
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

MOSCOW (AP) — President Joe Biden said Monday “it would be wise” for Americans other than essential diplomats to leave Ukraine amid the Russian military threat. Biden made his comments during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House, shortly after the two leaders met for talks about the simmering crisis.

GOP plans to create election police force in Florida, raising alarms among voting rights advocates
Cecile Scoon, who runs Florida's nonpartisan League of Women Voters, said the plan is designed to keep minorities from voting.


Biden, German chancellor present united front amid tensions with Russia over Ukraine
President Joe Biden welcomed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the White House Monday at a critical time for the leaders as tensions with Russia persist.

Courts give Democrats unexpected boost on redistricting
A series of state court victories has handed Democrats an unexpected upper hand in red states where Republican legislators had the power to draw congressional district lines, giving their party bet…


National Archives says Trump took 15 boxes of White House records to Florida
The former president took documents that were supposed to be turned over to the National Archives to his home in Florida, the agency said.


Paralysed man with severed spine walks thanks to implant
Michel Roccati tells the BBC he "almost has a normal life" again thanks to an electrical implant.


Biden task force releases report to strengthen labor unions
A Biden administration task force has issued a set of recommendations that could make it easier for federal workers and contractors to unionize.


Europe faces ‘most dangerous moment’ over Russia-Ukraine tensions
Danger level at its highest since the Cold War, EU foreign policy chief warns, as Macron holds talks with Putin.

Schumer: RNC’s Jan. 6 rhetoric ‘chilling and plainly dangerous’
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday criticized the Republican National Committee (RNC) for referring to Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol as “legitimate political disc…


Ukraine crisis: Nord Stream 2 will end if Russia invades - Biden
US President Joe Biden vows to shut down a key Russian pipeline to Germany if Russia invades Ukraine.

In Scrutinizing Trump and His Allies, Jan. 6 Panel Adopts Prosecution Tactics
The House select committee scrutinizing the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol is borrowing techniques from federal prosecutions, employing aggressive tactics typically used against mobsters and terrorists as it seeks to break through stonewalling from former President Donald Trump and his allies and...

Democratic dark money groups prepare campaign to support Biden's Supreme Court nominee
Democratic dark money groups are gearing up for a multimillion-dollar campaign to back President Joe Biden's eventual nominee to the Supreme Court.

Diplomacy goes into overdrive as both Russia and the U.S. add firepower, and Ukraine remains stuck in the middle
Russian forces are set to hold war games in Belarus, with forces now just 30 miles from Ukrainian soil. But as the tension ramps up, so is the quest for a deal with Putin.


Trump SPAC stock Digital World Acquisition Corp. plunges after news spreads of delayed app launch
The stock price of Digital World Acquisition Corp., which has partnered with ex-President Donald Trump's social media app firm, fell in late-day trading.

Senators in both parties discuss small rules changes for future
A small group of senators is discussing changing the Senate’s rules to make it easier for bipartisan bills to get votes, though any change agreed upon would not take effect until the next Congress …


Canada’s NDP leader says trucker convoy aims to ‘overthrow’ gov’t
Jagmeet Singh calls for emergency debate in Canadian parliament over ongoing trucker ‘occupation’ of capital, Ottawa.

OnPolitics: GOP split between Trump, Mitch McConnell
Republicans are forced to tread lightly between the GOP powerhouses as they attempt to take back the Senate, but some say Trump is already in control.
www.usatoday.com

Opinion | The World Is Sliding Toward Authoritarianism. So Are the Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee’s unwillingness to call out Chinese human-rights abuses is just the latest example of its disturbing anti-democratic turn.


Yemen: Intensifying war worsens world’s worst civilian crisis
Attacks could result in UAE increasing support for anti-Houthi forces while aligning more closely with Saudi Arabia.

Youngkin says tweet criticizing teen was ‘unauthorized’
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) on Monday said a tweet criticizing a teenager that was published from his campaign account on Sunday was “unauthorized.”“On Saturday night, an unauthorized tweet ca…


What the Electoral Count Act is – and why some argue reforming it can protect future elections | CNN Politics
The Electoral Count Act proved to be a vital safeguard for democracy in 2020 when former President Donald Trump sought to overturn the presidential election in his favor. There is serious interest from both Democrats and Republicans in updating the 19th-century law.


White House: Top scientist resigns over treatment of staff
President Joe Biden’s top science adviser Eric Lander has resigned after the White House confirmed that an internal investigation found credible evidence that he mistreated his staff.


Palin felt uncomfortable after 2010 meeting with Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, book reveals
Journalist Jeremy Peters' book 'Insurgency' about the GOP details how Roger Ailes boosted conservative stars, including ex-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
www.usatoday.com

‘Big Oil’ board members face hot seat over climate ‘deception’
Oil industry insiders will appear before US Congress as powerful companies face a reckoning for the climate crisis.

World’s glaciers contain less ice than thought, researchers find
The revised estimate reduces global sea level rise by 3 inches if all glaciers were to melt but raises concern for some communities that rely on seasonal melt.


Rumble offers Joe Rogan $100 million to bring show to video platform
Social media platform Rumble has offered Joe Rogan $100 million to bring his popular podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience” to its video platform amid controversy surrounding his show on Spot…


Lawmakers press IRS to drop controversial selfie software ID.me
Legislators say the tax agency's plan to require photos for people to access their accounts could invite cyberattacks.

Archives agency confirms recovery of Trump records
More than a dozen boxes of documents were retrieved from the former president's Mar-a-Lago property.


Former White House officials describe Trump’s habit of ripping up documents and haphazard record-keeping | CNN Politics
Former President Donald Trump would routinely rip up documents, drafts and reading materials, and he took several boxes to Mar-a-Lago when he relocated to Florida after leaving the White House – raising concerns about his preservation of presidential records as required by federal law.


Wheat blessing: Jordan’s grassroot movement for food sovereignty
Farming initiative promotes food independence in Jordan by converting unused urban land into productive wheat fields.

DeSantis refuses to take sides in Trump-Pence clash as 2024 speculation grows
Trump has said Pence could have "overturned" the 2020 election, but Pence disagrees.


Tennessee governor signs bill for congressional map giving GOP big edge - Washington Examiner
Republican Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee signed a law setting a congressional map that favors Republicans in the state. Lee signed S.B. 781 into effect on Sunday, according to Bloomberg Government. The map is expected to give Republicans an edge in eight of nine congressional districts in...


Biden vows to ‘end’ Nord Stream 2 amid efforts to head off Ukraine crisis: What we know
French President Emmanuel Macron visits Russian President Vladimir Putin, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is in DC. Both seek a Ukraine solution.
www.usatoday.com

Democrats seek to woo winnable GOP senators on Supreme Court
Within an hour of the news breaking about Justice Stephen Breyer’s intention to retire, GOP Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) got a phone call from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbi…


Nord Stream 2 pipeline proves to be a sticking point in Biden and new German chancellor's show of unity
President Joe Biden and Germany's leader sought to put on a united front Monday at the White House, but one key sticking point appeared to remain despite their pledges of unity: The future of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

White House sticks by science adviser despite inappropriate workplace behavior
POLITICO reported Monday on OSTP director Eric Lander's treatment of staff.


Perdue rolls out video hitting Abrams over maskless photo
Georgia gubernatorial candidate and former Sen. David Perdue (R) rolled out a campaign video on Monday hitting Democratic hopeful Stacey Abrams over a photo showing her maskless in front …

White House record boxes recovered at Trump's Mar-a-Lago: report
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) retrieved multiple White House record boxes last month that were improperly kept at former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago property, The Washington Post reported.The boxes reportedly contained important records of communication, gifts and...

Police killing of Amir Locke spurs more protests in Minneapolis amid calls to end no-knock warrants
A disturbing police bodycam video shows a SWAT team executing the early-morning warrant after using a key to enter the apartment.


She created a new Covid vaccine — and now she's up for the Nobel Peace Prize
Microbiologist María Elena Bottazzi discusses what it took to create an accessible, inexpensive Covid vaccine and how her work is a way to "give back" to her native Honduras.


Arizona AG Brnovich issues legal opinion declaring border crisis 'invasion' under Constitution
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich on Monday issued a legal opinion that determines that the ongoing crisis at the southern border is an "invasion" under the Constitution – a move he says gives the state the power to take additional measures to defend itself.

Tesla receives SEC subpoena in ongoing quarrel over Musk tweets
In 2018, Tesla CEO Elon Musk settled an SEC lawsuit over his tweet about taking the electric vehicle company private.

Lawmakers to scrutinize ‘stablecoins’
A House committee is set to debate how far the federal government should go to supervise, regulate and allow the offering of “stablecoins” — cryptocurrency tokens tied to a fixed value.In a Tuesday…

Progressives criticize J. Michelle Childs, a potential Biden Supreme Court pick
President Biden’s potential nomination of Judge J. Michelle Childs to the Supreme Court is giving him another opportunity to either try for a bipartisan victory or heed the wishes of the left of his party.

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is eyeing a political comeback | CNN Politics
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is seriously considering a political comeback as early as this year, two sources close to his inner circle told CNN, adding to a series of recent reports hinting at the Democrat’s desire to resurrect his career after resigning in disgrace last summer.


Report: Corporate climate pledges are weaker than they seem
Many of the world’s largest companies are failing to take significant enough steps to meet their pledges to vastly reduce the impact of their greenhouse gas emissions in the decades ahead.


Fast start to jury selection in Arbery death federal trial
Jury selection is off to a fast start in the federal hate crimes trial of the three men already convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery
White House record boxes recovered at Trump's Mar-a-Lago: report
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) retrieved multiple White House record boxes last month that were improperly kept at former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago property, The Washington Post reported.The boxes reportedly contained important records of communication, gifts and...

GOP Oregon gubernatorial candidate confirms past swingers group membership - Washington Examiner
Stan Pulliam, a top contender for the Republican nomination in Oregon’s gubernatorial race, acknowledged past membership in a Portland swingers group amid reports that screenshots from its gatherings were circulating online. Pulliam, mayor of Sandy, Oregon, told Willamette Week that prior to...


US offers $10m reward for information on ISKP leader
ISKP, an Afghanistan affiliate of ISIL (ISIS), had claimed responsibility for deadly attack on Kabul airport last year.

Congress readies 3-week funding punt to avert shutdown
The House and Senate are expected to kick the next shutdown deadline to March 11.

Trump’s incendiary Texas speech may have deepened his legal troubles, experts say
Promising pardons for insurrectionists and calling for protests if indicted could help make a case for obstruction of justice Donald Trump’s speech in Conroe, Texas, may have deepened his legal troubles. Photograph: Brian Cahn/Zuma/Rex/Shutterstock Donald Trump’s incendiary call at a Texas rally...

House Democrats introduce stopgap bill to fund government until March 11 | CNN Politics
House Democrats on Monday introduced a short-term measure to extend government funding through March 11, an effort to avert a shutdown at the end of next week since funding is currently set to expire on February 18.


Woman says she was tricked into believing she was a DEA agent trainee for a year
She told authorities that a man now charged with impersonating a federal agent had given her credentials, taken her on ride-alongs and helped her practice her shooting.

WSJ Gives Republicans A Blunt Reality Check Over '3-Time Loser' Trump
The newspaper also praised former Vice President Mike Pence as "a rare Republican these days willing to stand up to Mr. Trump’s disgraceful behavior."

Derek Chauvin trial judge likely signed warrant before Amir Locke’s fatal police encounter
Judge Peter Cahill was the signing judge last week, which means he would have reviewed and signed off on applications for search warrants, a court spokesman said.


Biden praises 'united approach' with Germany to deter Russia from threatening Ukraine
President Biden spoke at a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and thanked him for the "united approach" both countries will have towards deterring Russia from threatening Ukraine.


Big Tech to make conservatives 'second-class citizens' without pushback, Heritage Foundation warns
Fox News Digital exclusively obtained the Heritage Foundation's report on how Big Tech has “weaponized unprecedented power and influence to silence Americans,” undermined freedom, and “fundamentally” reshaped American society.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signals support for ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill | CNN Politics
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared Monday to voice support for a controversial state bill that would ban certain discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom.


DHS warns of copycat attacks after hostage standoff in Texas synagogue
"The recent attack on a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas highlights the continuing threat of violence based upon racial or religious motivations," the department warned.


Russia-Ukraine tensions rise as invasion could come ‘any day’ - Washington Examiner
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned over the weekend that Russia could invade Ukraine “any day” now.His warning about the possibility of an incursion comes just a day after U.S. officials revealed that Russia will have at least 70% of the forces in place by the middle of...


US intel indicates Russian officers have had doubts about full scale Ukraine invasion | CNN Politics
Intercepted communications obtained by the US have revealed that some Russian officials have worried that a large-scale invasion of Ukraine would be costlier and more difficult than Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin leaders realize, according to four people familiar with the...


Five times GoFundMe shut down conservative fundraisers - Washington Examiner
GoFundMe is one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in the United States, but over recent years, the company has faced scrutiny for its content moderation policies. The platform has rules for fundraisers on its site to fight against scams and money being raised for illegal activities, but some...

The GOP is gaining among Texas Hispanics. Women are leading the charge.
In places where Donald Trump made some of his biggest inroads with Hispanic voters, women are playing a key role in the Republican Party’s growth.

Republican donor and investor Peter Thiel to leave Facebook board
Thiel has emerged in recent years as one of Silicon Valley's most vocal conservatives, backing former President Donald Trump and other GOP politicians.


No-knock warrants in Minnesota under scrutiny after fatal police shooting
Minneapolis city council will target "no-knock" warrants in a public hearing following the fatal Amir Locke shooting.

Congress persists on election reform despite Trump's ongoing attacks
Congressional lawmakers are pressing a bipartisan effort to make future elections more secure, despite former President Trump's attacks on the nation's voting infrastructure. NBC News' Sahil Kapur reports.


Why are certain school books being banned in US?
As conservative parents compile lists of "radical and racist" texts, critics warn of censorship.

Black lawmakers blast plans for monument to Justice Thomas
Georgia’s Republican-controlled Senate voted Monday to erect a monument to conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice and Georgia native Clarence Thomas after heated debate and objections from several Black senators, one of whom called Thomas a “hypocrite and a traitor.” The monument would be...

With two years to go until Iowa caucuses, little GOP appetite to upend presidential nominating calendar
While Democrats mull upending their presidential nominating calendar, there's little desire by Republicans to alter their primary and caucus calendar

Black colleges alarmed by bomb threats, but undeterred
Numerous historically Black colleges and universities across the U.S. temporarily locked down their campuses last week in response to at least 17 threats of bombs and gun violence.


Amir Locke, killed in Minneapolis police raid, wanted music career
The 22-year-old Black man had filed paperwork to start a music business, his mother said, and had already designed a logo.


Sen. Warner 'less convinced' directed-energy attacks behind AHIs


Boris Johnson sang 'I Will Survive' to new communications chief Guto Harri
The PM's new director of communications Guto Harri reveals how he accepted the new job in Downing Street.


Trump 2020 campaign manager takes sides in Ohio’s GOP Senate showdown
Bill Stepien, who steered then President Trump's 2020 reelection campaign, is joining Mike Gibbons' Ohio GOP Senate campaign as a senior adviser

Here’s what four Penn. GOP Senate candidates say about Biden’s legitimacy
First Read is your briefing from "Meet the Press" and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.


Olympians protest horrid conditions: ‘I cry every day’ - Washington Examiner
A large number of athletes, coaches, and officials are protesting the poor living conditions, limited food options, crippling weather measures, and isolated sleeping quarters provided by the administrators of the Beijing Olympics. The food for the athletes is subpar, according to German Alpine...


IRS halts plan to require facial recognition for logging in to user accounts | CNN Business
The Internal Revenue Service is halting a plan that would have required taxpayers to verify their identities with facial recognition software before signing on to its website following backlash from lawmakers and privacy groups.


First lady Jill Biden acknowledges goal of free community college is dead, for now
Jill Biden said Congress has failed to pass the Build Back Better plan "and free community college is no longer a part of that package."


Second guilty plea planned in alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
The plea deal outlined in court documents suggests Kaleb Franks could offer crucial testimony against the four remaining defendants in the case.

Top White House scientist resigns over treatment of colleagues hours after conduct called out
An internal review found evidence that Eric Lander, science adviser to President Biden, bullied staffers in violation of White House workplace policy.

Texans hire veteran coach Smith as new head coach
Lovie Smith has been hired as the new head coach of the Houston Texans. Smith, who is Black, is the second minority candidate to be hired this offseason after the Miami Dolphins hired San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who is biracial, on Sunday.


Rayan: Morocco holds funeral for five-year-old who died trapped in well
Five-year-old Rayan Oram died despite a painstaking rescue effort to free him at the weekend.

Biden: "Germany is completely, totally, thoroughly reliable" on Russia and Ukraine
President Biden repeatedly and vigorously defended Germany's reliability as an ally at a press conference with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday, insisting that "there is no need to win back trust" when it comes to Berlin's approach to NATO and Ukraine.Why it matters: Scholz's first visit to the...

Death toll from Cyclone Batsirai rises in Madagascar as thousands left homeless
Dozens of people are dead and thousands are homeless after a tropical storm struck Madagascar over the weekend.

Spotify CEO: We're sticking with Joe Rogan despite controversy
Daniel Ek says he doesn't believe "silencing" Rogan is the answer to the massive pushback over Rogan's anti-coronavirus vaccine comments and racial slurs.


Active shooter situation at Washington Fred Meyer: Live updates | CNN
There’s an active shooter situation at a Fred Meyer grocery store in Richland, Washington, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms says. Follow here for live updates.


Ignoring Trump’s attacks, Congress persists in trying to prevent stolen elections
Senators say the former president's latest missives haven't affected bipartisan negotiations to update the Electoral Count Act.


Frontier bids $2.9 billion for rival budget airline Spirit
Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines are proposing to combine in a $2.9 billion deal. If it goes through, the combination would create a larger discount airline to compete against the nation’s dominant carriers and, the two airlines say, promote lower fares.


Sweden: Men steal students' computers during lesson
The masked men threatened students and stole computers at a Swedish school on Monday.

Seattle vows quicker charging decisions to deter petty crime
Seattle’s elected prosecutor on Monday promised quicker charging decisions to help tackle persistent low-level crime that’s plagued businesses downtown. City Attorney Ann Davison, a Republican who won election in November over progressive former public defender Nicole Thomas-Kennedy, said that...

Gun salutes mark Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee year
Gun salutes have rung out in London and Edinburgh to mark the official start of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year

Kush: Sierra Leone's new illegal drug
With Kush use spreading rapidly, local film-maker Tyson Conteh asks whether Sierra Leone can stop the march of this dangerously addictive high.


Here’s how much house you can afford in your area | CNN Business
How tough is it to afford a home in this wild housing market? A lot depends on how much you earn and how many houses are for sale where you live.


What does Ivanka Trump know about Jan. 6? Congress is asking
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol wants to know what Ivanka Trump heard and saw that day.


Republicans back Pence rebuke of Trump on overturning 2020 election
A number of GOP figures on Sunday said they backed former Vice President Mike Pence in his rebuke of former President Trump’s claim that he had the authority to overturn the 2020 electio…


State AG races become litmus test for GOP election claims
Races for state attorneys general are emerging as important battlegrounds this year as Republicans seek to expand their reach in the office sometimes referred to as “the people's lawyer.”


Taylor Greene faces GOP challengers in changing Ga. district
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene prides herself on outlandish antics, conspiracy theories and unwavering support for Donald Trump’s lies about the 2020 election.

Trump tirade on ‘racist’ DAs echoes other racist tropes
Trump blames legal troubles on malicious prosecutors.

Biden threatens: No gas pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine
In a flurry of diplomacy across two continents, Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin have met separately for hours with the leaders of Germany and France.


Spotify CEO says canceling Joe Rogan isn't 'the answer'
Spotify’s CEO says that while he condemned podcaster Joe Rogan’s use of racial slurs, he doesn't believe that cutting ties with the popular personality is the answer.


The Republican Party is enabling Trump's politics of violence | CNN Politics
The Republican Party is ever closer to the destination to which it has long been headed under former President Donald Trump -- the legitimization of violence as a form of political expression.

The GOP’s January 6 lies have reached a fever pitch
The RNC censured two members of Congress for refusing to play along.

Trump was advised by 'snake oil salesmen,' former Pence chief of staff says
“I think unfortunately the president had many bad advisers," Marc Short said.


Health and Human Services secretary to take more active public role in coming weeks
Xavier Becerra appears to have taken a backseat to people like Dr. Fauci and COVID response czar Jeffrey Zients despite outranking them.


California rooftop solar proposal sparks firestorm
A proposed decision that would upend California’s rooftop solar industry is pitting economic justice advocates against solar buildout supporters and fracturing its environmental movement.The contro…

U.S., state politicians aim to cap health workers’ pay
As hospitals and nursing homes turn to staffing agencies to replace burned-out workers, some politicians in Harrisburg are looking to cap employees’ pay in a bid to save the facilities money. In a flurry of letters and legislative proposals in recent weeks, U.S. and state lawmakers in both...

Ex-Trump Adviser McMaster Rips 'Illegitimate Political Discourse' of Jan. 6
On Friday the RNC defended the "legitimate political discourse" of "ordinary citizens" on 1/6 while censuring Cheney and Kinzinger.


Ex-Israeli, Palestinian negotiators propose confederation
JERUSALEM (AP) — Former Israeli and Palestinian peace negotiators have drawn up a new proposal for a two-state confederation that they hope will offer a way forward after a decade-long stalemate in Mideast peace efforts.


EXPLAINER: What ex-officer claims in bid to toss conviction
CHICAGO (AP) — As Drew Peterson's appeals of his murder conviction repeatedly failed, it seemed the former suburban Chicago police sergeant might fade from the news.

Federal government ends ABC funding freeze
The federal government ends a contentious decision to freeze millions of dollars of ABC funding as it pours billions of dollars into the national broadcaster over the next three years.


Former Pentagon chief Mark Esper drops lawsuit over memoir
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper has dropped a lawsuit against the Defense Department. The ex-Pentagon chief had claimed that material was being improperly withheld from his use as he wrote a memoir about his tenure in the Trump administration.


Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s rise from right-wing outcast to GOP shot-caller charts the shift in Texas politics
Already one of the most powerful statewide officials in the country, Patrick is set to...

Former Pence chief of staff cuts down menace of alternate electors - Washington Examiner
A top aide to former Vice President Mike Pence downplayed the significance of alternate slates of electors in states won by President Joe Biden in 2020 that are being examined by federal prosecutors and congressional investigators.Marc Short, the former chief of staff for Pence, acknowledged on...


Andrew Yang in now-deleted tweet: ‘I don’t think Joe Rogan is a racist’
Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang published — and then apparently deleted — a tweet on Sunday defending Joe Rogan, the divisive Spotify podcast host, against criticism related to his p…


These health care workers say they were fired after raising safety concerns
“That’s the kind of stuff that pulls at professionals and gives them that moral injury, driving them to burn out,” said one nurse.


Costa Rica votes in presidential election with no clear favourite
Ruling Citizen’s Action Party set for a bruising defeat as Costa Rica grapples with a growing economic crisis.

Olympic organizers promise to address isolation conditions amid complaints
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is vowing to address and improve conditions following complaints from athletes who have had to isolate due to positive COVID-19 tests, …

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/john-mccain-sarah-palin-fork-it-1295901/

U.S. says Russia has amassed about 75% of the troops it would need to invade Ukraine
Officials warn that an attack could result in the deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, while millions of Ukrainian refugees would be left to flee, likely to nearby Poland.


A slot machine in Las Vegas malfunctioned and didn’t tell a tourist he won. The gaming board tracked him down | CNN
A tourist in Las Vegas hit the jackpot on a slot machine last month, but he was never informed due to a malfunction in the machine, according to gaming officials.


Trump laying groundwork for another presidential run – DW – 02/07/2022
The former US president is riling up crowds at his rallies and has raised enormous funds. He hasn't yet made his intentions official but experts say if he runs again, he could win again.


Mexican authorities evict Tijuana migrant camp near border
About a hundred members of the police, National Guard and army have evicted 381 migrants, mainly Central Americans and Mexicans, from a makeshift camp they had been staying in for almost a year in Tijuana at the U.S. border crossing

Spotify CEO condemns Rogan’s use of racial slurs, but says company won’t be ‘silencing’ him | CNN Business
Daniel Ek, the chief executive of Spotify, addressed Joe Rogan’s past use of racial slurs on Sunday night, telling staff in a memo that while he found the comments “incredibly hurtful” and inconsistent with company values, he did not believe “silencing” the podcaster was the answer.


‘Possibly illegal behavior’: Ashley Moody blasts GoFundMe after Freedom Convoy flip-flop
"Gov. DeSantis was completely right in calling out that nonsense."


Viral Anonymous Instagram Account Shares Congressional Woes as Hill Staffers Push to Unionize
An anonymous Instagram account sharing insider stories on Capitol Hill has not gone unnoticed by lawmakers and their chiefs-of-staff, with some staffers sharing that the higher-ups in their offices asked them to unfollow the @dear_white_staffers account entirely

Florida man steals car; train sends it crashing into house
A Florida sheriff's office says a man stole a car but abandoned it seconds before it was struck by a train

307 politics: Is it worth it for Cheney?
Is endlessly rebuking Donald Trump worth it if it means you risk losing your congressional seat?

MIT researchers create new material as strong as steel and light as plastic
MIT researchers have developed a new material that's as strong as steel but as light as plastic.
www.usatoday.com

This Week in Louisiana Politics: redistricting maps, Ronald Greene and future pandemic preparations
BATON ROUGE, La (BRPROUD) – Watch This Week in Louisiana Politics on Your Local Election Headquarters.


Tuition, fees continues to rise as pandemic inflation woes hit colleges
Inflation is pushing up college tuition and fees while staff shortages are forcing wages and benefits higher. The squeeze comes at the worst possible time for higher education.


In Southeast Asia, decades-long deals stymie shift away from coal
Power purchase agreements that ensure “coal lock-in” are complicating the region’s transition away from fossil fuels.

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai again denies making sexual assault allegation
Peng told a French newspaper there had been a “huge misunderstanding” over an online post in which she appeared to accuse a former top official.


Afghan aid will continue despite political obstacles, says UN
According to humanitarian organisations, around $4.4 billion is needed to provide aid to the 24 million vulnerable people in the total 36 million population, TOLO News reported.

Amazon and Nike exploring Peloton takeover, reports say
The exercise equipment maker's shares have slumped in recent months as it faced a number of challenges.


Tiny homes, big dreams: How some activists are reimagining shelter for the homeless
From hand-built wooden sheds to Conestoga huts to prefab shelters, tiny homes are cropping up to get people off the streets, especially during the cold of winter and amid the pandemic.


Search underway after multiple skaters fall through ice melting on California reservoir
A search was on in Northern California for one of six ice skaters who fell through the melting surface of a frozen-over reservoir, authorities said.

Western Australia bushfires threaten lives after record summer heat
Amid catastrophic conditions, fires have destroyed homes and scorched 60,000 hectares of land.


Political interference poses ‘existential threat’ to universities, ANU chief warns
Academic independence vital when it comes to allocating research grants, Brian Schmidt says

‘It was just a nightmare’: Vermont mother outraged over police response to teen in crisis
Cathy Austrian called police after her 14-year-old, who has mental health issues, came home with stolen vapes. The encounter turned violent.


Peng Shuai: Weibo post sparked 'huge misunderstanding'
The Chinese tennis star again urges fans not to worry about her in an interview with Western media.


Marchers in Athens protest reported Greek migrant pushbacks
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Hundreds of people marched through central Athens on Sunday to protest what they say are Greece’s pushbacks of migrants and refugees at the border with Turkey.

On The Trail: The new American malaise
The United States economy added more than 7 million jobs over the last 12 months for the first time in history. Wages are rising, the national gross domestic product is booming, and the end of the …


Fed up with their county, upstate towns consider secession
MARILLA, N.Y. (AP) — Some towns in upstate New York opposed to mask mandates and other public health measures put in place during the pandemic are considering voting with their

Day 3 of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics: Live news and results | CNN
The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics continue. Follow here for the latest news, results and updates.


Moderate Common Sense Party hopes to get on 2022 ballot in California
Most Californians say they want a serious third-party option. But experts are skeptical one will succeed anytime soon.


NASCAR scores win with successful race inside LA Coliseum
Joey Logano won the exhibition Busch Light Clash on Sunday on the temporary quarter-mile track built inside Memorial Coliseum

Tunisia judges locked out of their offices after President Saied's decree
President Kais Saied dissolves the country's main legal body, accusing judges of corruption and bias.


Russian becomes first woman to land a 'quad' at the Olympics, helps earn gold
Figure skater Kamila Valieva completed two quadruple jumps in figure skating at the Beijing Winter Games Monday.


Levi Bellfield confesses to Lin and Megan Russell murders, lawyer says
Lin Russell and her daughter Megan were attacked and killed in 1996 in Kent.


Olympians Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles and Grace McCallum all score perfect 10s within 24 hours in college gymnastics
U.S. Olympians Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles and Grace McCallum all scored perfect 10s during weekend college gymnastics meets.
www.usatoday.com

Saints' Alvin Kamara arrested on battery charge in Las Vegas
After playing in the Pro Bowl on Sunday, Saints running back Alvin Kamara was arrested and accused of beating someone the night before in a Las Vegas nightclub.


Peng Shuai emerges at Olympics, gives controlled interview
Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has given a controlled interview to a French newspaper about the social media posting that sparked a storm of international concern over her well-being.


Shiffrin's fall in Olympic giant slalom will stick with her
Defending Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin missed a gate early in the first run of the giant slalom at the Beijing Games on Monday and was disqualified from the event. The 26-year-old Shiffrin still could have a handful of chances over the next two weeks to become the first Alpine ski racer...



COVID-19 updates: US cases at lowest point since Christmas
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.8 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 919,000 Americans.

‘Broken heart’ cases surge during COVID, especially among women
Researchers have identified a pandemic spike in cases of "broken heart syndrome,” a potentially deadly stress-induced heart condition disproportionately impacting women.

Governors in 4 states plan for end to school mask mandates
The governors of four states have announced plans to lift statewide mask requirements in schools a month or two from now.


Biden at odds with governors from both parties over school mask mandates
Biden has been going after several states for not implementing mask mandates in schools, attacking state leaders like Govs. Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida for banning mandates.

Canada truckers protest: Injunction granted to stop horn honking
The constant blaring of horns is one of the defining features of the movement against Canada's vaccine mandates.


House Republicans press USAID on $4.7M grant for EcoHealth Alliance amid COVID questions
Multiple House Republicans are asking the USAID for answers regarding its decision to award a $4.7 million grant to EcoHealth Alliance, which has attracted scrutiny for its coronavirus research in Wuhan.

Biden officials trying to recalculate U.S. Covid-19 hospitalizations
The administration’s goal is to get a more accurate sense of Covid’s impact across the country.


Loudoun official coached principals on getting warrants for unmasked students - Washington Examiner
A security official for Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia directed principals to obtain a warrant from a magistrate if students attempted to enter the school without wearing a mask, the latest escalation in the commonwealth's mask wars. An email sent by Loudoun County Public Schools...


Parents’ bid to block Youngkin school mask policy dismissed, but temporary hold granted to school districts still stands | CNN Politics
The Virginia Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit filed last month by parents in Chesapeake, Virginia, who alleged that Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s mask executive order ran afoul of the state constitution.


Utah pauses rapid tests after higher-than-expected false negatives - Washington Examiner
Utah will halt all rapid COVID-19 tests offered to residents after a study found high reports of false negatives, state health officials announced Sunday. The decision, which went into effect Monday, hinged on research that showed 18,000 residents who received both GenBody COVID-19 rapid antigen...


Arizona AG Brnovich issues legal opinion declaring border crisis 'invasion' under Constitution
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich on Monday issued a legal opinion that determines that the ongoing crisis at the southern border is an "invasion" under the Constitution – a move he says gives the state the power to take additional measures to defend itself.

Virginia Supreme Court throws out challenge to Youngkin mask order - Washington Examiner
The Virginia Supreme Court rejected a challenge to Gov. Glenn Youngkin's executive order allowing parents to opt out of school mask mandates Monday, handing the governor a major legal victory. The court's ruling dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of parents in Chesapeake, Virginia, who had...


Doctors warn ending school mask mandates will lead to rise in COVID cases as several states lift requirements
Several states across the country are considering lifting mask mandates in schools in an attempt to return to some semblance of normalcy.

Low-income, uninsured face hurdles to obtain Covid antivirals
“I’ve had four or five different patients die from Covid when I’ve had the pills to help them and couldn’t give it to them,” one pharmacist said.


NYC Mayor Eric Adams caught maskless days after doubling down on mask mandate for schools
New York City Mayor Eric Adams went maskless indoors days after he instituted a mask mandate in schools after a judge struck down the statewide mask mandate imposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y.

Covid: Australia to reopen borders to international travel
Tourists and other visa holders can enter from 21 February for the first time in almost two years.


Stacey Abrams comes under fire for not wearing a mask in now-deleted photos with masked schoolchildren | CNN Politics
A since-deleted tweet featuring photos of a mask-less Stacey Abrams posing among masked schoolchildren has prompted swift backlash from political opponents who chastised the Georgia Democrat for what they describe as hypocritical behavior after she championed more stringent masking policies in...


U.S. skater Vincent Zhou drops out of Olympics after his 2nd COVID test is positive
"The enormity of the situation ... the pain of it all, is pretty insane," Zhou said in an emotional video posted to Instagram. A silver medalist in the team event, he was to compete again on Tuesday.


Abrams fires back at Perdue, Kemp over criticism of maskless photo
Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams (D) fired back at her likely Republican opponents following criticism over a photo of herself unmasked at a school event. “It is s…


CNN analyst blames Republicans' COVID posture for ongoing school closures
CNN analyst Laura Barrón-López criticized a Republican political ad that attacked the use of masks in schools.
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