Politics

U.S. added 678,000 jobs in February in sign of economic health

By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press

U.S. employers added 678,000 jobs in February, another solid gain that underscored the economy's robust health as the omicron wave fades and more Americans venture out to spend at restaurants, shops and hotels despite surging inflation.

Europe's largest nuclear power plant on fire in Ukraine after Russian shelling

By Jim Heintz, Yuras Karmanau, Mstyslav Chernov, Associated Press

A spokesman for the Zaporizhzhia plant told Ukrainian television that shells were falling directly on the facility in the city of Enerhodar and had set fire to one of the facility's six reactors.

Iowa governor signs restrictive transgender sports bill

By David Pitt, Associated Press

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed into law a bill that prohibits transgender females from participating in girls high school sports and women's college athletics, rejecting opponents' argument that she would harm children to solve a nonexistent problem.

UNESCO fears harm to Ukraine's heritage sites, Russian culture backlash grows

By Nicole Winfield, Mike Corder, Associated Press

An Amsterdam museum has cut its close links to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

WATCH: President Biden signs Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault Act

By Colleen Long, Darlene Superville, Associated Press

President Joe Biden on Thursday gave victims of workplace sexual assault or harassment the right to seek recourse in a court of law instead of through forced arbitration proceedings.

Purdue Pharma, U.S. states agree to new settlement for opioid crisis

By Geoff Mulvihill, John Seewer, Associated Press

The deal reached Thursday would require members of the Sackler family who own the drugmaker to pay as much as $6 billion in cash. That's at least $1 billion more than previously agreed on.

WATCH: Bipartisan group of senators give remarks on legislation restricting use of Russian oil

By Associated Press

The U.S. State Department also announced it was imposing visa bans on 19 Russian oligarchs and dozens of their family members and close associates.

Biden seeks $10 billion for aid to Ukraine, $22.5 billion for COVID expenses

By Josh Boak, Associated Press

The requests would be additions to a planned budget agreement that Congress is trying to finish before a March 11 deadline. The $10 billion for Ukraine would be a rapid escalation of the $1.4 billion provided by the United States…

WATCH: White House press secretary Jen Psaki holds news briefing amid Russian attack on Ukraine

By Associated Press

Natural gas prices hit a record Thursday for a second day in a row as restrictions on oil and gas were increasingly treated as a possibility on the eighth day of the war.

WATCH: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi supports halting Russian oil imports to U.S.

By Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press

It's a hefty nod of support that could strengthen President Joe Biden’s hand in seeking to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime. Biden has been reluctant to curb Russian oil shipments that would reduce U.S. and global supplies.