Category: ESTA News

The Senate passed a resolution on the 30th to halt President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” (tariffs levied differently on each country) on most countries around the world.

The Senate voted on the “Joint Resolution to End the National Emergency Declared for the Imposition of Global Tariffs” in a plenary session that day, with a vote of 51 to 47.

Republican co-sponsors of the resolution, including Senator Rand Paul (KY), former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY), Senator Susan Collins (MA), and Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), joined their Democratic counterparts in voting in favor.

This resolution is identical to the one that failed on April 30th. That vote was tied at 49-49, and Vice President J.D. Vance, who also serves as President of the Senate, cast the deciding vote against it. This week, while President Trump was on a tour of Asia, including South Korea, the Senate passed two more resolutions opposing Trump’s tariff policies. However, the likelihood of these resolutions passing the Republican-controlled House of Representatives is slim.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has officially endorsed Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent in the New York City mayoral election.

On the 23rd, Mayor Adams held a joint press conference with Cuomo in Harlem, Manhattan, and said, “I support Cuomo for the sake of New York City,” officially joining the front of Democratic candidate Ban Zoran Mamdani, who is maintaining a solo record in the New York City mayoral election.

Mayor Adams, who had criticized Cuomo as a “snake” and a “liar” before withdrawing his candidacy last month, raised his voice on this day, saying, “Brothers fight, but when their family (New Yorkers) is attacked, brothers become one.” He added, “With Election Day only a few days away, I will fight at the forefront to ensure Cuomo’s victory.”

Cuomo said, “I respect Mayor Adams’ sincerity in wanting to protect New York City,” and added, “He and I are lifelong Democrats, but Mamdani is a Democratic socialist and not really a Democrat. I am confident that Mayor Adams’ endorsement will ignite our final push.”

However, it is uncertain whether Mayor Adams’ endorsement today will be able to drive a rise in Cuomo’s approval ratings. According to a Quinnipiac University poll conducted immediately after Mayor Adams’s resignation, Cuomo absorbed most of Adams’s support, gaining 10 points to 33%. However, he was unable to catch Mamdani, who maintained a solid lead with 46%. The gap between the two candidates is 13%, and experts predict that Cuomo will have difficulty turning the tables on his own.

Meanwhile, Mamdani secured the endorsement of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on the 24th.In a statement released that day, House Speaker Jeffries said, “Mamdani has relentlessly focused on addressing the issues of affordability and has explicitly pledged to be a mayor for all New Yorkers, including those who do not support her. In that spirit, I support Mamdani and all the citywide Democratic candidates running in this election.”

Amid the prolonged federal government shutdown, the issue of delays in the payment of SNAP (food stamps), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for low-income households, is rapidly emerging as a new point of contention.

With the possibility of delays in the November food stamp payments due to the government shutdown growing, Republicans and Democrats are engaging in a blame game, each highlighting responsibility.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requested that some states, including New York and New Jersey, withhold food stamp payments for November, arguing that “if the federal government shutdown continues, there will be a shortage of funds to pay out the November SNAP program subsidies.” (Reported on page A1 of the October 21st edition of this newspaper) November, which includes Thanksgiving, is traditionally a time of high grocery shopping, and low-income households who rely on food stamps could be hit hard if the subsidies are delayed.

About 42 million people across the United States receive food stamp assistance each month, including about 3 million in New York State and 800,000 in New Jersey. The SNAP program operates by distributing funds from the federal government to each state, so it can only be restored once the federal government shutdown is resolved.

Against this backdrop, the ruling Republican Party is highlighting the food stamp suspension crisis as a means of resolving the federal government shutdown.

Republicans are pressuring the Democratic Party, claiming that their opposition to the interim budget bill is exacerbating the food crisis for low-income families, while Democrats counter that the Republican Party has been working to cut low-income assistance programs and is using the American people’s crisis as a political tool.

Amidst this intensifying debate, the Federal Farm Bureau has not clearly stated whether it will use the $5-6 billion reserve fund earmarked for November food stamp payments. While the reserve fund is insufficient to cover the full November food stamp payments, which would require approximately $8 billion, partial payments are possible. Some in the political world are suggesting that the food stamp suspension crisis must be overcome for now.

Republican Senator Josh Hooley (D-Missouri) has introduced a bill to maintain full funding for SNAP during the shutdown. However, with the two parties remaining deadlocked, passage is uncertain. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, has stated that if the bill passes the Senate and moves to the House, he will bring it up for a full vote.

“If the Senate passes the bill, the House will take up the issue,” Johnson said. “Over 42 million Americans rely on food stamps and using this as a political tool is unacceptable.”

The 2026 Medicare renewal period began on the 15th. During this time, both existing and new enrollees can review their plans and, if necessary, change or enroll in a new one. This renewal period will continue until December 7th.

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is an annual process for seniors aged 65 and older and individuals with disabilities who meet certain eligibility requirements. During this period, you can change your existing Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, re-elect a prescription drug plan (Part D), and cancel or transfer your existing plan.

Experts advise that you should always check to see if your existing plan is still valid during this renewal period.

Since insurance companies change their coverage, network hospitals, and drug lists every year, it’s crucial to check whether the hospitals and medications you’re currently using will still be covered next year.Kim Nam-soo, CEO of First Senior Services, said, “Those with insurance plans that are being canceled must select a new plan by December 31st of this year.”

Sim Yeon-sik, a Medicare insurance agent, said, “Check to see if you have an existing plan, and if not, sign up for a new one.”

He added, “There are significant changes in Fairfax County and Loudoun County next year.”

Kim Jong-jun, CEO of Smart Insurance, added, “Not only are benefits of existing plans changing, but some are even being eliminated entirely, so it’s crucial to first confirm whether your plan will remain in effect.”

Kwak Min-woo, CEO of Kwak Min-woo Insurance, added, “Major insurers are withdrawing from low-profit areas and drug pricing structures are being restructured, so policyholders should carefully consider whether to change plans.”

Even plans with a monthly premium of $0 can have different deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket costs (MOOP). Therefore, it’s important to comprehensively review your overall medical expenses. Many people only compare monthly premiums, but if there’s a deductible, you must cover it yourself to receive coverage.

It’s also important to check for new benefits and restrictions. Some plans offer additional benefits like dental, eyeglasses, and fitness programs, but these may limit hospital access or restrict access to specific networks. Be mindful of whether your plan automatically renews. While some plans renew automatically, automatic renewal is not possible if the insurer no longer offers the plan for the next year.

Even within the same insurer, coverage and hospital networks can vary by region, so it’s best to search and compare by ZIP code.

In Northern Virginia, particularly in Fairfax, Annandale, and Centerville, major insurers like Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, and Kaiser Permanente offer a variety of Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. Many of these include zero-premium plans, but differences in prescription drug coverage and hospital network coverage require careful comparison.

Crackdowns on e-bikes exceeding 15 miles per hour in New York City will begin on the 24th.

Mayor Eric Adams announced on the 15th, “Starting today, the speed limit for e-bikes, pedal-assist bicycles, and e-scooters will be lowered from the current 25 miles per hour to 15 miles per hour.” He added, “This speed limit is expected to significantly improve road safety.”

Anyone caught violating the e-bike speed limit will face a minimum fine of $100.

Repeat offenders can also have their e-bikes confiscated, be removed from delivery platforms, and receive criminal summons. However, regular bicycles that only pedal are exempt from the speed limit.

The city authorities explain that regular bicycles are lighter than e-bikes, which require motors and batteries, and thus are less likely to result in fatal accidents.

According to the MTA, between 2021 and 2024, six people died and 923 were injured in traffic accidents involving e-bikes and pedestrians. Meanwhile, in June, New York City agreed with Lyft, the operator of the shared bike service Citi Bike, to lower the speed limit for Citi Bike electric bikes to 15 miles per hour.

A fierce last-minute campaign is underway ahead of the Virginia gubernatorial election on the 4th of next month. The Republican Governors Association (RGA) announced on the 7th that it will invest an additional $1.5 million in the campaign of Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears. The RGA has committed a total of $5 million to the Virginia election, and the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) has also committed $5 million.

The massive campaign by the Republican Party has begun following the recent scandal surrounding Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones’ “death message” scandal. Jones has faced criticism from both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party after text messages he sent to a fellow member of Congress in 2022 were made public, in which he wished for Republican Rep. Todd Gilbert to be shot and for his children to die.

This has led the Republican Party to intensify its attacks, branding the Democratic Party the “party of violence and anger.” Peyton Vogel, a spokesperson for Earl-Sears, called for the candidate’s resignation, stating, “This election isn’t about Republicans versus Democrats, it’s about common sense versus violence.”

Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares has also launched a $1.5 million ad campaign criticizing Jones’s text messages. The ad questions his opponent’s morality, asking, “Would Jay Jones protect your children?”

Despite the Republican onslaught, Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger, who remains leading in the polls, continues to campaign by criticizing the government shutdown and the Trump administration’s policy of cutting federal workers.

“Virginia is home to over 300,000 federal workers,” she said, “and if they aren’t paid due to the government shutdown, it threatens the livelihoods of Virginians.”

The Virginia Democratic Party predicted, “With the Republican candidate supporting Trump’s policies, this election is shifting from ‘Democrat-leaning’ to ‘Democrat-strong,'” adding, “Virginia wants new leadership.”

Meanwhile, President Trump officially endorsed Republican Attorney General candidate Millares during his speech commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Navy in Norfolk on the 5th but did not endorse gubernatorial candidate Earl Sears. This is expected to have a subtle impact on the Republican campaign. This Virginia election is drawing national attention and is drawing attention as a fiercely contested battleground where political conflicts collide ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in Virginia unanimously approved on March 7th a plan to extend the car tax deadline to March 5th. As a result, the deadline, which was originally March 6th, will now be extended by 30 days to November 5th.

“With tax season and the federal government shutdown occurring almost simultaneously, many families are feeling the financial strain,” said Board Chairman Jeff McKay.

“We are extending the deadline because we don’t know how long the government shutdown will last.” County governments have the authority to extend car tax payments by up to 90 days, and McKay added, “If the shutdown is prolonged, we are considering additional extensions.”

Republican Supervisor Pat Herrity also supported the measure, saying, “While I have some concerns about residents who paid their taxes on time, we have to consider the plight of federal employees.” Fairfax County is estimated to be home to approximately 80,000 federal employees.

Meanwhile, Maryland is offering interest-free loans of $700 to support federal employees. These are short-term loans that must be repaid within 180 days but can be extended for an additional 90 days if repayment is difficult.

Supervisor Herity said, “We are considering whether a similar short-term loan program is feasible in Virginia,” adding, “We hope it will provide some financial relief to our residents.”

President Donald Trump announced on the 5th that he would “revive shipyards with hundreds of billions of dollars in investment and manpower from around the world.” He made this announcement during a speech commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Navy at the Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia, adding, “They will build ships in the United States.”

This appears to be a reference to the “MASGA (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) Project,” which South Korea proposed during trade negotiations with the United States. South Korea plans to establish a $150 billion (approximately 210 trillion won) fund for South Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation projects.

The United States is seeking to revitalize its shipbuilding industry through cooperation with South Korea, and is expected to leverage South Korea’s shipbuilding capabilities, particularly in the construction, upgrade, and repair of aging warships.

President Trump stated, “We’re designing more ships, and we’re building more ships than ever before in the history of the U.S. Navy.”

Recounting the Navy’s victories since the Revolutionary War, which led to its founding, Trump said, “The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps conducted a daring amphibious landing at Inchon and flew over 250,000 combat sorties against the enemy.” He also mentioned the sinking of Venezuelan ships accused of smuggling drugs into the United States, saying, “We did another one last night.”

He added, “In recent weeks, the Navy has supported the mission to completely remove the (Venezuelan) drug cartel terrorists from the sea. Now, there are no more ships (at sea).” He also foreshadowed a crackdown on land-based drug trafficking.

He continued, “Even fishing boats don’t want to go out to sea anymore. Unfortunately, we’re stopping drugs from coming into the United States,” and emphasized, “Last year alone, about 300,000 people lost their lives (to drugs). This number does not include families that were torn apart.”

Meanwhile, during his speech, President Trump claimed that he had effectively hosted the World Cup and the Olympics during his first term in office, and announced, “We’re going to have a massive UFC fight on the White House grounds on June 14th of next year.”

June 14th next year marks President Trump’s 80th birthday. On June 14th, his 79th birthday, he held a large-scale parade in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. This is interpreted as an attempt to demonstrate his vigor despite his advanced age by linking his birthday to military events and martial arts matches, which symbolize America’s “strength.”

In fact, he recalled that Ronny Jackson (currently a Republican congressman), the personal physician to former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, said at a 2018 press conference, “When asked, ‘Of the three of you (including President Trump), who is the fittest, healthiest, and strongest?’, he answered, ‘It’s President Trump.'”

Before his speech, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump observed a naval demonstration of force from the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier, including a missile launch by destroyers, a helicopter parachute by Navy SEALs, and the takeoff and landing of fighter jets, including F-18 Hornets, on the aircraft carrier.

The number of traffic fatalities in New York City has plummeted by nearly 20% this year, marking the third-lowest drop since statistics began being compiled .According to data released by the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), traffic fatalities in the first three quarters of this year (January to September) totaled 159, an 18% decrease compared to 194 in the same period last year.

This marks the third-lowest nine-month figure since statistics began being compiled in 1910. Notably, driver and passenger fatalities decreased by a staggering 37.5% to 25, down from 40 the previous year, driving this record-breaking decline.

Fatalities among motorized vehicles, including electric bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles, dropped by 15% to 51, down from 60 the previous year.

Three cyclists died, a record low. Pedestrian deaths reached 80, down 10% from 89 the previous year.

New York City Transportation Commissioner Idanis Rodrguez attributed the number of traffic fatalities to “Vision Zero,” a policy aimed at zero traffic fatalities. This success stemmed from safer road design (and redesign), expanded safety education, and intensive enforcement. He added, “We will focus on building safer road infrastructure, as even one traffic fatality is significant.”

Starting in January next year, the base fare for buses and subways in New York City will rise to $3. Additionally, fares on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North trains will increase by up to 4.5%, and tolls on all MTA bridges and tunnels will increase by 7.5%.The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) unanimously approved the proposed bus and subway fare increases on the 30th, along with the LIRR and Metro-North fare increases and the bridge and tunnel toll increases.

According to the proposed increases, the base fare for a single MTA bus and subway ride will increase by 10 cents, from $2.90 to $3. Additionally, the one-week (7-day) and one-month (30-day) unlimited ride passes for buses and subways will be eliminated. However, a new “weekly cap of $35” will be introduced to replace the current $34 one-week (7-day) unlimited ride pass. This means that after making the first payment using the same payment method, such as a credit or debit card, you will no longer have to pay after your total bus or subway fare exceeds $35 within seven days. In other words, after riding 12 or more times within a week, you will be able to ride for free without any restrictions, according to the MTA.

Express bus fares will also increase. For Express buses, the one-way fare will increase by 25 cents from the current $7 to $7.25, and the unlimited ride passes for one week (7 days) and one month (30 days) will also be eliminated. However, as with regular buses and subways, a new “$67 weekly fare cap” will be introduced, so after your weekly fare exceeds $67, you can ride for free without any restrictions for the rest of the period.

In addition, LIRR and Metro-North train fares will increase by up to 4.5% per section. In addition, the validity period of all one-way tickets has been extended to 4:00 a.m. the following day, and the age limit for the “Family Fare Program,” which allows one paying adult to bring up to four children for $1, has been significantly increased from 11 years old and younger to 17 years old and younger. Tolls for all MTA bridges and tunnels have increased by 7.5% based on EasyPass, depending on the vehicle type and bridge

.For detailed information on bridge and tunnel toll increases, please refer to the website (https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/2025-changes).Meanwhile, starting in January of next year, the MTA will completely eliminate the use of the “magnetic MetroCard,” which is currently used as a fare payment method, and will operate only the Tap and Ride method, which includes the OMNY card, credit cards, debit cards, and smartphone payments.