California lost 156,300 jobs in the first half of 2024, according to the latest federal quarterly payroll data, contradicting Governor Gavin Newsom’s optimistic claims about job growth in the state. While Newsom’s office had highlighted preliminary job survey data, which often overestimates employment numbers, the finalized payroll data shows a starkly different picture. In January, California’s payroll data counted 18,037,900 jobs, but by June, that number had dropped to 17,881,600, reflecting a significant job loss.
Attorney General Merrick Garland is under scrutiny from Congress as Republican lawmakers ramp up investigations into his Department of Justice (DOJ) over an alleged coverup tied to the Crescent Dunes solar energy project in Nevada. The project, which received hundreds of millions in federal grants during the Obama administration, has been plagued by technical failures, financial troubles, and environmental concerns. Now, questions are being raised about the DOJ’s involvement in a qui tam lawsuit that was abruptly dismissed after initially being supported by the government.
Incoming trade advisor Peter Navarro has reassured Americans that the tariffs planned for President-Elect Donald Trump's next term will not lead to inflationary pressures. Speaking with CNBC, Navarro pointed to the significant tariffs imposed on Chinese imports during Trump’s previous term, such as steel, aluminum, dishwashers, and solar panels. Despite fears that these tariffs would drive up prices, Navarro emphasized that they had no discernible impact on inflation. He also dismissed past warnings about inflation, recalling how critics had predicted economic chaos during Trump’s first term, only to see those fears prove unfounded.
The chief of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops was killed outside an apartment building when a bomb hidden underneath an electric scooter exploded.
President Joe Biden raised eyebrows on Monday evening during the White House Hanukkah reception by claiming credit for the release of over 100 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
David Hogg, a gun control activist who rose to prominence following the 2018 Parkland school shooting, has declared his candidacy for vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has confirmed that radioactive material went missing in transit earlier this month, raising concerns about public safety and fueling theories about mysterious drone activity over New Jersey.
The family of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Turkish-born American human rights activist killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, has pleaded with Secretary of State Antony Blinken for a U.S. investigation into her death. However, Blinken offered no promises during the meeting on Monday, according to Eygi’s husband, Hamid Ali.
President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago that he would consider pardoning New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was indicted on federal corruption charges in September. The charges allege Adams exchanged favors for Turkey in return for campaign contributions, which were then used to obtain matching city campaign funds. The indictment also claims Adams received benefits, such as hotel upgrades, in connection to the arrangement.
