Trump scraps tariffs on beef, coffee and tropical fruit in a push to lower grocery store prices
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced the removal of U.S. tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruits and other commodities. This move comes amid pressure to address high consumer prices. Trump had focused on tariffs to boost domestic production and the U.S. economy. However, recent off-year elections showed economic concerns as a top issue, with Democrats gaining wins. Inflation remains a challenge despite Trump's claims to have vanquished it. The administration insists tariffs weren't a major factor in rising grocery prices. Democrats and industry groups argue this move acknowledges the impact of Trump's tariffs on consumers. “We just did a little bit of a rollback on some foods like coffee," Trump said later Friday night.
Once a shadowy dealmaker, one-time Zelenskyy associate is accused in Ukrainian corruption scandal
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Tymur Mindich has been named as the mastermind behind a $100 million embezzlement scheme in Ukraine. An investigation by anti-corruption agencies revealed his influence over top officials and the state nuclear power company. Mindich, who was reportedly tipped off, has fled the country. Two top ministers have resigned. Mindich's rise is linked to his past business ties with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Until recently, Mindich was known as a producer in the entertainment industry. Ukrainian activists say his influence grew due to his connection with Zelenskyy. Mindich is also under investigation for alleged dealings with a drone company.
FAA takes first steps to restore flights after shutdown strain, but some limits remain
The Federal Aviation Administration is rolling back some of its restrictions on commercial flights at 40 major U.S. airports that have been in place since Nov. 7. The agency says the mandatory 6% flight cuts are being downgraded to 3% beginning Saturday morning. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said restrictions will remain until staffing at air traffic control facilities stabilizes and safety metrics improve. The unprecedented order has already affected thousands of flights. The FAA says it was necessary to ease pressure on the aviation system and help manage staffing shortages as the government shutdown entered its second month.
Government will release September jobs report next week, ending data drought from federal shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Labor Department will release its numbers on September hiring and unemployment next Thursday, a month and a half late, marking the beginning of the end of a data drought caused by the 43-day federal government shutdown. The statistical blackout meant that the Federal Reserve, businesses, policymakers and investors have largely been in the dark about inflation, job creation, GDP growth and other measures of the U.S. economic health since late summer.
At Trump’s urging, Bondi says US will investigate Epstein’s ties to Clinton and other political foes
NEW YORK (AP) — Acceding to President Donald Trump’s demands, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi says she has ordered a top federal prosecutor to investigate sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to Trump political foes, including former President Bill Clinton. Bondi said Friday that she was assigning Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton to lead the probe. This week, congressional Republicans released nearly 23,000 pages of documents from Epstein’s estate and House Democrats seized on emails mentioning Trump. The president, who was friends with Epstein for years, didn’t explain what supposed crimes he wanted the Justice Department to investigate. None of the men he mentioned in demanding the probe have been accused of sexual misconduct by any of Epstein’s victims.
Officials in North Carolina city vow to resist looming federal immigration crackdown
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Officials and community leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, are opposing a pending federal immigration crackdown. They describe it as an invasion and urge residents to protest peacefully and record agents' actions from a distance. Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell criticizes the federal government's approach. Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents would soon start an enforcement operation. Local organizations are training volunteers to protest and inform immigrants of their rights. President Donald Trump's administration defends these operations as necessary for fighting crime. Local officials emphasize that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department isn't involved in federal immigration enforcement.
Trump cuts ties with 'Wacky' Marjorie Taylor Greene, once among his top MAGA-world defenders
President Donald Trump has publicly ended his support for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, calling her “Wacky Marjorie” and saying he would endorse a challenger against her in the next midterms “if the right person runs.” The Friday night post on Truth Social seemingly marked a final break in a dispute that has been simmering for months. Greene, once a staunch MAGA supporter, has moderated her political stance, criticizing Republican leaders and diverging from Trump on several issues, including economic affordability and the Jeffrey Epstein files. Trump accused Greene of going “Far Left” and complained about her constant criticism.
Winning ticket for $980 million jackpot sold in Georgia, Mega Millions says
A Mega Millions player in Georgia has won the $980 million jackpot, overcoming abysmal odds to take the huge prize. The numbers selected Friday were 1, 8, 11, 12 and 57 with the gold Mega Ball 7. The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 290.5 million. A winner can choose an annuity or the cash option — a one-time, lump-sum payment of $452.2 million before taxes. If there are multiple jackpot winners, the prize is shared. In September, two Powerball players in Missouri and Texas won a nearly $1.8 billion jackpot, one of the largest in the U.S.
US military's 20th strike on alleged drug-running boat kills 4 in the Caribbean
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military says its 20th strike on a boat accused of transporting drugs has killed four people in the Caribbean Sea. The latest attack happened Monday, the same day Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced two strikes had been carried out the day before. The U.S. Southern Command announced Monday's boat strike in a social media post on Friday. The Trump administration has insisted that American warships are focused on stopping the flow of drugs into the U.S. But the impending arrival of an aircraft carrier has fueled speculation that the U.S. also wants to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to step down.
College football coach John Beam from ‘Last Chance U’ has died after being shot
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Police in Oakland, California, say Laney College football coach John Beam, known from Netflix's “Last Chance U,” has died after being shot on campus. Police announced his death on Friday, a day after the shooting. A suspect has been arrested. This marks the second school shooting at a school in Oakland in two days. Mayor Barbara Lee praised Beam as a mentor and community leader. Beam, who coached at Laney College, was featured in the 2020 season of the docuseries. Two of his former players, now in the NFL, shared tributes on social media. According to his biography on the college’s website, 20 of his players have gone on to the NFL.
