Tag Archives: United States

Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded after judges’ rulings

Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded after judges’ rulings

President Donald Trump’s administration says it will partially fund the SNAP food aid program after a pair of judges’ rulings required the payments to continue. That means grocery aid will resume for 1 in 8 Americans, though it has been delayed for millions already and the amount beneficiaries receive will be reduced. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it would not continue the funding in November due to the government shutdown. Two federal judges ruled last week that the government was required to keep the program running. But both gave the administration leeway to pay for it entirely or partially. It can normally take up two two weeks to load beneficiaries’ debit cards.… Continue Reading

Trump cuts tariffs on China after meeting Xi in South Korea

Trump cuts tariffs on China after meeting Xi in South Korea

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Donald Trump said he has decided to lower his combined tariff rates on imports of Chinese goods to 47% after talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on curbing fentanyl trafficking. Trump’s aggressive use of tariffs since returning to the White House for a second term combined with China’s retaliatory limits on exports of rare earth elements gave the meeting newfound urgency. Trump told reporters he decided to reduce the current rate from 57% after the talks. Xi said Washington and Beijing would work to finalize their agreements to provide “peace of mind” to both countries and the rest of the world, according to a report on the meeting carried by Chinese state media.… Continue Reading

Federal Reserve cuts key rate as government shutdown clouds economic outlook

Federal Reserve cuts key rate as government shutdown clouds economic outlook

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate Wednesday for a second time this year as it seeks to shore up economic growth and hiring even as inflation stays elevated. The move comes amid a fraught time for the central bank, with hiring sluggish and yet inflation stuck above the Fed’s 2% target. Compounding its challenges, the central bank is navigating without the economic signposts it typically relies on from the government, including monthly reports on jobs, inflation and consumer spending, which have been suspended because of the government shutdown. The Fed has signaled it may reduce its key rate again in December but the data drought raises the uncertainty around its next moves.… Continue Reading

Trump praises Japan’s new prime minister, saying US is an ‘ally at the strongest level’

Trump praises Japan’s new prime minister, saying US is an ‘ally at the strongest level’

TOKYO (AP) — President Donald Trump began one of his busiest days of his Asia trip on Tuesday by warmly greeting the new Japanese prime minister. He plans to later speak to U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier and mingle with business leaders. Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister just days ago and aims to strengthen ties with Trump while defending Japan’s economic interests. Trump seeks $550 billion in Japanese investment to reduce U.S. tariffs. He arrived in Tokyo on Monday after attending a summit in Malaysia. There, he celebrated a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. Meanwhile, tensions between the U.S. and China appear to be cooling, with a trade deal possibly in the works. Trump plans to leave for South Korea on Wednesday.… Continue Reading

Flight disruptions continue as air traffic controllers brace for their first full missing paychecks

Flight disruptions continue as air traffic controllers brace for their first full missing paychecks

A shortage of air traffic controllers has caused more flight disruptions at airports across the country. On Monday, Los Angeles International Airport experienced brief delays, while Dallas and Austin airports saw delays averaging 20 and 40 minutes, respectively. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary ground stop in Austin earlier Monday for about an hour. The disruptions come as the federal government shutdown nears a month. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned last week of increased delays and cancellations as controllers work without pay. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association reports mandatory overtime and missed paychecks are adding stress to the job.… Continue Reading

Trump administration posts notice that no federal food aid will go out Nov. 1

Trump administration posts notice that no federal food aid will go out Nov. 1

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1 as the government shutdown drags on. The cutoff would expand the impact of the impasse to some of the Americans most in need unless a resolution is found in just a few days. The notice comes after the Trump administration said it will not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the benefits flowing into November. The Trump administration blames Democrats, who say they won’t agree to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate with them on extending expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.… Continue Reading

Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke pot can legally own guns

Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke pot can legally own guns

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke marijuana can legally own guns, the latest firearm case to come before the court since its 2022 decision expanding gun rights. The high court agreed to hear the case Monday. President Donald Trump’s administration is asking the justices to revive a case against a Texas man charged with a felony because he allegedly had a gun in his home and acknowledged being a regular pot user. Defense attorneys got the charge tossed out after an appeals court largely struck down a law that bans guns from users of illegal drugs under the high court’s more expansive view of the Second Amendment.… Continue Reading

US envoys arrive in Israel to shore up the Gaza truce after violence flares

US envoys arrive in Israel to shore up the Gaza truce after violence flares

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Two of U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys traveled to Israel to shore up the tenuous ceasefire that’s holding in Gaza, a day after the fragile deal faced its first major flareup. On Sunday, Israel had threatened to halt aid transfers, and its forces killed dozens in strikes after accusing Hamas militants of killing two soldiers. By Monday, an Israeli security official said the delivery of food and other humanitarian aid into Gaza would resume through multiple crossings after Israeli inspection. It was not immediately clear if the flow of aid had restarted. The U.S.-proposed truce aims to end two years of war, but tensions remain high.… Continue Reading

China accuses US of cyberattack on national time center

China accuses US of cyberattack on national time center

BEIJING (AP) — China has accused the U.S. National Security Agency of cyberattacks on its national time center. The Ministry of State Security claims the U.S. agency exploited vulnerabilities in a foreign mobile phone brand’s messaging services in 2022. It allegedly stole sensitive information from the National Time Service Center’s staff. The ministry also says the U.S. used 42 types of cyberattack tools to target the center’s internal systems between 2023 and 2024. The time center is crucial for generating and distributing China’s standard time. The U.S. Embassy has not commented. This accusation could heighten tensions between Washington and Beijing.… Continue Reading

‘No Kings’ protests against Trump bring a street party vibe to cities nationwide

‘No Kings’ protests against Trump bring a street party vibe to cities nationwide

WASHINGTON (AP) — Large crowds of protesters have gathered in cities across the United for “No Kings” demonstrations against what they see a drift into authoritarianism under President Donald Trump. People carrying signs with slogans such as “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” or “Resist Fascism” packed into New York City’s Times Square on Saturday. They rallied by the thousands in parks in Boston, Atlanta and Chicago. There were also demonstrations outside capitols in several Republican-led states and hundreds of smaller public spaces. Republicans disparaged the demonstrations as “Hate America” rallies, but in many places the events looked more like a street party.… Continue Reading

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