Category Archives: World/National

Supreme Court issues emergency order to block full SNAP food aid payments

Supreme Court issues emergency order to block full SNAP food aid payments

BOSTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments amid the government shutdown. A judge had given the Republican administration until Friday to make the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. But the administration asked an appeals court to suspend any court orders requiring it to spend more money than is available in a contingency fund. After the appeals court declined to immediately intervene, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an order late Friday pausing the requirement to distribute full SNAP payments until the appeals court rules on whether to issue a more lasting pause.… Continue Reading

Most major US airports are among 40 targeted for shutdown flight cuts

Most major US airports are among 40 targeted for shutdown flight cuts

Airports in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago along with hubs across the U.S. are among the 40 that will see flights cut starting Friday due to the government shutdown, according to a list distributed to the airlines and obtained by The Associated Press. The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday that it will reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the ongoing government shutdown. Airlines said they would try to minimize the impact on travelers. United Airlines said it would focus the cuts on smaller regional routes that use smaller planes. Passengers should start to be notified about cancellations Thursday.… Continue Reading

Japan deploys the military to counter a surge in bear attacks

Japan deploys the military to counter a surge in bear attacks

TOKYO (AP) — Japan has deployed troops to help contain a surge of bear attacks that have terrorized residents in the northern prefecture of Akita. Bears have been seen near schools, train stations and homes. Over 100 people have been injured and at least 12 killed in bear attacks across Japan since April. The troops will set traps and assist local hunters but won’t use firearms. Akita has been the worst hit, with over 50 attacks since May. Experts say Japan’s aging and declining population in rural areas contributes to the problem, as bears venture closer to residential areas in search of food.… Continue Reading

Talks to end the government shutdown intensify as federal closure is on track to become longest ever

Talks to end the government shutdown intensify as federal closure is on track to become longest ever

WASHINGTON (AP) — Signs of a potential end to the government shutdown are intensifying with behind-the-scenes talks. This comes as the federal closure, now in its 35th day, is on track to become the longest ever disrupting the lives of millions of Americans. Senators from both parties are quietly negotiating the contours of an emerging deal to reopen the government and resolve the stalemate over health care funds for insurance subsidies. President Donald Trump has largely been absent. He threatened Tuesday no more SNAP food aid unless the government reopens, but his spokeswoman said the administration is releasing the funds in line with court orders. Tuesday’s elections across the U.S. provide an inflection point to bring an end to the shutdown.… Continue Reading

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns of ‘mass chaos’ in skies if shutdown continues

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns of ‘mass chaos’ in skies if shutdown continues

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted Tuesday that there could be chaos in the skies next week if the government shutdown drags on and air traffic controllers miss a second paycheck. The FAA slows down or even stops flights temporarily anytime it is short on controllers or if there is an equipment problem. There have already been numerous delays at airports across the country — sometimes hours long — during the shutdown. Duffy warned that the situation will only get worse the longer the shutdown continues and the financial pressure continues to grow on people who are forced to work without pay. FAA employees already missed one paycheck on Oct. 28. Their next payday is scheduled for next Tuesday.… Continue Reading

Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in US history, dies at 84

Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in US history, dies at 84

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President George W. Bush says Dick Cheney was a “decent, honorable man” whose death is “a loss to the nation.” Cheney’s family says he died Monday of complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. Bush said Tuesday history will remember his vice president “as among the finest public servants of his generation.” Cheney was a hard-charging conservative who became one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents and a leading advocate for the invasion of Iraq. Cheney led the armed forces as defense chief during the Persian Gulf War under President George H.W. Bush before returning to public life as vice president under the younger Bush.… Continue Reading

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

Birders going ‘cuckoo’ after unexpected sighting in New York City area

Birders going ‘cuckoo’ after unexpected sighting in New York City area

A bird sighting on New York’s Long Island has avian enthusiasts flocking to the region in the hopes of spotting a feathered friend who has never been seen before in the state. The common cuckoo is typically found from Europe to Japan, with the majority of the population wintering in Africa. But one was recently spotted in Riverhead on the north shore of Long Island. Once the bird was confirmed as a common cuckoo, birders quickly shared the news in their online communities. The bird has since been spotted more than 200 times. It’s not clear how or why the bird ended up there.… Continue Reading

Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba pick up the pieces after Melissa’s destruction

Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba pick up the pieces after Melissa’s destruction

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba (AP) — Communities across the northern Caribbean are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. In Jamaica, emergency relief efforts are underway as residents clear roads and assess damage. The storm has left many without homes, power or communication. Authorities have confirmed at least four deaths, and thousands remain in shelters. In Cuba, heavy equipment is clearing roads and the military is assisting isolated communities. No deaths have been reported there but significant damage has occurred. In Haiti, dozens were dead or missing after catastrophic flooding. The storm tied records for Atlantic hurricanes making landfall when it hit Jamaica.… Continue Reading

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