Marine Corps seeks to restrict women
WASHINGTON – U.S. officials say the commandant of the Marine Corps has recommended that women be excluded from competing for certain front-line combat jobs. The move would distance the Corps from the other military services that are expected to allow women to serve in battlefield posts.
The proposal from Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford faces opposition from Navy Secretary Ray Mabus. Mabus says he will recommend that women be allowed to compete for Navy or Marine Corps combat jobs.
The developments raise questions about whether Mabus can veto the Marine Corps proposal. And it puts Dunford, who takes over next week as Joint Chiefs chairman, in the position of defending an exclusion in his own service.
U.S. household wealth passes $85 trillion
WASHINGTON – Rising home values drove a modest increase in Americans’ household wealth to a new high of $85.7 trillion in the April-June quarter.
The Federal Reserve said Friday that Americans’ stock portfolios climbed $61 billion in value, while housing wealth increased $499 billion. Total household wealth is up from $85 trillion in the first quarter.
Rising household wealth can help boost growth by making consumers feel wealthier and more likely to spend. Economists estimate that consumer spending rises 3 to 5 cents for every dollar increase in wealth.
Household wealth reflects the value of homes, stocks and other assets minus mortgages, credit cards and other debts.
Associated Press
