Reuters US Domestic News Summary

If finalized, it would prevent the company from providing international and domestic telecom services to and within the United States. US retail sales likely rose in September; higher-income consumers drive growth U.S. retail sales excluding motor vehicles and parts likely posted further gains in September, data from the Chicago Federal Reserve showed on Wednesday, though part of the rise probably reflected higher prices.

Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs.

Bank of America, BNY sued over alleged financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein

A woman who says she was abused by the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein sued Bank of America and the Bank of New York Mellon on Wednesday, alleging the banks knowingly provided financial services that enabled his sex trafficking operation for years. Bank of America and BNY declined to comment.

US warns that hackers using F5 devices to target government networks

U.S. government officials said on Wednesday that federal networks are being targeted by an unidentified "nation-state cyber threat actor" that's trying to exploit vulnerabilities in products made by the cybersecurity company F5. In a statement and an accompanying emergency directive, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said hackers had compromised F5's systems and extracted files, including a portion of its source code and information about vulnerabilities, and could use the knowledge as a roadmap to break into F5 devices and software, something that could eventually lead to a full compromise of the targeted networks.

US airline group urges end to government shutdown, citing aviation risks

The head of a U.S. airline trade group urged an end to the 15-day government shutdown, citing concerns about rising pressure faced by air traffic controllers working without pay. "It's got to stop like now, because every day that goes by, the pressures get higher, the risks get higher," Chris Sununu, CEO of Airlines for America, a major trade group representing carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, said in an interview. "You're getting closer and closer to those air traffic controllers just feeling financial pressures."

Plane carrying Hegseth makes unscheduled landing due to windshield crack

A plane carrying U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday made an unscheduled landing in the United Kingdom due to a crack in the aircraft's windshield, the Pentagon said, adding the Pentagon chief was safe. "The plane landed based on standard procedures and everyone onboard, including Secretary Hegseth, is safe," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a post on X.

FCC moves to bar Hong Kong telecom carrier from operating in US

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission said on Wednesday it is moving to revoke the authority of Hong Kong telecom carrier HKT International to operate in the United States, citing national security concerns. The U.S. telecom regulator issued an order to show cause directing HKT and its subsidiaries to explain why the FCC should not commence revocation proceedings, citing its affiliation with China Unicom Americas. If finalized, it would prevent the company from providing international and domestic telecom services to and within the United States.

US retail sales likely rose in September; higher-income consumers drive growth

U.S. retail sales excluding motor vehicles and parts likely posted further gains in September, data from the Chicago Federal Reserve showed on Wednesday, though part of the rise probably reflected higher prices. The Chicago Fed Advance Retail Trade Summary estimated that retail sales excluding autos and parts increased by a seasonally adjusted 0.5% last month after advancing 0.7% in August.

US judge blocks Trump's plan to lay off thousands of government workers

A federal judge in California on Wednesday ordered President Donald Trump's administration to halt mass layoffs of federal workers during a partial government shutdown while she considers claims by unions that the job cuts are illegal. During a hearing in San Francisco, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston granted a request by two unions to block layoffs at more than 30 federal agencies while the case proceeds.

White House budget director plans to shut US consumer finance watchdog within months

White House budget director Russell Vought said on Wednesday he wants to close the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau even though President Donald Trump's administration has argued in court that there is no such plan. Vought made the remarks on "The Charlie Kirk Show" as the administration is locked in litigation with a CFPB labor union and consumer advocates over whether Trump has the authority to fire most CFPB staff or dismantle an agency created by Congress.

US economic activity little changed, employment stable in recent weeks, Fed says

U.S. economic activity was little changed and employment was largely stable in recent weeks, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday, but there were emerging signs of weakness including more layoffs and middle- and lower-income households pulling back on spending. "In most Districts, more employers reported lowering headcount through layoffs and attrition, with contacts citing weaker demand, elevated economic uncertainty, and, in some cases, increased investment in artificial intelligence technologies," the Fed said in its latest "Beige Book" report, a compendium of survey results, interviews, and other qualitative data from the 12 regional Fed banks.

Bessent says he plans to present Fed chief candidates to Trump in December

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday said he plans to present three or four candidates to be the next leader of the Federal Reserve to President Donald Trump for him to interview sometime after the Thanksgiving holiday in late November. Bessent said at a CNBC event held on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings in Washington that he has narrowed the list of candidates to succeed Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose term expires in May, from 11 to five.

MoneyLion, CFPB agree to settle Biden-era allegations of unfair charges on military personnel

The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the online lender MoneyLion have agreed to resolve allegations made under the prior administration that the company imposed illegal and excessive charges on military service members and their families, according to court papers. The announcement came the same day the CFPB's acting director, Russell Vought, said the agency would be closed down within months even though the administration has said in court it has no such plan.

Analysis-Critical mineral firms boost Washington lobbying as US expands investments

Critical mineral companies are boosting lobbying efforts in Washington, hoping to share in the ambitious investments that U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to firms deemed essential to national security, a Reuters review of public records and interviews with executives and officials showed. At least a dozen companies — including lithium, copper, rare earths, and geothermal firms — have signed with major Washington lobbying firms since January, the review found.

YouTube resolves issue that briefly impacted video streaming globally

Alphabet-owned YouTube said on Wednesday that it has resolved an issue impacting video streaming services for several thousand users globally. YouTube said in a post on X that users should now be able to play videos on YouTube Music, YouTube TV and its main platform — without specifying what caused the issue.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)