US and Canada fall deeper into a trade war with new tariffs as talks collapse and blame is spread
TORONTO (AP) — The United States and Canada have fallen deeper into a trade war. New tariffs are expected to raise prices for products in both countries. Each side is blaming the other for the collapse of negotiations in Washington late Friday. That’s led the U.S. to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods and Canada setting Sept. 8 as the start of its retaliatory penalties. President Donald Trump’s import taxes will hit about 5% of what Canada ships to the United States every year, ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors. Prime Minister Carney said Ottawa would respond with targeted tariff protection for industries exposed to the new U.S. duties. No new talks are planned.
Iran's rial currency hits new record low as US prepares to announce more sanctions
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s currency hit a record low as Washington prepares to announce new sanctions. The U.S. has said the new measures will put more pressure on an economy already battered by previous sanctions and an American naval blockade. The rial dropped to 2.02 million to the U.S. dollar as trading opened on currency markets Monday. Iran’s official Central Bank rate stood at around 1.5 million rial to the dollar, but the market rate is what most Iranians pay. The currency was already under pressure before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28. The rial has repeatedly hit new lows as nearly six months of war have taken an even greater toll.
Iran warns of a harsh response to anticipated US sanctions and other Middle East news
Iran is again warning about consequences in response to expected new U.S. economic sanctions, including for its neighbors. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson says Tehran will respond harshly. The measures are set to be announced Monday. Meanwhile, Israeli and Syrian officials have met less than a week after Israeli strikes in Syria. The U.S.-mediated discussions focused on restarting negotiations for a future security agreement. And Israel says it killed a Hamas commander. It's the latest targeted strike in Gaza since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. envoy Jared Kushner last week about making progress on the ceasefire.
Firefighters are trying to stop a fast-moving Nevada wildfire from spreading to homes in Reno
RENO, Nevada (AP) — A wildfire that exploded in size in Reno, Nevada, over the weekend has forced authorities to urge more than 90,000 residents to leave their neighborhoods. Videos show some homes have already been destroyed. But there’s concern that shifting winds could push the flames into densely packed neighborhoods on the edge of the city. Schools across the Reno area are closed Monday because of the evacuations and to keep roads clear for emergency crews. Authorities said late Sunday that the Hawk Fire had stayed in its footprint and that firefighters were extinguishing hotspots. Those crews are working to keep the fire from jumping a main highway and reaching more homes.
European leaders mark Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day as Russian invasion pushes on
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — European leaders joined President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv for the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence Day. Russia’s invasion, which began in 2022, pushed on, with both countries escalating aerial attacks that are killing civilians. On Monday, U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham made his first overseas trip since taking office, joining other European leaders in Kyiv. They pledged further military and financial support for Ukraine. Burnham announced his government has agreed to allow the release of classified information relating to British components used in the SCALP long-range missile to aid missile Ukraine's production. Meanwhile, Ukrainian strikes have targeted Russian facilities, killing three teenagers and wounding six children in Krasnodar.
US strikes a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing 2 people in first attack in months
U.S. forces have struck another vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing two people accused of trafficking drugs. U.S. Southern Command announced the strike early Monday, and it's the first in about two months. The death toll from the Trump administration’s nearly yearlong campaign of bombing boats off Latin America’s Caribbean coast and in the eastern Pacific now exceeds 210 after more than 60 strikes. U.S. Southern Command says forces executed a strike on a “low-profile vessel operating along established narcotrafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific.” President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is at war with drug cartels. Critics have questioned the offensive's legality.
Wall Street drifts ahead of a big week that could swing stocks and bonds
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are drifting ahead of a week packed with potentially market-moving events. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% Monday and pulled further from its all-time high set earlier this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up by 150 points, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.4%. Longer-term yields eased in the bond market after oil prices dropped. Later this week will come Nvidia's profit report, which could shed light on how strong the AI boom remains. On Friday, Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh will give a speech as pressure rises on him to hike interest rates to get inflation under control.
The world inches toward catastrophic climate events: 'Bigger shocks are on the way'
NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have long warned that the world will experience more intense extreme weather events like heat waves, storms, floods and droughts as long as we continue to use gas, oil and coal at our current pace. Those fossil fuels release greenhouse gases, which go up into the atmosphere and heat the planet, which scrambles ecosystems and weather patterns. Still, massive climate events, extremes beyond anything we have seen in modern history, have mostly been thought of as fiction, often been the plots of action movies. Today, such extremes of extremes are discussed as a possibility, even an inevitability, that should be taken seriously and prepared for.
Uganda and Burundi military officials visit Israel to discuss Gaza troop deployment
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Officials say military officials from Uganda and Burundi have visited Israel to discuss deploying troops to Gaza. They would be part of an international stabilization force for the Palestinian territory envisioned by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. Uganda's parliament approved the troop contribution this month. Burundi hasn't commented publicly. They would follow Morocco, Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania in committing forces. Progress on the force and the ceasefire has slowed because of disagreements over Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and Hamas’ disarmament. An expert says Uganda and Burundi have peacekeeping experience in Somalia that could aid their involvement.
3-year college degrees grow more popular in the US, saving time and cash. But critics aren't sold
A growing number of colleges are offering three-year degree programs, which cut a year off a traditional bachelor's with reduced credit. Advocates say these programs are a solution to the college affordability crisis and a godsend for non-traditional students. Critics, however, worry that they’ll narrow what students learn too much, confuse employers, limit graduate school options and create headaches in fields that require state licenses. As of this spring, half of U.S. states have a college that offers at least one reduced-credit, three-year bachelor’s, according to the nonprofit research group RAND.
