Latest news with #Constitutional
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Tariff repeal couldn't come at a better time for US businesses
The White House just took its biggest loss this week after a panel of federal judges ruled that President Donald Trump doesn't have the Constitutional authority to impose the sweeping tariffs that he has. On Wednesday, May 28, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled 3-0 that Trump's Liberation Day tariffs were out of bounds under the federal emergency powers he invoked to justify the tariffs. Related: Pfizer, Merck, Johnson & Johnson to lose billions to Trump's latest executive order While the ruling deals a blow to Trump's economic agenda, it doesn't stop him from instituting a more bespoke tariff policy that does comply with the law. The administration filed an appeal within minutes of the ruling, and Stephen Miller, Trump's chief of staff, called it a "judicial coup." The case could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Trump administration still has the power to impose a wide range of tariffs, but for now, most of the tariffs Trump implemented last month have been put on hold. The damage to many businesses has already been done, however. Image source:Before the election, the business community was in the tank for four more years of a Trump presidency. Less than half a year later, some of those business leaders may be experiencing buyer's remorse. U.S. business profits from current production, with inventory valuation and capital consumption adjustments, fell $118.1 billion in the year's first quarter. This decline comes after profits jumped $24.7 billion in the previous quarter. Real gross domestic product decreased at an annual rate of 0.2% in the first quarter, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. This is a steep reversal from the 2.4% GDP growth in the fourth quarter. The decrease in GDP was due to an increase in imports during the quarter, as merchants did all they could to avoid Trump's tariffs before they went into effect, and a deceleration of consumer spending. Despite that deceleration, consumer spending and gross private fixed income rose 2.5% in the quarter, revised down from a 3% estimate. Meanwhile, gross domestic prices increased 3.3% as personal consumption expenditures increased 3.6%. Business leaders have had a mixed reaction to Trump's tariffs. The domestic automotive industry has publicly welcomed the tariffs, calling them good for the domestic workforce and the U.S. auto industry in general. However, Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis all suspended their guidance for the year due to the uncertainty around tariffs. The automotive industry is one of the few whose 25% duties remain unchanged by Wednesday's ruling. Retailers like Walmart and Target, meanwhile, have publicly criticized the tariffs and how they negatively affect their bottom lines. "Given the magnitude of the tariffs, even at the reduced levels announced this week, we aren't able to absorb all the pressure given the reality of narrow retail margins," CEO Doug McMillon said during Walmart's earnings call. The comments immediately received pushback from the president, who told McMillon to quit complaining. While the courts gave businesses a slight reprieve, the trade war is far from over. "Is the tariff drama over, in our view? I would say no. I think this is something that we're going to have to contend with for the next three-plus years, to be honest with you," Senior Vice President of CFRA Research Angelo Zino recently told TheStreet. Related: Hollywood reeling from surprising Trump announcement The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Panel on Centre-State relations to have a camp office in Delhi
The committee to review Centre-State relations, constituted by the Tamil Nadu government, will have a camp office in Delhi at the residence its chairperson, retired Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph. The State government has already issued orders and sanctioned staff and amenities for the high-level committee. According to a Government Order (G.O.) issued by the Public Department, its Secretary has been designated as the nodal officer in the government and single point of contact for the Committee. Last month, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that a three-member high-level committee would be constituted to review Centre-State relations. K. Ashok Vardhan Shetty, retired IAS officer and former Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Maritime University, and M. Naganathan, former Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Commission, are the other members. The committee is expected to submit its interim report by January 2026, and the final report within two years. The mandate of the high-level committee includes reviewing the Constitutional provisions, laws, rules, and policies with respect to Centre-State relations; recommending ways to restore subjects moved from the State List to the Concurrent List; proposing measures for States to overcome administrative challenges; and suggesting reforms to ensure maximum autonomy to States without compromising the unity and integrity of the nation. The committee will also consider the recommendations of the Rajamannar Committee and subsequent commissions formed by the Union government on Centre-State relations in light of current political, social, and economic developments.
Mint
5 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on Waqf Act, questions validity of provisions in 1995 Act
Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on a plea challenging the Constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995, as amended by the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Supreme Court tags the plea along with pending petitions challenging the 1995 Waqf Act. (This is a breaking news)
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
National Conference a divided house: Why Omar Abdullah, Aga Ruhullah were at loggerheads at recent party meeting
A day after reports of a major disagreement in the National Conference (NC) between Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and party MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, the party appeared to get into damage control mode by claiming that the meeting was held in a 'healthy and respectful' environment and that Mehdi did not walk out as claimed earlier. While the Srinagar MP has been critical of the NC's stand on various issues for a long time, according to insiders, at the working committee meeting on Saturday, he questioned the party's 'departure from its ideological stand' and 'abandoning' the core promises made to the people in the election manifesto. Sources in the NC said Ruhullah asked the party brass, including the CM, that while it attacked Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari for 'normalising' the post-2019 situation, its stand was no different as it had departed from its core promises made in the manifesto, including the restoration of special status and the return of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Ruhullah is said to have been annoyed by party members' praise for Omar's governance, comparing the working committee meeting with a 'public milan'. 'We are betraying the people by abandoning the core promises we made in our manifesto,' he told his party colleagues. 'Our fight is for Article 370 and not for day-to-day governance. It includes statehood but goes far beyond it.' Ruhullah said his party had also failed to take a stand in favour of releasing political prisoners, autonomy, and the Constitutional identity of Jammu and Kashmir. The Srinagar MP's stand on key issues such as special status for J&K, identity, reservation, and political prisoners made him a popular figure in the Valley. During the Assembly elections last year, he was one of the most sought-after star campaigners from the party. The sense of goodwill, however, did not last for long and late last year, the MP called for a peaceful protest outside the CM's residence, demanding 'rationalisation of the reservation policy'. Mehdi also publicly acknowledged that the channels of communication between him and Omar were not open. NC sources said on Saturday Omar, taken aback by Ruhullah's criticism, pointed out that the key issues of dignity, identity, and rights of people could only be addressed once Jammu and Kashmir got back statehood. He asked the MP to contest the next Assembly bypolls and be 'part of the government'. The CM also told the MP that the party did not question his decision to contest the parliamentary elections, though he had earlier said he would not contest polls after the abrogation of J&K's special status. This did not go down well with Ruhullah, according to those present at the meeting. 'Let's get this straight. You approached me,' the MP told Omar amid a stunned silence in the room. He then offered to resign from Parliament 'if it helps restore clarity' about the NC's 'original cause'. The MP said his interactions with people indicated that they were feeling 'disillusioned and abandoned by a party that once stood for something bigger than power'. Sources said at the meeting Omar tried to brush aside the MP's accusations and said that he meets people from across the Union Territory who tell him they 'want basic governance'. When Omar made this point, Ruhullah walked out, according to those present. However, the party's chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq denied this, saying, 'Aga Ruhullah did not stage any walkout. He was present throughout the discussions, and everything transpired in a healthy and respectful environment. He (Ruhullah) took proper permission before exiting the meeting.' An NC leader said Ruhullah's stand was 'not pragmatic' and that Omar was being realistic by 'focusing on governance'. 'This is a long fight, and we have to move step by step. We can't rush through and make everyone an enemy. We hope Ruhullah sahib realises this and moves shoulder to shoulder with other leaders,' he said.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Union govt. seeks opinion of States on implications of SC order on domicile quota in PG medical courses
Amid concerns that a recent Supreme Court (SC) order will abolish the residence-based reservation or domicile quota for admission to postgraduate (PG) medical courses within the State quota, the Union government has sought the opinion of all States, including Karnataka, on the implications of this. The issue is set to be discussed with the Law Department and legal experts in Karnataka. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has already filed review petition against Supreme Court verdict on residence-based quota. Current status Currently, 50% of the PG medical seats are allocated by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the all-India quota seats. The remaining 50% of the seats are given to the States. These seats are being allocated by the respective State governments to students on the basis of domicile quota and institutional reservation to students who have studied the MBBS course in State medical institutions for at least five years. However, recently, the SC said that residence-based reservation or domicile quota in PG medical courses is to be done away with. Following this, all PG medical seats will be converted into all-India quota seats, and the NTA will allocate all seats on the basis of PG NEET ranking. Now, the Union government has taken steps to collect opinions from the States on the impact of this order. There are about 6,000 PG medical seats available in the State's medical colleges, out of which about 3,000 seats are State quota seats. Out of these, about 1,600 seats are being allocated under domicile quota. Speaking to The Hindu, Sharan Prakash Patil, Minister for Medical Education, said, 'We will also discuss the impact of this verdict on the State with the Advocate General and convey our opinion to the Union government.' Impact on Kalyana Karnataka? Under the domicile quota, 70% of the government quota PG medical seats are being reserved under Article 371(j) of the Constitution for local students in medical colleges of Kalyana Karnataka region in the State. In addition, 8% of the seats have been reserved in other medical colleges in the State for these students. If the Supreme Court's verdict is implemented, there is a fear that these seats will be lost. However, Mr. Patil said that since this quota is a Constitutional guarantee, the verdict regarding the domicile quota will not affect on this reservation. The case heard by the SC was an appeal against the Punjab and Haryana High Court's finding that the reservation of 64 PG seats at a government medical college in Chandigarh, either for the residents of Union Territory or for those who have done their MBBS from the same college, was constitutionally invalid and a violation of the right to equality.
