Tag Archives: administration

FEMA resumes disaster mitigation program following judge’s order

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday opened applications for a major resilience grant program that the agency canceled last year, less than three weeks after a federal judge ordered FEMA to make the funding available. FEMA will make $1 billion available for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which helps states, local governments, territories and tribes take on preparedness projects to harden against natural hazards like fires, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes. “When done correctly, mitigation activities save lives and reduce the cost of future disasters,” Karen S. Evans, FEMA’s acting leader, said in a statement announcing the resumption. The Trump administration has slashed disaster preparedness dollars across multiple FEMA programs. It’s been one year since President Trump approved any state or tribe’s request for hazard mitigation funding, a typical add on to major disaster declarations. Still, a FEMA document outlining the grant opportunity signals the administration might now be embracing aspects of mitigation to safeguard against disasters, stating that “BRIC aims to shift the focus of federal investments away from reactive post-disaster spending towards proactive infrastructure-focused hazard mitigation.” The funding announcement comes after FEMA under a previous acting leader, Cameron Hamilton, canceled the BRIC program in April 2025, calling it “wasteful and ineffective.” That decision drew blowback from Republican and Democratic lawmakers as roughly $3. 6 billion was halted for what amounted to several years’ worth of projects to protect infrastructure, communities and homes across the U. S. A CBS News investigation last year revealed that the BRIC funding cuts disproportionately affected counties that supported Mr. Trump in the 2024 election, with two-thirds of the counties that lost funding having voted for the president. The elimination of the BRIC program especially deprived vulnerable communities across the Southeast an area prone to natural disasters the CBS News data analysis found. FEMA data shows the cut impacted nearly 700 projects, including improvements to canal basins in South Florida plagued by flooding and a new flood control system in Louisiana, where 60% of the structures in the town of Central were devastated by torrential rains in 2016. A federal judge last December ruled that FEMA could not eliminate BRIC, and ordered FEMA to reverse course after a coalition of 22 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration over the cancellation. The lawsuit came as FEMA faced scrutiny about its response to floods in Texas that killed more than 130 people, including at least 37 children. It was also filed days after heavy rains and flooding inundated communities in states ranging from New York and New Jersey to New Mexico. After FEMA failed to release funding, U. S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns again ordered FEMA this month to take steps toward restoring the program. Last week, FEMA announced it would resume program support for BRIC awards when the DHS shutdown ended, saying that it had finished evaluating the program that was originally signed into law during Trump’s first term. Under former President Joe Biden, BRIC became too bureaucratic and “focused on ‘climate change’ initiatives,” FEMA said in a statement. States will have 120 days to apply for the new funding opportunity, which covers fiscal years 2024 and 2025, since FEMA rescinded last year’s opportunity. While the resumed funding restores access to badly needed assistance for some areas, FEMA imposed new rules that are in line with the Trump administration’s attempt to push more responsibility for disaster management on states. The new rules, which include the cessation of funding for hazard mitigation planning and non-financial direct technical assistance, could impact smaller communities with fewer resources and expertise. “The program now maximizes state and local responsibility for resilience and risk reduction rather than federal investing in a wide range of activities,” a FEMA statement said. However, the new grants also include certain caps on how much any single recipient can receive, and prioritize new applicants and “impoverished communities.” Those changes could be nods to past critiques that the BRIC program favored coastal states and was difficult for rural areas to access. Additional changes include prioritizing major infrastructure projects that “are ready to implement,” according to FEMA, and that incentivize “the latest hazard-resistant building codes.” Meanwhile, it’s still unclear how quickly they can expect resumption of the grants they were already awarded. BRIC’s cancellation held up construction of a flood wall in his Washington district, Rep. Rick Larsen, a Democrat and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee ranking member, said in a statement Wednesday. “Slowing states’ ability to prepare for disasters was shortsighted, and communities like Aberdeen paid the price,” Larsen said. In the last decade, there have been almost as many weather- and climate-related disasters causing $1 billion in damages or more as there were in the 35 years preceding that, according to a Climate Central database. Multiple studies have shown that preemptive investments in disaster readiness can yield significant savings. A 2024 study funded by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce found every $1 invested in disaster preparation saved $13 in economic impact, damage and cleanup costs.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fema-resumes-bric-mitigation-program-judge-order-lawsuit/

Pentagon works with U.S. rare earths company to counter China’s dominance

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Last week, President Trump postponed a summit with his Chinese counterpart on account of the war with Iran. When Trump and Xi Jinping do meet, here’s an agenda item bound to figure prominently: rare earth elements. Right now, China holds a near-monopoly over these strategic metals that are key components in so much that makes the modern world go: smartphones, robotics, EV’s; also fighter jets, drones and radar technology. That is, China controls materials essential to America’s ability to wage war. Tonight, the story of an American company confronting this elemental crisis. It mines rare earth elements, processes them, and makes them into superpowered magnets. And it’s part-owned by us, American taxpayers, in an unusual deal crafted by the federal government. An hour southwest of Las Vegas, in the guts of the Mojave, Mountain Pass, California, might be the ultimate front of our trade war with China. This massive cavity in the ground? Behold, the only active rare earth mine in the U. S. This is an unlikely battleground. Jon Wertheim: Are we stepping on rare earths, as we speak? Michael Rosenthal: Yes. Everywhere you look is, is rare earths. And Michael Rosenthal and James Litinsky are the unlikely men in charge, two Floridians in the snow, two finance types suddenly trafficking in mining and metallurgy. Jon Wertheim: You have no background in geology and now, you’re running the biggest rare earth mine in the U. S. James Litinsky: Yeah. This is just such an important site. And the idea that this entire supply chain was on the other side of the world in China. It just occurred to us that someone had to help fix this problem. The Trump administration is keenly aware of the problem of China’s rare earth dominance. Doug Burgum is secretary of the interior. Secretary Doug Burgum: If you have a cellphone, have a laptop, if you drive a car then you’re touching rare earth minerals and rare earth magnets. It’s essential to everyday life, but it’s also essential to aerospace, telecom, defense systems. Yes, defense systems. According to the military, one F-35 fighter jet contains about a hundred pounds of rare earths, incorporated into its various parts. Jon Wertheim: Just to be clear, the U. S. defense industry is subject to the whims of China and Xi Jinping for military technology? Secretary Doug Burgum: Well, this is one of the reasons why President Trump created the National Energy Dominance Council with a broad set of objectives. One of those was to make sure that we had secure supply chains for critical and rare earth minerals. Send a secure tip to 60 Minutes: Here’s how to confidentially share information with our journalists Right now, we don’t have secure supply chains of rare earths because China has cornered the market. Secretary Doug Burgum: They also weaponize it, because if anybody in the rest of the free world said, “Hey, we’re gonna start mining and we’re gonna start refining,” then they would target that particular mineral, dump a quantity onto the market, drive the price down. And companies, including U. S. companies that were profitable suddenly became unprofitable. Before we proceed, let’s dispense with the misnomer: rare earths aren’t rare. Here’s what is rare: sites with high enough concentrations of rare earths and accessible enough locations to make extraction worthwhile. In their purest form, rare earths aren’t rocks but elemental metals deep cuts on the periodic table, numbers 57-through-71 and two others, for those scoring at home. Julie Klinger: . lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium. Julie Klinger is a professor of environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a rare earths expert who’s visited mines worldwide and written extensively on the subject. Jon Wertheim: What are their qualities? Julie Klinger: The thing that distinguishes rare earth elements are their fantastic magnetic, conductive, and optical properties. So they’re used often the way you might use spices in cooking because if you add just a little bit of a certain rare earth element, say, to a magnet, that enables that magnet to be both very small and very powerful. Geologists found rare earths at Mountain Pass in 1949. By the ’60s, individual rare earths were being mined, separated, and utilized, not least europium, which enhanced the color red in early television sets. Then, in 1982, researchers found that, another, neodymium strengthens magnets. Julie Klinger: And these super high-powered magnets are used in everything from, you know, making your cell phone buzz to the navigation components for drones and smart bombs to high speed rail and electric vehicles. For decades, Mountain Pass was the world’s rare earth mine. But gradually, then suddenly, mining and magnet-making began moving offshore. familiar story: China could do it cheaper. Jon Wertheim: The U. S. disinvested in rare earths. Julie Klinger: Absolutely. Jon Wertheim: Why? Julie Klinger: It’s a dirty business. It’s a risky business. It’s a difficult business to really break even. In the 1990s, Mountain Pass fell victim to economics and to environmental regulators, after radioactive water leaked into the desert. The mine languished for a decade, until a new company, Molycorp, tried, unsuccessfully, to compete with China and revive the business. James Litinsky was running a Chicago hedge fund, looking for value in distressed companies. When Molycorp filed for bankruptcy in 2015, Litinsky glimpsed opportunity. James Litinsky: When you’re running a hedge fund it’s, there’s not much tangible to it. You’re movin’ numbers on a screen. And then I made the mistake of going out and looking at the site. Actually seeing the assets Jon Wertheim: Actually seeing what your investment looked like. James Litinsky: Yes, yes. And I was just blown away by the scale of the assets. “The assets”? This massive open pit, these concentric circles: a mine 3, 000 feet across, 600 feet deep, with one of the world’s richest deposits. Litinsky turned to Michael Rosenthal, then working for a New York hedge fund. The two were close friends growing up. And they decided to partner. Jon Wertheim: You appreciate the absurdity of the story. James Litinsky: For sure. James Litinsky: Two hedge fund guys buy a mine. What could go wrong? For a while, plenty. When they bought the mine in 2017, it was under water, financially and literally. Thirty million gallons had puddled at the bottom. There were only eight employees. They called their new company MP Materials and got the mine back up-and-running: blasting earth, then crushing rocks into gravel, then milling it into fine powder. Litinsky took over the business as CEO; while Rosenthal spent long days on site, becoming an expert on rare earth mining and refining. Jon Wertheim: How do you characterize the division of labor here? Michael Rosenthal: I get dirty, and Jim explains what we’re doing. Today, Mountain Pass employs more than 700. Rosenthal manages the operation. Jon Wertheim: I cannot get over how extensive and intensive all of this process is once you’re done with the actual mining. Michael Rosenthal: Yeah. The mining is really the easiest part. The hard part? Separating the rare earths from the rock, and then each other. Two years ago, MP reached a milestone: after investing hundreds of millions of dollars, it was able to refine neodymium and praseodymium-to 99. 9% purity. James Litinsky: This is the refined product. This is the money room. Jon Wertheim: This is it? James Litinsky: This is it. Each bag was worth around $120,000. There were 300 bags roughly $36 million in inventory, when we visited. Jon Wertheim: So this fine powder will end up.? James Litinsky: Could end up in your pocket. Jon Wertheim: Could end up in my iPhone. James Litinsky: Yeah. MP needed one last link to bypass China and reclaim the supply chain: making the final product, those high-powered rare earth magnets. So, in Fort Worth, Texas, MP built this facility, where pure rare earth powder from Mountain Pass gets melted, cooled, compressed, diced and eventually turned into, well, these. In a matter of months, millions will be going into GM cars, and into Apple products, starting next year. MP was fulfilling its business plan, taking rare earths from mine-to-magnets Then last spring, it alchemized from a vertically integrated business to a pivotal player in our national security. Last April, President Trump unveiled his global tariffs plan, so-called Liberation Day. China retaliated to devastating effect, choking off rare earths to the U. S. Ford Motors, for one suddenly without magnets had to temporarily stop making Explorer SUVs. After a series of trade truces between the U. S. and China, the rare earth spigot came back on. Litinsky says few realize how close we were to economic catastrophe. James Litinsky: There were major manufacturers that didn’t even realize the extent of the rare-earth magnets that they had in their supply chain. We were seeing the economy on the verge of shut down. With markets reeling, senior Trump administration officials summoned Litinsky and Rosenthal to Washington. James Litinsky: We got called into the Pentagon and it was clear that there was a directive from the president to solve this problem as quickly as possible. Jon Wertheim: What did the government want from you? James Litinsky: The Pentagon wanted a Manhattan-style project to accelerate the entire supply chain of rare-earth magnetics in the country. Jon Wertheim: That’s the analogy? James Litinsky: Those exact words were used. “Manhattan Project” or “Operation Warp Speed.” We’ve gotta work to scale up everything that you’re doing as quickly as we possibly can.” A Manhattan Project for rare earths resulted in an unusual deal. The Pentagon agreed to inject $400 million into MP Materials, and took a 15% ownership stake. (So, we, Americans, are all in the rare earth business now.) Plus-critically-the deal came with a guaranteed 10-year price floor for rare earths. So, even if China tries to flood the market again, driving down prices, MP is covered. Jon Wertheim: Has there ever been anything like this? James Litinsky: Well, exactly like this, maybe not. And the government had one more stipulation for MP: ramp up rare earth magnet production tenfold. To do so MP is building an even bigger rare earth magnet factory also in Texas that it says could produce enough to meet the country’s needs. It’s expected to be complete in 2028. Still. Jon Wertheim: As we sit here today, what percentage of the world’s rare-earth magnets are made in China? James Litinsky: Well north of 90%. Jon Wertheim: So China in effect can still hold the world hostage here. James Litinsky: They currently do. Back in Washington, Secretary Burgum has been a vocal supporter of stockpiling America’s critical minerals. He defends the MP deal, even if it strays from the principles of market capitalism. Jon Wertheim: You’re talking about equity positions in private companies and price floors, and in this case a demand that production increases 10X, tenfold. Wait a second. That has the whiff of socialism. Secretary Doug Burgum: I wouldn’t call it socialism. I’d call it, I’d certainly call it pragmatism, because free markets work, but they don’t work if you have an adversary that controls a monopoly that control the prices– Jon Wertheim: You’re talkin’ China. Secretary Doug Burgum: I’m talkin’ about China. There’s no market setting the price. It’s China setting the price. To get this industry started again, we have to do some things to kick start the private capital. Jon Wertheim: This kind of industrial policy you’re talking about, does this happen but for China’s retaliation to last April? Secretary Doug Burgum: I think it was, it was a catalyst. James Litinsky: Frankly, we probably needed a crisis to wake up. And so I think if there’s a silver lining, in the sense what happened last year was a big-time crisis that we needed. Jon Wertheim: I’m struck by how quickly the economics bleed into geopolitics. If China says, “Listen, we’re gonna go invade Taiwan, and if you stand in our way, we’re shutting off our rare earth magnets.” James Litinsky: Well, that’s the risk as it stands today we need permission from the Chinese government to make things. We need permission from the Chinese government to make military things. And the practical reality is, that is not an acceptable condition. And so we have to change this dynamic. The current U. S.-China trade truce is set to expire in eight months. Absent a new deal, our rare earth supply short-term anyway remains vulnerable. Produced by Graham Messick. Associate producer, Alex Ortiz. Broadcast associate, Mimi Lamarre. Edited by Peter M. Berman.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-dominates-rare-earths-american-company-hopes-to-challenge-60-minutes-transcript/

Airport security lines are long. Here’s what to know if you’re flying

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**Spring Break Travel Chaos: Long Airport Lines Amid DHS Shutdown**

As spring break kicks off across the U.S., travelers are facing unusually long lines at airports nationwide. The ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown has led to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners working without pay, causing significant staffing shortages and delays.

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### Why Are Wait Times So Long?

Major airports such as Houston and Atlanta have reported security wait times reaching up to two hours, while New Orleans’s Louis Armstrong International Airport is advising passengers to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departures. In Philadelphia, officials had to close three security checkpoints entirely this week due to understaffing.

TSA employees, deemed essential workers, have been working without pay since the shutdown began on February 14. Many missed their first full paycheck last week. Since the shutdown started, more than 300 TSA officers have quit, and absenteeism rates are soaring: over half of TSA staff in Houston called out sick, with nearly a third doing so in Atlanta and New Orleans.

This shortage comes amid heavy travel demand for spring break and disruptions caused by severe weather.

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### Political Standoff and Threats

The shutdown continues as Congressional Democrats have declined to fund DHS, aiming to push for reforms in federal immigration enforcement practices. President Trump responded by threatening to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports if Democrats don’t “immediately” agree to fund DHS.

On Truth Social, Trump stated:
*”I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country.”*
He further added he told ICE to “GET READY” to deploy to airports on Monday.

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### The Impact on Travel

According to the industry group Airlines for America, about 2.8 million people are projected to travel each day on U.S. airlines during March and April, totaling a record 171 million passengers.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the shutdown continues, the situation will worsen. “If a deal isn’t cut, you’re going to see what’s happening today look like child’s play,” Duffy told CNN. He reassured travelers that airports remain safe but noted delays will increase due to fewer working agents. Smaller airports may even face temporary closures if staffing issues persist.

Internationally, the U.K.’s Foreign Office has issued warnings about longer-than-usual queues at U.S. airports and advises travelers to check with airlines and airports for updates.

—

### Offers and Challenges

On Saturday, billionaire Elon Musk offered to personally pay the salaries of TSA personnel during the funding impasse to help ease the situation. However, U.S. law generally prohibits government employees from accepting outside compensation for their work.

Meanwhile, travel demand remains high despite delays and disruptions. The ongoing conflict in Iran is pushing global oil prices higher, prompting airlines like United Airlines to cut some flights over the next six months due to soaring jet fuel costs. This is expected to drive ticket prices even higher.

Travel expert Clint Henderson noted, “The appetite for travel is insatiable. People seem willing to endure a lot of stuff to travel, and I don’t see any signs of that decreasing.”

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### How Can Travelers Prepare?

Experts emphasize not just coping with long wait times but also the unpredictability of the situation. Here are some recommendations for travelers navigating the chaos:

1. **Know Before You Go**
Check airport websites for estimated security wait times, as knowing the situation in advance can save stress. While TSA’s official wait time updates may be irregular due to the shutdown, many airports provide current information. Notably, 20 U.S. airports use private contractors for screening instead of TSA and have not experienced staffing shortages or long queues. This group includes larger hubs such as San Francisco International and Kansas City International airports.

2. **Budget Extra Time**
Arrive at the airport well ahead of your flight’s boarding time. Last-minute arrivals are risky in the current climate, as delays can spike unexpectedly. For example, travelers at New York’s JFK recently faced closures of TSA PreCheck lanes, funneling everyone into longer regular lines.

3. **Consider Expedited Screening Options**
Signing up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, which include biometric screening, can speed up the process—but these require advance enrollment and airline app confirmation. Alternatively, enrolling in the private CLEAR program at the airport allows faster screening but costs $209 annually. Some credit cards offer reimbursements for this fee.

Travelers should be aware, however, that expedited lanes are not always faster—it’s wise to assess all available lanes upon arrival.

4. **Have a Plan B**
Missed connections or cancellations are more likely now. Install your airline’s app, save customer service numbers, and know alternate airlines servicing your route. Though airlines prefer not to rebook on competitors, asking for alternatives may help you reach your destination sooner.

—

### Final Thoughts

With the DHS shutdown ongoing and no immediate resolution in sight, travelers should prepare for longer waits and potential disruptions. Being informed, patient, and proactive will help ease the stress of spring break travel during this challenging period.
https://www.npr.org/2026/03/21/nx-s1-5755796/airport-security-tsa-lines-travel-tips

Fetterman calls Trump’s criticism of mail-in voting “ridiculous”

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Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania on Wednesday dismissed the SAVE America Act, the controversial elections bill being pushed by the Trump administration and some Republican lawmakers. He criticized what he sees as the GOP’s about-face on mail-in voting.

“I don’t support it in its current state,” Fetterman told CBS News chief White House correspondent Major Garrett in an interview Wednesday. The bill would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections and photo ID to cast a ballot. President Trump has also called for Republicans to attach an amendment that would ban mail-in voting.

“The president is constantly critical on mail-in voting, and that’s ridiculous,” Fetterman said. “It’s safe. Some of the best examples in the country are from red states like Ohio and Florida.”

Fetterman recalled Act 77, legislation passed in 2019 by the Pennsylvania legislature with wide bipartisan support that legalized mail-in voting in the state. At the time, Fetterman was serving as Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor, which he said gave him a “unique perspective” on the issue.

“The Republicans in Pennsylvania pushed for mail-in voting,” Fetterman said of Act 77. “They forced us to give up the straight party line.”

However, a group of Republican state lawmakers, many of whom had voted in favor of Act 77, reversed course and filed a lawsuit in 2021 attempting to overturn the law after it was criticized by Mr. Trump. That attempt failed when the law was upheld by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2022.

“And then immediately, the president decided that it’s wrong,” Fetterman said. “And then they had to walk back and explain why, unanimously, every single Republican voted for that in 2019.”

Fetterman said the SAVE America Act will “never pass” because of the filibuster. While Senate legislation only needs 51 votes to pass, under the Senate’s filibuster rule, it takes 60 votes to end debate on a bill and bring it to the floor for such a passage vote, a procedure known as cloture. A filibuster occurs when the Senate does not have the 60 votes needed.

Fetterman said he and fellow Democrats who ran for Congress in 2022 did so in part “to get rid of the filibuster,” but now find themselves depending on it.

“Now, we find ourselves as Democrats, we love the filibuster, we cling to that,” Fetterman said.

On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that the SAVE America Act did not have enough backing in the upper chamber. “There are no easy ways to do this,” Thune said Tuesday. “Believe me, we’ve examined all the options.”

Fetterman, meanwhile, noted that while he doesn’t support the SAVE America Act, he acknowledged that there appears to be wide support for some form of voter ID, citing a Pew Research Center survey released in August 2025 that showed 83% of Americans are in favor of all voters showing government-issued photo identification to cast a ballot.

Said Fetterman: “So if the Republicans would ever just make it showing basic state ID to vote, hey, I’m not going to tell 83% of Americans that they’re wrong, or that they are Jim Crow.”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-fetterman-calls-trump-criticism-of-mail-in-voting-ridiculous-save-america-act/

SCOTUS blocks Calif. law against schools outing transgender students to their parents

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The Supreme Court cleared the way Monday for California schools to notify parents if their children identify as transgender without obtaining the student’s approval. This decision came after granting an emergency appeal from a conservative legal group.

The court’s order temporarily blocks a state law that prohibits automatic parental notification when students change their pronouns or gender expression at school. This development follows challenges from religious parents and educators against California school policies designed to prevent schools from outing students to their families.

Two sets of Catholic parents, represented by the Thomas More Society, argue that the policies caused schools to mislead them and secretly facilitate their children’s social transition despite their objections. California, on the other hand, contended that students have the right to privacy concerning their gender expression, especially if they fear rejection from their families. The state maintains that its school policies seek to balance students’ privacy rights with parental rights.

Despite California’s arguments, the Supreme Court sided with the parents. It reinstated a lower-court order blocking the law and school policies while the case proceeds through the courts.

This decision aligns with recent Supreme Court rulings in favor of religious plaintiffs. For instance, the Court allowed parents to withdraw their children from public school lessons if they object to storybooks featuring LGBTQ+ characters. The California order also comes months after the Court upheld state bans on gender identity-related healthcare for minors.

Additionally, the justices appear inclined to permit states to ban transgender athletes from competing on girls’ sports teams. School policies regarding transgender students have been a recurring topic before the Court. In December, the Court declined to hear a similar case from Wisconsin, although three conservative justices expressed a willingness to do so. Justice Samuel Alito described these school policies as “an issue of great and growing national importance.”

Separately, the Trump administration determined in January that California’s policies violated parents’ rights to access their children’s education records. The Department of Justice also filed suit after concluding that state policies on transgender athletes infringe on federal civil rights laws.

As the legal battle continues, the Supreme Court’s recent actions signal a heightened scrutiny of transgender-related policies in schools and a potential shift toward increased parental rights in this sensitive area.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-blocks-california-law-barred-schools-notifying-parents-transgender-children/

Trump officials say Iran likely intended to use missiles against U.S., allies before strikes

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Senior Trump administration officials said Saturday that there were indicators Iran intended to use conventional missiles against the U.S. and its allies in the region.

These assessments came as President Trump weighed the possibility of a strike.

Weijia Jiang reports.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/trump-officials-say-iran-likely-intended-use-missiles-against-us-allies-before-strikes/

Nvidia Expands India Partnerships Amid $1 Billion National AI Initiative Focused On Sovereign Models, Startup Funding And Research

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Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) is expanding its footprint in India through government, academic and venture capital partnerships aligned with the country’s $1 billion AI push. IndiaAI Mission Targets Sovereign AI And Compute Expansion On Tuesday, Nvidia detailed collaborations supporting the IndiaAI Mission, a national program investing more than $1 billion to boost computing capacity, develop sovereign datasets and build frontier AI models and applications. Nvidia is working with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, a statutory body that fosters research and development, to accelerate AI research in science and engineering. Under the partnership, select institutions will receive complimentary access to Nvidia AI Enterprise software and technical mentorship through Nvidia’s AI Technology Center, along with bootcamps and hackathons aimed at expanding research capabilities. Venture Capital Alliances To Back Indian AI Startups The Jensen Huang-led company is also collaborating with leading venture firms, including Peak XV Partners and Accel India, to identify and support high-potential AI startups. More than 4, 000 Indian startups are already part of Nvidia’s Inception program. Nvidia Expands Global Footprint While Doubling Down On US The move follows reports last month that Taiwan’s government approved Nvidia’s plan to invest NT$3. 3 billion ($105 million) in a new headquarters on the island. At the same time, the Donald Trump administration is urging Nvidia to focus on U. S.-based manufacturing and domestic priorities. President Trump has repeatedly stressed the importance of bringing chip production back to the U. S. for both national security and job growth. Jensen Huang Cancelled Last Minute Huang canceled his planned appearance at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit at the last minute. On Tuesday, during a press briefing, when asked why Huang canceled his trip, Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director for South Asia at Nvidia, explained that the CEO had been traveling for three consecutive weeks and had fallen ill. “He’s under the weather,” Dhupar said, adding that they are thrilled to have Jay Puri, executive vice president of Worldwide Field Operations, to lead the delegation in India. Price Action: Nvidia shares were up 1. 201% during Tuesday’s regular session. It gained another 0. 52% in after hours trading, according to Benzinga Pro. Nvidia shows a strong long-term price trend but is trending downward in the short and medium term, coupled with a low value ranking, according to Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo by Robert Way via Shutterstock.
https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/26/02/50676471/nvidia-expands-india-partnerships-amid-1-billion-national-ai-initiative-focused-on-sovereign-models-?utm_content=taxonomy_rss

Trump administration reaches a trade deal to lower Taiwan’s tariff barriers

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WASHINGTON — The Trump administration reached a significant trade deal with Taiwan on Thursday, with Taiwan agreeing to remove or reduce 99% of its tariff barriers, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced.

The agreement comes as the U.S. remains heavily reliant on Taiwan for its production of computer chips. Chip exports contributed to a trade imbalance of nearly $127 billion during the first 11 months of 2025, according to the Census Bureau. Under the new deal, most of Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. will be taxed at a 15% rate, which aligns with tariffs levied on other U.S. trading partners in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Japan and South Korea.

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick attended the signing of the reciprocal agreement. The ceremony took place under the auspices of the American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States. Taiwan’s Vice Premier Li-chiun Cheng and government minister Jen-ni Yang were also present.

“President Trump’s leadership in the Asia-Pacific region continues to generate prosperous trade ties for the United States with important partners across Asia, while further advancing the economic and national security interests of the American people,” Greer said in a statement.

The Taiwanese government emphasized that the tariff rate set in the agreement allows its companies to compete on a level playing field with counterparts in Japan, South Korea, and the European Union. Taiwan also stated that the agreement “eliminated” the disadvantage caused by the absence of a formal free trade agreement between Taiwan and the U.S.

This deal comes ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned visit to China in April, signaling a deepening economic relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan. It’s important to note that Taiwan is a self-ruled democracy claimed by China as its own territory — which Beijing has vowed to annex by force if necessary. China also prohibits countries with which it has diplomatic relations, including the U.S., from maintaining formal ties with Taipei.

Under the terms of the deal, Taiwan will invest $250 billion in U.S. industries such as computer chips, artificial intelligence applications, and energy. Additionally, the Taiwanese government plans to provide up to $250 billion in credit guarantees to assist smaller businesses in making investments in the U.S.

The agreement also aims to make it easier for the U.S. to sell autos, pharmaceutical drugs, and food products in Taiwan. However, the most critical component may be Taiwanese investment in domestic U.S. computer chip production, which could help reduce the trade imbalance.

These substantial investments helped the U.S. reduce its initially planned tariffs from as high as 32% to 15%. Taiwan’s government will submit the deal and investment plans to its legislature for approval.

From the U.S. perspective, the agreement is expected to facilitate the creation of several “world-class” industrial parks designed to bolster domestic manufacturing of advanced technologies, including semiconductors. In January, the Commerce Department described the deal as “a historic trade agreement that will drive a massive reshoring of America’s semiconductor sector.”

In return, the U.S. will give preferential treatment to Taiwan regarding potential tariffs stemming from a Section 232 investigation into the importation of computer chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

TSMC, the Taiwanese chip-making giant, is expected to be the key investor in this initiative. The company has committed $165 billion towards investments in the U.S., which include fabrication plants and a major research and development center. This R&D center will help build a supply chain to support U.S. ambitions in artificial intelligence.

Major U.S. tech companies such as Nvidia and AMD rely on TSMC for manufacturing highly advanced chips. The investment agreement also envisions two-way investments, with U.S. companies investing in key Taiwanese industries.

For example, Nvidia recently signed a land deal in Taipei to build its new headquarters office there, highlighting the growing economic ties between the two partners.
https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/trump-administration-reaches-trade-deal-lower-taiwans-tariff-130120134

Federal judge blocks California law banning law enforcement agents from wearing masks

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A federal judge on Monday blocked a California law from going into effect that would ban federal immigration agents from covering their faces. However, the agents will still be required to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number.

California became the first state to ban most law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings under a bill signed in September. The legislation followed a summer marked by high-profile raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Los Angeles.

The Trump administration filed a lawsuit in November challenging the laws, arguing they threatened the safety of officers who faced harassment, doxing, and violence. The administration also claimed the laws violated the Constitution because the state was directly regulating the federal government.

Judge Christina Snyder issued the initial ruling because the mask ban, as enacted, did not apply to state law enforcement authorities, thereby discriminating against the federal government. This ruling could have national implications as states grapple with how to handle federal agents enforcing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

Despite blocking the law for federal agents, Judge Snyder left open the possibility of future legislation banning federal agents from wearing masks if applied universally to all law enforcement agencies. She wrote, “the Court finds that federal officers can perform their federal functions without wearing masks.”

The ruling is set to take effect on February 19.

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### Background on the California Law

Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill in September, banning some law enforcement officers from wearing masks, neck gaiters, and other facial coverings. Originally slated to go into effect on January 1, the law was put on hold due to the lawsuit.

In addition to exempting state law enforcement officers, the bill included exceptions for undercover agents, protective equipment like N95 respirators or tactical gear, and other situations where not wearing a mask would jeopardize an operation. Judge Snyder sided with the federal government, which argued that these exemptions were discriminatory against federal agents.

Governor Newsom also signed into law a separate measure requiring law enforcement to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number while on duty. This measure was also challenged by the federal government but was upheld by the judge.

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### Reactions and Next Steps

California State Senator Scott Wiener, who proposed the original bill to ban facial coverings, announced on Monday that he would immediately introduce new legislation to include state police in the law.

“ICE and Border Patrol are covering their faces to maximize their terror campaign and to insulate themselves from accountability,” Wiener said in a news release. “We will ensure our mask ban can be enforced.”

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### Court Hearing Details

At a January 14 hearing, Judge Snyder repeatedly asked the government’s lawyer, Tiberius Davis, to explain why banning masks would impede federal law enforcement if officers rarely wore masks before 2025.

Davis cited claims from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security indicating a multifold increase in assaults and threats against federal officers. He also referred to an incident in Los Angeles where three women allegedly livestreamed while following an ICE agent home and posted the address on Instagram.

“There is real deterrence on the officer’s safety and ability to perform their duties,” Davis said.

In response, Cameron Bell, an attorney with the California Department of Justice, challenged these claims, stating there was no concrete evidence that federal agents could not perform their duties without facial coverings. Bell referenced accounts from U.S. citizens who, upon detention by federal agents, believed they were being kidnapped.

“It’s obvious why these laws are in the public interest,” Bell said.

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### Broader Legal Implications

The federal government also argued in legal briefs that allowing California’s legislation could embolden other states to impose similar unconstitutional restraints.

Davis cited a July 2025 statement from Governor Newsom during an online interview discussing the mask ban bill: “It appears that we don’t have the legal authority for federal agents but we do for other law enforcement authorities.”

In December, Los Angeles County supervisors voted to enact a local ordinance banning law enforcement from wearing masks, which went into effect January 8. However, the sheriff’s department stated it would not enforce the ordinance until after the court ruled on the statewide mask ban. The Los Angeles Police Department also announced it would not enforce the mask ban.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/judge-blocks-californias-ban-on-federal-agents-wearing-masks-but-requires-badges-be-clearly-seen/

Anti-ICE protesters assemble across Triangle, US after shootings in Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Thousands of people marched in Minneapolis on Saturday to protest the fatal shooting of a woman by a federal immigration officer and the shooting of two people in Portland, Oregon. Minnesota leaders urged demonstrators to remain peaceful as protests took place in dozens of towns and cities across the country over the weekend.

The protest in Minneapolis occurred in a city on edge following the killing of Renee Good on Wednesday by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer.

“We’re all living in fear right now,” said Meghan Moore, a mother of two from Minneapolis who joined the protest. “ICE is creating an environment where nobody feels safe and that’s unacceptable.”

On Friday night, a protest outside a Minneapolis hotel that attracted about 1,000 people turned violent as demonstrators threw ice, snow, and rocks at officers, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said. One officer suffered minor injuries after being struck with a piece of ice. Twenty-nine people were cited and released following the incident.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey emphasized that while most protests remain peaceful, those who cause damage to property or threaten others will face arrest. He criticized “agitators that are trying to rile up large crowds.”

“This is what Donald Trump wants,” Frey said, referring to the president who has demanded massive immigration enforcement efforts in several U.S. cities. “He wants us to take the bait.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also called for calm, stating, “Trump sent thousands of armed federal officers into our state, and it took just one day for them to kill someone. Now he wants nothing more than to see chaos distract from that horrific action. Don’t give him what he wants.”

Walz added in a later post, “We will fight with peaceful expression, in court, through public debate, and at the ballot box. Keep the peace. And keep the faith.”

### Communities Unite in Frustration

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that its deployment of immigration officers in the Twin Cities is its largest-ever immigration enforcement operation. The Trump administration has said both shootings were acts of self-defense against drivers who “weaponized” their vehicles to attack officers.

Connor Maloney attended the Minneapolis protest to support his community and express frustration with the immigration crackdown.

“Almost daily I see them harassing people,” he said. “It’s just sickening that it’s happening in our community around us.”

Despite subfreezing temperatures and a light dusting of snow, protesters including children carried handmade signs declaring “De-ICE Minnesota!” and “ICE melts in Minnesota.” They marched down a street lined with restaurants and stores that celebrate various nationalities and cultures through colorful murals.

Indivisible, a social movement organization formed to resist the Trump administration, reported that hundreds of protests were scheduled across Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Florida, and other states.

### Nationwide Protests Against ICE

In Durham, North Carolina, Steven Eubanks, 51, felt compelled to attend a protest because of the “horrifying” killing in Minneapolis.

“We can’t allow it,” Eubanks said. “We have to stand up.”

Several North Carolina residents protested after seeing videos from bystanders and from Jonathon Ross, the ICE agent who shot Renee Good.

“When I saw that, it was totally unjustified,” said Matt Smith, a Durham protester. “I just cannot believe that we’re doing this, and every day it is something else.”

In Cary, North Carolina, more than 200 protesters marched through town against ICE. Mary Ellen Rickards told WRAL News in Raleigh that she felt compelled to protest after seeing video of Good’s death.

“I was angry, I was upset, [and] I was sad,” Rickards said.

Durham experienced ICE crackdowns in November, leading to student walkouts and multiple protests. In response to Good’s death, residents marched through downtown Durham for three consecutive days. While no arrests were made during the last two protests and on Saturday, some protesters on Friday spray-painted buildings and set off fireworks in the street.

Officials within the Trump administration, including President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, defended the officer’s actions, stating that Good tried to ram the agent before the shooting.

Matt Mercer, communications director for the North Carolina Republican Party, said the videos “speak for themselves.”

“It’s depressing to think that this person committed this in cold blood, then fled the scene, and immediately the White House and its supporters began blaming her for her own death,” Rickards said.

In response to the protests, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated:

“The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly, not rioting. DHS is taking reasonable and constitutional measures to uphold the rule of law and protect our officers. ICE officers are facing a nearly 1300% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, and gang members. Secretary Noem has been clear: if you obstruct or lay a hand on law enforcement, you will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Law and order will prevail.”

### ICE Activity Across Minneapolis

In Minneapolis, a coalition of migrant rights groups organized the demonstration that began in a park about half a mile from the residential neighborhood where 37-year-old Renee Good was shot on Wednesday.

Despite the large protest, federal officers continued operating in the city. An Associated Press photographer witnessed heavily armed officers, at least one in Border Patrol uniform, approach a person following them. The agents, with long guns drawn, ordered the person to stop following them, issuing a “first and final warning” before driving away without detaining the individual.

In Richfield, a Minneapolis suburb, federal agents with covered faces warned journalists to stay back as they detained a man outside a home improvement store.

Protests in the neighborhood have been largely peaceful, with minimal law enforcement presence, contrasting with the violence Minneapolis experienced following the killing of George Floyd in 2020.

Near the airport, smaller groups of protesters clashed with officers guarding the federal building used as a base for the Twin Cities crackdown on Thursday and Friday.

O’Hara said city police have responded to reports of abandoned cars after drivers were apprehended by immigration enforcement. In one case, a dog was left inside a car left in park. He confirmed that immigration enforcement activities are happening “all over the city” and that 911 callers have reported ICE activity, arrests, and abandoned vehicles.

The Trump administration deployed more than 2,000 federal officers to Minnesota under a sweeping new crackdown tied in part to fraud allegations involving Somali residents.

### Lawmakers Snubbed at ICE Facility

Three congresswomen from Minnesota — U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison, and Angie Craig — attempted to tour the ICE facility inside the Minneapolis federal building on Saturday morning. They were initially allowed entry but were told to leave about ten minutes later.

The lawmakers accused ICE agents of obstructing their duty to oversee operations. A federal judge last month temporarily blocked the Trump administration from enforcing policies limiting congressional visits to immigration facilities. This ruling followed a lawsuit filed by 12 members of Congress challenging ICE’s amended visitor policies after being denied entry to detention centers.

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This story has been updated to correct that the people shot in Portland were not protesters.

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Associated Press writers Allen Breed in Durham, North Carolina, and Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, contributed. WRAL reporters Flynn Snyder and Kirstyn Clark contributed from Raleigh.
https://www.wral.com/news/state/a5922-anti-ice-protesters-assemble-across-the-us-after-shootings-in-minneapolis-and-portland-oregon/