Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton.
President Trump gave a $45,000 Christmas bonuses to a few of his West Wing AIDS, including
“his executive assistant Natalie Harp, and Pierre's Luke Garrett reports that in Harp's case,”
the cash gift amounted to nearly one-third of her government's salary.
A White House disclosure shows Natalie Harp, communications advisor Margo Martin, and Ovaloff is aide Chamberlain Harris, each got $45,000. Trump's Ovaloff's director and former valet Walt Nada received $20,000 in cash. The AIDS are among Trump's closest and most loyal. In a statement, the White House says the Christmas gifts are a "longstanding practice"
by Trump, and that the cash has nothing to do with, quote, official government duties. It defended the gifts as, quote, "permissible under relevant legal and ethical standards." Federal law does bar federal employees from receiving, quote, supplementation of salary. The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to questions regarding Trump's cash gifts and whether they violate US code.
Luke Garrett and Pierre News, Washington. The price of oil went over $100 a barrel again today. It comes after the US military struck five Iranian oil carriers, and Iran says it targeted
“an air-base in Jordan, where US troops are positioned, and Pierre's Aiba Tri has more”
on how the war has shaped the Gulf region over the last six months. Iran's attacks on US bases since the start of the war have killed and wounded troops, prompting the Pentagon to pull back thousands of personnel from the region. The Navy's fifth-lead in Bahrain was hit by Iran early in the war, forcing a major drawdown of American military personnel there.
Chief of Naval Operations Darrell Cotto was asked recently during a livestream when sailors would be able to return to Bahrain to get their personal belongings. He answered, "We're not getting back in there any time soon." And in Qatar, Iranians strikes during the war caused billions in damage and halted gas production.
Despite the presence of some 10,000 US troops there before the war, the American bases across the Gulf are meant to be a deterrence, but it's now a factor in why Iran has attacked these Arab states. A Able Tariah and Pierre News, Dubai.
“Stocks fell today as energy prices jumped and Pierre's Scott Horsey reports investors shrugged”
off an effort by the Treasury Secretary to keep government bond yields in check. The yield on long-term government debt rose despite the Treasury Department's announcement
that it would buy back $6 billion worth of government bonds on Thursday.
That's three times through team level of buy-backs a move that was designed to reassure investors and keep the yield on 10-year treasuries in check. Investors were not persuaded, and the yield continued to climb. The government's cost for borrowing money helps determine lots of other interest rates, some things like mortgages and auto loans.
Investors are also demanding higher interest rates because of stubborn inflation. Amazing tensions around the straight-of-four moves have pushed crude oil prices back above $100 of air all, and diesel prices are at an all-time high. Scott Horsey and Pierre News, Washington. Major U.S. Stock Index is fell today if you're listening to NPR News from Washington.
Republicans have gathered in Dallas for an unusual midterm convention that puts President Trump at center stage, but some party members are skipping the affair, citing scheduling conflicts or high attendance fees, organizers describe it as a showcase for Trump's successes and Republican causes, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Taloreco is hosting a food drive in Dallas and an attempt to contrast with the convention.
Apple will start selling a foldable iPhone about the size of a passport next month, as NPR's John Rouge reports it's the biggest change to the iconic products since it was introduced nearly 20 years ago. At Apple's annual iPhone launch event executives talked about an updated iPhone, AirPods, and watch line up, and then nearly an hour in New CEO John Ternis said this.
But actually, there is one more thing. It's a classic line that late Apple founder Steve Jobs made famous when he announced innovative
new products like the first iPhone.
The new foldable iPhone has a 5.4-inch exterior screen and is almost like a small iPad when opened with a 7.6-inch screen. The nearly $2,000 price tag goes to about 3,200 with all the bells and whistles, and let's say that may test the upper boundaries of what Apple users will pay for a phone. Apple is a financial supporter of NPR, John Rouge and PR News.
Papsed Blue Ribbon is offering up to $20,000 to anyone who provides new information that leads to the recovery of 1,600 and 2 stolen cases of PBR and non-alcoholic old Milwaukee beer, police in Mont Clare, California said the beer was stolen last month from a warehouse in two separate incidents on the same day. This is NPR News.
I haven't seen my son since 2012. This is Deborah Tice. The disappearance of her son, Austin, is one of the biggest missing person cases in the world. "What do you want from me? Why should I solve the mystery?"
"I know that my son is somewhere alive." Listen to "Where is Austin Tice?" From NPR's embedded and BBC Radio 4 on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.
