CHICAGO / AP Shoppers in Chicago will soon have to pay a checkout tax of 7 cents per bag at all retailers in the city unless they bring their own bags to stores. The tax, which starts Wednesday, is the city’s latest attempt to cut down on the use of disposable bags, which are usually given for free at …

  Bloomberg It’s a good time to be Elon Musk. Shares of the billionaire’s Tesla Motors Inc. have surged 40 percent since December 1, putting the stock within reach of a 52-week high. The acquisition of SolarCity is complete. Musk’s sprawling Gigafactory is now producing battery cells. And the clean-energy evangelist has the ear of a surprising fellow in Washington: …

  Bloomberg President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged cooperation in fighting the IS, the two sides said, as they seek to ease tension after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, its support for Syria, and allegations that Russian hackers sought to sway the US election. “The positive call was a significant start to improving the relationship between the United …