US Senate Republicans advance Trump bill toward passage
The Republican-controlled US Senate advanced President Donald Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill in a key procedural vote.
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Indian Express
23 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Trump calls for deal on war in Gaza as signs of progress emerge
US President Donald Trump on Sunday pleaded for progress in ceasefire talks in the war in Gaza, calling for a deal that would halt the fighting in the 20-month-long conflict as Israel and Hamas appeared to be inching closer to an agreement. An Israeli official said plans were being made for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to travel to Washington in the coming weeks, a sign there may be movement on a new deal. The official declined to discuss the focus of the visit and spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss plans that had not yet been finalized. 'MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!' Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social early Sunday between posts about a Senate vote on his tax and spending cuts bill. Trump raised expectations Friday for a deal, saying there could be a ceasefire agreement within the next week. Taking questions from reporters, he said, 'We're working on Gaza and trying to get it taken care of.' Trump has repeatedly called for Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza. Despite an eight-week ceasefire reached just as Trump was taking office earlier this year, attempts since then to bring the sides toward a new agreement have failed. A top adviser to Netanyahu, Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, was set to travel to Washington this week for talks on a ceasefire. The Gaza message wasn't the only Middle East-related post by Trump. On Saturday evening, he doubled down on his criticism of the legal proceedings against Netanyahu, who is on trial for alleged corruption, calling it 'a POLITICAL WITCH HUNT, very similar to the Witch Hunt that I was forced to endure.' In the post on Truth Social, he said the trial interfered with talks on a Gaza ceasefire. '(Netanyahu) is right now in the process of negotiating a Deal with Hamas, which will include getting the Hostages back. How is it possible that the Prime Minister of Israel can be forced to sit in a Courtroom all day long, over NOTHING,' Trump wrote. The post echoed similar remarks Trump made last week when he called for the trial to be cancelled. It was a dramatic interference by an international ally in the domestic affairs of a sovereign state. And it unnerved many in Israel, despite Trump's popularity in the country. Talks between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly faltered over one major sticking point, whether the war should end as part of any ceasefire agreement. Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi accused Netanyahu of stalling progress on a deal, saying in remarks on the Telegram messaging app that the Israeli leader insists on a temporary agreement that would free just 10 of the hostages. Netanyahu spokesperson Omer Dostri said 'Hamas was the only obstacle to ending the war,' without addressing Merdawi's claim. Hamas says it is willing to free all the hostages in exchange for a full withdrawal of Israeli troops and an end to the war. Israel rejects that offer, saying it will agree to end the war if Hamas surrenders, disarms and goes into exile, something the group refuses. The war in Gaza began with Oct 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas in which militants killed 1,200 people and took roughly 250 hostage, about 50 of whom remain captive with less than half believed to be alive. Israel's retaliatory response has killed more than 56,000 people, according to local health authorities, who do not distinguish between militants and civilians in their count but say more than half of the dead are women and children. The war has set off a humanitarian catastrophe, displaced most of Gaza's population, often multiple times, and obliterated much of the territory's urban landscape. The Israeli military on Sunday ordered a mass evacuation of Palestinians in large swaths of northern Gaza, an early target of the war that has been severely damaged by multiple rounds of fighting. Col Avichay Adraee, a military spokesperson, posted the order on social media. It includes multiple neighborhoods in eastern and northern Gaza City, as well as the Jabaliya refugee camp. The military will expand its escalating attacks to the city's northern section, calling for people to move southward to the Muwasi area in southern Gaza, Adraee said. After being all but emptied earlier in the war, hundreds of thousands of people are in northern Gaza following their return during a ceasefire earlier this year. An Israeli military offensive currently underway aims to move Palestinians to southern Gaza so forces can more freely operate to combat militants. Rights groups say their movement would amount to forcible displacement.
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
While Trump and Musk feud, student aid burns: Pell Grant, loan subsidies to face brutal cuts in ‘Big Beautiful Bill'
While Trump and Musk feud, student aid burns. As Donald Trump and Elon Musk trade public swipes once again, something far more consequential is smoldering in the background: the future of federal student aid. At the heart of the political wildfire is Trump's so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill' — a sweeping legislative package designed to slash social safety nets under the banner of 'fiscal responsibility.' The House passed its version last month, but the Senate's freshly unveiled draft is fanning the flames even further — and for millions of college students, especially those from low-income families, the heat is rising fast. The bill proposes major changes to Pell Grant eligibility and student loan access, threatening to lock thousands out of higher education entirely. Elon Musk has once again slammed the bill, this time calling it 'utterly insane.' But while Musk argues it doesn't cut enough, Trump wants it signed and sealed — leaving students, families, and educators caught in the middle of a billionaire showdown. The bill isn't law yet. But if it passes, the consequences will be real, swift, and painful. Here's what's at stake — while the billionaires argue. Pell Grants: Fewer students, stricter rules, less aid If you're relying on a Pell Grant to pay for college, this bill could change everything. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, over half of current Pell Grant recipients would see a reduction in aid — and at least 10% could lose their grants altogether. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Reporter Wear Bad Fitting Dress In Public? Look At Photos. Vetob Read Now Undo Why? Because the bill raises the bar. To get the maximum $7,395 Pell Grant, students would now have to complete 30 credit hours per year instead of 24. Part-time students? You'll need 15 credits instead of 12. And if you're enrolled less than half-time — forget it. You're out. The idea, on paper, is to push students to progress faster. But real life isn't paper. Many Pell Grant recipients are juggling jobs, caregiving, or both. Adding more coursework isn't a productivity hack — it's a barrier. The ones most affected are those who can't afford to go full time, and that includes a significant number of community college students. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, about 400,000 Pell recipients could see their aid disappear. The era of high-interest degrees Pell Grants aren't the only target. The Big Beautiful Bill would also eliminate subsidized federal loans — the kind that don't accrue interest while students are in school. That means borrowing gets more expensive before you even graduate. But there's more: the bill adds a lifetime cap on how much students can borrow, pegged to the median cost of their program. Sounds neat in theory — until you realize it doesn't adjust for where you live or what you're studying. Planning to become a doctor or lawyer? Good luck. Professional programs are pricey, and these new limits could make them unreachable for all but the wealthy. And when federal support dries up, private lenders step in — often with higher interest rates and fewer protections. In short, students will be forced to pay more to learn less, and many might opt out of college entirely. Low-income families risk losing their only path to college Pell Grants have long been a lifeline for low-income families. They're not loans, they don't accrue interest, and they don't have to be paid back. For families making under $30,000 a year — which accounts for two-thirds of Pell recipients — these grants are often the difference between attending college and not. This bill threatens to cut off that path. Critics argue that it would widen the education gap, especially for Black, Latino, and first-generation college students who are statistically more likely to rely on need-based aid. And while the bill's supporters frame it as a push for 'accountability,' what it really does is shift the burden of higher education back onto those who can least afford it. So, what now? The Senate hasn't passed the bill yet, and with reconciliation rules in play and public drama between Trump and Musk still unfolding, nothing is final. But the stakes are painfully clear. If the bill becomes law, it won't just be another win or loss in the Trump–Musk power struggle. It'll reshape the financial future of millions of American students — and not in a good way. So while the billionaires feud on social media, students, parents, and educators are left watching the fallout. Because if this bill passes, 'beautiful' won't be the word anyone uses to describe what happens next. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
United News of India
41 minutes ago
- United News of India
US Senate narrowly advances Trumps' controversial One Big Beautiful Bill Act in a 51-49 turnout
Washington, June 29 (UNI) In a nail-biting vote, the Republican-led U.S. Senate has pushed forward President Donald Trump's huge 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' - a key move towards getting it passed before the upcoming July 4 break. The mammoth 940-page bill scraped through a procedural vote late on Saturday night, 51-49. Two Republicans surprisingly sided with Democrats in opposing the measure, highlighting its divisive nature, reports New York Post. The vote now allows formal debate to kick off on the legislation. The bill aims to make Trump's 2017 tax cuts permanent, boost spending on defence and border security, and cut money for certain welfare programmes. President Trump hailed the outcome on Truth Social, calling it a "GREAT VICTORY." Trump has lobbied for House and Senate Republicans to fast-track the legislation so it lands on his desk by his self-imposed July 4 deadline. The measure would make Trump's 2017 tax cuts permanent, end taxation on tips and overtime, boost border security funding and scrap green-energy tax credits passed during the Biden administration. However, Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer criticised Republicans for rushing the process, demanding the entire bill be read aloud on the Senate floor to ensure proper scrutiny. After the bill is read, lawmakers will have up to 20 hours to debate its contents before a final vote. The House of Representatives already narrowly approved a version of this bill in May. If the Senate passes it, the bill will return to the House for final approval before landing on the President's desk for signing into law. This bill is a cornerstone of Trump's economic agenda, aiming to cement his tax cuts while boosting defence and border spending, often at the expense of social programmes. Its passage would significantly reshape US fiscal policy. UNI ANV SSP
