Brazilian coffee beans, French champagne and Chinese teas — drinks are a profit driver for US restaurants, but higher import costs have eaten into margins and fed into consumer prices in the three months since President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping global tariffs.A stone’s throw from the White House, a restaurant group that takes pride in dishing up fresh local meat and produce has found itself having to raise prices on its menus.”The reality is, we have to pass along some of those to our guests,” said John Filkins, corporate beverage director at Clyde’s Restaurant Group.”Could be anywhere from 50 cents to $1 on certain wines by the glass, or spirits, or some of our food menu items,” he told AFP.”We’ve seen huge increases in coffee and in teas, and we’re beginning to see some of those increases in food, as well as paper products coming on through as well,” he added.Clyde’s, which opened in the 1960s in Washington, has more than a dozen restaurants in and around the US capital.One of them is The Hamilton in downtown Washington, where drinks prices have ticked up.While management has tried to limit increases, Filkins said this has been tough.Businesses have encountered snarled supply chains and higher costs since Trump imposed fresh tariffs after returning to the presidency in January.In April, the president unleashed his widest-ranging salvo, a 10 percent duty on imports from most trading partners. This is expected to surge to higher levels for dozens of economies.- ‘Low cash, low margin’ -Leaders like Filkins are eyeing a deadline next Wednesday when the steeper tariffs are due to kick in.These are customized to each partner, with the level for European Union products rising to 20 percent and that for Japanese goods jumping to 24 percent unless they strike deals to avert or lower the rates.Filkins warned that the longer tariffs remain in place, the fewer small, independent distributors, importers and restaurants there might be.”The hope is we don’t see tariffs to the extent where we’re seeing them any longer,” he added.”Restaurants are, at the end of the day, typically low cash, low margin,” Filkins said.A typical outfit probably runs “in the single digits in terms of profit margin,” he noted.This means that cutting out 10 percent to 15 percent of their profit for wine by the glass, for example, could prove a significant blow.- 20-30% hikes -Clyde’s sources coffee beans from places like Brazil and Indonesia for its blends, while getting teas from India and China.”Over the course of the last probably six months, we’ve seen about a 20 to 30 percent increase of that cost,” Filkins said.This is partly because suppliers and distributors are not only paying the 10 percent tariff but forking out more due to exchange rates.Imports from China face a 30 percent tariff currently even though Washington and Beijing have temporarily lowered tit-for-tat levies on each other’s goods.Without a deal, products from Indonesia face a 32 percent duty come Wednesday, and the rate for India spikes to 26 percent.”For liquor, beer and wine, most of the wine we import comes from the EU,” Filkins said, noting the impact is biggest on products from France, Italy, Spain and Portugal so far.Yet, his company is trying to hold off passing on additional costs entirely.”Consumers are not comfortable spending more in the current climate,” said Filkins.The world’s biggest economy has fared well after the Covid-19 pandemic, helped by a solid labor market that allowed consumers to keep spending.But economic growth has slowed alongside hiring. Economists are monitoring to see if tariffs feed more broadly into inflation this summer, and households become more selective with purchases.With Trump’s approach of announcing, adjusting and halting tariffs roiling financial markets and fueling uncertainty — forcing businesses to put investments on hold — Filkins hopes for an easing of levies.”It’s hard for all of us to forecast what’s going to happen in the next eight days,” said Filkins. “We can’t base all of our decisions on speculation.”

Even during his federal criminal trial in New York, the descriptions of Sean Combs were frequently those of awe: one former assistant called him “a god among men.””Larger than life,” said witnesses over and over — his accusers included.And that he was, until it all came crashing down.The music and entertainment titan known for his legendary A-list “white parties” had multiple mansions, a private jet, a business empire and scores of accolades.Then in September 2024, he was arrested on sweeping charges including running a criminal ring that allowed him to commit harrowing sexual abuse.And after a two-month long courtroom saga, a jury of 12 New Yorkers on Wednesday found him guilty of two prostitution-related counts — but acquitted him of more serious allegations of racketeering and sex trafficking.The outcome was not what prosecutors had hoped for — a decisive conviction for grave crimes that could have kept him incarcerated for life.Nevertheless, even before the blockbuster proceedings began, Combs’s reputation was in tatters. The 55-year-old still faces dozens of civil lawsuits in which he is accused of lurid abuse.And even his own team’s defense came back to haunt him: the federal judge denied Combs bail as he awaits sentencing, reading back his attorneys’ words in which they conceded again and again that he has a record of violence.- Rebrands upon rebrands -Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records whose proteges included the late Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige, was known as a high-flying, smooth-talking kingpin who ushered hip-hop from the underground to bottle-service clubs.He was continuously rebranding — his monikers include “Puff Daddy,” “P Diddy” and, more recently, “Brother Love.”Court proceedings revealed a much seedier side, casting him as a violent, domineering boss whose inner circle helped him live life with impunity.Even before his arrest, the mushrooming accusations and legal action left many of his businesses reeling. There were symbolic measures as well: the city of New York had rescinded the honorary key they had bestowed upon him.But as was clear outside the courthouse throughout the proceedings, he still has a loyal fan base, especially in the city where he made his name.- Party boy and hip-hop mogul -Born Sean John Combs on November 4, 1969, in Harlem, the artist entered the industry as an intern in 1990 at Uptown Records where he eventually became a talent director.He gained clout as a party planner, which would remain central to his brand.In 1991, he promoted a celebrity basketball game and concert at the City College of New York that ended in a stampede, leaving nine people dead.The event was over-capacity by the thousands and resulted in a string of lawsuits, with Combs blamed for hiring inadequate security.He was fired from Uptown, and founded his own label, Bad Boy Records.Thus began his quick ascent to the top of East Coast hip-hop.The Notorious B.I.G. became the genre’s king following the release of his landmark debut album “Ready to Die” in 1994, up until his shock murder in 1997.Combs boasted a number of major signed acts and production collaborations with the likes of Blige, Usher, Lil’ Kim, TLC, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men.He was also a Grammy-winning rapper in his own right, debuting with the chart-topping single “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” and his album “No Way Out.”The smash hit single “I’ll Be Missing You” was a tribute to Biggie. His other major tracks included “It’s All About The Benjamins” and “Been Around the World.”He built an image as a brash hustler with unapologetic swagger, a major producer who also ventured into Hollywood, reality television and fashion. He was known as a ladies’ man — he had a high-profile relationship with Jennifer Lopez.- ‘Next chapters’ -As recently as 2023, Combs was still on top of the world — releasing a new album and taking a victory lap as he accepted lifetime honors including a “global icon” award from MTV.But his star plummeted rapidly in November of that year, when his former partner of 11 years, Casandra Ventura, filed a civil suit with a litany of allegations including a 2018 rape.Combs settled the suit almost immediately, but months later, it became clear that federal investigators were trailing him.His mansions were raided and many possessions seized. Then came his arrest and, nearly eight months later, his high-stakes federal trial.Combs’s defense conceded that he committed brutal violence. But they insisted that those instances did not amount to the extensive charges he faced — and won.Combs routinely brought self-help books or Bible passages with him to the courtroom, and his lawyers argue he’s an evolving man.He has six adult children, and a two-year-old named Love Sean Combs.”He’s been given his life back,” his attorney Marc Agnifilo said Wednesday.”He’s going to have next chapters of his life.”

Since immigration police raided his car wash near Los Angeles last month, Jose has been constantly watching the video feeds from his 11 surveillance cameras.The raid carried out by federal agents outraged the 25-year-old, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear that his business, which employs many undocumented Latin American migrants, will be targeted again. “It felt like racial profiling,” he said while showing AFP footage of the operation in Downey, a suburb of Los Angeles.In the videos, immigration officers chase and capture two car wash workers with dark complexions.Meanwhile, a lighter-skinned colleague calmly got into his car and drove away without being stopped.The two men arrested have no criminal records, with one of them working at the car wash for nearly 20 years, Jose said.”Our 10 workers that day were undocumented, they could have arrested any one of them,” he told AFP.Jose said he felt it was “not a coincidence” that the two arrested workers had darker skin than the others.A month after Los Angeles was rocked by protests against sweeping immigration raids carried out by the administration of Republican President Donald Trump, the second-largest US city has returned to calm even as raids continue in the region.In Montebello, near Downey, a raid on an auto body shop sparked criticism against aggressive immigration officers.Witness videos showed an employee being pushed against a gate. He shouted “I’m American, bro!” before being released.- Profiling? – “I believe that they are racially profiling people, which is unconstitutional. They are almost just driving around looking for people who look Mexican,” said Mario Trujillo, a Downey councilman who recorded about 15 raids in June.The Trump administration has emphatically rejected the accusation.”Any claims that individuals have been ‘targeted’ by law enforcement because of their skin color are disgusting and categorically FALSE,” said Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security.”We know who we are targeting ahead of time,” she said, adding that agents were working “to get the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens off of America’s streets.”Preliminary figures from last month’s arrests appear to contradict her statement.According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) figures obtained by the Deportation Data Project, which collects US immigration enforcement data, 722 migrants were arrested in Los Angeles and the surrounding area from June 1 to 10. An analysis by the Los Angeles Times showed that 69 percent of those arrested had no criminal convictions, and 58 percent had never been charged with a crime.”This administration lied to us. They’re not targeting criminals. They’re going for people walking on the street, workers that look undocumented, Latino,” Trujillo said. “That’s why people are getting mad.”Six Republican California state senators sent a letter to Trump last week, expressing concern over “raids targeting violent criminals, which have resulted in non-criminal migrants being swept up as well.””ICE raids are not only targeting undocumented workers, but also creating widespread fear among other employees, including those with legal immigration status. This fear is driving vital workers out of critical industries,” the letter said.In Downey, several Latin American migrants told AFP they now carry their immigration documents when they go out, for fear of arrest because of their appearance.”Permanent residents like us are not safe either,” said a 23-year-old Mexican worker at another car wash, despite her having permission to be in the country.

His gaze to the ceiling in exultation and hands miming prayer, Sean Combs appeared overjoyed as the jury foreman declared the music mogul not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking charges, thus taking a life sentence in prison off the table.Combs, 55, was still convicted on two lesser counts related to prostitution, and could serve time. But he and his lawyers hailed the day as a win.Defense attorney Teny Geragos’s eyes welled with tears before jurors had even finished reading the full verdict, clutching Combs’s hand before embracing her co-attorney Marc Agnifilo.Combs, who has been seen in court reading books including “The Power of Positive Thinking,” contained himself as the judge thanked jurors, but his relief was palpable.He was later captured by a sketch artist having fallen to his knees, his face buried in the chair he sat in for two months listening to weeks of testimony that cast him as a serial predator and master manipulator with violent impulses. His lawyer and prosecutors then made competing arguments as to whether he should be released on bond pending his sentencing.When Judge Arun Subramanian rhetorically asked whether or not Combs wants to return to the notorious Brooklyn prison where he has been held since September 2024, he rapidly shook his head.Before retiring to a courthouse holding cell to await the judge’s decision, Combs voiced thanks and love to his family members, who have been a regular presence during the proceedings.He also softly pumped his fists in his lap and mouthed his thanks to the jury.- ‘Disturbing reality’ -It was a jubilant scene for a defense team that spent weeks picking apart harrowing testimony from women who said Combs abused and forced them into sexual marathons with male escorts.The details were often difficult to hear, as was photo and video evidence of brutal beatings the women said Combs had subjected them to.The defense never denied the violence, or the sex — encounters that prosecutors said met legal thresholds for crimes including sex trafficking, forced labor and drug distribution.Government attorneys argued that Combs led a criminal organization of loyal employees who helped him carry out those crimes and many others with impunity.But the defense dismissed, and even mocked, those allegations. And jurors took their side.It was a major blow for federal prosecutors, who appeared somber as they left the room while the defense celebrations were ongoing.Outside the courthouse, crowds of Combs supporters along with hordes of influencers and content creators — who have been a constant feature of the proceedings — created a circus of sorts, prompting police to barricade the plaza just outside the building.Many of those celebrated with an air of “told you so” — and eagerly crowded the courthouse hoping to catch a glimpse of Combs.- Bail debate -Ahead of the bail hearing, the US Attorney’s Office that brought the charges released a serious statement that stood in stark contrast with the chaos outside.”Sex crimes deeply scar victims, and the disturbing reality is that sex crimes are all too present in many aspects of our society,” read the statement. “Victims endure gut-wrenching physical and mental abuse, leading to lasting trauma.”Combs ultimately was denied bail — in relative terms, a minor disappointment on one of the most pivotal days of his life.If slightly deflated, he sat stoically as the teams debated the decision into the evening.Agnifilo called him a “remarkable prisoner” who had “lived up to his obligations.”Prosecutor Maurene Comey countered that Combs is an “extremely violent man with an extraordinarily dangerous temper who has shown no remorse and no regret.”Combs waved at the judge as if he had something to say, but then huddled with his lawyers. He ultimately didn’t take the mic.His return to prison awaiting sentencing was not particularly unexpected.Outside, Agnifilo dubbed the day a “major step in the right direction,” vowing that Combs would one day walk free.