logo
Trump, Xi Agree to More Trade Talks as Rare Earths Dispute Cools

Trump, Xi Agree to More Trade Talks as Rare Earths Dispute Cools

Bloomberga day ago

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday agreed to further trade talks aimed at resolving disputes over tariffs and supplies of rare earth minerals at the heart of tensions between the world's two largest economies. Bloomberg TV's Stephen Engle speaks on The Asia Trade about what we know so far. (Source: Bloomberg)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Police cast wide net in probe of defunct North Texas car dealership's business practices
Police cast wide net in probe of defunct North Texas car dealership's business practices

CBS News

time18 minutes ago

  • CBS News

Police cast wide net in probe of defunct North Texas car dealership's business practices

Desire Godfrey said it was time for a vehicle upgrade. The Lancaster mother had her eye on a Lexus. "I had a baby, so I'm looking for something reliable for me and a baby," Godfrey said. She searched online and found what she thought was the right vehicle at The Reserve Auto Group in The Colony. She described the sales process in May 2024 as a positive experience. Warranty and GAP insurance issues But an unexpected oil change six months later changed everything. Godfrey, 33, said a Lexus dealership informed her the vehicle was not under warranty. She also discovered her GAP insurance policy didn't exist. "They (Reserve Auto Group) never paid the warranty company the money they were supposed to pay to activate this warranty and this GAP insurance," she said. Car loan charges continue Godfrey said the costs were included in her car note. She filed a report with The Colony Police Department — and she's not alone. Police said they received their first complaint on Jan. 31. According to a news release, police have been investigating multiple fraud claims connected to the dealership since 2023. The business shut down in December 2024, but complaints continue to come in. Alleged auto fraud pattern Investigators said customers were allegedly instructed to write separate checks for aftermarket warranties or GAP insurance policies. Those payments were supposed to go to third-party providers, but police said the dealership allegedly cashed the checks and never forwarded the money — leaving customers without coverage. Another victim comes forward A second alleged victim, who spoke to CBS News Texas anonymously, said she and her husband also bought a Lexus from the dealership. She provided a non-activation letter from DOWC Administrative Services LLC, a company that offers GAP insurance and warranties. The letter stated: "Please be advised that Reserve Auto has failed to remit payment to Us as the Administrator and Provider for your Contract. Consequently, the Contract was not activated in our system." Investigation still ongoing Police have not made any arrests or publicly identified anyone associated with the allegations. Officers said they are continuing to vet additional alleged victims. CBS News Texas is not naming the person listed as the dealership's owner, as police have indicated he did nothing wrong. He spoke briefly by phone, saying he wanted to schedule an appointment to discuss the claims further because he believed "we did not have all the facts." When asked for clarification, he said he didn't have time to explain. Legal team responds Two emails followed the call, and attorneys from Herrin Law introduced themselves. "We have no comment at this time. Thank you for your interest in our client's side of the story," attorney Benjamin Palatiere said. He requested that all future inquiries be directed to him. Buyer left without coverage Meanwhile, Godfrey said the vehicle itself has not had any issues. But she continues to pay for a warranty and insurance that don't exist. "So nobody wants to refinance the loan. Nobody wants to give me GAP insurance," she said. "It's just more so like I'm going to take it or leave it. If I wreck the car, then I would have to figure out a way to pay that car off." Godfrey said she hopes to recover the money one day.

Four of Trump's Cabinet secretaries coming to Santa Fe for Western governors meeting
Four of Trump's Cabinet secretaries coming to Santa Fe for Western governors meeting

Yahoo

time23 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Four of Trump's Cabinet secretaries coming to Santa Fe for Western governors meeting

Santa Fe may be one of the most liberal cities in New Mexico, if not the nation. But later this month, the City Different will host some of the most high-profile figures of the MAGA movement. Four U.S. Cabinet secretaries under the administration of Republican President Donald Trump will headline the 2025 annual meeting of the Western Governors' Association as keynote speakers June 23-24, the association announced Friday. They include Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. Additional Trump administration officials may be coming to New Mexico, too, but their attendance has not yet been confirmed. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who chairs the association, said the four Cabinet secretaries' attendance represents the largest gathering of presidential administration officials at a Western Governors' Association meeting since the coronavirus pandemic. "I think the point is both Democratic and Republican governors want a chance to talk about their states and what their pressing issues are," Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, said in a telephone interview Friday. "All the governors in the National Governors Association signed a resolution that I helped lead that is against all the cuts that we're seeing in the budget reconciliation bill, so this is a chance to maybe, outside of the larger party platform lobbying, to talk about real issues," she said. The two-day meeting, held at the Eldorado Hotel and Spa, will be a star-studded event, at least in the world of politics. In addition to the four Cabinet secretaries, six Western governors — Mike Dunleavy of Alaska, Jared Polis of Colorado, Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota, Arnold Palacios of the Northern Mariana Islands, Spencer Cox of Utah and Mark Gordon of Wyoming — are also scheduled to attend. "Together, these federal officials and state leaders will explore bipartisan solutions to the West's most pressing challenges," a news release states. The governors will also moderate panel discussions on various issues, including rural health care, outdoor recreation for disabled people, housing and post-wildfire flooding. 'True bipartisan dialogue' Amy Barela, chair of the Republican Party of New Mexico, said the state GOP welcomes the Cabinet secretaries and governors to New Mexico. In a statement, she called the meeting an extraordinary opportunity for New Mexico to be part of meaningful conversations on critical issues impacting the region. "We sincerely hope this event fosters true bipartisan dialogue — especially on matters like rural health care, which must prioritize the needs of New Mexican citizens first; outdoor recreation, which should begin with making our state a safer, more desirable destination; and post-wildfire flooding, where discussions must recognize not only the diverse landscapes but also the stark differences in recovery outcomes," she said. Barela noted New Mexico's wildfire recovery efforts are much further along under Republican-led leadership in Ruidoso and bipartisan leadership in Roswell, "while citizens in San Miguel and Mora counties under Democrat leadership are still suffering and waiting for meaningful recovery." "These contrasts must be acknowledged in any honest discussion about disaster response and preparedness," she said. Lujan Grisham, who announced her initiative would focus on housing when she was elected association chair last year, said she wants to make sure housing is a big topic of discussion during the meeting. "Affordable housing is my signature issue, and I want to make sure that we get a chance to really talk about the federal government's role and the state's regional roles at supporting each other to get more affordable housing in stock," she said. 'We are not shy' Lujan Grisham said Cabinet secretaries typically talk about their priorities and "what we should expect to see in the Trump administration." "They're beginning to hire people back," she said. "They want us to know that that's occurring, that they are wanting to engage with states directly, and this is really what the Western Governors' Association promotes, that irrespective of the federal administration, we want these partners to recognize states' rights and the state's priorities, and as they unfold their own [priorities], do no harm and make sure that you're engaging in the things that matter to us." All the governors will want to talk about regulatory reform and "to lean much heavier on states' rights," Lujan Grisham said. "I've been a proponent of that as well." Asked whether she expected friction, given proposed federal budget cuts, Lujan Grisham said the Western governors are "typically pretty respectful, which is one of the reasons that the [Western Governors' Association meeting] is a popular forum." But, she added, "we are not shy." "I just got back from Alaska," she said. "Gov. Dunleavy and the administration officials who were there will tell you I'm not shy. They know how I feel about the cuts and how I feel about some of the more draconian measures that are being pitched and proposed, and I think that they fully expect for us to be talking about it." The meeting also presents opportunities to discuss collaborations, she said. "There are some issues and proposals that could really help us," she said. "I'd like more help finishing up our transmission lines, so I do think there's an opportunity here, so we really try to make it a dialogue. But none of us are going to shy away from what our concerns are, and they didn't in the Biden administration, either." An economic boon Lujan Grisham called it "kind of fantastic" to have the meeting in a super blue city like Santa Fe. "It is valuable to show that we can stand on our own, that we are not afraid of having active dialogue," she said. "We can be respectful, but we can also make sure that we're heard. "And they should come here," she added. "They expect me to go to D.C. I expect them to come into my fantastic state and to talk about resolutions to the problems that they, A, may create, and B, they have the power to resolve. I like these juxtapositions." The meeting is expected to provide an economic boon for Santa Fe. More than 400 people are registered so far. While the meeting will include various panel discussions and keynote addresses, it won't be all business for the governors and administration officials. The agenda includes a dinner at the Santa Fe Opera, a reception at La Fonda on the Plaza and a working lunch meeting at the governor's residence. "I think the vast majority of governors are bringing their spouses and partners, and I think that speaks volumes about people wanting to be in New Mexico and wanting to be in the City Different, so I'm excited about that," she said. "It's a packed agenda, so we're going to be working overtime, so I'm excited about that, too." Lujan Grisham said her husband, Manny Cordova, may have his hands full, too. "We're trying to get Manny to do a red chile cooking lesson for the spouses," she said. "And maybe one last thing we'll do, we'll remind all the governors that the best green chile in the world is indeed in New Mexico."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store