Dec 20 Congress seals agreement on COVID relief, government funding By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package, finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them. Continue reading
Dec 20 Racism targets Asian food, business during COVID-19 pandemic By Christine Fernando, Cheyanne Mumphrey, Associated Press As the coronavirus spread throughout the U.S., bigotry toward Asian Americans was not far behind, fueled by the news that COVID-19 first appeared in China. Continue reading
Dec 19 Biden introduces his climate team, says ‘no time to waste’ By Kevin Freking, Associated Press President-elect Joe Biden on Saturday rolled out an environmental team that he hopes will steer America toward greater action to curb climate change and protect the nation’s air and water. Continue reading
Dec 19 Trump downplays Russia in first comments on cyberattack By Matthew Lee, Associated Press President Donald Trump on Saturday suggested without evidence that China — not Russia — may be behind the cyberattack against the United States and tried to minimized its impact. Continue reading
Dec 19 Fight over Fed powers stalls $900 billion aid plan By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press An arcane battle over emergency Federal Reserve powers is frustrating efforts to lock down an agreement on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package. Saturday’s impasse is just the latest stumble in a partisan, monthslong fight, and feelings hardened… Continue reading
Dec 17 Russia can’t use its name and flag at the next 2 Olympics By Graham Dunbar, Associated Press Russia will not be able to use its name, flag and anthem at the next two Olympics or at any world championships for the next two years after a ruling Thursday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Continue reading
Dec 17 6 men indicted in alleged plot to kidnap Michigan governor By John Flesher, Associated Press A federal grand jury has charged six men with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in what investigators say was a plot by anti-government extremists who were angry over her coronavirus policies. Continue reading
Dec 17 Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout draws wary, mixed response By Daria Litvinova, Associated Press While excitement and enthusiasm greeted the Western-developed coronavirus vaccine when it was rolled out, the Russian-made version has received a mixed response. Continue reading
Dec 17 U.S. jobless claims rise to 885,000 amid resurgence of virus By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose again last week to 885,000 as a resurgence of coronavirus cases threatens the economy's recovery from its springtime collapse. Continue reading
Dec 17 Moon rocks in hand, China prepares for future moon missions By Sam McNeil, Associated Press Following the successful return of moon rocks by its Chang'e 5 robotic probe, China is preparing for future missions that could set the stage for an eventual lunar base to host human explorers. Continue reading