InsiderWire Staff

The Trump administration is in advanced discussions with Spirit Airlines about a $500 million bailout loan that would give the federal government warrants to take an ownership stake in the budget carrier, according to CBS News sources.The proposed deal would mirror the government interventions during the 2008 financial crisis, when Washington took equity positions in banks and automakers in exchange for taxpayer-funded lifelines. Spirit Airlines has struggled with mounting debt and operational challenges that have pushed the discount airline toward potential bankruptcy.The government warrants would allow Treasury officials to purchase Spirit stock at predetermined prices, potentially giving American taxpayers a direct financial stake in the airline's future performance. This structure aims to protect taxpayer interests while providing Spirit the capital needed to continue operations and maintain jobs.Spirit Airlines operates as an ultra-low-cost carrier, offering bare-bones flights at discounted prices across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The airline employs thousands of workers and serves routes often underserved by major carriers, making its potential collapse a concern for both passengers and regional economies.The timing of these discussions comes as Trump continues reshaping federal economic policy, with his team <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/trump-hails-pennsylvania-coal-plant-deal-as-big-win-for-workers">celebrating recent wins for American workers</a> in other sectors. A Spirit bailout would represent the administration's first major intervention in the aviation industry since taking office.The $500 million figure suggests Spirit's financial distress runs deep. Airlines typically exhaust private financing options before seeking government assistance, indicating the company may face immediate liquidity concerns that threaten its ability to maintain flight schedules and meet payroll obligations.For American travelers, Spirit's potential failure would reduce competition in the budget airline market, likely pushing up ticket prices on routes where the carrier provides low-cost alternatives to major airlines. The company's extensive network in Florida, the Caribbean, and Latin America would be particularly affected.The warrant structure protects taxpayers by ensuring the government benefits if Spirit's stock price recovers after the bailout. If the airline returns to profitability, Treasury could exercise the warrants and sell the shares at a profit, potentially returning more money to federal coffers than the original loan amount.Watch for formal announcements about loan terms, congressional oversight requirements, and any conditions the administration might impose on Spirit's operations, executive compensation, or route commitments as part of the deal.

The Trump administration is in advanced discussions with Spirit Airlines about a $500 million bailout loan that would give the federal government warrants to take an ownership stake in the budget carrier, according to CBS News sources.

The proposed deal would mirror the government interventions during the 2008 financial crisis, when Washington took equity positions in banks and automakers in exchange for taxpayer-funded lifelines. Spirit Airlines has struggled with mounting debt and operational challenges that have pushed the discount airline toward potential bankruptcy.

The government warrants would allow Treasury officials to purchase Spirit stock at predetermined prices, potentially giving American taxpayers a direct financial stake in the airline's future performance. This structure aims to protect taxpayer interests while providing Spirit the capital needed to continue operations and maintain jobs.

Spirit Airlines operates as an ultra-low-cost carrier, offering bare-bones flights at discounted prices across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The airline employs thousands of workers and serves routes often underserved by major carriers, making its potential collapse a concern for both passengers and regional economies.

The timing of these discussions comes as Trump continues reshaping federal economic policy, with his team celebrating recent wins for American workers in other sectors. A Spirit bailout would represent the administration's first major intervention in the aviation industry since taking office.

The $500 million figure suggests Spirit's financial distress runs deep. Airlines typically exhaust private financing options before seeking government assistance, indicating the company may face immediate liquidity concerns that threaten its ability to maintain flight schedules and meet payroll obligations.

For American travelers, Spirit's potential failure would reduce competition in the budget airline market, likely pushing up ticket prices on routes where the carrier provides low-cost alternatives to major airlines. The company's extensive network in Florida, the Caribbean, and Latin America would be particularly affected.

The warrant structure protects taxpayers by ensuring the government benefits if Spirit's stock price recovers after the bailout. If the airline returns to profitability, Treasury could exercise the warrants and sell the shares at a profit, potentially returning more money to federal coffers than the original loan amount.

Watch for formal announcements about loan terms, congressional oversight requirements, and any conditions the administration might impose on Spirit's operations, executive compensation, or route commitments as part of the deal.

Trump administration in advanced talks with Spirit Airlines for $500 million bailout loan with government warrants allowing ownership stake in struggling carrie

Trump Eyes $500M Spirit Airlines Bailout in Exchange for Ownership Stake

Trump administration in advanced talks with Spirit Airlines for $500 million bailout loan with government warrants allowing ownership stake in struggling carrier.

President Trump threw his support behind Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senator Lindsey Graham's effort to pass a reconciliation bill funding Border Patrol and ICE agents. Trump warned Republicans to stay unified against Democratic attempts to derail the legislation through amendments.The reconciliation process allows Republicans to pass the border security funding with a simple majority vote, bypassing the 60-vote filibuster threshold that Democrats could use to block the measure. Thune and Graham have initiated the procedural steps needed to advance the legislation through this faster track.Trump specifically called out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, predicting Democrats would attempt to divide Republicans by offering amendments during the reconciliation process. The former and current president urged GOP senators to &quot;stick together and UNIFY&quot; to secure funding for border enforcement agencies.The reconciliation strategy mirrors the approach Republicans used for major legislation during Trump's first term, including tax cuts and attempts to repeal Obamacare. <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/senate-gop-launches-140b-immigration-fund-to-cut-out-democrats">Senate Republicans recently launched</a> a $140 billion immigration enforcement fund designed to circumvent Democratic opposition.Border security funding has become a key priority for the new administration, with ICE and Border Patrol agents playing central roles in Trump's deportation plans. The agencies have faced staffing and resource challenges while managing record border encounters in recent years.Reconciliation bills face strict rules about what provisions can be included, requiring all measures to have a direct budgetary impact. This constraint could limit the scope of border security measures Republicans can attach to the funding legislation.The timing of Thune and Graham's move suggests Republicans want to move quickly on border funding before Democrats can organize sustained opposition. Watch for the bill's text and specific funding levels as the reconciliation process advances through committee markups in coming weeks.

President Trump threw his support behind Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senator Lindsey Graham's effort to pass a reconciliation bill funding Border Patrol and ICE agents. Trump warned Republicans to stay unified against Democratic attempts to derail the legislation through amendments.

The reconciliation process allows Republicans to pass the border security funding with a simple majority vote, bypassing the 60-vote filibuster threshold that Democrats could use to block the measure. Thune and Graham have initiated the procedural steps needed to advance the legislation through this faster track.

Trump specifically called out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, predicting Democrats would attempt to divide Republicans by offering amendments during the reconciliation process. The former and current president urged GOP senators to "stick together and UNIFY" to secure funding for border enforcement agencies.

The reconciliation strategy mirrors the approach Republicans used for major legislation during Trump's first term, including tax cuts and attempts to repeal Obamacare. Senate Republicans recently launched a $140 billion immigration enforcement fund designed to circumvent Democratic opposition.

Border security funding has become a key priority for the new administration, with ICE and Border Patrol agents playing central roles in Trump's deportation plans. The agencies have faced staffing and resource challenges while managing record border encounters in recent years.

Reconciliation bills face strict rules about what provisions can be included, requiring all measures to have a direct budgetary impact. This constraint could limit the scope of border security measures Republicans can attach to the funding legislation.

The timing of Thune and Graham's move suggests Republicans want to move quickly on border funding before Democrats can organize sustained opposition. Watch for the bill's text and specific funding levels as the reconciliation process advances through committee markups in coming weeks.

President Trump endorsed Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Lindsey Graham's reconciliation bill to fund Border Patrol and ICE agents, warning Republicans ag

Trump Backs GOP Push for Border Reconciliation Bill, Warns of Dem Division Tactics

President Trump endorsed Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Lindsey Graham's reconciliation bill to fund Border Patrol and ICE agents, warning Republicans against Democratic amendments.

President Trump on Tuesday celebrated an agreement that will keep two Pennsylvania coal-fired power plants operating for several more years, calling it a &quot;BIG WIN&quot; for the commonwealth and crediting his administration with helping secure the deal.The Conemaugh Station in Indiana County and Keystone Station in Armstrong County will remain open under the new agreement, preserving hundreds of jobs in western Pennsylvania's coal country. Both facilities had faced uncertain futures as utilities nationwide shift away from coal-fired generation amid market pressures and regulatory changes.Trump's praise comes as his administration pushes to revitalize America's coal industry, which has faced steep declines over the past decade. The president has made energy independence and supporting coal workers central themes of his domestic agenda, particularly in swing states like Pennsylvania where coal communities delivered strong support in recent elections.The deal represents a rare victory for coal advocates at a time when utilities are increasingly choosing natural gas and renewable energy sources over coal plants. Pennsylvania coal plants have struggled to compete economically, with several facilities shutting down in recent years as operators cited rising costs and declining demand.Energy analysts note that keeping these plants operational requires navigating complex market dynamics and regulatory frameworks. The agreement likely involves capacity payments or other financial mechanisms to make continued operation economically viable for plant operators.For Pennsylvania workers, the news provides job security in regions where coal plant closures have devastated local economies. The Conemaugh and Keystone stations employ hundreds directly and support thousands more jobs through supply chains and local spending.Trump's focus on Pennsylvania coal plants also carries political implications as the state remains a key battleground. Coal-producing counties in western Pennsylvania have become increasingly important to Republican electoral strategies, with plant closures serving as powerful campaign issues.The administration will likely tout this agreement as evidence that its pro-coal policies can deliver tangible results for American workers. However, industry observers will watch whether similar deals can be replicated at other at-risk facilities across coal-dependent regions.

President Trump on Tuesday celebrated an agreement that will keep two Pennsylvania coal-fired power plants operating for several more years, calling it a "BIG WIN" for the commonwealth and crediting his administration with helping secure the deal.

The Conemaugh Station in Indiana County and Keystone Station in Armstrong County will remain open under the new agreement, preserving hundreds of jobs in western Pennsylvania's coal country. Both facilities had faced uncertain futures as utilities nationwide shift away from coal-fired generation amid market pressures and regulatory changes.

Trump's praise comes as his administration pushes to revitalize America's coal industry, which has faced steep declines over the past decade. The president has made energy independence and supporting coal workers central themes of his domestic agenda, particularly in swing states like Pennsylvania where coal communities delivered strong support in recent elections.

The deal represents a rare victory for coal advocates at a time when utilities are increasingly choosing natural gas and renewable energy sources over coal plants. Pennsylvania coal plants have struggled to compete economically, with several facilities shutting down in recent years as operators cited rising costs and declining demand.

Energy analysts note that keeping these plants operational requires navigating complex market dynamics and regulatory frameworks. The agreement likely involves capacity payments or other financial mechanisms to make continued operation economically viable for plant operators.

For Pennsylvania workers, the news provides job security in regions where coal plant closures have devastated local economies. The Conemaugh and Keystone stations employ hundreds directly and support thousands more jobs through supply chains and local spending.

Trump's focus on Pennsylvania coal plants also carries political implications as the state remains a key battleground. Coal-producing counties in western Pennsylvania have become increasingly important to Republican electoral strategies, with plant closures serving as powerful campaign issues.

The administration will likely tout this agreement as evidence that its pro-coal policies can deliver tangible results for American workers. However, industry observers will watch whether similar deals can be replicated at other at-risk facilities across coal-dependent regions.

President Trump praised Tuesday's agreement keeping two Pennsylvania coal plants open for several more years, calling it a victory for the commonwealth.

Trump Hails Pennsylvania Coal Plant Deal as 'Big Win' for Workers

Iran retains roughly half of its ballistic missile stockpile and launch systems despite White House claims of total military destruction, according to multiple U.S. intelligence officials who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity.The officials revealed that about 60% of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval forces remain operational, including fast-attack boats that struck commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. The attack came hours after President Trump announced he was <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/trump-extends-iran-ceasefire-indefinitely-cites-fractured-tehran-government">extending the ceasefire</a> to allow more time for peace negotiations.These intelligence assessments directly contradict public statements from Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about Operation Epic Fury's effectiveness. &quot;We've taken out their navy, we've taken out their air force, we've taken out their leaders,&quot; Trump said Tuesday.Hegseth went further during an April 8 Pentagon briefing, calling Epic Fury &quot;a historic and overwhelming victory on the battlefield&quot; that &quot;decimated Iran's military and rendered it combat ineffective for years to come.&quot;The reality on the ground tells a different story. About two-thirds of Iran's conventional air force remains operational, officials said, though significantly degraded after intensive U.S. and Israeli strikes on thousands of targets including storage and production facilities.Marine Lt. Gen. James Adams, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, submitted written testimony to the House Armed Services Committee warning that &quot;Iran retains thousands of missiles and one-way attack UAVs that can threaten U.S. and partner forces throughout the region, despite degradations to its capabilities.&quot;The gap between public messaging and classified assessments raises questions about transparency as Americans weigh the costs and risks of continued Middle East involvement. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the operation, noting that U.S. forces struck more than 13,000 Iranian targets in less than 40 days.Iran's IRGC naval forces, designed for asymmetrical warfare with smaller vessels, pose the greatest ongoing threat to American interests. These units continue disrupting oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that handles roughly 20% of global petroleum transit.The intelligence revelations come as <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/us-iran-peace-talks-hit-wall-despite-trumps-ceasefire-extension">peace talks remain stalled</a> despite Trump's ceasefire extension. Iran's retained missile capabilities give Tehran significant leverage in any future negotiations, potentially complicating efforts to secure a lasting agreement that protects American forces in the region.

Iran retains roughly half of its ballistic missile stockpile and launch systems despite White House claims of total military destruction, according to multiple U.S. intelligence officials who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity.

The officials revealed that about 60% of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval forces remain operational, including fast-attack boats that struck commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. The attack came hours after President Trump announced he was extending the ceasefire to allow more time for peace negotiations.

These intelligence assessments directly contradict public statements from Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about Operation Epic Fury's effectiveness. "We've taken out their navy, we've taken out their air force, we've taken out their leaders," Trump said Tuesday.

Hegseth went further during an April 8 Pentagon briefing, calling Epic Fury "a historic and overwhelming victory on the battlefield" that "decimated Iran's military and rendered it combat ineffective for years to come."

The reality on the ground tells a different story. About two-thirds of Iran's conventional air force remains operational, officials said, though significantly degraded after intensive U.S. and Israeli strikes on thousands of targets including storage and production facilities.

Marine Lt. Gen. James Adams, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, submitted written testimony to the House Armed Services Committee warning that "Iran retains thousands of missiles and one-way attack UAVs that can threaten U.S. and partner forces throughout the region, despite degradations to its capabilities."

The gap between public messaging and classified assessments raises questions about transparency as Americans weigh the costs and risks of continued Middle East involvement. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the operation, noting that U.S. forces struck more than 13,000 Iranian targets in less than 40 days.

Iran's IRGC naval forces, designed for asymmetrical warfare with smaller vessels, pose the greatest ongoing threat to American interests. These units continue disrupting oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that handles roughly 20% of global petroleum transit.

The intelligence revelations come as peace talks remain stalled despite Trump's ceasefire extension. Iran's retained missile capabilities give Tehran significant leverage in any future negotiations, potentially complicating efforts to secure a lasting agreement that protects American forces in the region.

U.S. officials reveal Iran still has 50% of ballistic missiles and 60% of IRGC navy intact, contradicting Trump and Hegseth's public statements about Operation 

Intel Sources: Iran Retains Half Its Missiles Despite Pentagon Claims

U.S. officials reveal Iran still has 50% of ballistic missiles and 60% of IRGC navy intact, contradicting Trump and Hegseth's public statements about Operation Epic Fury.

The NYPD launched a manhunt for a father who abandoned his 6-month-old daughter in a stroller at one of Manhattan's busiest intersections Tuesday night. Police found the infant alone at West 44th Street and Seventh Avenue in Times Square around 11 PM after receiving an emergency call.The baby girl was conscious, alert, and unharmed when officers arrived at the scene. Emergency responders transported her to an area hospital as a precaution. The stroller sat unattended in the heart of the tourist district, where thousands of visitors pass through daily.Police have not released details about the suspect or potential motives for the abandonment. The incident occurred at one of the most surveilled locations in the country, where the NYPD maintains a heavy presence and extensive camera network. Investigators will likely review footage from the numerous security cameras that monitor the intersection around the clock.Child abandonment cases have drawn increased attention as cities grapple with rising social pressures and economic hardship affecting families. New York state operates safe haven laws that allow parents to surrender newborns up to 30 days old at hospitals, fire stations, and police precincts without facing criminal charges. The law does not cover older infants like the 6-month-old found Tuesday.Times Square sees over 300,000 pedestrians daily, making it an unusual location for child abandonment. The busy intersection typically bustles with tourists, street performers, and vendors even late into the evening. The fact that someone noticed the unattended baby and called police likely prevented a more dangerous outcome.The baby remains in protective custody while authorities work to identify her father and determine her welfare needs. The case highlights ongoing concerns about family crisis situations in major urban areas, where social services face mounting pressure.Police ask anyone with information about the incident to contact the NYPD immediately. The department has not indicated whether they consider this a criminal abandonment case or a family emergency situation requiring social services intervention.This is a developing story and will be updated.

The NYPD launched a manhunt for a father who abandoned his 6-month-old daughter in a stroller at one of Manhattan's busiest intersections Tuesday night. Police found the infant alone at West 44th Street and Seventh Avenue in Times Square around 11 PM after receiving an emergency call.

The baby girl was conscious, alert, and unharmed when officers arrived at the scene. Emergency responders transported her to an area hospital as a precaution. The stroller sat unattended in the heart of the tourist district, where thousands of visitors pass through daily.

Police have not released details about the suspect or potential motives for the abandonment. The incident occurred at one of the most surveilled locations in the country, where the NYPD maintains a heavy presence and extensive camera network. Investigators will likely review footage from the numerous security cameras that monitor the intersection around the clock.

Child abandonment cases have drawn increased attention as cities grapple with rising social pressures and economic hardship affecting families. New York state operates safe haven laws that allow parents to surrender newborns up to 30 days old at hospitals, fire stations, and police precincts without facing criminal charges. The law does not cover older infants like the 6-month-old found Tuesday.

Times Square sees over 300,000 pedestrians daily, making it an unusual location for child abandonment. The busy intersection typically bustles with tourists, street performers, and vendors even late into the evening. The fact that someone noticed the unattended baby and called police likely prevented a more dangerous outcome.

The baby remains in protective custody while authorities work to identify her father and determine her welfare needs. The case highlights ongoing concerns about family crisis situations in major urban areas, where social services face mounting pressure.

Police ask anyone with information about the incident to contact the NYPD immediately. The department has not indicated whether they consider this a criminal abandonment case or a family emergency situation requiring social services intervention.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Police search for man who abandoned his 6-month-old daughter in a stroller at West 44th Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan Tuesday night.

NYPD Hunts Father Who Dumped 6-Month-Old Baby in Times Square

Christina Snow remains hospitalized with a bullet lodged in her face after watching a gunman execute three of her children in Sunday's mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana. The bullet entered through her nose and doctors deemed surgery too risky, according to her family.Jamarckus Snow, Christina's cousin, told NBC News that his relative can speak but suffers memory problems from the attack that claimed eight young lives. &quot;Doctors say they didn't want to do surgery and risk it,&quot; Jamarckus said, relaying information from Christina's mother about the bullet's position.Shamar Elkins, a 31-year-old former National Guardsman, opened fire on the family early Sunday morning in what police called a &quot;violent domestic incident.&quot; Seven of the eight dead children were his own. The Caddo Parish coroner identified the victims Monday: Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 6; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5.Christina Snow lost three children in the rampage. &quot;All she worked for was her kids and all she talked about was her kids,&quot; Jamarckus Snow said. &quot;It's devastating.&quot;The gunman also critically wounded his estranged wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, who remains hospitalized. Elkins and Pugh had been fighting over their separation and were scheduled to appear in court Monday. Family members said Elkins struggled with mental health issues and had recently expressed suicidal thoughts.Police shot and killed Elkins after the massacre. <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/doj-arrests-felon-who-supplied-gun-in-shreveport-mass-shooting">Federal authorities arrested</a> a Louisiana man Tuesday on charges of illegally possessing the firearm used in the attack. The suspect initially denied having the weapon but later admitted to keeping it under his car seat and believed Elkins took possession of it.The shooting exposes another failure in the system designed to keep weapons from dangerous individuals. Elkins had been arrested in 2019 on firearms charges, yet still obtained the weapon that would claim eight innocent lives.Investigators continue piecing together how a domestic dispute escalated into Louisiana's deadliest mass shooting in recent memory, while two mothers fight for their lives in hospital beds.

Christina Snow remains hospitalized with a bullet lodged in her face after watching a gunman execute three of her children in Sunday's mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana. The bullet entered through her nose and doctors deemed surgery too risky, according to her family.

Jamarckus Snow, Christina's cousin, told NBC News that his relative can speak but suffers memory problems from the attack that claimed eight young lives. "Doctors say they didn't want to do surgery and risk it," Jamarckus said, relaying information from Christina's mother about the bullet's position.

Shamar Elkins, a 31-year-old former National Guardsman, opened fire on the family early Sunday morning in what police called a "violent domestic incident." Seven of the eight dead children were his own. The Caddo Parish coroner identified the victims Monday: Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 6; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5.

Christina Snow lost three children in the rampage. "All she worked for was her kids and all she talked about was her kids," Jamarckus Snow said. "It's devastating."

The gunman also critically wounded his estranged wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, who remains hospitalized. Elkins and Pugh had been fighting over their separation and were scheduled to appear in court Monday. Family members said Elkins struggled with mental health issues and had recently expressed suicidal thoughts.

Police shot and killed Elkins after the massacre. Federal authorities arrested a Louisiana man Tuesday on charges of illegally possessing the firearm used in the attack. The suspect initially denied having the weapon but later admitted to keeping it under his car seat and believed Elkins took possession of it.

The shooting exposes another failure in the system designed to keep weapons from dangerous individuals. Elkins had been arrested in 2019 on firearms charges, yet still obtained the weapon that would claim eight innocent lives.

Investigators continue piecing together how a domestic dispute escalated into Louisiana's deadliest mass shooting in recent memory, while two mothers fight for their lives in hospital beds.

Christina Snow remains hospitalized with a bullet lodged in her face after Shamar Elkins killed eight children in Shreveport, including three of hers.

Shreveport Mother Fights for Life with Bullet in Face After Gunman Kills Her 3 Kids

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday morning on President Trump's fiscal 2027 budget request, facing questions about the administration's trade agenda after the Supreme Court struck down key tariff powers in February.The hearing comes as the Trump administration grapples with the fallout from the high court's decision that gutted the bulk of the president's emergency tariff authority. The ruling forced the administration to <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/trump-admin-opens-166b-tariff-refund-portal-after-supreme-court-defeat">open a $166 billion tariff refund portal</a> for companies seeking relief from previously imposed duties.Lutnick, who previously led investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald before joining the administration, now oversees a department central to Trump's economic nationalism agenda. The Commerce Department handles trade enforcement, export controls, and economic data collection — all key tools for implementing the president's America First policies.The Supreme Court's tariff ruling has complicated the administration's trade strategy significantly. Trump had relied heavily on emergency powers to impose duties on imports, arguing they threatened national security or required retaliation for unfair practices by foreign competitors.Senators are expected to press Lutnick on how the department plans to pursue trade enforcement without the broad tariff powers the court eliminated. Republicans will likely focus on ensuring the administration can still protect American workers and industries from foreign competition, while Democrats may question the effectiveness of remaining trade tools.The fiscal 2027 budget request will reveal how much funding Trump wants for Commerce Department operations, including trade enforcement offices, export promotion programs, and economic research divisions. The numbers will signal administration priorities as it works around the Supreme Court's constraints on tariff policy.The hearing also gives Lutnick a platform to defend the administration's broader economic agenda before lawmakers who control federal spending. His testimony could preview arguments the White House will make to Congress as budget negotiations heat up later this year.The Senate panel's questions will likely extend beyond budget numbers to policy substance, particularly how Commerce plans to support American competitiveness without the tariff weapons Trump previously wielded against trading partners.Wednesday's testimony begins at 10 a.m. and will be closely watched by trade groups, businesses, and foreign governments still adjusting to the post-Supreme Court trade landscape.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday morning on President Trump's fiscal 2027 budget request, facing questions about the administration's trade agenda after the Supreme Court struck down key tariff powers in February.

The hearing comes as the Trump administration grapples with the fallout from the high court's decision that gutted the bulk of the president's emergency tariff authority. The ruling forced the administration to open a $166 billion tariff refund portal for companies seeking relief from previously imposed duties.

Lutnick, who previously led investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald before joining the administration, now oversees a department central to Trump's economic nationalism agenda. The Commerce Department handles trade enforcement, export controls, and economic data collection — all key tools for implementing the president's America First policies.

The Supreme Court's tariff ruling has complicated the administration's trade strategy significantly. Trump had relied heavily on emergency powers to impose duties on imports, arguing they threatened national security or required retaliation for unfair practices by foreign competitors.

Senators are expected to press Lutnick on how the department plans to pursue trade enforcement without the broad tariff powers the court eliminated. Republicans will likely focus on ensuring the administration can still protect American workers and industries from foreign competition, while Democrats may question the effectiveness of remaining trade tools.

The fiscal 2027 budget request will reveal how much funding Trump wants for Commerce Department operations, including trade enforcement offices, export promotion programs, and economic research divisions. The numbers will signal administration priorities as it works around the Supreme Court's constraints on tariff policy.

The hearing also gives Lutnick a platform to defend the administration's broader economic agenda before lawmakers who control federal spending. His testimony could preview arguments the White House will make to Congress as budget negotiations heat up later this year.

The Senate panel's questions will likely extend beyond budget numbers to policy substance, particularly how Commerce plans to support American competitiveness without the tariff weapons Trump previously wielded against trading partners.

Wednesday's testimony begins at 10 a.m. and will be closely watched by trade groups, businesses, and foreign governments still adjusting to the post-Supreme Court trade landscape.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testifies Wednesday before Senate Appropriations on Trump's fiscal 2027 budget request following Supreme Court tariff defeat.

Lutnick to Face Senate Panel on Commerce Budget After Supreme Court Tariff Blow

Israeli settlers opened fire on a school in Ramallah, killing two people in the occupied West Bank. The attack marks another deadly escalation in settler violence against Palestinian civilians.The shooting occurred at a school facility in Ramallah, the de facto capital of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Local authorities confirmed two fatalities from the gunfire, though additional details about the victims and circumstances remain unclear.Settler attacks on Palestinian civilians have surged in recent months, with armed Israeli civilians targeting schools, homes, and agricultural areas across the occupied territory. These incidents often occur with limited intervention from Israeli security forces, despite international calls for accountability.For American policymakers, the violence complicates efforts to maintain stability in a region where the U.S. provides $3.8 billion annually in military aid to Israel. Settler attacks undermine diplomatic initiatives and strain relationships with Arab allies who view such incidents as violations of international law.The West Bank remains under Israeli military occupation since 1967, with over 700,000 Israeli settlers living in communities deemed illegal under international law. Palestinian civilians in these areas face restrictions on movement, limited access to resources, and frequent confrontations with both settlers and Israeli forces.This attack follows a pattern of settler violence that human rights groups say has intensified without meaningful consequences. The lack of prosecutions for such incidents has emboldened extremist groups within the settler movement to target Palestinian civilians directly.The Biden administration previously imposed sanctions on some violent settlers, but enforcement remains limited. American taxpayers fund security assistance that critics argue enables the military infrastructure protecting these settlements while Palestinian civilians remain vulnerable to attacks.Watch for potential diplomatic fallout as international pressure mounts on Israel to rein in settler violence and ensure accountability for attacks on civilian targets like schools.This is a developing story and will be updated.

Israeli settlers opened fire on a school in Ramallah, killing two people in the occupied West Bank. The attack marks another deadly escalation in settler violence against Palestinian civilians.

The shooting occurred at a school facility in Ramallah, the de facto capital of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Local authorities confirmed two fatalities from the gunfire, though additional details about the victims and circumstances remain unclear.

Settler attacks on Palestinian civilians have surged in recent months, with armed Israeli civilians targeting schools, homes, and agricultural areas across the occupied territory. These incidents often occur with limited intervention from Israeli security forces, despite international calls for accountability.

For American policymakers, the violence complicates efforts to maintain stability in a region where the U.S. provides $3.8 billion annually in military aid to Israel. Settler attacks undermine diplomatic initiatives and strain relationships with Arab allies who view such incidents as violations of international law.

The West Bank remains under Israeli military occupation since 1967, with over 700,000 Israeli settlers living in communities deemed illegal under international law. Palestinian civilians in these areas face restrictions on movement, limited access to resources, and frequent confrontations with both settlers and Israeli forces.

This attack follows a pattern of settler violence that human rights groups say has intensified without meaningful consequences. The lack of prosecutions for such incidents has emboldened extremist groups within the settler movement to target Palestinian civilians directly.

The Biden administration previously imposed sanctions on some violent settlers, but enforcement remains limited. American taxpayers fund security assistance that critics argue enables the military infrastructure protecting these settlements while Palestinian civilians remain vulnerable to attacks.

Watch for potential diplomatic fallout as international pressure mounts on Israel to rein in settler violence and ensure accountability for attacks on civilian targets like schools.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Two people died after Israeli settlers opened fire on a school in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, escalating tensions in the region.

Israeli Settlers Kill Two in West Bank School Attack

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will testify Wednesday morning before the House Ways and Means Committee about President Trump's trade agenda, two months after the Supreme Court struck down the bulk of Trump's global tariffs.The hearing comes as Trump has imposed new trade measures following the Court's decision that wiped out much of his original tariff framework. Greer, who leads America's trade negotiations, faces questions from lawmakers about how the administration plans to protect American workers and industries without running afoul of the Supreme Court's constitutional limits.The Supreme Court ruling dealt a major blow to Trump's trade war strategy, which had generated billions in revenue while sparking retaliatory measures from trading partners including China and the European Union. The decision forced the administration back to the drawing board on one of its signature economic policies.House Republicans are expected to support Trump's aggressive trade stance, arguing that tariffs protect American manufacturing jobs and reduce dependence on foreign competitors. Democrats will likely press Greer on whether new tariff plans comply with the Supreme Court's constitutional constraints and question the economic impact on American consumers who pay higher prices.The trade representative's appearance comes at a critical time for Trump's economic agenda. <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/trump-admin-opens-166b-tariff-refund-portal-after-supreme-court-defeat">The administration recently opened a $166 billion tariff refund portal</a> following the Supreme Court defeat, but Trump has also <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/trump-warns-companies-against-seeking-tariff-refunds-ill-remember">warned companies against seeking refunds</a>, saying he'll remember which businesses abandon his trade policies.Greer's testimony will provide the clearest picture yet of how the administration plans to rebuild its trade strategy within constitutional limits while maintaining pressure on countries Trump argues have taken advantage of American workers for decades.The hearing starts Wednesday morning and will be closely watched by industries still dealing with supply chain disruptions and uncertain trade rules following the Court's decision.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will testify Wednesday morning before the House Ways and Means Committee about President Trump's trade agenda, two months after the Supreme Court struck down the bulk of Trump's global tariffs.

The hearing comes as Trump has imposed new trade measures following the Court's decision that wiped out much of his original tariff framework. Greer, who leads America's trade negotiations, faces questions from lawmakers about how the administration plans to protect American workers and industries without running afoul of the Supreme Court's constitutional limits.

The Supreme Court ruling dealt a major blow to Trump's trade war strategy, which had generated billions in revenue while sparking retaliatory measures from trading partners including China and the European Union. The decision forced the administration back to the drawing board on one of its signature economic policies.

House Republicans are expected to support Trump's aggressive trade stance, arguing that tariffs protect American manufacturing jobs and reduce dependence on foreign competitors. Democrats will likely press Greer on whether new tariff plans comply with the Supreme Court's constitutional constraints and question the economic impact on American consumers who pay higher prices.

The trade representative's appearance comes at a critical time for Trump's economic agenda. The administration recently opened a $166 billion tariff refund portal following the Supreme Court defeat, but Trump has also warned companies against seeking refunds, saying he'll remember which businesses abandon his trade policies.

Greer's testimony will provide the clearest picture yet of how the administration plans to rebuild its trade strategy within constitutional limits while maintaining pressure on countries Trump argues have taken advantage of American workers for decades.

The hearing starts Wednesday morning and will be closely watched by industries still dealing with supply chain disruptions and uncertain trade rules following the Court's decision.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testifies Wednesday before House Ways and Means Committee on Trump's trade agenda after Supreme Court tariff ruling.

Trade Rep Greer to Face House Questions on Trump Tariff Revival

The U.S. Coast Guard recovered the body of one crew member Saturday from the vessel Mariana, which capsized near Saipan during a typhoon after suffering engine failure on April 15. Five crew members remain missing.Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Barbers Point conducted aerial searches over the overturned vessel offshore Saipan on Saturday. The search operation involves multiple Coast Guard assets deployed across the Western Pacific to locate the remaining missing sailors.The Mariana experienced complete engine failure on April 15 while operating in waters near the U.S. territory of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. The timing coincided with severe typhoon conditions that battered the region, creating dangerous seas and high winds that likely contributed to the vessel's capsizing.Coast Guard officials have not released details about the identity of the recovered crew member or the nationalities of the six-person crew. The service typically coordinates with foreign maritime authorities when international vessels encounter distress in U.S. territorial waters.This incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by commercial mariners operating in the typhoon-prone Western Pacific region. The Northern Mariana Islands sit directly in the path of seasonal typhoons that regularly generate waves exceeding 30 feet and sustained winds over 100 mph.The search operation demonstrates the Coast Guard's expanded presence in the Western Pacific, where American forces maintain critical search and rescue capabilities across thousands of square miles of ocean. Air Station Barbers Point in Hawaii serves as a key hub for long-range rescue missions extending from the U.S. West Coast to Guam.Coast Guard officials will continue aerial and surface searches for the five remaining crew members, though survival prospects diminish significantly after 72 hours in open ocean conditions. The service has not announced when search operations might be suspended.

The U.S. Coast Guard recovered the body of one crew member Saturday from the vessel Mariana, which capsized near Saipan during a typhoon after suffering engine failure on April 15. Five crew members remain missing.

Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Barbers Point conducted aerial searches over the overturned vessel offshore Saipan on Saturday. The search operation involves multiple Coast Guard assets deployed across the Western Pacific to locate the remaining missing sailors.

The Mariana experienced complete engine failure on April 15 while operating in waters near the U.S. territory of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. The timing coincided with severe typhoon conditions that battered the region, creating dangerous seas and high winds that likely contributed to the vessel's capsizing.

Coast Guard officials have not released details about the identity of the recovered crew member or the nationalities of the six-person crew. The service typically coordinates with foreign maritime authorities when international vessels encounter distress in U.S. territorial waters.

This incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by commercial mariners operating in the typhoon-prone Western Pacific region. The Northern Mariana Islands sit directly in the path of seasonal typhoons that regularly generate waves exceeding 30 feet and sustained winds over 100 mph.

The search operation demonstrates the Coast Guard's expanded presence in the Western Pacific, where American forces maintain critical search and rescue capabilities across thousands of square miles of ocean. Air Station Barbers Point in Hawaii serves as a key hub for long-range rescue missions extending from the U.S. West Coast to Guam.

Coast Guard officials will continue aerial and surface searches for the five remaining crew members, though survival prospects diminish significantly after 72 hours in open ocean conditions. The service has not announced when search operations might be suspended.

U.S. Coast Guard recovers one body from six missing crew members after vessel Mariana overturned during typhoon off Saipan following engine failure.