Pentagon: Trump agreed to delay US-South Korean exercises

Pentagon: Trump agreed to delay US-South Korean exercises

(Worthy News) – In a possible opening for diplomacy, the Trump administration on Thursday agreed to delay joint military exercises with South Korea until after the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

The decision could help reduce tensions as the Koreas consider holding their first direct talks in two years, even though Defense Secretary Jim Mattis insisted the delay was a practical necessity to accommodate the Olympics, not a political gesture.

Mattis said the drill would be conducted sometime after the Winter Paralympics, which will be held March 8-18 following the Feb. 9-25 Olympic Games. [ Source: Washington Times (Read More…) ]

Sessions targets legalized marijuana with directive

Sessions targets legalized marijuana with directive

(Worthy News) – Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday rolled back an Obama-era directive saying the federal government should not interfere in the loosening of state marijuana laws.

Sessions’ memo directs U.S. attorneys to enforce federal marijuana laws, undoing four directives under former President Barack Obama urging prosecutors not to pursue cases in states where recreational and medical marijuana use was legal.

“It is the mission of the Department of Justice to enforce the laws of the United States, and the previous issuance of guidance undermines the rule of law and the ability of our local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement partners to carry out this mission,” Sessions said. “Therefore, today’s memo on federal marijuana enforcement simply directs all U.S. attorneys to use previously established prosecutorial principles that provide them all the necessary tools to disrupt criminal organizations, tackle the growing drug crisis, and thwart violent crime across our country.” [ Source: UPI (Read More…) ]

Dow closes above 25,000 for the first time

Dow closes above 25,000 for the first time

(Worthy News) – The Dow Jones industrial Average closed at more than 25,000 for the first time Thursday.

The 30-stock index climbed 152.45 points to 25,075.13 35 days after it broke above 24,000 for the first time on Nov. 30, tying the fastest 1,000-point move in its history when it rose from 20,000 to 21,000 last year.

“The Dow hitting 25,000 was a pretty wild idea even a year ago. And while it’s symbolically important, the real story is never just a number. It’s the underlying strength that is pushing markets this high,” said Steve Claussen, vice president of trader strategy at E-Trade. [ Source: UPI (Read More…) ]