In our news wrap Thursday, internet and phone service were almost completely shut off in Iran amid widening protests over the state of the country’s economy, Ukrainian emergency crews raced to restore power after Russia’s military struck energy targets overnight and United Nations officials are condemning the Trump Administration’s decision to pull out of dozens of international organizations.
Geoff Bennett:
We start today’s other headlines in Iran.
Across that country, Internet and phone service were almost completely shut off amid widening protests over the state of the country’s economy. It comes after exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi posted on social media that demonstrators should take to the streets, and he warned Iran’s leadership that the world and President Trump are — quote — “closely watching you.”
Meantime footage released today shows protesters tearing the Iranian flag in half, with some chanting, “Long live the king,” a show of support for Pahlavi, whose late father fled Iran during the country’s 1979 revolution.
In Ukraine, emergency crews raced to restore power today to hundreds of thousands of people after Russia’s military struck energy targets overnight. The attacks affected two southeastern regions, with a local official saying it was the widest blackout since the start of the war. The city of Dnipro was plunged into darkness, even as the region is bracing for colder weather later this week.
Ukrainian officials have condemned what they call Russia’s strategy of weaponizing winter. Ukraine’s energy minister says power has been restored to one of the affected regions.
United Nations officials are condemning the Trump administration’s decision to pull out of dozens of international organizations. That includes a foundational treaty aimed at addressing the effects of climate change. The U.N.’s climate chief called that decision “a colossal own goal which will leave the U.S. less secure and less prosperous.”
President Trump signed an executive order yesterday that suspends support for 66 agencies and commissions, many of them U.N.-related. The White House described them as contrary to the interests of the United States.
Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer announced today that he will retire at the end of his term.
(Applause)
Geoff Bennett:
The longest-serving Democrat in Congress got a standing ovation this morning from his colleagues in the House, where he has served for more than four decades.
In his remarks, Hoyer described his early days in Congress in 1981, when, as he put it, most Republicans and Democrats worked together in a collegial and productive way. He said Congress needs to return to that shared purpose.
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD):
I am deeply concerned that this House is not living up to the founders’ goals. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to examine their conscience, renew their courage, and carry out the responsibilities that the first article of the Constitution demands.
Geoff Bennett:
Hoyer, who is 86, was the number two Democrat in the House for nearly 20 years, serving twice as House majority leader under then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who will also retire after this term.
White House officials said today that it was more economical to tear down the East Wing to make way for President Trump’s ballroom than it would have been to renovate it.
Josh Fisher, White House Office of Administration: The cost analysis proved that demolition and reconstruction provided the lowest total cost ownership and most effective long-term strategy.
Geoff Bennett:
At a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, officials and architects cited structural issues, water leakage and mold as reasons for tearing down the structure entirely. They also laid out details for the planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom.
It was the first time that such plans have been made public. The Trump administration tore down the East Wing in October, leading to a lawsuit from preservationists.
The nation’s trade deficit has dropped to its lowest level since 2009. The Commerce Department said today that the gap shrank to around $29 billion in October. That’s a 39 percent drop from the month before and comes amid President Trump’s sweeping tariffs on imports into the U.S. Today’s report was delayed by last year’s government shutdown, which has muddled the picture for the health of the world’s biggest economy.
On Wall Street today, stocks ended mixed, even as big defense stocks saw a boost from President Trump, saying he wants to increase military spending. The Dow Jones industrial average added 270 points on the day. The Nasdaq lost ground, giving back around 100 points. The S&P 500 ended virtually unchanged.
