President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday threatening to withhold federal funding from local and state governments that allow cashless bail, arguing that it is a threat to public safety. Proponents of eliminating cash bail argue it penalizes poverty, as wealthier individuals can pay to await trial outside jail. Critics believe it is a time-honored way to ensure defendants released from jail show up for court proceedings and warn that cashless bail could lead to more crime. Studies show mixed results on the impact of cashless bail.
Walmart is showing it can keep pulling in shoppers and outpacing rivals like Target in an uncertain economic environment. and tariff concerns to deliver solid second-quarter financial results Thursday, showing it keeps pulling in shoppers and outpacing peers like Target. The nationֱs largest retailer delivered solid second-quarter financial results on Thursday. It reported a 4.6% quarterly increase in comparable sales, or those coming from established stores and online channels. Company executives say Walmart is attracting customers with fast deliveries, grocery discounts and trendier clothes. The earnings of the Bentonville, Arkansas, company differed notably from those of Target, which on Wednesday reported another quarter of comparable sales declines.
LAS VEGAS ֱ Tourism in Las Vegas is slumping this summer, with resorts and convention centers reporting fewer visitors compared to last year, …
Japan is paying tribute to more than 3 million war dead as the country marks its surrender 80 years ago, ending World War II. But there is growing concern about the fading memories of the tragedy of war and the bitter lessons from the era of Japanese militarism. In a national ceremony Friday at Tokyoֱs Budokan hall, about 4,500 officials and bereaved families and their descendants observed a moment of silence at noon. Just a block away at Yasukuni Shrine, seen by Asian neighbors as a symbol of militarism, dozens of rightwing politicians gathered to pray.
U.S. inflation was unchanged in July as rising prices for some imported goods were balanced by falling gas and grocery prices, leaving overall prices modestly higher than a year ago. The figures suggest that slowing rent increases and cheaper gas are offsetting some impacts of President Donald Trumpֱs sweeping tariffs. Many businesses are also absorbing much of the cost of the duties. Tuesdayֱs figures likely include some impact from the 10% universal tariff Trump imposed in April, as well as higher duties on countries such as China and Canada.
President Donald Trump extended a trade truce with China for another 90 days Monday, at least delaying once again a dangerous showdown between the worldֱs two biggest economies. The previous deadline was set to expire at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. Had that happened the U.S. would have ratcheted up taxes on Chinese imports from an already high 30%, and Beijing would have responded by raising retaliatory levies on U.S. exports to China. The pause buys time for the two countries to work out some of their differences, perhaps clearing the way for a summit later this year between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A judge is considering a Trump administration request to end a policy protecting immigrant children in federal custody. The Flores agreement limits how long children can be held and requires safe conditions. President Donald Trump's administration says the agreement hinders its immigration crackdown. During a hearing Friday, U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee expressed skepticism but did not rule immediately. She questioned why a number of children are held longer than the 72-hour limit when border arrests are low. A government attorney cited logistical challenges and policy changes. Advocates for the children urged the judge to maintain protections, highlighting poor conditions in detention centers.
The U.S. Air Force has decided to deny early retirement options for transgender service members with 15 to 18 years of service. Instead, they are being separated without retirement benefits. This decision means transgender service members must choose between a lump-sum separation payment or leaving the service without benefits. An Air Force spokesperson confirmed that no exceptions to this policy were approved, despite previous notifications to some members. All transgender members are being separated under the Trump administration's policies.
U.S. stocks drifted to a mixed finish as President Donald Trumpֱs tariffs on dozens of countries had only a muted effect on markets worldwide. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3% to a record. Worries are high that Trumpֱs tariffs are damaging the economy, particularly after last weekֱs worse-than-expected report on the job market. But hopes for coming cuts to interest rates by the Federal Reserve and a torrent of stronger-than-expected profit reports from big U.S. companies are helping to offset the concerns, at least for now. Treasury yields ticked higher.
The monthly jobs report is already closely-watched on Wall Street and in Washington but has taken on a new importance after President Donald Trump on Friday fired the official who oversees it. Trump claimed that Juneֱs employment figures were ֱRIGGEDֱ to make him and other Republicans ֱlook badֱ yet provided no evidence. The firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics director followed Fridayֱs jobs report that showed hiring was weak in July and had come to nearly a standstill in May and June. Economists and Wall Street investors have long considered the job figures reliable. Fridayֱs revisions were unusually large, and the surveys used to compile the report are facing challenges from declining response rates. But that hasnֱt led most economists to doubt them.