Washington
Trump’s new economic squeeze on Iran has a big challenge: China
WASHINGTON | The ” economic onslaught ” that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has declared on Iran’s financial connections around the world may have one major caveat: China. Beijing is Iran’s biggest trading partner and its leading oil buyer. While the U.S. is trying to isolate the Islamic Republic from its remaining economic partners, President Donald […]
Release of Marine veteran from Russian custody turns focus to other detainees with health concerns
WASHINGTON | Robert Gilman’s release from Russian custody this month heralded a long-awaited homecoming for the Marine veteran after more than four years behind bars. But as Harold Jezler followed the media coverage from the United States, he couldn’t help but notice Gilman’s gaunt and sickly appearance and think of the implications for his wife, […]
The US and Canada could pull back from an all-out trade war. It’s not clear that they will
WASHINGTON | The U.S. and Canada have ramped up their trade war, hitting each other with steep new tit-for-tat tariffs. Despite the bravado coming from both sides of the border, though, analysts suspect the longtime allies will eventually strike a deal to end a conflict neither really wants. The prospects for compromise looked bleak Tuesday, […]
Secret Service confirms awareness of Iranian state media video threatening Barron Trump’s life
WASHINGTON | The U.S. Secret Service has confirmed it is aware that Iranian state media has aired a video that appears to threaten the life of Barron Trump, President Donald Trump’s youngest son. “The U.S. Secret Service is aware of the video and investigates anything that can be perceived as a threat toward our protectees,” […]
Iran’s rial currency hits new record low as US prepares to announce more sanctions
TEHRAN, Iran | Iran’s currency hit a record low Monday as Washington prepared to announce new sanctions it said would add further pressure on an economy already battered by previous sanctions and a U.S. naval blockade. The rial dropped to 2.02 million to the U.S. dollar as trading opened on currency markets. Iran’s official Central […]
US and Canada fall deeper into a trade war with new tariffs as talks collapse and blame is spread
TORONTO | The United States and Canada, historic allies along an undefended border, fell deeper into a trade war Saturday marked by angry recriminations and new tariffs that are expected to raise prices for products in both countries. Each side blamed the other for the collapse of negotiations in Washington late Friday, leading the U.S. […]
Supreme Court sides with Trump administration on mail voting restrictions ahead of midterms
WASHINGTON | The Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration Monday in a case over President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting mail-in voting, though it remains unclear how much can be implemented before the fast-approaching midterm elections. The decision leaves room for additional court challenges that could further slow Trump’s order, and other similar cases […]
Trump keeps embracing data centers even as they become toxic in midterm races
WASHINGTON | President Donald Trump, speaking alongside cryptocurrency leaders at the White House this week, made a statement that Republican and Democratic candidates alike wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole. “If I were the mayor of a town or the governor of a state, and I had a chance to get a big plant in, […]
Trump announces plan to lower beef prices, but ranchers and some Republicans are already balking
WASHINGTON | President Donald Trump announced Friday that his administration will allow more beef to be temporarily imported into the U.S. without triggering higher tariffs, as he remains under pressure to cut costs and address affordability issues ahead of November’s midterms. Beef prices have climbed to record highs amid a sharp drop in the number […]
Supreme Court’s chief justice allows work on Trump’s $400M White House ballroom to continue for now
WASHINGTON | Chief Justice John Roberts on Friday allowed the White House to continue construction on President Donald Trump’s $400 million ballroom project for now, as the Supreme Court considers the Trump administration’s emergency request to intervene in lawsuits over the project. The temporary order comes hours before lower-court rulings would have forced a halt […]