Author: usaeverydaylife

Japan’s national flag flutters at the Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo on May 30, 2024.Kazuhiro Nogi | Afp | Getty ImagesJapan’s central bank on Wednesday kept its key policy rate steady at 0.5% in a unanimous vote, as the export-reliant country assesses the potential impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade policies on its economy.The move, which was in line with market expectations, comes ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy meeting, where the central bank is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate steady.”Japan’s economy has recovered moderately, although some weakness has been seen in part,” BOJ…

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Tesla on Tuesday received the first in a series of approvals from California required for the electric car maker to eventually launch a promised robotaxi service in the state, according to a state regulator.Brandon Bell | Getty ImagesTesla on Tuesday received the first in a series of approvals from California required for the electric car maker to eventually launch a promised robotaxi service in the state, according to a state regulator.The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) said it approved Tesla’s application for a transportation charter-party carrier permit(TCP), a license typically associated with chauffeur-operated services, allowing the company to own and control a fleet of vehicles and transport employees on pre-arranged trips.The permit is a prerequisite…

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People hold placards, as the USAID building sits closed to employees after a memo was issued advising agency personnel to work remotely, in Washington, D.C., U.S., Feb. 3, 2025. Kent Nishimura | ReutersA federal judge ordered the government to reinstate U.S. Agency for International Development systems on Tuesday, ruling that the accelerated shutdown of the agency led by Elon Musk “likely violated the United States Constitution in multiple ways.”U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang ordered Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to reinstate access to email, payment, security notification and other electronic systems for all USAID employees and contractors. He also ordered the department to provide…

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In the biggest bullfighting city in the largest bullfighting country in the world, Mexico City lawmakers overwhelmingly voted on Tuesday to ban traditional bullfighting — a move that was supported by Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, but was fiercely opposed by backers of the centuries-old custom.The legislation, approved by a 61-1 vote, prohibits the injuring or killing of bulls for sport, in or outside of the arenas. It will allow for what proponents call “bullfighting without violence,” in which rules determine how long a bull can be in the ring and limit bullfighters to using only capes.“My heart always beats for…

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U.S. Vice President JD Vance (C) exits the Oval Office in the opposite direction as U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk (R) walk away before departing the White House on March 14, 2025.Roberto Schmidt | Afp | Getty ImagesThe UCLA Anderson Forecast, citing substantial changes to the economy from policies of the Trump administration, issued its first-ever “recession watch” on Tuesday.UCLA Anderson, which has been issuing forecasts since 1952, said the administration’s tariff and immigration policies and plans to reduce the federal workforce could combine to cause the economy to contract. Its analysis was titled, “Trump Policies, If Fully Enacted,…

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US President Donald Trump speaks at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, on March 14, 2025. Roberto Schmidt | AFP | Getty ImagesA federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the U.S. military from enforcing President Donald Trump’s executive order barring transgender people from military service while a lawsuit by 20 current and would-be service members challenging the measure goes forward.U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington found Trump’s January 27 order, one of several issued by the Republican president targeting legal rights for transgender Americans, likely violated the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on sex discrimination.”The cruel irony is that thousands of…

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© Marco Bottigelli | Moment | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Wednesday, following declines on Wall Street after a sell-off in technology stocks picked up pace.Japanese markets will be in focus for investors, with the Bank of Japan poised to announce its monetary policy decision later in the day. The central bank is widely expected to hold interest rates steady at 0.5%.Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 edged up 0.41% shortly after the open, while the broader Topix index increased 0.70%.Over in South Korea, the Kospi index started the day 0.91% higher, while the small-cap Kosdaq fell 0.27% in choppy trade.Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 pared losses to trade 0.13%…

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