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White House slams Supreme Court failure to take up Texas abortion case

The White House on Monday criticized the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to hear a bid by President Joe Biden's administration to enforce in Texas federal guidance requiring hospitals to perform abortions in emergencies.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-slams-supreme-court-failure-take-up-texas-abortion-case-2024-10-07/


Makeup artist's lawsuit accuses Garth Brooks of rape

Country music superstar Garth Brooks was accused of rape and sexual assault in a lawsuit filed by an unnamed hair and makeup artist on Thursday.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/makeup-artists-lawsuit-accuses-garth-brooks-rape-2024-10-04/


US lawmakers ask Mexican president-elect to address Chinese vehicle concerns

About 20 Democrats in the U.S. Congress on Tuesday urged Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum to address national security concerns posed by internet-connected vehicles produced by Chinese automakers in Mexico.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-lawmakers-ask-mexican-president-elect-address-chinese-vehicle-concerns-2024-10-01/


White House condemns Trump ties to conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer

The White House rebuked former President Donald Trump on Thursday for his association with far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who has been traveling this week with the Republican presidential candidate.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-condemns-trump-ties-conspiracy-theorist-laura-loomer-2024-09-12/


US employers expect nearly 6% spike in health insurance costs in 2025, Mercer says

U.S. employers expect health insurance costs to rise an average 5.8% in 2025, largely due to increased cost of medical services as well as higher use, according to a survey released by consulting firm Mercer on Thursday.

https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-employers-expect-nearly-6-spike-health-insurance-costs-2025-mercer-says-2024-09-12/


Harris likely to join Biden on Chicago convention stage on Monday

Vice President Kamala Harris is likely to join President Joe Biden on stage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday as he passes the torch to her as the party's candidate in the Nov. 5 presidential election, sources said on Saturday.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/harris-likely-join-biden-chicago-convention-stage-monday-2024-08-17/


US Supreme Court weighs Trump's bid for immunity from prosecution

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday confronts a major test of the power of the presidency in arguments over Donald Trump's bid for immunity from prosecution for his efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-supreme-court-weighs-trumps-bid-immunity-prosecution-2024-04-25/


After battle with Republicans, Biden to sign Ukraine aid package

President Joe Biden will sign a bill into law on Wednesday that provides billions of dollars of new aid to Ukraine for its war with Russia, a bipartisan victory for the president as he seeks re-election and a boost to allies who have looked to Washington to support Kiev.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/after-battle-with-republicans-biden-sign-ukraine-aid-package-2024-04-24/


In Florida, Biden to blame Trump for abortion ban

President Joe Biden visits Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday to tie opponent Donald Trump to new abortion restrictions, hoping to boost his own chances in a state that has drifted out of Democrats' reach in recent elections.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/florida-biden-blame-trump-abortion-ban-2024-04-23/


Three California police officers charged in 2021 death of man in custody

California prosecutors announced involuntary manslaughter charges against three police officers for the 2021 death of a man in their custody, reversing the outcome of a previous investigation that had cleared the officers.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/three-california-police-officers-charged-2021-death-man-custody-2024-04-19/


Abortion rights activists rally in Florida as issue moves to center of U.S. election

Thousands of reproductive rights supporters rallied on Saturday in Florida to support a voter referendum that would enshrine abortion protections into the state constitution, an effort Democrats hope will boost their chances to win the Southern state in November's presidential election.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/abortion-rights-activists-rally-florida-issue-moves-center-us-election-2024-04-13/


Biden calls on snack companies to stop shrinkflation

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday called on snack companies to stop shrinkflation, which is when businesses cut product sizes but keep prices the same, describing the practice as "a rip-off."

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-calls-snack-companies-stop-shrinkflation-2024-02-11/


Trump brings fight to stay on ballot to US Supreme Court

Donald Trump's lawyers on Thursday bring his fight against a campaign to kick him off state presidential ballots for his actions involving the 2021 Capitol attack to the U.S. Supreme Court in a case with major implications for the November election.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/trump-brings-fight-stay-ballot-us-supreme-court-2024-02-08/


US accuses Pennsylvania lender FNB of redlining in North Carolina

First National Bank of Pennsylvania was sued on Monday by the U.S. Department of Justice and the state of North Carolina, which accused it of lending discrimination known as redlining in the Charlotte and Winston-Salem, North Carolina markets.

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/us-accuses-pennsylvania-lender-fnb-redlining-north-carolina-2024-02-05/


Meta oversight board, reviewing Biden video, says deepfake rule 'incoherent'

Meta's Oversight Board has found a Facebook video wrongfully suggesting that U.S. President Joe Biden is a pedophile does not violate the company's current rules while deeming those rules "incoherent" and too narrowly focused on AI-generated content.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/meta-oversight-board-reviewing-biden-video-says-deepfake-rule-incoherent-2024-02-05/


Trump heads to US Supreme Court with a familiar claim: he is untouchable

Donald Trump will try to persuade the U.S. Supreme Court this week to reverse a judicial decision to kick him off the ballot in Colorado over his actions concerning the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, arguing that the constitutional provision his opponents cite does not apply to him as a former president.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/trump-heads-us-supreme-court-with-familiar-claim-he-is-untouchable-2024-02-05/


Shunned in computer age, cursive makes a comeback in California

A generation of children who learned to write on screens is now going old school.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/shunned-computer-age-cursive-makes-comeback-california-2024-01-27/


Chinese music student convicted in US of threatening pro-democracy activist

A Chinese music student was convicted on Thursday of U.S. charges that he harassed an activist who posted fliers at the Berklee College of Music in Boston supporting democracy in China and threatened to report her activities to Chinese law enforcement.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/chinese-music-student-convicted-us-threatening-pro-democracy-activist-2024-01-25/


Senior FDIC attorney pleads guilty to sexually exploiting children - DOJ

A senior attorney with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has pleaded guilty to one charge of sexually exploiting children, the Justice Department announced late Tuesday.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/senior-fdic-attorney-pleads-guilty-sexually-exploiting-children-doj-2024-01-24/


British billionaire Joe Lewis to plead guilty to US charges, lawyer says

British billionaire Joe Lewis intends to plead guilty to certain U.S. criminal charges after he was charged last year with insider trading, his lawyer said on Wednesday at a hearing in Manhattan federal court.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/british-billionaire-joe-lewis-intends-plead-guilty-us-charges-lawyer-says-2024-01-24/


For women backing Haley, a sigh of relief at not voting for Trump

At a campaign event in eastern New Hampshire, last week, Melinda Tourangeau was wearing a Nikki Haley button on her lapel and a broad smile on her face.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/women-backing-haley-sigh-relief-not-voting-trump-2024-01-22/


US congressional leaders agree on stopgap funding bill -reports

U.S. congressional leaders have agreed on a two-tranche stopgap spending bill to keep the federal government funded into March and avert a partial government shutdown starting late next week, U.S. media reported on Saturday.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-congressional-leaders-agree-stopgap-funding-bill-reports-2024-01-13/


Ohio woman will not be prosecuted for mishandling of fetus

A grand jury in Ohio declined to bring charges against a 34-year-old Black woman on Thursday for mishandling her fetus after having a miscarriage at home, a reproductive rights group said.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/ohio-woman-will-not-be-prosecuted-mishandling-fetus-2024-01-11/


US grid operator issues cold weather advisory for central U.S.

Grid operator Southwest Power Pool on Thursday issued a cold weather advisory for its 14-state region in the central U.S., warning of extreme arctic temperatures throughout the weekend and into early next week.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-grid-operator-issues-cold-weather-advisory-central-us-2024-01-11/


Pentagon inspector general begins review of Austin hospitalization -statement

The Defense Department's inspector general's office said on Thursday it will begin a review this month of the handling of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization, according to a statement.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/pentagon-inspector-general-begins-review-austin-hospitalization-statement-2024-01-11/


Laura Lynch, founding member of 'Dixie Chicks,' dies in car crash

Laura Lynch, a founding member of the U.S. country band "Dixie Chicks," died in a car crash near the city of El Paso, Texas, according to the band and media reports.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/laura-lynch-founding-member-dixie-chicks-dies-car-crash-2023-12-23/


Three Washington state officers acquitted in killing of Black man

Three Tacoma, Washington, police officers were acquitted on Thursday in the killing of an unarmed Black man whose dying pleas for air sparked protests in 2020, in a case bearing parallels to the murder of George Floyd in the same year.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/three-washington-state-officers-acquitted-killing-black-man-2023-12-21/


US Congress faces severe January tests over Ukraine, migration, budgets

The U.S. Congress left Washington this week for an extended holiday break with several key issues unsettled including emergency aid for Ukraine and tighter border security, setting the stage for a complicated January.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-congress-faces-severe-january-tests-over-ukraine-migration-budgets-2023-12-21/


Trump legal clashes reach US Supreme Court as 2024 election nears

Donald Trump transformed the U.S. Supreme Court during his four years as president. Now the 6-3 conservative majority he cemented will confront a handful of cases that may determine whether the Republican can reclaim the White House.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/trump-legal-clashes-reach-us-supreme-court-2024-election-nears-2023-12-21/


NY jury deliberating in Jonathan Majors assault case

A New York jury is deliberating Monday in a criminal case accusing actor Jonathan Majors of attacking his ex-girlfriend in the back of a car.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/ny-jury-deliberating-jonathan-majors-assault-case-2023-12-18/


Jewish groups sue UC Berkeley over 'unchecked' antisemitism

<img src="https://www.reuters.com/resizer/10QyZs005Xkbi11PDrzSDkweGHY=/1920x0/filters:quality(80)/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/N3O5KAKEYFMCLINQOIUTY7B3VA.jpg" alt="Prospective students tour the University of California, Berkeley campus before beginning of the new semester">Prospective students tour the University of California, Berkeley campus before beginning of the new semester, in Berkeley, California, U.S., June 8, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo       The University of California, Berkeley was sued on Tuesday by Jewish groups who said it has become a hotbed of "unchecked" antisemitism, including at its elite law school.   According to a complaint by the nonprofit Louis D. Brandeis Center, UC Berkeley's leadership turns a blind eye to the long-festering problem of antisemitism on campus, even after displays of harassment and physical violence against Jews following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel.   The complaint filed in San Francisco federal court is among the first against a major university since the war between Israel and Hamas sparked protests on many college campuses.   It described two protesters striking the head of a Jewish undergraduate draped in an Israeli flag with a metal water bottle, and how a faculty member allegedly cut short a class for 1,000 freshmen to go on an 18-minute anti-Israel rant.   The complaint also said "no fewer" than 23 law school groups have anti-Jewish policies. It said these include requirements that invited speakers repudiate Zionism, and Jewish students wanting to provide pro bono legal services undergo "Palestine 101" training that emphasizes Israel's supposed illegitimacy.   In a statement, UC Berkeley said it has long been committed to confronting antisemitism, and that while it cannot censor offensive speech it recognized that some demonstrations have been "upsetting and frightening" to Jewish students.   "While we appreciate the concerns expressed by the Brandeis Center, UC Berkeley believes the claims made in the lawsuit are not consistent with the First Amendment of the Constitution, or the facts of what is actually happening on our campus," the university said.   Law school dean Erwin Chemerinsky, a constitutional law specialist, said the complaint painted a "stunningly inaccurate" picture of the school. He said the school is dedicated to a conducive learning environment for all students, and that student groups have a First Amendment right to choose speakers.   The law school, UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ, the University of California system and its President Michael Drake are among the other defendants.   Other plaintiffs include the Brandeis Center's Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education, a nationwide group whose members include UC Berkeley staff and students.   The lawsuit says UC Berkeley's "inaction" violates the plaintiffs' religious and equal protection rights under the Constitution and federal civil rights laws.   It seeks a permanent injunction requiring that UC Berkeley end the hostile environment toward Jews, enforce its nondiscrimination policies, and neither fund nor recognize student groups that exclude Jews.   UC Berkeley's law school routinely ranks among the top 10 law schools nationwide in academics and reputation.   On Nov. 14, New York University was https://www.reuters.com/legal/nyu-is-sued-by-jewish-students-who-allege-antisemitism-campus-2023-11-14/
 by three Jewish students who accused that school of tolerating pervasive antisemitism, including by allowing chants such as "gas the Jews" and "Hitler was right."   NYU said it took antisemitism "extremely seriously" and would challenge the lawsuit in court.   The case is Louis D. Brandeis Center Inc et al v Regents of the University of California et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 23-06133.    Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Richard Chang

https://www.reuters.com/legal/jewish-groups-sue-uc-berkeley-over-unchecked-antisemitism-2023-11-28/


White House proposes transportation, commerce agencies handle new space regulations

The Biden administration on Wednesday released a long awaited proposal to split regulatory powers over emerging private-sector space activities between the U.S. transportation and commerce departments, according to a draft legislative proposal.   The plan would expand the Federal Aviation Administration's oversight of rocket launch sites on Earth to include various crewed and uncrewed activities in space, from regulating private astronaut missions to licensing commercial space stations and trips to the moon.    Reporting by Joey Roulette

https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/white-house-proposes-transportation-commerce-agencies-handle-new-space-2023-11-15/


US House votes on spending bill to avert government shutdown

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) leaves a press conference with U.S. Representatives Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Tom Emmer (R-MN) on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 14, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz    U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 14, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz    U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks during a press conference as U.S. Representatives Steve Scalise (R-LA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Tom Emmer (R-MN) listen, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 14, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz    U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 14, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz                   The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday began voting on a stopgap spending bill that would extend government funding beyond Nov. 17, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-government-shutdown-what-closes-what-stays-open-2023-09-21/
 on the U.S. to "negative" from "stable," as it noted that high interest rates would continue to drive borrowing costs higher.   Johnson had little senior congressional leadership experience before being chosen speaker less than three weeks ago.   With a slim 221-213 majority, he can afford to lose no more than three Republican votes on legislation that Democrats oppose.   "When you have a small majority, it requires some things are going to have to be bipartisan," Johnson said.   Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he hoped the House would pass the bill and send it to his chamber, where he said he was working with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to move it as quickly as possible.   "If this can avoid a shutdown it would be a good thing," he told a press conference.   McConnell also said he supported the bill.   Johnson's bill would extend funding for military construction, veterans benefits, transportation, housing, urban development, agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration and energy and water programs through Jan. 19. Funding for all other federal operations - including defense - would expire on Feb. 2.   Johnson's political strategy echoes the approach taken by his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, who relied on Democratic votes to pass a stopgap spending bill on Oct 1. That angered some Republicans, who forced him out of his job a few days later.   Republicans say the new speaker is unlikely to suffer the same fate as McCarthy. But hardliners have been quick to see the parallel.   "Here we are. We're doing the same thing," Representative Chip Roy told reporters.    Reporting by David Morgan and Richard Cowan; Additional reporting by Moira Warburton, Katharine Jackson and Susan Heavey; Editing by Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, David Gregorio and Lisa Shumaker

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-congress-tries-overcome-partisan-logjam-avert-government-shutdown-2023-11-14/


Fire that damaged and closed section of Los Angeles freeway ruled an arson

Crew members work in the area, where a fire erupted over the weekend, shutting down a heavily trafficked corridor in Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Garcia    Crew members work in the area, where a fire erupted over the weekend, shutting down a heavily trafficked corridor in Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Garcia    A view following a fire erupted over the weekend, shutting down a heavily trafficked corridor in Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Garcia    A crew member works in the area, where a fire erupted over the weekend, shutting down a heavily trafficked corridor in Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Garcia    Crew members work in the area, where a fire erupted over the weekend, shutting down a heavily trafficked corridor in Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Garcia    Crew members work in the area, where a fire erupted over the weekend, shutting down a heavily trafficked corridor in Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Garcia    Clouds of smoke appear from the Woolsey Fire to the north in Malibu as cars drive on the Santa Monica 10 freeway in Santa Monica, California, U.S. November 9, 2018.   REUTERS/Gene Blevins/File Photo                         A weekend fire that heavily damaged an elevated stretch of a downtown Los Angeles freeway, forcing an indefinite closure of the structure, was found by investigators to have been deliberately set, state officials said on Monday.   The arson ruling in the blaze that engulfed a portion of the Santa Monica Freeway early on Saturday was revealed by California Governor Gavin Newsom and State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant at an afternoon news conference.   "We have been able to confidently determine that the fire was caused by arson," Berlant told reporters, adding that investigators were seeking the public's help to identify the person or persons who were responsible.   He declined to give more details about how investigators reached their conclusion or about how precisely the fire was ignited.   Some 300,000 vehicles ply the Santa Monica Freeway daily, with downtown L.A. often congested under normal circumstances, so that detours from the closure were expected to ripple out and compound heavy traffic across the metropolitan area.   Two days after the fire, transportation officials said they had yet to determine whether the stricken portion of the freeway can be repaired or will need to be demolished and rebuilt.   The flames, which charred support columns and the freeway deck, spread through at least two storage yards filled with stacks of wood pallets and containers beneath the overpass, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.   It took 164 firefighters from 26 fire companies several hours early Saturday to put out the blaze, fire officials said.   No connection was immediately found between the fire and a nearby homeless encampment, Mayor Karen Bass said earlier in the day, adding that 16 people found there had since been placed into housing. No injuries were reported.   Despite traffic concerns, Laura Rubio-Cornejo, general manager of the city Transportation Department, said many motorists seemed to be minding advisories urging them away from downtown streets and to use public transit or work from home when possible.   "The congestion was a little better than normal," Rubio-Cornejo said.   Even so, roads in and around downtown were jam-packed, according to local media, and even minor traffic accidents could quickly be amplified into gridlock.   Newsom on Sunday proclaimed a https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/11/11/governor-newsom-proclaims-state-of-emergency-in-los-angeles-county-due-to-i-10-freeway-fire/
 in Los Angeles County in order to expedite repairs to the freeway. While touring the damage, the governor vowed to get the highway reopened as quickly as possible.   Core samples of concrete and steel rebar were being examined to determine the strength of fire-damaged structures, said Tony Tavares, director of the California Department of Transportation.   "Once we analyze the samples, we will get a clearer idea of our repair strategy," he said. "Caltran is working 24/7, literally, to determine the engineering impact to this vital structure on Los Angeles."   Meanwhile, crews were shoring up the overpass to ensure it was safe to work beneath it, and contractors were ready to start pouring concrete for new pillars if needed, Tavares said.   The damaged section of freeway, also known as the east-west Interstate 10 - or "the 10" in local parlance - was closed in both directions at a point between two other freeways vital to getting around Los Angeles, where traveling by car is the norm.   The closure, one of the area's most consequential transportation disruptions since the January 1994 Northridge earthquake flattened two parts of the same freeway, was likely to last several days or longer, Bass said.   Following the Northridge quake, the freeway was reopened in about three months, 74 days sooner than planned, after the contractor was offered a $200,000 bonus for every day the work was finished ahead of schedule, the Los Angeles Times reported.   (This story has been corrected to fix the day of fire to Saturday, not Friday, in paragraph 2)    Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles and Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; additional reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta and Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Stephen Coates

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/los-angeles-freeway-closed-by-fire-creating-commuter-headache-2023-11-13/


Biden team weighs using US State Dept grants to fund weapons for Ukraine -US official

<img src="https://www.reuters.com/resizer/fTOFAHoK2wNhmcieu83LjhxaVCo=/1920x0/filters:quality(80)/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/D5COSSIMYJPZ5HTNLAESBMVQUE.jpg" alt="Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets with President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy walks down the White House colonnade to the Oval Office with U.S. President Joe Biden during a visit to the White House in Washington, U.S., September 21, 2023. Doug Mills/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo       The Biden administration is considering using a U.S. State Department grant program to send additional military aid to Ukraine, a U.S. official said on Thursday.   The State Department can provide assistance to foreign governments for the purchase of U.S. defense equipment and military training under the Foreign Military Sales program by offering Foreign Military Financing. This is a grant or loan program that gives allies and partners a boost to their purchasing capacity to for security products.   Politico first reported the exploratory initiative on Thursday, citing two U.S. officials with knowledge of the discussions. According to a State Department fact sheet dated Sept. 21, about $650 million worth of Foreign Military Financing appropriation remained out of $4.65 billion pool earmarked for Ukraine and countries impacted by the conflict.   A State Department spokesman declined to comment on the Politico report.   FMF is used widely. In August, U.S. President Joe Biden's administration approved a military transfer to https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/biden-approves-military-aid-taiwan-under-program-normally-used-sovereign-states-2023-08-30/
under the Foreign Military Financing program, normally used for sovereign states.    Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru and Mike Stone in Washington; editing by Diane Craft and David Gregorio

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-team-weighs-using-us-state-dept-grants-fund-weapons-ukraine-us-official-2023-10-05/


US posts August budget surplus after student loan cost reversal

<img src="https://www.reuters.com/resizer/_trUTgd5Bra87BW259am6fqc-GU=/1920x0/filters:quality(80)/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/BUXX3PY7NFPRDPJTB575SC6JA4.jpg" alt="The Treasury Department is pictured in Washington">The Treasury Department is pictured in Washington, U.S., April 25, 2021. REUTERS/Al Drago       The U.S. government posted a rare August surplus of $89 billion due to a $319 billion reversal of costs from President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan after the Supreme Court struck down the program in June, the Treasury Department said on Wednesday.   The August surplus - the first for that month since 1955 - compares to a year-earlier deficit of $220 billion. Receipts last month totaled $283 billion, down 7% or $21 billion from a year earlier, while outlays came to $194 billion after the student loan reversal, down 63% or $329 billion.   The Biden administration last year had taken an https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-cuts-2023-us-deficit-forecast-after-student-loan-forgiveness-struck-2023-07-28/
 of a $1.543 trillion deficit for the full fiscal year, marking the return of rising U.S. deficits after declines during Biden's first two years as president.   Fiscal year-to-date receipts totaled $3.972 trillion, down 10% or $434 billion from a year earlier, primarily due to lower non-withheld individual income tax receipts, higher tax refunds as the Internal Revenue Service churned through a huge backlog of unprocessed paper tax returns, and far lower Federal Reserve earnings due to higher interest rates.   Year-to-date outlays totaled $5.496 trillion, up 3% or $142 billion, partly reflecting the student loan reversal. The Treasury's net interest cost for the period hit a record $808 billion, up 19% or $130 billion from a year earlier.   However, a Treasury official said the nominal interest cost was not a record as a share of Gross Domestic Product. It was higher as a share of GDP throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he added.   The weighted average interest rate on U.S. Treasury debt was 2.92% in August, up from 1.97% in August 2022.    Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Paul Simao

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-treasury-posts-august-surplus-after-student-loan-cost-reversal-2023-09-13/


Bipartisan push to ban deceptive AI-generated ads in US elections

<img src="https://www.reuters.com/resizer/9R49PMjlW_5GTp7eEMTtQiRW4-I=/1920x0/filters:quality(80)/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/UFNLIHDYONPULIKEZX2VS3A4UE.jpg" alt="Senate Committee hearing on Southwest airlines in Washington">Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) speaks during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing entitled "Strengthening Airline Operations and Consumer Protections,"  focusing on the holiday meltdown, that forced Southwest to cancel thousands of flights, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 9, 2023. REUTERS/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades
       Two Democratic and two Republican U.S. senators on Tuesday introduced legislation to ban the use of artificial intelligence that creates content that falsely depicts candidates in political advertisements to influence federal elections.   Authorities around the world are grappling with how to regulate and legislate on issues related to artificial intelligence as services such as ChatGPT gain traction.   https://www.reuters.com/technology/white-house-launches-ai-based-contest-secure-government-systems-hacks-2023-08-09/
 the proliferation of AI tools could make it far easier to, for instance, conduct mass hacking campaigns or create fake profiles on social media to spread false information and propaganda.   Democrats Amy Klobuchar, chair of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration; and Chris Coons, who leads the judiciary committee's subcommittee on intellectual property, alongside Republicans Josh Hawley of the Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on privacy; and Susan Collins, vice chair of the Appropriations Committee, called for action in a joint release.   "This bill would ... prohibit the distribution of materially deceptive AI-generated audio, images, or video relating to federal candidates in political ads or certain issue ads to influence a federal election or fundraise," it said.    Reporting by Costas Pitas; Editing by Richard Chang

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/bipartisan-push-ban-deceptive-ai-generated-ads-us-elections-2023-09-12/


Mark Meadows fails in bid to move Georgia election case to federal court

<img src="https://www.reuters.com/resizer/TSAbH0taUB-UXEkOmXJS0r_Kb84=/1920x0/filters:quality(80)/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/EL2U5X654FMMBB4QS2MTC2KBEU.jpg" alt="White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in Washington">White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows speaks to reporters following a television interview, outside the White House in Washington, U.S. October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Al Drago       Charges against Donald Trump's former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows involving efforts to reverse the 2020 U.S. election results will not be tried in federal court, a sign that similar bids by the Republican former president and his co-defendants to move the criminal case to a more favorable venue will fail.   Friday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Steve Jones denying a bid by Meadows to move his case from Georgia state court to federal court gave an early win to Fulton County prosecutors, who in August https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-advisers-charged-georgia-2020-election-overthrow-scheme-2023-08-15/
 he faces are part of a political plot aimed at preventing him from retaking the White House in next year's election.   Trump faces criminal charges in four cases. He is also under indictment in Florida for his handling of classified documents after leaving office, in Washington for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and in New York over hush money paid to a porn star before the 2016 election. Trump has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty in those cases as well.    Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Jack Queen; additional reporting by Costas Pitas; Editing by Dan Wallis, Will Dunham and Noeleen Walder

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/mark-meadows-fails-bid-move-georgia-election-case-federal-court-2023-09-08/


Trump scores South Dakota governor's 2024 endorsement at rally

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem welcomes former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump before he speaks at a South Dakota Republican party rally in Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S. September 8, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst    Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a South Dakota Republican party rally in Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S. September 8, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst    Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures towards his supporters at a South Dakota Republican party rally in Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S. September 8, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst    Supporters raise their hands as former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump completes his remark at a South Dakota Republican party rally in Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S. September 8, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst    South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem speaks at the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum during the National Rifle Association (NRA) annual convention in Houston, Texas, U.S. May 27, 2022. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo                     South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem endorsed Donald Trump at a campaign rally on Friday, potentially boosting the former president's lead in the Republican Party's 2024 presidential primary race.   A rising star in the party, Noem has long been mentioned as a possible running mate for Trump should he win the nomination. Her endorsement will likely add fuel to that speculation.   Noem announced her "full and complete endorsement" of Trump at an evening rally in Rapid City, South Dakota, attended by thousands of the former president's supporters.   "He is the leader, the fighter that our country needs," said Noem, who used a joke to nod at speculation that she could be his running mate but did not directly address the issue. "I will do everything I can to help him win and save this country."   With the first nominating contest in Iowa still months away, only a handful of Republican governors have officially endorsed candidates in the https://www.reuters.com/world/us/nikki-haleys-2024-white-house-bid-charts-hazardous-path-isolationist-republican-2023-09-08/
 of Biden's handling of the economy, despite easing inflation and low unemployment.   "The fact is we are probably heading into a Great Depression," Trump said. "The only question is whether or not it will be during the remaining months of the Biden administration. If it's going to happen, let it happen then."   Trump also called on Republicans in Congress to try to use an upcoming government funding deadline of Sept. 30 as leverage to ban the Biden administration from using taxpayer funds for resettling immigrants within the United States.    Reporting by Nathan Layne in Wilton, Connecticut; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Daniel Wallis and Michael Perry

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-expected-get-south-dakota-governors-2024-endorsement-rally-2023-09-08/


Court eases curbs on Biden administration's contacts with social media firms

<img src="https://www.reuters.com/resizer/ZjZIw5ugsogn-7nlH8wTn4iqegw=/1920x0/filters:quality(80)/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/H6HQO6H4L5NBRLZHVPAIMIBV44.jpg" alt="A 3D printed Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is seen in front of displayed Google logo in this illustration">A 3D printed Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is seen in front of displayed Google logo in this illustration taken on November 2, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration       A federal appeals court on Friday ruled the White House, the FBI and top health officials may not "coerce or significantly encourage" social-media companies to remove content the Biden administration considers misinformation, including about COVID-19.   But the three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/znvnzxnwnvl/09082023social.pdf
 YouTube and X Corp, formerly Twitter, into censoring posts related to COVID-19 and allegations of election fraud.   The 5th Circuit agreed with the Republican state attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana, who had alleged that numerous federal officials coerced social-media platforms into censoring content in violation of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment's free speech protections.   While officials have an interest in engaging with social-media firms about misinformation, "the government is not permitted to advance these interests to the extent that it engages in viewpoint suppression," the panel wrote.   But the court, in an unsigned opinion by three judges appointed by Republican presidents, vacated much of U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty's injunction, with the exception of a provision concerning alleged coercion, which it narrowed.   The 5th Circuit said the narrower injunction applied to the White House, the surgeon general, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FBI, but would no longer apply to other federal officials covered by the lower court order.   "Social-media platforms' content-moderation decisions must be theirs and theirs alone," the court wrote, as it barred officials at those agencies from coercing or significantly encouraging social media companies to remove content.   The ruling was hailed on X by Missouri's Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who said it would stop federal officials "from violating the First Amendment rights of millions of Americans."   The attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri, along with several social-media users, had sued last year, saying Facebook, YouTube and Twitter engaged in censorship as a result of repeated urging by government officials and threats of heightened regulatory enforcement.   The lawsuit said the censored views included content questioning anti-COVID-19 measures such as masks and vaccine mandates and allegations of election fraud.   Doughty, whose courthouse in Monroe, Louisiana, has become a favored venue for Republican challenges to Biden's policies, in July sided with the states, finding that the federal government's "Orwellian" efforts violated the First Amendment.    Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston and Jonathan Stempel and Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Stephen Coates

https://www.reuters.com/legal/court-eases-curbs-washingtons-contacts-with-social-media-companies-2023-09-08/