US Recalls Top Colombia Diplomat as Once-Warm Relations Sour
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Chargé d'Affaires John McNamara back to Washington for urgent consultations, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Thursday. She cited 'baseless and reprehensible statements' from the highest levels of the Colombian government, without elaborating on what these were.
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Tesla hit with surprising sales update in key US market — here's what's happening
Tesla's market share in Oregon has plummeted from nearly half of all electric vehicles in the state in 2023 to just one in six this year, according to The Oregonian. New Tesla registrations fell 17% through the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, per data from the Oregon Department of Transportation. Tesla's overall market share has dropped significantly in Oregon over the past two years, mirroring broader patterns around the country — the EV maker's revenue from vehicle sales fell 21% in the first three months of the year. These sales patterns are also playing out in other states along the West Coast, with The Oregonian reporting that Tesla sales fell 21% in California and 18% in Washington. Several factors contributed to the decline. Tesla CEO Elon Musk sparked controversy with political activity that included working to slash federal jobs and spending under the Trump administration. These actions likely led to consumers associating the Tesla brand with the Trump brand, which could cut into sales by making a Tesla purchase feel like a political statement — something that could deter what was an important segment of Tesla's customer base. Competition in the EV marketplace has also grown more fierce: Many top U.S. and foreign automakers are now offering a variety of electric and hybrid cars, whereas Tesla hasn't upgraded its core models in years. Sales of its new Cybertruck have so far been underwhelming. Tesla's sales struggles could reduce consumers' electric vehicle options in the long run if they led to Tesla producing fewer cars or models. More notably, especially in the short term, Tesla's declining market share could ultimately slow the adoption of more environmentally friendly vehicles, undermining efforts to reduce our transportation pollution in the air and through gasoline and oil leaks that get into waterways. The electric vehicle market continues to expand despite Tesla's challenges. Government incentives remain available to help offset purchase costs, while many states maintain their own rebate programs. Tesla, meanwhile, recently refreshed its Model Y, though results have been mixed regarding efforts to diversify its EV lineup. Consumers looking to purchase an EV may be able to benefit from the increased competition, with better pricing and more vehicle options that support the transition away from gas-powered transportation. If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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Trump shows his dominance over Congress in passing the 'big, beautiful bill'
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump wanted his domestic priorities bundled into 'one big, beautiful bill.' Republican lawmakers were skeptical about that approach, but complied. He insisted they pass it by the fourth of July. Republicans doubted they could meet the deadline, but they did. And so late Friday afternoon, a triumphant president will sign the mega-bill he muscled through a divided Congress, displaying a mastery over his party that many of his predecessors would have envied. Trump told reporters after the House narrowly passed the bill Thursday that he believes he has 'more power' now than in his first term. That was evident all week as the bill ping-ponged between the House and Senate. One by one, the holdouts in the GOP caucus swallowed their misgivings to give Trump a victory he is now savoring in his own fashion. 'There could be no better birthday present for America than the phenomenal victory we achieved just hours ago when Congress passed the 'one big, beautiful bill' to make America great again,' Trump said at a 'Salute to America' event Thursday night in Iowa. The nearly-900 page bill includes a tax-cut and spending package that is projected to increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion over a decade. Not so long ago, fiscal conservatism was a core Republican tenet. Since Trump's takeover of the party, that bit of GOP orthodoxy has been set aside. Speaking of conservative lawmakers who changed their minds and voted for the bill, Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., said simply: 'They heard from President Trump over and over again how much good was in this bill.' One member of Congress said he asked a White House official what the holdouts got in return for supporting the bill, and said the response was, 'f---ing nothing.' Another obstacle to passage was the world's richest man: Elon Musk. 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Bush won reelection in 2004 and, armed with what he called newfound 'political capital,' tried mightily to get Congress to overhaul the Social Security system. The effort collapsed. Trump will have at least a brief period to relish the achievement before the bill takes effect and voters see for themselves if there's a gap between what he promised and what he delivers. He'll do it in style from the White House, watching a fireworks display in the evening and a flyover of the military's most sophisticated aircraft. 'The golden age is here!!!' senior White House adviser Stephen Miller posted on X, referring back to Trump's inaugural speech. This article was originally published on
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Trump Doubles Down on Erroneous Claim About ‘Big Beautiful Bill'
President Donald Trump, in a speech given on the White House South Lawn before signing his 'One Big Beautiful Bill' act into law, rolled out a confusing, and frequently criticized, claim about the monster legislation. 'We have delivered… no tax on Social Security for our great seniors,' said Trump, talking about the contents of the bill. The claim that the OBBB will remove tax on Social Security for seniors is one that has been routinely touted by both Trump and the White House. The problem is that it's not technically true. Tax provisions for those aged 65 and over within the bill, which will reduce the tax burden for some individuals, are temporary. A $6,000 reduction is on offer for senior individuals, and $12,000 for couples, on all income—not just social Security payments. However, that tax break begins to be phased out for those on incomes over $75,000 (and $150,000 for couples) per year, and is removed entirely for those on $175,000 ($250,000). Seniors on very low incomes, who already pay no federal tax on Social Security payments, are unlikely to see a direct benefit from the deduction while those on higher incomes will still pay taxes on a portion of their benefits. For an eligible senior earning $75,000 per year, the full $6,000 tax deduction will work out to around $60 extra per month in their payments. In addition, the tax breaks are only set to last until the end of Trump's term in 2028. Therefore, it is misleading to say that the OBBB will deliver 'no tax on Social Security.' 'While the deduction does provide some relief for seniors, it's far from completely repealing the tax on their benefits,' Garrett Watson, director of policy analysis at the Tax Foundation, told the Associated Press. It's the biggest bill of its kind ever done, by far," Trump said in his speech, referring to the 'no tax' claim. However, seniors who are expecting to see no tax deductions on their next Social Security check may not be thrilled when they open it.
