LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts will end nearly all of his state's social-distancing restrictions on Monday even as the number of new coronavirus cases has trended upward over the last few months. The new rules will still limit the size of large indoor gatherings, such as concerts, meeting...
After NPR Dust-Up, Pompeo Defends Press Freedom Abroad
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — For the past four days, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been calling for authoritarian governments in eastern Europe and Central Asia to ease restrictions on press freedom despite criticism for his own treatment of journalists at home. In Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan over the weekend...
Trump: Travel Ban Expansion Coming, Nations Aren't Yet Final
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Wednesday the U.S. would soon be imposing visa restrictions on more countries — though it's not clear yet how many nations will be affected by his expansion of the travel ban. Seven additional nations were listed in a draft of the proposed restrictions —...
Calif Law Will Force Small Businesses to Rethink Staffing
A California law that makes it harder for companies to treat workers as independent contractors takes effect next week, forcing small businesses in and outside the state to rethink their staffing. The law puts tough restrictions on who can be independent contractors or freelancers rather than employees. Supporters say it...
Gaza Truce Appears Holding Despite Sporadic Rocket Fire
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — A cease-fire between Israel and Islamic Jihad militants in Gaza appeared to be holding Thursday despite sporadic rocket fire, after two days of intense fighting that killed at least 34 Palestinians, including three women and eight children, and paralyzed parts of Israel. Before the truce...
New Burial Rules Seek to Extend Arlington Cemetery Lifespan
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — In an effort to save dwindling space, the Army is proposing new rules to limit who can be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Under the current rules, the cemetery would run out of space by the mid-2050s, the Army says. The proposed restrictions would preserve the...
Juul Stops Advertising E-Cigarettes, Replaces CEO
Juul Labs is halting all U.S. advertising of its e-cigarettes and replacing its CEO amid a nationwide backlash against vaping. The largest e-cigarette maker also said Wednesday it won't fight a sweeping ban on flavors proposed by the Trump administration to reverse a surge in underage vaping. Juul's CEO will...
Off the Hook: California King Salmon Rebounds After Drought
SAN FRANCISCO — Trolling off the California coast, Sarah Bates leans over the side of her boat and pulls out a long, silvery fish prized by anglers and seafood lovers: wild king salmon. Reeling in a fish "feels good every time," but this year has been surprisingly good, said Bates,...
FTC Fines Facebook $5B, Adds Limited Oversight on Privacy
WASHINGTON — Federal regulators have fined Facebook $5 billion for privacy violations and are instituting new oversight and restrictions on its business. But they are only holding CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally responsible in a limited fashion. The fine is the largest the Federal Trade Commission has levied on a tech company, though...
Calm Takes Hold as Hamas Reports Cease-Fire With Israel
JERUSALEM — The Israeli military lifted protective restrictions on residents in the south on Monday, while Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group reported a cease-fire deal had been reached to end the deadliest fighting between the two sides since a 2014 war. The escalation had killed 25 on the Gaza side,...