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Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, departs federal court after a plea hearing on two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. July 26, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoAug 15 (Reuters) - Christopher Clark, the senior lawyer representing Hunter Biden, is seeking to withdraw from the case involving the U.S. president's son on the grounds he might be called to testify, according to a court filing on Tuesday. The case is being heard in the U.S. state of Delaware, where Biden is represented by the Berger Harris law firm. "It is inadvisable for Mr. Clark to continue as counsel in this case," continued the joint filing from Berger Harris and Clark Smith Villazor, Clark's firm. In the filing, the two said Clark's withdrawal would not cause Biden substantial hardship since other firms involved in the case would continue to represent him.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Christopher Clark, president's, Biden, David Weiss, Weiss, Berger Harris, Clark, Clark Smith Villazor, David Ljunggren, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Thomson Locations: Wilmington , Delaware, U.S, U.S ., Delaware

☆ Trump stiffed his alleged co-conspirators, whose false claims brought in $250 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

But the Trump campaign and their affiliated committees ultimately did not honor that pledge, according to campaign finance records. Over more than two months, Giuliani served as the public face of Trump's election challenges, which ultimately failed. The money came in response to countless fundraising appeals that claimed it was needed to fund Trump's election challenges in court. Chesebro, for his part, told the House committee that the work he did for the Trump team was pro bono. But not a penny more from team Trump for their services.

Persons: Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump, Carlo Allegri, Donald Trump's, Trump, Giuliani, Timothy Parlatore, Bernard Kerik, Jack Smith's, Parlatore, Bob Costello, Kerik, stiffed Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jonathan Ernst, Kenneth Chesebro, John Eastman, Eastman, Powell, Chesebro, Matthew Morgan, Jim Bourg, Reuters Morgan, Eastman didn't, Jan, Morgan, Justin Clark, Clark, we're Organizations: New York, Republican, of Police, Reuters, Trump, New, CNBC, ", Capitol, Save, OpenSecrets, PAC, U.S, Republican National Committee, Commission, Giuliani, Georgia RICO, New York City, Congress, Federal, FEC, Eastman Locations: Statesville , North Carolina, U.S, New York, Georgia, Save America, Washington, Washington , U.S

☆ Former FBI agent says he was not aware of interference in Hunter Biden probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, arrives at federal court to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., July 26, 2023. Republicans pointed to the testimony as evidence that the Justice Department intervened to delay the Hunter Biden probe, even though the events took place while Republican President Donald Trump was in office. Comer said the alleged misconduct occurred under U.S. Attorney David Weiss, a Trump appointee who was named special counsel in the Hunter Biden investigation last week over the objections of many House Republicans including Comer. Hunter Biden in July pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to pay taxes on more than $1.5 million in income in 2017 and 2018 despite owing more than $100,000. In the end, both FBI and Secret Service headquarters were notified about the interview plan, the interviewers' access to Hunter Biden was blocked and the former FBI agent heard from an attorney for Hunter Biden.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, didn't, Donald Trump, James Comer, Comer, David Weiss, Comer . Hunter Biden, David Morgan, Scott Malone, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS, FBI, Republican, Internal Revenue Service, Secret Service, Biden, Justice Department, U.S, Trump, Republicans, Thomson Locations: Wilmington , Delaware, U.S

☆ Hunter Biden's lawyers say US prosecutors reneged on plea deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Jack Queen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, departs federal court after a plea hearing on two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. July 26, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoAug 14 (Reuters) - Lawyers for Hunter Biden said in a late Sunday court filing that prosecutors reneged on a plea deal that would have resolved tax and firearms charges against the U.S. president’s son as his father seeks reelection. Delaware federal prosecutors said on Friday that Hunter Biden may be headed for a criminal trial after plea negotiations broke down. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika rejected a proposed plea deal in July, raising concerns over its legality and the scope of immunity it offered Hunter Biden. If the case goes to trial, the president would be campaigning for reelection in November 2024, likely against former president Donald Trump, as his son faces criminal prosecution.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, president’s, Maryellen Noreika, impeaching Biden, General Merrick Garland, David Weiss, Donald Trump, Trump, Abinaya, Jack Queen, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, District, of Justice, Delaware U.S, Republican, Thomson Locations: Wilmington , Delaware, U.S, Delaware, Bengaluru, New York

☆ Italy PM Meloni takes 'full responsibility' for bank tax
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoMILAN, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Monday took "full responsibility" for last week's shock decision to impose a one-off bank tax that has been blamed for causing lasting damage to her government's credibility with financial markets. In comments to Italian newspapers Corriere della Sera, la Repubblica and La Stampa, Meloni said the 40% levy had no punitive intent. The new tax targets a rise in profits banks have derived from higher rates. Sources told Reuters when the measure was announced the Treasury expected to draw less than 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) from the tax. With Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti noticeably absent from the press conference to announce the tax, Meloni said he had been informed about the decision.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, MILAN, Meloni, Giancarlo Giorgetti, France's Marie Le Pen, Claudia Cristoferi, Federico Maccioni, Valentina Za, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Italy's, U.S, White, REUTERS, Italian, della, Repubblica, la Repubblica, Reuters, Treasury, Forza Italian, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, La, la

☆ Israel rules out Jerusalem base for Saudi envoy to Palestinians
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Dan Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Flags of Saudi Arabia and Israel stand together in a kitchen staging area at the State Department in Washington, October 14, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/PoolJERUSALEM, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Israel ruled out on Sunday a diplomatic base in Jerusalem for the new Saudi envoy to the Palestinians, whose appointment comes as Washington tries to forge formal Israeli relations with Riyadh. Saudi Ambassador to Jordan Nayef Al-Sudairi on Saturday expanded his credentials to include non-resident envoy to the Palestinians. "We will not allow the opening of any kind of diplomatic mission" in Jerusalem, Cohen added. Israel's hard-right government has played down any prospect of it giving significant ground to the Palestinians as part of a normalisation deal with Saudi Arabia.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, Pool, Jordan Nayef Al, Sudairi, Donald Trump, Eli Cohen, Cohen, Bassam Al, Agha, Al, Trump, Nidal al, Dan Williams, Bernadette Baum Organizations: State Department, REUTERS, Saudi, Washington, Palestinian Authority, Tel, U.S, Palestine, Israel, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Israel, Washington, Jerusalem, Riyadh, Saudi, Amman, East Jerusalem, United States, U.S, Tel Aviv, Palestinian

☆ Hunter Biden could face trial, newly named US special counsel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Andrew Goudsward | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The filing came moments after U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland elevated Weiss to special counsel status, giving him additional authority and independence to pursue the investigation. As a special counsel, Weiss will be free from day-to-day supervision from the Justice Department and file charges anywhere in the United States. Hunter Biden has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant and investment banker and has said he has struggled with alcoholism and crack cocaine use. "If Weiss negotiated the sweetheart deal that couldn’t get approved, how can he be trusted as a Special Counsel?" Hunter Biden has been a focus of several Republican congressional committees.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Hunter Biden, David Weiss, Republican Donald Trump, Biden, Weiss, General Merrick Garland, TRUMP, Garland, Chris Clark, Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Kevin McCarthy, couldn’t, McCarthy, Jack Smith, Robert Hur, Hunter, Devon Archer, Trump, Stephen Cheung, Sarah N, Lynch, Jeff Mason, Rami Ayyub, Moira Warburton, Jacqueline Thomsen, David Ljunggren, Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, Alistair Bell Organizations: Republican, Republicans, Attorney, Trump, Justice Department, REUTERS, CIA, Reuters, Biden, Thomson Locations: Delaware, United States, Washington, California, Delaware , Washington, Wilmington , Delaware, U.S, Ukraine, China

☆ Exclusive: Biden taps Jackson for economic adviser, signals focus on education
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on veterans' care at George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. August 10, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden is tapping C. Kirabo Jackson, a labor economist whose research advocates robust public spending on schools, to fill out his three-member Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), according to a White House official. The selection suggests public education will be a key area of focus for Biden's brain-trust ahead of a 2024 re-election bid expected to turn on the strength of the economy. Jackson's pick also comes as the Biden administration is thinking through how to boost lagging educational performance since the COVID-19 pandemic. Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Heather Timmons and Andrea RicciOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, George E, Jonathan Ernst, Kirabo Jackson, Jackson, Biden, Jackson's, Cecilia Rouse, Trevor Hunnicutt, Heather Timmons, Andrea Ricci Organizations: George, Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical, REUTERS, Economic Advisers, White, Northwestern University, Princeton University, CEA, Thomson Locations: Salt Lake City , Utah, U.S

☆ Reactions to appointment of a US special counsel in Hunter Biden case
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Weiss said Hunter Biden may be headed for trial on criminal charges after talks on a potential plea deal reached an impasse. If Weiss negotiated the sweetheart deal that couldn’t get approved, how can he be trusted as a Special Counsel? Garland appointing Weiss as a sham special counsel on Hunter is a way to block info from Congress while claiming they're investigating. The Biden Justice Department is trying to stonewall congressional oversight as we have presented evidence to the American people about the Biden family's corruption." REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE LAUREN BOEBERT ON X:"Merrick Garland just announced that he will appoint US Attorney Weiss as Special Counsel to look into Hunter Biden's matters.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, General Merrick Garland's, David Weiss, Joe Biden's, Weiss, KEVIN MCCARTHY, Biden, couldn’t, DICK DURBIN, Garland, Biden’s, Trump, Trump’s, STEVE SCALISE, Hunter, STEVEN CHEUNG, DONALD TRUMP, RUSSELL, JIM JORDAN, David Weiss can’t, JAMES COMER, General Garland, Biden's, LINDSEY GRAHAM, you've, BYRON DONALDS, LAUREN BOEBERT, Merrick Garland, I'm, NIKKI HALEY, Moira Warburton, David Morgan, Josephine Walker, Jasper Ward, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS, TWITTER, DOJ, Republicans, DEMOCRATIC, Justice Department, U.S, Justice Department’s, Biden, REPUBLICAN, Biden Justice Department, FOX, Biden Fam, US, Department of Justice, Thomson Locations: Wilmington , Delaware, U.S, Delaware, Washington

[1/2] A general view of the sun rising behind the White House in Washington, U.S. January 22, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's comment about China being a "ticking time bomb" referred to internal economic and social tensions that could have an effect on how Beijing interacts with the world, a White House official said Friday. Kirby defended the funding request, saying, "Yes, this is an urgent need for us to be able to provide an alternative." Biden told donors: "China is a ticking time bomb ... China is in trouble. Liu said China's GDP growth continued to provide an important support for the development of the global economy.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, John Kirby, Kirby, Liu Pengyu, Biden, Liu, We've, Xi Jinping, Andrea Shalal, Michael Martina, Chris Reese, David Gregorio Our Organizations: White, REUTERS, Reuters, China's National Bureau, Statistics, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, China, Beijing, Utah, Washington, United States, India

☆ Reactions to appointment of a special counsel in Hunter Biden case
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

REUTERS/Jonathan ErnstAug 10 (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Thursday will weigh lifting a Louisiana judge's order limiting the Biden administration's ability to communicate with social media companies to urge them to moderate information it deems harmful or misleading. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans is set to hear arguments in the administration's appeal of the judge's ruling, which found that the government wrongly pushed social media firms to suppress disfavored political views. The Biden administration quickly appealed, and the 5th Circuit temporarily put the judge's ruling on hold while it heard the case. The administration denies forcing social media companies to take down any posts. The panel that will hear the Biden administration's appeal includes three judges who were all appointed by Republican presidents, U.S.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Terry Doughty's, Doughty, Donald Trump, Trump, lockdowns, Biden, Edith Brown Clement, Jennifer Walker Elrod, Don Willett, Brendan Pierson, Nate Raymond, Aurora Ellis Organizations: REUTERS, Biden, Circuit, District, Democratic, Meta, Inc, YouTube, Twitter, X Corp, Trump, Department of Health, Human Services, Federal Bureau of, 5th Circuit, Republican, Thomson Locations: Arcosa, Belen , New Mexico, U.S, Louisiana, New Orleans, Missouri, Monroe, New York

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress to approve about $40 billion in additional spending on Thursday, including $24 billion for Ukraine and other international needs, $4 billion related to border security and $12 billion for disaster relief. Trump, the front-runner in the race to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2024, has been sharply critical of U.S. support for Ukraine in the war. FIRST UKRAINE REQUEST SINCE REPUBLICANS TOOK HOUSERepublicans narrowly control the House, where Speaker Kevin McCarthy signaled in June that any request for more assistance for Ukraine would face an uphill path through Congress. The House and Senate last approved aid for the Kyiv government - $48 billion - in December, before Republicans took control of the House. The request includes $13.1 billion for the Department of Defense, including $9.5 billion for equipment for Ukraine and replenishment of U.S. equipment stocks already sent to Kyiv.

Persons: Joe Biden, George E, Jonathan Ernst, Donald Trump, pare, Chuck Schumer, Biden, America’s, Vladimir Putin, Schumer, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Shalanda Young, Russia's Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Andrea Shalal, Patricia Zengerle, David Shepardson, Doina Chiacu, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: George, Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical, REUTERS, White, Washington, Trump, Republican, Ukraine, Democratic, FIRST, HOUSE, Kyiv, Republicans, World Bank, Department of Defense, Department of State, U.S . Agency for International Development, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Thomson Locations: Salt Lake City , Utah, U.S, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russian, United States, Russia, China, FIRST UKRAINE, Niger

☆ America’s new China curbs eschew scale for smarts
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Ben Winck | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The White House on Wednesday took the wraps off its proposal for screening investments U.S.-based funds make abroad, giving President Joe Biden a new tool for “de-risking” from China. But while the government’s inbound-investment reviews have often proven onerous, the pitch for outbound screening should placate investors and even diplomats. If recipients boast close ties to Chinese military or intelligence capabilities, the department could then block the transaction. Follow @BenWinck on TwitterCONTEXT NEWSU.S. President Joe Biden on Aug. 9 issued an executive order that tasks the Treasury Department with forming an outbound investment screening program. In response to the executive order the Treasury Department issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on the program.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Janet Yellen’s, Antony Currie, Katrina Hamlin Organizations: Auburn Manufacturing, REUTERS, Reuters, Washington, Wednesday, Biden, Regulators, Treasury, Department, Treasury Department, Thomson Locations: U.S, Auburn , Maine, WASHINGTON, China, Washington

Customers shop for handguns at the Des Moines Fairgrounds Gun Show at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. March 11, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoAug 9 (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Wednesday ruled that a decades-old law prohibiting users of illegal drugs from owning firearms was unconstitutional as applied to the case of a marijuana user, the latest fallout from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year that expanded gun rights. Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that the federal law violated a Mississippi man's right to "keep and bear arms" under the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration did not administer a drug test, though Daniels admitted he sometimes smoked marijuana, which federal law prohibits. While his case was pending, the conservative-majority Supreme Court in June 2022 declared for the first time that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to carry a handgun in public for self-defense.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, Patrick Daniels, Daniels, Jerry Smith, Ronald Reagan, Stephen Higginson, Barack Obama, Nate Raymond, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Des Moines, Iowa State Fairgrounds, REUTERS, U.S, Supreme, Circuit, Appeals, U.S . Drug, Administration, New York, Thomson Locations: Des Moines , Iowa, U.S, New Orleans, Mississippi, Boston

Sources said Biden's schedule for Asia is not official until it has been announced and could change. One senior diplomat referred to Indonesia having scheduled the ASEAN summits, which are normally held in November, for September, specifically to make is possible for Biden to attend and then go on to the G20. Sources said Biden was expected to send Vice President Kamala Harris in his place. Policy analysts said another no-show by Biden, who attended ASEAN meetings in Cambodia in November, would call that characterization into question. "Southeast Asia has been impressed that Washington under Biden has stepped up engagement with the region," Hiebert said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst WASHINGTON, Biden, we'll, Kamala Harris, Harris, Jonathan, Murray Hiebert, Hiebert, Ted Osius, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, David Brunnstrom, Simon Lewis, Michael Martina, Stanley Widianto, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, White, White House, Biden, U.S ., Southeast, Washington's Center, Strategic, International Studies, ASEAN Business Council, Democrat, Republican, Thomson Locations: Tusayan , Arizona, U.S, JAKARTA, Jakarta, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Washington, Asia, American, Papua New Guinea, Australia, ASEAN, Cambodia, Southeast Asia, East Asia

☆ Biden highlights economic transformation at New Mexico wind tower plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Nandita Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the economy at Arcosa, a wind tower manufacturing facility, in Belen, New Mexico, U.S., August 9, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan ErnstBELEN, New Mexico, Aug 9 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden took his economic pitch to New Mexico on Wednesday to boast how his signature legislation helped turn a previously shuttered facility into a wind tower manufacturing facility. Biden said previous administrations promised to invest in U.S. manufacturing, only to see jobs and capital move abroad. Antonio Carrillo, CEO of Arcosa (ACA.N), said his company and the wind power industry were struggling before the infusion of new funds from Washington. After the IRA passed, he said he received its biggest order for wind towers.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst BELEN, Biden, invigorate, ” Biden, Antonio Carrillo, Nandita Bose, Jeff Mason, Jarrett Renshaw, Simon Cameron, Moore, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Democrat, Republican, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Arcosa, Belen , New Mexico, U.S, New Mexico, American, America, Washington

☆ Biden revs up economy pitch after week of silence on Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Jarrett Renshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

About half the respondents who voted for Biden in 2020 said they have heard little or nothing of his major policy initiatives to reduce inflation or boost spending on infrastructure. Biden and fellow Democrats pushed bills through Congress that put about $1.5 trillion toward new bridge, road, climate and manufacturing projects. Democratic strategist Jennifer Holdsworth said this week's trip would counter a message spread by the nation's right-wing media distorting the economy and Biden's legislative agenda. "As President Biden gets out there on the campaign trail, I think you'll see that trend start to change," she said. On Wednesday, Biden will be in New Mexico to tout the IRA's role in a clean-energy manufacturing boom, one year after the law was signed.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Donald Trump, Biden, Jennifer Holdsworth, Kamala Harris, Jarrett Renshaw, Heather Timmons, Leslie Adler Organizations: Auburn Manufacturing, REUTERS, Republican, Reuters, Democratic, White House, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: U.S, Auburn , Maine, WILMINGTON, Del, Arizona , New Mexico and Utah, Delaware, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoCompanies Canoo Inc FollowNikola Corp FollowAug 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission fined electric vehicle company Canoo Inc $1.5 million on Friday for what the regulator alleges were reporting failures related to hundreds of millions of dollars of unreasonable revenue projections. In the run-up to the deal, Canoo (GOEV.O) had projected revenue of $120 million in 2021 and $250 million in 2022 based on deals to provide engineering services to other companies. In March 2021, the carmaker's stock tumbled 21% after it announced it would not achieve the anticipated revenue, the SEC said in court papers. The SEC said Kranz and Balciunas knew before the merger that the projects were unlikely to generate revenue. Canoo said in May it had tentatively agreed to pay a $1.5 million penalty to settle with the SEC.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, Canoo, Ulrich Kranz, Paul Balciunas, Kranz, Balciunas, Daniel Wachtell, Nikola, Jody Godoy, Jonathan Oatis, Nick Macfie, Deepa Babington, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange, SEC, REUTERS, Nikola, Exchange Commission, DraftKings Inc, Thomson Locations: Washington, Texas, New York

☆ GM vows to boost jobs next year despite EV shift
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

GM, Ford Motor (F.N) and Chrysler-parent Stellantis last month opened contract talks with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union ahead of the Sept. 14 expiration of the current four-year labor deals. GM manufacturing chief, Gerald Johnson, said on Friday he did not agree it would need fewer workers for EV production. Separately, CFRA Research on Friday downgraded GM on concerns about a possible strike after the UAW sought large pay and benefit hikes. The UAW wants new limits on temporary workers and for them to receive profit sharing. Sources said the union wants the companies to agree to the equivalent of a paid day-off per week, at a time of growing trials globally of a four-day working week.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, autoworkers, Gerald Johnson, Johnson, Ford, Stellantis, Shawn Fain, David Shepardson, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Hummer, Motors, REUTERS, General Motors, GM, Ford Motor, Chrysler, United Auto Workers, UAW, EV, Research, Company, U.S, Thomson Locations: Detroit , Michigan, U.S

☆ Biden order curbing investment to China expected next week-sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Karen Freifeld | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoAug 4 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden is expected to issue his long-awaited executive order to screen outbound investments in sensitive technologies to China early next week, according to people familiar with the matter. The order is expected to target U.S. private equity, venture capital and joint venture investments in China in semiconductors, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Most investments captured by the order will require that the government be notified about them. The regulations are not expected to take effect right away and the administration will solicit comment on its proposals, according to sources. Sources have told Reuters the investments that will be restricted are expected to track export control rules for China issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce in October.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Cordell Hull, Janet Yellen's, Laura Black, Emily Kilcrease, Karen Freifeld, Anna Driver Organizations: Auburn Manufacturing, REUTERS, U.S . Commerce Department, U.S, Foreign Investment, Reuters, U.S . Department of Commerce, Thomson Locations: U.S, Auburn , Maine, China, Yellen, United States

Six percent of Biden's 2020 voters picked Trump. Forty-two percent of Biden's 2020 voters in the poll said the economy was "worse" than it was in 2020, compared to 33% who said it was "better" and 24% who said it was "about the same." Most of Biden's 2020 voters in the poll - 78% - said they approved of his performance as president, well above his 40% approval rating among all respondents. But a critical division exists among Biden's 2020 voters. When poll respondents were asked to describe how much Biden and his administration have invested in the U.S. economy, 35% of Biden's 2020 voters selected the option "not enough."

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Donald Trump, Chris Jackson, Jackson, Jason Lange, Andrea Shalal, Scott Malone, Conor Humphries Organizations: Auburn Manufacturing, REUTERS, U.S, Reuters, Republican, Biden, Trump, Democratic, White, Thomson Locations: U.S, Auburn , Maine, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah

☆ US Army no longer has Senate-confirmed leader, joining Marines
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. Army Chief of Staff General James McConville testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. June 29, 2021. Retiring Chief of Staff of the Army General James McConville relinquished command on Friday. It will be the first time in history the U.S. military will have two branches, the Army and the Marine Corps, without a confirmed leader, the Pentagon said. "In our dangerous world of security, the United States demands orderly and prompt transitions of our confirmed military leaders," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during the ceremony on Friday. Several states have limited abortion access since Roe v. Wade was overturned, and the military argues that women service members cannot choose where they are stationed.

Persons: James McConville, Jonathan Ernst, Tommy Tuberville, Lloyd Austin, Randy George, Roe, Wade, Christine Wormuth, Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart, Mark Porter, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Army, Armed, Committee, Capitol, REUTERS, U.S . Army, U.S, Republican, Staff, Marine Corps, Pentagon, . Defense, Supreme, Democratic, Navy, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Alabama, United States

☆ US House Republicans rally around Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks with reporters after a Republican conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. July 18, 2023. Republicans, who have recently intensified their investigations of Biden's family, claimed that Trump's latest indictment showed the United States lapsing into the condition of a "banana republic." House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other Republican leaders have said that an impeachment inquiry is possible but have stopped short of announcing one. Republican hardliner Matt Gaetz took direct aim at Smith, tweeting that the special counsel "shouldn't be in any position to charge Trump with anything. Greene and House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik have recently introduced measures to expunge both impeachments.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Jonathan Ernst, Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, Jack Smith, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Biden, Hunter, Republican hardliner Matt Gaetz, Smith, tweeting, shouldn't, Greene, Gaetz, Elise Stefanik, David Morgan, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, U.S . House, Democratic, Republicans, Twitter, White, Republican, Trump, Committee, U.S . Capitol, House Republican, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, United States, Ukraine

☆ Alabama's abortion laws not behind Space Command decision -White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A general view of the White House, where over the Fourth of July holiday weekend cocaine was discovered in an entry area where visitors place electronics and other belongings before taking tours, in Washington, U.S. June 12, 2023. ...The most significant factor considered was operational readiness during a critical time in this dynamic security environment," a White House official told Reuters. Biden's decision comes as Alabama's Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville is blocking hundreds of U.S. military appointments to protest the Pentagon's policy reimbursing costs for service members who travel to get an abortion. The blocks are preventing enlisted military from retiring, disrupting relocations and school schedules and undermining the military, the White House and Biden say. The Pentagon said the Space Command decision by Biden, a Democrat, would ensure "peak readiness" of the command during a critical period.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, nix, Trump, Donald Trump, Tommy Tuberville, Biden, Tuberville, Steve Holland, Katharine Jackson, Heather Timmons, Caitlin Webber Organizations: White, REUTERS, Reuters Connect WASHINGTON, Space Command, Republican, Reuters, Space Force, Pentagon, Democrat, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Alabama, Colorado Springs, Huntsville , Alabama, U.S

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