Trump says he has not thought about firing Russia probe special counsel
BEDMINSTER, N.J. (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he has not given any thought to the possibility of firing special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Trump says close to decision on Afghanistan
BEDMINSTER, N.J. (Reuters) – President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was very close to making a decision on the U.S. military effort in Afghanistan, which is undergoing a review and could see an increase in troop strength.
Defense Secretary Mattis sees growth for Silicon Valley defense unit
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Thursday an Obama-era experimental defense outpost in Silicon Valley would grow in importance under the Trump administration and that the nation’s technology entrepreneurs were…
Oklahoma Supreme Court rules fee on cigarettes unconstitutional
(Reuters) – Oklahoma’s Supreme Court declared a fee on cigarettes unconstitutional on Thursday, citing faulty lawmaking practices, prompting the state’s governor to suggest calling back the legislature to find a solution to replace the lost revenue.
Trump declares national emergency on opioid abuse
BEDMINSTER, N.J. (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday declared the opioid epidemic a national emergency and said his administration was drafting papers to make it official.
Blocking abuse of lower small business rate slows U.S. tax overhaul
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A plan by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans to slash taxes on so-called pass-through businesses is testing lawmakers’ ability to design rules to prevent wealthy people from dodging taxes by paying a lower rate …
Climate change helped fuel record heat in 2016: U.S. government report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Global warming helped fuel the hottest year on record in 2016, with greenhouse gas concentrations reaching a new high, a U.S. government report released on Thursday said.
Trump appoints Chatterjee to chair energy commission
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House said on Thursday that President Donald Trump had appointed Neil Chatterjee as chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Trump EPA lags behind in environmental enforcement: report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – During the first six months of the Trump presidency, the Environmental Protection Agency has lagged behind three previous administrations in environmental enforcement, collecting 60 percent less in civil penalties from polluters,…
U.S. judge deals blow to Texas ‘sanctuary’ city law
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – A U.S. district judge in Austin has rejected an effort by Texas to have a law that would punish so-called sanctuary cities be declared constitutional ahead of the measure taking effect next month.
