A unanimous Senate vote Wednesday approved a historic $2 trillion stimulus package to try to keep the US economy afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would provide direct payments of $1,200 to Americans earning up to $75,000, phasing out for higher earners and ending for those earning more than $99,000. It includes for families [...]

Texas abortion providers filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas Wednesday, challenging the legality of an executive order that they claim bans all abortions in the state. Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued the order on Sunday. It is designed to increase medical resources to combat the Covid-19 pandemic [...]

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday postponed the national referendum that was scheduled for April 22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The national referendum concerned constitutional amendments, one of which would enable Putin to run for two more terms. Putin did not announce a new date for the referendum but indicated it will depend on [...]

A judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of New York denied Michael Cohen’s request for early release from prison Tuesday due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. Cohen is currently serving a 36-month sentence for various financial crimes, including campaign fraud and making false statements to Congress. He asked that the [...]

As part of efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called on governments on Wednesday to take “urgent action” to protect the health and safety of people in detention and other closed facilities. Bachelet stated: Governments are facing huge demands on resources in this crisis and are having [...]