US State Dept to allow two House members to view classified Afghanistan document

By Humeyra Pamuk and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. State Department on Wednesday said two top members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee can view a redacted version of a classified cable about the chaotic August 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan sought by the committee’s Republican chairperson. The chairperson, Representative Michael McCaul, scheduled a…

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Target sets cautious tone as US consumers turn thrifty

By Aishwarya Venugopal and Ananya Mariam Rajesh (Reuters) -Target Corp on Wednesday forecast a grim second quarter as consumers shun non-essentials such as electronics and home goods in the face of persistently high prices, but the retailer maintained its full-year profit expectations. U.S. retail sales have remained resilient despite higher prices but consumers have been…

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Netflix ad tier has nearly 5 million monthly active users

By Lisa Richwine LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Netflix Inc’s recently launched ad-supported tier reaches nearly 5 million active users per month, executives said on Wednesday in a pitch that emphasized the breadth of its programming to potential advertisers. The streaming video pioneer launched a $7-per-month option with commercials last November in 12 markets, including the U.S.,…

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Biden, McCarthy Push Forward Towards Deal On US Debt Ceiling

By Susan Heavey, Doina Chiacu, Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden and top U.S. congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday underscored their determination to reach a deal soon to raise the federal government’s $31.4 trillion debt ceiling and avoid an economically catastrophic default. After a monthslong standoff, the Democratic president and the speaker of…

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Earth-sized alien planet gripped by widespread volcanism

By Will Dunham WASHINGTON (Reuters) – An Earth-sized planet orbiting a dim star in our galactic neighborhood is offering some of the best evidence to date of volcanism beyond our solar system, with observations suggesting a rugged and rocky world tormented by constant eruptions. Scientists said on Wednesday the planet, the third detected orbiting this…

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Fed’s watchdog defends work before Senate amid questions over his independence

By Michael S. Derby NEW YORK (Reuters) – The Federal Reserve’s in-house watchdog defended his agency’s independence and ability to conduct investigations in a Senate hearing on Wednesday, while acknowledging some dissatisfaction with the way his agency has looked into financial market trades by top central bankers. “No Board Chair has resisted or objected to…

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