Guard troops pour into Washington as states answer the call
WASHINGTON — By the busload and planeload, National Guard troops were pouring into the nation’s capital on Saturday, as governors answered the urgent pleas of U.S. defense officials for more troops to help safeguard Washington even as they keep anxious eyes on possible violent protests in their own states.
In Brief: January 17, 2021
Some in the GOP parrot far-right talk of a coming civil war
Quilt artists create textiles to admire or cozy up with
In this winter of hunkering down at home, there’s a trend that’s just right for the times: quilts as decor and as art.
Biden: We’ll ‘manage the hell’ out of feds’ COVID response
WILMINGTON, Del. — President-elect Joe Biden pledged Friday to boost supplies of coronavirus vaccine and set up new vaccination sites to meet his goal of 100 million shots in 100 days. It’s part of a broader COVID strategy that also seeks to straighten out snags in testing and ensure minority communities are not left out.
Hot again: 2020 sets yet another global temperature record
Earth’s rising fever hit or neared record hot temperature levels in 2020, global weather groups reported Thursday.
Fake US leg band gets pigeon a reprieve in Australia
CANBERRA, Australia — A pigeon that Australia declared a biosecurity risk has received a reprieve after a U.S. bird organization declared its identifying leg band was fake.
States declare emergencies, close capitols ahead of rallies
Responding to warnings of potentially violent demonstrations, governors across the nation are calling out National Guard troops, declaring states of emergency and closing their capitols to the public ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next week.
Trump trial pending, McConnell calls it ‘vote of conscience’
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial is likely to start after Joe Biden’s inauguration, and the Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, is telling senators their decision on whether to convict the outgoing president over the Capitol riot will be a “vote of conscience.”
In Brief: January 16, 2021
NRA declares bankruptcy, plans to incorporate in Texas
‘This is not a game’: Global virus death toll hits 2 million
MEXICO CITY — The global death toll from COVID-19 topped 2 million Friday, crossing the threshold amid a vaccine rollout so immense but so uneven that in some countries there is real hope of vanquishing the outbreak, while in other, less-developed parts of the world, it seems a far-off dream.
Feds: Capitol mob aimed to ‘assassinate’ elected officials
PHOENIX — The pro-Trump mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol last week aimed to “capture and assassinate elected officials,” federal prosecutors said in court documents.
Pfizer temporarily reduces European deliveries of vaccine
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer confirmed Friday it will temporarily reduce deliveries to Europe of its COVID-19 vaccine while it upgrades production capacity to 2 billion doses per year.
Former Guam mayor sentenced to 3 years in extortion case
HAGATNA, Guam — A former Guam mayor has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for extorting money from an informant who posed as a drug trafficker.
Honolulu hospital to update policies after 2 virus clusters
HONOLULU — A Honolulu hospital plans to update its policies after being struck by coronavirus clusters in two areas of the facility.
Biden unveils $1.9T plan to stem COVID-19 and steady economy
WILMINGTON, Del. — President-elect Joe Biden unveiled a $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan Thursday to end “a crisis of deep human suffering” by speeding up vaccines and pumping out financial help to those struggling with the pandemic’s prolonged economic fallout.
For first time in 5 years, US gas mileage down, emissions up
DETROIT — A new government report says gas mileage for new vehicles dropped and pollution increased in model year 2019 for the first time in five years.
In Brief: January 15, 2021
FBI tracking ‘extensive’ online chatter about armed protests
Joanne Rogers, widow of TV’s famed Mister Rogers, dies at 92
Joanne Rogers, an an accomplished concert pianist who celebrated and protected the legacy of her husband, the beloved children’s TV host Mister Rogers, has died in Pittsburgh. She was 92.
Australia to kill pigeon that crossed Pacific from Oregon
CANBERRA, Australia — A racing pigeon has survived an extraordinary 13,000-kilometer (8,000-mile) Pacific Ocean crossing from the United States to find a new home in Australia. Now authorities consider the bird a quarantine risk and plan to kill it.
Trump impeachment trial could begin on Inauguration Day
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial could begin on Inauguration Day, just as Democrat Joe Biden takes the oath of office in an ever-more-extraordinary end to the defeated president’s tenure in the White House.
