Korva Coleman

Stocks are lower on Wall Street at this hour.

The Dow Jones Industrial averages down more than 310 points at 49,276.

You're listening to NPR.

The Labor Department says inflation was steady in December.

The agency says consumer prices rose 2.7 percent last month over what they were a year ago.

That matches the inflation report from November and falls in line with what economists had expected.

In California, seven new safety laws on artificial intelligence are now in effect.

From member station KALW, Anna Casalme explains.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has agreed to fund the parent company of the U.S.

international broadcaster, The Voice of America.

Lawmakers would provide more than $650 million for it.

The move rebuffs President Trump's efforts to close down VOA.

It's part of a broader spending deal that lawmakers negotiated.

The larger bill still needs approval from both houses before it can go to President Trump.

I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman.

President Trump says Tehran is asked to set up negotiations over the widespread protests engulfing that country.

He said a meeting could be arranged, but Trump would not rule out U.S.

strikes against Iran before that.

NPR's Jackie Northam has more.