U.S. futures and global stocks were hit by a selloff early on Monday as markets around the world braced for a potential trade war triggered by President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China—which warned of “necessary countermeasures.”
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters about the collision of an American Airlines flight … [+] with a military Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport, in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House.
Getty Images
Timeline
Feb. 3, 8 a.m. ESTOntario Premier Doug Ford said the province, which includes Toronto, will ban all U.S. companies from receiving government contracts with the province, saying those companies “only have President Trump to blame”—and canceled the province’s contract with Elon Musk-led satellite internet company Starlink, writing, “Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy.”
Feb. 3, 6:50 a.m. ESTWith a threat of tariffs on European imports to the U.S. looming, markets in the continent were also hit with by a selloff with the Euro STOXX 50 Index sliding 1.6% while the London Stock Exchange’s FTSE 100 Index fell 1.2%
Feb. 3, 6:30 a.m ESTThe U.S. Dollar Index—which measures the U.S. currency against a basket of six other major currencies—rose to a two-year high of 109.45 on Monday morning, up nearly 1%.
Feb. 3, 6:15 a.m. ESTThe cryptocurrency market also appears to have been rattled by the fears of a trade war with Bitcoin’s price dropping more than 3.6% in the past 24 hours to $95,509.
Ether, which is the world’s second most valuable crypto token by market cap, was hit even harder as it price has crashed more than 15% in the previous 24 hours to around $2610.
The president’s own meme crypto token $TRUMP (Official Trump) also took a hit, as its price slid more than 13.5% in the previous 24 hours to $17.80. Unlike other major crypto tokens, however, $TRUMP has been on a downward slide since its explosive launch and had shed more than 30% of its value just in the last week.
Feb. 3, 6 a.m. ESTThe U.S. stock futures slumped early on Monday as global markets braced for the fallout of President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China.
As of early Monday morning Dow Futures was down to 44,113, falling 1.3%, while the tech centric NASDAQ Futures saw an even sharper slump of 1.6% to 21,227. S&P 500 Futures were also hit by the selloff, dropping 1.4% to 5,980.
Feb 3, 5 a.m. ESTMajor Asian stock indices were also hit by a selloff amid trade war concerns with Japan’s Nikkei 225 index falling 2.66%, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropping 1.79%, South Korea’s KOSPI index down 2.52% and India’s BSE Sensex down 0.41%.
In China, the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Composite Index closed relatively flat, only 0.06% in the red, while the Shenzhen-based SZSE Component Index—which focusses on tech companies and small cap private enterprises—took a bigger hit and dropped 1.33%.
Feb. 2, 2:53 p.m. ESTMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a video message on X announcing the country will come out with more details Monday morning on its countermeasures against the U.S. tariffs, saying the country will “act with a cool head and love for the people” and arguing Trump’s claims the Mexican government is allied with criminal drug groups is “terribly irresponsible,” according to translations by Bloomberg and The New York Times.
Feb. 2, 2 p.m. ESTTrump’s border czar Tom Homan told the Times in an interview that Canada has “taken steps” to address Trump’s concerns about immigration and drug trafficking, “but they haven’t taken enough steps,” adding that while Canada is “improving” its border security, Trump “doesn’t feel like they’ve done enough, and that’ll be his call.”
Feb. 2, 1 p.m. ESTThe Canadian government unveiled the full list of U.S. imports that the country will levy 25% tariffs on as part of its retaliatory measures against the U.S., which will apply to $30 billion worth of goods to start out with, including numerous food items, plastics, rubber, luggage, lumber, clothing, business supplies, glassware, appliances, furniture, cosmetics and more.
Feb. 2, 10:30 a.m. ESTHomeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged on “Meet the Press” that Trump’s tariffs could raise prices but said the blame would fall on other countries for not following Trump’s demands, rather than the president, encouraging other countries to “get on board and to make sure that they’re not pushing up prices” and claiming “if prices go up, it’s because of other people’s reactions to America’s laws.”
Feb. 2, 9 a.m. ESTCanadian Ambassador Kristen Hillman told ABC News Canadians are “perplexed” and “confused” by Trump’s tariffs on the nation’s imports and argued it’s “hard to know what more we can do” to prevent the tariffs since the Canadian government has already been “leaning in hard” to appease Trump—but noted Canada does not intend to back down from its plan for retaliatory tariffs, as Canadians “are going to expect that our government stands firm and stands up for itself.”
Feb. 2, 8:30 a.m. ESTDoug Ford, the premier of Canada’s Ontario province, said on X the region’s sole liquor wholesaler will remove American alcohol from its catalogs so that stores and restaurants in Ontario cannot stock any U.S. liquors—it follows similar moves from Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and British Columbia Premier David Eby, who banned his province’s Liquor Distribution Branch from buying American alcohol from “red states.”
Feb. 2, 8:09 a.m. ESTThe president defended his decision, writing on Truth Social, “WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!). BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID.”
Feb. 1Canada and Mexico both levied retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports in response to Trump’s directive, while China said it would file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization and take “countermeasures” in response to the move.
Feb. 1Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imported goods from Canada and Mexico—other than energy from Canada, which will be taxed at 10%—and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, which he claimed was to hold the countries “accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country.”
Crucial Quote
“MAKE YOUR PRODUCT IN THE USA AND THERE ARE NO TARIFFS!” Trump said on Truth Social in defense of his tariffs. “WE ARE A COUNTRY THAT IS NOW BEING RUN WITH COMMON SENSE — AND THE RESULTS WILL BE SPECTACULAR!!!”
When Will Trump’s Tariffs Take Effect?
Trump’s tariff order will take effect Tuesday for duties that are levied on imported goods, except for any imports that were already in transit before Trump ordered the tariffs Saturday. Hillman told ABC News on Sunday the country is “hopeful” the tariffs will not take effect and the country’s government is “ready to continue to talk to the Trump administration about that,” though it’s unclear that Trump will negotiate at all on his plans.
What Impact Will Trump’s Tariffs Have On Prices And The Economy?
Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China would effectively could cost each U.S. household more than $830 in additional taxes in 2025, according to an analysis released by the center-right Tax Foundation. The organization also predicted Trump’s plan would reduce the U.S.’ economic output by 0.4% and increase taxes in the U.S. overall by $1.2 trillion between 2025 and 2034. Economists have long warned Trump’s tariff plan would raise prices for American consumers—as the import taxes are paid by the U.S. companies that import foreign goods, which then pass on those costs to the consumer by raising prices—and a May analysis by the nonpartisan think tank Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) concluded Trump imposing broad tariffs on imported goods would “[inflict] significant collateral damage on the US economy.” Goldman Sachs economists led by Ronnie Walker previously projected in April that prices on consumer goods would go up by 0.1% for every percentage increase in the effective tariff rate and raise inflation. In addition to imported goods, economists have predicted the price of domestic goods will also go up, as U.S. companies will “opportunistically” raise prices to take advantage of having less competition from imported products.
Will Trump Impose More Tariffs?
Trump has suggested he wants to impose universal tariffs on other countries’ goods, though it’s still unclear when that could happen or what any broader tariffs could look like. “I have it in my mind what it’s going to be but I won’t be setting it yet, but it’ll be enough to protect our country,” Trump said Monday about his plan to impose tariffs on all imported goods. The president told reporters Friday he plans on “doing something substantial” in terms of taxing European imports specifically, saying, “Am I going to impose tariffs on the European Union? Do you want the truthful answer or should I give you a political answer? Absolutely, absolutely.”
How Has The Business Community Responded To Trump’s Tariffs?
Business and manufacturing groups have criticized Trump’s tariffs, with U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president John Murphy saying the move “is unprecedented, won’t solve these problems, and will only raise prices for American families and upend supply chains.” National Association of Manufacturers CEO Jay Timmons said the “ripple effects” of the tariffs “will be severe,” particularly for smaller manufacturers, warning, “Ultimately, manufacturers will bear the brunt of these tariffs, undermining our ability to sell our products at a competitive price and putting American jobs at risk.” Leaders of major companies have previously suggested Trump’s tariffs will lead to higher prices for American consumers, with Walmart chief financial officer John David Rainey telling CNBC in November the import taxes mean “there probably will be cases where prices will go up for consumers.” Best Buy CEO Corie Barry acknowledged on the company’s earnings call in November that most of its goods are imported from China and Mexico and any tariffs would likely result in higher prices, saying, “These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful.”
How Has The Chinese State Media Reacted To Trump’s Tariffs?
In China, the state-run tabloid Global Times, criticized the move in an editorial, saying “trade coercion” will not fix the U.S.’s “fentanyl crisis.” The op-ed notes that the Trump administration’s actions “violates WTO rules and disciplines” and result in countermeasures that “could lead to a global trade war.” The Chinese foreign ministry also expressed opposition to the move and said it would take “necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests.” The ministry said the tariffs cannot “solve the U.S.’ problems at home” and will not benefit either side.
How Has The Canadian Media Reacted To Trump’s Tariffs?
The Toronto Star published a guide for people who want to buy Canadian during the trade war, which included a list of grocery and other essential products sold by Canadian companies. The newspaper’s editorial titled: “We didn’t want this trade war. But now we must fight,” urged Canadians to “band together despite our differences” and grasp that “no one has ever won by appeasing a bully.” The Globe and Mail’s editorial page said that the trade war would reshape North America and warned, “There will be no way to satisfy all his demands. He will keep using them in a predatory manner…There will be no way to satisfy all his demands. He will keep using them in a predatory manner.” The Toronto Sun’s editorial acknowledged Canada will not be able to win an “all-out trade war” with the U.S. but added: “Still, when the bully hits you, you hit back.” The editorial called for retaliation targeting products that “Americans will notice” but “will have the least impact on Canadian consumers.”
Key Background
Trump has long vowed to impose tariffs on imported goods, even as economists and business leaders have decried the move. The president previously levied higher tariffs on Chinese imports during his first term, which sparked a trade war with China before the two sides reached a trade agreement in December 2019. While Trump long promised on the campaign trail to levy tariffs on imported goods, he only proposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods in November, which marked an escalation over the 10% to 20% he proposed pre-election. The president’s order Sunday comes after Trump said on his first day in office that he planned to impose the tariffs Feb 1, and imposed the broad tariffs with few restrictions despite earlier reports suggesting his administration was considering exempting certain imports or delaying the tariffs until March.
Tangent
In his Truth Social posts Sunday, Trump also reiterated his desire for Canada to become the “51st state,” claiming the country wouldn’t be “viable” if it weren’t for U.S. subsidies. Making it a U.S. state would mean “much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!” Trump claimed. Canadian officials have strongly decried any suggestion the country should become part of the U.S., with Immigration Minister Marc Miller saying the suggestion is “beneath a president of the United States” and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc saying the comments are “a way for [Trump], I think, to sow confusion, to agitate people, to create chaos knowing this will never happen.”
Canada and Mexico Respond As President Admits Taxes May Raise Prices (Live Updates)
In a shocking turn of events, President Smith has openly admitted that the proposed tax increase may lead to higher prices for consumers. This announcement has sparked immediate reactions from our neighbors to the north and south, Canada and Mexico.
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau expressed concern over the potential impact of the tax hike on cross-border trade, stating that it could disrupt the longstanding economic relationship between the two countries. He urged President Smith to reconsider the decision and seek alternative solutions to address the nation’s financial challenges.
Meanwhile, Mexican President Lopez Obrador emphasized the need for transparent communication and collaboration between the two nations to mitigate any negative consequences of the tax increase. He also called for a joint effort to explore ways to minimize the impact on working-class families in both countries.
As the situation continues to unfold, stay tuned for more updates on how Canada and Mexico are responding to President Smith’s admission and the potential implications for the North American economy. #TaxHike #Canada #Mexico #EconomicImpact #LiveUpdates
U.S. futures and global stocks were hit by a selloff early on Monday as markets around the world braced for a potential trade war triggered by President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China—which warned of “necessary countermeasures.”
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters about the collision of an American Airlines flight … [+] with a military Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport, in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House.
Getty Images
Timeline
Feb. 3, 8 a.m. ESTOntario Premier Doug Ford said the province, which includes Toronto, will ban all U.S. companies from receiving government contracts with the province, saying those companies “only have President Trump to blame”—and canceled the province’s contract with Elon Musk-led satellite internet company Starlink, writing, “Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy.”
Feb. 3, 6:50 a.m. ESTWith a threat of tariffs on European imports to the U.S. looming, markets in the continent were also hit with by a selloff with the Euro STOXX 50 Index sliding 1.6% while the London Stock Exchange’s FTSE 100 Index fell 1.2%
Feb. 3, 6:30 a.m ESTThe U.S. Dollar Index—which measures the U.S. currency against a basket of six other major currencies—rose to a two-year high of 109.45 on Monday morning, up nearly 1%.
Feb. 3, 6:15 a.m. ESTThe cryptocurrency market also appears to have been rattled by the fears of a trade war with Bitcoin’s price dropping more than 3.6% in the past 24 hours to $95,509.
Ether, which is the world’s second most valuable crypto token by market cap, was hit even harder as it price has crashed more than 15% in the previous 24 hours to around $2610.
The president’s own meme crypto token $TRUMP (Official Trump) also took a hit, as its price slid more than 13.5% in the previous 24 hours to $17.80. Unlike other major crypto tokens, however, $TRUMP has been on a downward slide since its explosive launch and had shed more than 30% of its value just in the last week.
Feb. 3, 6 a.m. ESTThe U.S. stock futures slumped early on Monday as global markets braced for the fallout of President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China.
As of early Monday morning Dow Futures was down to 44,113, falling 1.3%, while the tech centric NASDAQ Futures saw an even sharper slump of 1.6% to 21,227. S&P 500 Futures were also hit by the selloff, dropping 1.4% to 5,980.
Feb 3, 5 a.m. ESTMajor Asian stock indices were also hit by a selloff amid trade war concerns with Japan’s Nikkei 225 index falling 2.66%, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropping 1.79%, South Korea’s KOSPI index down 2.52% and India’s BSE Sensex down 0.41%.
In China, the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Composite Index closed relatively flat, only 0.06% in the red, while the Shenzhen-based SZSE Component Index—which focusses on tech companies and small cap private enterprises—took a bigger hit and dropped 1.33%.
Feb. 2, 2:53 p.m. ESTMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a video message on X announcing the country will come out with more details Monday morning on its countermeasures against the U.S. tariffs, saying the country will “act with a cool head and love for the people” and arguing Trump’s claims the Mexican government is allied with criminal drug groups is “terribly irresponsible,” according to translations by Bloomberg and The New York Times.
Feb. 2, 2 p.m. ESTTrump’s border czar Tom Homan told the Times in an interview that Canada has “taken steps” to address Trump’s concerns about immigration and drug trafficking, “but they haven’t taken enough steps,” adding that while Canada is “improving” its border security, Trump “doesn’t feel like they’ve done enough, and that’ll be his call.”
Feb. 2, 1 p.m. ESTThe Canadian government unveiled the full list of U.S. imports that the country will levy 25% tariffs on as part of its retaliatory measures against the U.S., which will apply to $30 billion worth of goods to start out with, including numerous food items, plastics, rubber, luggage, lumber, clothing, business supplies, glassware, appliances, furniture, cosmetics and more.
Feb. 2, 10:30 a.m. ESTHomeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged on “Meet the Press” that Trump’s tariffs could raise prices but said the blame would fall on other countries for not following Trump’s demands, rather than the president, encouraging other countries to “get on board and to make sure that they’re not pushing up prices” and claiming “if prices go up, it’s because of other people’s reactions to America’s laws.”
Feb. 2, 9 a.m. ESTCanadian Ambassador Kristen Hillman told ABC News Canadians are “perplexed” and “confused” by Trump’s tariffs on the nation’s imports and argued it’s “hard to know what more we can do” to prevent the tariffs since the Canadian government has already been “leaning in hard” to appease Trump—but noted Canada does not intend to back down from its plan for retaliatory tariffs, as Canadians “are going to expect that our government stands firm and stands up for itself.”
Feb. 2, 8:30 a.m. ESTDoug Ford, the premier of Canada’s Ontario province, said on X the region’s sole liquor wholesaler will remove American alcohol from its catalogs so that stores and restaurants in Ontario cannot stock any U.S. liquors—it follows similar moves from Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and British Columbia Premier David Eby, who banned his province’s Liquor Distribution Branch from buying American alcohol from “red states.”
Feb. 2, 8:09 a.m. ESTThe president defended his decision, writing on Truth Social, “WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!). BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID.”
Feb. 1Canada and Mexico both levied retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports in response to Trump’s directive, while China said it would file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization and take “countermeasures” in response to the move.
Feb. 1Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imported goods from Canada and Mexico—other than energy from Canada, which will be taxed at 10%—and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, which he claimed was to hold the countries “accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country.”
Crucial Quote
“MAKE YOUR PRODUCT IN THE USA AND THERE ARE NO TARIFFS!” Trump said on Truth Social in defense of his tariffs. “WE ARE A COUNTRY THAT IS NOW BEING RUN WITH COMMON SENSE — AND THE RESULTS WILL BE SPECTACULAR!!!”
When Will Trump’s Tariffs Take Effect?
Trump’s tariff order will take effect Tuesday for duties that are levied on imported goods, except for any imports that were already in transit before Trump ordered the tariffs Saturday. Hillman told ABC News on Sunday the country is “hopeful” the tariffs will not take effect and the country’s government is “ready to continue to talk to the Trump administration about that,” though it’s unclear that Trump will negotiate at all on his plans.
What Impact Will Trump’s Tariffs Have On Prices And The Economy?
Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China would effectively could cost each U.S. household more than $830 in additional taxes in 2025, according to an analysis released by the center-right Tax Foundation. The organization also predicted Trump’s plan would reduce the U.S.’ economic output by 0.4% and increase taxes in the U.S. overall by $1.2 trillion between 2025 and 2034. Economists have long warned Trump’s tariff plan would raise prices for American consumers—as the import taxes are paid by the U.S. companies that import foreign goods, which then pass on those costs to the consumer by raising prices—and a May analysis by the nonpartisan think tank Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) concluded Trump imposing broad tariffs on imported goods would “[inflict] significant collateral damage on the US economy.” Goldman Sachs economists led by Ronnie Walker previously projected in April that prices on consumer goods would go up by 0.1% for every percentage increase in the effective tariff rate and raise inflation. In addition to imported goods, economists have predicted the price of domestic goods will also go up, as U.S. companies will “opportunistically” raise prices to take advantage of having less competition from imported products.
Will Trump Impose More Tariffs?
Trump has suggested he wants to impose universal tariffs on other countries’ goods, though it’s still unclear when that could happen or what any broader tariffs could look like. “I have it in my mind what it’s going to be but I won’t be setting it yet, but it’ll be enough to protect our country,” Trump said Monday about his plan to impose tariffs on all imported goods. The president told reporters Friday he plans on “doing something substantial” in terms of taxing European imports specifically, saying, “Am I going to impose tariffs on the European Union? Do you want the truthful answer or should I give you a political answer? Absolutely, absolutely.”
How Has The Business Community Responded To Trump’s Tariffs?
Business and manufacturing groups have criticized Trump’s tariffs, with U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president John Murphy saying the move “is unprecedented, won’t solve these problems, and will only raise prices for American families and upend supply chains.” National Association of Manufacturers CEO Jay Timmons said the “ripple effects” of the tariffs “will be severe,” particularly for smaller manufacturers, warning, “Ultimately, manufacturers will bear the brunt of these tariffs, undermining our ability to sell our products at a competitive price and putting American jobs at risk.” Leaders of major companies have previously suggested Trump’s tariffs will lead to higher prices for American consumers, with Walmart chief financial officer John David Rainey telling CNBC in November the import taxes mean “there probably will be cases where prices will go up for consumers.” Best Buy CEO Corie Barry acknowledged on the company’s earnings call in November that most of its goods are imported from China and Mexico and any tariffs would likely result in higher prices, saying, “These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful.”
How Has The Chinese State Media Reacted To Trump’s Tariffs?
In China, the state-run tabloid Global Times, criticized the move in an editorial, saying “trade coercion” will not fix the U.S.’s “fentanyl crisis.” The op-ed notes that the Trump administration’s actions “violates WTO rules and disciplines” and result in countermeasures that “could lead to a global trade war.” The Chinese foreign ministry also expressed opposition to the move and said it would take “necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests.” The ministry said the tariffs cannot “solve the U.S.’ problems at home” and will not benefit either side.
How Has The Canadian Media Reacted To Trump’s Tariffs?
The Toronto Star published a guide for people who want to buy Canadian during the trade war, which included a list of grocery and other essential products sold by Canadian companies. The newspaper’s editorial titled: “We didn’t want this trade war. But now we must fight,” urged Canadians to “band together despite our differences” and grasp that “no one has ever won by appeasing a bully.” The Globe and Mail’s editorial page said that the trade war would reshape North America and warned, “There will be no way to satisfy all his demands. He will keep using them in a predatory manner…There will be no way to satisfy all his demands. He will keep using them in a predatory manner.” The Toronto Sun’s editorial acknowledged Canada will not be able to win an “all-out trade war” with the U.S. but added: “Still, when the bully hits you, you hit back.” The editorial called for retaliation targeting products that “Americans will notice” but “will have the least impact on Canadian consumers.”
Key Background
Trump has long vowed to impose tariffs on imported goods, even as economists and business leaders have decried the move. The president previously levied higher tariffs on Chinese imports during his first term, which sparked a trade war with China before the two sides reached a trade agreement in December 2019. While Trump long promised on the campaign trail to levy tariffs on imported goods, he only proposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods in November, which marked an escalation over the 10% to 20% he proposed pre-election. The president’s order Sunday comes after Trump said on his first day in office that he planned to impose the tariffs Feb 1, and imposed the broad tariffs with few restrictions despite earlier reports suggesting his administration was considering exempting certain imports or delaying the tariffs until March.
Tangent
In his Truth Social posts Sunday, Trump also reiterated his desire for Canada to become the “51st state,” claiming the country wouldn’t be “viable” if it weren’t for U.S. subsidies. Making it a U.S. state would mean “much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!” Trump claimed. Canadian officials have strongly decried any suggestion the country should become part of the U.S., with Immigration Minister Marc Miller saying the suggestion is “beneath a president of the United States” and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc saying the comments are “a way for [Trump], I think, to sow confusion, to agitate people, to create chaos knowing this will never happen.”
Canada and Mexico Respond As President Admits Taxes May Raise Prices (Live Updates)
In a surprising turn of events, President Johnson has announced that taxes may need to be raised in order to fund critical government programs. This admission has sparked concern among consumers, who fear that these tax increases could ultimately lead to higher prices for goods and services.
Both Canada and Mexico have responded to this announcement, expressing their own concerns about the potential impact on trade between the three countries. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau stated that while he understands the need for governments to raise revenue, he hopes that any tax increases will not have a negative impact on the North American economy.
Mexican President Lopez Obrador echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stable trade relations between the three countries. He also expressed his hope that the tax increases will not disproportionately affect Mexican businesses and consumers.
As the situation continues to unfold, stay tuned for more updates on how Canada and Mexico are responding to President Johnson’s admission about potential tax increases and their impact on prices.
Tags:
Canada, Mexico, President, Taxes, Price Increase, Live Updates, Economic News, International Response, Trade Relations, North American Countries, Government Policies, Import Taxes, Market Impact.
Five years ago, teachers shut their classroom doors and scrambled to set up video conference for their students,Now, new national test scores show America’s kids – especially the nation’s lowest achieving students – have yet to return to pre-pandemic academic levels.
Teachers, parents and education leaders are raising alarms about the state of education after seeing the sobering results of the U.S. Department of Education’s latest Nation’s Report Card results Wednesday. The data shows a post-pandemic nose-dive in literacy scores and a widening achievement gap between the nation’s highest and lowest learners in math and reading skills.
Many of them are calling on national leaders and school officials to speed up learning recovery. Strengthening American education, they say, is urgent.
“We need to figure out what we got wrong and what we need to adjust,” said Tequilla Brownie, CEO of TNTP, a nonprofit organization working to redesign education to help students of color and those living in poverty.
Fourth and eighth graders tested at lower reading levels on the National Assessment for Educational Progress in 2024 than before COVID-19. The achievement gap also widened between the nation’s highest and lowest performing learners in literacy test scores.
The pandemic exacerbated a reading crisis that began before schools shifted to remote learning, said Peggy Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics. Kids now don’t have the joy for reading they once did and teachers have changed the way they teach writing in the digital age, she said.
Adeola Whitney, CEO of a national nonprofit which works to improve equitable access to literacy education called Reading Partners, said it’s “alarming” that more students are scoring at low reading levels.
‘Reading is a civil right’
“Reading is a civil right that should be afforded to every student in the US. Our children deserve nothing less,” Whitney wrote in an email.
Brownie, from TNTP, said she’s especially concerned about low-scoring kids who live in poverty – and are at risk of staying in poverty because they aren’t skilled in reading.
“Kids that are behind don’t have to remain behind, but we have to focus on identifying solutions for kids that need those solutions and implement them,” Brownie said.
Temporary COVID-relief funding for education is gone
The Biden administration granted schools $189.5 billion through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) under the American Rescue Plan Act. The funding – given to school leaders to use to accelerate student learning recovery expired in September, yet kids’ haven’t caught up as planned.
Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, called the new test results a “national disgrace.”
“Despite an unprecedented $190 billion in federal investment meant to accelerate learning recovery, too many states have nothing to show for it except worsening outcomes,” Rodrigues wrote in an email Wednesday. “It’s time to stop pretending that ‘business as usual’ is acceptable—because these results are a disaster.”
Rodrigues called on Congress to investigate how schools spent the COVID-relief money and on the Trump administration to develop a “national strategy to ensure states are delivering on their responsibility to provide every child with a high-quality education,” which she said could include state-mandated high-dosage tutoring, extended learning time and high quality learning materials.
Lindsay Dworkin, senior vice president of policy and government affairs at the education assessment company NWEA, echoed Rodrigues’s call for urgency given the recent expiration of the temporary funding.
“With the federal emergency funds now used up, it’s more important than ever that policy and education leaders focus ever-scarcer resources on evidence-based strategies like combatting chronic absenteeism, scaling high-dosage tutoring, and expanding instructional time through extended school days and summer programming,” Dworkin wrote in an email.
‘If students aren’t in school, they can’t learn’
Student chronic absenteeism rates grew from 15% to 26% between 2018 to 2023 due to pandemic-related setbacks, according to an analysis from the American Enterprise Institute. Chronic absenteeism refers to when a student misses 10% or more of the school year.
The new federal data released Wednesday shows that student absenteeism remains a problem for America’s schools, and low-performing students are more likely to miss school than other kids.
“Absenteeism, which rose over the pandemic period, has declined since the 2022 assessment, but not to pre-pandemic levels,” reads a news release from the National Center for Education Statistics.
“We should care because if students aren’t in school, then they can’t learn,” Carr said.
Contact Kayla Jimenez at kjimenez@usatoday.com. Follow her on X at @kaylajjimenez.
Low student test scores raise alarms for a variety of reasons, with potential implications for both individual students and the education system as a whole. Here are a few key reasons why low test scores should be a cause for concern:
1. Academic performance: Low test scores may indicate that students are struggling to grasp key concepts and skills in their coursework. This could lead to gaps in their knowledge and understanding, making it difficult for them to succeed in future academic endeavors.
2. Individual student outcomes: Low test scores can have a significant impact on an individual student’s academic trajectory. Poor performance on standardized tests may limit their opportunities for advanced coursework, scholarships, and college admissions.
3. School accountability: Test scores are often used as a measure of school performance and accountability. Low scores may reflect poorly on a school’s ability to effectively educate its students, leading to increased scrutiny and potential consequences from stakeholders such as parents, policymakers, and funding sources.
4. Achievement gaps: Persistent low test scores among certain student populations can highlight disparities in educational outcomes based on factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and English language proficiency. Addressing these achievement gaps is essential for promoting equity and ensuring that all students have access to high-quality education.
Overall, low student test scores serve as a red flag signaling the need for intervention and support to improve academic achievement and ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed.
The Trump administration on Monday ordered former staff members for as many as 17 fired inspectors general to immediately arrange for the return of work laptops, phones, parking decals and ID cards — even as questions remained over whether President Trump broke the law in dismissing independent watchdogs.
Some of the fired officials were seeking to raise alarms about what had happened. Among them was Mark Greenblatt, whom Mr. Trump had appointed as the inspector general of the Interior Department five years ago and who had led an interagency council of the watchdog officials until the new year.
“This raises an existential threat with respect to the primary independent oversight function in the federal government,” Mr. Greenblatt said in an interview. “We have preserved the independence of inspectors general by making them not swing with every change in political party.”
He warned that the credibility of the inspectors general would be at issue if Mr. Trump put in “lackeys that are rubber-stamping his programs and exonerating allegations for his own people willy-nilly.” Doing so would give the next Democratic president incentive to fire them all, too, setting off “a never-ending cycle of politicization.”
Aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Mr. Trump defended the purge. “Some people thought that some were unfair or some were not doing the job,” he said, falsely claiming that a mass removal of inspectors general was “a very standard thing to do.”
That is not true. While it is the case that after Congress enacted the Inspector General Act in 1978 and President Ronald Reagan removed all of those he inherited from President Jimmy Carter in 1981, he later rehired some of them. And since then, the norm has been that they remain in place when new presidents take office, underscoring their role as nonpartisan officials.
Even as word began to seep out late Friday and into the weekend that the White House had tersely dismissed officials, citing its “changing priorities,” it had not released a comprehensive list of who had been fired, leading to confusion about the extent of the purge.
In an interview on Monday, Hannibal Ware, who goes by Mike and who took over as the chairman of the interagency council in January and was among those fired, said the dismissals he knew of extended to 17 officials covering 18 agencies. He had held the watchdog role for two agencies, one of which was in an acting capacity.
The agencies were, he said, the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury and Veterans Affairs.
They also included, he said, a special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction and the internal watchdogs at the Environmental Protection Agency, the White House’s Office of Personnel Management and Mr. Ware’s own two agencies, the Small Business Administration and the Social Security Administration.
But, underscoring to the confusion, at least one of those inspectors, Krista A. Boyd of the Office of Personnel Management, found herself locked out of the system even though she had not received an email informing her that she was fired, according to people familiar with the matter. The inspector general community is assuming that she is terminated, too.
In response to the purge, Mr. Ware, in a letter to the White House late Friday, suggested that the firings were illegal because they violated a law that requires giving Congress 30 days’ advance notice with the reason for any removal of an inspector general.
He said on Monday that even though he was not removed in accordance with the law, he was effectively fired given that he no longer had access to the building and computer systems.
Mr. Greenblatt, for his part, said he had decided against going to the office on Monday, even to retrieve his personal items from his desk, because he did not want to provoke a security incident.
Congress passed the Inspector General Act as part of the wave of post-Watergate reforms to government. The idea was to have officials embedded in major parts of the executive branch who did not report to that department or agency’s head, and so were able to perform independent internal oversight.
In 2020, Mr. Trump summarily ousted or sidelined a series of inspectors general who were seen as investigating his administration aggressively. Partly in response to that, Congress strengthened the 30-day-notice law by requiring presidents to provide a “substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons” for the firing.
In an interview, Mr. Ware warned that if the administration could flout that part of the Inspector General Act, then it would establish that it need not abide by the rest of that law — including provisions requiring giving the watchdogs unfettered access to agency files — either.
“What strength is there in the Inspector General Act if they say they don’t have to abide by parts of it?” he asked. “This is a threat to our democracy.”
Another person familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the deliberations, said several of the fired watchdog officials were discussing whether to file a lawsuit over the fact that Mr. Trump had defied the notice law.
It was not yet clear if any would do so.
Some advisers to Mr. Trump have been interested in advancing the so-called unitary executive theory, an expansive view of presidential power. According to the theory, the president must have complete control of the executive branch, so Congress may not give other officials independent decision-making authority or restrict the president’s ability to fire them.
Michael J. Missal, who was removed as the inspector general for the Department of Veterans Affairs, pointed to Congress as a potential defense of the institution.
“For inspectors general to continue to improve government services and ensure taxpayer funds are spent effectively, they must continue to be truly independent and have the support of Congress,” he said.
Democrats have vehemently denounced the purge, portraying it as clearing the way for corruption to go undiscovered.
In a letter over the weekend, the ranking Democrats on House oversight committees rebuked Mr. Trump.
His “attempt to unlawfully and arbitrarily remove more than a dozen independent, nonpartisan inspectors general without notice to Congress or the public and in the dead of night” was a blatant violation of the law, they said.
But because Democrats do not control Congress, attention has zeroed in on Republican leaders who style themselves as champions of inspectors general — especially Iowa’s two senators, Charles E. Grassley and Joni Ernst. Days before Mr. Trump was inaugurated, the pair announced they were starting a bipartisan caucus to support the watchdogs.
Mr. Grassley and a spokeswoman for Ms. Ernst issued relatively measured statements over the weekend saying they wanted to learn more about Mr. Trump’s decision.
Mr. Grassley noted that “the 30-day detailed notice of removal that the law demands was not provided to Congress,” while Ms. Ernst said she looked forward to working with Mr. Trump on nominations for successors.
Representatives for both did not respond to requests for further comment on Monday.
Sarah Kliff and Maggie Haberman contributed reporting.
Recently, several inspectors general were abruptly fired by the Trump administration, raising alarm among government watchdogs and members of Congress. These watchdogs play a crucial role in overseeing government agencies and uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse.
The firing of these inspectors general has led to concerns that the Trump administration is attempting to purge those who are critical of their actions or who may be investigating potential wrongdoing. Critics argue that this move undermines the independence and integrity of these oversight bodies, which are meant to hold government officials accountable.
As the Trump administration moves to finalize these purges, it is essential for Congress and the public to remain vigilant and demand transparency and accountability. Inspectors general serve a vital function in ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and that government agencies are operating ethically. Removing them without cause or explanation sets a dangerous precedent and threatens the checks and balances that are essential to a functioning democracy.
It is imperative that we continue to push for answers and demand that the Trump administration provide justification for these firings. The integrity of our government and the trust of the American people are at stake, and we must hold those in power accountable for their actions.
One of the most popular FPS faces, Shroud and other popular streamers have raised over $260k through his Fragathon streams on Twitch where he is donating everything to St Jude’s charity.
In a YouTube video, Shroud went over the tragic incident of losing his dad to lung cancer, and said he wanted to support the people who are going through similar situations. Instead of a regular subathon on Twitch where fans can donate to keep extending the stream, he’s doing a Fragathon, where each elimination inside whatever game he’s playing is worth one dollar.
Make sure to stop by Shroud’s fragathon streams and do your part. Screenshot via Shroud on Twitch
The subs and donations to his streams are going to increase a multiplier and make each kill worth even more. Each of these donations, subscriptions, and even bits are going toward the charity. He also has a merch shop, where all the purchases contribute directly to the cause.
Of course, Shroud isn’t alone in tackling this gargantuan challenge and he has already invited multiple big names like iiTzTimmy, Jacksepticeye, Ludwig, and many others who have joined him on a LAN set-up at his place to help raise money for the cause. Apart from streaming, he is also doing real-life events and challenges which are also increasing the money being donated.
In terms of games, Marvel Rivals has been Shroud’s most-played game so far in the Fragathon, and he has even gone so far as to say that he “genuinely” might be playing the game for the rest of his life. He also revealed he might even own an esports team for Marvel Rivals after the donation amount hits a particular figure, and he’s going to reveal that figure soon to the viewers.
Apart from Marvel Rivals, he has also tried his hands at Counter-Strike 2, even indies like Ready or Not and Heroes of the Hammerwatch 2 for the viewers.
As time of writing, Shroud has gathered $268,386 from his charity streams, and he still has two more weeks to pump up the amount and donate it to the charity. Shroud’s Fragathon is not coming to a halt soon, as he’s going to continue the charity streams til Feb. 8.
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Shroud, one of the most popular streamers in the gaming community, recently hosted a Fragathon charity event that raised an incredible amount of money for various causes. The event, which lasted for 24 hours straight, saw Shroud and his fellow gamers playing games and interacting with their fans while encouraging donations.
The Fragathon streams were a massive success, raising staggering amounts of money for charities such as Extra Life, Save the Children, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Fans from all over the world tuned in to watch the stream and donate to these worthy causes, showing their support and generosity.
Shroud’s dedication to using his platform for good and giving back to those in need is truly inspiring. The success of the Fragathon streams is a testament to the generosity of the gaming community and the impact that streamers can have when they come together for a common cause.
Overall, Shroud’s Fragathon streams were a huge success, raising an incredible amount of money for charity and showcasing the power of gaming for good. Kudos to Shroud and all those involved in making this event a success!
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New York is keeping secret its plan for new taxes and fees to fund $33 billion for the flailing Metropolitan Transportation Authority even as Gov. Kathy Hochul is set to propose her budget this week.
Hochul continues to refuse to publicly outline ideas to fill the massive hole in the MTA’s $68 billion five-year capital plan as sources said she’s highly unlikely to include a proposal in her executive budget proposal set to be released Tuesday.
Gov. Kathy Hochul is not expected to release a proposal to cover a $33 billion hole in the MTA’s capital plan as part of her executive budget to be released Tuesday. Matthew McDermott
Instead, the governor is continuing to point the figer at state legislative leaders who refused to sign onto the massively underfunded plan.
“That’s their prerogative,” Hochul told CBS News’ Marcia Kramer Sunday morning.
“And now they’ll go back and put together the plan that they want me to look at. Obviously, we need to get something done,” the governor added.
The leaders – Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Westchester) – have refused to fire back at Hochul, as top Democrats have been more keen to negotiating out of eyes of taxpayers.
“It’s a budget. We’ll figure it out,” Heastie told reporters last week when asked if he thinks the ball is in their court to propose a plan.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins say they expect tax or fee increases will be on the table as part of talks over how to fill a revenue hole in the MTA’s capital plan budget. Hans Pennink
Heastie and Stewart-Cousins have admitted taxes and fees are going to be part of the discussion to fill the revenue hole, something Hochul’s budget director said as early as November.
“I assume raising revenue will absolutely be on the table,” Heastie told Spectrum News last week.
With all sides refusing to blink publicly to float a proposal to raise revenue, those negotiations are almost certain to be worked out behind closed doors and outside the regular budget process.
“It’s cynical and it’s kind of a projection of fearfulness rather than strength,” said John Kaehny, executive director of good government group Reinvent Albany.
“It’s just dumb cynical gamesmanship I think ultimately will bite the governor since the public just doesn’t like that,” Kaehny continued.
The uncertainty comes as Hochul touts a slew proposals including many meant to address New York’s lack of “affordability” and address violence in the subways.
Hochul is floating billions of dollars of new spending that likely to jack up the overall cost of the state budget. Paul Martinka
One of those proposals includes sending out $3 billion worth of checks to low and middle income New Yorkers on top of income tax cuts, increased benefits for families with young kids and grants to prop up childcare centers.
Another proposal would spend $77 million to pad overtime to put 300 NYPD cops on subway trains overnight and another 750 on platforms.
On top of that, state spending on school aid and Medicaid is expected to balloon between $1 billion and $2 billion.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber arrives for a press conference on Jan. 10. Stephen Yang
The Citizen Budget Commission’s Patrick Orecki estimates such proposals could ramp up spending by another $5-$6 billion without cuts elsewhere.
“On one hand Hochul wants to be the owner of the subway that floods them with police and spends billions of dollars in police overtime, but on the other she doesn’t want to be the governor that has to find new revenue for the capital plan,” Kaehny said. “I mean it’s just massively inconsistent and irritating and alienate public supporters of the MTA and transit.”
Individual legislators have been more apt to call for the governor to be more forthcoming.
“Ideally,” Deputy Senate Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) said when asked if the governor should roll out a proposal publicly.
“But the more important thing is that we get it done,” Gianaris added.
New York’s plan to raise $33B for MTA in taxes, fees kept secret as Hochul passes buck to pols
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has remained tight-lipped about the state’s plan to raise $33 billion for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) through taxes and fees. In a recent press conference, Hochul deflected questions about the specifics of the plan, instead passing the responsibility to state lawmakers.
The MTA, which operates New York City’s subway and bus system, has been facing financial struggles in recent years, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to address the agency’s funding shortfall, the state has proposed a series of new taxes and fees, including a potential congestion pricing scheme for drivers entering Manhattan.
However, details about the plan have been kept under wraps, raising concerns among New Yorkers about how the additional revenue will be raised and who will bear the brunt of the costs. Critics have also raised questions about the lack of transparency surrounding the plan, with some accusing Hochul of passing the buck to state lawmakers rather than taking responsibility for the decision.
As the state continues to grapple with the implications of the plan, many are calling for greater transparency and accountability in the decision-making process. With billions of dollars at stake, New Yorkers are demanding answers about how the MTA will be funded and what impact it will have on residents across the state.
DETROIT – Devin Booker is trying to raise the bar on this bet with Kevin Durant on Saturday’s NFC divisional playoff game between the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders at Ford Field.
“I’m whatever, but we’re the favorites,” said Booker, a loyal Lions fan, after Thursday’s win over the Washington Wizards in D.C. “I don’t know if he’s going to be ready for that. We’ll see.”
Let’s do this.
“It’s whatever, man,” said Durant, a diehard Commanders fan from Washington D.C. “Whatever he wants to do, man. I’m feeling confident.”
Booker and Durant are planning to attend the playoff matchup that starts four hours after the Suns (20-20) tip off against the Detroit Pistons (21-20) at 2 p.m. MST, at nearby Little Caesars Arena. The NFL game begins at 6 p.m. MST.
It’s less a mile in distance between the Lions’ domed stadium and the Pistons’ arena.
“Pretty sweet the schedules were able to matchup and we can go,” Durant said. “We play right before them. Go check the game out. Rooting for the guys to get it done.”
Prediction?
“If I had to, I’d say us, 24-21,” Durant said.
Booker said earlier in the week he and Durant agreed on NBA per diem being the bet wager.
NBA per diem for players is $161 per day on the road.
The Suns are in the middle of a five-game road trip that totals 10 days from the time Phoenix headed to Atlanta on Monday for Tuesday’s game against the Hawks to Jan. 22 when they’ll leave after playing at Brooklyn.
If Booker and Durant are counting each day, that’s $1,610 total per diem for each of them.
Sounds like low stakes for two high-priced players.
Durant is due to receive $51.2 million alone this season while Booker is in the first season of his four-year supermax deal that’s paying him $49.2 million this season.
Whatever the stakes are, bragging rights will certainly satisfy the victor.
“I got high expectations, man, for us to just go out there and play a great brand of Commanders football,” Durant said. “That’s a good thing to say when you’ve got an identity. I feel like we’ve got an identity as a football team. We didn’t have that for a long time. I’m excited. It’s going to be a fun game.”
The back-and-forth banter between Booker and Durant started in the Suns locker room after last Sunday’s home win over Charlotte.
The Commanders stunned Tampa Bay with a walk-off field goal in wild card action that same day to set up a divisional matchup against the Lions, who earned a bye.
Booker and Durant were too excited about having an opportunity to see the playoff game as the Suns had already planned to stay in Detroit after their game against the Pistons.
The Suns will fly out on Sunday before Monday’s game at Cleveland on Martin Luther King Day.
So, Booker will be at Ford Field on Saturday night. So will Durant.
Just don’t expect them to share the same space.
“Of course not,” Durant said. “Not sitting next to that man with that blue on.”
This will be Booker’s second opportunity to see a pro team from his home state in the postseason.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Booker attended the Detroit Tigers Game 3 win on Oct. 9, 2024 over Cleveland in the American League Division Series at Comerica Park.
The Suns played a preseason game the day before against the Pistons at Michigan State University. Team owner Mat Ishbia is a Michigan State alum who was on the Spartans’ 2000 men’s basketball national championship team as a walk-on.
Now, Booker will see his Lions in the NFL playoffs for the first time.
“It’s pretty crazy how the games lined up,” Booker said. “I caught a Tigers playoff game, first one in my life and now this will be the first NFL playoff game. The stars aligned. It’s a perfect situation. We’ll celebrate as such.”
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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Booker trying to raise stakes with Durant on Lions vs Commanders bet
As the NFL season heats up, so do the friendly wagers between friends and colleagues. Recently, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant found themselves embroiled in a bet over the upcoming matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Washington Football Team.
Booker, a die-hard Lions fan, was confident in his team’s abilities to come out on top against the struggling Commanders. Durant, on the other hand, was backing his hometown team to secure the win.
But as the game drew closer, Booker decided to up the ante and raise the stakes of their bet. In a bold move, he proposed that the loser of the bet would have to wear the opposing team’s jersey during their next press conference.
Durant, never one to back down from a challenge, accepted Booker’s proposal, setting the stage for an even more intense showdown between the two stars on and off the court.
As game day approaches, the tension between Booker and Durant is palpable, with both players determined to come out on top and avoid the embarrassment of donning their rival’s colors. Fans can’t wait to see how it all plays out and which player will be left wearing the wrong jersey come press conference time. Stay tuned for the highly anticipated Lions vs Commanders matchup and the outcome of this high-stakes bet.
Freddie Freeman, Chris Taylor raise wildfire relief efforts funds
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We are working closely with community partners and impacted areas and look forward to announcing more about our immediate efforts and our ongoing work in the coming days. We are grateful to all first responders who have been on the front lines of this tragedy, and we grieve with the thousands of families who have lost their homes and possessions, including those within the Dodgers organization.\””,”type”:”text”}],”relativeSiteUrl”:”/news/freddie-freeman-chris-taylor-dodgers-wildfire-relief-efforts”,”contentType”:”news”,”subHeadline”:null,”summary”:”As devastating wildfires have raged through Los Angeles this past week, several Dodgers have contributed to relief efforts as the city continues to fight to contain the blazes.\nAccording to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Freddie Freeman and his wife, Chelsea, are making three donations of $100,000 — totalling $300,000 — to”,”tagline({\”formatString\”:\”none\”})”:null,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”InternalTag”,”slug”:”storytype-article”,”title”:”Article”,”type”:”article”},{“__typename”:”ContributorTag”,”slug”:”sonja-chen”,”title”:”Sonja Chen”,”type”:”contributor”},{“__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-119″,”title”:”Los 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January 11th, 2025
As devastating wildfires have raged through Los Angeles this past week, several Dodgers have contributed to relief efforts as the city continues to fight to contain the blazes.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Freddie Freeman and his wife, Chelsea, are making three donations of $100,000 — totalling $300,000 — to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Pasadena Fire Department and the Salvation Army.
Chelsea Freeman also shared in an Instagram story that she was matching donations to Pasadena Humane, which has been giving care to pets lost or abandoned in the fires.
Additionally, the Dodgers and other Los Angeles teams are partnering with Fanatics to support wildfire relief. Proceeds from the “LA Strong” merchandise will be donated directly to the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
The wildfires began Tuesday in Los Angeles, where high winds and a dry winter were among the conditions that created an environment that made it easier for fire to spread throughout the greater region. L.A. firefighters were still working to contain blazes in Pacific Palisades, Altadena/Pasadena, West Hills, Sylmar, Acton and Granada Hills as of Friday afternoon.
According to the L.A. Times, these wildfires are likely to go down as one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history, with economic losses projected to total tens of billions of dollars.
The Dodgers released a statement on social media on Friday: “The players, front office and staff of the Dodgers are absolutely heartbroken over the devastation of the fires in and around Los Angeles. We are working closely with community partners and impacted areas and look forward to announcing more about our immediate efforts and our ongoing work in the coming days. We are grateful to all first responders who have been on the front lines of this tragedy, and we grieve with the thousands of families who have lost their homes and possessions, including those within the Dodgers organization.”
Freddie Freeman, Chris Taylor team up to raise funds for wildfire relief efforts
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman and Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Chris Taylor have joined forces to raise funds for wildfire relief efforts. The devastating wildfires in the western United States have caused widespread destruction and displacement for many residents.
Freeman and Taylor have started a fundraising campaign to support those affected by the wildfires, with all proceeds going towards providing aid and resources to those in need. The two baseball stars have already made significant donations themselves and are encouraging their fans and followers to contribute whatever they can to help support the relief efforts.
Both Freeman and Taylor have expressed their deep concern for those impacted by the wildfires and are determined to do whatever they can to assist in the recovery and rebuilding process. Their efforts to raise funds and awareness for this important cause are a true testament to their compassion and dedication to making a positive impact in their communities.
If you would like to donate to support wildfire relief efforts, you can visit the fundraising page set up by Freeman and Taylor to make a contribution. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference in helping those affected by the wildfires get back on their feet. Let’s come together to support our friends and neighbors in need during this challenging time.
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The price of travel permits needed by EU and US citizens to enter the UK is to rise from £10 to £16, the government said, triggering warnings that the cost will damage tourism.
Since the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme took effect this month, many visitors to the UK who do not require a visa have to apply for digital permission to travel to the country.
Visitors at present pay £10 for a permit that is valid for two years and allows them to take multiple journeys.
But the Home Office said the cost of a permit would rise from £10 to £16 to help “reduce the reliance of the migration and borders system on taxpayer funding”. The government department did not set a date for the changes, which it said would raise an additional £269mn a year.
Tourism groups and airlines criticised the changes, saying they made the cost of visiting the UK increasingly uncompetitive in light of EU plans to charge all visitors who do not need a visa €7 for its planned travel authorisation scheme.
Richard Toomer, executive director of the Tourism Alliance trade association, said the decision to raise the charge was “staggering”.
“This is especially a kick in the teeth for our European visitors just as they are required for the first time ever to apply for advance permission to travel to the UK,” he said.
Tourism is worth £74bn a year to the UK, and ministers in November announced a target to increase visitor numbers by nearly a third to 50mn people a year by 2030.
But Toomer said the target would be missed “if the government keeps viewing tourists simply as a cash cow”.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade group Airlines UK, said the changes were “bitterly disappointing” but welcomed the Home Office’s decision to exempt transiting passengers who visit UK airports but do not enter the country.
Heathrow airport had warned that its position as Europe’s leading hub airport was threatened by the decision to charge transfer passengers.
Visitors from more than 50 countries including the US, Australia and Canada have needed to apply for one of the permits to enter the UK since the start of the scheme, which is loosely modelled on the US Esta programme.
The list will be expanded to include EU nationals on April 2, although Irish citizens will be exempt.
EU and UK citizens have been caught in increased border formalities since frictionless travel disappeared with the implementation of the Brexit deal at the end of 2020, four years after the referendum.
Visitors already face stringent passport checks at UK and EU borders, which have caused bouts of disruption for Eurostar and the Channel ports.
UK citizens will also be caught up in new EU biometric border checks, which are due to be rolled out later this year but have been repeatedly delayed. A separate EU visa waiver programme, similar to the UK ETA, is also due to be rolled out in 2025.
Under the UK’s immigration price rises, the cost of other services including naturalisation as a British citizen will also rise.
In a recent announcement, the UK government has revealed plans to increase the price of travel permits for EU visitors by a whopping 60%. This decision comes as part of the UK’s post-Brexit immigration policies, aiming to make it more costly for EU citizens to travel to the country.
The price hike is expected to impact millions of EU visitors who wish to travel to the UK for tourism, work, or other purposes. The new permit fees are set to come into effect in the upcoming months, causing concern among EU citizens and businesses that rely on travel between the UK and the EU.
This move is likely to have significant economic implications, as the increased travel costs may deter EU visitors from coming to the UK, affecting industries such as tourism, hospitality, and retail. It remains to be seen how this price increase will impact the flow of visitors between the UK and the EU and what the long-term consequences will be for both parties involved. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
