Sep 13 Study says nearly half of defense spending for 9/11 wars went to private contractors By Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press In the post-9/11 wars, U.S. corporations contracted by the Defense Department not only handled logistics like running fuel convoys and staffing chow lines but performed mission-crucial work like training and equipping Afghan security forces. Continue reading
Sep 13 Florida governor threatens cities with fines for vaccine mandates By Mike Schneider, Associated Press DeSantis said Monday that local municipalities potentially face millions of dollars in fines for implementing a requirement that their employees get a COVID-19 vaccine. Continue reading
Sep 13 Democrats seek corporate, wealthy tax hikes for $3.5 trillion plan By Lisa Mascaro, Hope Yen, Associated Press The House released details on Monday as Congress speeds ahead to shape the far-reaching package touches almost all aspects of domestic life. Continue reading
Sep 09 FDA delays decision on e-cigarette ban for vaping giant Juul By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Parents, politicians and anti-tobacco advocates have pressured the FDA for years to ban Juul's high-nicotine devices, which many blame for the recent spike in underage vaping. Continue reading
Sep 09 U.S., Mexico restart high-level economic talks after 4 years By Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Top advisers to presidents Joe Biden and Andrés Manuel López Obrador are expressing eagerness to make headway on issues important to both nations, including infrastructure, trade and migration. Continue reading
Sep 09 Lebanon to start paying cash aid to poor families next month By Associated Press The move comes at a time when the government is planning to end subsidies on vital products such as fuel and some medicines that is widely expected to increase prices of most products. Continue reading
Sep 09 Farmers restore native grasslands to combat drying soil By Tammy Webber, Associated Press To avoid Dust Bowl conditions, more farmers are restoring native grasslands in areas where the nation's largest aquifer is drying up and rainfall is often scarce. Continue reading
Sep 09 COVID-19 surge slows travel industry’s recovery By David Koenig, Associated Press Several leading U.S. airlines warned Thursday that the rise in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant is hurting their bookings and further delaying a recovery for the travel industry. Continue reading
Sep 08 Fed survey finds growth ‘downshifted’ in summer due to COVID By Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press The Fed survey, released Wednesday, said the slowdown was largely attributable to a pullback in dining out, travel and tourism in most parts of the country, reflecting concerns about the spread of the delta variant. Continue reading
Sep 08 U.S. may hit debt limit in October, Yellen warns By Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is warning Congress that she will run out of maneuvering room to prevent the U.S. from broaching the government's borrowing limit in October. Continue reading