Politics

News Brief: Infrastructure Plan Criticized, Chauvin Trial, Herd Immunity

5:40am April 07, 2021

Lawmakers consider President Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure proposal. More police officers in Minneapolis testify against Derek Chauvin. Vaccine hesitancy may compromise herd immunity.

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Giant icebergs float in the fjord in the southern Greenland town of Narsaq, the site of a controversial Australian-led uranium and rare-earth mining project. The open-pit mine has divided opinion on the island, which goes to the polls on Tuesday.

A Row Over Rare-Earth Deposits Could Bring Down Greenland's Government

8:58pm April 06, 2021

Greenlanders are going to the polls Tuesday in a crucial election that could determine if the island taps its vast deposits of rare-earth minerals to fuel eventual independence from Denmark.

The Arkansas state legislature overrode Gov. Asa Hutchinson's veto of a bill on restricting gender-affirming health care for transgender youth.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson On Transgender Health Care Bill: 'Step Way Too Far'

7:36pm April 06, 2021

by Vanessa Romo

"My own personal view that this is too extreme, it was too broad and did not grandfather in those young people who are currently under hormone treatment," he said, before apologizing.

People wait in their vehicles to get vaccinated last week at a drive-through site at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. President Biden announced an April 19 deadline for all states to open eligibility to individuals ages 18 and up.

Biden Says All Adults Will Be Vaccine Eligible By April 19

6:30pm April 06, 2021

by Rachel Treisman

The president said states must open vaccine eligibility to all U.S. residents 18 and older by April 19, about two weeks ahead of his initial May 1 deadline.

U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., speaks during a House Rules Committee hearing in December 2019. Hastings died this week following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

Politics & Government

Longtime Florida Congressman Alcee Hastings Dies At 84

4:50pm April 06, 2021

by Greg Allen

Hastings became Florida's first Black federal judge but was later impeached and removed from office. He went on to win a seat in Congress, where he was known as the "Dean of the Florida Delegation."

Imprisoned Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny Said To Be Having Health Problems

4:42pm April 06, 2021

by Lucian Kim

Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is said to have more health problems, and supporters have protested at his prison to demand he receive better medical treatment.

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Amtrak has proposed a plan for new and enhanced rail connections across the United States.

As Biden Pushes Major Rail Investments, Amtrak's 2035 Map Has People Talking

3:18pm April 06, 2021

by Laurel Wamsley

"You and your family could travel coast to coast without a single tank of gas onboard a high-speed train," President Biden said. The map shows 30 new routes across the U.S. that funding could create.

William Evans, a Capitol Police officer who was killed last week, will lie in honor in the United States Capitol rotunda on April 13.

Politics & Government

Slain Capitol Police Officer Will Lie In Honor In The Rotunda

1:35pm April 06, 2021

by Barbara Sprunt

William Evans is the second Capitol Police officer to receive the rare distinction to lie in honor in the Capitol rotunda this year. He was killed last Friday when a man rammed his car into a barrier.

A woman wearing a protective mask to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walks in front of he Olympic Rings on Tuesday in Tokyo. North Korea says it will not attend the games over COVID-19 fears.

Citing Pandemic Fears, North Korea Says It Won't Attend Tokyo Olympics

10:36am April 06, 2021

by Scott Neuman

Pyongyang will skip the games, shattering South Korea's hopes that the games might revive stalled peace talks between the bitter rivals.

Stranger Danger: An Economist's Guide To Overcoming Distrust

6:30am April 06, 2021

by Greg Rosalsky

A new book delves into humanity's long march to overcoming distrust.