Dec 08 WATCH: White House holds news briefing after Brittney Griner released from Russian detention By Associated Press Russia freed Griner on Thursday in a high-profile prisoner exchange, as the U.S. released notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout but failed to win freedom for another American, Paul Whelan, who has been jailed for nearly four years. Continue reading
Dec 08 WATCH: Biden announces release of nearly $36 billion to aid pensions of union workers By David A. Lieb, Seung Min Kim, Associated Press The federal aid is intended to stop severe cuts to the retirement incomes of more than 350,000 Teamsters workers and retirees. The Biden administration says it's the largest-ever federal payment to a union pension fund. Continue reading
Dec 08 FTC challenges Facebook parent Meta’s acquisition of VR company By Barbara Ortutay, Associated Press Federal regulators opened their campaign to block Facebook parent Meta's acquisition of a virtual-reality company in a San Jose, California, courtroom. Continue reading
Dec 08 FTC sues to block Microsoft-Activision Blizzard $69 billion merger By Matt O'Brien, Associated Press The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday sued to block Microsoft's planned $69 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard, saying it could suppress competitors to its Xbox game consoles and its growing games subscription business. Continue reading
Dec 08 Griner release ‘right choice,’ say family of American left behind in Russian prisoner swap By Mike Householder, Kathleen Foody, Associated Press Paul Whelan's brother said his family supported the U.S. government's agreement to a prisoner exchange that freed WNBA star Brittney Griner but left Whelan behind. Continue reading
Dec 08 Appeals court panel allows New York to keep enforcing new gun law By Associated Press A federal appeals court panel says New York can continue enforcing a new state law banning guns from "sensitive" places like parks and theaters while the judges consider a legal challenge. Continue reading
Dec 08 Kremlin says it’s up to President Zelenskyy when Ukraine conflict ends By E. Eduardo Castillo, Associated Press The Kremlin says it's up to Ukraine's president to end the military conflict, suggesting terms that Kyiv has repeatedly rejected. Continue reading
Dec 08 House passes defense bill ending COVID-19 vaccine mandate for service members By Kevin Freking, Associated Press A bill to rescind the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the U.S. military has passed the House. The bill approved Thursday directs Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to rescind his 2021 order requiring COVID vaccination. Continue reading
Dec 08 House committee report says Commanders owner created a ‘toxic work culture’ By Associated Press The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform says that the Washington Commanders created a "toxic work culture" for more than two decades and downplayed sexual misconduct by men at the top levels of the organization. Continue reading
Dec 08 Ousted Peru president appears in court to face rebellion charge By Franklin Briceno, Christopher Sherman, Associated Press In just three tumultuous hours, Castillo went from decreeing the dissolution of his country’s Congress to being replaced by his vice president and put under arrest. Continue reading