New York Times Business News - December 31,

These are the most popular stories from the New York Times business pages. These'stories' have not been verified and we cannot vouch for their accuracy.

A federal judge rejected on Tuesday the claim of President Donald Trump’s administration that they are legally prohibited from securing funds for the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The judge noted that a court ruling?already prohibits the administration from closing the agency.

The Health and Human Services Department announced on Tuesday it had 'paused child care payments to Minnesota. This was days after the widely circulated video which added to the fraud scandal in Minnesota's social service programs and led conservatives call for a government crackdown.

Two American officials reported on Tuesday that the crew of a tanker that was fleeing U.S. forces on the?Atlantic Ocean painted a Russian Flag on its?side in an apparent effort to claim Russian protection.

A federal judge blocked the plans of U.S. President Donald Trump to remove temporary protections against deportation granted to South Sudanese citizens living in the United States. (Compiled by Bengaluru Newsroom)

(source: Reuters)