Economists upbeat about U.S. growth
WASHINGTON – Beyond the turmoil shaking financial markets, the U.S. economy remains sturdier than many seem to fear.
The Dow Jones industrial average has lost 874 points since Oct. 8, largely about worries about another recession in Europe, a slowdown in China and world-spanning crises that include the Ebola outbreak and the rise of the Islamic State.
Yet economists aren’t reducing their forecasts for the U.S. economy. The International Monetary Fund, which heightened jitters by cutting its forecasts for global growth, has actually upgraded its outlook for the United States.
“The U.S. economy is nicely insulated from most global events,” says Eric Lascelles, chief economist for RBC Global Asset Management.
Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, is keeping his forecasts for U.S. growth at 2.2 percent growth for this year and 3.4 percent for 2015.
TSA chief to leave post at end of year
WASHINGTON – John Pistole announced Thursday he is stepping down as chief of the Transportation Security Administration after 4½ turbulent years in which the agency sought to balance passenger privacy against safety and stay a step ahead of terrorists looking for cunning new ways to smuggle bombs aboard planes.
Pistole said he will leave office at the end of the year and expects to accept a position in academia next year.
Report approves nuke-dump shutdown
RENO, Nev. – Federal nuclear regulators say permanent closure plans for Yucca Mountain met all the necessary objectives in safety evaluations completed before the Obama administration pulled the plug on the Nevada waste dump.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission released a long-awaited staff report Thursday that says the high-level radioactive waste facility that had been planned northwest of Las Vegas meets all post-closure design requirements.
The 781-page document concludes multiple natural and man-made barriers would adequately protect public health and groundwater, and sufficiently guard against sabotage or human intrusion.
White House intruder faces new charges
WASHINGTON – The man accused of jumping a White House fence and running into the presidential mansion while carrying a knife now faces a new weapons charge.
A federal grand jury on Thursday returned the charge of possession of illegal ammunition magazines against Omar Gonzalez in an updated indictment. Gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds were recovered from Gonzalez’s car after his Sept. 19 arrest.
The new indictment also includes two federal counts that Gonzalez allegedly assaulted, resisted or impeded two U.S. Secret Service officers who apprehended him.
Associated Press
