LONDON (AP) — Ukraine says it struck a Russian air base, targeting a depot and aircraft while Russia launched over 300 drones into Ukraine overnight. Ukraine’s air force says most of the drones were shot down or electronically jammed. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy discussed air defense and weapons production with U.S. President Trump as the U.S. paused some military aid to Ukraine.… Continue Reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed his signature bill of tax and spending cuts at the White House Fourth of July picnic. He’s taking a victory lap after muscling his main legislative priority through the Republican-controlled Congress. Fighter jets and a stealth bomber streaked through the sky over the picnic as Trump and first lady Melania Trump stepped out onto the White House balcony. The legislation extends Trump’s 2017 multi-trillion dollar tax cuts and cuts Medicaid and food stamps by $1.2 trillion. It provides for a massive increase in immigration enforcement. Congress’ nonpartisan scorekeeper projects that nearly 12 million more people will lose health insurance under the law.… Continue Reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — People are approaching this Independence Day with mixed feelings. Polls show declining national pride, especially among Democrats, during the Trump era. In southern California, some July Fourth celebrations have been canceled due to immigration raids and safety concerns. Protests against Trump’s policies are planned across the country. Meanwhile, fireworks retailers face challenges from tariffs on Chinese imports, though many are holding off price increases this year. Holiday travel is breaking records, and AAA reports over 72 million Americans expected to hit the road or fly.… Continue Reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans have propelled President Donald Trump’s multitrillion-dollar tax breaks and spending cuts bill to final congressional passage. Republicans overcame multiple setbacks to approve his signature second-term policy package Thursday before a Fourth of July deadline. GOP leaders worked overnight, and the president himself leaned on a handful of skeptics to drop their opposition and send the bill to his desk to become law. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York delayed voting for more than eight hours with a record-breaking speech against the bill. It’s $4.5 trillion in tax breaks, with $1.2 trillion in cuts to government programs. The president is expected to sign it into law Friday.… Continue Reading
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks ticked higher to hit another record. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% Wednesday and set an all-time high for the third time in four days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down by less than 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.9%. Tesla rallied following its latest update on deliveries, while Nike and other companies that import a lot from Vietnam rose after President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with the country. Shorter-term Treasury yields held steady ahead of a highly anticipated report coming on Thursday about the strength of the U.S job market.… Continue Reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Sales of Tesla electric cars fell sharply in the last three months as boycotts over Elon Musk’s political views continue to keep buyers away. Tesla is also facing stiff competition from other electric vehicle makers, especially in Europe where China’s BYD has taken a bite out of its market share. The 13% plunge in sales reported Wednesday adds to growing signs that Musk’s embrace of U.S. President Donald Trump and far-right politicians in Europe has had a deep and enduring impact to Tesla’s brand appeal. Sales fell to 384,122 in April through June, down from 443,956 in the same period last year.… Continue Reading
NEW YORK (AP) — A mixed day of trading left the U.S. stock market split, as Wall Street’s momentum slowed after setting record highs in each of the last two days. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% Tuesday for its first loss in four days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose roughly 400 points, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.8%. Tesla tugged on the market as the relationship between its CEO, Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump soured further. But most U.S. stocks rose. So did short-term Treasury yields following a better-than-expected report on U.S. job openings. Data on U.S. manufacturing was more mixed.… Continue Reading
OCHOPEE, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump toured an isolated new immigration detention surrounded by alligator-filled swamps in Florida’s Everglades. He suggested during Tuesday’s tour that the site could be a model for future lockups nationwide, as his administration races to expand the infrastructure necessary for increasing deportations. Trump called the lockup “Alligator Alcatraz.” That’s a moniker that has alarmed immigrant activists but appeals to the White House’s aggressive approach to deportations. Trump delighted in the area’s allegators. He even said of migrants that will soon be held at the center, “We’re going to teach them how to run away from an alligator if they escape prison.”… Continue Reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has hauled President Donald Trump’s big bill of tax breaks and spending cuts to passage after a turbulent overnight session. ice President JD Vance broke a 50-50 tie to push it over the top. The bill next goes back to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana warned off big revisions from his chamber’s version. But senators did make changes particularly to Medicaid health care. Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota worked through the night and ino Tuesday to strike a last-minute agreement between Republicans worried the bill’s health care reductions will leave millions without care and his conservative flank seeking steeper cuts to hold down deficits.… Continue Reading
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (AP) — A sheriff says a man shot firefighters battling a blaze in northern Idaho after they asked him to move his vehicle, killing two of them and wounding a third. Authorities say the man had set a fire and the firefighters who rushed to put out the blaze instead found themselves under fire. They took cover behind fire trucks, but two died and a third was wounded during a barrage of gunfire over several hours, authorities said. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said it appears the man later killed himself.… Continue Reading