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U.S. Senate Democrats agree to $3.5 trln for budget reconciliation bill

United States · 3:16 AM UTC

U.S. President Joe Biden's drive for big new infrastructure investment got a boost on Tuesday when leading Senate Democrats agreed on a $3.5 trillion investment plan they aim to include in a budget resolution to be debated soon, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

Asia PacificAustralia extends Sydney lockdown as COVID-19 outbreak nears 900 infections
United StatesBiden decries Trump's 'Big Lie,' but offers no new path on voting rights
United StatesTexas Democrats defy calls for their arrest in voting restrictions fight
AmericasFaced with rare protests, Cuba curbs social media access, watchdog says
AfricaWorst violence in years spreads in South Africa as grievances boil over
United StatesU.S. charges four with plot to kidnap New York journalist critical of Iran

U.S. prosecutors have charged four Iranians, alleged to be intelligence operatives for Tehran, with plotting to kidnap a New York journalist and human rights activist who was critical of Iran, according to a Justice Department indictment unsealed on Tuesday.

Interactive

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Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific · 1:50 AM UTCS.Korea tightens COVID curbs across most of country after daily cases hit record

South Korea on Wednesday tightened social distancing curbs across most of the country to try to combat its worst-ever outbreak of coronavirus after new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday soared past previous daily peaks to 1,615.

Asia PacificSingapore economy stumbles, but Q2 GDP pace fastest in a decade
Asia PacificU.S. says will continue to hold Hong Kong authorities accountable
Asia PacificNZ's Ardern says special APEC meeting to focus on economic impact of pandemic
Asia PacificSingapore tourism board says cruise ship returns after suspected COVID-19 case

Singapore's tourism board said on Wednesday a cruise ship operated by Genting Cruise Lines had returned to the city-state after a 40-year-old passenger was suspected to have contracted COVID-19.

Olympics

OlympicsEXCLUSIVE Athletics-Bolt tells Richardson to refocus and return after cannabis ban
OlympicsOlympics Tokyo governor vows city's medical system is ready for Games
OlympicsFederer withdraws from Tokyo Games with knee setback
OlympicsOlympics Global interest in Tokyo Games muted - Ipsos poll

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

Healthcare & PharmaceuticalsU.S. health official says COVID-19 boosters could risk more serious side effects
Healthcare & PharmaceuticalsAustralia extends Sydney lockdown as COVID-19 outbreak nears 900 infections
Healthcare & PharmaceuticalsS.Korea tightens COVID curbs across most of country after daily cases hit record
Healthcare & PharmaceuticalsCalifornia to compensate people forcibly sterilized under eugenics

California has agreed to pay reparations to those who were forcibly sterilized under old laws aimed at people deemed unfit to have children.

Business

BusinessU.S. consumer prices post largest gain in 13 years; inflation has likely peaked
BusinessMusk defends timing of Tesla's $2.6 bln deal for SolarCity
BusinessAmerican Airlines forecasts first positive cash flow since pandemic began
BusinessFactbox: How Big Tech is faring against U.S. lawsuits and probes

Africa

AfricaWorst violence in years spreads in South Africa as grievances boil over
AfricaSouth Africa unrest hits farming, threatens food supply
AfricaForces from Ethiopia's Tigray region say they are pushing south
AfricaSouth Africa says vaccine rollout, essential healthcare disrupted by unrest

United States

United StatesBiden decries Trump's 'Big Lie,' but offers no new path on voting rights
United StatesU.S. Senate Democrats agree to $3.5 trln for budget reconciliation bill
United StatesIn setback to Trump ally, Pennsylvania county will not comply with vote probe
United StatesU.S. State Department invites U.N. racism investigators to visit U.S.

Americas

AmericasFaced with rare protests, Cuba curbs social media access, watchdog says
AmericasHaitians apprehensive of foreign troops as government seeks U.S. help
AmericasU.S. and UK condemn detention of Venezuelan opposition politician
AmericasU.S. warns Haitians, Cubans against trying to enter illegally by sea

Middle East

Middle EastAnger mounts after 92 die in fire on Iraq COVID ward
Middle EastGaza cafe complex serves up lessons in recycling alongside drinks
Middle EastIran says it is holding talks on prisoner exchanges with U.S.
Middle EastFactbox: Jordan security trial sheds light on palace intrigue

Europe

Europe'We have rights': the French health workers furious about COVID vaccine order
EuropeBritain's MI5 spy chief says: Beware of Russian and Chinese agents
EuropeU.S., UK trade chiefs meet, agree to strengthen bilateral ties
EuropeEXCLUSIVE European efforts to assess Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine stymied by data gaps

Sustainable Business

Sustainable BusinessU.S. ramps up warnings of business risks in China's Xinjiang region
Sustainable BusinessU.S. Treasury's Yellen says carbon pricing can work, with caveats
Sustainable BusinessEXCLUSIVE Universal Hydrogen in zero-carbon plane deals with Icelandair, others
Sustainable BusinessEurope to unveil sweeping climate change policy blueprint

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