Rappler's latest stories on US
Parents face dilemma as U.S. schools seek to reopen
The fear of classroom contagion is shared by many parents, who suspect younger pupils will particularly struggle to socially distance or wear uncomfortable masks for hours to avoid getting COVID-19

Challenging Trump on economy, Biden unveils $700 billion recovery plan
Biden presents the sweeping 'Build Back Better' proposal, a contrast to Trump's 'America First' agenda, during a speech at a metal works plant in Pennsylvania

Another 1.3 million workers file for U.S. jobless benefits
The pace of layoffs in the United States continues to slow down, but the level remains far higher than any pre-pandemic week

Supreme Court orders release of Trump records but they may stay hidden for now
(UPDATED) The rulings prompt a string of furious tweets from Donald Trump and are a setback to his claim of absolute immunity from criminal investigation while in office

Meeting under virus cloud, U.S., Mexican leaders hail relations
At the White House, Donald Trump hails the US-Mexico relationship as 'outstanding,' and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador – a left-wing populist – adopted a conciliatory tone

Trump 'bullying' blamed as key impeachment witness quits army
'LTC Vindman's patriotism has cost him his career,' says his attorney, David Pressman

Foreign students fear deportation over Trump visa threat
'The rule is really, really cruel,' says one student from India

Biden-Sanders taskforces unveil proposals for party unity
The 110-page document calls for major steps to combat climate change, reduce systemic racism, expand affordable health care, and reform a US economy devastated by the coronavirus pandemic

U.S. tops 3 million COVID-19 cases
The coronavirus is surging in several southern hotspots including Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Arizona, while it has almost entirely receded from its former epicenter in New York and the northeast

Harvard, MIT sue Trump gov't over order revoking visas for foreign students
The lawsuit is in response to a July 6 announcement by the US Immigration and Custom Enforcement that the affected students must leave the country or transfer to a school offering in-person tuition

Djokovic still undecided over U.S. Open
After recovering from coronavirus, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic has only confirmed to play at the French Open in September

Dela Rosa says U.S. offered visa after Duterte-Trump call
(UPDATED) Taking up the United States on its offer, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa says he will go to the American embassy after quarantine restrictions are eased

‘The Last of Us Part 2’ was never meant to satisfy
This treatise on empathy and forgiveness may be the needed, but not the easiest, pill to swallow

Nadal raises doubts over U.S. Open participation
Rafael Nadal opts to see action in the Madrid Open, a warmup tournament for the rescheduled French Open

FBI chief says China has preferences in U.S. election
'China's malign foreign influence campaign targets our policies, our positions, 24/7, 365 days a year,' says Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Trump says Kanye West presidency bid 'very interesting'
Trump notes that it may be too late for West to register in some states and that he lacks the 'infrastructure' for a White House bid

Delta, United join U.S. carriers in receiving Treasury loans
Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Southwest Airlines are the latest carriers to sign letters of intent for US government loans

U.S. killing of Iran's top general 'unlawful' – U.N. expert
Agnes Callamard, the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, concludes it is an 'arbitrary killing' that violated the UN charter

Magnitude 6.6 earthquake strikes off Indonesia – USGS
'There's no tsunami potential and, so far, no reports of any damage,' says a spokesman for Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency

U.S. services sector returned to growth in June 2020 – survey
The Institute for Supply Management's non-manufacturing index rises to 57.1% in June, well above expectations

'The Last of Us 2': Are we not ready for a major character death in games?
Let's reflect on the hate 'The Last of Us 2' has received
Trump idea of 'National Garden of American Heroes' raises questions
'We will defend, protect, and preserve the American way of life, which began in 1492 when Columbus discovered America,' Trump says

Thiem expects U.S. Open decision next week
As virus cases surge again in the US, world No. 3 Dominic Thiem trusts organizers will make the right decision 'if they see any danger'

Kanye West says he's running for U.S. president
'We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future,' the rapper and fashion designer tweets

U.S. aircraft carriers conduct drills in South China Sea
The USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan conduct dual carrier operations in the waterway to 'support a free and open Indo-Pacific'

[OPINION] U.S. Independence Day: Foundational freedoms for the future
'Friends help each other in times of need, or as I’ve heard here, the weight becomes lighter when we help each other – Ang mabigat ay gumagaan, kapag nagtutulungan'

As U.S. struggles with virus, Trump heads to Rushmore for fireworks
(UPDATED) Donald Trump calls on supporters to defend America's 'integrity,' accusing protesters calling for racial justice of 'a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values, and indoctrinate our children'

U.S. Treasury agrees on loan terms with 5 airlines
The United States Treasury says American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Sky West Airlines, and Spirit Airlines agreed to the government's terms

Supreme Court to decide on release of secret Mueller evidence, after election
The House panel continues to investigate Trump for impeachment in relation to alleged collusion with Russia and obstruction of justice in that case

Trump cheers U.S. jobs surge in June 2020 despite rising virus count
(UPDATED) The United States' unemployment rate drops to 11.1% in June 2020, but economists fear the spike in coronavirus cases could hurt recovery

U.S. trade deficit widens as virus hits exports
United States exports are down 4.4% to $144.5 billion, while imports fall 0.9% to $199.1 billion in May 2020

Novartis pays over $700 million to settle U.S. kickbacks case
(3rd UPDATE) Novartis is accused of having hosted tens of thousands of speaker programs and events which the United States Department of Justice says were used to bribe physicians

U.S. regulators complete test flights on Boeing 737 MAX
Besides evaluating data from the test flights, regulators still must develop pilot training protocols for the Boeing 737 MAX and inspect newly manufactured aircraft

U.S. private hiring, manufacturing recover in June 2020 after virus plunge
Data from payroll services firm ADP show private firms in the United States hired 2.4 million workers, while the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index jumps to 52.6%

6th golfer tests positive in U.S. PGA Tour
As the tour rolls into into its fourth week, American Chad Campbell joins the list of players who tested positive for COVID-19

Officials cheer signs of U.S. rebound; ponder more aid
'We have entered an important new phase and have done so sooner than expected,' says US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, but he adds the economy cannot fully recover unless COVID-19 is kept in check

Goldman Sachs: Requiring masks could save U.S. economic recovery
Goldman Sachs says a national mask mandate could 'partially substitute' for renewed lockdowns that would otherwise subtract nearly 5% from US growth

Biden says will not hold campaign rallies due to pandemic
'This is the most unusual campaign I think in modern history,' the former vice president says

U.S. entertainment legend Carl Reiner dead at 98
The comedian is known for his appearance on 'The Dick Van Dyke Show'

U.N. rights chief slams virus response in China, Russia, U.S.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet says it is vital for leaders to maintain 'consistent, credible, and fact-based communication' with citizens

Netanyahu hides cards on eve of Israel 'annexations' date
Right-wing premier Benjamin Netanyahu gives no indication as to his plans ahead of the possible July 1 kick-off date

Boeing 737 MAX takes to skies for long-awaited test flight
Though the certification flights are a critical phase, the US Federal Aviation Administration stresses that 'a number of key tasks remain' before the Boeing 737 MAX can return to service

U.S. Supreme Court rejects key challenge to abortion rights
The conservative-leaning court split 5-4 in the decision overruling a state law that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital
U.S. fracking pioneer Chesapeake Energy files for bankruptcy
Oklahoma-based Chesapeake Energy files for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 proceedings, which allow a company that is no longer able to repay its debt to restructure without pressure from creditors

Hey, You! Rolling Stones warn Trump of legal action over song use
The Stones are not the first major act to call on the US president to stop using their songs

'Ugly schedule': Nadal wavers over US Open, Roland Garros
Rafael Nadal finds the tennis restart schedule unrealistic while Andy Murray fears for the players’ safety

Taliban reject claims Russia aided fighters in attacks on U.S. troops
Taliban also denies that its weapons were given by Russia

U.S. restricts visas for Chinese officials over Hong Kong
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the US would restrict visas for unspecified current and former officials linked of the Chinese Communist Party 'who were responsible for eviscerating Hong Kong's freedoms'

U.S. income drops as CARES Act tapers but spending jumps
Income in the United States falls 4.2% in May 2020, while spending grows 8.2%

In first, Iraq detains pro-Iran fighters accused of anti-U.S. rockets
It is unclear which authority will be responsible for bringing to trial or sentencing the suspects
