Top Stories Today – July 26, 2019
Top Stories Today – July 26, 2019
N Korea missile test a warning to South
North Korea’s test of a new missile is meant as a “solemn warning” over rival South Korea’s weapons development and plans to hold military drills with the United States, Pyongyang said Friday as it continued its pressure campaign ahead of potential nuclear talks.
South Korea’s military later said that the flight data of the weapon launched Thursday showed similarities to the Russian-made Iskander, a short-range, nuclear-capable missile. A North Korean version could likely reach all of South Korea — and the 28,500 US forces stationed there — and would be extremely hard to intercept. The Associated Press
Carmakers agree emissions deal
Four major carmakers have struck a deal with California on fuel efficiency rules, despite an attempt by the Trump administration to strip the state of the right to set its own standards to fight climate change. California negotiated with Ford, Honda, Volkswagen and BMW in secret. Along with a dozen other US states, it has vowed to enforce stricter Obama-era emissions standards.
President Trump wants to roll back federal rules on car emissions. Last year, his administration proposed a rule to axe tougher mileage and greenhouse gas emissions requirements enacted by his predecessor. It also proposed revoking California’s right to impose state emissions standards or require more electric vehicles. The White House has said “the federal government, not a single state, should set this standard. We are moving forward to finalize a rule for the benefit of all Americans”. BBC
Congo’s Ebola outbreak
The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is ravaging Beni, a sprawling city of some 600,000, in large part because so many of the sick are choosing to stay at home. In doing so, they unknowingly infect caregivers and those who mourn them.
Nearly one year into the outbreak which has killed more than 1,700 and was declared a global health emergency this month, a rise in community deaths is fueling a resurgence of Ebola in Beni. During a two-week period in July alone, 30 people died at home. Health teams are now going door-to-door with megaphones trying to get the message out. Many people still don’t believe Ebola is real, health experts say, which stymies efforts to control the disease’s spread. The Associated Press
US economic growth seem slowing
The US economy likely grew at its slowest pace in more than two years in the second quarter as an acceleration in consumer spending was probably offset by weak exports and business investment. The anticipated moderation in growth will come against the backdrop of rising risks to the economy’s outlook, especially from a trade war between the United States and China as well as slowing growth overseas, which are seen encouraging the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates next Wednesday for the first time in a decade.
With a strong labor market supporting consumer spending, a recession is, however, not on the horizon. The Commerce Department will publish the second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) report on Friday at 8:30 a.m. EDT (1230 GMT). Reuters
US House to subpoena Trump officials
The House Oversight Committee voted Thursday to authorize subpoenas of all White House officials’ work messages sent through private email accounts and messaging apps. The vote will seek further information on Ivanka Trump’s reported use of a private email account to conduct government business, Jared Kushner’s reported use of WhatsApp to talk with foreign leaders, and former chief strategist Stephen Bannon’s personal cell phone use.
Democrats had pledged to investigate and, after the White House refused to hand over the communications, voted along party lines to approve subpoenas. Committee Chair Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) said “White House records belong to the public — not the president.” Ranking Member Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) meanwhile called the subpoenas “an attempt to create an appearance of some type of controversy.” Politico via The Week