U.S. companies expected to report worst sales fall in nearly six years
U.S. companies are expected to report their worst sales decline in nearly six years when they post second-quarter results, giving investors reason to worry about future profits.
US News
Pentagon Moves Toward Lifting Ban on Transgender Troops
The Pentagon took a significant step Monday toward lifting its ban on allowing transgender men and women to serve in the military, announcing a six-month study designed to clear the way.
GOP leader: Obama facing ‘very hard sell’ on Iran deal
President Obama will have a hard time getting congressional approval of a Iranian nuclear deal, according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Jade Helm 15, heavily scrutinized military exercise, to open without media access
Jade Helm 15, the controversial Special Operations exercise that spawned a wave of conspiracy theories about a government takeover, will open next week without any media allowed to observe it, the Washington Post reported.
Impact of Army reductions will be widespread, general says
Planned cuts to the Army’s end strength will touch nearly every base and will include some involuntary layoffs, officials said Thursday, though D.C.-area installations avoid the brunt of the reductions.
Illegal immigrants responsible for almost three-fourths of federal drug possession sentences in 2014
Of the more than 2,200 people who received federal sentences for drug possession in fiscal year 2014, almost three-quarters of them were illegal immigrants, according to new data from the United States Sentencing Commission.
FBI says arrested 10 in July 4 plots inspired by Islamic State
US authorities thwarted plots to kill people in the United States around the July 4 holiday, arresting more than 10 people who were inspired by Islamic State online recruitment, FBI Director James Comey said on Thursday.
NYSE resumes floor trading after more than 3-hour halt
Equity trading was halted at the New York Stock Exchange as the biggest American share venue addressed a computer malfunction and canceled open orders.
New documents show Justice Dept. linked to IRS scandal
Justice Department officials pushed IRS employees to hand over documents before they gave the records to Congress in 2013 as investigators were attempting to dig into the tax agency’s targeting of conservative nonprofits.
U.S. Military Laying Off Thousands
In the next few weeks, the Army is expected to announce 40,000 troop cuts to comply with Congressional budget mandates, along with many thousands more pink slips for civilian support staff.
Obama: “Ideologies Are Not Defeated With Guns, They are Defeated with Better Ideas”
During a press conference, President Barack Obama said the Islamic State’s “twisted ideology” will not be defeated with guns, but rather they are “defeated with better ideas.”
White House-Linked Dark Money Group Threatens Democrats on Eve of Nuke Deal
A prominent progressive organization linked to the White House and claiming to work for dozens of like-minded groups is threatening to attack any congressional Democrat who objects to a final nuclear deal with Iran, even before the terms of any such agreement have been finalized.
U.S. Stockpiles Powerful Bunker-Buster Bombs in case Iran Nuclear Talks Fail
As diplomats rush to reach an agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program, the U.S. military is stockpiling conventional bombs so powerful that strategists say they could cripple Tehran’s most heavily fortified nuclear complexes, including one deep underground.
Congress Facing Busy Agenda, Funding Deadline
After July Fourth fireworks and parades, members of Congress return to work Tuesday facing a daunting summer workload and a pending deadline to fund the government or risk a shutdown in the fall.
Polygamous Montana Trio Applies for Wedding License
A Montana man said Wednesday that he was inspired by last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage to apply for a marriage license so that he can legally wed his second wife.
Record 93,626,000 Americans Not in Labor Force
A record 93,626,000 Americans 16 or older did not participate in the nation’s labor force in June, as the labor force participation rate dropped to 62.6 percent, a 38-year low, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
DoD Joins Homeland, FBI in Warning of ISIS July 4th Threat
The Defense Department joined the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI on Wednesday in warning of the threat of an ISIS attack in the U.S. over the 4th of July holiday weekend.
Keystone Pipeline Divides Congress as Deadline Nears
With a decision looming, both sides of the Keystone XL pipeline debate are making last-ditch appeals to President Obama, with opponents saying the project fails the White House’s climate test and supporters arguing it’s a no-brainer that will spur U.S. energy independence and economic growth.
Obama to Reopen Cuba Embassy Despite Opposition
Reversing more than a half-century of U.S. policy, President Obama announced Wednesday that the U.S. and Cuba have agreed to reopen their embassies this summer and restore full diplomatic ties over vehement objections from lawmakers in both parties of Congress.
US Helped Release Iranian Prisoners As Sweetener for Nuclear Talks
The Obama administration helped to secure the release of several Iranians detained in the United States and the United Kingdom, some convicted of illegal arms smuggling, according to a report that comes as U.S. prisoners languish in Iranian jails.