US Domestic News Roundup: U.S. warns China could hack infrastructure, including pipelines, rail systems; US Supreme Court curbs states' property tax 'windfall' and more

The pair, Jessica Watkins and Kenneth Harrelson, were convicted in November by a federal jury in Washington of obstruction of an official proceeding for their role in the storming of the Capitol, which saw rioters battle police, smash windows and send lawmakers running for their lives. Biden, McCarthy looking to close US debt ceiling deal for two years The White House and congressional Republicans on Friday aim to put the final touches on a deal to raise the U.S. government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling for two years while capping spending on everything but military and veterans, according to a U.S. official.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 26-05-2023 18:52 IST | Created: 26-05-2023 18:29 IST
US Domestic News Roundup: U.S. warns China could hack infrastructure, including pipelines, rail systems; US Supreme Court curbs states' property tax 'windfall' and more
US Supreme Court Image Credit: ANI

Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs.

U.S. warns China could hack infrastructure, including pipelines, rail systems

The U.S. State Department warned on Thursday that China was capable of launching cyber attacks against critical infrastructure, including oil and gas pipelines and rail systems, after researchers discovered a Chinese hacking group had been spying on such networks. A multi-nation alert issued Wednesday revealed the Chinese cyber-espionage campaign had been aimed at military and government targets in the United States.

US Supreme Court curbs states' property tax 'windfall'

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday curbed state and local governments from seizing and selling the homes of people with unpaid property taxes and keeping the proceeds beyond the amount owed, deeming the practice unconstitutional in a ruling in favor of a 94-year-old woman who battled tax authorities in Minnesota. The justices ruled 9-0 in the property rights case to overturn a lower court's decision to throw out Geraldine Tyler's proposed class action lawsuit accusing Hennepin County, which contains Minnesota's most-populous city Minneapolis, of violating her rights under the U.S. Constitution's Fifth Amendment.

US Supreme Court rules against EPA in wetlands regulation challenge

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday put another dent in the regulatory reach of the Environmental Protection Agency, embracing a stringent new test for declaring wetlands protected under a landmark federal anti-pollution law in a ruling favoring an Idaho couple who challenged the agency. The 9-0 decision authored by conservative Justice Samuel Alito overturned a lower court's ruling against Chantell and Mike Sackett that had upheld the EPA's determination that their property near a lake contained wetlands protected by the Clean Water Act of 1972. The Sacketts have battled with the EPA for years over their plans to build a home on the property.

Far-right Oath Keepers face sentencing over US Capitol attack

Two more members of the far-right Oath Keepers are set to be sentenced on Friday for their roles in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump trying to overturn his presidential election defeat. The pair, Jessica Watkins and Kenneth Harrelson, were convicted in November by a federal jury in Washington of obstruction of an official proceeding for their role in the storming of the Capitol, which saw rioters battle police, smash windows and send lawmakers running for their lives.

Biden, McCarthy looking to close US debt ceiling deal for two years

The White House and congressional Republicans on Friday aim to put the final touches on a deal to raise the U.S. government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling for two years while capping spending on everything but military and veterans, according to a U.S. official. Negotiators for Democratic President Joe Biden and House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy appeared to be nearing a deal as the two sides reached agreement on key issues, such as spending caps and funding for the Internal Revenue Service and the military.

Biden's pick as top US commander could be delayed by senator's blockade

A Republican senator's hold on military nominations will apply to Democratic President Joe Biden's selection of Air Force chief General Charles Q. Brown as the country's top military officer, who was chosen amid mounting U.S. concern over security threats from Russia and China. A spokesman for Senator Tommy Tuberville said Brown's nomination would be affected because the hold applies to all high-level promotions.

Biden lauds leadership skills of his pick for top US general

Praising his leadership and even his culinary skills, President Joe Biden on Thursday formally announced his nomination of Air Force chief General Charles Q. Brown as the top U.S. military officer, making the choice at a time of mounting American concern over security threats posed by Russia and China. "General Brown has built a reputation across the force as an unflappable and highly effective leader, as someone who creates an environment of teamwork, trust and then executes with excellence - and someone who smokes a mean brisket," Biden said during his White House Rose Garden announcement.

Mississippi family seeks charges after officer shoots 11-year-old boy

A Mississippi family on Thursday demanded a police officer be dismissed and charged with aggravated assault for shooting an 11-year-old boy when police responded to the child's own domestic disturbance call at his home. Aderrien Murry, who called police at the request of his mother, was unarmed and following instructions from Indianola officer Greg Capers when Capers shot him in the chest early Saturday morning, family attorney Carlos Moore said.

DeSantis to stump in early voting states after rocky presidential launch

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' fledgling presidential campaign was looking to push forward on Thursday after a troubled online launch event drew mockery from his rivals and renewed doubts about his viability as a national candidate. DeSantis plans to barnstorm the early nominating states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina next week in his first series of public events since joining the 2024 race for the Republican nomination on Wednesday.

U.S. Treasury's Adeyemo sees no ability to 'triage' payments without debt limit hike

Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said on Friday that the U.S. government does not have the capability to "triage" payments if the debt ceiling is not raised, adding that invoking the 14th amendment to issue debt will not solve the government's challenges. Speaking on CNN as the White House and congressional Republicans neared an agreement that would cap spending and raise the borrowing cap, Adeyemo said: "I don't have any confidence that we have the ability to be able to do a type of prioritization that will mean that all seniors, all veterans, all Americans get paid."

(With inputs from agencies.)

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