WASHINGTON — The abrupt resignation of Britain's ambassador to the United States over leaked cables critical of the Trump administration may have jolted official Washington, but it's unlikely to have a lasting impact on the U.S.-British relationship or diplomatic practice. Current and former diplomats say the leak of Ambassador Kim Darroch's sensitive reports is...
Britain Says Iranian Vessels Tried to Block Tanker in Gulf
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The British navy said Thursday it stopped three Iranian paramilitary vessels from disrupting the passage of a British oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz in a brief but tense standoff stemming from the U.K.'s role in seizing an Iranian supertanker a week earlier. The...
23 Governors Join California in Opposing Trump Mileage Standards
WASHINGTON — Citing climate-damaging tailpipe emissions, 23 governors signed a pledge Tuesday backing California leaders in their showdown with the Trump administration over its plans to relax vehicle mileage standards. The pledge by leaders of states and Puerto Rico, most of them Democrats, comes as the administration seeks to ease tougher...
Judge Blocks Trump Policy Keeping Asylum-Seekers Locked Up
SEATTLE — A federal judge in Seattle on Tuesday blocked a Trump administration policy that would keep thousands of asylum-seekers locked up while they pursue their cases, saying the Constitution demands that such migrants have a chance to be released from custody. U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman ruled Tuesday that...
Iran Says It Soon Will Surpass Uranium Stockpile Limit
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran will surpass the uranium stockpile limit set by Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers in the next 10 days, the spokesman for the country's atomic agency said Monday while also warning that Iran could enrich uranium up to 20% — just a step away from weapons-grade...
Chairman Says Fed Ready to Respond to Trade Conflicts
WASHINGTON — Chairman Jerome Powell said Tuesday the Federal Reserve is prepared to respond to the Trump administration's trade conflicts to protect the U.S. economy, signaling the Fed will cut interest rates if necessary. Powell's comments gave a lift to stock markets, with the Dow Jones industrial average up over...
Commutes, Jobs at Stake in California’s Clean Air Battle With Trump
Unrelenting commutes. Lost construction jobs. A statewide economic shudder. Prepare for all three if California loses its clean air battle with the Trump administration. That’s the warning from state transportation planning agency officials, who say the ongoing fight over passenger vehicle standards might cause collateral damage to road and public...
US Pulls Nonessential Staff From Iraq Amid Mideast Tensions
BAGHDAD — The U.S. on Wednesday ordered all nonessential government staff to leave Iraq, and Germany and the Netherlands both suspended their military assistance programs in the country in the latest sign of tensions sweeping the Persian Gulf region over still-unspecified threats that the Trump administration says are linked to...
Trump Officials Reportedly Discussed Deporting Migrant Families
WASHINGTON — Homeland Security officials considered arresting thousands of migrant families who had final deportation orders and removing them from the U.S. in a flashy show of force, but the idea was tabled as the Trump administration grappled with straining resources and a growing number of Central Americans crossing the...
Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Won’t Visit White House
CHICAGO — Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora will not attend the ceremony at the White House on Thursday honoring the 2018 World Series champions. Cora cited the Trump administration's response to Hurricane Maria in his native Puerto Rico as the reason for his decision. "The government has done some...