Meta Encryption Plan Sparks Child Safety Concerns Amid New Mexico Lawsuit 
California Court Rejects xAI Bid to Block AI Data Transparency Law 
Asian Currencies Face Pressure as U.S.-Iran Conflict Weighs on Markets 
Trump-Putin Call Addresses Iran War, Ukraine Peace, and Global Oil Crisis 
Venezuela Opens Mining Sector to Foreign Investment Under New Law 
FDA Biologics Chief Vinay Prasad to Leave Agency in April Amid Policy Disputes 
FedEx Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Tariff Refunds After Supreme Court Ruling 
U.S. Begins Charter Evacuations as Iran Conflict Disrupts Middle East Air Travel 
IEA Plans Record Emergency Oil Release Amid Iran Strait of Hormuz Crisis 
U.S. Senate Greenlights AI Chatbots for Official Staff Use 
Gold Prices Slip as U.S.-Israel-Iran War Fuels Dollar and Oil Demand 
Israel-Iran War: Herzog Urges Patience as U.S. and Israeli Strikes Intensify 
U.S. and Russia Hold Diplomatic Talks in Florida Amid Ongoing Tensions 
Supreme Court Blocks California Transgender Student Privacy Laws in 6-3 Decision 
Trump Replaces DHS Secretary Kristi Noem With Sen. Markwayne Mullin After Senate Criticism 
Federal Judge Blocks Virginia Social Media Age Verification Law Over First Amendment Concerns 
FDA Warns Novo Nordisk Over Misleading Ozempic Ad Claims 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has ordered states to halt and reverse any actions taken to issue full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, following a Supreme Court ruling that sided with the Trump administration. The directive, issued late Saturday, warns that states failing to comply risk financial penalties, including the loss of federal administrative funding and liability for overpayments.
The move follows a Friday Supreme Court order that allows the administration to continue withholding $4 billion in federal food aid pending further review by a lower court. SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, supports nearly 42 million low-income Americans and has lapsed for the first time in its 60-year history amid a record 40-day government shutdown.
Prior to the ruling, the USDA had told states it was preparing to comply with a lower court order requiring full SNAP funding. Several states, including Massachusetts and New Jersey, began steps to issue full benefits. However, the USDA’s new guidance declared those actions unauthorized, directing states to issue only partial payments.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey condemned the decision, saying the state “will see [the administration] in court” to protect residents from hunger. New Jersey officials also criticized the move, calling it “shameful” and urging a swift resolution to the funding impasse.
The legal battle stems from lawsuits filed by states, cities, and nonprofit organizations after the administration announced in October that SNAP funding would lapse on November 1. While federal judges initially ordered partial funding from a $5 billion contingency reserve, a Rhode Island judge later mandated full funding. The Justice Department appealed, and the Supreme Court’s latest action allows delays as the First Circuit Court of Appeals reviews the case. Meanwhile, millions of Americans continue to rely on strained food pantries and emergency aid as the dispute drags on.
