US trade deficit surges, hits all-time highs with China and EU
According to data released by the US Commerce Department on Wednesday, the US trade gap increased 9.5 percent to $50.1 billion in July, from a revised $45.7 billion in the prior month.
U.S. Headlines
Pentagon Plans to Deploy Space-Based Missiles
The Pentagon is studying the deployment of space-based missiles and new sensors to counter the growing threat of high-speed missile attacks from China and Russia, senior defense officials said Tuesday.
American manufacturers growing at fastest pace in 14 years, ISM finds
American manufacturers are on a roll: Business conditions surged in August to a 14-year high, according to a survey of industry executives.
Former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl will be John McCain’s successor in the U.S. Senate
Gov. Doug Ducey on Tuesday publicly chose Jon Kyl, once one of the most powerful Republicans in the U.S. Senate, to succeed the late Sen. John McCain.
First ever trials on the effects of microdosing LSD set to begin
Silicon Valley geeks say it sharpens their thinking and enhances creativity. Other people say it lifts the fog of depression. A novel experiment launching 3 September 2018 will investigate whether microdosing with LSD really does have benefits – or whether it’s all in the mind.
Bruce Ohr, FBI together attempted to flip Russian oligarchs to gather information on Trump campaign: Report
The FBI and Department of Justice partnered on a secret program aimed at flipping Russian oligarchs with potentially damaging information about the Trump campaign’s alleged involvement with the Kremlin, according to a New York Times report Saturday.
As Florida’s toxic red tide stretches on, residents report health problems
The tide, a wave of microorganisms that choke sea life, hit the Gulf of Mexico last November and now spreads over about 130 miles of Florida’s southwest coast. Gov. Rick Scott has issued a state of emergency for seven counties, where waterways and coastlines are filled with putrid fish floating in brass-colored water.
Bruce Ohr named ‘half a dozen’ FBI, DOJ officials who knew about Trump dossier ties, GOP investigator says
Justice Department official Bruce Ohr gave lawmakers ‘a list of half a dozen’ senior FBI and DOJ officials who knew about his interactions with people tied to the Trump dossier, according to a GOP congressman.
Consumer spending increases strongly; inflation rising
U.S. consumer spending increased solidly in July, pointing to strong economic growth early in the third quarter, while a measure of underlying inflation hit the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target for the third time this year.
‘Abortion Is Self-Care’: Shocking Billboard Targets Black Women for Abortions
A new billboard along a Dallas highway encourages African-American women to choose abortion.
Head of California Democratic Party calls for In-N-Out boycott over GOP contribution
The West Coast’s most famous burger chain is facing calls for a boycott from the chairman of the California Democratic Party over a contribution to the state’s Republican Party, CBS Los Angeles reports. In-N-Out donated $25,000 to the California GOP on Aug. 27, according to a public filing.
3 ‘extremist Muslim’ New Mexico compound suspects released after judge drops all charges
Three suspects tied to a New Mexico compound where alleged Muslim extremists reportedly trained children to be school shooters were released from custody on Wednesday, hours after a judge dismissed all of the charges against them, Fox News confirmed.
Atheists Fail to Remove ‘In God We Trust’ From Money After Court Defeat, Call It ‘Utterly Revolting’
Atheists who failed to remove the national motto ‘In God We Trust’ from U.S. coins and bills following an appeals court defeat have called their loss ‘utterly revolting.’
FBI: No evidence proving Hillary Clinton’s email servers were compromised
An FBI official said Wednesday that the bureau has not found any evidence that Hillary Clinton’s email servers were compromised, after some reports suggested they were.
Trump-endorsed Ron DeSantis to face Bernie-backed Andrew Gillum in Florida governor’s race
President Trump’s favored candidate, GOP Rep. Ron DeSantis, defeated state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary on Tuesday after riding the wave of the president’s enthusiastic endorsement to victory.
Trump warns Evangelicals of Democrats ‘violently’ overturning his agenda
President Trump has urged Evangelical leaders to get their followers to the polls in November or face Democrats overturning his conservative agenda ‘violently.’
Senate confirms seven more of Trump’s judges
The Senate confirmed seven of President Trump’s district court nominees on Tuesday after Republicans struck a deal with Democrats to shorten the usual vote times.
Trump: Facebook, Twitter, Google are ‘treading on very, very troubled territory and they have to be careful’
President Donald Trump doubled down on threats against Facebook, Twitter and Google Tuesday afternoon, saying the social platforms are ‘treading on very, very troubled territory and they have to be careful.’
One in seven U.S. adults used marijuana in 2017
With more and more states legalizing marijuana, whether for medical use, recreational use, or both, increasing numbers of Americans are using cannabis. A new survey finds that one in seven had used marijuana in 2017, with smoking being the most common manner of consumption, according to a report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Trump announces 17th wave of judicial nominees, tabs two women for circuit courts
President Trump on Monday announced two new appeals court nominees and two more picks for district court judges, continuing to fulfill his promise of reshaping the federal bench with a conservative bent.