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☆ Cuba spy Ana Belen Montes released after 20 years behind bars
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 6 (Reuters) - Ana Belen Montes, one of the highest-ranking U.S. officials ever proven to have spied for Cuba, has been released from prison early, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons confirmed Friday, after she spent more than two decades behind bars. A U.S. citizen of Puerto Rican descent, Montes began working for the DIA in 1985 and rapidly climbed its ranks to become the agency's top Cuba analyst. She was accused of supplying the identity of four U.S. spies to Cuba, as well as other classified information. Montes was arrested on Sept. 21, 2001, shortly before the United States invaded Afghanistan. At her sentencing a year later, Montes argued that she had obeyed her conscience and that U.S. policy to Cuba was cruel and unfair.

New York CNN —Famed Manhattan hospital Mount Sinai is moving newborns in their intensive care unit to other hospitals ahead of a planned New York nursing union strike. The impact is great.”But the union says management from the main Mount Sinai hospital campus walked away from the negotiating table just after midnight Friday — and also canceled bargaining sessions scheduled for the day. The union said it doesn’t know if Mount Sinai management plans to negotiate over the weekend. The five New York City hospitals set for the nursing strike Monday are Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Morningside and West, Montefiore, BronxCare and Flushing Hospital Medical Center. The Mount Sinai spokesperson did not comment on Hagan’s statement about management walking away from talks.

☆ More nurses reach tentative contract agreement, but negotiations at five hospitals continue
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Samantha Beech | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

The tentative agreements are in addition to that reached Sunday for union nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. More than 1,300 nurses at the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn have reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract, according to a statement from the NYSNA. A tentative deal has also been reached at the Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, the union said. Negotiations continue at BronxCare Health System, Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Montefiore Bronx, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Mount Sinai Morningside and West. Mount Sinai announced it is starting to postpone some elective surgeries and appointments in preparation of the nurses strike.

☆ FDA allows abortion pills to be sold at retail pharmacies, say two drugmakers
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Retail pharmacies will now be allowed to offer abortion pills in the United States under a regulatory change made by the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday, the two companies that make the pills said on Tuesday. Pharmacies can apply for certification to distribute mifepristone with the drugmakers and if successful will be able to dispense it directly to patients upon receiving a prescription from a certified prescriber, said Danco Laboratories, one of two companies that make mifepristone. The announcement will not provide equal access to all people, however, GenBioPro, which makes the generic version of mifepristone, said in a statement. Retail pharmacies will have to weigh whether or not to offer the pill and determine where they can do so. Reporting by Eric Beech and Ahmed Aboulenein in Washington, Shivani Tanna and Rahat Sandhu in Bengaluru; Editing by Himani SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Biden signs $1.66 trillion FY 2023 government funding bill
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] U.S. President Joe Biden delivers a Christmas speech at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 22, 2022. REUTERS/Leah MillisCHRISTIANSTED, St. Croix, Dec 29 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Thursday signed a $1.66 trillion bill funding the U.S. government for fiscal year 2023, the White House said in a statement. Biden signed the bill, which passed Congress last week, while vacationing on the Caribbean island of St. Croix. The 4,000-plus page bill passed the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 68-29, with the support of 18 of the 50 Senate Republicans. Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Eric Beech; Editing by Leslie Adler and Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S., UK, EU among countries calling for Taliban to reverse ban on women aid workers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Foreign ministers of 12 countries and the EU, including the United States and Britain, urged Afghanistan's Taliban-led government on Wednesday to reverse its decision barring female employees of aid groups. "The Taliban’s reckless and dangerous order barring female employees of national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from the workplace puts at risk millions of Afghans who depend on humanitarian assistance for their survival," said the statement by the foreign ministers of the United States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the EU. Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Caitlin WebberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. to impose mandatory COVID-19 tests for travelers from China
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Julie Steenhuysen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

CHICAGO, Dec 28 (Reuters) - The United States will impose mandatory COVID-19 tests on travelers from China, U.S. health officials said on Wednesday, joining India, Italy, Japan and Taiwan in taking new measures after Beijing's decision to lift stringent zero-COVID policies. The United States also is expanding its voluntary genomic sequencing program at airports, adding Seattle and Los Angeles to the program. Beijing has faced international criticism that its official COVID data and its tally of deaths are inconsistent with the scale of its outbreak. In June, the United States rescinded a 17-month-old requirement that people arriving in the country by air test negative for COVID-19. It still requires most non-U.S. citizens to be vaccinated against COVID to travel to the United States.

☆ U.N. halts some programs in Afghanistan after ban on women aid workers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 28 (Reuters) - The United Nations said on Wednesday that some "time-critical" programs in Afghanistan have temporarily stopped and warned many other activities will also likely need to be paused because of a ban by the Taliban-led administration on women aid workers. "Banning women from humanitarian work has immediate life-threatening consequences for all Afghans. But we foresee that many activities will need to be paused as we cannot deliver principled humanitarian assistance without female aid workers." The ban on female aid workers was announced by the Islamist Taliban-led administration on Saturday. Four major global groups, whose humanitarian aid has reached millions of Afghans, said on Sunday that they were suspending operations because they were unable to run their programs without female staff.

☆ U.N. Security Council denounces Taliban bans on women in Afghanistan
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 27 (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday called for the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls in Afghanistan, denouncing a ban by the Taliban-led administration on women attending universities or working for humanitarian aid groups. In a statement agreed by consensus, the 15-member council said the ban on women and girls attending high school and universities in Afghanistan "represents an increasing erosion for the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms." The university ban on women was announced as the Security Council in New York met on Afghanistan last week. "These restrictions contradict the commitments made by the Taliban to the Afghan people as well as the expectations of the international community," said the Security Council, which also expressed its full support for the U.N. political mission in Afghanistan, known as UNAMA. They had largely banned education of girls when last in power two decades ago but had said their policies had changed.

☆ IMF approves program for Ukraine to help promote donor financing
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund said on Monday it has approved a four-month program for Ukraine aimed at maintaining economic stability following Russia's invasion of the country, and helping promote donor financing. Gavin Gray, the IMF's mission chief for Ukraine, said the IMF estimates the country will need between $40 billion and $57 billion in external financing in 2023. The IMF will not make any loans itself but hopes the PMB will help boost confidence among donor nations to support Ukraine. As part of the program, Ukraine has committed to taking measures to strengthen its tax revenues, revive the domestic debt market, and make financial sector reforms. "Strong implementation of the PMB should help pave the way toward a possible full-fledged IMF-supported program."

☆ Zelenskiy may visit Washington to meet Biden, congressional leaders- sources
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Punchbowl News first reported the possible trip, which would be Zelenskiy's first known visit outside Ukraine since Russia launched its assault on the country on Feb. 24. Zelenskiy is expected to meet congressional leadership and national-security committee chiefs from the Republican and Democratic parties and could address a joint session of Congress, Punchbowl reported earlier. Zelenskiy made a surprise trip to troops in the battered eastern frontline city of Bakhmut, underlining Russia's stuttering but persistent attempts to capture it. Zelenskiy last left Ukraine for the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 19, according to his official schedule. Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported visit by Zelenskiy.

☆ U.S. Supreme Court's Roberts temporarily blocks end to pandemic-era border restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Dec 19 (Reuters) - Chief U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts on Monday at the request of Republican officials in 19 states temporarily blocked the Biden administration from later this week ending a pandemic-era policy of rapidly expelling migrants caught at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Republican officials led by the attorneys general in Arizona and Louisiana on Monday asked the Supreme Court to act after a federal appeals court on Friday declined to put on hold a judge's ruling last month that invalidated an emergency order known as Title 42. The policy is set to expire Wednesday. Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Writing by Eric Beech; Editing by Caitlin WebberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. State Dept says toll of COVID in China a concern for the world
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - The United States hopes that China can address the current COVID-19 outbreak as the toll of the virus is a global concern due to the size of the Chinese economy, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday. "The toll of the virus is of concern to the rest of the world given the size of China's GDP, given the size of China's economy," Price told a daily briefing at the State Department. "It's not only good for China to be in a stronger position vis-a-vis COVID but it's good for the rest of the world as well," Price said. He added that anytime the virus is spreading it has the potential to mutate and pose a threat everywhere. Officially China has suffered just 5,237 COVID-related deaths during the pandemic, including the latest two fatalities, a tiny fraction of its 1.4 billion population.

WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a stopgap one-week funding bill, a move intended to give lawmakers more time to pass a bill to fully fund the federal government through its fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2023. Top congressional negotiators announced on Tuesday agreement on a framework for the full-year "omnibus" bill. Richard Shelby, the top Senate Republican negotiator, said the package should be finished by Dec. 23. House Republicans object to a full-year bill, saying they would prefer to vote on funding the government early next year when they take majority control of the chamber and will have more power to slash domestic spending. Reporting by Makini Brice and Gram Slattery; Editing by Sandra Maler Additional reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Scott Malone and Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. House Jan. 6 panel plans to release report week of Dec. 19, NBC News says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol plans to release its final report the week of Dec. 19, with two sources saying it will be on Dec. 21, an NBC News reporter said on Twitter. Reporting by Eric Beech; editing by Dan WhitcombOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Georgia runoff: Democratic U.S. Senator Warnock beats Trump-backed rival
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Nathan Layne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

With 99% of the estimated vote counted, he led Walker by 50.8% to 49.2%, according to Edison Research. The result cements Georgia as a battleground state certain to play a prominent role in the 2024 presidential election. Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) speaks during an election night party after a projected win in the U.S. midterm runoff election between Warnock and his Republican challenger Herschel Walker in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., December 6, 2022. It is his second runoff victory in two years, after he won the seat in January 2021. Venkayla Haynes, 28, said Warnock's win was especially meaningful after months of organizing get-out-the-vote efforts for both the general election and then the runoff.

☆ Democratic U.S. Senator Warnock wins Georgia runoff, Edison Research projects
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Nathan Layne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Senator Raphael Warnock won re-election in a hard-fought Georgia runoff on Tuesday, expanding his party's razor-thin majority as he turned back a challenge by Republican former football star Herschel Walker, Edison Research projected. With 97% of the expected vote counted and Warnock commanding a lead of 50.6% to 49.4%, Edison projected that Warnock had won reelection. Warnock's victory cements Georgia as a battleground state certain to play a prominent role in the 2024 presidential election. [1/17] Reverend Raphael Warnock, Democratic Senator for Georgia, delivers remarks during a visit at a campaign office during the midterm Senate runoff elections in Norcross, Georgia, U.S., December 6, 2022. It is the second runoff victory in two years for Warnock, who first won his seat in January 2021.

☆ Georgia runoff: Warnock and Walker neck and neck as results come in
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Nathan Layne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

With 72% of the estimated vote tallied, Warnock led Walker by 50.4% to 49.6%, according to Edison Research. The race was the most expensive of the 2022 U.S. midterm election season, with more than $400 million spent. [1/10] Reverend Raphael Warnock, Democratic Senator for Georgia, delivers remarks during a visit at a campaign office during the midterm Senate runoff elections in Norcross, Georgia, U.S., December 6, 2022. The truth is my opponent could still win this election," Warnock told a crowd in Norcross, Georgia, on Tuesday. This is the third Senate runoff in two years in the state - and the second for Warnock, who first won the seat in a runoff in January 2021.

☆ U.S. tells Turkey no need for additional checks on oil tankers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/2] U.S. Treasury Department Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo attends the Reuters NEXT Newsmaker event in New York City, New York, U.S., December 1, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermidWASHINGTON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal in a call on Wednesday that the price cap on Russian oil does not necessitate additional checks on ships passing through Turkish territorial waters, the U.S. Treasury Department said. A Turkish measure in force since the start of the month has caused a logjam by requiring vessels to provide proof they have insurance covering the duration of their transit through the Bosphorus strait or when calling at Turkish ports. Reporting by Eric BeechOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The White House said earlier in the week that China had not asked the United States for vaccines. One U.S. official told Reuters there was "no expectation at present" that China would approve western vaccines. "It seems fairly far-fetched that China would greenlight Western vaccines at this point. Amid a record year for missile tests, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said last week his country intends to have the world's most powerful nuclear force. He said China had considerable leverage to press North Korea over its weapons tests, but that he was not optimistic about Beijing "doing anything helpful to stabilize the region."

☆ Broadway actor Quentin Oliver Lee dies of cancer at 34
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Samantha Beech | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Broadway actor Quentin Oliver Lee has died at age 34, according to an online announcement from his wife. The post comes six months after Lee said he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. In an Instagram post on Friday announcing her husband’s death, Lee’s wife, Angie, said, “Quentin passed in the wee hours of the morning. It was peaceful, and perfect.”Lee’s wife did not specify his cause of death in the announcement. Quentin brilliantly lead our North American tour in 2018.

WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - U.S. intelligence expects the reduced tempo in fighting in Ukraine to continue in the next several months and sees no evidence of a reduced Ukrainian will to resist, despite attacks on its power grid and other critical winter infrastructure, the Director of National Intelligence said on Saturday. She said Russia was also looking to affect Ukraine's capacity to prosecute conflict and added that Kyiv's economy had been suffering very badly. Haines said she thought Russian President Vladimir Putin had been surprised that his military had not accomplished more. "I do think he is becoming more informed of the challenges that the military faces in Russia. Reporting by David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina and Eric Beech; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. defense secretary accuses Russia of 'deliberate cruelty' in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday accused Russia of "deliberate cruelty" in its war in Ukraine, saying Moscow was intentionally targeting civilians. "With deliberate cruelty, Russia is putting civilians and civilian targets in its gunsights," Austin told the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California. "Russian attacks have left children dead, schools shattered, and hospitals smashed," he said. Reporting by Phil Stewart and Eric BeechOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Gregory Conigliaro, co-owner of compounding pharmacy, sentenced over role in 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Samantha Beech | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A former co-owner of a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy was sentenced Thursday for what authorities said was his role in a deadly, multistate fungal meningitis outbreak in 2012. Conigliaro was co-owner, vice president and general manager of the now-defunct New England Compounding Center, which authorities said was behind the outbreak. Nearly 800 people in 20 states were diagnosed with fungal meningitis or other fungal infections in 2012 after receiving injections from contaminated vials of medicine manufactured by the NECC, the US Attorney’s Office said. More than 100 patients have died, making it the largest public health crisis caused by a pharmaceutical drug, according to the US Attorney’s Office. Through that deceit, the company was able to “operate in a slipshod, unsafe manner, ultimately leading to a tragic outbreak of fungal meningitis,” the Office said.

☆ Alex Jones has filed for personal bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Samantha Beech | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

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