Stories by Associated Press

Grief, Smiles as Floyd Family Meets Biden a Year After Death

George Floyd’s family met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on Tuesday to commemorate their loss and continue to push for legislation.

Rallies, Moments of Silence Honor George Floyd a Year Later

George Floyd was honored Tuesday with a moment of silence in the city where he died at the hands of police, a death captured on a wrenching bystander video that galvanized the racial justice movement and continues to ripple a year later.

Iran, World Powers Resume Talks on US Return to Nuclear Deal

World powers opened a fifth round of talks with Iran aimed at bringing the United States back into the landmark 2015 nuclear deal meant to prevent the Islamic Republic from obtaining an atomic bomb, with both sides expressing hope Tuesday that it might be the final series of negotiations.

US to Reopen Jerusalem Consulate, Upgrading Palestinian Ties

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday that the U.S. would reopen its consulate in Jerusalem — a move that restores ties with Palestinians that had been downgraded by the Trump administration.

Board Fight at Exxon Intensifies Spotlight on Climate Change

ExxonMobil is facing a major challenge from a group of investors in one of the biggest fights a corporate boardroom has endured over its stance on climate change, an issue of rising urgency for many shareholders.

Moderna Says Its COVID-19 Shot Works in Kids as Young as 12

Moderna said Tuesday its COVID-19 vaccine strongly protects kids as young as 12, a step that could put the shot on track to become the second option for that age group in the U.S.

Families Urge Legal Changes to Prevent More Police Killings

Parents and siblings of Black men killed by police urged people during a discussion in the city where George Floyd was killed a year ago to join them in pursuing legal changes they say can make similar deaths less likely in the future.

Explainer: Why Has the Price of Bitcoin Been Falling?

Even by Bitcoin’s standards, last week was pretty wild. The price of the famously volatile digital currency fell nearly 30% at one point after the China Banking Association warned member banks of the risks associated with digital currencies.

Tribune Shareholders Approve Hedge Fund Alden’s Bid

Shareholders of Tribune Publishing, one of the country’s largest newspaper chains, approved a $630 million takeover bid by hedge fund Alden Global Capital on Friday, the company said in a brief statement.

Last Cat Out of the Tiger King Park Bag as Seizure Completed

Federal officials have removed the last of the 68 big cats from the private zoo in Oklahoma that had been the center of the “Tiger King” saga.

Growing Mystery of Suspected Energy Attacks Draws US Concern

The Biden administration is facing new pressure to resolve a mystery that has vexed its predecessors: Is an adversary using a microwave or radio wave weapon to attack the brains of U.S. diplomats, spies and military personnel?

COVID Testing’s Value Shrinks as Vaccines Beat Back Virus

Federal health officials’ new, more relaxed recommendations on masks have all but eclipsed another major change in guidance from the government: Fully vaccinated Americans can largely skip getting tested for the coronavirus.

Biden to Host George Floyd’s Family at White House

President Joe Biden will host George Floyd’s family at the White House on Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of his death at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer.

‘Head Lesbian,’ Singer and Feminist, Alix Dobkin, Dies at 80

The lesbian singer and feminist activist who appeared in an iconic and recently resurgent 1975 photo wearing a t-shirt that read “The Future is Female,” has died. Alix Dobkin of Woodstock, New York, was 80.

Cooks, Nurses Guard Inmates With US Prisons Down 6K Officers

Nearly one-third of federal correctional officer jobs in the United States are vacant, forcing prisons to use cooks, teachers, nurses and other workers to guard inmates.

Virgin Galactic Rocket Ship Ascends From New Mexico

Virgin Galactic on Saturday made its first rocket-powered flight from New Mexico to the fringe of space in a manned shuttle, as the company forges toward offering tourist flights to the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere.

New COVID-19 Cases Plummet to Lowest Levels Since Last June

New coronavirus cases across the United States have tumbled to rates not seen in more than 11 months, sparking optimism that vaccination campaigns are stemming both severe COVID-19 cases and the spread of the virus.

EXPLAINER: What Was the Outcome of the Latest Gaza War?

The cease-fire that took effect Friday appears to have halted 11 days of fighting between Israel and Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers, without resolving any of the underlying issues in the decades-old Middle East conflict.

Infrastructure Deal Slips, GOP Pans $1.7T White House Offer

The White House put forward a $1.7 trillion infrastructure counteroffer Friday to Senate Republicans, dropping from President Joe Biden’s sweeping $2.3 trillion proposal “in the spirit of finding common ground.”

Palestinians See Victory in Gaza Truce as Israel Warns Hamas

 Palestinians rallied by the thousands Friday after a cease-fire took effect in the latest Gaza war, with many viewing it as a costly but clear victory for the Islamic militant group Hamas. Israel vowed to respond with a “new level of force” to further hostilities.

A New Reason to Swipe Right? Dating Apps Adding Vax Badges

Apps like Hinge, Tinder, Match and Bumble are offering special incentives to people who roll up their sleeves, including badges showing vaccination status and free access to premium content. 

Attorneys: Rittenhouse Trial in November Could Take 2 Weeks

The November trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, an Illinois man charged with killing two people during chaotic protests that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin last year, will take up to two weeks, attorneys said Friday.

Israel, Hamas Agree to Cease-Fire to End Bloody 11-Day War

Israel and Hamas announced a cease-fire Thursday, ending a bruising 11-day war that caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip and brought life in much of Israel to a standstill.

Big Gaps in Vaccine Rates Across the US Worry Health Experts

A month after every adult in the U.S. became eligible for the vaccine, a distinct geographic pattern has emerged: The highest vaccination rates are concentrated in the Northeast, while the lowest ones are mostly in the South.

Explainer: Do I Still Have to Wear a Mask? What About Kids?

Plus: Our Spotlight Politics team takes a look at mixed mask messaging on “Chicago Tonight”

The government’s new guidance on masks for vaccinated people has left some Americans confused and sent businesses and states scrambling to adjust their rules. 

88% of Children Covered by Monthly Payments Starting in July

Plus: “Chicago Tonight” discusses the child tax credit expansion

The Treasury Department said Monday that 39 million families are set to receive monthly child payments beginning on July 15.
 

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