The Sample Times

Senate Reaches Bipartisan Deal on Infrastructure Overhaul After Marathon Negotiations

The agreement, which includes $1.2 trillion in new spending over eight years, would represent the most significant investment in roads, bridges and broadband in decades. But it still faces hurdles in the House.

Senators emerging from the Capitol after reaching a deal late Sunday evening. Doug Mills/The Sample Times

The deal would allocate $110 billion for roads and bridges, $66 billion for passenger rail, and $65 billion for broadband expansion.
Senator Miriam Okafor of Ohio, the lead negotiator, called it “a genuine compromise that neither side loves but both can live with.”
Progressive members have signaled they may block the bill unless a larger reconciliation package moves alongside it.

E.U. Regulators Move to Break Up Major Tech Platform, Citing Market Dominance

The action would be the most aggressive antitrust enforcement in the bloc’s history, potentially forcing the company to divest its advertising business.

Flooding in Southern Brazil Displaces 200,000 as Climate Toll Mounts

The deluge, the worst in the state of Rio Grande do Sul’s recorded history, has left entire neighborhoods submerged and strained rescue operations.

Opinion

The Infrastructure Deal Is Good. The Politics Around It Are Insane.

Thomas L. Friedman

Washington’s Obsession With the Wrong Fights

Maureen Dowd

Why Interest Rates Are Not the Enemy Right Now

Paul Krugman

I Was a Skeptic of Remote Work. My Employees Proved Me Wrong.

Guest Essay

Science

New Gene Therapy Shows Promise for Reversing Age-Related Blindness

Researchers at Johns Hopkins say a single injection restored partial vision in 60 percent of patients in a Phase 2 trial.

World

Massive Protests Sweep Across Eastern Europe Over Democratic Backsliding

Hundreds of thousands took to the streets in coordinated demonstrations across four capitals, demanding free elections and press freedom.

Business

Wall Street Rallies on Infrastructure Optimism; Dow Gains 400 Points

Construction, materials and industrial stocks led the surge as investors bet on a flood of government spending. Bond yields rose on inflation concerns.

Technology

A.I. Startup Raises $4 Billion, Becoming Most Valuable Private Company in Silicon Valley

The funding round values the company at $80 billion, surpassing the previous record and raising fresh questions about the sustainability of the A.I. boom.