Feb 01 Biden to meet Republicans proposing $618 billion pandemic aid By Associated Press The Republicans propose slimmer benefits, including $1,000 in direct payments to individuals earning up to $40,000 a year, or $80,000 for couples, according to a draft obtained by The Associated Press. Continue reading
Jan 31 The Latest: Israel extends its lockdown for at least 5 days By Associated Press Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced early Monday that the restrictions, which have forced nonessential businesses and most schools to remain closed for the past month, will remain in effect until at least Friday. A ban on nearly all incoming… Continue reading
Jan 31 Watch 5:56 Why governments will be key to global recovery from the pandemic As nations grapple with economic recovery, which is closely linked with getting people vaccinated and arresting the coronavirus spread, it has become clear that the pandemic exacerbated the impact of the global economic fractures that predate the COVID-19 outbreak. Dambisa… Continue watching
Jan 31 GOP lawmakers urge Biden to meet with them on virus relief By Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Ten Republican senators on Sunday proposed spending about one-third of what President Joe Biden is seeking in coronavirus aid and urged him to negotiate rather than try to ram through his $1.9 trillion package solely on Democratic votes. Continue reading
Jan 31 EU: AstraZeneca to supply 9 million more vaccine doses By Associated Press The new target of 40 million doses by the end of March is still only half what the British-Swedish company had originally aimed for, triggering a spat between AstraZeneca and the EU last week. Continue reading
Jan 31 Thousands join in Jerusalem funeral, flout pandemic rules By Ilan Ben Zion, Associated Press Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis on Sunday thronged the funeral of a prominent rabbi in Jerusalem, flouting the country’s ban on large public gatherings during the pandemic. Continue reading
Jan 30 US pauses plan to give virus vaccine to Guantanamo prisoners By Associated Press Pentagon chief spokesman John Kirby said in a tweet Saturday that the Defense Department would be “pausing” the plan to give the vaccination to those held at Guantanamo while it reviews measures to protect troops who work there. Continue reading
Jan 30 Watch 11:29 How zoning can restrict, or even prevent, affordable housing By Christopher Booker, Sam Weber In this next installment of our series, “Roads to Recovery,” Christopher Booker reports on efforts to reform Connecticut's land use laws, and the complicated mix of history, politics, and racial dynamics that impact who gets to live where. Advocates say… Continue watching
Jan 29 Vaccinated congressman tests positive for virus By Associated Press A statement says Lynch isn’t displaying any symptoms of COVID-19. Lynch will self-quarantine and vote by proxy in Congress in the coming week. Continue reading
Jan 29 Watch 3:05 New vaccines show promise amid concerns over coronavirus variants New vaccines created by Johnson & Johnson and Novavax are showing promising results in reducing illness caused by the coronavirus, though they were less effective than other vaccines and against some virus variants, which are causing growing concerns. White House… Continue watching