Dubai Approves Circle’s Stablecoins USDC and EURC for Use in DIFC The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) approved USDC and EURC as recognized crypto tokens within the Dubai International Financial Centre.

Meta approves plan for bigger executives bonuses following 5% layoffs Meta’s executive officers could earn a bonus of 200% of their base salary under the company’s new executive bonus plan, up from the 75% they earned previously.

SEC Approves Bitwise Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF The fund gives investors exposure feature exposure to both spot bitcoin and ether, weighted by market capitalization.

FDA Approves Journavx Drug to Treat Pain Without Addiction Risk The drug, Journavx by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, blocks pain signals to the brain, making it nonaddictive.

Czech National Bank Approves Proposal to Study Bitcoin as Reserve Asset ECB President Lagarde said she’s “confident” bitcoin will not be a part of the assets of any EU central bank.

Israeli Government Approves Cease-Fire Deal for Gaza The full Israeli cabinet passed the agreement during a meeting that continued into the Jewish Sabbath, setting up the first reprieve in Gaza in over a year.

NCAA approves paying women’s tourney teams Women’s basketball teams will be paid for playing games in the NCAA tournament each March just like the men have for years under a plan approved Wednesday at the NCAA convention.

IAC approves spinoff of home improvement marketplace Angi IAC on Monday announced that its board approved the spinoff of Angi, the home improvement marketplace.

Vatican approves document allowing gay men to become priests in Italy (RNS) — A new document by the Italian bishops’ conference states that being openly gay no longer bars candidates from discerning the priesthood. The post Vatican approves document allowing gay men to become priests in Italy appeared first on RNS.

Germany Approves Tribunal to Decide Nazi-Looted Art Claims The new body will be easier to access and its decisions will be legally binding. But some lawyers and Jewish heirs are not happy with the reform.

Congress Approves Full Social Security Benefits for Public Sector Retirees The popular measure gives full benefits to millions of people who currently receive them at a reduced level. Critics warn the $196 billion cost will speed up the program’s insolvency.

Congress Approves Spending Extension, Ending Shutdown Crisis The Senate passed the measure, sending it to President Biden’s desk, shortly after the midnight deadline for funding to lapse.

New York City Approves New Contract for Specialized High School Test The vote by the Panel for Educational Policy came after a contentious five-hour meeting. The exam for eight highly competitive high schools will now be computerized.

SEC Approves Crypto Wallet Maker Exodus to List on NYSE American After Denying It in May Exodus will list under its current ticker on NYSE American at the open of trading on Dec. 18

Defying Veto Threat, House Approves Measure Adding 66 New U.S. Judges President Biden and House Democrats objected to the bipartisan measure that would immediately give President-elect Donald J. Trump about two dozen new judicial seats to fill.

New York City Approves a Plan to Create 80,000 New Homes The City Council passed a major housing plan known as “City of Yes.” Experts and elected officials say it is only a first step to address the housing crisis.

EU Approves Commissioners, Including Ones Who Will Likely Oversee Crypto Rules The European Parliament approved its new slate of commissioners on Wednesday. Commissioners Stéphane Séjourné, Maria Luís Albuquerque and Henna Virkkunen are likely to have crypto within their purview.  The EU’s markets in crypto assets legislation is going to be in full force by the end of December so more work might need to be done to ensure i…

Judge Approves National Association of Realtors Lawsuit Settlement Following a lawsuit, the National Association of Realtors was ordered to rewrite its rules governing agents’ commissions and pay $418 million in damages.

Pope Francis approves simpler, quicker procedures for papal funerals (RNS) — After the funeral of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, the pope asked that the protocols for papal funerals be revised to evoke the idea of a pastor and bishop, not of a powerful ruler. The post Pope Francis approves simpler, quicker procedures for papal funerals appeared first on RNS.

Biden Administration Approves Ukraine’s Use of Anti-Personnel Mines The decision is the latest in a series of moves by the U.S. and Russia that have escalated tensions between the two.