Health Dec 31 The pandemic's toll in 2020 and the difficult road ahead Since the first reported case of COVID-19 a little more than a year ago, the pandemic has taken a devastating toll in the U.S. -- far worse than in many other developed countries. Donald G. McNeil Jr., a science and…
Politics Dec 31 Georgia enters final days of pivotal Senate races We're now just days away from the final elections of the 2020 campaign, with two critical runoffs in Georgia determining control in the U.S. Senate. More than 2.8 million people have cast ballots so far. Stephen Fowler, a political reporter…
World Dec 31 Trump's legacy on foreign policy, and the challenges facing Biden During the early days of the 2016 campaign trail, then-candidate Donald Trump assured supporters he would pursue an "America First" approach to foreign policy. But what legacy will President Trump leave behind, and what are the challenges for President-elect Biden?…
Politics Dec 30 Senate remains at a standstill over increased COVID relief checks The struggle to provide additional COVID relief continues in the U.S. Senate. The passage of $2,000 relief checks is stalled despite President Trump's repeated demands for larger direct payments. Anna Palmer, senior Washington correspondent for POLITICO, joins Amna Nawaz to…
Politics Dec 30 Why one Republican senator opposes higher stimulus payments Most Republican senators remain skeptical about raising direct payments to $2,000, which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says has no realistic path to pass. One of the Republicans opposed to the increase is Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson. He joins Amna…
Nation Dec 30 News Wrap: Questions swirl about pace of U.S. vaccinations as COVID deaths top 340,000 In our news wrap Wednesday, questions are intensifying about the pace of vaccinations as COVID-19 deaths reached 1.8 million worldwide with more than 340,000 in the United States,the Senate moved to override President Trump’s veto of the annual defense policy…
Nation Dec 30 Arizona health care workers face 'catastrophic' conditions amid surge in COVID cases With the number of COVID cases and hospitalizations surging in many parts of the country, health care systems and their staff are becoming further strained, including many areas in Arizona. In Phoenix, six hospitals are now diverting incoming emergency patients…
Health Dec 30 U.S. struggles to distribute vaccinations, falling far short of projections In the first two weeks of America's vaccination campaign, just 2 million people have received the first of the two required doses for their vaccinations -- far short of the Trump administration's projections of 20 million vaccinations by the end…
Nation Dec 30 COVID-19 cases drop in rural Missouri, but vaccinations are still weeks away As the pandemic continues spiraling out of control in much of the U.S., the number of infections have declined in recent weeks in Scotland County, Missouri. But despite that good news, medical professionals there may not receive any doses of…