US dollar edges higher as GDP, jobless claims affirm rate hike bets

By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss NEW YORK (Reuters) – The dollar rose on Thursday as weaker-than-expected U.S. economic growth in the first quarter is viewed as not likely to deter the Federal Reserve from raising interest rates next week. The advance estimate of first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) showed a 1.1% annualized rate during the period. The…

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US economic growth slows in first quarter as businesses draw down inventories

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. economic growth slowed more than expected in the first quarter as an acceleration in consumer spending was offset by businesses liquidating inventories in anticipation of weaker demand later this year amid higher borrowing costs. The first decline in private inventories in 1-1/2 years reported by the Commerce Department…

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U.S. targets Russia’s FSB, IRGC members over wrongful detention of Americans

By Humeyra Pamuk and Daphne Psaledakis WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Russia’s domestic security service FSB and the intelligence unit of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accusing them of being responsible or complicit in the wrongful detention of Americans overseas. The sanctions also targeted four senior commanders within IRGC’s IO,…

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Senators urge Biden to enable agency to seize tankers of Iran oil

By Timothy Gardner and Jonathan Saul WASHINGTON (Reuters) – As Iran’s oil exports rise despite U.S. sanctions over its nuclear program, senators from both parties urged President Joe Biden to enable a federal government agency to seize Iranian oil and gas shipments. Senators Joni Ernst, a Republican, and Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, said in a…

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White House’s Sullivan: US not looking to decouple from China economy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday the United States is not looking to decouple its economy from the Chinese economy, saying, “We’re not cutting off trade.” Speaking at the Brookings Institution, Sullivan said China should step up as a constructive force in assisting heavily indebted countries. He said…

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U.S. West Coast races to reduce wildfire risk ahead of summer

By Matt McKnight (Reuters) – As wildfire season approaches, U.S. officials along the West Coast are working hard to mitigate risks with prescribed burns, while a widespread educational campaign is underway to create buffers around fire-prone homes. In Washington state, Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Hillary Franz is working on reversing negative perceptions surrounding prescribed…

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