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[1/2] Golf - The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club - Augusta, Georgia, U.S. - April 6, 2021 General view of Jordan Spieth of the U.S. on the 16th green during a practice round REUTERS/Mike SegarWASHINGTON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The Augusta National Golf Club, the PGA Tour and the U.S. Golf Association are included in the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust investigation into professional golf, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Phil Mickelson and 10 other golfers sued the PGA Tour in early August over its decision to suspend them for playing on the new Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf circuit. LIV Golf has joined a handful of its players in their antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour, according to an amended complaint that showed four golfers have now removed their names. The Augusta National, which hosts the Masters golf tournament each spring, has produced documents for the Justice Department probe, these people said.

"These are junk fees. The agency said that both fees likely violate the Consumer Financial Protection Act's prohibition on unfair fees that are unavoidable to consumers. In a fact sheet, the White House noted that bank overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees accounted for an estimated $15.5 billion in revenue for banks in 2019. He cited processing fees for concert tickets and resort fees at hotels as two items his administration is examining. There's tens of billions of dollars and other junk fees across the economy that I'm directing my administration to reduce or eliminate," Biden said.

☆ Biden administration looking at concert ticket, resort fees
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden said his administration is examining fees imposed on consumers in a range of sectors, including entertainment and travel, as regulators on Wednesday targeted overdraft and other banking fees that he said would save customers more than $1 billion. Biden, speaking to reporters at the White House, said other federal agencies would look at fees linked to concert tickets and travel resorts. Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Doina Chiacu; writing by Susan Heavey; editing by Rami AyyubOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. blasts verdict against Hong Kong democracy advocate Jimmy Lai
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The United States condemns the verdict against Hong Kong democracy advocate Jimmy Lai on "spurious fraud charges," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Wednesday. Lai, founder of the Apple Daily newspaper, was found guilty Tuesday on fraud charges, according to media reports. "We remain deeply concerned about the deterioration in protection for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the systematic dismantling of Hong Kong’s autonomy under the National Security Law (NSL)," Price said. "These include increased efforts to wield the NSL to suppress independent media, to silence dissenting views, and to stifle freedom of speech." Reporting by Doina Chiacu; editing by Susan HeaveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Israeli president says he discussed Iran arms supply to Russia with Biden
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed Iran supplying weapons to Russia that are killing Ukrainians, during a White House meeting on Wednesday. Herzog also told reporters the two discussed the Iranian nuclear program and Tehran's repression of its citizens. Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. working to bring Griner home after 'sham' Russian hearing, Sullivan says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The United States will continue to engage with Russia to bring home jailed U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, after a Russian court on Tuesday upheld her nine-year drug sentence. "We are aware of the news out of Russia that Brittney Griner will continue to be wrongfully detained under intolerable circumstances after having to undergo another sham judicial proceeding today," Sullivan said in a statement. The Biden administration "has continued to engage with Russia through every available channel and make every effort to bring home Brittney as well as to support and advocate for other Americans detained in Russia, including fellow wrongful detainee Paul Whelan," Sullivan added. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Doina Chiacu Editing by Rami AyyubOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterChinese nationals Guochun He and Zheng Wang were charged with trying to interfere in the prosecution, the prosecutors said. Court documents did not name the company, but the complaint referenced the same dates in which the U.S. unsealed its charges against Huawei, in 2019 and 2020. In addition to the case against the two Chinese nationals accused of interfering in the Huawei prosecution, the Justice Department also announced charges in two other schemes. The second case charges four Chinese nationals out of New Jersey with running a decade-long intelligence campaign, while the third accuses seven others of waging a harassment campaign against a U.S. resident in a bid to convince him to return to China. Of the 13 people charged, 10 are Chinese intelligence officers and Chinese government officials.

☆ U.S. mining sanctions take aim at Nicaragua's Ortega
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks about student debt relief at Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware, U.S., October 21, 2022. REUTERS/Leah MillisOct 24 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's administration ratcheted up economic pressure on Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's government on Monday through a series of steps targeting the country's mining, gold and other sectors. Biden signed an executive order that includes the authority to ban U.S. companies from doing business in Nicaragua's gold industry, while U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions the head of Nicaragua's mining authority, along with another top government official, the department said in a statement. The order's expanded sanctions powers could also be used to block new U.S. investment in certain other sectors in Nicaragua, the importation of certain Nicaraguan products or the exportation of certain items to Nicaragua, it added. The two sanctions announced on Monday target Nicaragua's General Directorate of Mines, a unit of the Nicaraguan Ministry of Energy and Mines that manages most mining operations in the country, and Reinaldo Gregorio Lenin Cerna Juarez, a close Ortega confidante, Treasury said.

☆ U.S. government to issue warnings on election threats -Politico
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The federal government is set to issue a warning this week about threats to the United States' elections operations ahead of Nov. 8 congressional elections, Politico reported on Monday. The internal intelligence bulletin will lay out specifics on cyber threats from China and Russia, as well as potential physical threats to election officials across the country, according to the news outlet's report, which cited two people familiar with the matter. Domestic disinformation campaigns and homegrown threats to poll workers are emerging as bigger concerns before the midterms, two senior U.S. officials told Reuters last week. Election integrity has been a contentious issue in the United States, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. Opinion polls have shown that a large majority of Republican voters believe Trump won that election.

☆ U.S. to warn of threats to midterm elections -Politico
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The federal government is set to issue a warning this week about threats to the United States' elections operations ahead of Nov. 8 congressional elections, Politico reported on Monday. Republicans are aiming to win back control of the Senate and the House of Representatives from Biden's fellow Democrats in the midterm elections. Domestic disinformation campaigns and homegrown threats to poll workers are emerging as bigger concerns before the midterms, two senior U.S. officials told Reuters last week. "There is a lot of rhetoric about violence against poll workers," said one of the U.S. officials. Election integrity has been a contentious issue in the United States, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.

WASHINGTON, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Highly sensitive intelligence on Iran and China was in some of the documents recovered by the FBI during an August search of former U.S. President Donald Trump's home in Florida, The Washington Post reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. The release of information in these documents would pose multiple risks, including endangering people helping U.S. intelligence efforts and compromising collection efforts, the newspaper cited experts as saying. The Justice Department is investigating whether Trump broke the law by taking government records, including about 100 classified documents, to his Florida estate after leaving office in January 2021. The department is also looking into whether Trump or his team obstructed justice when the FBI sent agents to search his home, and has warned that more classified documents may still be missing. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting By Paul Grant; Editing by Doina Chiacu and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

WASHINGTON, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump was issued an order on Friday to testify under oath and provide documents to the House of Representatives committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. Such testimony could be made public and become part of a final report by the special panel. Committee members have not said how they will proceed if Trump disregards his subpoena. If the select committee's subpoena is ignored, the committee would vote to refer the issue to the full House. The House Jan. 6 select committee has been investigating the attack on the Capitol for more than a year.

WASHINGTON, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump was ordered on Friday to testify under oath and provide documents to the House of Representatives committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. Such testimony could be made public and become part of a final report by the special panel. 1/3 Police clear the U.S. Capitol Building with tear gas as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather outside, in Washington, U.S. January 6, 2021. read morePRIOR PRESIDENTIAL TESTIMONYThe committee made clear that congressional testimony by a former or sitting president was not unprecedented. The rioters were attempting to stop Congress' formal certification of Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election.

☆ U.S., Russian defense chiefs speak amid Ukraine war -Pentagon
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke on Friday with his Russian counterpart, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid the war in Ukraine, according to a statement from the Pentagon. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Katharine Jackson and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chris GallagherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Biden blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine for higher crude and gasoline prices, while noting prices had fallen 30% from their peak earlier this year. “Families are hurting,” and gasoline prices are squeezing their budgets, he added. Retail gasoline prices have fallen from a high in June, but remain above historical averages, and are a major contributor to inflation. Biden said oil companies should feel more confident about investing in production with the new SPR repurchase pledge, and stop pushing stock buybacks. So you can act now to increase oil production," he said.

The plan is intended to add enough supply to prevent oil price spikes that could hurt consumers and businesses, while also assuring the nation's drillers the government will swoop into the market as a buyer if prices plunge too low. Earlier this year, Biden decided to sell 180 million barrels out of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to combat a potential supply crisis brought about by sanctions on oil-rich Russia following its February invasion of Ukraine. Those will be put up for bidding for delivery in December, a senior administration official said, and extra oil could also be made available if needed. They have called on the administration to take the option off the table, a move officials are unwilling to do. "We are keeping all tools on the table, you know, anything that could potentially help ensure stable domestic supply," the official said.

☆ Biden to continue SPR releases as needed - U.S. energy adviser
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. government will continue taking steps to release additional output from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as needed and then replenish the reserve, a senior U.S. energy adviser said on Wednesday. President Joe Biden has been clear that he will continue to work to bring down prices for American consumers after a spike in energy prices from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, adviser Amos Hochstein said in an interview with CNN. Biden is due to make remarks on gas prices on Wednesday, including announcing another selloff from the nation's emergency oil reserve. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"The president's going to keep a careful eye on announcing today that whatever we're doing today could continue and see additional SPR releases - if necessary," Hochstein said. "The president's also going to be announcing that we are going to replenish the SPR," he said.

☆ U.S. Senate candidate Fetterman releases doctor letter saying he is OK
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate John Fetterman speaks during a joint rally with Democratic candidate for Governor Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro for Service Employees International Union workers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 15, 2022. REUTERS/Hannah Beier/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman of Pennsylvania released a doctor's letter on Wednesday that said he was recovering well from a stroke and has no work restrictions. Governor is recovering well from his stroke and his health has continued to improve," Dr. Clifford Chen wrote in a letter released by Fetterman's campaign. Chen said in the letter that Fetterman is committed to maintaining good fitness and health practices. "He has no work restrictions and can work full duty in public office," the doctor said.

If Democrats elect more senators and keep control of the House, Biden said he would sign a law in January to ensure women's right to abortion across the country. Republicans largely oppose abortion rights, while Democrats largely support them. Some 20% of Democratic women cite the end of national abortion rights as their top issue for the midterms, compared with 22% who cite inflation. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday that Biden would support a carveout of the filibuster reform in order to codify abortion rights. Biden and top White House officials this month announced new guidelines and grants to protect abortion and contraception rights.

If Democrats elect more senators and keep control of the House of Representatives, Biden said he will sign a law codifying Roe in January to protect abortion rights. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday Biden would support a carveout of the filibuster reform in order to codify abortion rights. Jean-Pierre did not say what happens to abortion rights if Democrats do not control the legislature. Some 20% of Democratic women cite the end of national abortion rights as their top issue for the midterms, compared with 22% who cite inflation. Biden and top White House officials this month announced new guidelines and grants to protect abortion and contraception rights.

☆ U.S. seeking to make it harder for Iran to sell drones to Russia
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERSUkraine has accused Russia of using Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones in attacks in recent weeks. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Iran has promised Russia it would supply them with surface to surface missiles, in addition to more drones. read moreThe U.S. State Department assessed that Iranian drones were used on Monday in a morning rush hour attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, a U.S. official said. White House spokesperson Karinne Jean-Pierre also accused Tehran of lying when it said Iranian drones were not being used by Russia in Ukraine. The United States in September imposed sanctions on an Iranian company it accused of coordinating military flights to transport Iranian drones to Russia and three other companies it said were involved in the production of Iranian drones.

☆ U.S. consular official spoke with detained Americans Griner and Whelan -State Dept
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - A U.S. consular official spoke on Tuesday with Britney Griner and Paul Whelan, Americans detained in Russia, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said. "There was a substantial proposal on the table earlier this summer to facilitate their release. Our governments have communicated repeatedly and directly on that proposal, and the Russians should take that deal," he said at a news briefing. A consular officer spoke briefly on the phone with both detainees on Tuesday, he said without elaborating. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. to take "practical, aggressive" steps to make sale of Iranian drones harder
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - The United States will continue to take "practical, aggressive" steps to make it harder for Iran to sell drones and missiles to Russia, State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Tuesday, adding that Washington had a number of tools to hold both Moscow and Tehran accountable. Speaking at a daily press briefing, Patel did not provide further details on the steps but pointed out that Washington has already used sanctions and export controls as a response. He also added that a deepening alliance between Russia and Iran is a phenomenon that the world should view as a "profound threat." Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk and Doina ChiacuOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. to probe Samsung, Qualcomm, TSMC over semiconductors, circuits
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators will investigate units of Samsung (005930.KS), Qualcomm (QCOM.O) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (2330.TW) (TSMC) over certain semiconductor devices and integrated circuits and mobile devices using those components, the U.S. International Trade Commission said on Friday. The USITC will probe certain semiconductors manufactured by Samsung and TSMC, and certain integrated circuits from Samsung and Qualcomm following a complaint filed last month by New York-based Daedalus Prime LLC, it said in statements following voted to take up the probes. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Doina ChiacuOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - The United States on Friday warned it can impose sanctions on people, countries and companies that provide ammunition to Russia or support its military-industrial complex, as Washington seeks to increase pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Muir was also set to warn that Russian intelligence services are tasked with illicitly acquiring Western technology and parts barred from being exported to Russia under U.S. measures. The Commerce Department has previously warned that semiconductors produced by Western companies have turned up in Russian military drones and other uses. Asked how much more Western allies could do to increase pressure on Russia, one European finance official said, "We can extend the list of people who are under sanctions. "But I think clearly the sanctions will show their impact in terms of industrial value chains in Russia," the European official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

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