Stories from Washington · United States

The Donald Trump administration is conducting a review of foreign relations to ensure alignment with its 'America First' policy. This consular review coincides with the recent revelation of CIA agents operating in Chihuahua and the filing of charges against officials in Sinaloa.

The city of Washington D.C. spent $20 million on bobcats to clear alleyways after past big storms. This expenditure was identified as the biggest line item for additional contractors. The bobcats were used to get garbage and recycling collection back on track.

Recordings reportedly reveal money paid to secure a pardon from Donald Trump. The situation of Trump's brother, for whom efforts are also being made to regain freedom, was also revealed in these recordings.

Lawmakers sent a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) this week, warning that ending the Combined Federal Campaign (CFP) would be "disastrous" for hospitals, food banks, and other organizations. OPM recently decommissioned the CFP's online donation portal.

John Bolton, who served as National Security Advisor during President Trump's first term, believes that the president's social media postings are negatively affecting Iran negotiations. Bolton specifically cited "the very ferocity of its tweets" as a contributing factor.

Caroline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary, stated that Truth Social is "the most powerful and popular social media platform in the world." She attributed this status to the platform serving as President Trump's authentic voice. Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, stated that AI is currently creating job opportunities.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported layoffs in the professional and business services sector.

Artificial intelligence was cited as the top cause of layoffs in April, responsible for 26% of job cuts. Company closures ranked second, followed by cost-cutting measures. AI's impact is primarily affecting white-collar jobs, a shift from previous automation cycles that predominantly impacted blue-collar workers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics noted these layoffs in professional and business services. The specific number of layoffs or the full scope of the report was not detailed in the broadcast.

Representative Bill Keating of Massachusetts, a Democrat serving on the House Armed Services Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee, is criticizing U.S. government attacks against boats in the Pacific and Caribbean. Keating stated that this activity "should not be occurring."

A political endorsement has not occurred due to ongoing disputes over redistricting. The source indicated that 'odds over redistricting' are preventing the endorsement from happening.