Politics and Government News

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Key aspects of the COVID-19 relief bill advancing in Congress
The Democrats' goal is to have COVID-19 relief approved by mid-March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid expires. The Senate, which Democrats control with a tie-breaking vote from the vice president, will consider the bill next.
Biden hails House passage of $1.9T pandemic relief bill
The House approved a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill that was championed by President Joe Biden, the first step in providing another dose of aid to a weary nation as the measure now moves to a tense Senate.
Biden: Strikes in Syria sent warning to Iran to 'be careful'
President Joe Biden is cautioning Iran against threatening U.S. troops in Iraq, saying his authorization of airstrikes against facilities in Syria used by Iran-backed militia groups was meant to signal to Iran that it “can't act with impunity.”
An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East on Friday, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security in the region amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Understanding the burden of ‘actual malice’ in high-profile defamation cases
There’s a spate of high-profile defamation lawsuits being filed over disinformation spread during the 2020 election. Two lawyers described the high burden of proof needed to prevail in these cases and their implications for free speech. 
With House voting on relief bill, Democrats mull wage plan rescue
A $1.9 trillion package aimed at helping the country rebuild from the pandemic seems headed toward House passage. Now, Democrats are also searching for a way to revive their drive to boost the minimum wage. 
Militia official: U.S. strike in Syria kills 1, wounds several
A U.S. airstrike in Syria targeted facilities belonging to a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, killing one of their militiamen and wounding a number of others, an Iraqi militia official said Friday.