The Department of Veterans Affairs said the federal government shutdown has forced nearly 37,000 employees to be furloughed or work without pay.   The department’s medical centers, outpatient clinics and veterans centers remain open and are operating normally during the shutdown because of advanced appropriations from Congress, the agency said.  “The Democrats’ government shutdown is limiting services for veterans and making life miserable for VA employees, and things...

As President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping prepare to meet Thursday, one soft-spoken U.S. export star will take center stage: soybeans.  The humble crop, a $30 billion pillar of U.S. agriculture exports, has become a powerful symbol of the economic interdependence and political tension between Washington and Beijing.  In short, soybeans have come to embody the volatility of the U.S.–China trade war. Beijing halted purchases of...

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg reaffirmed his support for Andrew Cuomo on social media Wednesday, saying the former New York governor’s experience and toughness make him the best choice to lead New York City as voters begin casting early ballots. Bloomberg said on X, “Four months ago I endorsed @AndrewCuomo because I thought his management experience and government know-how made him the best choice for New...