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Brokerage TD Cowen lowered its U.S. holiday spending estimate to 2% to 3% growth, from 4% to 5%, as it forecast flat Black Friday traffic. With many consumers squeezed by persistent inflation and high interest rates, U.S. holiday spending is expected to rise at the slowest pace in five years. But at 6 a.m. on Friday at a Walmart in New Milford, Connecticut, the parking lot was only half full. "It's a lot quieter this year, a lot quieter," said shopper Theresa Forsberg, who visits the same five stores with her family at dawn every Black Friday. The rise of online shopping has reduced the importance of Black Friday as a single-day event.

Persons: Cowen, David Klink, ”, Barbara Kahn, Theresa Forsberg, Michael Brown, Kearney, Jimmy Lee, Leah Millis, there's, Jeff Gennette, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Oscar de, Carlos Araejo, Ruiz, It’s, Paul Aheren, Puma, Siddharth Cavale, Helen Reid, Arriana McLymore, Katherine Masters, Andrew Hay, Bianca Flowers, Danielle Broadway, James Davey, Deborah Sophia, Miral Fahmy, Nick Zieminski, Frances Kerry, Leslie Adler Organizations: Shoppers, Huntington Private Bank, Walmart, Target, Ross Stores, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, “, National Retail Federation, Garden, Insider Intelligence, Adobe Analytics, Adobe, Wealth Consulting, Amazon, REUTERS, Nordstrom, Saks, Protesters, Puma, Israel Football Association, Thomson Locations: RALEIGH, N.C, U.S, New Milford , Connecticut, Paramus , New Jersey, Wheaton, Glenmont , Maryland, Indianapolis, Israel, Palestine, United States, Dallas, Raleigh, Crabtree, Boston

War in the Middle East has prompted officials to take extra precautions at airports and shopping malls across the United States and along the route of New York's signature Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. A quintessential American rite, Thanksgiving brings together family and friends for turkey dinner and watching the parade and American football on TV. It also marks the most intense week of the year for travel and start of the holiday shopping season on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. but slower economic demand has retailers concerned that the holiday season could prove lackluster. For many Native Americans, however, Thanksgiving is a day of dark reflection about the genocide that followed.

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Eric Adams, Adams, Corie Barry, Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Trotta, Jonathan Allen, Gerry Doyle Organizations: White, REUTERS, FBI, . New York, Consumer, Pilgrims, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Israel, Gaza, United States, U.S, New York, New, Massachusetts, Plymouth, Carlsbad , California

☆ US transport chief aims to ensure Cruise, other self-driving vehicles safe
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt resigned on Sunday, a day after apologizing to staff as the company undergoes a safety review of its U.S. fleet. Cruise pulled all of its vehicles from U.S. testing after an Oct. 2 accident in San Francisco that involved another vehicle and ended with one of Cruise's self-driving taxis dragging a pedestrian. "We're going to do everything we can with the authorities we do have, which are not trivial," Buttigieg told reporters. The unit had in recent months touted ambitious plans to expand to more cities, offering fully autonomous taxi rides. Cruise competes with Alphabet's (GOOGL.O) Waymo in deploying autonomous vehicles and had been testing hundreds in several cities across the United States, notably its home of San Francisco.

Persons: Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Pete Buttigieg, Kyle Vogt, Cruise, Buttigieg, David Shepardson, Will Dunham, Chizu Organizations: Transportation, South, REUTERS, Rights, . Transportation, Motors, Traffic Safety Administration, California Department of Motor Vehicles, Transport Workers Union of America, Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Auto Workers, NHTSA, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, San Francisco, Buttigieg's, United States

☆ U.S. senators expect Meta, TikTok CEOs to testify at hearing on child sexual exploitation
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) arrives for a hearing with the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 25, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee said it will hold a Dec. 6 hearing on online child sexual exploitation and expects Meta (META.O) CEO Mark Zuckerberg and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will agree to testify voluntarily. The committee also has issued subpoenas to the CEOs of Discord, Snap (SNAP.N), and X, formerly known as Twitter, to compel them to testify. "Big Tech’s failure to police itself at the expense of our kids cannot go unanswered,” said Durbin and Graham in a joint statement. Reporting by David Shepardson, Jasper Ward and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Caitlin Webber and Chizu NomiyamaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lindsey Graham, Joe Biden’s, Leah Millis, Mark Zuckerberg, Shou Zi Chew, Dick Durbin, Republican Lindsey Graham, ”, Durbin, Graham, X, David Shepardson, Jasper Ward, Doina, Caitlin Webber, Chizu Organizations: . Sen, U.S . Senate, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Senate, Committee, Republican, U.S . Marshals Service, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S

☆ Biden pardons Thanksgiving turkeys Liberty and Bell
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[4/10]Share this photoPresident Joe Biden reacts while standing next to his granddaughter Maisy Biden as his grandson Beau checks out the pardoned National Thanksgiving Turkeys after the annual ceremony on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 20. REUTERS/Leah Millis

Persons: Joe Biden, Maisy Biden, Beau, Leah Millis Organizations: White, REUTERS Locations: Washington , U.S

☆ White House slams Musk 'antisemitic rhetoric,' says 'foolish' to drop SpaceX contracts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Leah Millis | ReutersThe White House is not moving away from Elon Musk's SpaceX or Starlink technology despite condemning Musk for pushing antisemitic comments on social media, National Security Counsel spokesman John Kirby said Monday. White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 20, 2023. The Pentagon has commissioned Starlink technology to provide internet coverage to Ukraine, as the country's defensive war against Russia rages on. In September, Musk's SpaceX won a separate Pentagon contract for Starshield, a military-specific version of Starlink that is still under development. In the past, senators have scrutinized the Defense Department's dependence on Musk's technology.

Persons: Elon Musk, Chuck Schumer, Leah Millis, Musk, John Kirby, Kirby, I'm, Musk's SpaceX, SpaceX's, Joe Skipper Organizations: Intelligence, Senate, U.S, Capitol, Elon Musk's SpaceX, National Security, Musk's, White, National Security Council Strategic Communications, Reuters, Twitter, Apple, Disney, Comcast, CNBC, Pentagon, Russia, Starshield, SpaceX, Federal Aviation Authority, Boca Chica Locations: Washington , U.S, Ukraine, Texas, Brownsville , Texas, U.S

☆ OpenAI's unique corporate structure left Sam Altman vulnerable. Now he's out
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Leah Millis | ReutersOpenAI's unusual company structure weakened Sam Altman's position as CEO and left him open to surprise on Friday when he was quickly ousted from the company. But Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman, who also left OpenAI Friday, didn't have the power that Kalanick had. "I have no equity in OpenAI," Altman said in a May Senate hearing on A.I. OpenAI's capped profit structureThe easiest way to think of OpenAI's structure is to picture a waterfall. Limited returnsOpenAI added its capped profit OpenAI Global subsidiary in 2019.

Persons: Sam Altman, OpenAI, Chuck Schumer, Leah Millis, Sam Altman's, Travis Kalanick, Altman, Greg Brockman, didn't, Kalanick, John Kennedy's, Kennedy, – Organizations: Intelligence, Senate, U.S, Capitol, Reuters, OpenAI, Microsoft, OpenAI Inc, Global Locations: Washington , U.S, OpenAI

☆ US 'deeply concerned' that attack wounded Jordanian medics in Gaza -Sullivan
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan speaks during a press briefing held by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 16 (Reuters) - The United States expressed deep concern on Thursday that Jordanian medics were wounded in shelling near their field hospital in Gaza. Jordan's foreign ministry said seven staff members at its field hospital in northern Gaza were wounded by Israeli shelling. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday called Jordan a critical ally and said its "essential role in the conflict must be protected." "We are deeply concerned that Jordanian medical personnel in Gaza were wounded in an attack near their field hospital, and we are profoundly grateful to medical professionals providing critical care to Palestinians in Gaza," he said.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Karine Jean, Pierre, Leah Millis, Jordan, Sullivan, Sufyan, Susan Heavey, Doina Organizations: National, White House Press, White, REUTERS, Rights, United, White House, Israeli Defense Forces, Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Armed Forces, Arab Army, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, Gaza

☆ US Capitol police clash with protesters demanding Gaza ceasefire
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The protest was organized by three advocacy groups and held in an area near the U.S. Capitol. Protesters linked arms in front of the DNC building's entrance, where some sang: "Which side are you on?" "One person has been arrested for assault on an officer," Capitol Police said on social media. A DNC spokesperson said officials were monitoring the situation outside the DNC headquarters and were in touch with U.S. Capitol and local Washington police. Jewish Voice for Peace wrote on social media that the protesters had gathered to lay out candles for Palestinians killed during Israel's bombardment and to call for a ceasefire.

Persons: Sean Casten, Leah Millis, Dan Whitcomb, Rami Ayyub, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Police, Democratic National Headquarters, Democratic Socialists of America, IfNotNow, Jewish, Peace, . Capitol Police, Democratic National Committee, U.S . Capitol, Lawmakers, U.S . Capitol Police, Capitol Police, U.S, Capitol, Washington police, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, WASHINGTON, Washington, Gaza, U.S

The statement said the lawmaker “carried out information-subversive activities in favor of the Russian Federation” intended to destabilize and discredit Ukraine. When Giuliani went to Ukraine in 2019 to try to dig up dirt on then-candidate Biden and his son Hunter Biden, Dubinsky was one of the people he met with. Giuliani traveled to Ukraine in December 2019 to meet with several Ukrainian officials in an effort to defend Trump against House Democrats' impeachment inquiry. The US and Ukrainian governments have now both said these three Ukrainian officials participated in the Kremlin’s efforts to interfere with the 2020 US election. They also promoted the untrue conspiracy theory that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 US presidential election to undermine Trump, contrasting with the reality that Russia meddled to help Trump win.

Persons: CNN —, Rudy Giuliani, Joe Biden, Oleksandr Dubinsky, “, Russian Federation ”, Andrii Derkach, Kostiantyn Kulyk, Giuliani, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, Hunter Biden, Dubinsky, Derkach, Kulyk, Hunter, Trump’s, impeaching Biden, SBU, Leah Millis, Igor Kolesnikov, Kolesnikov, ”, Russia meddled, denigrate Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Andriy Yermak, ” Dubinsky Organizations: CNN, Bureau of Investigation, Security Service of Ukraine, Russian Federation, Trump, Biden, Moscow, House Republicans, GOP, House Democrats, Reuters, GRU, Kremlin Locations: Ukraine’s, Ukraine, Russia, Ukrainian, Russian, Moscow

☆ Demonstrators in Washington back Israel, denounce antisemitism
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Jonathan Landay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/4] Israeli Americans and supporters of Israel gather in solidarity with Israel and protest against antisemitism, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, during a rally on the National Mall in Washington, U.S, November 14, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington on Tuesday for a "March for Israel" to show solidarity with Israel in its war with Hamas and condemn rising antisemitism. We will fight for Israel. Underscoring support in the U.S. Congress for Israel, busloads of senators and members of the House of Representatives attended the pro-Israel rally. Those perpetrating the poison of antisemitism and bigotry around the world are trying to scare us," Schumer said.

Persons: Israel, Leah Millis, Marco Abbou, Israel —, ” Natan Sharansky, We'll, Sharansky, ”, Ariel Ben, Chitrit, Biden, busloads, Charles Schumer, Schumer, Erica Taxin, “ didn’t, Isaac Herzog, Herzog, Neturei, Jonathan Landay, Patricia Zengerle, Simon Lewis, Daphne Psaledakis, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, Israel, Jewish Agency, Soviet Union, U.S ., U.S, Congress, Representatives, Democratic, Authorities, Arms, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Israel, Washington , U.S, Washington, U.S, Hackensack , New Jersey, Gaza, United States, Soviet, rearm, Herndon , Virginia, Philadelphia, America

☆ US set to take action to win China's cooperation on fentanyl
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Michael Martina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Biden will discuss the issue with China's President Xi Jinping on Wednesday in San Francisco at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that Washington hoped the summit would result in action to help combat the fentanyl trade. China has long questioned why the U.S. would expect cooperation on fentanyl while targeting the institute. China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the fentanyl issue. Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and is increasingly mixed with other illicit drugs, often with lethal results.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Karine Jean, Pierre, Leah Millis, Joe Biden's, Bejing, Biden, Xi Jinping, Washington, Marsha Blackburn, Blackburn, Michael Martina, Michelle Nichols, Jonathan Oatis, Bill Berkrot Organizations: National, White House Press, White, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, China's Institute of Forensic Science, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, China's, Economic Cooperation, . National, Washington, Institute of Forensic Science, China's Ministry of Public Security, Commerce, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, Washington, San Francisco, Asia, U.S, China, America, China's

☆ UAW president to vow aggressive auto plant organizing in Senate testimony
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

UAW President Shawn Fain takes the stage with Dawn Simms, UAW Local 126 Member, during a United Auto Workers (UAW) union members in Belvidere, Illinois, U.S., November 9, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain will tell a Senate Committee on Tuesday the union plans to aggressively organize non-union U.S. auto plants after winning new contracts with the Detroit Three automakers. "For decades, non-union auto companies have used fear, uncertainty, and division to break union drives in our industry," Fain will tell the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, according to written testimony seen by Reuters. The UAW for decades has unsuccessfully sought to organize auto factories operated by foreign automakers. The hearing will also include testimony from Teamsters President Sean O'Brien and Association of Flight Attendants President Sara Nelson.

Persons: Shawn Fain, Dawn Simms, Leah Millis, Fain, Sean O'Brien, Sara Nelson, Nelson's, Joe Biden, unionize Tesla, David Shepardson, Deepa Babington Organizations: UAW, United Auto Workers, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Detroit Three, Health, Education, Labor, Pensions, Reuters, Hyundai, nonunion, General Motors, Ford Motor, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Association of Flight, Illinois, Detroit, Thomson Locations: Belvidere , Illinois, U.S, KS, Korean

☆ Australia to apologise half a century after 'Thalidomide tragedy'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Thalidomide was the active ingredient in a sedative widely distributed to many mothers in Australia and around the world in the early 1960s. "The thalidomide tragedy is a dark chapter in the history of our nation and the world," Albanese said in a statement. An Australian woman, who was born without arms and legs after her mother took Thalidomide, in 2012 won a multi-million dollar settlement from Diageo Plc, the local distributor. In 2010, Diageo agreed to make an A$50 million ($32 million) payment to 45 victims in Australia and New Zealand. There are 146 Thalidomide survivors registered with the government, though the exact number of affected is unknown.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Thalidomide, " Albanese, Gruenenthal, Albanese, Renju Jose, Tom Hogue, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Australia’s, U.S, White, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, British, Diageo Plc, Diageo, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Australia, U.S, United States, Australian, New, Sydney

☆ Biden to meet Mexico's president on Friday at APEC summit -White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden disembarks from Air Force One at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., November 9, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders' forum in San Francisco, the White House said. The two leaders will "discuss how we can continue to work together as partners to manage migration at our shared border and mobilize a hemispheric-wide response to this challenge," the White House said. Reporting by Jasper Ward and Dan Whitcomb; editing by Rami AyyubOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden disembarks, Leah Millis, Joe Biden, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Jasper Ward, Dan Whitcomb, Rami Ayyub Organizations: Air Force, O'Hare International, REUTERS, Rights, APEC, Leaders, White, Thomson Locations: Chicago , Illinois, U.S, San Francisco

[1/5] U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Indonesian President Joko Widodo for talks on regional security and clean-energy transition, among other things, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 13, 2023. Biden greeted Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the White House as the two leaders prepare for a Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, where Washington hopes to reduce friction with Beijing. But the Biden administration is still concerned about environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards in Indonesia and is examining how such a deal might work. INDONESIA MAKES APPEAL TO U.S. ON GAZAJokowi, as the president is known, is also expected to press Biden on steps to end Israel's war with Hamas. Ceasefire is a must for the sake of humanity," Widodo said in the Oval Office before talks with Biden.

Persons: Joe Biden, Joko Widodo, Leah Millis, Joe Biden's, Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, Widodo, Jokowi, Trevor Hunnicutt, Steve Holland, Michael Perry, Grant McCool Organizations: White, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Economic Cooperation, Biden, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, Indonesia, Asia, San Francisco, Washington, Beijing, United, INDONESIA, GAZA, Gaza, Israel, Southeast Asia, China, Jakarta, Myanmar

U.S. President Joe Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 31, 2022. "The two leaders agreed that all hostages must be released without further delay," the statement said. Hamas fighters surged across the border from Gaza into Israel on Oct.7, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages, according to Israeli officials. Reuters last week reported that Qatar, where several political leaders of Hamas are based, has been leading mediation efforts between Hamas and Israeli officials over the hostages. Washington has rejected calls from Arab leaders and others for it to insist that Israel halt its assault on the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip.

Persons: Joe Biden, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, Leah Millis, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al, Biden, Jake Sullivan, CNN's, Sullivan, Brett McGurk, Biden's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Al Thani, Washington, Andrea Shalal, Ahmed Tolba, Steve Holland, Hugh Lawson, Noeleen Walder, Diane Craft Organizations: White, REUTERS, Rights, Hamas, Reuters, CNN, U.S, East, Israel, Israeli, Biden, Thomson Locations: Thani, Washington , U.S, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Gaza, Israel, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Brussels, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Rafah

☆ Biden's infrastructure law has begun 40,000 projects. Will it help him in 2024?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Steve Holland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. President Joe Biden departs on travel to Chicago, Illinois, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., November 9, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Two years after President Joe Biden signed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill into law, his administration has launched 40,000 projects aimed at rebuilding America, according to his infrastructure czar, Mitch Landrieu. THE TAKELandrieu spent more than an hour with reporters on Thursday to talk up the benefits of the infrastructure law ahead of the Nov. 15 anniversary. The administration has put signs at construction projects across the country boasting about Biden's role in securing the funding. BY THE NUMBERSLandrieu said thus more than $400 billion in projects has been announced, covering 40,000 projects in more than 4,500 communities in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and Native American tribal areas.

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Mitch Landrieu, White, Biden, Landrieu, Brent Spence, Steve Holland Organizations: Joint Base Andrews, REUTERS, Rights, Republican, Amtrak, of, Thomson Locations: Chicago , Illinois, Joint Base Andrews , Maryland, U.S, America, New Orleans, Wilmington , Delaware, Ohio, Kentucky, of Columbia, American, Hudson, New York, New Jersey

☆ Biden hails 11% pay raise for Honda's U.S. workers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden gestures as he delivers remarks to United Auto Workers (UAW) union members in Belvidere, Illinois, U.S., November 9, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden welcomed Honda Motor (7267.T) 11% pay hike for its U.S. facility workers on Friday, a day after celebrating the United Auto Workers' agreements with the Detroit Big Three automakers and backing efforts to organize Tesla and Toyota. "Union auto workers own this victory," Biden said in a post on X. Reporting by Jasper Ward; writing by Paul Grant; editing by Susan HeaveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Biden, Jasper Ward, Paul Grant, Susan Heavey Organizations: United Auto Workers, UAW, REUTERS, Rights, Honda, Detroit Big, Tesla, Toyota, Thomson Locations: Belvidere , Illinois, U.S

☆ Biden officials reject Moody's shift to 'negative' outlook, point to Republican 'dysfunction'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks to United Auto Workers (UAW) union members in Belvidere, Illinois, U.S., November 9, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Top Biden administration officials on Friday rejected a decision by Moody's ratings agency to downgrade its U.S. economic outlook to negative from stable, calling the shift a reflection of what they called "extremism and dysfunction" among congressional Republicans. “While the statement by Moody’s maintains the United States’ AAA rating, we disagree with the shift to a negative outlook. The American economy remains strong, and Treasury securities are the world’s preeminent safe and liquid asset," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said the change was "yet another consequence of congressional Republican extremism and dysfunction."

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, “, Moody’s, Wally Adeyemo, Karine Jean, Pierre, Andrea Shalal Organizations: United Auto Workers, UAW, REUTERS, Rights, Biden, States ’ AAA, Republican, Thomson Locations: Belvidere , Illinois, U.S, American

U.S. President Joe Biden holds an event to sign an Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence in the East Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., October 30, 2023. Biden faced questions this week, including from some in his own Democratic Party, about the wisdom of his 2024 re-election bid after a series of weak polls. A Sunday New York Times/Siena College poll showed Biden behind Republican frontrunner Donald Trump in five of six battleground states. Whether victories for Democrats this week are a definitive sign of strength for Biden's re-election is unclear. Harris, who appeared in the White House driveway so abruptly that she interrupted Jean-Pierre's scheduled press conference, closed with an optimistic prediction about next November.

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Biden, Joe Biden's, Pollsters, Sam Cornale, Israel, Donald Trump, Andy Beshear, Biden's, Mary Anna Mancuso, Kamala Harris, Harris, Trump, MAGA, Donald Trump's, Cornale, Karine Jean, Pierre, Jean, Pierre's, Steve Holland, Trevor Hunnicutt, Heather Timmons, Rod Nickel, Deepa Babington, Lincoln Organizations: Artificial Intelligence, White, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic National Committee, Reuters, Democrats, Democratic Party, Democratic, Sunday New York Times, Siena, Republican, U.S, Supreme, Voters, NBC, Trump, Republican Party, MAGA Republicans, Republicans, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, America

☆ US Senate votes to reject 'Buy America' EV charging waiver
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The White House argued the Republican bill would eliminate entirely the domestic manufacturing requirement for government-funded electric vehicle (EV) chargers "thereby harming domestic manufacturing and American jobs." Congress has set aside $7.5 billion to fund electric vehicle charging stations. The White House said the bill to rescind the waiver would also overturn the FHWA decision to extend Buy America rules to EV chargers. As a result, the 1983 Reagan administration decision to exempt manufactured products from Buy America requirements would again apply, meaning EV chargers would not be covered by any Buy America requirements, the White House said. Rubio said the waiver would allow government funds to "go into the hands of Chinese companies to build electric vehicle charging stations."

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Joe Biden's, White, Sherrod Brown, Joe Manchin, Jon Tester, Kyrsten Sinema, Biden, Reagan, Marco Rubio, Rubio, David Shepardson, Marguerita Choy, Stephen Coates Organizations: Amtrak, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Senate, Federal Highway Administration, Republican, EV, Thomson Locations: Bear , Delaware, U.S, America

U.S. President Joe Biden holds an event to sign an Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence in the East Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., October 30, 2023. Biden faced questions this week, including from some in his own Democratic Party, about the wisdom of his 2024 re-election bid after a series of weak polls. A Sunday New York Times/Siena College poll showed Biden behind Republican frontrunner Donald Trump in five of six battleground states. The election results showed that "the government should not be telling a woman what to do with her body," Harris said. Harris, who appeared in the White House driveway so abruptly that she interrupted Jean-Pierre's scheduled press conference, closed with an optimistic prediction about next November.

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Biden, Joe Biden's, Pollsters, Sam Cornale, Israel, Donald Trump, Andy Beshear, Kamala Harris, Harris, MAGA, Donald Trump's, Cornale, Karine Jean, Pierre, Biden's, Jean, Pierre's, Steve Holland, Trevor Hunnicutt, Heather Timmons, Rod Nickel Organizations: Artificial Intelligence, White, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic National Committee, Reuters, Democratic Party, Democrat, Sunday New York Times, Siena, Democratic, Republican, U.S, Supreme, MAGA Republicans, Republicans, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, America

☆ Biden would veto bid to reverse 'Buy America' EV charging waiver
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ET (1030 GMT), would have the effect of eliminating entirely the domestic manufacturing requirement for government-funded electric vehicle (EV) chargers "thereby harming domestic manufacturing and American jobs." The White House said the Republican bill to rescind that waiver would also overturn the FHWA decision to impose Buy America rules on EV chargers. As a result, the 1983 Reagan administration decision to exempt manufactured products from Buy America requirements would again apply, meaning EV chargers would not be covered by any Buy America requirements, the White House said. Republican Senator Marco Rubio challenged the White House argument, arguing they would separately rescind the 1983 waiver at any time. "The Biden administration is waiving the law’s ‘Buy America, Build America’ provision, which means they are directing taxpayer dollars toward foreign-made EV chargers," Rubio said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Reagan, Marco Rubio, Biden, Rubio, David Shepardson, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Amtrak, REUTERS, Rights, Republican, Federal Highway Administration, EV, Thomson Locations: Bear , Delaware, U.S, America, United States

☆ US lawmakers want Biden to hike tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on infrastructure during an event at the Amtrak maintenance facility in Bear, Delaware, U.S., November 6, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers want the Biden administration to hike tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles and investigate taking steps to prevent Chinese companies from exporting to the United States from Mexico. Representative Mike Gallagher, a Republican who chairs a select committee on China, and the panel's top Democrat, Raja Krishnamoorthi and two other lawmakers urged U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai in a letter to boost the current 25% tariff on Chinese vehicles. "It is critical that tariffs on (Chinese) automobiles not only be maintained but also increased to stem the expected surge in (Chinese) imports," they wrote in the previously unreported letter. Reporting by David ShepardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Biden, Mike Gallagher, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Katherine Tai, David Shepardson Organizations: Amtrak, REUTERS, Rights, Republican, U.S, Trade, Thomson Locations: Bear , Delaware, U.S, United States, Mexico, China

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