PALESTINIAN children sit as they wait to receive food from a charity kitchen, amid a hunger crisis in Gaza City, July 14, 2025. — REUTERS/MAHMOUD ISSA
GENEVA — One in 10 children screened in clinics run by the United Nations refugee agency in Gaza since 2024 has been malnourished, the agency said on Tuesday.
“Our health teams are confirming that malnutrition rates are increasing in Gaza, especially since the siege was tightened more than four months ago on the second of March,” United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Director of Communications, Juliette Touma, told reporters in Geneva via a video link from Amman, Jordan.
Since January 2024, UNRWA said it had screened more than 240,000 boys and girls under the age of five in its clinics, adding that before the war, acute malnutrition was rarely seen in the Gaza Strip.
“One nurse that we spoke to told us that in the past, he only saw these cases of malnutrition in textbooks and documentaries,” Ms. Touma said.
“Medicine, nutrition supplies, hygiene material, fuel are all rapidly running out,” Ms. Touma said.
On May 19, Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade on Gaza, allowing limited UN deliveries to resume. However, UNRWA continues to be banned from bringing aid into the enclave.
COGAT, the Israeli military aid coordination agency, said that it has helped facilitate 67,000 food trucks to enter Gaza, delivering 1.5 million tons of food, including infant formula and baby food.
It said that about 2,000 tons of baby food have been brought into Gaza through the crossings in recent weeks, following requests by international aid organizations.
Israel and the United States have accused Palestinian militant group Hamas of stealing from UN-led aid operations — which Hamas denies. They have instead set up the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, using private US security and logistics firms to transport aid to distribution hubs, which the UN has refused to work with.
On Monday, UNICEF said that last month more than 5,800 children were diagnosed with malnutrition in Gaza, including more than 1,000 children with severe, acute malnutrition. It said it was an increase for the fourth month in a row. — Reuters
THE FRENCH FLAG flies above the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Aug. 30, 2023. — REUTERS/STEPHANIE LECOCQ
PARIS — French Prime Minister (PM) Francois Bayrou proposed scrapping two public holidays and freezing most public spending as part of a €43.8-billion ($50.88-billion) budget squeeze he outlined on Tuesday.
Mr. Bayrou’s plan involves freezing welfare spending and tax brackets in 2026 at 2025 levels, not even adjusting for inflation, which was immediately criticized by left-wing and far-right politicians. Defense spending, however, will increase.
France saw its budget deficit hit 5.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) last year, nearly double the official European Union (EU) limit of 3% of GDP, as a political crisis left four successive governments paralyzed and incapable of tackling an unexpected drop in tax income and surge in spending for a second year.
“Everyone will have to contribute to the effort,” Mr. Bayrou said in a two-hour news conference with journalists, lawmakers and ministers, warning that public debt was a “mortal danger” for France and needed to be tackled head on.
The welfare spending freeze will likely be as unpopular for many voters as scrapping two public holidays — possibly Easter Monday and May 8, which commemorates the end of the Second World War in Europe.
There are simply too many public holidays in May, and the French must get back to work that month, Mr. Bayrou said, adding that this would mean several billion euros in additional revenues for the state, as everybody would work more and produce more.
“This government prefers to attack the French people, workers and retirees, rather than root out waste,” far right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen said on X.
“If Francois Bayrou does not revise his plans, we’ll vote for a motion of no confidence against him.”
Left-wing parties were also damning. The Socialists leader Oliver Faure, whose party helped Mr. Bayrou pass the 2025 budget, said: “This isn’t a recovery plan it’s a demolition plan for the French (social) model.”
Mr. Bayrou, a veteran centrist politician, must persuade the opposition ranks in France’s fractured parliament to at least tolerate his cuts, or risk facing a no-confidence motion like the one that toppled his predecessor in December over the 2025 budget.
Any risk of a no-confidence motion would likely only firm up once a detailed budget bill goes to parliament in October.
MACRON’S LEGACY President Emmanuel Macron has left Mr. Bayrou the task of repairing the public finances with the 2026 budget, after his own move to call a snap legislative election last year delivered a hung parliament too divided to tackle the country’s spiraling spending.
If he fails, a new political crisis could trigger more credit ratings’ downgrades and drive up the cost of interest payments, which are already set to become the single biggest drain on the budget at over 60 billion euros.
In the final two years of his second term, the dramatic deterioration of the public finances, which has left France with the biggest budget deficit in the euro zone, may tarnish Mr. Macron’s legacy.
Then a political outsider, he was first elected in 2017 on promises to break the right-left divide and modernize the euro zone’s second-biggest economy with growth-friendly tax cuts and reforms.
Successive crises — from protests, COVID-19 and runaway inflation — have shown he has failed to change the country’s overspending habit, however.
Mr. Bayrou aims to reduce the budget deficit from 5.4% of GDP this year to 4.6% in 2026, ultimately targeting the EU’s 3% fiscal deficit limit by 2029.
“It’s the last stop before the cliff, before we are crushed by the debt,” Mr. Bayrou said on Tuesday. — Reuters
NEW YORK — President Donald J. Trump’s renewed calls for US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s resignation have prompted investors to protect portfolios against the risk of higher inflation, as a central bank more willing to lower interest rates could fuel price rises and make lenders demand higher compensation to hold bonds.
While a Fed chief more friendly to cutting rates could be mixed for equities in the short term, it would translate into a weaker US dollar, increased volatility in the Treasuries market and higher longer-term rates, meaning more expensive borrowing costs for mortgages and corporate bonds.
Since returning to the White House in January, Mr. Trump has repeatedly railed against the Powell-led Fed for not cutting interest rates, feeding concerns that Mr. Trump aims to put the Fed under his thumb.
Even JPMorgan Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jamie Dimon on Tuesday warned of the unintended consequences of that, saying central bank independence was sacrosanct.
If market participants perceive that Fed independence is eroding, moves in financial assets could be wild, some analysts say. One of the top risks is that investors will sell Treasury bonds, lifting interest rates on longer-term maturities in the US debt market relative to short-term securities.
“If markets believe that a politically-captured Fed will lower rates to stimulate growth regardless of economic consequences, long-term inflation expectations will rise, causing the curve to steepen,” said Guy LeBas, chief fixed income strategist at asset manager Janney Capital Management.
“It’s impossible to be confident in the magnitude of the move, but my guess is it’ll be large — possibly measured in percent increases in 30-year Treasury yields, not basis points.”
The minutes from the Fed’s June 17-18 meeting, which were released last week, showed little support for a cut at the central bank’s July 29-30 meeting, as most policymakers remain concerned about the inflationary risks that Mr. Trump’s import tariffs could pose.
Even so, Mr. Trump has said Mr. Powell’s resignation “would be a great thing.” The president, who cannot fire the Fed chief over a monetary policy dispute, and his administration have publicly called for Mr. Powell’s exit or for rates to be cut on multiple occasions this month.
“While short-dated yields could fall in this scenario based on a faster pace of Fed rate cuts moving forward, longer-dated yields would likely recalibrate higher for stickier inflation and rising term premia based on the erosion of institutional trust,” said Chip Hughey, managing director of fixed income at Truist Advisory Services.
Bond investors are pricing in increased price pressures in the inflation market over the next few years. Breakeven inflation as indicated in the US five-year Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities hit 2.476% late on Monday, a three-month high.
In a recent escalation of criticism of Mr. Powell, the White House is probing cost overruns in the renovation of the Fed’s historic headquarters in Washington.
The questioning has intensified concerns among market participants over risks that the Trump administration will try to fire Mr. Powell for cause, perhaps the only legal path for it to do so. US Treasury 30-year yields on Tuesday topped 5% for the first time since late May, as investors fretted about the country’s huge fiscal deficit and assessed the risk of Mr. Powell’s exit from the central bank.
A Fed spokesperson pointed to Mr. Powell’s previous statements. The Fed chief, who was appointed by Mr. Trump during the president’s first term in the White House, has repeatedly said he has no plans to leave his post as head of the US central bank before his term expires on May 15, 2026. Mr. Powell’s seat on the Fed’s Board of Governors extends to Jan. 31, 2028.
The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
“I still see the risks as fairly minimal, but higher than they were a week or two ago,” said Matt Orton, head of market strategy at Raymond James Investment Management. Mr. Orton still favors a diversification away from Treasuries and into gold, as well as both high-quality value and growth equities. “The risk-reward for me in Treasuries right now just isn’t there.”
ON THE HUNT While the odds of Mr. Powell being ousted or resigning are viewed as low, analysts see some chance that Mr. Trump could nominate someone for the job early to influence monetary policy through a “shadow” Fed chief.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier this month the Trump administration is focusing now on finding a replacement for Mr. Powell this fall.
Morgan Stanley said in a note that the risk of a shadow Fed chief is a less relevant question at this point.
“Until Powell’s term is up, though, the bigger risk to our Fed forecast is our economic forecast… where we remain quite humble,” Seth Carpenter, Morgan Stanley’s chief global economist, wrote.
Although market participants see the risk of weakening the central bank’s independence as low, many investors are increasingly incorporating this prospect into their portfolios.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon pointed to those risks in an earnings call on Tuesday, saying: “The independence of the Fed is absolutely critical, and not just for the current Fed chairman, who I respect, Jay Powell, but for the next Fed chairman.”
“Playing around with the Fed can often have adverse consequences, absolutely opposite of what you might be hoping for,” Mr. Dimon added.
George Bory, chief investment strategist for fixed income at Allspring, said the asset manager has been positioning for steeper yield curves, in line with an environment of future rate cuts and growing budget deficits.
“That strategy of positioning for a steeper yield curve over the coming months and quarters seems to make a lot of sense. It’s justified economically, the technicals support it, and then the political landscape also,” he said.
If stocks could get a boost from lower rates initially, the pressure from higher long-term rates would cast a shadow over them, investors say.
Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at Cresset Capital, said US equities would “probably be OK, but I think that it would likely continue to accelerate the trend of global investors moving capital away from the US.”
“Once investors question the independence of the Fed, it just becomes a less stable monetary environment,” Mr. Ablin said. — Reuters
SEATTLE — The deadly Air India crash last month has renewed a decades-old debate in the aviation industry over installing video cameras monitoring airline pilot actions to complement the cockpit voice and flight data recorders already used by accident investigators.
One of the industry’s most influential voices, International Air Transport Association head Willie Walsh, a former airline pilot, said on Wednesday in Singapore there was a strong argument for video cameras to be installed in airliner cockpits to monitor pilot actions to complement voice and flight data recorders already used by accident investigators.
Aviation experts have said a preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) raised questions over whether one of the pilots of Air India flight 171 cut off fuel to the Boeing 787’s engines seconds after takeoff, leading to an irrecoverable situation.
The crash in Ahmedabad, India, killed 241 of the 242 people aboard, as well as 19 people on the ground.
As of now, “based on what little we know now, it’s quite possible that a video recording, in addition to the voice recording would significantly assist the investigators in conducting that investigation on the issue of mental health,” Mr. Walsh said.
Advocates for cockpit video cameras say the footage could fill in gaps left by the audio and data recorders, while opponents say concerns about privacy and misuse outweigh what they argue are marginal benefits for investigations.
Video footage was “invaluable” to Australian crash investigators determining what led to Robinson R66 helicopter breaking up in mid-air in 2023, killing the pilot, the only person aboard, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s (ATSB) final report, which was released 18 days after the Air India crash.
The video showed “the pilot was occupied with non-flying related tasks for much of this time, specifically, mobile phone use and the consumption of food and beverages,” the report said.
The ATSB commended Robinson Helicopters for providing factory-installed cameras and said it encouraged other manufacturers and owners to consider the ongoing safety benefits of similar devices.
In 2000, US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Jim Hall urged the Federal Aviation Administration to require commercial airliners be equipped with cockpit image recorders.
Mr. Hall’s recommendation came in the wake of 1999’s Egyptair Flight 990 crash, when the first officer intentionally crashed the Boeing 767, according to the NTSB, killing all 217 people on board.
“In the balance between privacy and safety, the scale tips toward safety, unequivocally,” air safety expert and former commercial airline pilot John Nance said. “Protecting the flying public is a sacred obligation.”
Another aviation safety expert, Anthony Brickhouse, said that as an accident investigator, he is in favor of cockpit video, but acknowledged that commercial pilots have real concerns.
Video on Air India flight 171 “would have answered lots of questions,” he said.
Air India declined to comment. India’s AAIB, which is expected to release a final report within a year of the crash under international rules, did not reply to request for comment.
PILOT OBJECTIONS US pilots’ unions such as the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and Allied Pilots Association (APA) say the voice and data recorders already provide enough information to determine the cause of a crash and that the cameras would be an invasion of privacy and could be misused.
Calls for cockpit cameras are an understandable reaction to “the stress of not knowing what happened immediately after an accident,” said APA spokesperson Dennis Tajer, an American Airlines pilot.
“I can understand the initial reaction of the more information, the better,” but investigators already have enough data to adequately determine an accident’s cause, leaving no need for cameras, he said.
To make flying safer, current safety systems should be enhanced to record higher-quality data, rather than adding video cameras, an ALPA spokeperson said.
There are also concerns the footage could be used by airlines for disciplinary actions or that video could be leaked to the public after a crash, said John Cox, an aviation safety expert, retired airline pilot and former ALPA executive air safety chairman.
A pilot’s death being broadcast on “the 6 o’clock news is not something that the pilot’s family should ever have to go through,” he said.
If confidentiality can be assured around the world, “I can see an argument” for installing cameras, Mr. Cox said.
Cockpit voice recordings are typically kept confidential by investigators in favor of partial or full transcripts being released in final reports.
Despite that, International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations (IFALPA) said it was skeptical that confidentiality could ever be assured for cockpit videos.
“Given the high demand for sensational pictures, IFALPA has absolutely no doubt that the protection of (airborne image recorder) data, which can include identifiable images of flight crewmembers, would not be ensured either,” the organization said in a statement.
Boeing declined to disclose whether customers are able to order cockpit video recorders, while Airbus did not reply to request for comment. — Reuters
The 23-year-old graduated from New York’s The School of Visual Arts with honors
Most graduating college students look forward to joining the proverbial “real world,” but often feel clueless about where to start or how to begin. For Meryl Chan, a passionate fresh grad from a prestigious animation school in New York, it’s not just about knowing in her heart that she wants to be a storyteller — it’s about going straight to making a difference.
The 23-year-old from Manila graduated with honors from The School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York with a degree in animation. She has always been drawn to visual arts, specifically its ability to create worlds, as well as its potential to save ours. Her artworks serve as a platform for promoting her advocacies, including raising environmental awareness in the Philippines.
Ms. Chan’s thesis film, in particular, Dive and Trek, highlights the importance of protecting our natural resources. The story follows the relationship between a fisherman father and his young daughter, who are dealing with the harsh realities of life in poverty, forced to choose between nature and family. The project has been selected to be part of an international film festival that will be shown around the world. She hopes the film will mobilize her fellow young people to act collectively, as they stand to benefit the most from taking meaningful steps to care for the environment.
Ms. Chan began exploring her creative side with drawing, before falling head over heels with the art of filmmaking. The likes of Satoshi Kon, Martin Scorsese, and Wong Kar Wai deeply influenced her to want to become a storyteller herself.
“Their ability to breathe life into characters and histories made me realize that I wanted to create that same kind of magic,” she said.
Ms. Chan followed through by taking up animation in New York to study at SVA, one of the most prestigious art and design colleges worldwide. In celebration of her graduation this past May, Ms. Chan mounted an exhibition that honors her past four years in school. The retrospective exhibit opened in late April along 26th St. in New York, featuring 15 artworks.
The showcase captured the full spectrum of Ms. Chan’s artistry. There were urban landscapes from both the Philippines and the United States, including “personal explorations in color.” Also presented were three animation projects: a class film she directed, titled Miss Illusion; a risograph animation prototype; and, of course, her thesis film Dive & Trek. Each of the featured artworks conveys a rich story, while the exhibit as a whole reflects her artistic growth at SVA.
“Vigorous” is how Ms. Chan describes her time in college, saying, “It felt like learning an entirely new language of creation.” She learned the nitty-gritty of animation,from the intricacies of the production pipeline to the importance of clear communication, and the undeniable role of collaboration.
As she prepares to transition to her post-college life, Ms. Chan remains hopeful that the animation industry, which has been hounded by issues like outsourcing and the rise of generative AI over the past several years, will bounce back. She cites the growing appetite among audiences for indie animation, which “feels more creative, personal, and free from large studio constraints.”
In the meantime, Ms. Chan looks forward to building her portfolio. She hopes to fill it with works “that feel meaningful.” The plan is to have her own studio, a “fostering space,” where “creativity and original storytelling can thrive.”
True to her nature as a storyteller, and her practice as an animator, talking about the future feels no different from building her own world.
Know more about Ms. Chan and her work by visiting www.merylstudios.com. Follow her on Instagram at @merylstudios.
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“More than half, or 64%, of Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) entered business due to deeply personal reasons, primarily to achieve financial independence for their families, according to a July survey by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a global management consulting firm.
“Most Filipino MSMEs are in business for deeply personal reasons. They started their business to achieve financial independence for their family—that’s the number one driver,” Jamie Bawalan, Principal at Boston Consulting Group told BusinessWorld.
“Others mention putting their kids through school or doing something they’re passionate about. These are personal goals, not corporate ones,” she added.
Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac, Illinois
There is no better way to discover the USA than by hitting the road — especially along the legendary Route 66. Turning 100 in 2026, this iconic highway has long captured the imagination of travelers and the American spirit. Affectionately known as the “Mother Road,” Route 66 traverses the heart of the USA — passing through the plains and cornfields of the Midwest, crossing the Mississippi River, winding through the deserts and canyons of the Southwest, and culminating at the Pacific Coast.
First established in 1926, Route 66 stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica, crossing eight states and over 3,900 kilometers. Though it was decommissioned as a federal highway decades ago, the route’s spirit of freedom and exploration has never faded. Retro diners still serve up slices of Americana. Restored motels glow in the soft neon of another era. And each quirky roadside stop tells a story — one of discovery and connections with the people and landscapes of the USA.
As the USA prepares for a year of milestones in 2026 — the Route 66 centennial and America’s 250th anniversary — there’s never been a more inspiring time to discover the road that introduced the world to the American road trip.
ROUTE 66
Chicago, Illinois
Route 66 begins in Chicago, Illinois, where the “Begin Route 66” sign marks the official start of the highway. Before setting out, hop on a boat tour along the Chicago River to admire the city’s architectural skyline, and enjoy a slice of authentic deep-dish pizza. As you head toward St. Louis, Missouri, make a pit stop at the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, about 100 miles southwest of Chicago, to browse the collection of artifacts and memorabilia.
St. Louis, Missouri
On the 4.5-hour drive to St. Louis, quirky stops abound with retro motels, museums, and drive-in restaurants to keep you entertained along the way. Don’t miss the old Chain of Rocks Bridge as you cross the Mississippi River into Missouri. Once part of Route 66 for decades, it has since been restored as one of the world’s longest pedestrian and bicycle bridges.
Upon arrival in St. Louis, you’ll be greeted by the Gateway Arch — the tallest human-made monument in the USA. Take a tram ride to the top for sweeping views of the city, then explore the Museum at the Gateway Arch to learn more about the history of the USA.
Baseball fans can check out Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals Major League Baseball team. Just minutes away, the Anheuser-Bush Brewery provides fresh pours straight from the finishing cellars. Beermaster Tours are also available with behind-the-scenes access to the brewing process of Budweiser.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Following Route 66 from St. Louis to Oklahoma City, you’ll pass retro gas stations, museums, the state Capitol building, and landmarks like the Round Barn and Pops 66 Soda Ranch. Snap a picture at the 21-meter-tall LED soda bottle, and visit the diner and shop inside, which offers nearly 700 varieties of classic and uniquely flavoured sodas, as well as delicious bites.
If you are craving meaty decadence, local barbecue joints serve up Oklahoma-style barbecue, known for its blend of regional influences and sauciness that hits the sweet spot.
After fueling up, take a stroll around Lake Hefner before stopping by Mix-Tape by Factory Obscura, a mural-splashed art installation. Then follow signs to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum to learn about the USA’s Wild West roots. After that, it’s time to hit the road again — next stop: Texas.
Amarillo, Texas
Relieve the golden days of the Mother Road in Amarillo’s Route 66 Historic District, where Spanish Revival, Art Deco and Art Moderne architecture create a nostalgic backdrop for photos.
Just a short drive away, Cadillac Ranch features graffiti-covered Cadillacs half-buried in the ground. Bring a spray can to leave your mark on this art installation.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
From Amarillo, cruise west and stop at the Blue Hole — a crystal-blue natural swimming hole with hidden caves east of Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Continue to Albuquerque, where neon signs light up the 18 mile stretch of Route 66.
Wander the streets of Old Town, lined with restaurants and boutiques, then make your way to 66 Diner for a retro dining experience. Inside, jukebox tunes, an old-fashioned soda fountain and neon accents bring the 1950s to life.
Further along the route, visit Petroglyph National Monument — one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America — and the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, which offers panoramic views of Rio Grande Valley.
Holbrook, Arizona
Head west to Holbrook, about 3.5 hours away from Albuquerque. One of the most iconic landmarks along Route 66 is the Wigwam Village Hotel — one of only three remaining wigwam villages of the seven built around the country before 1950.
Stop to view the town’s dinosaur statues just off Route 66, then head to Petrified Forest National Park for a full-day adventure. Explore one of the walking trails in Painted Desert Park at your own pace, or join a guided tour led by world-class guides and field experts.
Los Angeles, California
Route 66 End of the Trail sign in Santa Monica
Buckle up for the final stretch of Route 66, which ends at Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles. No trip to this city is complete without walking along Santa Monica Beach and soaking in the views.
Nearby, the Heal the Bay Aquarium invites visitors to explore the wonders of marine life. Add the historic 1922 Looff Hippodrome Carousel and Third Street Promenade to your must-visit list before flying home.
MORE ROAD TRIP IDEAS
Few things capture the spirit of adventure quite like hitting the open road. And while Route 66 is the quintessential American road trip, the USA also offers other memorable drives across its incredibly diverse landscapes.
Desert Landscapes and Hidden Towns
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park (San Bernardino County, California) → Pioneertown (San Bernardino County, California) → Amboy (San Bernardino County, California) → Route 66 → Oatman (Mohave, Arizona)
Step into one of the world’s most magical desert landscapes on a journey steeped in natural beauty and historic charm. Wander among mythical rock formations and twisted Joshua trees before heading to Pioneertown. Originally built in the 1940s as a live-in Hollywood movie set, the town today is a desert enclave with artisan shops and the legendary Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, a restaurant and music venue that draws travelers from near and far.
Drive through the Mojave Desert to Amboy for a stop at Roy’s Motel and Café, a classic symbol of Route 66’s golden era. End your adventure in Oatman, where wild burros roam the streets of a Wild West town.
Cultures of the Southwest
Santa Fe (Santa Fe, New Mexico) → Taos Pueblo (Taos, New Mexico) → Acoma Sky City (Cibola, New Mexico) → Chaco Canyon (San Juan, New Mexico) → Mesa Verde (Montezuma, Colorado)
Trace the heritage of America’s indigenous communities across the Southwest. Begin in Santa Fe’s adobe-lined streets, then head to Taos Pueblo — a UNESCO World Heritage Site continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years. Perched atop a 360-foot mesa, Acoma Sky City offers panoramic desert views and a window into the culture and history of the Acoma people. Stargaze under the skies of Chaco Canyon, then conclude at Mesa Verde National Park, where cliff dwellings reveal the stories of Puebloans who built small villages out of the cliffs in the 13th century.
The Pacific Northwest Trail
Astoria (Clatsop, Oregon) → Olympic Peninsula (Washington) → San Juan Islands (San Juan, Washington) → North Cascades (Whatcom, Washington)
Start in Astoria, Oregon, where Victorian architecture and colorful murals invite exploration on foot. From there, follow the road through ancient forests and along the Wilderness Coast of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Take a ferry to San Juan Islands for orca sightings and farm-to-table dining, then venture into North Cascades National Park — an alpine wilderness marked by jagged peaks, deep valleys, and more than 300 glaciers.
Whichever road you take, the USA is a place where stories unfold in unexpected places, and every journey brings new moments of connection, discovery and wonder.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday stepped in to broker an agreement among Republican lawmakers after a snag cast doubt on the fate of long-awaited cryptocurrency legislation that would mark a major victory for the digital assets sector.
A failed procedural vote in the House of Representatives earlier on Tuesday sent shares of crypto firms lower. But the Republican president said in a statement late on Tuesday that he was meeting in the Oval Office with 11 of 12 members of Congress needed to pass the legislation.
“After a short discussion, they have all agreed to vote tomorrow morning in favor of the Rule,” Mr. Trump said on his social media platform.
House Republicans had billed this week as “Crypto Week,” and were keen to advance numerous pieces of legislation aimed at providing clarity to the digital asset industry and long-sought legitimacy to the sector.
Several conservative Republicans on Tuesday earlier joined with Democrats in blocking a procedural vote to allow consideration of three crypto bills as part of a dispute over how the measures should be packaged and considered.
Shortly after that vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters that he planned to continue discussing the matter with members and hoped to vote on it again shortly.
Shares of crypto-related stocks including Circle Internet and Coinbase Global fell on the news of the vote but then pared losses.
The House is attempting to pass a series of crypto-related bills, most notably a bill that would establish a regulatory framework for stablecoins.
Stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a constant value, usually a 1-to-1 dollar peg, are commonly used by crypto traders to move funds between tokens. Their use has grown rapidly in recent years, and proponents say they could be used to send payments instantly.
That bill – and another the House is considering that would define when a crypto token is a commodity – would be a huge win for the crypto industry.
The House also was set to consider a bill that would prohibit the U.S. from issuing a central bank digital currency. Republicans say there is a risk this could give the government too much control over Americans’ personal finances.
That bill has not been considered in the Senate and the Federal Reserve has not indicated a desire to develop a central bank digital currency. – Reuters
WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that a trade agreement with Vietnam was nearly complete.
Mr. Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews near Washington that he could release details of the Vietnam trade agreement, but did not think it was necessary.
The U.S. president announced earlier this month that he had struck a preliminary trade deal with the Communist country, which would cut planned U.S. tariffs on imports from Vietnam to 20% from the 46% level he had threatened in April.
At the time, Mr. Trump also said goods that Washington deemed to be illegally transshipped through Vietnam to other countries would be subject to a 40% levy.
The agreement has not been finalized and details have not been released, leaving questions over how Washington will define an illegal transshipment and how much value Vietnam must add to imported products to avoid the 40% tariff. It also remains unclear which products would fall under Mr. Trump’s 20% tariff.
Vietnam has not confirmed the specific tariff rates, celebrating what it described as an agreement on a joint statement about a trade framework.
Asked if he planned to release details of the trade pact with Vietnam, Mr. Trump told reporters, “Well, I might. I don’t think it matters how much you release of the deal. We have a Vietnam deal, and I would say that that deal is being pretty well set.”
Vietnam has nearly tripled its exports to the United States since the start of the U.S.-China trade war in 2018, when the first Trump administration imposed wide-ranging tariffs on Beijing, pushing some manufacturers to move production south.
At the same time, Vietnam vastly expanded imports from China, with their inflow almost exactly matching the value and swings of exports to the United States, each totaling around $140 billion in 2024, data from the U.S. and Vietnam show. – Reuters
BEIJING – Chinese state firm employee Zhang Jinming makes up for a 24% cut to his salary by delivering food for three hours every night after work and on weekends – and hopes he can avoid awkward encounters with colleagues.
“Being a part-time delivery person while working for a state-owned enterprise isn’t exactly considered respectable,” said Zhang, whose real estate firm pays him 4,200 yuan ($585) per month, down from 5,500 yuan.
While China has supported economic growth by keeping its ports and factories humming, the lack of real demand has hit profits, in turn squeezing workers like Zhang through wage cuts and forcing them to moonlight.
“There’s just no other way,” added the 30-year-old, who rides his scooter until 11.30 pm, making 60-70 yuan per evening. “The pay cut has put me under huge pressure. Many colleagues have resigned and I took over their workload.”
China’s economy posted robust 5.2% growth in the second quarter, showing its export-heavy model has so far withstood U.S. tariffs. But beneath the headline resilience, cracks are widening.
Contract and bill payment delays are rising, including among export champions like the autos and electronics industries and at utilities, whose owners, indebted local governments, have to run a tight shop while shoring up tariff-hit factories.
Ferocious competition for a slice of external demand, hit by global trade tensions, is crimping industrial profits, fueling factory-gate deflation even as export volumes climb. Workers bear the brunt of companies cutting costs.
Falling profits and wages shrank tax revenues, pressuring state employers like Zhang’s to cut costs as well. In pockets of the financial system, non-performing loans are surging as authorities push banks to lend more.
For the most part, the lopsided nature of growth in the world’s second-largest economy is a product of policies that favor exporters over consumers.
Economists have long urged Beijing to redirect support to domestically focused sectors, such as education and healthcare, or boost household consumption – for instance, by bolstering welfare – or risk a slowdown in the second half of the year.
Max Zenglein, Asia-Pacific senior economist at the Conference Board of Asia, describes China as a “dual-speed economy” with strong industry and weak consumption, noting the two are related.
“Some of the economic challenges including low profitability and deflationary pressure are largely driven by continued capacity expansion in the manufacturing and technology sectors,” said Mr. Zenglein.
“What’s unfolding now” in the trade war with the U.S. is “coming back home as a domestic issue.”
HIT TO INCOMES
Frank Huang, a 28-year-old teacher in Chongzuo, a city of more than 2 million people near the Vietnam border, in the indebted Guangxi region, says his school has not paid him in two-to-three months, waiting for authorities to provide the funds.
“I can only endure, I don’t dare to quit,” said Huang, who relies on parents when his 5,000 yuan paycheck doesn’t arrive. “If I were married with a mortgage, car loan and child, the pressure would be unimaginable.”
Another teacher from Linquan, a rural county of 1.5 million in eastern China, said she is only receiving her basic 3,000 yuan monthly salary. The performance-based part of her pay, usually about 16%, “has been consistently delayed.”
“After I pay for gas, parking and property management fees, what’s left isn’t enough for groceries,” said the teacher, who only gave her surname Yun for privacy reasons.
“I feel like begging,” added Ms. Yun. “If it weren’t for my parents, I would starve.”
There is no data on payment delays in the government sector. But among industrial firms, arrears have grown quickly in sectors with a strong state presence, either through industrial policy or – like in utilities – through direct ownership.
Arrears in the computer, communication and electronic equipment sector and in autos manufacturing – two priorities for China’s economic planners – rose by 16.6% and 11.2%, respectively, in the year through May, faster than the 9% average across industries. Overdue payments were up 17.1% and 11.1% in the water and gas sectors.
These figures suggest liquidity stress and are a side-effect of authorities prioritizing output over demand, said Minxiong Liao, senior economist at GlobalData.TS Lombard APAC.
“The result should be slower growth for these champion sectors,” in the future, he said.
SPENDING DEFERRED
With incomes under pressure, Beijing is struggling to meet its pledge to lift household consumption and worries are growing that persistent deflation will further damage the economy as consumers defer spending.
Huang Tingting quit her waitress job last month after business at her restaurant – and most shops nearby – plummeted in April, at the height of U.S.-China trade tensions. Responding to plunging revenues, the restaurant owner asked staff to take four unpaid leave days every month.
“I still have to pay rent and live my life,” said the 20-year-old from the eastern Jiangsu province, an export powerhouse that’s outpacing national growth, explaining why she quit.
In the past, though, she could find another restaurant job in a day or two. This time, she’s been unemployed since June. One recruiter told her a job she applied for had more than 10 other candidates.
“The job market this year is worse than last year,” said Ms. Huang. – Reuters
U.S. and Chinese flags are seen in this illustration taken, April 24, 2024. — REUTERS
WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations needs reform and the United States must have a strong voice to counter China, Mike Waltz, U.S. President Donald Trump‘s pick to be his U.N. envoy, said on Tuesday, adding that he is “confident we can make the U.N. great again.”
Mr. Waltz – a retired Army Green Beret and former Republican lawmaker from Florida – is one of the last major Trump nominees awaiting likely confirmation by the U.S. Senate. He appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday as part of that process. A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.N. post would not be cabinet-level.
“We should have one place in the world where everyone can talk, where China, Russia, Europe, the developing world can come together and resolve conflicts” Mr. Waltz told the committee. “But after 80 years, it’s drifted from its core mission of peacemaking. We must return to the U.N.’s charter and first principles.”
“The U.N. has ballooned to over 80 agencies with overlapping missions that waste resources and, if confirmed, I’ll push for transparency, like what we’re seeing in the Secretary-General’s UN80 reform plan calling for a 20% staff cut,” Mr. Waltz said.
He said U.N. peacekeeping plays an important role, but also needs reform.
Washington is the U.N.’s largest contributor – followed by China – accounting for 22% of the core U.N. budget and 27% of the peacekeeping budget. The U.N. has said the U.S. currently owes a total of $2.8 billion, of which $1.5 billion is for the regular budget. These payments are not voluntary.
Mr. Waltz was Mr. Trump’s national security adviser until he was ousted on May 1 after he was caught up in a March scandal involving a Signal chat among top Trump national security aides. Mr. Trump then promptly nominated Waltz as his U.N. ambassador.
“The use of Signal was not only authorized, it’s still authorized, and highly recommended,” Mr. Waltz said on Tuesday. He later clarified it was not authorized for sharing classified information and that no classified information had been shared in the March Signal chat.
Mr. Waltz repeated long-held U.S. criticisms of the U.N. – that Washington pays too much at the 193-member world body, that it is anti-Israel and that China is building too much influence.
“We have to block and tackle Chinese influence,” Mr. Waltz said. “America must have a strong voice and, if confirmed, I’ll work with Secretary (of State Marco) Rubio to challenge this influence.”
Since beginning his second term in January, Mr. Trump has maintained the wary stance on multilateralism that was a hallmark of his first term between 2017 and 2021.
So far, Mr. Trump has stopped U.S. engagement with the U.N. Human Rights Council, extended a halt to funding for the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA and ordered a review of the U.N. cultural agency UNESCO. He has also announced plans to quit the Paris climate deal and the World Health Organization.
When asked about Mr. Waltz’s confirmation hearing, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday: “Our message to all member states is: if you’re not fully pleased with what’s going on in this organization, engage with the other member states in this organization.” – Reuters
WASHINGTON – A U.S. state’s Army National Guard network was thoroughly hacked by a Chinese cyberespionage group nicknamed “Salt Typhoon,” according to a Department of Homeland Security memo.
The memo obtained by Property of the People, a national security transparency nonprofit, said the hackers “extensively compromised” the unnamed state Army National Guard’s network between March and December 2024 and exfiltrated maps and “data traffic” with counterparts’ networks in “every other US state and at least four US territories.”
The National Guard and the Department of Homeland Security’s cyber defense arm, CISA, did not immediately return messages. News of the memo was first reported by NBC News.
Salt Typhoon has emerged as one of the top concerns of American cyber defhen Coatesenders. U.S. officials allege that the hacking group is doing more than just gathering intelligence; it is prepositioning itself to paralyze U.S. critical infrastructure in case of a conflict with China. Beijing has repeatedly denied being behind the intrusions.
The memo, which said it drew on reporting from the Pentagon, said that Salt Typhoon’s success in compromising states’ Army National Guard networks nationwide “could undermine local cybersecurity efforts to protect critical infrastructure,” in part because such units are often “integrated with state fusion centers responsible for sharing threat information—including cyber threats.” – Reuters
Ms. Chan began exploring her creative side with drawing, before falling head over heels with the art of filmmaking. The likes of Satoshi Kon, Martin Scorsese, and Wong Kar Wai deeply influenced her to want to become a storyteller herself.
As she prepares to transition to her post-college life, Ms. Chan remains hopeful that the animation industry, which has been hounded by issues like outsourcing and the rise of generative AI over the past several years, will bounce back. She cites the growing appetite among audiences for indie animation, which “feels more creative, personal, and free from large studio constraints.”
