Aug 01 Trump officials weigh fate of $9M contraceptives stockpile feared earmarked for destruction By Lorne Cook, John Leicester, Associated Press Funded by U.S taxpayers, the family planning supplies were intended for women in war zones, refugee camps and elsewhere, according to a bipartisan letter of protest to Secretary of State Marco Rubio from two U.S. senators. Continue reading
Aug 01 Watch 4:31 A look at Trump’s effort to reshape the White House in his image By Geoff Bennett, Doug Adams The Trump administration announced plans for one of the largest renovations to the White House in decades. It includes a 90,000 square foot state ballroom that will be built in the East Wing at a projected cost of $200 million. Continue watching
Aug 01 Smithsonian removes Trump from an exhibit’s impeachment display, but says it’s temporary By Hillel Italie, Associated Press The Smithsonian Institution has removed from an exhibit a reference to President Donald Trump's two impeachments, a decision that comes as the White House exerts pressure to offer a more positive — and selective — view of American history. A spokesperson said the… Continue reading
Aug 01 CPB says it is shutting down after being defunded by Congress, targeted by Trump By Ted Anthony, Kevin Freking, Associated Press The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced Friday it would take steps toward its own closure after being defunded by Congress — marking the end of a nearly six-decade era in which it fueled the production of renowned educational programming, cultural… Continue reading
Aug 01 Trump fires Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner after dismal employment report By Christopher S. Rugaber, Associated Press President Donald Trump on Friday removed the head of the agency that produces the monthly jobs figures after a report showed hiring slowed in July and was much weaker in May and June than previously reported. Continue reading
Aug 01 What consumers can expect from import taxes as the U.S. sets new tariff rates By Dee-Ann Durbin, Anne D'Innocenzio, Associated Press Tariffs are a tax, and U.S. consumers are likely to foot at least part of that bill. Continue reading
Aug 01 U.S. employers added just 73,000 jobs last month as labor market weakens in face of Trump trade wars By Paul Wiseman, Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2% as Americans dropped out of the labor force. Continue reading
Aug 01 Wall Street takes worst tumble since May after employers slash hiring and new tariffs roll out By Damian J. Troise, Alex Veiga, Associated Press The U.S. stock market had its worst day since May on Friday after the government reported a sharp slowdown in hiring and President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on imports from a number of U.S. trading partners. Continue reading
Aug 01 Trump demands that Federal Reserve board wrest full control of central bank from Fed Chair Powell By Josh Boak, Associated Press Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has held the Fed's benchmark rate for overnight loans constant this year, saying that Fed officials needed to see what impact President Donald Trump's massive tariffs had on inflation. Continue reading
Aug 01 Trump’s new tariffs lenient on some countries, while shares sink and U.S. dollar weakens By Elaine Kurtenbach, Associated Press The new rates are due to take effect on Aug. 7, but uncertainty over what Trump might do next remains. Continue reading