
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — From the inaugural platform, President Joe Biden saw American sickness on two fronts — a disease of the national spirit and the one from the rampaging coronavirus — and he saw hope, because leaders always must see that.

Behind Trump's vaccine boosterism, allies see chance for political payoff
Advisers have privately urged the former president to be more full-throated in taking credit for and promoting the shots as he considers a rematch against Biden.


For Oath Keepers and founder, Jan. 6 was weeks in the making
For more than a year, federal prosecutors have been investigating the Capitol riot, and at least 700 people have been charged, mostly with lower-level crimes.


Thousands without power as US and Canada hit by winter storm
Flights have been cancelled as the dangerous storm brings snow and high winds to much of the country.


Top Republican on foreign affairs committee believes US is in new cold war with Russia | CNN Politics
The top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee said Sunday he thinks the US is engaged in a new cold war with Russia amid high tensions between the nations over Russia’s potential invasion of Ukraine.


AP FACT CHECK: Trump seeds race animus with COVID falsehood
Donald Trump is making unsupported claims that white people are being denied COVID-19 vaccines and treatments because of their race.


Texas rabbi 'grateful to be alive' as synagogue hostage-taking suspect ID'd
The suspect died as an FBI team breached the temple.

By the numbers: Stats that tell story of Biden's first year
By some counts, President Joe Biden can lay claim to a banner first year in office. But the numbers also reveal plenty of setbacks.


Documents show census officials concerned about political interference from Trump administration | CNN Politics
Newly released documents appear to show top career officials at the Census Bureau had written a memo detailing concerns about the Trump administration’s attempts to exert political pressure on the bureau during the 2020 population count.


Hostages safe after Texas synagogue standoff; captor dead
The man took over services at a Texas synagogue where he could be heard ranting on a livestream.

Electoral act reform picks up growing bipartisan support
An increasingly broad and powerful array of lawmakers is coalescing around the idea of changing how Congress tallies Electoral College votes — as MLK Day comes and goes on Monday without broader voting rights reforms.Why it matters: The idea of targeting the 1887 Electoral Count Act for repairs...

Left laughs off floated changes to 2024 ticket
Progressives are openly frustrated as the Biden administration flounders on issues across the board, but they are dismissing outright suggestions that previous party leaders — or, worse, Republican…


Fauci, COVID-19 origins to be investigated if House flips back to GOP control in 2022: Jim Jordan
Rep. Jim Jordan vowed Sunday to uncover what Dr. Anthony Fauci knew about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic if Congress flips back to Republican control after the 2022 midterm elections.

Texas rabbi: Captor grew "belligerent" late in standoff
Police in England say they have arrested two teenagers in their investigation into an armed British national holding four people hostage during a 10-hour standoff at a Texas synagogue.


FBI storms Texas synagogue to release hostages, gunman dead
An FBI Hostage Rescue Team stormed a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas on Saturday night to free three remaining hostages of a gunman who had disrupted a religious service and began a standoff with police more than 10 hours earlier.

Ann Coulter says, ‘Trump is done’ - Washington Examiner
Conservative pundit Ann Coulter says the time to move on from former President Donald Trump is now.She was quoted in a report Sunday evening about growing tensions between Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of a potential 2024 election showdown. "Trump is done," Coulter told the New York...


Wendy Sherman takes leading role as Biden’s ‘hard-nosed’ Russia negotiator
“She won’t let the Russians get away with any baloney,” a former U.S. diplomat says.

Liz Cheney’s Wyoming Nemesis Is an Oath Keeper Who Was at Capitol Rally
CQ-Roll CallWhen the Department of Justice indicted members of the Oath Keepers last week for their role in the Jan. 6 insurrection, one Republican official might have taken more notice of the arrests than others.Frank Eathorne, who was revealed in a leak last year to be one of 191 Wyoming-based...

Sullivan warns of "severe economic consequences" if Russia invades Ukraine
The Biden administration has been pursuing a diplomatic response to Russia's military build-up along Ukraine's eastern border.

Tim Kaine: Build Back Better is "dead" but core provisions will pass
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday he believes the core of President Biden's Build Back Better legislation will pass but acknowledged that the $1.75 trillion spending bill is dead as a package. Why it matters: Kaine said the legislation's key provisions are education...

FBI identifies hostage-taker at Texas synagogue | CNN
The FBI on Sunday identified Malik Faisal Akram, a 44-year-old British national, as the man who held four people hostage at a Texas synagogue in an hours-long standoff Saturday before a rescue team entered the building and killed the suspect.


The Memo: 2024 chatter reveals Democratic nervousness
Speculation has begun about the 2024 Democratic presidential ticket, almost three years before the election. Some of the suggestions are blasted as risible. But the early chatter itself reveal…


Romney on election reform: I never got a call from the White House
“He’s got to recognize that when he was elected, people were not looking for him to transform America,” he said of President Joe Biden.


McCaul says US withdrawal from Afghanistan has emboldened Russia on Ukraine
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said on Sunday that the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan has emboldened Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the U…

GOP Senator Naively Dismisses Trump’s ‘Big Lie’ Push: Americans Won’t ‘Vote for a Cheat’
CNNSen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) attempted to wave off any concerns on Sunday about former President Donald Trump’s push to install election-denying supporters into election supervisory positions, claiming that “it’s just not true” that these officials could impact final vote counts.At the same time...

Double dealing: Legal, illicit blur in California pot market
As California enters its fifth year of broad legal marijuana sales, industry insiders say the practice of working simultaneously in the legal and illicit markets is all too commonplace in the struggling pot economy.


Headed to disaster? US, Russia harden stances in talks
The failure of last week’s high-stakes diplomatic meetings to resolve escalating tensions over Ukraine has put Russia, the United States and its European allies in uncharted post-Cold War territory.


Texas synagogue siege: Teens held in UK as Briton named as hostage-taker
Briton Malik Faisal Akram died in the standoff with police after taking four hostages.


Biden to continue push for voting rights bill as he honors King's legacy
U.S. President Joe Biden traveled to Philadelphia on Sunday to honor the legacy of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., as he continues to press for voting rights legislation and concerted action to combat rising extremism.

MLK's family rallies in Arizona to push for voting rights
“Our daughter has less rights around voting than she had when she was born,” Martin Luther King III said.


Ukraine says evidence suggests Russia behind cyberattack
Kyiv accuses Russia of waging ‘hybrid war’ after Microsoft said dozens of gov’t computer systems infected with malware.

N. Korea fires short-range missiles in 4th launch this month
North Korea has fired two short-range missiles into the sea in its fourth weapons launch this month.


National security adviser Jake Sullivan says Texas synagogue takeover was ‘act of terrorism,’ ‘anti-Semitism’
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday that the hostage situation at a Texas synagogue on Saturday was an act of "anti-Semitism," despite the FBI saying earlier there were no indications it was directed at the Jewish community.

DOJ raises stakes with rarely used sedition charges for Oath Keepers
The seditious conspiracy charges brought by the Justice Department on Thursday against the leader of the Oath Keepers and other members of the right-wing group signal the government is prepared to …


Tonga calls for ‘immediate aid’ after volcanic eruption, tsunami
Official says there is an immediate need for drinking water and food, as efforts begin to assess scale of damage.

Trump kicks off midterm year still stuck on last election
The former president delivers Jan. 6 rebuttal in Arizona, home to ground zero in the “Stop the Steal” movement’s fraudulent push to find evidence that the 2020 election was rigged.


Bidens pack carrots, apples into boxes during food bank stop
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden packed carrots and apples into food boxes for the hungry and chatted with volunteers Sunday at a food bank as part of a day of service for Martin Luther King, Jr.


Clyburn vows fight on voting rights reform that 'may be on life support'
"I don't think you're on the right side of history," House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., said of his colleagues who are against changing Senate rules.

Trump slams “dull” DeSantis ahead of potential 2024 matchup
Donald Trump is trashing Ron DeSantis in private as an ingrate with a "dull personality" and no realistic chance of beating him in a potential 2024 showdown, according to sources who've recently talked to the former president about the Florida governor.Why it matters: The two are among the most...

U.S. FAA clears 45% of commercial plane fleet after 5G deployed
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Sunday it had cleared an estimated 45% of the U.S. commercial airplane fleet to perform low-visibility landings at many airports where 5G C-band will be deployed starting Wednesday.

Ukraine blames Russia for cyberattack against government agencies
Ukrainian authorities have blamed Russia for a cyberattack on their government websites, alleging that Moscow is engaging in a “hybrid war” on it also masses troops along the bo…


Harris' new communications director to meet with Latino lawmakers after old tweets surface
Jamal Simmons took on the new role last week.


Hostage-taker at Texas synagogue identified as British citizen
Malik Faisal Akram, 44, held four people against their will at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville.


Hundreds attend mass funeral for victims of Bronx apartment building fire
Hundreds of people attended a mass funeral Sunday for fifteen of the seventeen victims of the Bronx apartment building fire on Jan. 9, The Associated Press reported. The ceremony filled the&nb…


Martin Luther King III, family fight to restore full power of Voting Rights Act
Members of the King family are using the MLK holiday to rally stronger support for voting rights.


Analysis: Battered White House searches for a Biden comeback scenario | CNN Politics
Everywhere you look on the 2022 political craps table, President Joe Biden and fellow Democrats keep rolling only snake eyes.


Half in new poll say they’re frustrated with Biden’s presidency
Half the respondents in a new CBS News poll released on Sunday said they were frustrated with Joe Biden’s presidency, just a few days before he marks his first full year in office.When a…


Russia and NATO ‘on different tracks’ in negotiations, Putin spokesperson says
The remarks from Dmitry Peskov came amid continuing concerns that Russia is about to invade Ukraine.


Los Angeles DA Gascon ripped over sentencing for transgender woman who sexually assaulted girl
Los Angeles DA George Gascon criticized as 26-year-old faces sentencing to a juvenile detention center or probation after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting young girl

Biden, new Japanese prime minister to meet virtually Friday
President Joe Biden will meet virtually with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan on Friday

Investigating who betrayed Anne Frank and her family to the Nazis
A retired FBI special agent and a team of investigators believe they've solved one of the world's most well-known and tragic cold cases.


Former acting Defense secretary under Trump met with Jan. 6 committee: report
Former acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, who served under former President Trump, met last week with the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, …


Texas congressman on synagogue attack: We need to get to the bottom of this
“We haven’t seen the radicalized attacks in a few years now, and it’s disturbing to see it raise its ugly head again,” Michael McCaul said.


Election overhaul in Alaska aimed at reducing partisanship
A new election system, narrowly passed by voters in 2020, is set to be used in Alaska races this year.


President Joe Biden: The first year
The 46th president's first year in office is being measured according to opposing forces – both by legislative wins and a "return to normalcy," and by the economic headwinds of the continuing pandemic. Experts offer their take on the Biden Presidency to date.


Carville: Dems ‘whine too much,’ need to highlight accomplishments ahead of midterms
“Just quit being a whiny party and get out there and fight and tell people what you did, and tell people the exact truth,” James Carville said.


Senate Democrats probe impact of online degree programs on high student debt loads
Three lawmakers have asked companies that develop online degree programs for universities for information about their recruiting tactics and use of federal aid dollars.


Romney: Putin can’t be allowed to rebuild the Soviet Union
“He’s trying to reestablish what he had before,” the Utah senator said.


Mike Pence's family mourns BOTUS Marlon Bundo, the pet bunny who inspired children's books
Marlon Bundo, family rabbit of former Vice President Mike Pence and star of children's books, has died, Charlotte Pence Bond shared on social media.
www.usatoday.com

Sullivan: ‘It’s too soon to tell’ if Texas synagogue hostage situation part of broader extremist threat
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday said it is “too soon to tell” if the Texas synagogue hostage situation was part of a broader extremist threat.“It’s too soon to tell at this point …


One of US Navy’s most powerful weapons makes rare appearance | CNN
One of the most powerful weapons in the US Navy’s arsenal made a rare port call in Guam over the weekend, sending a message to allies and foes amid increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, analysts said.


Djokovic leaves Australia after losing appeal to reinstate visa
Novak Djokovic has lost his Federal Court fight to stay in Australia. His application has been dismissed and the government's decision has been upheld.

Carville advises Democrats to ‘quit being a whiny party’
Democratic strategist James Carville said on Sunday that Democrats should “quit being a whiny party” and instead focus on what accomplishments they’ve been able to achieve so far during the B…


Microsoft discloses malware attack on Ukraine govt networks
Microsoft says dozens of computer systems at an unspecified number of Ukrainian government agencies have been infected with destructive malware disguised as ransomware.


Sunday shows – Voting rights legislation dominates
Voting rights legislation dominated the morning political talk shows on Sunday, just ahead of the Senate taking up the topic on Tuesday.House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) appeared on multip…


Celebrated Tuskegee Airman Charles McGee dies at 102
One of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, Charles McGee, who flew fighter combat missions over three wars, has died.


Prince Harry seeks right to pay for UK police protection when in Britain | CNN
Britain’s Prince Harry is making a legal challenge to a UK government decision that prevents him from personally paying for police protection for himself and his family when they are in the UK, according to his legal representatives.


UK police arrest two in relation to Texas synagogue hostage situation
British police have arrested two teenagers in connection with an ongoing investigation into the Texas synagogue hostage situation. In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said Counter Terror…


University of Michigan president fired for inappropriate relationship with university employee | CNN
The University of Michigan removed president Mark Schlissel from his position “effective immediately” following an anonymous complaint suggesting that he “may have been involved in an inappropriate relationship with a University employee,” the university said Saturday.


Thieves target another source for stolen goods: Delivery trucks and trains full of packages
Major retailers, including Target and Best Buy, have spoken out about organized thefts and urged Congress to make it harder for criminals to sell stolen goods.

Lebanon faces internet service interruption amid fuel crisis
Lebanon's state internet provider says internet services have been disrupted because of diesel shortages

East Coast bracing for snow, ice from widespread winter system
Millions of Americans on the East Coast are bracing for severe winter weather as a widespread storm system continues to march east.

Pacific volcano: New Zealand sends flight to assess Tonga damage
Up to 80,000 people could be affected after tsunami waves caused "significant damage" to Tonga.


Snow and ice blast through the South in powerful winter storm
The storm was making air travel extremely difficult in some parts of the South.


Tesla inks deal to get key battery component outside China
Tesla is turning to Mozambique for a key component in its electric car batteries in what analysts believe is a first-of-its-kind deal designed to reduce its dependence on China for graphite

Wealth of world's 10 richest men doubled in pandemic, Oxfam says
Covid-19 has made the rich richer while poverty has increased, the charity Oxfam says.


Bitcoin crashes the midterms
Candidates are staking out positions on cryptocurrency, scrambling party lines and fanning fundraising concerns.


Hackers disrupt payroll for thousands of employers — including hospitals
Hundreds, if not thousands, of workers have missed out on overtime and holiday pay in recent weeks. In Cleveland, city administrators set up a "war room" to deal with the paycheck backlog.


Biden at year one: Not enough focus on inflation leaves many frustrated
Guidance on COVID-19 is seen as confusing, and it weighs on his ratings.


Flights sent to assess Tonga damage after volcanic eruption
New Zealand and Australia have sent military surveillance flights to assess the damage caused by a huge undersea volcanic eruption in Tonga

Spanish police bust large heroin ring, arrest 10 in raids
Spanish police have arrested the leading smuggler of heroin into the European country in a bust that took a total of 10 people into custody and confiscated 55 kilograms of the drug

Woman killed after pushed onto NYC subway tracks in unprovoked attack, police say
A woman died after she was pushed onto the New York City subway tracks and hit by an oncoming train, officials said.

Credit Suisse boss Horta-Osorio resigns over Covid breaches
Antonio Horta-Osorio leaves the bank after breaking UK quarantine rules to watch tennis at Wimbledon.


Florida tornadoes destroy dozens of homes, leave 7,000 customers without power | CNN
Two tornadoes struck southwest Florida on Sunday morning, destroying at least 28 homes and damaging others in Lee County, while leaving about 7,000 houses there without power, officials said.


How the U.S. fell behind in lithium, the 'white gold' of electric vehicles
The U.S. used to be a global leader in lithium production, but now has fallen way behind. Several domestic projects are in the works, but will it be enough?

Tsunami advisory lifted for U.S. West Coast after volcanic eruption in Pacific
The intiial tsunami advisory — meaning "a dangerous wave is on the way" — was issued for the West Coast and Alaska on Saturday morning.


Transcript: Mayor Quinton Lucas on "Face the Nation," January 16, 2022
The following is a transcript of an interview with Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas that aired Sunday, January 16, 2022, on "Face the Nation."


Transcript: Senator Tim Kaine on "Face the Nation," January 16, 2022
The following is a transcript of an interview with Virginia Senator Tim Kaine that aired Sunday, January 16, 2022, on "Face the Nation."


Transcript: Governor Larry Hogan on "Face the Nation," January 16, 2022
The following is a transcript of an interview with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan that aired Sunday, January 16, 2022, on "Face the Nation."


Passenger fatally shot on Amtrak train, search underway for suspect
An assailant in the fatal shooting of a man on an Amtrak train in Missouri remained on the run Sunday, authorities said.

Transcript: Jake Sullivan on "Face the Nation," January 16, 2022
The following is a transcript of an interview with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan that aired Sunday, January 16, 2022, on "Face the Nation."


Full transcript of "Face the Nation" on January 16, 2022
On this "Face the Nation" broadcast, Senator Tim Kaine and national security adviser Jake Sullivan join Margaret Brennan.



Omicron surge hasn’t hit rural communities … yet
The counties already hit by omicron were prepared to handle it. But what about the smattering of communities with zero ICU beds available?


Europe’s unvaccinated minority are falling out of society | CNN
The increasingly vast divide between Europe’s two populations means that “underground communities” of unvaccinated people have taken root.


COVID deaths and cases are rising again at US nursing homes
COVID-19 infections are soaring again at U.S. nursing homes because of the omicron wave, and deaths are climbing too.


COVID program delivers 1 billion doses to poorer countries
The World Health Organization says a U.N.-backed program shipping coronavirus vaccines to many poor countries has now delivered 1 billion doses, but that milestone “is only a reminder of the work that remains” after hoarding and stockpiling in rich countries.


COVID-19 updates: LA has highest daily death total since April
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.5 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 849,000 Americans.

Gottlieb says Biden administration made mistake in federalizing vaccine mandates
Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb on Sunday said the Biden administration made a mistake by federalizing vaccine mandates “in ways that they didn’t have to.”“I think o…


Hawaii governor considering Covid boosters as part of state’s travel rules | CNN
Hawaii may soon require travelers arriving from the US and its territories to have a Covid booster shot if they want to travel to the islands without quarantine or testing requirements.


Youngkin responds to school mask mandate pushback from Virginia schools
Virginia school districts acted quickly to remind their staffers and students about mask policies shortly after newly sworn-in Gov. Glenn Youngkin's order to lift the mandate, prompting a response by the governor.

China's zero-Covid policy could deal another blow to global supply chains, Moody's says
The challenges has been "with us for about a year now," said Katrina Ell is a senior economist for Asia-Pacific at Moody's Analytics.

The poor die from COVID while the rich get richer, Oxfam warns
Vaccine divide is costing lives and supercharging inequalities worldwide, a new report warns.

Psaki claps back at Youngkin over school mask mandates
White House press secretary Jen Psaki weighed into Virginia’s debate over school mask mandates on Sunday after newly sworn-in Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) criticized a school district that pledged to fl…


'Upside down again': Omicron surge roils U.S. small businesses
Phillip Howard pointed toward a stack of black ski pants piled atop a counter in his winter sports shop as evidence of the hurdles small business owners still face as the pandemic drags on.

Essential workers face a tough choice: Find a test or miss work
Facing lost wages if they can't work, essential workers struggle to get timely COVID tests amid a nationwide testing crunch. Community clinics are struggling to meet the need.


Omicron exposes inflexibility of Europe's public hospitals
The omicron variant of the pandemic is exposing the vulnerabilities of European public health systems
Restaurant owner blasts NY senator Kirsten Gillibrand for ignoring mask mandate during visit
Kirsten Gillibrand has pledged to 'do better' after Innovo Kitchen's owner expressed his frustration that she wasn't wearing a mask on the premises.

Kansas City mayor: COVID-19 challenges include misinformation, political right
Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas (D) on Sunday said he is facing two challenges as his municipality battles COVID-19: misinformation regarding vaccinations and opposition from the pol…


SCOTUS blocking of vaccine mandate 'a setback for public health': Vivek Murthy
United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy spoke with "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz on Sunday.

Ready for an N95? Here's how to find a high-quality one that fits you well
If you don't feel like waiting to score a free N95 mask from the federal government, here's what to know about how to buy a good one — and avoid the fakes. Plus, tips on how to fit them and wear them.


Chinese city Xi’an lifts some restrictions after 3-week lockdown
The city went into strict lockdown on Dec. 22.


A new labor battle opens on Broadway as omicron closes theater shows
Broadway producer Keven McCollum closed 'Mrs. Doubtfire' with a plan to return in the spring, he says, to save the show, but theater unions are skeptical.

Walmart is quietly preparing to enter the metaverse
Walmart appears to be venturing into the metaverse with plans to create its own cryptocurrency and collection of NFTs.
Yale professor teaching free course on happiness sees pandemic-era surge - Washington Examiner
A Yale University professor's course on the pursuit of happiness has seen a surge in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic after being made available for free online.Psychology professor Laurie Santos started the course in 2018. In April 2019, before the pandemic, the course had 22,500...


CDC guidelines for antivirals give the unvaccinated the lion’s share
Based on current supplies, unvaccinated patients will receive most of these lifesaving medications.


‘Lock it down and piss people off’: How quick thinking stopped a ransomware attack from crippling a Florida hospital | CNN Politics
It was approaching midnight on Sunday and the head of IT at a Florida hospital had a problem.


Biden to require private health insurers to pay for at-home Covid-19 tests
Starting Saturday, up to 8 tests per person per month may be covered without cost to the consumer when acquired at specific outlets, federal agency says.


Transcript: Dr. Scott Gottlieb on "Face the Nation," January 16, 2022
The following is a transcript of an interview with Dr. Scott Gottlieb that aired Sunday, January 16, 2022, on "Face the Nation."


Media report Chinese city of Xi’an lifts some restrictions after 3 weeks of COVID-19 lockdown
Media report Chinese city of Xi’an lifts some restrictions after 3 weeks of COVID-19 lockdown

Portugal's election campaign begins under pandemic limits
The official two-week campaigning period for Portugal’s Jan. 30 general election is kicking off