SNAP, Portland, Brazil's weapons and Japan’s bears

Key Concepts

• SNAP Funding: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food aid) and the legal battles surrounding its funding.
• National Guard Deployment: The legality of deploying National Guard troops to quell protests.
• FAA Flight Reductions: Impact of the government shutdown on air travel and FAA regulations.
• US Arms Sale to Brazil: Approval of sniper rifles to a Brazilian police unit with a controversial human rights record.
• Bolivian Presidential Transition: The shift to a centrist government and its economic challenges.
• Italian Gambling Market: The growth of gambling in Italy and its socio-economic implications.
• Japanese Bear Attacks: Military deployment to combat a record number of bear attacks.

Supreme Court Blocks Full Food Aid Funding

The Supreme Court has temporarily halted an order that would have required the Trump administration to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. Justice Katanji Brown Jackson issued a temporary stay, allowing a lower court to review the administration's request to partially fund SNAP. The Department of Justice argued that a full funding order could exacerbate the chaos caused by the ongoing government shutdown, while legal challengers warned that a delay could negatively impact one in eight Americans. The administration had faced a Friday deadline from a judge to fully fund the program.

Judge Rules Against National Guard Deployment in Portland

A federal judge has ruled that President Trump unlawfully deployed National Guard troops to Portland to suppress protests. Judge Karen Imrat determined that there was no rebellion or emergency to justify the deployment, characterizing the unrest as "small-scale and largely contained." The White House maintains that Trump acted legally to protect federal officers and anticipates being vindicated by an appellate court.

Government Shutdown Disrupts Air Travel

The ongoing government shutdown has led to significant disruptions in air travel. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a 4% reduction in flights at 40 major airports to alleviate pressure caused by the shutdown. Thousands of flights experienced delays and cancellations on Friday due to air traffic controller absences. Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy cautioned that flight cuts could escalate to 20% if the shutdown persists.

US Approved Sniper Rifles for Brazilian Police Unit Amidst Raid Controversy

Reuters has revealed that the US government approved the sale of sniper rifles to a Brazilian police unit that played a central role in a recent deadly raid in Rio de Janeiro, which resulted in 121 fatalities. The weapons were delivered last year under the Biden administration, despite objections from the US ambassador and other diplomats, according to US officials and documents reviewed by Reuters. Graham Slatterie, White House National Security Correspondent, highlighted that this unit, known as BOPE, has a "notoriously poor human rights record," with concerns about extrajudicial killings and involvement in extortion rackets that compete with drug trafficking organizations.

While some proponents argue that BOPE undertakes "some of the heaviest work in the world" against heavily armed gangs, the sale occurred during the Biden administration, though a Republican staffer, now a senior adviser for Latin American Affairs in the Trump State Department, was reportedly the biggest advocate for the deal. The current State Department expressed criticism that the arms sale was not approved faster and that accompanying suppressors were held up due to export permit issues. This situation underscores a broader US policy in Latin America that prioritizes combating violent crime over human rights concerns.

Bolivia Transitions to Centrist Leadership Amidst Economic Crisis

Rodrigo Paz has assumed the presidency of Bolivia, marking the end of nearly two decades of leftist rule. Paz, who was born in exile during Bolivia's military dictatorship, campaigned on a platform of "capitalism for all" as the country faces its most severe economic crisis in decades, with annual inflation nearing 25% and critical shortages of dollars and fuel.

Reporter Lucinda Elliot noted that Paz comes from a prominent political family, with his father being former President Haime Paz Zamora. Paz began his political career as a city counselor and later a senator, aligning with various political parties across the spectrum. His centrist platform resonated with voters disillusioned by the socialist party, particularly amidst the deepening economic crisis.

Paz has pledged to open Bolivia's economy to private investment, a significant shift from the previous leftist governance. Bolivia, a major natural gas producer with substantial untapped lithium reserves, will see Paz aiming to close loss-making state firms while maintaining cash transfers to vulnerable populations. Since his October victory, Paz has engaged with Washington and multilateral lenders like the World Bank to bolster central bank reserves and secure fuel. He also signaled an intention to improve diplomatic ties with Western countries and enhance trade relationships, moving away from Bolivia's previous alignment with Russia and China.

Italy Becomes Europe's Largest Gambling Market

Italy has emerged as Europe's largest gambling market, with Italians wagering over €57 billion last year, surpassing the amounts wagered in Britain, Germany, and France. The surge in online and mobile betting has led critics to label it a "tax on poverty," disproportionately affecting the country's poorest regions. A former gambler who overcame a slot machine addiction expressed anger at the state for encouraging such behavior. The tax revenue generated from gambling has placed Conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at odds with the Catholic Church.

Senior correspondent Alice Armellini reported from Pisa that gambling is more intensive in southern Italy, where cities and regions are generally poorer. Individuals in areas like Calabria and Sicily, struggling to make ends meet, are reportedly betting thousands of euros annually. Armellini observed that the government's approach to the issue is low-key, with the Catholic Church being a prominent voice advocating for tighter regulation. Neither Prime Minister Meloni nor Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti have made significant public statements on the industry. While the government is working on reordering regulations, the focus appears to be on aligning local and national laws rather than deregulation or introducing new curbs.

Japanese Military Deployed to Combat Record Bear Attacks

Japan has deployed its military to the country's northern regions following a record number of bear attacks since April, which have resulted in over 100 incidents and a significant number of fatalities. Bear sightings in Akita prefecture have increased sixfold this year, exceeding 8,000, with bears appearing in proximity to schools, train stations, and supermarkets. Twelve people have died as a result of these attacks.

The deployed troops are involved in managing steel traps used to capture bears, which are then shot by trained hunters. Factors contributing to the rise in bear encounters include an increase in bear populations, climate change-induced shifts in food sources, and the depopulation of rural areas, leading to greater human-bear interaction. Concurrently, the aging population of hunters, who were previously relied upon by authorities to manage bear numbers, are finding themselves overwhelmed.

Recommended Listen

The recommended listen for the week is "On Assignment" hosted by David Spencer. This episode explores the dramatic shift in the war on the front lines in eastern Ukraine over the past two years and considers what peace might look like following Putin's summit with Trump. A link to the podcast is provided in the pod description. For further information on any of the stories covered, readers are directed to Reuters.com or the Reuters app. The broadcast also encourages following on podcast players and asking smart speakers for the latest news from Reuters seven days a week. The daily headline show will return tomorrow.