Dec 10 Minneapolis approves cuts to police budget, not staffing By Amy Forliti, Steve Karnowski, Associated Press The Minneapolis City Council unanimously approved a budget early Thursday that will shift about $8 million from the police department toward violence prevention and other programs — but will keep the mayor's targeted staffing levels for sworn officers intact, averting… Continue reading
Dec 09 Watch 7:04 Sen. Bernie Sanders on what an economic relief bill should look like As Congress continues to debate the details of an economic relief package, one key voice of dissent over the current framework of a bipartisan plan is Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. He joins Judy Woodruff to discuss why he believes stimulus… Continue watching
Dec 09 Biden to pick Katherine Tai as top trade envoy, sources say By Zeke Miller, Paul Wiseman, Associated Press Tai is fluent in Mandarin and earlier oversaw China trade enforcement for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, setting U.S. strategy in trade disputes with China. Continue reading
Dec 09 Appointment of new VOA chief raises fears for U.S. broadcaster By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The appointment of a new director of Voice of America has raised new concerns about the direction of the government's flagship international broadcaster as President Donald Trump's term winds down. Continue reading
Dec 09 Lawmakers act to avert shutdown, buying time for virus relief talks By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press The House on Wednesday easily passed a temporary funding bill that sets a Dec. 18 deadline for Congress to wrap up both a virus relief measure and a $1.4 trillion government spending bill. Continue reading
Dec 09 Hunter Biden says he’s facing federal investigation over ‘tax affairs’ By Eric Tucker, Michael Balsamo, Jonathan Lemire, Associated Press In a statement released by the president-elect's transition office, the younger Biden said he learned about the investigation on Tuesday. He did not disclose details of the matter. Continue reading
Dec 09 Tensions rise over masks as virus grips smaller U.S. cities By Heather Hollingsworth, Ryan Foley, Associated Press Public health officials in Boise, Idaho, were about to vote on a mask mandate but ended the meeting because of fears for their safety amid protests outside the building and at some of their homes. Continue reading
Dec 09 France unveils draft law to fight Islamist radicalism By Elaine Ganley, Associated Press Parliament is expected to open what is likely to be a lively debate on the draft law made public Wednesday in coming months. Continue reading
Dec 09 Armenian protesters converged on parliament, demand PM resigns By Avet Demourian, Associated Press The PM's opponents are angry at a peace deal that ended six weeks of fighting over the separatist region but saw Azerbaijan take over areas that have been controlled by Armenian forces for more than a quarter-century. Continue reading
Dec 09 Iran says U.S. sanctions hinder access to COVID-19 vaccines By Nasser Karimi, Associated Press While the U.S. insists that medicines and humanitarian goods are exempt from sanctions, restrictions on trade have made many banks and companies across the world hesitant. Continue reading