Voters have sent a strong election-year message to President Donald Trump and the new Democratic congressional majority to repair the U.S. economy damaged by inflation

Ethiopia plans to reallocate up to $543mn in existing World Bank financing to ease mounting fuel import costs and FX pressures, without taking on new emergency loans.

Winning candidates promised to cut costs, rein in corporations, curb billionaire power and improve the economy Don’t worry, cash-strapped Americans, “relief is on the way”, the senator Chuck Schumer...

Ethiopia plans to redirect up to $543mn from existing World Bank-financed development projects to help cover essential imports and ease financial pressures caused by the Middle East war, Addis Fortune reported on November 8. The proposed reallocation would draw on previously approved financing rather than new emergency lending. The World Bank confirmed that Ethiopia was not seeking additional emergency credit, according to the newspaper. The timetable for approving and disbursing the redirected funds remains unclear. At the October 27 foreign-exchange auction rate of ETB159.70 per dollar, the funding would be equivalent to approximately ETB86.7bn. The move comes as Ethiopia faces higher fuel and fertiliser import costs and pressure on its external financing position. The country relies heavily on imported petroleum products, leaving it exposed to rising international energy prices and disruptions to global supply chains. World Bank President Ajay Banga said in October that the institution was discussing potential crisis assistance with 30 to 40 countries affected by the Middle East conflict. The Bank had initially made $25bn available in emergency financing, with another $35bn potentially accessible through reallocations from existing development projects, Reuters reported. Ethiopia has already received additional near-term support through its International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. On July 1, the IMF approved a $464mn disbursement, including approximately $200mn brought forward from later scheduled payments under the existing $3.4bn Extended Credit Facility to help offset the energy shock. The government also approved a ETB286bn recapitalisation of the Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise in June. IMF documents show that ETB170bn was to come from World Bank financing and ETB116bn from the federal budget to settle legacy liabilities and reduce fuel procurement financing costs. It remains unclear whether the proposed $543mn reallocation overlaps with those earlier commitments or involves a separate restructuring of existing World Bank funding. The IMF has warned that Ethiopia's fuel import bill will remain substantially higher in fiscal 2026/27 than in the previous year, while elevated fertiliser prices will add to external financing pressures. The government has committed to fuel-pricing reforms and targeted assistance for vulnerable households under its economic adjustment programme.

via PBS News Hour - The Latest — Trump, who campaigned on the idea that a Democratic victory in the midterms would trigger a 1929-style economic depression, has maintained that the economy is booming. Since his party lost in Tuesday's voting, he has claimed he is willing to work with Democrats in the House and Senate, though that's not something he has done much of in the past.

Representatives from the Mayor’s office and the Brooklyn Borough President’s office announced a Debt Demolisher relief program, SNAP re-enrollment resources, childcare placement mapping and tenant-organizing support being piloted in South Brooklyn.

Multiple participants and the program manager urged continuation or replication of the Rise Up Alameda pilot, saying it offered meaningful relief and should be considered by other cities facing displacement and affordability pressures.

Montgomery County unveiled three bills — a child tax credit, expanded homeowners supplement and a $2,500 property tax credit for MCPS employees — with a public hearing held after a press conference; advocates said the measures target modest-income households.

Residents and business representatives from Hayden Island told the Bi‑State Tolling Subcommittee that bridge tolling will hit seniors, people with disabilities and local businesses hardest and urged a verified resident credit, capped trips or a reduced rate to limit economic and health-care disruptions.

Representatives of the Kentucky State Building and Construction Trades Council urged the interim committee to waive the one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance when the state trust fund exceeds $1 billion, saying the waiting week costs Kentucky about $33.4 million annually and creates hardship for seasonal workers.

Governor Hochul said the state will provide $30,000,000 in tariff relief to farmers amid rising costs, citing diesel prices rising from $3.59 to about $6.50 — roughly a 68% increase — and framed the relief as part of broader affordability efforts.

Brian Poindexter told a Medina forum that cost of living and health‑care cuts top district concerns, blaming tariffs and international events for higher prices and pledging to fight for relief for working families.

The sponsor said the substitute to HB 519 includes a temporary suspension of the motor fuel tax, allows retailers flexibility in presenting tax information, and reduces the administrative appropriation for the holiday from $1,000,000 to $250,000 for the Department of Taxation.

The Ohio House voted to keep an emergency clause and agreed to Senate amendments to a bill that suspends the state motor fuel tax for 90 days; lawmakers debated enforcement, cost and whether the measure yields meaningful savings for consumers.

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Dozens of public commenters — restaurant and retail owners, the Washington Hospitality Association and business-support nonprofits — told the council the Everett Forward package will help small businesses by raising the B&O exemption, cutting rates for retail/restaurants and easing permitting and licensing burdens; speakers urged timely council action.

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The governor announced he will file legislation to suspend the Massachusetts gas tax for two months, saying the pause would cut pump prices by about 24¢ a gallon and would take effect one week after the legislature signs the bill; he said surplus "fair share" revenue can cover the cost.