DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

Hardline conservatives, including members of the House Freedom Caucus, warned Republican leaders this week that they would not support appropriations bills without assurances on spending. But with hardliners pushing for lower spending, the House and Senate are at least $120 billion apart, with Senate appropriators aiming at the $1.59 trillion in fiscal 2024 discretionary spending agreed by McCarthy and Biden in June. Biden on Monday vowed to veto the House Republican spending bills if they make it to his desk, saying they backed away from the deal. The military and veterans bill would provide $155.7 billion in discretionary spending for military construction and veterans affairs. Democrats rejected the military construction bill, saying it would slash important programs and impose "a kitchen sink of culture wars" on the military and veterans.

Persons: Evelyn Hockstein, Andy Ogles, Nothing's, I'm, Ogles, Don Bacon, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, McCarthy, Biden, Steve Scalise, Teresa Leger Fernandez, David Morgan, Katharine Jackson, Susan Heavey, Bill Berkrot, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S . Capitol, Capitol, U.S, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Republican, House, Democratic, Caucus, Reuters, Food and Drug Administration, Lawmakers, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S

July 26 (Reuters) - The Biden administration has asked a federal appeals court to lift an order sharply curbing government officials' communications with social media companies as a lawsuit accusing U.S. officials of seeking to censor certain views about COVID-19 and other topics online makes its way through the courts. Circuit Court of Appeals, the administration argued that a lower court judge's July 4 decision was overly broad and would hurt the government's ability to fight misinformation on platforms in a crisis. "The government cannot punish people for expressing different views," lawyers for U.S. President Joe Biden's administration wrote. The government must be allowed to seek to persuade people of its views, even where those views are the subject of controversy." His preliminary order came in a lawsuit filed by Republican attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden's, Terry Doughty, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Brendan Pierson, Susan Heavey Organizations: U.S, New, Circuit, Appeals, District, Facebook, YouTube, Democratic, Republican, Department of Health, Human Services, Federal Bureau of, Thomson Locations: New Orleans, U.S, Monroe , Louisiana, Louisiana, Missouri, New York

☆ Snap shares tumble after softer Q3 outlook as app revamps ads
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Sheila Dang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shares of Snap, which owns the Snapchat app, dropped 16% to $10.50 in after-market trading. The Santa Monica, California-based company said it estimates third quarter revenue will be between $1.07 billion to $1.13 billion. Changes to its platform to adjust advertisements took a toll, but Snap told Wall Street it is seeing benefits now. Daily active users on Snapchat rose 14% year-over-year to 397 million, beating Wall Street expectations of 394.8 million. Snap said it expects between 405 million to 406 million daily active users in the third quarter.

Persons: Sheila Dang, Susan Heavey Organizations: Inc, Facebook, Meta, Revenue, Analysts, Thomson Locations: Santa Monica , California, Dallas

A spokesperson for Covington said the firm will "review the decision carefully and consider any next steps in consultation with our affected clients." Any final outcome could make it easier for the government to get information on law firm clients in the future, and law firms warn it could chill cooperation between the private sector and authorities investigating cyberattacks. The SEC had sought the names of all the nearly 300 companies affected, but Covington resisted identifying any clients. The agency said it needed the names to probe for securities law violations associated with the attack, arguing that Covington’s law firm status did not shield it from cooperating. Covington told the court a law firm’s clients are part of a “zone of privacy” protected by the U.S. Constitution and legal ethics rules.

Persons: Burling, Judge Amit Mehta, Covington, cyberattacks, Mehta, Andrew Goudsward, David Bario, Susan Heavey Organizations: Covington, Burling, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, U.S, SEC, Circuit U.S, of, Thomson Locations: Covington, Washington

July 24 (Reuters) - FedEx pilots have rejected a tentative contract deal with the parcel delivery firm and the two sides will reopen negotiations, likely under the supervision of the National Mediation Board, the company and the pilots' union said on Monday. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) did not detail the reasons why members voted 57% to 43% to reject the deal. "Our members have spoken and we will now regroup," Captain Chris Norman, FedEx ALPA chair, said in a statement. The tentative FedEx deal included a 30% pay increase and a 30% increase to the pilots' legacy pensions. American Airlines (AAL.O) and the Allied Pilots Association are revising their tentative deal following the United agreement.

Persons: Chris Norman, Priyamvada, Lisa Baertlein, Devika Syamnath, Susan Heavey, Hugh Lawson Organizations: FedEx, National Mediation Board, Air Line Pilots Association, United Airlines, ALPA, American Airlines, Allied Pilots Association, United Parcel Service, UPS, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru, Los Angeles

☆ Wall St sees bargains and lure of Europe buoying cruise, hotel earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Doyinsola Oladipo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Passenger ticket and onboard spending revenue is expected to increase 66% and 36%, respectively. Cabin bookings in the second quarter were up 58% compared to this time last year. For Carnival, booking volumes in the second quarter were 17% higher than in 2019, Carnival CEO Josh Weinstein told investors in June. Meanwhile, investors will be watching if record nightly rates for on-shore accommodations can offset revenue in the second quarter. Hotel and short-term rental rates were about 18% and 35% more expensive in the second quarter than in 2019, according to analytics firms CoStar and AirDNA.

Persons: Brandt Montour, McKinsey, Sylvia Jablonski, Patrick Scholes, Josh Weinstein, AirDNA, Hilton, Doyinsola Oladipo, Granth, Susan Heavey Organizations: YORK, Investors, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Barclays, Royal, Carnival Corp, Cruise Line Holdings, Airlines, Cruises, Cruise, Truist Securities, Thomson Locations: Europe, United States, AirDNA . U.S, Asia, New York, Bangalore

WASHINGTON, July 24 (Reuters) - The White House said it did not support Ukraine launching attacks inside Russia after two drones from Ukraine damaged buildings in Moscow earlier on Monday. "As a general matter we do not support attacks inside of Russia," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in a press briefing. Russia vowed to take harsh retaliatory measures against Ukraine, calling the two drone strikes, including one close to the Defence Ministry's headquarters, a brazen act of terror. "And they can end it at any time by withdrawing forces from Ukraine instead of launching brutal attacks on civilians." A swarm of 17 drones also launched attacks overnight on Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, the Russian Defence Ministry said.

Persons: Karine Jean, Pierre, Jean, Pierre said, Jeff Mason, Kanishka Singh, Chris Reese, Susan Heavey Organizations: Ukraine, Defence, Russian Defence Ministry, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, Ukrainian, Kyiv, Russian, Crimea, Washington

☆ The rise of gig workers is changing the face of the US economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The number of gig workers is growing and making an impact throughout the economy. But workplace experts say the number of gig workers is growing, and and their impact is being felt throughout the economy. “People who have access to the gig economy borrow less money than people who don’t. Working in the gig economy can help people spend more time searching for their next job, if they've been laid off. “We could do so much better.”Recently, local governments have attempted to bolster platform gig workers’ protections.

Persons: Los Angeles CNN — Lazarus, ”, that’s, Eric Baradat, Louis Hyman, Uber, DoorDash, Jenn Rosenberg, Hyman, “, Erica Groshen, they've, Spencer Platt, Doordash, Susan Houseman, Groshen, we’ve, ” Groshen, they’re Organizations: Los Angeles CNN, Uber, CNN, DoorDash, Getty, of Labor Statistics, Cornell University, “ Society, University of Chicago, IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, BLS, . Upjohn Institute, Employment Research, North, New York City, Federal Reserve, Federal, System Locations: Hill , North Carolina, “, United States, AFP, DoorDash, Kalamazoo , Michigan, North America, New York, California

☆ Mexican president's fiery barbs fuel maverick rival's campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Dave Graham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Neither the president's office nor Galvez, who represents the center-right National Action Party (PAN), replied to requests for comment. Lopez Obrador has sought to break this narrative by branding Galvez a millionaire, said Roy Campos, Mitofsky's director. The authority this week ordered Lopez Obrador to remain neutral and abstain from election comments. Under Fox's government, Congress in 2005 stripped Lopez Obrador of immunity from prosecution over a minor land dispute. She urged her party to avoid resorting to tactics used against Lopez Obrador in the past.

Persons: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's, Xochitl Galvez, Lopez Obrador, Galvez, Alfa Gonzalez, pugnacious Lopez Obrador, Lopez, Consulta Mitofsky, Claudia Sheinbaum, Marcelo Ebrard, Roy Campos, Gabriel Islas, Beatriz Vazquez, Vicente Fox, Fox, Andres Manuel, Lorena Villavicencio, Sheinbaum, Dave Graham, Susan Heavey Organizations: Isla de, REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Party of, Democratic Revolution, Action Party, PAN, Regeneration, Mexico City, Institutional Revolutionary Party, Congress, Thomson Locations: Isla, Isla de Cedros, Mulege, Mexico, MEXICO, derailing, MORENA, Spanish, Mexican

☆ Hundreds of Israeli reservists vow to refuse service if judicial overhaul passes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Emily Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JERUSALEM, July 19 (Reuters) - Hundreds of Israeli reservists marched in Tel Aviv on Wednesday threatening to refuse their volunteer service if the government presses ahead with its controversial plan to curb the power of the Supreme Court. Protests have intensified as ratification nears, while one cabinet minister said the government could rethink its polarising drive to overhaul the judiciary if protests escalate. Soldiers who refuse to report for volunteer service are not in violation of military or civil law and thus cannot be punished. Some reservists have made clear that if Israel entered a state of emergency, they would report for emergency call-ups. Israeli Military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, during an air force base visit on Wednesday, called the volunteer system critical, adding: "The calls for non-reporting hurt."

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu's, Ron Scherf, it's, Israel, Staff Herzi Halevi, Emily Rose, Alexandra Hudson, James Mackenzie, Susan Heavey, Alex Richardson Organizations: Special Forces, General Staff Reconnaissance Unit, Reuters, Staff, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, United States

OTTAWA, July 18 (Reuters) - Canada on Tuesday defended its decision to push ahead with its implementation of digital services taxes starting next year, citing national interest even as Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland expressed hope in reaching an international consensus. Ottawa refused, saying an extension of the freeze would disadvantage Canada relative to governments that have been collecting revenue under their pre-existing tax regimes. Ottawa's new levy would see a 3% tax on revenue earned by large technology companies in Canada. The process of launching such taxes has dragged on, and the governments planning national digital services taxes had agreed to put them on ice until the end of this year or drop them altogether once the first pillar of the deal takes effect in 2025 or later. Freeland said Canada was already in the process of implementing the second pillar, which calls on governments to set a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% in 2024.

Persons: Chrystia Freeland, Freeland, Ismail Shakil, Steve Scherer, David Ljunggren, Matthew Lewis, Susan Heavey Organizations: OTTAWA, Apple, Ottawa, Thomson Locations: Canada, New Delhi, India, Ottawa

July 18 (Reuters) - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) sued the U.S. government on Tuesday, becoming the latest drugmaker seeking to block a program that gives the Medicare government health insurance plan the power to negotiate lower drug prices. The pharmaceutical industry says the drug price negotiation program under President Joe Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act law will curtail profits and compel drugmakers to curb development of groundbreaking new treatments. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in September is expected to select the first 10 drugs to target for negotiations with settled prices set to take effect in 2026. The law is on our side," a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement. It broadly follows the other related lawsuits, arguing that the program is unconstitutional and amounts to "confiscation of constitutionally protected property."

Persons: Johnson, Joe Biden's, drugmakers, Biden, Janssen, Bhanvi, Michael Erman, Krishna Chandra Eluri, Susan Heavey Organizations: Johnson, U.S, drugmakers Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck & Co, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, Pharmaceutical Research, Manufacturers of America, Commerce, U.S . Centers, Medicare, Medicaid Services, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, District of, Thomson Locations: U.S, District of New Jersey, Bengaluru, New Jersey

☆ Police search Nevada home in 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Rachel Nostrant | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 18 (Reuters) - Nevada police have searched a house outside of Las Vegas in connection with the 1996 killing of hip-hop star Tupac Shakur, who was shot to death in the city nearly three decades ago, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said on Tuesday. No additional information regarding who owned the house or what led police to conduct the search was given. In a press release, the department said it "can confirm a search warrant was served in Henderson, Nevada on July 17, 2023, as part of the ongoing Tupac Shakur homicide investigation." The department, whose jurisdiction includes the suburb of Henderson where the search was conducted, declined to provide further comment. Shakur was shot in a drive-by shooting on Sept. 7, 1996 and died in a hospital six days later at the age of 25.

Persons: Tupac Shakur, Shakur, Rachel Nostrant, Susan Heavey Organizations: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Hollywood, Thomson Locations: Nevada, Las Vegas, Henderson , Nevada, Henderson

☆ Canada gives Toronto millions to shelter asylum seekers
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The federal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which has responsibility for refugees and asylum seekers, prides itself on its record of accepting those fleeing oppression even as it tries to tighten its border with the United States. But Toronto, Canada's largest city, says Ottawa has not provided anywhere near enough money to keep shelters open. At the end of 2022, Canada had more than 70,000 pending refugee claims. Almost 40,000 asylum seekers entered Canada through irregular border crossings from the United States last year -- nine times higher than in 2021 when COVID-19 related restrictions were enforced. In March, the United States and Canada changed a two-decade-old refugee agreement as part of an attempts to reduce the influx across the world's largest land border.

Persons: Marco Mendicino's, Soe, Sean Fraser, Justin Trudeau, Kevin Vuong, Trudeau, Fraser, David Ljunggren, Susan Heavey Organizations: Rights, Public Safety, REUTERS, Rights OTTAWA, Canadian, Thomson Locations: Canada, United States, Toronto , Ontario, Toronto, Canada's, Ottawa, COVID, Quebec

WASHINGTON, July 17 (Reuters) - U.S. chip company executives met with top Biden administration officials on Monday to discuss China policy, the State Department and sources said, as the most powerful semiconductor lobby group urged a halt to more curbs under consideration. Secretary of State Antony Blinken talked with chip company chief executives about the industry and supply chains after his recent trip to China, a department spokesperson told reporters. The chip industry is keen to protect its profits in China as the Biden administration considers another round of restrictions on chip exports to China. Last year, China accounted for $180 billion in semiconductor purchases, more than a third the worldwide total of $555.9 billion and the largest single market, according to Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). The Biden administration is considering updating a sweeping set of rules imposed in October to hobble China's chip industry and a new executive order restricting some outbound investment.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Gina Raimondo, Lael Brainard, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Blinken, Matthew Miller, Commerce's Raimondo, Washington, hobble, Pat Gelsinger, David Shepardson, Andrea Shalal, Simon Lewis, Stephen Nellis, Chris Sanders, Susan Heavey, Matthew Lewis, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Biden, State Department, National Economic, National Security, Intel, Qualcomm, Nvidia, Reuters, Semiconductor Industry Association, SIA, Department, White, Commerce Department, Huawei Technology Co, San, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, Washington, San Francisco

After a big loss last week in district court, the agency's remaining options are: pursue its fight in the internal FTC court; pursue its parallel case before the appeals court; pursue both; or settle with Microsoft or drop the matter entirely. The source, who is familiar with the matter, declined to give any other details. U.S. regulators, however, have said it could harm consumers by possibly limiting the reach of Activision's games. The tech giant is separately still trying to get the deal approved separately in Britain. Reporting by Diane Bartz; editing by Susan HeaveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Diane Bartz, Susan Heavey Organizations: U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Activision, Reuters, Microsoft, Thomson Locations: California, Britain

The chip industry is keen to protect its profits in China as the Biden administration considers another round of restrictions on chip exports to China. The Biden administration is considering updating a sweeping set of rules imposed in October to hobble China's chip industry and a new executive order restricting some outbound investment. Not every official is expected to meet with every company, the source who spoke on condition of anonymity added. Further rule-tightening by U.S. officials risks "disrupting supply chains, causing significant market uncertainty, and prompting continued escalatory retaliation by China," the industry group said. "The availability of Gaudi2 in China continues Intel’s nearly 40-year history of delivering innovative yet legally-compliant products to this key growth market," Intel said in a statement.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Gina Raimondo, Lael Brainard, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Matthew Miller, chafed, hobble, Blinken, Pat Gelsinger, Raimondo, David Shepardson, Andrea Shalal, Simon Lewis, Stephen Nellis, Susan Heavey, Matthew Lewis, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Biden, National Economic, National Security, Intel, Qualcomm, Nvidia, Semiconductor Industry Association, SIA, Department, Administration, White, Reuters, Commerce Department, U.S, Huawei Technology Co, San, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, Washington, Intel’s, San Francisco

☆ Restrictive abortion laws hurting US military, White House says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 17 (Reuters) - Restrictive abortion laws in states like Alabama are harming the U.S. military's ability to retain service members and impacting morale, the White House said on Monday as the administration sought to increase pressure on the Senate over the issue. NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby answers questions during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn HocksteinHe noted that those who volunteer to serve in the military do not get to pick where they are ultimately stationed, including bases located in states with restrictive abortion laws. "So if you don't think there's going to be a retention and morale issue, think again, because it's already having that effect," Kirby told a news briefing. Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Jarrett Renshaw; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Susan HeaveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tommy Tuberville, John Kirby, Strategic Communications John Kirby, Evelyn Hockstein, it's, Kirby, Joe Biden's, Roe, Wade, Trevor Hunnicutt, Jarrett Renshaw, Jonathan Oatis, Susan Heavey Organizations: Senate, U.S, Republican, National Security, Strategic Communications, White, REUTERS, Joint Chiefs, Supreme, Thomson Locations: Alabama, Washington , U.S, U.S

July 14 (Reuters) - Two U.S. senators are pursuing a legislative plan to track U.S. investments in China, as the White House works to complete long-awaited action that would also restrict investment in certain, highly targeted sectors. The Biden administration, meanwhile, is finalizing an executive order that would also restrict certain investment in sectors including advanced semiconductors, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. A senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the aim was to wrap up legal and other reviews of the outbound investment order by Labor Day. Reuters reported in February that the proposed order was likely to track restrictions on artificial intelligence chips, chipmaking tools and supercomputers, among other technologies, imposed on exports to China in October. The senators' proposed legislation was filed as an amendment to the annual National Defense Authorization Act.

Persons: Bob Casey, Republican John Cornyn, Casey, Biden, Janet Yellen, Joe Biden, Karen Freifeld, Andrea Shalal, Susan Heavey Organizations: White, Democratic, Republican, Labor, Treasury, Reuters, National Defense, U.S . House, Republicans, Thomson Locations: China

Federal banking regulators are expected to introduce proposals in the coming weeks requiring banks to keep more cash on hand to ensure the financial system remains stable. The nation's largest lender may increase prices or abandon some products as a way to offset the higher capital costs, Barnum said. One key new expected rule would require banks to hold more capital against certain trades. Meanwhile, banks are staying cautious and preserving capital until there is more clarity around the rules. Wells Fargo was expecting capital requirements to climb and weighing the potential effect on stock buybacks, CEO Charlie Scharf told investors on its call.

Persons: Michael Barr, Jeremy Barnum, Barnum, Jane Fraser, Wells Fargo, Charlie Scharf, Blackstone, Jamie Dimon, Pete Schroeder, Nupur Anand, Saeed Azhar, Tatiana Bautzer, Lananh Nguyen, Megan Davies, Susan Heavey Organizations: WASHINGTON, Federal, JPMorgan Chase's, JPMorgan, U.S, Treasury, Industry, Blackstone, Apollo, JPMorgan Chase, Thomson Locations: Washington, New York

☆ US House to weigh bill allowing older pilots, other aviation reforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The House bill, approved 63-0 by the Transportation Committee in June, would reauthorize Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety and infrastructure programs for the next five years. The pilot age proposal faces opposition from unions and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg who worry it could complicate operations. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) says it could cause airline scheduling and pilot training issues and require reopening pilot contracts. Buttigieg told Fox News Radio Friday that "I would want to see a lot more data before we could feel comfortable with any kind of change" to the pilot age rules. The House bill would also bar airlines from charging family seating fees but would not impose new rules sought by President Joe Biden to compensate passengers for delays.

Persons: Pete Buttigieg, Buttigieg, Joe Biden, David Shepardson, Susan Heavey Organizations: U.S . House, Republican, Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Air Line Pilots Association, Fox News Radio, Regional Airline Association, Senate, Colgan Air, U.S, Reagan Washington National Airport, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Thomson Locations: United States, Russia, Buffalo

☆ Argentines tighten wallets to fight spiraling inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BUENOS AIRES, July 13 (Reuters) - Argentines are tightening their wallets to make end meets as the South American country battles inflation which could surpass 140% on an annual basis this year, hunting for the cheapest prices on basic goods to shield their income. Inflation in the 12 months through June hit 115.6%, official data showed on Thursday. While Argentines are on track this year to keep up their high steak consumption, higher prices are taking a bite out of their selections. Analysts forecast that annual inflation could close this year at 142.4% compared to 94.8% last year, according to a central bank poll, steadily cutting away at consumers' purchasing power in Latin America's third-largest economy. The country is seeking adjustments as rising inflation, a weakening peso and a historic drought hamper exports and financial reserves.

Persons: INDEC, Gabriel Segovia, Sergio Massa, Annabella Paez, Horacio Soria, Sarah Morland, Susan Heavey, Diane Craft Organizations: Economy, Analysts, International Monetary Fund, Reuters, IMF, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, American, Buenos Aires, Argentine, Candelaria

☆ US lawmakers make bipartisan push for psychedelics research in defense bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Moira Warburton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks at a press conference on psychedelics in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in Washington, U.S., July 13, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin WurmWASHINGTON, July 13 (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers on Thursday pushed to include a provision allowing medical research of psychedelic drugs as part of a sweeping annual defense policy bill, saying it could help treat post-traumatic stress disorder and other ailments despite possible concerns. Veterans' groups have for years been pushing for research into the potential medical benefits of psychedelics - including LSD and magic mushrooms - for their ability to alleviate the effects of PTSD and depression. Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL and co-sponsor of the amendment, pointed to potential uses for survivors of sexual trauma and law enforcement officers. The measure would direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct a clinical report on the uses of psychedelics in military treatment facilities.

Persons: Representative Alexandria Ocasio, Kevin Wurm WASHINGTON, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Dan Crenshaw, Crenshaw, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, Moira Warburton, Scott Malone, Susan Heavey Organizations: U.S, Representative, psychedelics, National Defense, REUTERS, Democratic, Capitol Hill, Republican, Navy, Defense, Thomson Locations: Cortez, Washington , U.S, U.S

NEW YORK, July 12 (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation this week directing the Biden administration to allow oil refiners to purchase compliance credits for U.S. biofuel blending laws at a lower, fixed cost compared to the open market. The proposal would reduce rising compliance costs associated with the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and aim to help struggling refineries stay afloat at a time of great flux in the global energy markets, lawmakers said. Oil refiners argue the mandates are pricey, while biofuel proponents like ethanol producers and corn farmers like the obligations because it increases the market for their products. Renewable fuel credits traded at $1.54 each on Tuesday after the bill came out, down from $1.56 prior, traders said. Credits traded on Wednesday between $1.55 and $1.56 each amid U.S. government data release.

Persons: Biden, refiners, ”, Chris Coons, Bob Casey, Brian Fitzpatrick, Joe Biden's, Stephanie Kelly, Susan Heavey Organizations: YORK, U.S . Renewable, Democratic, Republican U.S, Republican, Thomson Locations: U.S

☆ FBI chief Wray defends against US House Republicans' accusations
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Sarah N. Lynch | Thomson Reuters | Sarah N. Lynch Is The Lead Reporter For Reuters Covering The U.S. Justice Department Out Of Washington | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Wray appeared before the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee panel for the first time since former President Donald Trump was indicted for retaining highly classified documents and obstructing justice. Republicans have repeatedly accused the FBI and other federal agencies of "weaponizing" their law enforcement and regulatory powers to silence critics on the right, target political enemies and protect political allies. House Republicans have claimed without evidence that the documents case against Trump is politically motivated. "Absolutely not," replied Wray, a fellow Republican who has increasingly become the target of Republicans' wrath. "The idea that I am biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background," Wray said.

Persons: Chris Way, Hunter Biden, Wray, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Hunter, General Merrick Garland, Christopher Wray, Jonathan Ernst, Matt Gaetz, Trump, Terry Doughty, Biden, Sarah N, Lynch, Scott Malone, Susan Heavey Organizations: Republicans, Republican, House, FBI, House Republicans, Trump, U.S, Federal Bureau of, Capitol, REUTERS, District, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Louisiana, Missouri, U.S

Search resuls for: "Susan H"

25 mentions found