Jan 18 Biden administration plans to increase controlled burns in Western states at risk for wildfires By Matthew Brown, Associated Press The Biden administration plans to significantly increase efforts to stave off catastrophic wildfires that have been torching areas of the U.S. West by more aggressively thinning forests around areas where nature and neighborhoods collide. Continue reading
Jan 18 Microsoft buys video game maker Activision Blizzard for nearly $70 billion By Matt O'Brien, Associated Press Microsoft is paying nearly $70 billion for Activision Blizzard, the maker of Candy Crush and ‘Call of Duty,’ as it seeks an edge in the fiercely competitive businesses of mobile gaming and virtual-reality technology. Continue reading
Jan 18 WATCH: Senate opens debate on voting rights bills, setting up a potential filibuster showdown By Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Voting legislation that is a cornerstone of the Democratic agenda and a top priority for civil rights leaders is on track for defeat. Continue reading
Jan 18 WATCH: White House infrastructure advisor Landrieu and press secretary Psaki hold a briefing By Associated Press Speaking at the White House Tuesday, press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration is engaged in ongoing negotiations with both the airlines and telecom companies to reach an agreement that maximizes air travel safety while minimizing economic disruptions. Continue reading
Jan 18 Watchdog warned of Afghan air force collapse ahead of U.S. pullout By Kathy Gannon, Associated Press A year-old report by Washington's Afghanistan watchdog has now been declassified and shows that it warned back in early 2021 that the Afghan air force would collapse without critical U.S. aid and training. Continue reading
Jan 18 Texas synagogue hostage-taker had stayed in area homeless shelters prior to attack By Jamie Stengle, Jake Bleiberg, Eric Tucker, Associated Press The CEO of a Dallas facility that provides services to homeless people said 44-year-old Malik Faisal Akram, who was a British citizen, spent the night of Jan. 2 there. Continue reading
Jan 18 LISTEN: The Supreme Court hears cases on religious expression and a Picasso stolen by the Nazis By Associated Press Arguments at the high court appeared to unite justices on the left and right in favor of Harold Shurtleff, a conservative activist. Shurtleff wanted to fly a white banner with a red cross on a blue background in the upper left… Continue reading
Jan 17 Watch 9:13 MLK Jr. would be 'greatly disappointed' by Senate inaction on voting reform, son says Monday has been a day to remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and also a day of calls to action on voting rights. Demonstrators marched through streets in Washington in support of voting legislation now stalled in… Continue watching
Jan 17 Watch 5:16 News Wrap: Major U.S. airlines warn 5G could ground planes, disrupt travel In our news wrap Monday, major U.S. airlines and cargo lines warned of a crisis when cellphone providers deploy new, faster 5G wireless internet service on Wednesday. Australia and New Zealand sent out surveillance flights to Tonga in the wake… Continue watching
Jan 17 Watch 8:27 Jewish Americans are 'terrified' amid rising anti-Semitic attacks. How can they feel safe? By Amna Nawaz, Dorothy Hastings This weekend's events in Texas where four people were taken hostage at a synagogue have renewed concerns about potential targeting of groups and the threats of anti-Semitism. Amna Nawaz reports on how this latest anti-Semitic incident is impacting the Jewish… Continue watching