NTD News Today

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Aug. 13 told reporters the U.S. military has the capability to maintain its naval presence to enforce its retaliatory blockade of Iran, which has inflicted severe economic damage on the country. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States planned to inflict more financial damage on Iran.
"Watch this space for more announcements coming next week because we are going to apply measures like have never been seen in the history of economic isolation on a country," he said in an interview on Newsmax's "Rob Schmitt Tonight" program.
The Trump administration on Aug. 14 asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow it to continue construction of the $400 million White House ballroom after an appeals court ruled the project lacked the necessary approval from Congress. It asked the justices to keep the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on hold while it prepares a full appeal to the Supreme Court.

Oil prices declined on Thursday as investors assessed prospects for weaker global demand this year and higher U.S. crude stocks, though prices found support from a lack of progress in talks over the blockaded Strait of Hormuz and disruptions to supply.
Brent futures were down $2.20, or 2.47 percent, at $86.78 a barrel by 13:24 GMT, trimming gains accumulated over the previous six sessions.
Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary in history, will depart her role at the end of the month, President Donald Trump announced Aug. 12.
“Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections.”

A candidate aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America has been defeated in the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary, marking a major upset in a race the candidate had been expected to win.
At 3:34 a.m. ET on Aug. 12, the Associated Press called the race for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who beat state Rep. Francesca Hong by the thinnest of margins, 39.8 percent to Hong’s 39.4 percent.
Falling energy prices helped inflation pressures ease last month, new government data released on August 12 show. July’s U.S. annual inflation rate slowed to 3.4 percent, from 3.5 percent in the previous month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Wisconsin Democrats will head to the polls on Tuesday to make their picks for governor in the latest race to pit a self-proclaimed democratic socialist against a candidate favored by moderates and the national party.
Democratic socialist Francesca Hong has dominated polling in the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary against her closest rival, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.
Two Republican senators on Aug. 10 released text messages from Dr. Anthony Fauci’s government-issued cellphone that showed him discussing potential COVID-19 vaccine risks for pregnant women.
The messages, released by Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), date to January 2021, when Fauci headed the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. They were among more than 34,000 messages obtained from the device.

U.S. President Donald Trump says the United States is “low-keying” negotiations with Iran as economic pressure builds on the regime. The U.S. military had launched strikes against Iran every day for about two weeks straight before Trump announced a stop in the attacks, saying that they would lead to more negotiations. A U.S. naval blockade is still in effect against the country’s ports.
“We are low-keying it,” Trump told Axios about talks with Iran. “We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money.”
A major earthquake struck the western portion of Colombia on Monday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), with local officials reporting damage and injuries.
The quake registered at 7.4 magnitude on the Richter scale, the USGS reported. It hit about 3 miles east of San José del Palmar in the western portion of the country, roughly 250 miles to the west of Bogota, the capital.