By Paul LeBlanc The much-deliberated bipartisan infrastructure bill is entering a critical week on Capitol Hill with lawmakers projecting optimism ahead of a possible procedural vote this week, potentially on Monday. But a weekend of talks had yet to produce an agreement as of late Sunday, while major sticking points remained, per three sources familiar with the
More
By Kevin Liptak The Biden administration is debating a series of steps to further contain the Covid-19 pandemic, which, after 18 months, is again surging in parts of the country where vaccination rates are low. A senior administration health official said the government is “actively exploring” how to provide extra vaccine shots to vulnerable populations, who officials now
More
By Toyin Owoseje Comedian Kevin Hart has upped the ante in the epic prank wars between himself and Nick Cannon by broadcasting his friend’s cell phone number on a billboard for anyone needing “advice on fatherhood.” In a post shared on his Instagram on Thursday, the “Fatherhood” actor, 42, explained that it was his payback after Cannon bought him a
More
By Emma Tucker Minneapolis city officials voted Friday to approve the language of a ballot measure that will ask voters in November whether the city’s police department should be replaced with public safety department. The Minneapolis City Council approved the ballot question language, which will be presented to residents in the municipal general election on
More
By Teele Rebane Covid-19 has thrown more than a few curve balls at Tokyo Olympic organizers — but this isn’t the first Games to battle a pandemic. A century ago, the 1920 Antwerp Olympics were held only a few months after the Spanish flu ravaged the world, killing at least 50 million people. In 2010, the Vancouver
More
By Shawna Mizelle While the Texas Legislature remains embroiled in a battle over election laws, Republican senators have advanced a bill that would reshape how social studies teachers can discuss race and current events in their classrooms. SB3, which passed the Republican-led chamber in a 18-4 vote last week, now remains stalled in the state House
More
By George Ramsay With no fans in attendance and a reduced number of athletes joining the parade, the Tokyo Olympics‘ Opening Ceremony officially kicked off the Summer Games on Friday as tennis star Naomi Osaka lit the cauldron. Earlier on Friday, a request from Tokyo 2020 organizers to push back Osaka’s opening match of the Olympics from Saturday to Sunday
More
By Seamus Fagan and Sara Spary Over 150 athletes, sports organizations, human rights and social justice experts have signed an open letter calling on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow athletes the “fundamental human right” to protest, including at the podium. As the Tokyo Games open, the signatories — including US hammer thrower Gwen Berry as
More
By Maegan Vazquez and Kevin Liptak President Joe Biden conceded during a CNN town hall on Wednesday that certain businesses will remain “in a bind for a little while” with labor shortages, part of a major set of problems that’s unfurling as his six-month-old presidency reaches a critical juncture. Covid cases are rising, a testament
More
By Marianne Garvey Michaela Coel has joined the cast of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” The film will be the sequel to Marvel’s “Black Panther,” and Variety reports that Coel is currently filming at Atlanta’s Pinewood Studios, where production began last month. She joins an ensemble cast that includes Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston
More