WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington lawmakers remain at a standstill over reopening the government, showing few signs of progress. Both parties believe public opinion supports their stance, with Democrats pushing for health insurance subsidies and President Donald Trump aiming to maintain current spending levels. The shutdown adds to economic uncertainty, with hiring slowing and inflation high.…… MORE
Trump is Reviving Large Sales of Coal From Public Lands
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. officials in coming days are set to hold the government’s biggest coal sales in more than a decade. About 600 million tons of the fuel will be auctioned from publicly owned reserves next to strip mines in Montana and Wyoming. Data analyzed by The Associated Press shows most of the…… MORE
Apple and Google Block Apps That Crowdsource ICE Sightings
Apple and Google blocked downloads of phone apps that flag sightings of U.S. immigration agents, just hours after the Trump administration demanded that one particularly popular iPhone app be taken down. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said such tracking puts Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at risk. But users and developers of these apps say…… MORE
Hungary Clings to Russian Oil and Gas as EU and Nato Push to Cut Supplies
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary remains firm in maintaining its supplies of Russian oil and gas, even as the European Union accelerates efforts to cut Russian energy imports. Prime Minister Viktor Orbଠargues what he calls cheap Russian energy is crucial for Hungary’s economy and claims switching sources could cause an economic collapse. Critics dismiss the…… MORE
Texas Rangers Hire Skip Schumaker As Manager
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers hired Skip Schumaker as their manager Friday night, agreeing on a four-year contract with the former NL Manager of the Year, who had been in their organization for the past year. Schumaker’s deal was announced after Chris Young, the president of baseball operations, acknowledged earlier in the day…… MORE