WashingTone

Global Population Aged 65 and Over Surpasses Children Under Five, US Census Bureau Says

US Census Bureau data showed people aged 65 and older now outnumber children under five worldwide for the first time, highlighting the accelerating ageing of the global population.

Fox News Fires Anchor Maria Bartiromo

Fox News Media dismissed longtime anchor Maria Bartiromo for undisclosed business reasons, removing one of the network’s most prominent conservative television personalities ahead of the midterm elections.

Analilia Mejia Launches Progressive Super PAC to Back Democratic Primary Challengers

New Jersey Representative Analilia Mejia established a political action committee intended to finance progressive challengers against moderate Democratic incumbents ahead of the midterm primaries.

Federal Watchdog Accuses Former Trump Labor Secretary of Misconduct and Misusing Funds

An internal government watchdog reported that a former Trump administration labor secretary drank alcohol while working and repeatedly misused federal funds, prompting renewed scrutiny from congressional Democrats.

Federal Reserve Ends Several Bank Enforcement Actions

The Federal Reserve Board terminated multiple longstanding enforcement actions against regional financial institutions, extending a broader shift toward lighter banking supervision under Chair Kevin Warsh.

Trump Signs Orders Easing Wolf Protections and Livestock Regulations

President Donald Trump directed the Interior Department to remove endangered-species protections for gray wolves and ordered the Agriculture Department to streamline federal permitting requirements affecting ranchers.

Democratic Lawmaker Suhas Subramanyam Accuses Justice Department of Politically Motivated Wiretapping

Virginia Representative Suhas Subramanyam said the Justice Department intercepted calls between him and a state legislator, alleging that the surveillance represented politically motivated misuse of federal power.

Bernie Sanders Proposes Federal Ban on Development of Superintelligent AI

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders introduced legislation seeking a permanent federal prohibition on developing superintelligent artificial intelligence systems, citing concerns about corporate control and broader societal risks.

Hakeem Jeffries Outlines Affordability and Oversight Agenda if Democrats Win House

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said a Democratic majority would prioritise housing, healthcare and grocery costs while pursuing congressional investigations into the Trump administration.

Witkoff Meets UAE National Security Adviser on Iran and Strait of Hormuz Strategy

US envoy Steve Witkoff held previously unannounced talks with UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan on financial pressure against Iran and efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump Denies US Munitions Shortages as Defence Analysts Warn of Depleted Stockpiles

President Donald Trump rejected reports that US military inventories face serious shortages, contradicting defence analysts who say depleted munitions could limit American and allied options during simultaneous global conflicts.

Israel and Greece Finalise $3.5 Billion Achilles Shield Air-Defence Agreement

Israel secured a $3.5 billion contract to develop a missile and drone defence network for Greece, expanding Israeli defence exports and strengthening military cooperation with the NATO member.

Trump Maintains Economic Pressure on Iran Amid Strait of Hormuz Standoff

President Donald Trump said the United States is deliberately playing down negotiations with Tehran as Washington seeks to use inflation and financial pressure to force concessions over the Strait of Hormuz.

US Economy Adds 162,000 Jobs in August as Unemployment Holds at 4.1%

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 162,000 new jobs in August while the unemployment rate remained at 4.1%, offering evidence of continued labour-market resilience despite concerns about an economic slowdown.

Federal Reserve’s Waller Signals Possible September Rate Increase if Inflation Persists

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said persistent inflation could require an interest-rate increase later this month, pushing Treasury yields higher as markets reassess the outlook for US monetary policy.

Trump Envoys Kushner and Witkoff Prepare for Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are set to travel to Russia and Ukraine for direct talks aimed at a possible settlement to the war, as the diplomatic push coincides with global wheat prices reaching their highest levels since early 2023.

Trump Administration Imposes 50% Tariffs on $20 Billion of Canadian Imports

The Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods, prompting Prime Minister Mark Carney to threaten retaliation as Canadian consumers increasingly boycott American products.

White House Prepares Policy Messaging Campaign Ahead of Congressional Recess

White House communications officials have finalized media and policy outreach plans intended to promote administration accomplishments before Congress begins its forthcoming adjournment.

FAA Reviews Capital-Area Aviation Security Procedures Amid White House Security Changes

The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing terminal access procedures and airspace restrictions around Washington in coordination with security officials as White House perimeter plans advance.

US Government Awards Contracts to Modernize Federal Buildings in Washington Region

The General Services Administration has awarded contracts for capital improvements and energy-efficiency upgrades at several federal office buildings across the Washington metropolitan area.

IRS Issues Preliminary Guidance Ahead of Upcoming Federal Tax Changes

The Internal Revenue Service has begun providing tax professionals and corporate filers with initial instructions on reporting and compliance requirements for the forthcoming tax season.

US Transportation Department Reviews Rail Safety Grants After Network Audits

The Department of Transportation has begun safety audits and grant-performance reviews covering passenger and freight rail systems across several multi-state corridors.

Small Business Administration Adds New Fraud Controls for Federal Loan Programs

The Small Business Administration has introduced enhanced automated verification and identity checks aimed at preventing fraudulent loan applications and protecting federal relief portfolios.

FCC Updates Rules for Satellite and Next-Generation Telecommunications Networks

The Federal Communications Commission has issued revised spectrum-management and licensing requirements for commercial satellite constellations and emerging telecommunications infrastructure.

EPA Faces Congressional Questions Over Delayed Industrial Emissions Rules

US lawmakers are seeking updates from the Environmental Protection Agency on the timetable for finalizing air-quality and industrial pollution regulations affecting manufacturing sectors.

House Oversight Committee Opens Inquiry Into Federal Contracts and Agency Spending

The House Oversight Committee has requested documentation from several cabinet departments as part of an investigation into federal procurement, spending controls and administrative efficiency.

US Immigration Enforcement Expands Deployments Along Southern Border

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has increased tactical staffing and operations across southern border sectors as federal agencies respond to continuing immigration enforcement demands.

FBI Expands Nationwide Investigations Into Pandemic Relief Fraud

The FBI, Small Business Administration inspector general and Internal Revenue Service have broadened fraud investigations that have already produced multiple federal prison sentences involving pandemic relief programs.

US Lawmaker Backs Constitutional Amendment Fixing Supreme Court at Nine Justices

North Dakota Representative Julie Fedorchak has supported a proposed constitutional amendment that would permanently set the US Supreme Court at nine seats and prevent future expansion.

US Senate Budget Committee Advances Fiscal Framework Ahead of Midterm Recess

The Senate Budget Committee is continuing work on long-term fiscal parameters as congressional leaders prepare for legislative adjournments before closely contested November midterm elections.

House Democrats Face Internal Backlash After Two Moderates Support Republican Procedural Vote

House Democratic leaders criticized Representatives Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez after they crossed party lines to support Speaker Mike Johnson on a procedural vote that helped preserve Republican legislative priorities.

US Payroll Growth Holds Steady as Wage Gains Moderate

Federal employment data showed continued job creation alongside slower growth in average hourly earnings, giving policymakers mixed signals about the strength and balance of the labor market.

US Defense Department Reviews Indo-Pacific Force Posture and Allied Cooperation

The Pentagon is reviewing the positioning of military assets and defense cooperation with allies across the Indo-Pacific as it assesses deterrence requirements along key maritime and air routes.

US Energy Department Funds Expansion of Domestic Critical Minerals Processing

The Department of Energy has finalized financial assistance agreements aimed at increasing US refining capacity for critical minerals and rare earth elements used in advanced energy and defense technologies.

Stopgap Spending Law Temporarily Limits White House Authority to Terminate Federal Grants

The government funding measure signed by President Donald Trump temporarily blocks a proposed Office of Management and Budget rule that would have expanded executive discretion to cancel federal grants.

Supreme Court White House Ballroom Ruling Triggers Debate Over Executive Spending Challenges

Legal scholars say a Supreme Court ruling allowing construction of the White House ballroom to proceed by limiting organizational standing could make it harder to challenge disputed executive spending in court.

White House Security Plan Advances Permanent Fencing Around Lafayette Square

Trump administration appointees have advanced plans for permanent fencing and large security gates around Lafayette Square near the White House despite objections from preservation and public-access advocates.

US Homeland Security Prepares Electronic Voter Verification Portal for Mail Ballots

The Department of Homeland Security and US Postal Service are preparing an online system that would require states to submit voter registration data as a condition for delivering mail-in ballots under executive-order guidelines.

US and UK Launch Joint Alliance to Target International Scam Centers

The US Justice Department and British law enforcement agencies have established a bilateral partnership aimed at disrupting criminal networks operating large-scale online scam and financial fraud centers across multiple jurisdictions.

Pentagon Temporarily Withdraws Mandatory Testosterone Screening Guidance

The US Defense Department has temporarily rescinded clinical guidance for a mandatory testosterone deficiency screening program covering service members aged 30 and older, leaving the policy’s implementation uncertain.

Federal Reserve Signals Cautious Rate Path as Inflation Remains Persistent

Federal Reserve officials indicated they intend to maintain their current interest-rate trajectory as underlying inflation takes longer than expected to return to the central bank’s target range.

US State Department Steps Up Middle East Diplomacy After Persian Gulf Attacks

The State Department has intensified consultations with regional partners as it seeks to manage security risks and protect US military installations following coordinated missile and drone attacks in the Persian Gulf.

US Commerce Department Expands Controls on Semiconductor and AI Hardware Exports

The Commerce Department has advanced additional trade restrictions on sensitive semiconductor manufacturing equipment and artificial intelligence computing components intended for strategic competitors.

US and Ecuador Sink Vessel Allegedly Used to Refuel Los Choneros Drug Traffickers

US Southern Command and Ecuadorian forces interdicted and sank a vessel in international waters that authorities said was being used as a floating refueling station by the Los Choneros drug trafficking organization.

US Treasury Proposes Ending Tax-Exempt Status for Private Schools With Race-Based Assistance Programs

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service have proposed stripping private schools and universities of federal tax-exempt status if they provide targeted assistance based on race, escalating the administration’s campaign agains...