Thai court gives record 43-year sentence for insulting king
BANGKOK (AP) — A court in Thailand on Tuesday sentenced a former civil servant to a record prison term of 43 years and six months for breaching the country's strict law on insulting or defaming the monarchy, lawyers said.
Asian shares mostly higher as Biden inauguration approaches
Shares advanced in Asia on Tuesday as the coming changing of the guard in the U.S. raised hopes for more support for the economy and more aggressive measures to fight the pandemic.
3 more COVID-19 cases linked to Australian Open arrivals
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley has ruled out any change in the best-of-five set format for men’s singles matches at the season-opening tennis major as three more COVID-19 cases — two of them players — were reported among the international arrivals for the tournament.
4 hurt in string of shootings in Pocono Mountains community
MOUNT POCONO, Pa. (AP) — At least four people were injured Monday in a string of shootings that prompted an order to shelter in place for a Pennsylvania community in the Pocono Mountains, authorities said.
Exhausted hospital chaplains bring solace to lonely, dying
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Inside hospital rooms across America, where the sick are alone without family to comfort them, the grim task of offering solace falls to overworked and emotionally drained hospital chaplains who are dealing with more death than they’ve ever seen.
FBI: Kentucky man was part of mob inside US Capitol
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The FBI has filed a criminal complaint against a Kentucky man who authorities said was among a group that illegally stormed the U.S. Capitol with supporters of President Donald Trump during a deadly insurrection earlier this month.
A new COVID-19 challenge: Mutations rise along with cases
The race against the virus that causes COVID-19 has taken a new turn: Mutations are rapidly popping up, and the longer it takes to vaccinate people, the more likely it is that a variant that can elude current tests, treatments and vaccines could emerge.
Nevada proposes cuts to education, hopes for federal relief
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — The economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic have hit Nevada particularly hard, complicating budget planning in a state that levies no state income tax on residents and relies on tourism and hospitality industry revenue.
Inauguration rehearsal evacuated after fire in homeless camp
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Capitol complex temporarily locked down during a rehearsal for President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration after a fire in a homeless encampment roughly a mile away sent a plume of smoke into the air and caused security concerns in an already jittery city.
Yellen urges Congress to do more to fight pandemic recession
WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen is calling on Congress to do more to fight a deep pandemic-induced recession, saying the threats of a longer and even worse downturn are too great to cut back on support now.
Inaugural event to celebrate resiliency of Black Americans
DETROIT (AP) — The resiliency, culture and heroism of Black Americans and the African diaspora will be the central theme of a virtual event that will celebrate the nation’s diversity on the eve of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Biden to propose 8-year citizenship path for immigrants
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden plans to unveil a sweeping immigration bill on Day One of his administration, hoping to provide an eight-year path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people living in the U.S. without legal status, a massive reversal from the Trump administration's harsh immigration policies.
Biden, Harris take break from inaugural prep to mark MLK day
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris pitched in on Martin Luther King Jr. Day service projects as a militarized and jittery Washington prepared for a swearing-in that will play out under extraordinary security.
Biden has set sky-high expectations. Can he meet them?
WASHINGTON (AP) — Back when the election was tightening and just a week away, Joe Biden went big.
Biden's hefty to-do list starts with a flurry of orders
WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden has given himself an imposing to-do list for his earliest days as president and many promises to keep over the longer haul.
Biden's national security Cabinet nominees face Senate tests
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden’s national security Cabinet may be bare on Day One of his presidency, but an inauguration-eve spurt of Senate confirmation hearings suggests that won’t be the case for long.
