makes World Cup History in France’s Victory
Kylian Mbappé scored twice in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal, becoming the nation’s all-time leading scorer with 58 international goals and tying for third on…
England Suffers Injury Setback Ahead of World Cup Opener
England's Tino Livramento was ruled out of the World Cup due to a calf injury, with Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah called up as his replacement. Tunisia…
A unique proposal
Architect Rory Corr received a Max Bill watch as a marriage proposal gift from his fiancée Amy Wilson, a jewelry consultant, connecting to his deep…
The night the Tartan Army took over Fenway Park
Thousands of Scottish football fans from the Tartan Army brought their passionate support to Fenway Park in Boston the night after Scotland's World Cup match…
Deaton, Moulton debate without Markey on Senate race
Republican John Deaton and Democrat Seth Moulton debated for a Massachusetts U.S. Senate seat in the absence of incumbent Senator Ed Markey, who declined to…
Motorcyclist faces dozens of reckless driving charges in Rhode Island
Ahmed T. Al Gburi, a motorcyclist with a large social media following known for posting high-speed riding videos, was charged with multiple counts of reckless…
Harvard Book Store to open new shop, cafe close to Faneuil Hall
Harvard Book Store will open a new 5,000-square-foot location this fall at 33 Union Street in Boston, featuring a curated book selection, a children’s section,…
Massachusetts students increasingly question value of four-year college degrees
A recent survey found that only 45 percent of Massachusetts parents now expect their children to pursue a four-year college degree, marking a notable decline…
US housing starts drop to weakest pace since 2020
New residential construction in the U.S. dropped to its lowest level in six years in May, with housing starts falling 15.4 percent due to a…
Optimism fades as Red Sox falter in divisional play
The Boston Red Sox lost 6-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays, dropping to a 6-15 record against AL East opponents and highlighting their struggles within…
Neymar Returns to Training But Unlikely to Play Next Match
Neymar has resumed training with Brazil’s World Cup team after recovering from a right leg injury but will likely miss the upcoming match against Haiti.…
Tortorella Won’t Return as Golden Knights Coach After Stanley Cup Run
John Tortorella will not return as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights after leading the team to the Stanley Cup Final following his midseason…
B-52 crash came as Air Force was upgrading
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced his support for abolishing the death penalty, citing evidence that it fails to deter violent crime and highlighting practical challenges…
Optimism Fades as Red Sox Falter Versus Blue Jays
The Boston Red Sox received encouraging updates on injured players Roman Anthony, Garrett Crochet, and Romy Gonzalez as they prepare for their upcoming games. These…
Fleet’s Aerin Frankel Named PWHL MVP and Top Goaltender
The Boston Fleet claimed five major honors at the Professional Women’s Hockey League Awards, highlighted by goaltender Aerin Frankel winning both MVP and Goaltender of…
Wes Gardner, 65, former Sox reliever-starter
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Wes Gardner, known for his time with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, passed away on June 10…
Jane Lynch, Megan Hilty added to Boston Pops July 4 show lineup
Actress Jane Lynch will host and Tony Award winner Megan Hilty will perform at the Boston Pops’ July 4 Fireworks Spectacular at the Hatch Shell.…
Fallow Kin Restaurant Review Highlights Seasonal Innovation
Fallow Kin, a New England farm-to-table restaurant, has gained acclaim for its inventive seasonal menu that highlights sustainability and creative uses of offal. Its unique…