7 days ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has spent 20 months promising that America was on the cusp of an economic boom. But Friday's surprisingly positive jobs report ultimately provoked frustration from Trump.
The August job numbers might have been a welcome break from after months of sluggish hiring and concerns about inflation that have been weighing on Trump and his party two months from Election Day. But speaking from the Oval Office, Trump instead launched into a grievance session about inflation and interest rates. His anger was aimed at the financial markets, the Federal Reserve and U.S. trade partners. He objected to the commonly accepted notion in economics that the surprise gain of 162,000 jobs in August could contribute to inflationary pressures.
"Success does not cause inflation. Stupidity causes inflation," Trump vented in the Oval Office, as he declared it "crazy" that the stock markets fell Friday on inflation concerns.
The combination over his second term of a drop-off in hiring and higher prices has dogged Trump and his pledge to instantly unleash historic levels of growth. "When I win the election, we will immediately begin a brand new Trump economic boom," Trump said at an August 2024 rally in North Carolina. But so far, the economy has grown at roughly 2% annually, slower than the gains during the Biden administration.
Trump blamed his inability to deliver stronger growth on higher interest rates for U.S. government debt, saying on social media that America could retaliate by stopping trade with foreign countries. Rates have been climbing in response to persistently high inflation fueled by Trump's tariffs and oil shortages from the Iran war. The national debt has now crossed the daunting threshold of $40 trillion and rates on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note on Friday rose to 4.79%.
#august
The August job numbers might have been a welcome break from after months of sluggish hiring and concerns about inflation that have been weighing on Trump and his party two months from Election Day. But speaking from the Oval Office, Trump instead launched into a grievance session about inflation and interest rates. His anger was aimed at the financial markets, the Federal Reserve and U.S. trade partners. He objected to the commonly accepted notion in economics that the surprise gain of 162,000 jobs in August could contribute to inflationary pressures.
"Success does not cause inflation. Stupidity causes inflation," Trump vented in the Oval Office, as he declared it "crazy" that the stock markets fell Friday on inflation concerns.
The combination over his second term of a drop-off in hiring and higher prices has dogged Trump and his pledge to instantly unleash historic levels of growth. "When I win the election, we will immediately begin a brand new Trump economic boom," Trump said at an August 2024 rally in North Carolina. But so far, the economy has grown at roughly 2% annually, slower than the gains during the Biden administration.
Trump blamed his inability to deliver stronger growth on higher interest rates for U.S. government debt, saying on social media that America could retaliate by stopping trade with foreign countries. Rates have been climbing in response to persistently high inflation fueled by Trump's tariffs and oil shortages from the Iran war. The national debt has now crossed the daunting threshold of $40 trillion and rates on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note on Friday rose to 4.79%.
#august
17 days ago
DALLAS (AP) — A California couple in an escalating fight with their surrogate over a newborn with a life-threatening heart defect told a Texas court Tuesday that the child's condition has worsened and they are anguished by attempts to deny them parental rights because they previously wanted an abortion.
"He's our child," Nausheen Gilkar said, wiping away tears on the witness stand.
"She's unstable," Gilkar said of surrogate McKenna West, who was sitting across from her in the Dallas courtroom. "She's trying to take him from us."
The hearing offered the fullest public airing to date of a deepening and high-profile dispute over surrogacy and abortion that has rushed right-to-life groups and GOP officeholders to the side of West, a nurse who flew from Alaska to have the baby on Aug. 12 in Texas, where most abortions are banned.
Gilkar and her husband, Omar Ahmed, say they named the newborn Rumi. Attorneys for West, who has called the child Gabriel, said she is seeking sole conservatorship to make medical decisions for the child.
#child #surrogate
"He's our child," Nausheen Gilkar said, wiping away tears on the witness stand.
"She's unstable," Gilkar said of surrogate McKenna West, who was sitting across from her in the Dallas courtroom. "She's trying to take him from us."
The hearing offered the fullest public airing to date of a deepening and high-profile dispute over surrogacy and abortion that has rushed right-to-life groups and GOP officeholders to the side of West, a nurse who flew from Alaska to have the baby on Aug. 12 in Texas, where most abortions are banned.
Gilkar and her husband, Omar Ahmed, say they named the newborn Rumi. Attorneys for West, who has called the child Gabriel, said she is seeking sole conservatorship to make medical decisions for the child.
#child #surrogate
18 days ago
CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — A mountainous heap of refuse collapsed at the largest landfill in Guinea 's capital of Conakry early on Sunday, killing 30 people, according to the central government.
Authorities said that heavy rains, which started at around 2 a.m., washed over the refuse at Dar Es Salam — the largest landfill in Conakry — and triggered a landslide that buried nearby shacks. A search and rescue operation was underway to find survivors. Six people were seriously injured and several homes were destroyed.
The site, an open-air waste dump which is the largest in the city, had been designated for closure on Sunday, according to Lt. Col. Baldé Mamadou Bailo, the sanitation officer for the military engineering battalion.
Locals living around the landfill had been given eviction notices, which forced many to leave the area, but many others were still around at the time of the disaster, according to authorities.
"We will ensure that the remaining families are relocated elsewhere," Dienabou Touré, the minister of territorial administration and decentralization, said at the scene.
#landfill #guinea
Authorities said that heavy rains, which started at around 2 a.m., washed over the refuse at Dar Es Salam — the largest landfill in Conakry — and triggered a landslide that buried nearby shacks. A search and rescue operation was underway to find survivors. Six people were seriously injured and several homes were destroyed.
The site, an open-air waste dump which is the largest in the city, had been designated for closure on Sunday, according to Lt. Col. Baldé Mamadou Bailo, the sanitation officer for the military engineering battalion.
Locals living around the landfill had been given eviction notices, which forced many to leave the area, but many others were still around at the time of the disaster, according to authorities.
"We will ensure that the remaining families are relocated elsewhere," Dienabou Touré, the minister of territorial administration and decentralization, said at the scene.
#landfill #guinea
1 month ago
(NEXSTAR) – The Powerball jackpot has, once again, reached the $1 billion mark after no ticket was able to match the winning numbers drawn earlier this week.
Hours after the drawing Monday night, game officials estimated the jackpot at $975 million, but further review ******* ped the grand prize up to the rare estimated value of $1 billion with a cash value of $422.3 million.
The current jackpot now ranks as the eighth-largest in Powerball history, just $80 million away from tying for the No. 7 spot:
$2.04 billion: Nov. 7, 2022; California
$1.817 billion: Dec. 24, 2025; Arkansas
#million #estimated #california
Hours after the drawing Monday night, game officials estimated the jackpot at $975 million, but further review ******* ped the grand prize up to the rare estimated value of $1 billion with a cash value of $422.3 million.
The current jackpot now ranks as the eighth-largest in Powerball history, just $80 million away from tying for the No. 7 spot:
$2.04 billion: Nov. 7, 2022; California
$1.817 billion: Dec. 24, 2025; Arkansas
#million #estimated #california
1 month ago
Jordan Herrera, an attorney, Air Force veteran and former Missouri **** istant attorney general, won the Democratic nomination Tuesday in Missouri's newly redrawn 4th Congressional District, defeating better-funded democratic socialist Hartzell Gray in a seven-way primary.
Herrera prevailed over Gray, the 33-year-old former Kansas City radio host and tenant organizer who drew national attention after appearing on Hasan Piker's Twitch livestream and blasting "sell-out Democrats."
The result puts a more conventional Democrat on the November ballot against Republican Rep. Mark Alford in the GOP-leaning district, rather than Gray, who had framed his campaign as a left-wing challenge to the party establishment.
Rnc And Nrcc File Lawsuit Defending Missouri's New Congressional Map Against Democratic Challenges
The new 4th District takes in part of Kansas City before extending south through a broad swath of suburban and rural Missouri. While the map made Alford's district less Republican than it had been, it remains a solidly GOP seat.
#missouri #city
Herrera prevailed over Gray, the 33-year-old former Kansas City radio host and tenant organizer who drew national attention after appearing on Hasan Piker's Twitch livestream and blasting "sell-out Democrats."
The result puts a more conventional Democrat on the November ballot against Republican Rep. Mark Alford in the GOP-leaning district, rather than Gray, who had framed his campaign as a left-wing challenge to the party establishment.
Rnc And Nrcc File Lawsuit Defending Missouri's New Congressional Map Against Democratic Challenges
The new 4th District takes in part of Kansas City before extending south through a broad swath of suburban and rural Missouri. While the map made Alford's district less Republican than it had been, it remains a solidly GOP seat.
#missouri #city
2 months ago
Dramatic video captured the moment Des Moines police confronted an armed road rage suspect after officers said he threatened to shoot the occupants of another vehicle following a minor crash.
Officers responded around 2:30 p.m. Friday after receiving reports that one of the drivers involved in a crash in Des Moines was pointing a handgun at another driver, according to police.
Police identified the suspect as 43-year-old Bradley Ratkovich.
Watch: Driver Smirks In Mugshot After Allegedly Hitting Group Of Cyclists In Caught-on-camera Road Rage
Investigators said evidence, including witness statements and video recordings, indicates Ratkovich got out of his vehicle after the crash and pointed a Glock 9 mm handgun at the 18-year-old driver of the other vehicle and his 16-year-old female passenger. Police said Ratkovich also threatened to "shoot."
#ratkovich #driver #year #moines
Officers responded around 2:30 p.m. Friday after receiving reports that one of the drivers involved in a crash in Des Moines was pointing a handgun at another driver, according to police.
Police identified the suspect as 43-year-old Bradley Ratkovich.
Watch: Driver Smirks In Mugshot After Allegedly Hitting Group Of Cyclists In Caught-on-camera Road Rage
Investigators said evidence, including witness statements and video recordings, indicates Ratkovich got out of his vehicle after the crash and pointed a Glock 9 mm handgun at the 18-year-old driver of the other vehicle and his 16-year-old female passenger. Police said Ratkovich also threatened to "shoot."
#ratkovich #driver #year #moines
2 months ago
A solar panel company which is planning to create hundreds of jobs is calling for certainty from politicians to aid its expansion.
Power Roll currently employs around 35 people at its test plant in Murton, County Durham, where it is developing pioneering new technology using cells smaller than human hairs.
But the firm said it needed clarity on government green policies as it was making plans for up to 20 years ahead.
Labour MP Luke Myer told Politics North "clean power" was "an opportunity for our region... it's also an opportunity to make sure we have energy security as well".
Power Roll chief executive Neil Spann said the flexible film they were developing was "first of a kind" and not being done "anywhere else in the world".
Power Roll currently employs around 35 people at its test plant in Murton, County Durham, where it is developing pioneering new technology using cells smaller than human hairs.
But the firm said it needed clarity on government green policies as it was making plans for up to 20 years ahead.
Labour MP Luke Myer told Politics North "clean power" was "an opportunity for our region... it's also an opportunity to make sure we have energy security as well".
Power Roll chief executive Neil Spann said the flexible film they were developing was "first of a kind" and not being done "anywhere else in the world".
2 months ago
Emergency crews in New York City have stabilized the building in Midtown Manhattan that had been showing signs it could partially collapse and Mayor Zohran Mamdani says the high-rise hasn't moved since Tuesday. Brand new images show temporary supports stabilizing the 21st floor where two structural support beams had buckled. NBC's Sam Brock reports for TODAY.
2 months ago
NEW YORK (AP) — Middle-income Americans straining to pay for Affordable Care Act health insurance are unlikely to get relief next year, according to a new ****** ysis that shows insurers in the marketplace are proposing a second straight year of double-digit premium hikes.
Across the 77 insurers in the ACA program that have submitted rate filings that are publicly available, the median proposed premium increase for 2027 is 14%, according to Wednesday's ****** ysis from the healthcare research nonprofit KFF. The insurers cited mounting healthcare costs, federal regulatory changes and the recent expiration of pandemic-era enhanced subsidies as the biggest factors driving premiums higher.
The rise in premiums adds to what already was a significant jump in 2026, when the median rate increase was 20%, according to KFF.
While most Americans in Obamacare still qualify for subsidies that protect them from paying the full premiums, middle-class enrollees who don't get those subsidies will face an especially stark increase in costs. That group includes households with incomes at or above 400% of the poverty level — about $63,000 per year for an individual or $129,000 for a family of four.
The rate increases come as federal lawmakers have proposed various policy changes to overhaul the expensive U.S. healthcare system, but no comprehensive legislation has amassed enough support to pass. The higher costs are contributing to Americans' existing worries about overall affordability, a concern that many voters say is front of mind with November's midterm elections looming.
Across the 77 insurers in the ACA program that have submitted rate filings that are publicly available, the median proposed premium increase for 2027 is 14%, according to Wednesday's ****** ysis from the healthcare research nonprofit KFF. The insurers cited mounting healthcare costs, federal regulatory changes and the recent expiration of pandemic-era enhanced subsidies as the biggest factors driving premiums higher.
The rise in premiums adds to what already was a significant jump in 2026, when the median rate increase was 20%, according to KFF.
While most Americans in Obamacare still qualify for subsidies that protect them from paying the full premiums, middle-class enrollees who don't get those subsidies will face an especially stark increase in costs. That group includes households with incomes at or above 400% of the poverty level — about $63,000 per year for an individual or $129,000 for a family of four.
The rate increases come as federal lawmakers have proposed various policy changes to overhaul the expensive U.S. healthcare system, but no comprehensive legislation has amassed enough support to pass. The higher costs are contributing to Americans' existing worries about overall affordability, a concern that many voters say is front of mind with November's midterm elections looming.
2 months ago
A Ukrainian drone attack struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg on Saturday, Russian officials said, as Kyiv presses on with bombardment of Russia's oil infrastructure.
Almost daily long-range attacks on Russian oil facilities have created a fuel crisis and heaped political pressure on the Kremlin as its all-out invasion of Ukraine stretches into its fifth year.
Gov. Alexander Beglov said the city's Kirovsky district on the Baltic Sea was hit. He also said that air defenses shot down 72 Ukrainian drones across Russia's second-largest city and the surrounding region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as part of Ukraine's "long-range sanctions" against Russia. He said that Ukrainian forces also hit a military target on the island of Kronstadt, just off the coast of St. Petersburg.
"The Ukrainian defense forces hit the port oil infrastructure, which earns money for the Russian war, and there were also hits on Kronstadt — an important military target," he said in a post on Telegram.
Almost daily long-range attacks on Russian oil facilities have created a fuel crisis and heaped political pressure on the Kremlin as its all-out invasion of Ukraine stretches into its fifth year.
Gov. Alexander Beglov said the city's Kirovsky district on the Baltic Sea was hit. He also said that air defenses shot down 72 Ukrainian drones across Russia's second-largest city and the surrounding region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as part of Ukraine's "long-range sanctions" against Russia. He said that Ukrainian forces also hit a military target on the island of Kronstadt, just off the coast of St. Petersburg.
"The Ukrainian defense forces hit the port oil infrastructure, which earns money for the Russian war, and there were also hits on Kronstadt — an important military target," he said in a post on Telegram.
