For Republican governors, all economic success is local
WASHINGTON (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has repeatedly slammed President Joe Biden for the nation’s high inflation and fears of a recession. Many other Republicans, including state leaders in Georgia and Florida, have also stepped up their criticism ahead of the November election. But their prices are rising nationally in most of the three states. Democrats say Republicans are taking credit for the job growth allowed by Biden’s policies, even as Republicans blame those policies for inflation. Still, voters seem more generous in giving credit for the nation’s low unemployment rate than blaming Biden for inflation.
Rent benefits for military families are delayed
Housing has long been a major benefit for service members, trailing the private sector in salary subsidies. But amid record-breaking rents, service members and housing advocates say the Defense Department has not increased housing subsidies enough, thereby neglecting its commitment to military families. That forced many to settle for substandard housing, take extremely long commutes, or pay thousands for things they didn’t budget for. Military housing advocate Kate Needham argues that the disparity between housing allowances and the current market should alarm officials struggling to recruit the next generation. Defense officials said they are committed to helping families secure “affordable, affordable housing, both on and off base.”
In 6 months of the Russian war: a growing global economy
MECKENHEIM, Germany (AP) — It’s been nearly six months since Russia invaded Ukraine, and the fallout is raising serious concerns about the global economy. Two years after the coronavirus pandemic devastated global business, governments, businesses and families around the world are feeling the effects. Inflation is soaring, and rocketing energy costs have raised the prospect of a cold, dark winter. Europe is on the brink of economic collapse. High food prices and shortages can cause widespread hunger and instability in developing countries. Everyone has been hit, from a family company in Germany that protects steel parts from rusting to a Pakistani man who needs a second job to make ends meet and a Thai street food vendor wondering how long her career can last.
Landlords try to end rent control initiative in Florida
Orlando, Fla. (AP) – The ballots haven’t been published yet, but already Florida landlords, apartment managers and real estate agents are trying to get voters to decide on a measure that would allow rent control to be implemented for a year. The Florida Apartment Association and the Florida Association of Realtors filed a lawsuit last week in Orange County, Florida, in an attempt to stop a ballot initiative to limit how many landlords can own a theme park in one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the US. Rent may increase. The unions say Florida law prohibits rent control laws except in emergencies.
UK dock workers join rail workers in demanding price hike.
LONDON (AP) – About 2,000 workers at the UK’s largest container port will go on strike for eight days on Sunday over a wage dispute. It is the latest industrial move to hit a British economy struggling with high inflation and rising food and fuel prices. Workers, including crane drivers and machine operators, walk off the job at the port of Felixstowe on England’s east coast. The port handles 4 million containers annually from 2,000 vessels. The strikes came as thousands of rail workers across the UK faced travel disruption for a third day on Saturday as they went on strike to demand better pay and job security. Only one in five trains is expected to operate.
Walmart extends abortion coverage to employees
NEW YORK (AP) — The nation’s largest employer, Walmart, is expanding abortion coverage for employees after a Supreme Court ruling that largely stayed the case. In a memo to employees on Friday, the company said its health care plans will cover abortions for employees “in the event of a health risk to the mother, rape or incest, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or nonviability.” In Arkansas, where Walmart is located, abortion is prohibited under any circumstances unless the procedure is necessary to protect the mother’s life in an emergency. There are no exceptions for rape or consanguineous relationships.
Wendy’s pulls lettuce from sandwiches during E. coli outbreak.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Fast-food chain Wendy’s said it is pulling lettuce from sandwiches at restaurants in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania after people there said they got sick after eating it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating the source of an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 37 people. The CDC said Friday that it is trying to determine whether romaine lettuce is the source of the outbreak and whether the romaine used at Wendy’s was also served or sold at other businesses. The CDC says it’s not recommending that people stop eating at Wendy’s or stop eating romaine lettuce. Wendy said he is cooperating with the investigation.
IMF payments to war-torn countries are close to zero.
WASHINGTON (AP) – The International Monetary Fund, one of the fund’s biggest borrowers, is facing pressure to eliminate or at least review how it makes payments on crippling loans to poor countries. Amendments to the Defense Spending Bill would block additional IMF payments, and their effectiveness and pressure on indebted countries is being studied. It was approved by the US House of Representatives in July. The Senate is expected to vote on the defense bill in September. Surcharges are fees added to loans imposed on highly indebted countries to the IMF.
Don’t panic with the latest iPhone update. Here’s why and how
NEW YORK (AP) — Apple regularly releases updates to the software that powers the iPhone, and sometimes it’s okay to get stuck installing them. But that’s not the latest — Apple released an update Wednesday to close a security hole that allowed hackers to take control of the iPhone and other popular Apple products. Security experts warn that anyone with an iPhone should install the update as soon as possible, as it protects the personal data people typically store on a device as another accessory for many.
Home Ownership While Black: Couple Sues Appraisal Discrimination.
NEW YORK (AP) – A Baltimore family is suing an appraiser and mortgage lender after allegedly overvaluing their home because they are black. The couple applied to refinance their mortgage last year, and the appraiser said the home’s value was too low, so the deal seemed to be getting better. The plaintiffs disagree with how the appraiser came up with the value and say it’s because they’re black. A separate appraisal less than a year later said the house was worth $278,000 more than the original appraisal, after it “whitewashed” the place by removing photos of black people. The appraisal company involved, 20/20 Valuations, could not immediately be reached for comment.
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