LONDON (AP) — World leaders who have sparred with the "America first" President Donald Trump greeted the rout of his Republican Party in the U.S. midterm elections with a measure of relief Wednesday, allowing themselves to hope for a less combative U.S. foreign policy.
But that hope was seasoned with the expectation that American voters' rebuke would not necessarily end the U.S. conflict with Iran or change Trump's policies on tariffs or his lukewarm-at-best support for Ukraine and America's European allies.
Progressive politicians cast the results as part of a trend of liberal comebacks around the world, following recent defeats for populists on the right in Hungary, Brazil and Serbia.
Spain's social democratic Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on X that Americans had voted "Against hate. Against machismo. Against climate denialism and against the privileges of the elites."
"It happened in Brazil. It just happened in the US. And it will happen soon in Spain," wrote Sánchez, who faces an election Nov. 29.

#nchez #wrote #happened #donald

The battle for control of Congress got the lion's share of the attention on Tuesday, but there were a lot of other consequential measures on the ballots that could have a direct impact on voters' lives.
Ballot measures often don't receive much national focus, but every two years, voters across the country decide whether to adopt policies that have major implications for their states. This year was no different.
There were more than 140 measures on the ballot across 40 states. Many touched on some of the biggest issues in U.S. politics, including abortion, transgender rights, voting and the democratic process itself.
Ballot measures can give the people a way to directly alter the laws in their states instead of relying solely on their elected representatives to create policy on their behalf. In some cases, they provide an opportunity for voters to endorse or reject something their state legislature wants to do. In others, regular citizens can get their preferred policy on the ballot directly through a signature-gathering campaign.
Here's a rundown of the results of some of the major measures on statewide ballots this year.

#voters #states #ballots #directly

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Living off $10,000 a month, or $120,000 a year, in retirement may seem like plenty. It's $2.4 million if you retire at 65 and live 20 years, and nearly double the $5,094 a month not-yet-retired Americans polled by Schroders for its 2026 US Retirement Survey said they would be comfortable with.
But how far $10,000 in monthly income goes in retirement depends on where you retire. The cost of living, including rent, groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation, and taxes, varies from place to place. The good news is that, except in cities such as New York or Los Angeles, $10,000 a month goes a long way.
But how much? From Florida to Texas, here's a look at how much $10,000 a month gets you in five popular retirement destinations across the country.
Ranked the best place to retire in 2026 by WalletHub, Orlando is popular with retirees because of its warm climate, countless golf courses, and tax-friendly policies — including no income, estate, or inheritance tax. The city boasts several music venues, art galleries, fishing facilities and adult volunteering opportunities.

#retire #place #goes

Rapper Nicki Minaj publicly endorsed US President Donald Trump at a Republican campaign rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday, 25 October, ahead of the November midterm elections. After travelling aboard Air Force One, the Trinidadian-born artist joined him on stage, telling the crowd "We love Trump" and promising to support him "forever".
Nicki Minaj's increasingly public support for Donald Trump represents a notable political shift for a rapper whose provocative performances and **** ually explicit lyrics have often sparked controversy.
In 2020, she had criticised his administration's strict immigration policies, particularly the separation of children from their parents at the US border. More recently, however, she has appeared at events **** ociated with his presidency.
The Michigan rally also featured renewed attacks by Trump against Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for the US Senate. The president questioned El-Sayed's loyalty to the United States, allegations the former public health official has repeatedly rejected.
Trump's remarks came as Republicans campaigned ahead of the midterms, with Minaj's appearance adding a prominent celebrity endorsement to the event. A video shared by White House communications director Steven Cheung also showed the rapper joking about becoming the administration's press secretary.

#Trump #nicki

October 8, 2026 / 5:00 AM EDT / KFF Health News
The U.S. Senate candidates in Texas could hardly be more different: James Talarico, a former seminarian turned Democratic state lawmaker who speaks in calm cadences about love and empathy, and Ken Paxton, the pugnacious Republican state attorney general who speaks about a refusal to compromise.
They share an enemy, though. They dislike social media's effects on children's mental health. Talarico, who did not respond to a request for comment, has endorsed a social media ban for kids under 16, while denouncing "predatory algorithms that divide us on an hourly, daily basis." As a legislator, he co-authored a bill targeting explicit deepfakes — digital imitations of individuals that are often made or manipulated by artificial intelligence and used for harassment on social media.
Paxton has been suing Big Tech, alleging the companies hook youth on their apps or don't restrict sensitive videos from being viewed by kids. "When elected to the U.S. Senate, he will continue his proven record of advancing policies that protect children online, strengthen parental rights, and hold Big Tech accountable when it breaks the law," Paxton campaign spokesperson Madison Cercy said in a statement to KFF Health News.
Youth mental health is in decline. Even as researchers explore what's causing the problem, momentum is gathering among policymakers from both parties to crack down on social media companies. Several major companies are being sued, investigated, and, soon, potentially regulated. That they may be harming kids' mental health is a key reason.

#Social #kids #senate #Tech

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday evening temporarily allowing the use of red-dyed diesel on public roads and deferring the federal excise tax on that fuel through the end of the year, a move aimed at lowering costs for truckers and farmers facing record-high diesel prices.
Red-dyed diesel is chemically the same product as standard highway diesel, but carries a red dye to mark it as off-road fuel — meaning it is not subject to the 24.4-cent-per-gallon federal excise tax that applies to diesel sold at the pump for road use, such as for tractors and heavy machinery. Using it in highway vehicles has been illegal, carrying penalties for tax evasion, according to CNBC.
According to the White House, the order instructs the Treasury Secretary to hold off on collecting federal excise taxes on highway use of dyed diesel between October 5 and December 31, 2026, and to do so without charging interest or imposing penalties. The Treasury is also directed to direct the Internal Revenue Service not to impose penalties for on-road use of dyed diesel during that period. The order further instructs officials to explore pathways, including legislation, to eliminate the deferred tax obligations entirely.
The White House projected that a trucker who tops off an 18-wheeler's tank with 250 gallons stands to save over $100 on a single fill-up, provided the trucker's state suspends its own diesel tax as well. On top of the federal levy, each state levies its own diesel excise tax, and those state-level taxes average out to 35.5 cents per gallon, according to CNN.
The order also directs the Secretary of Agriculture to coordinate with agricultural cooperatives and rural fuel distributors to ensure adequate dyed diesel distribution in high-demand areas, and the Secretary of Transportation to engage with state governments and industry stakeholders. The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs was directed to encourage states to adopt corresponding policies.

#Diesel #federal #House #according

Robert De Niro is ramping up his criticism of the Trump administration in the final weeks before the 2026 midterm elections.
The 83-year-old Oscar winner did not pull his punches while speaking at Indivisible's Hands Off Our Vote event in New York City on Sunday, Oct. 4. He called out "weak and spineless" Republicans in Congress who "won't protect our rights" as voters, accused President Donald Trump of trying to "our votes away" amid record-low approval ratings and encouraged voters to "take back the House, take back the Senate, take back the power, take back our country."
"The Trump administration knows that their policies are not only crazy and cruel, they're increasingly unpopular. They can see it. They're not stupid. Well, OK, they are very f---ing stupid," De Niro said from the podium. "They're stupider than I ever thought, but they recognize what they're doing is turning away people. They can't get support from the voters. So what do they do? They try to take our votes away. Are you kidding me?"
He added, "And when that coward, that f---ing piece of s---, Donald Trump, tries to take our voice and power away, what do we tell him? Keep your f---ing hands off our vote!"
In response to De Niro's remarks, the White House reissued a statement previously provided to USA TODAY criticizing the actor.

#they 're #back #voters #House

When it comes to the battle for control of the U.S. Senate, Republicans are mostly playing defense. The lion's share of the races that will decide which party secures a majority in November are in red states — including Texas, Iowa and Ohio — where the GOP is hoping to hold on against ascendant Democratic challengers.
Minnesota is one of the few states in the country where the party is in a position to go on offense and potentially turn a blue seat red.
In pursuit of that goal, the GOP has put its hopes in Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster and NFL sideline reporter turned politician who polls suggest has a real chance of winning in a state that has been dominated by Democrats in recent election cycles.
Tafoya is running for the seat currently held by Democrat Tina Smith, who is not pursuing re-election. Instead her opponent will be Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flannagan, a progressive who supports policies like Medicare for All and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Minnesota has been at the center of some of the biggest controversies of President Trump's second term, particularly his administration's sweeping immigration crackdown. Though a majority of Minnesotans disapprove of Trump's performance as president, Tafoya has steadily chipped away at Flanagan's lead in polls since the primary.

#tafoya

Latino voters helped propel Donald Trump back to the White House. Now, they are turning on him, according to a new NBC News/Telemundo poll — a shift that gives Democrats a major opportunity to capitalize in a 2026 election that could hinge on states and districts with sizable Latino populations.
Like the broader electorate, Latino voters are racked by major concerns about high prices and Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement. The president’s approval rating sits at 27% among Latino voters. Two-thirds say his administration’s deportation policies have gone too far and three-quarters disapprove of how he has handled the economy and the cost of living.
There are clear signs his party is paying the price.
A greater share of Latino voters hold negative views of the Republican Party than at any time since 2016, and Democrats have leads on issues like dealing with the economy, immigration, the cost of living, corruption and healthcare. Two years ago, Latino voters gave Trump a 4-point edge over then-Vice President Kamala Harris on handling the economy. Today, they give Democrats a 21-point advantage on the same question.
Against that backdrop, Democrats have a 24-point lead on whom Latino voters want to see in control of Congress, 59%-35%.

#latino

OpenAI has fired three researchers for allegedly mishandling information, including work that involved an external organisation that ****** yses artificial intelligence (AI) models.
"Our investigation confirmed that these individuals mishandled sensitive information outside established company procedures, violating our policies and breaking the trust essential to our work," a spokesperson told the BBC.
The ChatGPT-maker did not name the sacked workers, but at least two of them were involved in safety research at the firm.
The firings come as the debate over AI safety and the risks the technology may pose to humanity has intensified in recent weeks.
"We have parted ways with three individuals for violating our policies on accessing and handling sensitive company information," OpenAI's spokesperson said.

#involved #individuals

Adam Brody drew a sharp response from Rabbi Steve Leder after publicly sharing his views on Gaza and Palestine.
Leder previously worked as a technical consultant on the first season of ******* ody Wants This. He criticized Brody after the actor said in a recent GQ interview that he considered the situation in Gaza a "genocide" and supported a "free Palestine." Brody also expressed hope that a future U.S. administration could change policies affecting the situation.
Leder addressed Adam Brody's Gaza comments in an Instagram video and reminded the actor of their previous professional connection.
"My job was to make sure that your character was authentic and that everything in Season 1 about Judaism was authentic," Leder said.
Brody played Rabbi Noah Roklov in ******* ody Wants This. His character began a relationship with agnostic podcaster Joanne Williams, played by Kristen Bell.

#wants

On August 6, Aflac (NYSE:AFL) reported second-quarter numbers that point in opposite directions. Net earnings climbed to $825 million, helped along by investment losses that shrank to $153 million from $421 million a year ago. Adjusted earnings, though, fell 7.7% to $883 million. Both numbers are real, but they answer different questions. Which measure you trust changes the story, so here is what sits underneath.
Start with the yen, because it is muddying the picture. The average rate was 159.45 to the dollar, 9.3% weaker than a year earlier, and that cost adjusted earnings $0.05 a share. Take the currency out of the first half and adjusted earnings per share rose 4.1% to $3.57. ******* an is also running more profitably. Its pretax adjusted margin widened to 34.3% from 32.0% as claims took a smaller bite out of premiums, and yen-based pretax adjusted earnings rose 3.4%. So part of the decline in ******* an's dollar-reported profit is currency, not operations.
The US business is still growing at the top line. Net earned premiums rose 2.3% to $1.5 billion, and sales climbed 2.6% to $349 million, led by group voluntary benefits along with dental and vision plans. In ******* an, the refreshed Tsumitasu life policy and the new Anshin Palette medical product grew strongly in the quarter, and first-half sales rose 7.0% to ¥37.3 billion. Then there is the cash. Aflac returned $1.3 billion to shareholders in the quarter, $983 million of it through buybacks, and declared a $0.61 third-quarter dividend, payable September 1 to holders of record on August 19, 2026. Management notes 43 straight years of dividend increases through 2025 and says the board is on a path to extend that in 2026.
The catch is that ******* an's profit gains came from lower claims, not a bigger business. Net earned premiums in yen fell 3.7%, mainly because of a new external reinsurance deal and older limited-pay policies reaching paid-up status. Premium persistency, the share of policies customers keep, slipped to 92.7% from 93.7%. ******* an's pretax adjusted earnings still fell 2.1% once currency is stripped out, and new sales dipped 5.6% in the quarter against a tough comparison for the Miraito cancer product, which launched in March 2025.
The US segment has its own soft spot. Pretax adjusted earnings fell 4.6% to $370 million, and the margin narrowed to 20.9% from 22.5% as claims and benefits took a bigger share of premiums. Corporate and Other swung to a $10 million pretax adjusted loss from a $20 million gain a year earlier, with interest expense up 21.6% to $62 million. And adjusted book value per share, excluding foreign currency remeasurement, slid to $41.22 at June 30 from $42.97 a year earlier.

#earnings #fell

President Donald Trump’s sinking ratings threaten to drag down Republicans in November’s midterm elections, as voters blame him for high prices and a shaky economy, according to a new NBC News poll.
The president’s approval rating stands at 41% among registered voters, a second-term low in the poll, with a majority (55%) of voters saying they believe Trump’s policies have hurt the economy. That’s up from 48% in March, before the Iran war pushed up prices on gas and other goods and cemented the rising cost of living as voters’ most pressing issue.
Democrats hold a 5-point edge in the battle for control of Congress, 50%-45% — not nearly as large a lead as the 12-point advantage the party enjoyed at this point before the 2018 election, when Democrats rode an anti-Trump wave to the House majority in his first midterm as president. Despite that lead, the Democratic Party is still viewed more negatively than Trump and the GOP.
That could help Republicans, along with the fact that the fight for control of the House and especially the Senate is playing out in traditionally Republican parts of the country. Democrats would have to flip multiple states Trump carried by double digits in 2024 to win the Senate.
“We have a classic battle between these numbers and the political geography in which this campaign will be decided,” said Republican pollster Bill McInturff of Public Opinion Strategies, whose firm conducted the survey alongside Democratic firm Hart Research ***** ociates. “And the Republicans are still standing because of the geography in which this election will be won or lost.”

#president

On August 6, Aflac (NYSE:AFL) reported second-quarter numbers that point in opposite directions. Net earnings climbed to $825 million, helped along by investment losses that shrank to $153 million from $421 million a year ago. Adjusted earnings, though, fell 7.7% to $883 million. Both numbers are real, but they answer different questions. Which measure you trust changes the story, so here is what sits underneath.
Start with the yen, because it is muddying the picture. The average rate was 159.45 to the dollar, 9.3% weaker than a year earlier, and that cost adjusted earnings $0.05 a share. Take the currency out of the first half and adjusted earnings per share rose 4.1% to $3.57. **** an is also running more profitably. Its pretax adjusted margin widened to 34.3% from 32.0% as claims took a smaller bite out of premiums, and yen-based pretax adjusted earnings rose 3.4%. So part of the decline in **** an's dollar-reported profit is currency, not operations.
The US business is still growing at the top line. Net earned premiums rose 2.3% to $1.5 billion, and sales climbed 2.6% to $349 million, led by group voluntary benefits along with dental and vision plans. In **** an, the refreshed Tsumitasu life policy and the new Anshin Palette medical product grew strongly in the quarter, and first-half sales rose 7.0% to ¥37.3 billion. Then there is the cash. Aflac returned $1.3 billion to shareholders in the quarter, $983 million of it through buybacks, and declared a $0.61 third-quarter dividend, payable September 1 to holders of record on August 19, 2026. Management notes 43 straight years of dividend increases through 2025 and says the board is on a path to extend that in 2026.
The catch is that **** an's profit gains came from lower claims, not a bigger business. Net earned premiums in yen fell 3.7%, mainly because of a new external reinsurance deal and older limited-pay policies reaching paid-up status. Premium persistency, the share of policies customers keep, slipped to 92.7% from 93.7%. **** an's pretax adjusted earnings still fell 2.1% once currency is stripped out, and new sales dipped 5.6% in the quarter against a tough comparison for the Miraito cancer product, which launched in March 2025.
The US segment has its own soft spot. Pretax adjusted earnings fell 4.6% to $370 million, and the margin narrowed to 20.9% from 22.5% as claims and benefits took a bigger share of premiums. Corporate and Other swung to a $10 million pretax adjusted loss from a $20 million gain a year earlier, with interest expense up 21.6% to $62 million. And adjusted book value per share, excluding foreign currency remeasurement, slid to $41.22 at June 30 from $42.97 a year earlier.

#adjusted #pretax

Investors continue to ask for more timely information, even as the volume available to them expands. A 2026 CFA Institute survey of 2,500 **** ysts and portfolio managers found that 62% opposed replacing quarterly reporting with semiannual reporting. Nearly 85% expressed concern about comparability if companies and investment managers could determine their own reporting frequency and format. Access remains important, while interpretation requires a separate discipline.
The demand also concerns the quality of disclosure. PwC's 2025 Global Investor Survey, covering 1,074 investment professionals across 26 countries and territories, found that only 37% believed companies disclosed enough about artificial intelligence strategies and policies. Respondents wanted greater transparency around innovation strategies, AI investment, and expected returns. These findings suggest that investors can face abundant commentary while still lacking the evidence needed to **** s a thesis.
Commercial incentives add another layer. A 2025 CFA Institute report examined continuation funds, in which a manager can oversee both the vehicle selling an **** et and the vehicle buying it. The report recognized the structure's liquidity role and identified conflicts requiring fair processes and governance. The example illustrates why informed **** ysis and aligned incentives are separate considerations.
That distinction applies beyond any single investment structure. Managers often possess valuable operational knowledge because they work directly with **** ets, tenants and financing markets. They may also be raising capital for the strategies they discuss. Their commercial interest becomes additional context for investors weighing forecasts, market narratives and recommendations alongside independently produced evidence. That context can help an investment committee separate a source's knowledge of the market from the confidence it should place in the source's preferred outcome during capital allocation.
Geoffrey Dohrmann, chairman, CEO and editor-in-chief of Institutional Real Estate, Inc., has watched those narratives develop across several market cycles. IREI is a media and market intelligence company covering institutional real estate and infrastructure through publications, research, data, events and consulting. Dohrmann explains its editorial role as independently recording where real-asset capital is moving and examining the explanations offered for those decisions.

#real #institute

As high mortgage rates and elevated home prices continue to crimp housing affordability, Federal Housing Finance Agency's Bill Pulte is seeking cuts to a common "hidden cost" of homeownership.
Targeting private mortgage insurance, which around 800,000 borrowers used to buy homes last year, Pulte is aligning policies between mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to allow loan servicers to proactively call borrowers when they're eligible to drop their mortgage insurance. Previously, only Freddie Mac allowed servicers to do so.
"If your Home is worth more, or you have paid the loan down far enough, you should be able to drop EXTRA Mortgage Insurance," Pulte wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.
"Right now Fannie Mae will not let your loan company call and tell you that you may qualify because your home has gone up in value! You have to know to ask. Freddie Mac will let them call. That is crazy. We are fixing that. Fannie Mae will follow Freddie's rule: if you may qualify to drop unnecessary extra insurance because your home has gained value, they can contact you and walk you through how to cancel your PMI. You can stop paying for coverage you do not need and keep the money."
Read more: What is private mortgage insurance (PMI)? Definition, cost, and how to avoid it

#freddie #loan #call

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Yes, you can sometimes have two of the same credit card, but whether you're allowed to depends on the card issuer and the specific card. And even with issuers that allow you to have two of the same card, you're usually subject to limitations and restrictions.
Whether you can have two of the same credit card at one time depends on each credit card issuer's policies. Credit card issuers don't always make it clear that you can apply for the same card multiple times, so we reached out to several major credit card issuers. We asked them to clarify whether a customer could have two of the same card, and this is what we found:
Can you have 2 of the same credit card?
Yes

#same #whether #you 're #advertiser

Two former Robinhood engineers were charged with fraud on Tuesday in a Hyperliquid insider trading case, accused of buying futures contracts before their employer announced new token listings.
Hefu Chai, 36, and Huaisong Xiang, 30, each face one count of violating the Commodity Exchange Act and one count of wire fraud. Prosecutors say the pair made more than $50,000 apiece.
"Robinhood takes market integrity seriously and has zero tolerance for insider trading. We have robust insider trading policies and procedures in place, including for new crypto listings. We immediately investigated and reported this matter to law enforcement and regulators, and will continue to cooperate with the investigations," a Robinhood spokesperson told BeInCrypto.
Follow us on X to get the latest news as it happens
Hyperliquid runs a decentralized exchange built around perpetual futures. These are leveraged bets on a token's price that never expire, so a trader can hold the position indefinitely.

#robinhood #exchange #tuesday

Comedian and podcast host Bill Maher called out deep-blue California on Monday and said the state's voters would always support a Democrat, even if their policies were failing, as long as President Donald Trump was ******* ociated with the Republican Party.
During an interview on "Club Random" with David Foster, Maher argued that California would never vote for a Republican as long as Trump was involved in the party.
Maher noted Spencer Pratt, a Republican who finished third in Los Angeles' mayoral race and therefore did not advance to the general election, had the instinct that California had a "failed system," and Maher agreed.
"It just shows that, in this state, I guess everywhere, we're so bipartisan now, that we will accept failure, which we plainly have here in California, over voting for the party of Trump," Maher said. "Which, I understand, because he does a lot of things that are I mean, plus, Jesus, I mean, I get a lot of s--- from him for the things I criticize just off the top of my head, vulgar, corrupt, doesn't concede elections, you know, inept at things that sometimes were a good idea to begin with. Close the border, you know, get rid of nuclear weapons in Iran, but f---ed up the execution."
Bill Maher argued California will never vote for a Republican as long as President Donald Trump is involved in the party, even as failures mount.

#maher #republican #president

Hyrox, the popular indoor fitness competition, is adjusting its policies and procedures after a world champion was allowed to continue at a competition in China last weekend despite suffering fecal incontinence.
Joanna Wietrzyk was competing in the age 16-24 elite event in Beijing on Saturday when she suddenly became ill. But despite fecal matter running down her legs, Wietrzyk was allowed to keep competing. The Australian continued on and ended up winning the race in a time of 1:01.23.
But in the days since, Hyrox has received heavy criticism for allowing Wietrzyk to continue competing despite the potential health risks. The company said that, despite having "clear biocontaminant and medical procedures in place," the situation "blurred" protocols and created "ambiguity in how they were applied and understood."
"I apologize to all that were directly or indirectly affected, as well as to everyone who felt like we did not handle the situation like we should have," Hyrox co-founder Moritz Furste said in a statement. "Hyrox made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race. In the end, it is my job to foresee these potential incidents — and I did not.
"Of course, we started improving event processes, plus making rulebook changes immediately. As of this moment, there are new rules and procedures in place to prevent situations like this from happening again."

#allowed

Musician Art Garfunkel has joined the growing list of celebrities considering leaving the United States in response to President Donald Trump's administration and policies.
In an interview with The Guardian, Garfunkel, 84, told the British publication he is concerned about the country's stance on key issues and is considering moving elsewhere.
"I don't like America's position at all," he told the outlet. "I'm not aboard, and I'm thinking of leaving the country, frankly."
Chris Robinson, Bruce Springsteen Face Backlash As 'Americans Have Had Enough' Of Being Lectured: Expert
Art Garfunkel performs onstage at the Pre-Grammy Gala on Jan. 31, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif.

#musician #guardian

Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, generated another viral moment on Wednesday during his speech at the Republican midterm convention — and he says he's not sorry.
Gill opened his remarks with a land acknowledgment, a growing trend among Democratic politicians to begin speeches by noting the Native American tribes who historically lived on the land their events are on.
"I'd like to acknowledge that we stand here today in the great state of Texas and the United States of America is the ancestral homeland of great American patriots, pioneers and explorers who put down roots, fight for freedom all over the globe and bled and died to build the greatest civilization ever known to man," Gill said, the Republican crowd roaring in response.
Gop's Freshman Firebrand Goes Viral Targeting 'Utterly Intellectually Indefensible' Dei Policies
U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill speaks on stage on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention at the American Airlines Center on September 9, 2026, in Dallas, Texas.

#republican #convention #great

By Nate Raymond
BOSTON, Sept 11 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Friday blocked U.S. President Donald Trump's administration from continuing to ask applicants for civil service jobs throughout the government to respond to ‌what unions described as a partisan "loyalty question."
U.S. District Judge George O'Toole in Boston sided with three ‌unions representing government workers who sued last year after the administration began asking applicants for nonpartisan federal jobs to write essays explaining how they would help advance Trump's policies and executive orders.
The unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees, argued the question mandated by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) unlawfully politicized the hiring process for career government workers by attempting to **** s their support for the Republican president.
O'Toole, an appointee of Democratic President Bill Clinton, said the question had been asked of ‌applicants to positions ranging from an ⁠air traffic control specialist to a crane operator to a nuclear materials courier.

#applicants #unions #question #boston

A reporter asked Trump why he needed to give voters $5,000 if his economic policies were working.
It didn't go well.
He blamed Biden, and leaned forward and glared at her when she tried a follow-up question.
A reporter asked President Donald Trump why he needed to incentivize voters with a $5,000 check if his economic policies were working, and it seemed to strike a nerve.
On Wednesday, Trump told the Republican Party's midterm convention that every US citizen would receive a $5,000 "Trump dividend" if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress in November's midterms.

#voters

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she hated the governments and policies of President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but said she loved America and Israel during an interview Thursday.
"I have said repeatedly I love Israel and I hate Netanyahu's government and his policies. I love America, and I hate Trump's government and policies. I think it's bad, in the first case for Israel, what's happening, and I think it's really bad for the United States, what's happening," Clinton told MS NOW's "Morning Joe."
Clinton spoke to the MS NOW panel about Israel and achieving peace in the Middle East.
Hillary Clinton Breaks With Democratic Critics By Backing Trump's Gaza Plan As The 'Only Game In Town'
Hillary Clinton said she hated the governments of President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an interview on "Morning Joe," Sept. 10, 2026.

#president #Trump #prime

President Donald Trump is making his mark on the U.S. economy. The Trump administration's tariff policies (including a trade war with Canada) and the war with Iran have driven up energy prices and contributed to accelerating inflation. This "Trumpflation" is driving up costs across the economy.
Research from the non-profit ****** ytics group Tax Foundation indicates that Trump-backed tariffs increased costs by about $1,000 per U.S. household in 2025 and $840 per household so far in 2026. Tariffs are import taxes levied on goods imported from other countries. Those costs are ultimately borne by U.S. businesses or are often passed on to American consumers.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Trump's war with Iran has caused major disruptions to global shipments of oil and natural gas from the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. That has caused energy prices to go up in 2026. U.S. gasoline prices are back on the rise (but remain down somewhat from their March 2026 high), and diesel prices reached an all-time high national average of $5.897 per gallon as of Sept. 6, according to AAA research. Higher diesel costs are likely to lead to higher inflation for groceries and many consumer products on store shelves that rely on diesel-fueled trucks for distribution to retailers.
Trump seems unlikely to give up on his tariff policies anytime soon, and the Iran conflict might not truly "end" in 2026 or 2027. With an uncertain future of possibly higher inflation and higher energy prices, how should you invest?

#prices #higher #costs #NVIDIA

An illegal immigrant from El Salvador was returned to his home country this week after the Department of Homeland Security took him into custody in sanctuary Fairfax County, Virginia, where he had just served an abbreviated jail sentence, and deported him.
The case is the latest in a string of controversies involving illegal immigrants plaguing the Democrat-led county adjacent to Washington, D.C., where sanctuary policies run up against the Trump administration's heavy-handed approach to removing people who do not belong in the U.S.
"This groper is gone," an ICE spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
Illegal Immigrant Israel Flores-ortiz Gets 360 Days For Groping Girls At Fairfax County Va. High School
A photo of the Fairfax High School campus in Fairfax, Va., from March 15, 2022. At right is a mugshot of Israel Flores-Ortiz, accused of groping girls at Fairfax High School, taken in March 2025.

#county #Israel #immigrant

Opponents in scheduled contests this week against School of Languages and Bradley Tech will now be playing each other amid an ongoing investigation into an incident stemming from a Sept. 4 football game between Tech and School of Languages.
Bay View had been scheduled to face School of Languages on Sept. 10, while Milwaukee Hamilton was scheduled to face Bradley Tech on Sept. 11. Those games have both been canceled. Hamilton and Bay View will now face each other at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 11 at Pulaski Stadium, per multiple City Conference sources.
"Based on communications with the WIAA, along with careful consideration of player safety, neither Bradley Tech or MSL will be able to compete this week," a City Conference spokesperson told the Journal Sentinel on Sept. 10. "Our priority remains the safety of all athletes, coaches, staff, volunteers, and spectators. These actions are in accordance with our district policies and WIAA guidelines."
The City Conference spokesperson also confirmed that "at this time, only games this week are impacted," while declining to specify the number of student-athletes disciplined "to respect the privacy of the individuals on both teams."
Bradley Tech's (2-1) next scheduled game is Sept. 17 against Milwaukee Reagan at 7 p.m., while School of Languages (1-2) is scheduled to face Hamilton on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.

#Tech #scheduled #city #conference

General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) reached a tentative three-year labor deal with Unifor that Canadian workers ratified on August 29 and 30, securing more than C$1 billion ($791 million) in new and previously announced investment across Ontario, covering over 4,600 workers.
GM will spend C$144 million to bring next-generation Heavy-Duty GMC Sierra production to Oshawa, adding to a previously committed C$343 million there. At St. Catharines, GM will invest C$215 million in a new transmission program starting late 2029, on top of a previously announced C$691 million for V8 engine production. GM also pledged not to immediately sell or close its CAMI plant in Ingersoll while it studies alternatives, including possible defense work if it lands a Canadian Armed Forces contract. The deal lands as Canada's auto sector faces 25% U.S. tariffs, with Trump threatening to double that to 50% on January 1, 2027, and U.S. and Canada trade talks still stalled.
General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) enters this deal from a position of financial strength. GM beat second-quarter expectations with adjusted earnings per share of $3.57 versus the $3.18 estimate and revenue of $48 billion versus the $46.99 billion forecast. The company also raised its full-year guidance for the second time this year, while adjusted automotive free cash flow reached $5 billion, up $2.2 billion year over year. That cash generation gives GM room to fund its Canadian commitments without putting significant pressure on its balance sheet.
The tariff environment has also become more favorable for GM. After the Supreme Court invalidated tariffs imposed under emergency powers, GM lowered its full-year gross tariff-cost estimate to $2.5 billion-$3.5 billion from $3 billion-$4 billion. Protecting Canadian production now could reduce the risk of costly disruptions as GM adjusts its North American manufacturing footprint and responds to changing trade policies.
The agreement also protects GM's pickup and SUV business, which generates some of the company's highest margins. CEO Mary Barra said North American demand remains strong for these vehicles, while the return of Heavy-Duty Sierra production to Oshawa will give GM additional North American capacity for a key product line. Producing more trucks within the region could also help GM reduce its exposure to cross-border tariff costs.

#million

On August 5, Primerica (NYSE:PRI) reported second-quarter results that read as two different companies bolted together. Net income climbed 13% to $202 million, and earnings per diluted share jumped 19% to $6.45, pushing return on stockholders' equity to 32.1%. Total revenue reached $865 million, up 9% from a year earlier. But those headline figures obscure a split story. The investment arm is sprinting to record highs while the life insurance sales force is quietly getting smaller. Here is what is actually moving the numbers.
Investment and savings product sales hit a record $4.4 billion in the quarter, up 23% from a year ago, while client ***** et values ended the period at an all-time high of $140 billion, up 16%. Net inflows added another $397 million. That growth translated directly into profit. ISP segment revenue rose 21% to $361 million, and pretax income jumped 31% to $104 million, meaning the segment's margin expanded even as it grew. The reason: ***** et-based commission revenue climbed 28%, outpacing the 19% rise in average client ***** ets, thanks to a shift toward higher-margin US managed accounts and Canadian mutual funds.
Primerica also returned $172 million to shareholders in the quarter through $135 million in buybacks and roughly $37 million in dividends, bringing year-to-date capital returns to $352 million. Its effective tax rate improved to 21.7% from 23.9% a year earlier, and its life insurer's statutory risk-based capital ratio stood at approximately 440%, a cushion most insurers would envy.
The company's distribution engine tells a rougher story. The life-licensed sales force fell 3% year over year to 148,612 representatives. Recruiting rose 2% to 82,346 recruits, but far fewer of them actually got licensed: new life-licensed representatives dropped 15% to 11,020. That gap between recruiting and licensing shows up directly in output. The company issued 78,904 life insurance policies, down 12%, with total face amount issued falling 8% to $27.7 billion.
Term Life revenue was roughly flat at $444 million even as adjusted direct premiums rose 3%, and segment pretax income fell 4% to $148 million. Part of that came from cost creep rather than claims: the benefits and claims ratio held steady at 57.9%, but the insurance expense ratio rose to 8.4% from 7.6% a year earlier, eating into a segment that is supposed to be Primerica's stable, predictable cash generator.

#million #year #rose #sales