(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Ambulances in Kansas speed toward hospitals then suddenly change direction because hospitals are full. Employee shortages in New York City cause delays in trash and subway services and diminish the ranks of firefighters and emergency workers. Airport officials shut down security checkpoints at the biggest terminal in Phoenix and schools across the nation struggle to find teachers for their classrooms.
US hones warnings, offers to Russia over Ukraine
The Biden administration has issued new, clear warnings to Russia on penalties it may face if it goes ahead with threats to invade Ukraine.
apnews.com
Fact check: J.D. Vance falsely claims dozens of jailed Capitol protesters haven’t been charged with a crime | CNN Politics
J.D. Vance, a Republican candidate for a US Senate seat in Ohio, is a law school graduate. But Vance made a significant false claim on Thursday about legal proceedings against people who allegedly participated in the Capitol insurrection last year.
www.cnn.com
Battle lines appear to be tightening over Russia's potential invasion into Ukraine
NATO and other European leaders are pleading for diplomacy ahead of face-to-face talks between the U.S. and Russia in Geneva next week.
www.cbsnews.com
Obama, Biden honor Sen. Reid as man 'who got things done'
Former President Barack Obama has commemorated the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as a man “who got things done."
apnews.com
Analysis: What the average citizen can do about the demise of US democracy | CNN Politics
After many repeated urgent warnings about the state of American democracy, what’s the average citizen supposed to do about it? Here’s what a politician, an activist and a professor who studies democracy had to say.
www.cnn.com
Disclosure or deception? New UFO Pentagon office divides believers
The U.S. government hasn't comprehensively studied UFOs in decades — but not all ufologists are excited about a new Pentagon investigative office.
www.nbcnews.com
Manchin's $1.8 trillion spending offer no longer on table -Washington Post
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin's $1.8 trillion spending offer he proposed to the White House in late 2021 appears to be no longer on the table following a breakdown between the Democratic lawmaker from West Virginia and the White House, the Washington Post reported on Saturday.
Manhattan DA: 'I don't understand the pushback' to lighter punishment for violent criminals
District Attorney Bragg appeared with Rev. Al Sharpton on Saturday to talk about his plans to reduce incarceration
Burned buildings, violent clashes: Why is unrest so widespread in Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan, which spans a territory the size of Western Europe, is strategically and economically important to Russia and China, experts said.
www.nbcnews.com
Kazakhstan adds uncertainty to talks with Russia on Ukraine
Russia’s decision to send paratroopers into Kazakhstan, where a crackdown on violent anti-government protests has left dozens dead, injects additional uncertainty into upcoming talks over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.
apnews.comFact check: Georgia investigation into alleged ballot harvesting is not evidence of election fraud
A year after the Capitol riot, former President Donald Trump promoted a misleading and unproven claim about Georgia's 2020 election.
U.S. unemployment rate falls in December but rises for Black women
The unemployment rate fell in December for all U.S. workers except Black women.
Obama, Biden honor Sen. Reid as man 'who got things done'
Former President Barack Obama has commemorated the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as a man “who got things done."
apnews.com
Pennsylvania senator who sought 2020 ‘forensic’ audit announces candidacy for governor - Washington Examiner
A Pennsylvania state lawmaker announced a Republican campaign for governor in 2022 alongside well-known allies of former President Donald Trump. State Sen. Doug Mastriano, who made headlines for his efforts to review the integrity of the 2020 election, entered the race at an event in Gettysburg...
www.washingtonexaminer.com2 N. Carolina justices won't step away from voter ID case
Two North Carolina Supreme Court justices — the son of a powerful legislator among them — said on Friday they won't step away from hearing a case that challenges a pair of constitutional amendments, one of which mandates photo voter identification. Associate Justices Phil Berger Jr. and Tamara...
Intel reports repeatedly failed to forecast Capitol riot
Intelligence reports compiled by the U.S. Capitol Police in the days before last year’s insurrection envisioned only an improbable or remote risk of violence.
apnews.com
David Paleologos: The nation's mental health crisis crosses partisan lines
One big factor: The continuing persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
www.usatoday.com
Perplexing jobs report raises concerns about absent workers
The perplexing December jobs report is raising concerns about how many Americans may have permanently left the labor force because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. added 199,000 jobs last m…
thehill.com
Senate’s No. 2 Republican, a Trump target, will seek a fourth term - Washington Examiner
Senate Minority Whip John Thune announced Saturday he’ll run for another term after weeks of suspense over whether the Republican was ready to call it quits. Despite the urging of his wife Kimberly, who, Thune told a local news outlet, is “done with it,” the South Dakotan is poised to return to...
www.washingtonexaminer.comU.S. unemployment rate falls in December but rises for Black women
The unemployment rate fell in December for all U.S. workers except Black women.
Many tech workers in San Francisco have a new side hustle: Local politics
More industry employees, founders and investors who used to shrug off politics have taken a sudden and fierce interest in San Francisco government.
www.nbcnews.com
Novak Djokovic had COVID-19 last month, court documents show
Djokovic's Australian visa was canceled after he failed to meet the entry requirement that all non-citizens be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
www.cbsnews.com
5th victim possibly linked to 'shopping cart killer,' as police identity 2 others
Virginia police believe they have found a fifth victim linked to an alleged serial killer dubbed the "shopping cart killer."
'A giant American': Biden, Obama pay tribute to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Biden and Obama will deliver remarks at a memorial service for former Sen. Harry Reid, who died on Dec. 28 at age 82 after battling pancreatic cancer.
U.S. FAA details 50 airports that will have 5G buffer zones
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday disclosed a list of 50 U.S. airports that will have buffer zones when wireless carriers turn on new 5G C-band service on Jan. 19.
Austin sees hundreds of sex offender cases removed from police officer supervision due to defunding
Hundreds of convicted sex offenders are no longer being monitored by sworn police officers in Austin, Texas due to the city’s move to defund the police and cut cadet classes.
10 dead after cliff collapses on tourist boats in Brazil
Brazilian Navy officials and other first responders are working to help people caught in a cliff collapse at Furnas Lake.
Man who purchased rifle for Rittenhouse reaches plea agreement - Washington Examiner
The attorney for the man who purchased the rifle for Kyle Rittenhouse signed a plea agreement with the state of Wisconsin to dismiss two felony charges against him. If the judge signs off, Dominick Black's plea deal will result in a noncriminal citation, according to court documents filed...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Fox News tops ratings for coverage on Jan. 6 anniversary events
Fox News topped ratings for coverage of the anniversary events for the Jan. 6 Capitol riot on Thursday, beating competitors such as CNN and MSNBC.Throughout the day, Fox News averaged 1.6 million v…
thehill.com
Congress may change this arcane law to avoid another Jan. 6
Lawmakers passed the Electoral Count Act in 1887 after a contested election, and experts say they did a "terrible job." There may now be bipartisan support for a refresh.
www.npr.org
'Deeply good man from Searchlight': Democratic leaders pay tribute to Harry Reid in Nevada
Party luminaries gather at Las Vegas memorial service to honor the former Senate majority leader.
www.politico.com
Analysis: Taking on Trump is Biden's reluctant calling
It may not be the fight he sought, but taking on Donald Trump is President Joe Biden’s calling. Biden offered himself as a guardian of American democracy in a visceral speech Thursday discussing the Jan. 6 insurrection that sought to overthrow his 2020 election victory.
apnews.com
US intends to discuss missile placements, military exercises with Russia
The U.S. intends to propose talking about military exercises in Eastern Europe and missile placements when its delegation meets with Russian negotiators on Monday during bilateral talks, …
thehill.com
Basmah bint Saud: Saudi princess released from jail after almost three years
Princess Basma bint Saud and her daughter were held without charge for almost three years.
www.bbc.com
Biden eulogizes Reid as ‘one of the greatest Senate Majority Leaders in history’ | CNN Politics
Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was remembered by a host of top Democratic politicians at his memorial service in Las Vegas on Saturday, with President Joe Biden hailing the Nevada Democrat as someone who “would always have your back” and former President Barack Obama recalling him as a...
www.cnn.com
Freelance writer Ruth Shalit Barrett sues The Atlantic for $1 million
The mad, mad saga over a controversial 2020 article takes another turn.
www.politico.com
More military service members committed suicide July-Sept 2021 than have ever died from coronavirus
Over 100 members of the U.S. military took their own lives in the third quarter of 2021 which represents a higher total than the number of service members who have died from the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.
61-year-old Asian man head-stomped in brutal NYC attack dies 8 months later
Yao Pan Ma died of his injuries on New Year's Eve. His death has been ruled a homicide, investigators said.
www.nbcnews.com
Forget T-shirts and tote bags. NFTs are the hot new campaign swag.
Consultants are launching NFT platforms to help clients cash in on the boom and engage with voters after the technology exploded in popularity last year.
www.politico.com
Iraq’s new parliament meets for the first time amid uncertainty
New parliament convenes to nominate a house speaker and two deputies in first session since October’s elections.
Opinion: What the Carlson-Cruz exchange reveals about today’s GOP | CNN
Julian Zelizer writes that Tucker Carlson’s fiery exchange with Sen. Ted Cruz over his characterization of the January 6 insurrection is an important reminder of the immense power that Fox News maintains in shaping the tone and the agenda of the GOP.
www.cnn.com
Pennsylvania GOP Senate primary clash: Bartos calls top rivals 'political tourists'
Republican Senate candidate Jeff Bartos of Pennsylvania charges that some of his top rivals for the GOP nomination in Pennsylvania's open seat race are "political tourists."
US sanctions on Russia would impose ‘severe and overwhelming’ economic costs, officials say | CNN Politics
The US is prepared to impose a range of harsh economic penalties on Russia should it move to invade Ukraine, starting with high-impact targets that would impose “severe and overwhelming costs on Russia’s economy,” Biden administration officials tell CNN.
www.cnn.com
California Gov. calls for $2.7 billion to expand COVID-19 response in budget proposal
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in a budget proposal has called for $2.7 billion to fight COVID-19 by supporting hospitals, boosting testing and increasing vaccinations in the state.News…
thehill.com
Man and his girlfriend are accused of brutal assault on wife
An upstate New York man and his girlfriend are accused of holding the man’s estranged wife captive for days and brutally assaulting her before she managed to escape
Washington digs out after record-breaking weather leads to 38 avalanches | CNN
Washington is finally getting a break Saturday from record-breaking rain and snow, with rivers expected to ebb and flood waters recede, as the state works to deal with the aftermath of weeks of storms.
www.cnn.com
Haley brushes off Iranian regime's sanction as a 'badge of honor'
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley on Saturday described being sanctioned by the theocratic Iranian regime as a "badge of honor" -- as Iranian officials slapped sanctions on more than 50 current and former U.S. officials over the 2019 strike that killed former Quds leader Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
There's chaos in Kazakhstan. Here's what you need to know
A New Year's Day doubling of gas prices sent shock waves through the country, sparking deadly unrest that has engulfed the Central Asian nation. But the origins of discontent run much deeper.
www.npr.org
Signs, torn press vest among January 6 artifacts collected for Smithsonian exhibit
A new collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History is documenting how the day will be historically preserved for future generations.
www.cbsnews.com
GOP Sen. John Thune of South Dakota says he'll seek 4th term
U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota is seeking reelection to a fourth term in 2022
Baldwin: It's 'a lie' that he's not helping shooting probe
Actor Alec Baldwin says any suggestion that he's not cooperating with a probe into last fall's shooting on his movie set that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is a lie
Kazakhstan detains former security chief for treason
Security forces appeared to reclaim the streets of Kazakhstan’s main city Almaty after days of violence.
Chinese immigrant attacked in NYC dies months later
New York City police say a Chinese immigrant who was brutally attacked in April while collecting cans in East Harlem has died of his injuries.
apnews.com
Pakistan snow: Deadly weather traps hundreds of drivers
At least 21 people have died during a blizzard in the town of Murree, the interior minister says.
www.bbc.com
Space telescope's 'golden eye' opens, last major hurdle
NASA's new space telescope has opened its gold-plated, flower-shaped mirror, the largest and most sensitive ever launched.
apnews.com
As spending bill stalls, Biden climate goals remain elusive
President Joe Biden faces a steep path to achieve his ambitious goal of slashing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030
Three women brutally killed in one day in France, in ‘unbearable’ start to new year | CNN
On January 1, three women were killed in France, each allegedly by a partner or ex-partner, in what feminist campaigners described as an “unbearable” start to another year’s tally of violence.
www.cnn.com
Tigray forces say Ethiopian airstrike kills 56 civilians
A spokesman for the forces fighting Ethiopia’s government in the embattled Tigray region says an air strike has killed at least 56 people at a camp for displaced people.
apnews.com
Dozens killed in Ethiopian air strike on IDP camp in Tigray
Aid workers and TPLF say 56 killed in air raid on camp for displaced people in Dedebit near border with Eritrea.
Coast Guard issues new safety rules stemming from 2019 boat fire that killed 34
The fire aboard the Conception off Santa Barbara marked the deadliest marine disaster in modern state history and led to criminal charges and calls for tougher regulations for small passenger boats.
www.npr.org
Novak Djokovic: Is his vaccine saga an unforced error for Australia?
The story of the star tennis player being held in Australia sparks ire at every twist and turn.
www.bbc.com
Signs Kazakhstan president regaining control after crackdown on protests
Signs Kazakhstan's president is regaining control after a bloody crackdown to end mass protests in the country.
Venezuela's revolution divided in the cradle of Chavismo
The internal struggles of the movement started by late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez were encapsulated by the apparent defeat _ and its aftermath _ of one of his brothers during the gubernatorial election in November.
apnews.com
South Dakota makes it more difficult for women to get medication abortions | CNN Politics
Women in South Dakota who are seeking a medication abortion will face additional restrictions later this month after state lawmakers approved a new rule from the state’s health department.
www.cnn.com
Kazakhstan unrest: Ex-intelligence chief arrested for treason
Karim Massimov's arrest comes in the wake of violent, nationwide anti-government protests.
www.bbc.com
New Hampshire police search last known residence of missing Harmony Montgomery
The 7-year-old was last seen in 2019 but was not reported missing until late last year.
www.nbcnews.com
Sinéad O’Connor’s son dies at age of 17 after going missing | CNN
Sinéad O’Connor’s 17-year-old son has died, the singer’s management company confirmed to CNN on Saturday.
www.cnn.com
Former 'Hollywood Madam' says she's moving out of Nevada
The woman dubbed the “Hollywood Madam” when she was accused in the mid-1990s of running a Los Angeles prostitution ring says she's moving out of a southern Nevada town where she's lived for about 15 years.
apnews.com
Duchess of Cambridge, the reliable royal, turns 40
The Duchess of Cambridge is turning 40 on Sunday after having emerged in recent years as Britain’s reliable royal.
apnews.com
Marilyn Bergman, Oscar-winning composer, dies at age 93
Oscar-winning lyricist Marilyn Bergman has died at age 93 after a long career in which she teamed with her husband on songs including “The Way We Were."
apnews.com
Record level of children under 5 are being hospitalized amid COVID surge
The rate of hospitalization for kids under 5 — who are not yet eligible for the vaccine — is the highest since the pandemic began.
www.cbsnews.com
Omicron cases could fall just as quickly as they rose, CDC says
Instead of a wave, picture the recent surge in the U.S. as more of an "ice pick," similar to cases in South Africa, Dr. Rochelle Walensky said.
www.nbcnews.com
Pandemic pushes teachers unions to center stage ahead of midterms
Republicans are working to tie Democrats to teachers unions ahead of the midterms as frustrations over the unions’ opposition to in-person learning amid the omicron surge grow. The party…
thehill.com
Covid death toll in India likely far higher than official record, research says
New findings appear to confirm long-held suspicions among epidemiologists that Covid deaths in the country have been significantly undercounted.
www.nbcnews.com
COVID-19 updates: Classes in Chicago canceled for 4th day
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.4 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 837,000 Americans.
Omicron fuels unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases
The omicron variant is fueling an unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases and placing a strain on hospital capacity, but experts say the spike could play out in the shape of an “ice pick” — a sh…
thehill.comHow Biden and Boris Johnson Reached the Same Place on Virus Policy
LONDON — On the evening of Dec. 21, Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared from 10 Downing St. to tell anxious Britons they could “go ahead with their Christmas plans,” despite a surge in new coronavirus cases. At nearly the same moment, President Joe Biden took to a White House lectern to give...
Moderna donates 2.7 million vaccine doses to Mexico as COVID-19 cases surge
Moderna donated 2.7 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Mexico as cases surge in the country. The donations arrived on Saturday at an airport in Toluca after the country this week surpassed…
thehill.com
Republican NYC councilwoman barred from chamber floor over vaccination status
Queens Councilwoman Vickie Paladino was barred from City Hall chambers during her first day on the job after she refused to submit her COVID-19 vaccination status.
Democrats could still salvage Build Back Better – and perhaps their midterm prospects
Best-case scenario: a scaled down plan that saves popular programs and a billionaire tax to pay for it Demonstrators in boats and kayaks protest near Senator Joe Manchin's houseboat in the Washington marina in September. Photograph: Allison Bailey/NurPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock Democrats were already...
Jailed Iranian writer Baktash Abtin dies after contracting COVID
Abtin, who was imprisoned over security charges, was a joint winner of the 2021 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award.
Fight over opening schools pits teachers unions against Democrats - Washington Examiner
Democrats and teachers unions, staunch allies for decades, suddenly find themselves at odds over the politics of COVID-19 and schools. Exhibit A of this fracturing political relationship has been the city of Chicago, where the Chicago Teachers Union, a chapter of the American Federation of...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
U.K. gov't advisers recommend against 4th vaccine dose
U.K. government advisers have recommended against giving a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine to nursing home residents and people over 80 because data shows that a third shot offers lasting protection against admission to the hospital.
apnews.com
Covid: UK records more than 150,000 deaths
The UK is the seventh country to pass this number, after the US, Brazil, India, Russia, Mexico and Peru.
www.bbc.com
Two more House reps test positive for breakthrough COVID-19 cases
Reps. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Young Kim (R-Calif.) said on Saturday that they had tested positive for breakthrough cases of COVID-19, adding to a growing list of lawmakers who have contracted the …
thehill.com
Many patients hospitalized for other ailments are also testing positive for Covid
Patients taken to the hospital with Covid — instead of for Covid — may be earlier in the course of the disease and far more contagious, doctors say.
www.nbcnews.com
CDC is criticized for failing to communicate, promises to do better
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention held only two telebriefings in 2021. That lack of transparency has prompted criticism — and a pledge from director Dr. Rochelle Walensky to be more open.
www.npr.org
CDC updates are straining already-pressed public health departments
With an already-weary public tuning out rules and with omicron surging, some public health professionals are struggling to explain recent changes in federal guidance.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden administration guidance prioritizes race in administering COVID drugs
Guidance issued under the Biden administration states certain individuals may be considered “high risk” and more quickly qualify for monoclonal antibodies and oral antivirals used to treat COVID-19 based on their “race or ethnicity.”
Beijing government fines 7-Eleven more than $7,000 for listing Taiwan as a country
The Beijing municipal government fined 7-Eleven more than $7,000 because on its website the company listed the island of Taiwan as a country and displayed maps and borders that …
thehill.com
Massachusetts schools are using dogs to detect Covid-19 | CNN
A Massachusetts school district has invited two new police officers to patrol its buildings, only these cops have four paws and aren’t detecting crime. They’re detecting Covid.
www.cnn.com
Texas teacher charged with allegedly putting COVID-19 positive son in trunk
A Texas teacher has been charged with child endangerment after she allegedly placed her COVID-19-positive son in the trunk of her car, KPRC 2 Houston reported.The Harris County District Attorney’s …
thehill.com
Companies keep mum as vaccine mandate goes to Supreme Court
Companies that would be affected by a Biden administration vaccine-or-testing requirement for workers have largely remained on the sidelines while the Supreme Court considers whether the rule can be enforced.
apnews.com
Mother angry, humiliated over JetBlue's treatment after 2-year-old with autism refused to wear mask
After two years working as a teacher through the pandemic, the mother, her husband and two young sons took a dream vacation to Cancun.
www.cbsnews.com
46 Philadelphia schools switch to virtual learning
The school district said it will assess the situation in other schools and provide updates on whether other schools will need to do the same.
Covid: Thousands protest in France against proposed new vaccine pass
The protests are against a draft law which would in effect ban the unvaccinated from public areas.
www.bbc.com
Turkmenistan plans to close its 'Gateway to Hell'
The site, a fire burning for decades in a huge desert gas crater, is a popular tourist attraction.
www.bbc.com
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