3 h. ago Federal Reserve's Waller says central bank should cut rates at next meeting

A top Federal Reserve official said late Thursday that the central bank should cut its key interest rate later this month, carving out a different view than that of Chair Jerome Powell, who has been harshly criticized by the White House for delaying rate cuts

Politics

4 h. ago Searching for pennies: With the cut in federal funding public broadcasters are looking to cope

In Alaska, a public radio station general manager took a moment from a busy day warning her community about a possible tsunami for a special task — sending a text message to Sen. Lisa Murkowski urging her to vote against a measure to strip federal funding of NPR and PBS

Politics

11 h. ago The Latest: House prepares to advance cuts on public broadcasting and foreign aid

The House is expected to approve President Donald Trump’s request to claw back about $9 billion in already appropriated funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid

Politics

18 h. ago Man found guilty of pocketing public funds while working four council jobs

Bryn Howells has been found guilty of fraud after pocketing more than £230,000 in salaries and benefits – all funded by taxpayers.

Economics

20 h. ago US Senate passes aid and public broadcasting cuts in victory for Trump

Members vote 51 to 48 in favour of president’s request to slash $9bn in spending already approved by CongressThe US Senate has approved Donald Trump’s plan for billions of dollars in cuts to funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting, handing the Republican president another victory as he exerts control over Congress with little opposition.The Senate voted 51 to 48 in favour of Trump’s request to cut $9bn in spending already approved by Congress. Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago What are rescissions – and why does Trump want Congress to approve them?

The president is pushing for cuts in spending that Congress needs to approve to take effect – but what exactly are they?US politics live – latest updatesCongressional Republicans are pushing for passage of a rescissions package, legislation requested by Donald Trump that will claw back $9bn in funding intended for foreign aid programs and public broadcasting.The bill, which is part of the president’s campaign to slash government spending, passed the House last month, and is now being debated in the Senate. Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago Howe’s dilemma as Newcastle’s Saudi owners can’t ignore case to sell Isak

Liverpool’s record bid for striker and offer for Howe target Ekitike cast cloud over manager’s plans for new seasonAmid the jungle of super-skyscrapers dominating Riyadh’s financial district, one building soars above the rest. From the higher floors of the 385-metre PIF Tower, employees can plot their next deal while gazing down on a glass-curtained canopy of concrete, steel and polished marble.For Yasir al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the chair of Newcastle United, the top of this striking, 80-storey crystalline structure is a place where metaphorical blue-sky thinking meets reality. Continue reading...

Politics

47 h. ago Native American radio stations at risk as Congress looks to cut $1B in public broadcasting funding

Native American radio stations could face shutdowns if Congress cuts over $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Economics

9 d. ago Pentagon provided $2.4tn to private arms firms to ‘fund war and weapons’, report finds

Exclusive: Most of defense department’s discretionary spending from 2020 to 2024 went to military contractorsA new study of defense department spending previewed exclusively to the Guardian shows that most of the Pentagon’s discretionary spending from 2020 to 2024 has gone to outside military contractors, providing a $2.4tn boon in public funds to private firms in what was described as a “continuing and massive transfer of wealth from taxpayers to fund war and weapons manufacturing”.The report from the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and Costs of War project at Brown University said that the Trump administration’s new Pentagon budget will push annual US military spending past the $1tn mark. Continue reading...

Economics

9 d. ago Voices: Readers torn on wealth tax – from ‘the only counterbalance’ to ‘utterly counter

Discussion of a wealth tax has ignited a lively debate among our community, with some calling it a necessary step to tackle inequality and fund public services, while others warned it would drive away investment and harm the economy

Economics

1 week ago West Lothian public pools and gyms get funding assurance from council

Councillors agreed to a “letter of comfort” for the auditors of West Lothian Leisure (WLL) as the sports provider continues to fight back to strength after financial woes made worse by the Covid lockdown.

Politics

1 week ago Nearly a quarter of foster places in England provided by private equity

Experts raise alarm over ‘commodification’ of vulnerable children as independent fostering agencies make millions in profitExperts have raised alarm over the “commodification” of vulnerable foster children as analysis reveals almost a quarter of all foster places in England are now provided by private equity-backed companies making millions of pounds in profits.Analysis for the Guardian by thinktank Common Wealth found independent fostering agencies (IFAs) are making millions via public funding from councils to provide placements for foster children, while foster carers struggle to pay bills. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago The Guardian view on the BBC’s future: the broadcaster’s independence and funding face challenges | Editorial

Lisa Nandy’s call for a modern Annan-style review offers a chance to renew the broadcaster for a fragmented digital ageThe BBC will soon charge US users for full news access. In Britain, it may seem a distant prospect, but if universality can be dropped abroad, how long before it’s tested at home? With the BBC’s charter due for renewal in 2027, the funding debate is intensifying. What becomes of the licence fee will define the broadcaster’s future.There is increased scrutiny of Auntie’s independence and impartiality after political pressure was applied through censure, funding freezes and contentious board appointments. What the BBC should look like in a fragmented media landscape is uncertain. A big question is whether the licence fee levied on households should be replaced by subscription, limited advertising or public funding. The last option is surely a non-starter, opening the door to more direct political control. Carrying adverts would force the BBC to compete with other broa...

Politics

2 w. ago What to know about buying electric vehicles after the federal tax incentives end

The massive tax and spending cut bill that Congress passed Thursday ends federal tax incentives for electric vehicles

Economics

2 w. ago University of Virginia president resigned after ‘pressure campaign’ from Trump admin to remove him from post

James Ryan submitted his resignation last week ‘with a very heavy heart’ rather than risk the institution having its federal funding cut

Politics

2 w. ago The supreme court is cracking down on judges – and letting Trump run wild | Steven Greenhouse

The justices’ decision limiting judicial injunctions gives a red light to the most effective check on the president’s power grabEver since Donald Trump returned to power, he has carried out an unprecedented assault against the country’s rule of law. But we can be thankful that one group of people – federal district court judges – have bravely stood up to him and his many illegal actions.His excesses include gutting federal agencies, deporting immigrants without due process, seeking to cut thousands of federal jobs despite their legal protections, and ordering an end to birthright citizenship. Intent on upholding the constitution and rule of law, district court judges have issued more than 190 orders blocking or temporarily pausing Trump actions they considered illegal. Their decisions have slowed the US president’s wrecking ball as it demolishes federal agencies, devastates foreign aid, decimates scientific research and demoralizes government employees.Steven Greenhouse is a journal...

Events

2 w. ago Debacle in the desert: Will the Athetics’ $1.75bn stadium on the Vegas Strip ever be built?

It’s been over two years since the A’s were awarded public funding for their new ballpark. But despite last month’s “groundbreaking”, its completion is anything but certainIt had just turned 8am on a crystal clear, late June Monday morning, but it was already 85F (29F). Despite the tolerable heat (for the desert), a giant air conditioned tent had been erected on the former site of the Tropicana, the famed hotel which was demolished in a controlled implosion last October. Athletics owner John Fisher, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred and a gaggle of politicians had all gathered on the compact, nine-acre site for a ceremony over two years in the making: the groundbreaking for the new A’s stadium on the Strip, coming your way in 2028.On the surface, it was your run-of-the-mill pomp and circumstance: a series of uneven speeches mixed in with a few kids gushing over how much they can’t wait to have the former Oakland and current A’s in Las Vegas. But if you had been followin...

Politics

2 w. ago Debacle in the desert: will the Athletics’ $1.75bn stadium on the Vegas Strip ever be built?

It’s been over two years since the A’s were awarded public funding for their new ballpark. But despite last month’s “groundbreaking”, its completion is anything but certainIt had just turned 8am on a crystal clear, late June Monday morning, but it was already 85F (29F). Despite the tolerable heat (for the desert), a giant air conditioned tent had been erected on the former site of the Tropicana, the famed hotel which was demolished in a controlled implosion last October. Athletics owner John Fisher, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred and a gaggle of politicians had all gathered on the compact, nine-acre site for a ceremony over two years in the making: the groundbreaking for the new A’s stadium on the Strip, coming your way in 2028.On the surface, it was your run-of-the-mill pomp and circumstance: a series of uneven speeches mixed in with a few kids gushing over how much they can’t wait to have the former Oakland and current A’s in Las Vegas. But if you had been followin...

Politics

2 w. ago Federal Reserve chair blames Trump’s tariffs for preventing interest rates cut

Jerome Powell says inflationary impact of the president’s trade policies needs to be assessed before borrowing costs can be reducedThe chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, has blamed Donald Trump’s tariffs for preventing the immediate interest rate cuts the president has demanded.Trump has repeatedly urged Powell to reduce borrowing costs in the US economy. He posted a hand-scrawled note on his Truth Social platform on Monday, saying: “You have cost the USA a fortune – and continue to do so – you should lower the rate by a lot!” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Federal Reserve chair blames Trump’s tariffs for preventing interest rate cuts

Jerome Powell says inflationary impact of the president’s trade policies needs to be assessed before borrowing costs can be reducedThe chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, has blamed Donald Trump’s tariffs for preventing the immediate interest rate cuts the president has demanded.Trump has repeatedly urged Powell to reduce borrowing costs in the US economy, and on Monday posted a hand-scrawled note on his Truth Social platform saying: “You have cost the USA a fortune – and continue to do so – you should lower the rate by a lot!” Continue reading...

Politics