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Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Map Shows States Considering Soda SNAP Benefits Ban as USDA Approves Plan
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Nebraska became the first state to ban the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for purchasing soda and energy drinks, and governors in several other states have submitted waivers to the federal government to implement similar restrictions. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for comment via email on Wednesday. Why It Matters The move by Nebraska, approved by the USDA on Tuesday, has sparked discussions nationwide as other states consider similar proposals targeting sugary beverage purchases with federal food aid. Nebraska's ban could affect more than 150,000 SNAP recipients in the state. A stock image of a customer shopping for drinks at a supermarket. A stock image of a customer shopping for drinks at a supermarket. Jacob Wackerhausen/ iStock via Getty Images Health experts and policymakers have long debated the impact of sugary drinks on public health. Supporters of the Nebraska ban argue that limiting access to these beverages through SNAP could reduce rates of obesity, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Critics, however, say the bans would not solve issues around food insecurity and may be a veiled attempt at reducing benefits. What To Know The USDA's waiver for Nebraska will go into effect January 1, 2026, and would allow the state to survey participants to measure changes in their spending habits, reported The New York Times. SNAP is federally funded but administered by states. Several other states have already submitted waivers being considered by the USDA. Here is the latest in each of these states. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, vetoed a bill that would have restricted the use of SNAP benefits on soda. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, submitted a SNAP waiver request in April that is still pending. Colorado has submitted a SNAP waiver request, the USDA said, per the Associated Press. Idaho Governor Brad Little, a Republican, submitted a SNAP waiver request last week, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Indiana Governor Mike Braun, a Republican, submitted a SNAP waiver request in April that is still pending. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, submitted a SNAP waiver request to the USDA on May 12, reported The Des Moines Register. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, a Democrat, vetoed a bill that would seek a waiver request to restrict SNAP benefits on soda. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican, signed an executive order that would request a waiver. It's unclear if it has been formally submitted. Montana's state Senate passed a bill that would restrict the use of SNAP benefits on soda, and the state House of Representatives will now consider the legislation. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, requested a waiver from the USDA last week, reported The Texas Tribune. Utah's legislature passed a bill that would require the state to submit a SNAP waiver request, reported Deseret News. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, requested a SNAP waiver this week. What People Are Saying USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins wrote in a statement: "Today's waiver to remove soda and energy drinks from SNAP is the first of its kind, and it is a historic step to Make America Healthy Again. Under President [Donald] Trump's leadership, I have encouraged states to serve as the 'laboratories of innovation.' Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Governors in Iowa, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, West Virginia, and Colorado are pioneers in improving the health of our nation." Marion Nestle, nutritionist at New York University, told The New York Times: "Some of this comes from the belief that taxpayers should not be subsidizing unhealthy diets. Some of it reflects condescending attitudes that poor people don't know what's good for them. And I'm guessing some of it is a cover for efforts to cut SNAP." Dr. Ben Chrisinger, professor of community health at Tufts University, told Newsweek in March that while "most Americans could stand to eat healthier," he doesn't see SNAP restrictions as a pathway to achieve that goal. "SNAP is effectively a subsidy for all kinds of foods, and we have proven methods of incentivizing healthy choices without restriction. Research suggests that healthier foods are often more expensive, and in poorer neighborhoods, harder to find." What Happens Next The USDA could continue approving these waivers over the coming weeks and months. Legislators in other states like Michigan have introduced legislation to restrict SNAP benefits, though it's unclear whether it will pass or become law.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Britpop band and drag artists to perform at Sherborne Pride
Britpop band and drag artists to perform at Pride Drag star Porkchop is set to host the Pride event Drag Race UK's Porkchop will host a Pride event as it returns to a rural town for the second time. The drag artist, Just May - known for their Geri Halliwell impersonation, will take to the stage at Sherborne Pride which returns to the Dorset town on 6 July. Nineties britpop band Republica, who had the hit Ready To Go, will headline alongside local musicians, drag artists and burlesque dancers. The free-to-attend, volunteer-run festivities will also feature a Pride parade and an "inclusive" street market, organisers said.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Kathmandu to Kolkata in just 85 minutes: Nepal's Buddha Air resumes flights after 6-year hiatus
Nepal's leading private airline - Buddha Air - is set to resume Kathmandu-Kolkata flights after a gap of six years. 'Namaste Kolkata! The wait is almost tuned!' the airline wrote in a post on its social media handle, adding, 'Kolkata coming soon.' According to Nepal's media reports, the airline plans to introduce its commercial lights to Kolkata by mid-July. "We competed with Air India when we flew to this destination 6 years ago. Now that Air India has pulled out, we see a commercial opportunity and have decided to resume the flights," Rupesh Shrestha, director of Sales and Marketing at Buddha Air, was quoted as saying by the Republica daily. "The airline is actively working towards that end," he added. In 2019, Buddha Air operated three weekly flights on the route for nine months but discontinued the service as it had to incur a huge loss. This time, the company plans to operate four weekly flights - the same frequency previously maintained by Air India. The airline operates regular commercial flights to Varanasi and aims to expand to Guwahati, Lucknow, and other Indian destinations. "We see strong potential for two-way trade and tourism in these destinations," Shrestha said. The Kathmandu-Kolkata flight takes 1 hour and 25 minutes.
News18
22-04-2025
- Business
- News18
Namaste Again, Kolkata! Buddha Air To Restart Kathmandu Flights After 6 Years
This revival comes after Buddha Air had to stop the Kathmandu-Kolkata flights in 2019 due to heavy losses, even though it was flying three times a week back then. Nepal's leading private airline – Buddha Air – is set to resume Kathmandu-Kolkata flights after a gap of six years. 'Namaste Kolkata! The wait is almost over…stay tuned!" the airline wrote in a post on its social media handle, adding, 'Kolkata coming soon." According to Nepal's media reports, the airline plans to introduce its commercial lights to Kolkata by mid-July. 'We competed with Air India when we flew to this destination 6 years ago. Now that Air India has pulled out, we see a commercial opportunity and have decided to resume the flights," Rupesh Shrestha, director of Sales and Marketing at Buddha Air, was quoted as saying by the Republica daily. 'The airline is actively working towards that end," he added. In 2019, Buddha Air operated three weekly flights on the route for nine months but discontinued the service as it had to incur a huge loss. This time, the company plans to operate four weekly flights – the same frequency previously maintained by Air India. The airline operates regular commercial flights to Varanasi and aims to expand to Guwahati, Lucknow, and other Indian destinations. 'We see strong potential for two-way trade and tourism in these destinations," Shrestha said. The Kathmandu-Kolkata flight takes 1 hour and 25 minutes. First Published: April 22, 2025, 10:51 IST
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Romanian democracy: no place for the 'TikTok messiah' Calin Georgescu
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. "The Romanian state seems to have woken up," said Carmen Dumitrescu in Republica (Bucharest). Last week, the prosecutor general charged the ultranationalist Calin Georgescu on six counts, including lying about his campaign finances and having links to a fascist group. Georgescu, aka the "TikTok messiah", has been the poster boy for right-wing conspiracists ever since his startling victory in the first round of the presidential election last December was annulled on the grounds of Russian interference. Both the US Vice-President J.D. Vance and the tech billionaire Elon Musk claimed Georgescu had been cancelled by Europe's liberal elite on the pretext of nothing more than a handful of Moscow-funded social media ads. And for weeks, the Romanian state, intimidated into silence, did nothing to challenge Vance's version of events, even when Georgescu was caught meeting with mercenary leaders who were reportedly plotting to incite unrest. Now, though, there are signs that the state "is fighting back". Not before time, said Sabina Fati in Deutsche Welle (Bonn). Prosecutors have uncovered a shocking plot against Romanian democracy that goes far beyond a Russian TikTok campaign. A search of the home of Georgescu's bodyguard, Horatiu Potra, uncovered gold bars, assault weapons and ammunition hidden in secret rooms, plus more than $2m hidden under the floor. Potra has close links with Russia's Wagner mercenary group. In addition, another close associate of Georgescu reportedly plotted with a Russian military intelligence officer to "establish patriotic forces" that would "storm" state institutions in the wake of the election annulment. "In other words, Georgescu stands accused of plotting a coup d'état." Yet Musk continues to "shower" him with "messages of solidarity", said Tobias Zick in Tages-Anzeiger (Zürich). Musk tweeted that Georgescu's arrest was "messed up", while reportedly the Trump administration is "putting pressure on Romania behind closed doors to ensure Georgescu is allowed to stand in new elections in May". It's an astonishing intervention in Romanian democracy. Let's just hope the evidence against Georgescu is solid enough to secure a conviction, said Gabriel Bejan on HotNews (Bucharest). Because if the presidential frontrunner has been charged on evidence that's less than cast iron, it will be trotted out by Trump's people at every future meeting with EU leaders. "If this is what European democracy looks like, you have no right to criticise us. You have far bigger problems." That's what they'll say.
