Washington
Lawmakers demand answers after ‘bombshell’ report of ICE officer shooting in Maine
WASHINGTON | Democratic members of Congress demanded answers about Homeland Security’s vetting and training of immigration enforcement agents after it was disclosed Thursday that the ICE officer involved in a deadly shooting this week in Maine had a history of mental health issues and violent behavior. The Associated Press reported that David Brouillette, the Immigration […]
Trump administration races the clock to rebuild US tariff wall knocked down by Supreme Court
WASHINGTON | The U.S. Treasury last year swelled with revenue from President Donald Trump’s double-digit taxes on imports from almost every country on earth. But the money dried up after the Supreme Court struck down the biggest and boldest of Trump’s tariffs in February. The question now is: Can the president’s trade team make good […]
FDA approves a first-of-its-kind pill to cut cholesterol in high-risk patients
WASHINGTON | The Food and Drug Administration has approved a first-of-its-kind pill that can drastically reduce cholesterol in a way that’s previously only been available with expensive, injectable drugs. The drug from Merck was OK’d on Thursday for patients with artery-clogging cholesterol that persists even after taking statins, the standard medications for cutting heart attack […]
Republican senator says Blanche must meet Epstein’s accusers to earn his vote for attorney general
WASHINGTON | A Republican senator whose vote Todd Blanche needs to advance his nomination as attorney general suggested Thursday that his support hinges on Blanche first meeting with Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers. Sen. Thom Tillis’ comments came a day after Blanche was pressed during his confirmation hearing over the Justice Department’s handling of millions of files […]
US imposing a 25% tariff on some Brazilian imports starting July 22, citing unfair trade practices
WASHINGTON | The United States is imposing 25% tariffs on imports from Brazil after finding a range of what it deemed unfair trade practices by the world’s 10th-biggest economy. The tariffs, which were first proposed last month, will take effect July 22. The order exempts some goods that are not produced in the U.S. or […]
Trump is expected to make election conspiracies a focus of his national address
WASHINGTON | President Donald Trump is set to address the nation on Thursday night on topics he said will include elections and voting machines, suggesting he is likely to revisit some of the unproven claims he has previously made about Republican losses, particularly his own in 2020. Trump’s fixation on his loss to Democrat Joe […]
Three Colorado Democrats among majority voting to cut aid to Israel in growing split
WASHINGTON | More than half the House Democrats voted Wednesday to strip $3.3 billion in U.S. aid from Israel, the most substantial signal yet that once rock-solid bipartisan support for the country is disintegrating in the aftermath of its war in Gaza that has killed thousands of Palestinians. The vote tally, 104-314, was not enough […]
Blanche confronts skeptical questioning of fund, tax deal for Trump at Senate confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON | Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confronted skeptical questioning at a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday about the creation of a fund to compensate President Donald Trump’s allies and a tax immunity deal for the president as he aimed to lock down the Republican support needed to advance his nomination. Blanche insisted that the $1.776 […]
CDC nominee says she won’t betray science — and also backs Kennedy’s actions
The Trump administration’s latest nominee to lead the nation’ top public health agency drew frustrated reactions from some U.S. senators on Wednesday when they pressed her on whether she would protect the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from political meddling. Dr. Erica Schwartz told the Senate health committee she “will never betray the science” […]
Hegseth announces new policy to test troops for low testosterone
WASHINGTON | Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that he is rolling out a new screening program for “testosterone deficiency” among troops, calling it necessary to allow them to operate at their “absolute best.” The new screenings will be conducted annually as part of service members’ required medical screenings for those 30 and older, he […]