Dec 17 Final stretch on COVID-19 economic relief, but no deal yet By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Congressional negotiators on the long-delayed $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package worked through a handful of remaining holdups Thursday as they labored to seal a final agreement for more help to businesses and the unemployed and new stimulus payments to… Continue reading
Dec 17 U.S. jobless claims rise to 885,000 amid resurgence of virus By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose again last week to 885,000 as a resurgence of coronavirus cases threatens the economy's recovery from its springtime collapse. Continue reading
Dec 16 Watch 4:08 Congress closes in on a deal for an economic relief bill Lawmakers in Washington inched closer to an elusive deal on an economic relief bill during the pandemic, with both sides making concessions including the possibility of direct-payment checks to Americans. Lisa Desjardins joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest. Continue watching
Dec 16 WATCH: Fed chair Jerome Powell discusses economy By Christopher Rugaber, Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press The Federal Reserve said it will keep buying government bonds until the economy makes "substantial" progress — a step intended to reassure financial markets and keep long-term borrowing rates low indefinitely. Continue reading
Dec 16 Germany backs bill requiring tech companies to make 5G security pledge By Frank Jordans, Associated Press The bill seeks to address concerns that vendors such as Chinese tech company Huawei might pose a security risk if they have access to core parts of the German telecoms network. Continue reading
Dec 16 U.S. brands Vietnam and Switzerland as currency manipulators By Martin Crutsinger, Paul Wiseman, Associated Press The U.S. Treasury Department report said that Vietnam and Switzerland were the only two countries that met all three criteria for being named a currency manipulator. Continue reading
Dec 16 Lawmakers near agreement on long-delayed pandemic aid bill By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press A deal could come as early as Wednesday on legislation that would extend help to individuals and businesses and ship coronavirus vaccines to millions. Continue reading
Dec 15 Talks escalate on new COVID-19 relief, top lawmakers to meet By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press The uptick in activity could be a sign that an agreement is near, though COVID-19 relief talks have been notoriously difficult. Continue reading
Dec 15 EU, Britain to toughen rules, fines for tech giants By Kelvin Chan, Associated Press The EU outlined its long-awaited sweeping overhaul of digital regulations while the British government released its own plans to step up policing of harmful material online, signaling the next phase of technology regulation in Europe. Continue reading
Dec 14 California subpoenas Amazon over worker safety during COVID-19 pandemic By Associated Press California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is asking a judge to order Amazon to comply with subpoenas issued nearly four months ago as part of an investigation into how the company protects workers from the coronavirus. Continue reading