Here are the latest Top News stories from The Canadian Press. All times are Eastern unless otherwise stated. Coverage plans are included when available. Entries are subject to change as news develops.
IF YOU NEED HELP, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO mainslots@thecanadianpress.com and we'll get back to you right away.
TOP HEADLINES:
Canada, U.K. discussing Russia sanctions: envoy
N.B. judge rejects public servants' anti-vax case
Trucks leave Ottawa's core, but spur other action
Automakers scaling back production amid blockades
Political rifts showing as protests drag on
Poll: 29% of Canadians want restrictions lifted
Canada hauls in four more medals at Beijing Games
Dinosaur had flu-like symptoms before death: study
---
NEW TOP STORIES SINCE THE LAST ADVISORY:
Canada, U.K. discussing Russia sanctions: envoy
Cda-Britain-Russia
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- Britain's envoy to Canada says the two countries are co-operating on a tough new set of sanctions against Russia if it invades Ukraine. By Mike Blanchfield. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
N.B. judge rejects public servants' anti-vax case
NB-Anti-Vax-Ruling
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada -- A New Brunswick judge has rejected a bid by four public servants to overturn the province's recent decision to place them on unpaid leave for failing to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Wire: Atlantic, National. Photos: 1
–
Yukon to lift more COVID-19 health restrictions
COVID-Yukon
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada -- Yukon's acting chief medical officer of health says the territory will continue to gradually lift COVID-19 restrictions despite political pressure brought on by protests and blockades across the country. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
Advisory committee split on 'right to disconnect'
Right-to-Disconnect
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- An advisory group tasked with recommending how Canada should handle the right to disconnect after work hours was split on whether the country should adopt a legislative requirement for workplaces. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
–
Canadian insurers push further into Asian markets
Insurance-Results
Toronto, , -- Canadian insurers Manulife Financial Corp. and Sun Life Financial Inc. say they see significant potential for Asian markets as the region's middle class continues to grow. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
–
Lawyer tells B.C. court stay application is flawed
Old-Growth-Blockades
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada -- A lawyer for the Crown says a court application calling for a stay of proceedings against those arrested at old-growth logging protests in B.C. is flawed and has no chance of succeeding. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
Historic Vancouver cannon silenced indefinitely
Nine-O'Clock-Gun-Silenced
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -- The Vancouver parks board says the city's historic Nine O'Clock Gun is being silenced by a lack of explosive powder that's needed to fire it. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
UPDATED CONVOY PROTESTS:
Calls grow for convoy protest to end
Trucker-Protest
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- Pressure has mounted on both sides of the border, and across the political aisle in Canada, for protesters blockading key crossings with the U.S. and others encamped by Parliament Hill to go home, or for officials to move them out of the way. By Jordan Press and Laura Osman. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Political rifts showing as protests drag on
Trucker-Protest-Politics
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- Toronto Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith says he agrees with his colleague Joël Lightbound that "divisive" rhetoric about getting vaccinated has to end, even if he is not fully onside with everything the Quebec Liberal MP said. By Mia Rabson and Marie Woolf. Wire: National.
–
GoFundMe not covered by financial intelligence hub
Trucker-Protest-Funding
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- MPs heard Thursday that Canada's financial intelligence hub doesn't cover crowdfunding sites such as GoFundMe, as political leaders try to make sense of the millions flowing to protesters blockading the national capital. By Stephanie Taylor. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Michigan governor calls for end to border protest
Ont-Trucker-Protest-Border
Flag-waving protesters opposed to COVID-19 measures made themselves comfortable on the Canadian side of the nation's busiest land border crossing on Thursday, as Michigan's governor called on her northern counterparts to stop the demonstration that's preventing American traffic from crossing the Ambassador Bridge. Wire: Ontario/Quebec, National. Photos: 1
–
Automakers scaling back production amid blockades
Trucker-Protest-Automakers
Windsor, Ontario, Canada -- Automakers in Canada scaled back production Thursday and braced for continued disruptions as trucker blockades at U.S. border crossings worsen an industry-wide parts shortage. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
–
Protest blocks U.S. border crossing in Manitoba
Trucker-Protest-Mba
Emerson, Manitoba, Canada -- A protest against COVID-19 restrictions blocked the main border crossing Thursday between Manitoba and the United States. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
Fredericton police ready for COVID protest convoy
NB-Freedom-Convoy
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada -- Fredericton's police chief says he's bringing in extra resources ahead of a "freedom convoy" planned for this weekend that promises to gridlock the city in support of the trucker protests in Ottawa. By Kevin Bissett. Wire: Atlantic. Photos: 1
–
COVID-19 and OMICRON:
Poll: 29% of Canadians want restrictions lifted
COVID-Poll
A new poll suggests almost 30 per cent of Canadians believe it's time to lift pandemic restrictions and "learn to live" with the COVID-19 virus, while more than 40 per cent want measures to ease carefully. By Melissa Couto Zuber. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Rapid tests less reliable with Omicron: experts
COVID-Ont-Tests
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Rapid antigen tests don't detect COVID-19 infections with the Omicron variant as reliably as they did with the Delta strain, but changing how and when the tests are performed can boost their accuracy, Ontario's expert science advisers say. By Allison Jones. Wire: Ontario/Quebec.
–
Ontario will allow more school sports: source
COVID-Ont
High contact sports, choir and other extracurriculars are resuming in Ontario schools after a temporary pause on the activities when students returned to schools amid the Omicron wave. By Holly McKenzie-Sutter. Wire: Ontario/Quebec. Photos: 1
–
COVID-19 infections in First Nations decreasing
COVID-Indigenous
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- The Minister of Indigenous Services says the number of COVID-19 infections in First Nations communities has begun to decline, bringing hope that the worst of the Omicron wave has passed. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
OTHER TOP NEWS:
Ontario man found guilty in triple homicide
Ont-Cory-Fenn
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada -- An Ontario man has been found guilty of three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of a woman and two of her children east of Toronto. By Liam Casey. Wire: Ontario/Quebec. Photos: 1
–
First Nation ready to search for unmarked graves
Residential-School-Graves-BC
Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada -- A Vancouver Island First Nation says it has taken the first steps toward locating possible unmarked graves at the former site of the Alberni Indian Residential School. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
Racialized federal inmates face more use of force
Corrections-Report
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- The office of Canada's correctional investigator says Indigenous and Black federal inmates experience more use of force than any other racial group. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Supporters of slain Mexican activist lose appeal
Mining-Murder-Cda
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- The Federal Court of Appeal has rejected a plea from family and supporters of a slain Mexican activist — killed after opposing a Canadian company's mining project — to have a federal ombudsman investigate the matter. Wire: National.
–
Defence Department lapsed $1.2B last year
Defence-Spending
Ottawa, , -- New figures show the Department of National Defence failed to spend more than $1.2 billion of its allotted budget last year, the majority due to delays in the purchase of new equipment for Canada’s military. Wire: National.
–
Regina Police Service officer suspended, charged
Sask-Officer-Charged
Regina, , -- The Regina Police Service says one of its officers has been charged after he allegedly drove police cars while his licence was suspended due to unpaid fines. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
Quebecer sentenced to 10 years for kidnapping son
Que-Kidnapping-Plea
Matane, Quebec, Canada -- A Quebec court judge has signed off on a jointly recommended 10-year sentence for a Quebec man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping his three-year-old son. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Richard Edjericon elected in N.W.T. byelection
NWT-Byelection
Voters in a Northwest Territories riding have chosen a new member of the legislative assembly after their previous representative resigned. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Dinosaur had flu-like symptoms before death: study
Dino-Sore-Throat
The dinosaur had a flu. A really bad flu. By Hina Alam. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
How to adjust your finances as interest rates rise
Money-Monitor
Toronto, , -- After racking up debt through years of ultralow interest rates, Canadians are being urged to modify their spending as they face the prospect of rising borrowing costs coupled with soaring inflation. By Ross Marowits. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
–
Bombardier reports fourth-quarter profit
Bombardier-Rslts
Montreal, Quebec, Canada -- Bombardier Inc. swung to a profit in its latest quarter as the business jet maker ramped up production throughout 2021, with plans to churn out a higher number of aircraft this year amid greater global demand. By Christopher Reynolds. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
–
Canada Goose issues chilly forecast for 2022
Canada-Goose-Rslts
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Canada Goose Holdings Inc. has reduced its forecast for the year as new COVID-19 variant outbreaks and restrictions send a chill over the luxury parka maker's profit and revenue expectations. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
–
Brick-and-mortar retail still strong: RioCan REIT
RioCan-REIT-Rslts
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust is "pruning" its tenant mix to ensure malls and other retail spaces it owns are filled with resilient businesses that are best positioned to weather any further COVID-19 upheaval. By Tara Deschamps. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
–
CRTC lacks skill to regulate streaming: experts
Online-Streaming
Ottawa, , -- Internet experts have cast doubt on whether the body the federal government wants to regulate streaming services and video-sharing platforms such as YouTube and Netflix has the expertise to do so. By Marie Woolf. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Manny Jacinto on rom-coms and representation
FILM-Manny-Jacinto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Since NBC's "The Good Place" came to an end in 2020, its Canadian star Manny Jacinto has drawn attention for one feature, especially: his objectively pretty face. But he's out to prove he's much more than that. By Sadaf Ahsan. Wire: Entertainment. Photos: 1
–
Edmonton Oilers fire head coach Dave Tippett
HKN-Oilers-Tippett-Fired
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada -- Ken Holland had a change of heart. Wire: Sports. Photos: 1
---
Canada hauls in four more medals at Beijing Games
OLY-Canada-Roundup
Team Canada enjoyed its most successful day so far at the Beijing Winter Olympics with a four-medal haul on Thursday. Snowboarder Eliot Grondin and speedskater Isabelle Weidemann each collected silver medals, while alpine skier Jack Crawford and Canada's mixed aerials team each nabbed bronze. Canada now sits tied with Norway and Austria atop the Olympic table with 12 medals. 1000 words. MOVED sports.
---
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE STORIES:
The LJI is a federally funded program to add coverage in under-covered areas or on under-covered issues. This content is delivered on the CP wire in the "Y" or spare news category, or you can register to access it at https://lji-ijl.ca. This content is created and submitted by participating publishers and is not edited by The Canadian Press. Please credit stories to the reporter, their media outlet and the Local Journalism Initiative. Questions should be directed to LJI supervising editor Amy Logan at amy.logan@thecanadianpress.com. Below is a sample of the dozens of stories moved daily:
Ontario Ministry of Education cracks down on maskless 'learning pod'
LJI-ON-MINISTRY-ENFORCES-LEARNING-POD
The Ontario Ministry of Education has ordered the owners of the Niagara Alternative Learning Alliance to reduce their operation to only five children or face a $250,000 fine and potential jail time. The "learning pod" started hosting maskless, non-physically distanced classes in early January with as many as 50 children and another 15 volunteers in space rented at a former public school building in Virgil, Ont. 1,000 words. Evan Saunders/The Lake Report
----
Brampton councillors skip council meeting, allege democracy 'under siege’
LJI-ON-Brampton-democracy-under-siege
After more than two years of controversy that has shaken the foundation of local government, a majority of Brampton councillors have released an extraordinary joint statement warning that democracy in Brampton is “under siege.” Good governance and majority rule have disappeared, while Mayor Patrick Brown runs council like an “authoritarian” leader, they allege. The Ontario Ombudsman has now been called in to investigate. 4,500 words. Isaac Callan/The Pointer
----
Two decades and $30-million later, a B.C. mine proposal is officially dead
LJI-NWBC-Morrison Mine
B.C. rejected a proposed open-pit copper, gold and molybdenum mine for the second time Monday, spelling the likely end of a saga that lasted nearly 20 years, cost tens of millions of dollars and exposed flaws in B.C.’s environmental assessment process along the way. 2,800 words. Matt Simmon/The Narwhal
---
FROM AP:
The latest AP advisory is unavailable. This is the previous version.
———————————
ONLY ON AP
———————————
GEORGIA-SENATE-WALKER — Police in Irving, Texas, once confiscated a gun from Republican Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker following a domestic disturbance because the former football legend talked about having “a shoot-out with police.” The revelation was included in a 2001 police report that recently obtained by The Associated Press. The report states that Walker’s therapist called police because Walker was acting ”volatile” at the home of his estranged wife, who would soon file for divorce. Police say Walker had a gun with him. The incident adds another layer to Walker’s already turbulent personal history, which includes struggles with mental health and accusations that he repeatedly threatened his ex-wife. Walker’s campaign blamed the media for publicizing the account. By Brian Slodysko. SENT: 1,500 words, photos. An abridged version will be available.
THE AP INTERVIEW-VENEZUELA-OPPOSITION — Juan Guaidó, the leader of the U.S.-backed Venezuelan opposition speaks to The Associated Press days ahead of a rally in which he is expected to present the group’s latest plan to topple the heirs of Chavismo. The adversaries of President Nicolas Maduro will make their pitch as support for Guaido continues to erode inside and outside Venezuela three years after he proclaimed himself the legitimate leader of the troubled South American nation. UPCOMING: 1,000 words, photos by 5 p.m.
—————————
TOP STORIES
—————————
CONSUMER-PRICES — Inflation soared over the past year at its highest rate in four decades, hammering American consumers, wiping out pay raises and reinforcing the Federal Reserve’s decision to begin raising borrowing rates across the economy. The Labor Department said that consumer prices jumped 7.5% last month compared with a year earlier, the steepest year-over-year increase since February 1982. The acceleration of prices ranged across the economy, from food and furniture to apartment rents, airline fares and electricity. By Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber. SENT: 1,095 words, photos. WITH: CONSUMER-PRICES-EXPLAINER — Why US inflation is so high, and when it may ease. SENT: 1,040 words, photos. WITH: UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS — Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits for the third straight week. SENT: 305 words, photo.
DOPING-RUSSIA — Kamila Valieva, the 15-year-old Russian superstar who was expected to deliver her nation its third straight Olympic gold medal in women’s figure skating, practiced as usual, hours after reports that she tested positive for a banned substance. By Sports Writers Dave Skretta and Graham Dunbar. SENT: 1,070 words, photos. WITH: OLY-FIG-DOPING-RUSSIA-EXPLAINER — The drug behind Russia’s Olympic skating case. SENT: 860 words, photos. WITH: PAST DOPING CASES — Ben Johnson, Marion Jones highlight the most infamous Olympic doping cases. SENT: 635 words, photos.
UKRAINE TENSIONS — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the Ukraine crisis has grown into “the most dangerous moment” for Europe in decades, while his top diplomat held icy talks with her Moscow counterpart who said the Kremlin won’t accept lectures from the West. Amid the deadlock, Russian forces held sweeping maneuvers north of Ukraine in Belarus, part of a buildup of over 100,000 troops that has stoked Western fears of an invasion. By Vladimir Isachenkov. SENT: 1,075 words, photos. WITH: UKRAINE TENSIONS-PEACE DEAL-EXPLAINER — What are the key parts of Ukraine’s peace deal? SENT: 1,020 words, photos. WITH: UKRAINE-TENSIONS-THINGS-TO-KNOW. SENT: 930 words, photos.
For full coverage of Ukraine.
LOUISIANA-POLICE-DEATH-FEDERAL-PROBE — Louisiana’s House speaker announced a bipartisan legislative investigation into the deadly 2019 arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene, an inquiry that will examine the state’s response at “all levels,” from troopers to the governor. Republican Rep. Clay Schexnayder says he was responding to an Associated Press report that showed Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards was informed within hours that troopers arresting Greene engaged in a “violent, lengthy struggle,” yet he kept quiet as state police told a much different story to the victim’s family and in official reports: that Greene died in a crash after a chase. By Jim Mustian and Jake Bleiberg. SENT: 760 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CANADA-PROTESTS — The truck blockade by Canadians protesting the country’s COVID-19 restrictions is tightening the screws on the auto industry, forcing Ford, Toyota and General Motors to shut down plants or otherwise curtail production on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border. By Rob Gillies and Tom Krisher. SENT: 810 words, photos.
MED-VIRUS-OUTBREAK — As more places drop mask orders and other COVID-19 precautions, there’s new urgency in finding ways to protect up to 7 million Americans with severely weak immune systems. Vaccines don’t always work for people who are immune-compromised because of cancer, organ transplants or other conditions. There’s a new option, the first drug that promises to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection for six months. By Lauran Neergaard. SENT: 900 words, photos.
MED--VIRUS OUTBREAK-STILLBIRTHS — New research suggests the coronavirus can invade and destroy the placenta and lead to stillbirths in infected women. Pathologists in 12 countries, including the United States, analyzed placental and autopsy tissue from 64 stillbirths and four newborns who died shortly after birth. The cases all involved unvaccinated women who had COVID-19 during their pregnancy. By Lindsey Tanner. UPCOMING: 465 words, photos.
—————————————————-
MORE ON THE OLYMPICS
——————————————————-
OLY-MEN’S FREE SKATE — Nathan Chen followed his record short program at the Beijing Games with a near-perfect free skate that earned him a long-awaited Olympic gold medal. The 22-year-old star landed all five of his quads during his “Rocketman” program to finish with 332.60 points, just three off his own world record. He’s the first American champion since Evan Lysacek in 2010 in Vancouver. SENT: 990 words, photos. With OLY-OLYMPIC-RDP, BEIJING-OLYMPICS-THE LATEST (both sent).
OLY-SKI-MEN'S-COMBINED — Austrian skier Johannes Strolz won the Olympic gold medal in the Alpine combined race just like his father did more than three decades ago. The 29-year-old Strolz was fourth fastest after the downhill run but was half a second quicker than anyone else in the slalom. SENT: 870 words, photos.
OLY-SBD-WOMEN’S HALFPIPE — American snowboarder Chloe Kim turned in a strong opening run to win gold, easily defending her Olympic halfpipe title. By National Writer Eddie Pells. SENT: 930 words, photos.
OLY-SKI-SHIFFRIN-RESETS AGAIN — Mikaela Shiffrin’s long history of success is a big reason that her two-immediate-mistakes-in-two-races start to the Beijing Olympics is so difficult for everyone to comprehend, including her. By National Writer Howard Fendrich. SENT: 840 words, photos.
OLY-CHINA-GOES BIG — Beijing’s Winter Olympics remind us of how everything in China is big, bigger — and even bigger. SENT: 1,120 words, photos.
OLY-GLIMPSES-COVID SCARE — Glimpses at Olympics, images from one visitor’s COVID scare. SENT: 250 words, photos.
OLY-WHAT-TO-WATCH — Mixed team snowboardcross is a variation on that chaotic event that is making its Olympic debut this year. SENT: 495 words, photos.
BLUR-PHOTO GALLERY — Olympic pursuits of glory, captured in a blur. SENT: 270 words, photos.
———————————————————————-
MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
————————————————————————
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEVADA — Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak says the state will no longer require face coverings in public places, “effective immediately.” SENT: 750 words.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-AFRICA — Africa is moving to the “control phase” of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased vaccination rates will be crucial in helping the continent live with the disease, the World Health Organization’s Africa director Matshidiso Moeti said. SENT: 545 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-EUROPE-PROTESTS — Authorities in France and Belgium banned road blockades threatened by groups organizing online against COVID-19 restrictions, in part inspired by protesters in Canada. SENT: 595 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW ZEALAND PROTESTS — Police arrested dozens of protesters who were camped out on the grounds of New Zealand’s Parliament on the third day of a convoy protest against coronavirus mandates. SENT: 520 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SOUTH KOREA — South Korea will begin offering Novavax Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine at hospitals, nursing homes and public health centers next week, officials say, adding another tool to fight a fast-developing omicron surge. SENT: 330 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ZIMBABWE-TEACHERS-STRIKE — A teachers’ strike has paralyzed learning at many Zimbabwean schools, which opened this week after a prolonged closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SENT: 760 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TONGA — Coronavirus cases continue to rise rapidly in Tonga, and tests have confirmed that the particularly contagious omicron variant is behind the isolated Pacific island nation’s first community outbreak since the start of the pandemic, officials say. SENT: 440 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-JAPAN — Japan has granted fast-track approval to U.S. drug maker Pfizer Inc.’s COVID-19 pill as the country struggles to slow fast-spreading omicron infections. SENT: 270 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-PHILIPPINES — The Philippines lifted a nearly two-year ban on foreign travelers in a boost for its tourism and related industries as an omicron-fueled surge eases. SENT: 380 words, photos.
————————————
TRENDING NEWS
————————————-
PALIN-NY-TIMES — Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has compared The New York Times to “Goliath” and herself to “David” in their dispute over a 2017 editorial. SENT: 455 words, photo.
STOLEN-BEES -- Nearly 60,000 bees have been stolen from a grocery store company’s field in Pennsylvania. SENT: 145 words.
BRITAIN-PRINCE CHARLES — Royal officials say Britain’s Prince Charles has tested positive for COVID-19 and is self-isolating. SENT: 205 words, photos.
RUSSIA-ART-VANDAL — A Russian gallery says one of its security guards has vandalized an avant-garde painting on loan from the country’s top art repository by drawing eyes on the picture’s deliberately featureless faces. SENT: 180 words.
AMERICAN-IDOL-CONTESTANT-DEADLY-CRASH — An arrest warrant states that marijuana was involved in a deadly South Carolina crash in which a former “American Idol” contestant has been charged with driving under the influence. SENT: 400 words, photo.
RESCUE-TRAINING-TURNED-REAL — A training session on water rescues turned real for firefighters in suburban St. Louis when the crews sprang into action to save two teenagers. SENT: 110 words.
ICE FISHING-PROSTITUTION-COMMENT — The mayor of an upscale city outside Cleveland has raised eyebrows nationally for his comment at a recent City Council meeting that allowing ice fishing from shanties could lead to prostitution. SENT: 230 words.
FLIGHT-DISRUPTIVE-PASSENGER — Officials say a disruptive passenger prompted a flight from New York to Florida to divert to a North Carolina airport. SENT: 240 words.
—————————————————-
WASHINGTON/POLITICS
——————————————————
CONGRESS-SEXUAL-HARASSMENT — Congress gave final approval to legislation guaranteeing that people who experience sexual harassment at work can seek recourse in the courts, a milestone for the #MeToo movement that prompted a national reckoning on the way sexual misconduct claims are handled. SENT: 740 words, photos.
WHITE HOUSE-BLACK HISTORY — The six Black members of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet are meeting for a Black History Month event highlighting their roles in the administration, some of which are historic firsts. Actor Taraji P. Henson and athletes Sloane Stephens and Nneka Ogwumike will also be on hand for a separate discussion of the importance of mental health and wellness in the Black community. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 4 p.m.
SUPREME COURT-BIDEN-JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE — President Biden has already made history by nominating more public defenders, civil rights attorneys and nonprofit lawyers to the federal bench during his first year in office than past presidents. He’s increasing not just the racial and gender diversity of the federal judiciary but the range of its professional expertise as well. SENT: 1,110 words, photo.
BIDEN — Biden tries to jump-start progress on his stalled domestic agenda by refocusing attention on one of his most popular proposals, limiting the cost of prescription drugs. SENT: 380 words, photo. UPCOMING: 700 words after 12:30 p.m. event.
BIDEN-ELECTRIC VEHICLES — States are being given the go-ahead to build a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations that would place new or upgraded stations every 50 miles along interstate highways, part of the Biden administration’s plan to spur widespread adoption of the zero-emission cars. SENT: 730 words, photos.
ELECTION 2022-REPUBLICANS — A rift over the Republican National Committee’s vote to censure former President Donald Trump’s House GOP critics exposes the competing forces fighting to control the party. For most Republicans, the choice heading into the midterm elections is clear: Either you’re with Trump or against him. By National Politics Writer Steve Peoples. SENT: 970 words, photo.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES-TRUMP RECORDS — A House committee is investigating whether former President Donald Trump violated the Presidential Records Act, after boxes of presidential records were discovered at his Florida estate and a news report surfaced of him destroying documents while in office. SENT: 560 words, photo.
CAPITOL RIOT-100 SENTENCINGS — A Seattle man who punched two police officers during last year’s riot at the U.S. Capitol is scheduled to be sentenced. Mark Leffingwell, a 52-year-old military veteran, will be at least the 100th person to be sentenced after pleading guilty to a Capitol riot-related charge, according to an Associated Press review of court records. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 4 p.m.
CRIMINAL-JUSTICE-REFORMS-GOP — Virginia Democrats who have fought for criminal justice and police reforms since 2020 are worried that their progress could be rolled back by the new Republican majority in the House of Delegates. After George Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis police sparked months of protests around the country, Virginia’s then-Democrat-led legislature passed a law banning the use of chokeholds and no-knock search warrants. The state also repealed its death penalty. But Republicans are now in a position to potentially overturn some of the reforms. SENT: 995 words, photos.
—————————
NATIONAL
—————————
MLK-WEDDING-HOUSE -- A little-known but important piece of American history stands vacant on a two-lane highway in rural western Alabama. It’s the house where Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott were married in 1953. There’s no sign or historical marker on the property. The home is in disrepair and isn’t open to visitors. Yet a preservationist says it should be remembered as part of the legacy of a great American family. SENT: 830 words, photos.
VACANT-HOMES-FIREFIGHTERS — Vacant homes that dot the urban and rural landscape across the U.S. pose an especially high risk for firefighters because many are unsound even before catching fire. Last month, one St. Louis firefighter and three in Baltimore died when vacant homes collapsed during fires. Now, St. Louis fire leaders are doing an inventory of every vacant home — all 10,000 of them — with plans to develop a database available on each fire truck. SENT: 915 words, photos.
NORTHWEST-HEAT-WAVE — After a historic heat wave killed at least 220 people in Oregon and Washington, lawmakers in the Pacific Northwest are eyeing several emergency heat relief bills aimed at helping vulnerable people. The measures would provide millions in funding for cooling systems and weather shelters during future extreme weather events. SENT: 840 words, photos.
SAN FRANCISCO-SCHOOL BOARD RECALL — A seemingly endless amount of drama, name-calling, lawsuits and outrage from parents have made the saga of San Francisco’s school board a riveting pandemic sideshow. SENT: 1,060 words, photos.
GEORGE FLOYD-OFFICERS-CIVIL RIGHTS —A Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension forensic scientist is testifying at the federal trial of three former officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights. SENT: 610 words, photos.
KKK LEADER-CAMPUS BUILDING — The University of Alabama is reconsidering its decision last week to retain the name of a one-time governor who led the Ku Klux Klan on a campus building while adding the name of the school’s first Black student. SENT: 540 words, photo.
———————————-
INTERNATIONAL
———————————-
ASYLUM-MEXICAN-VISAS — For nationalities that don’t need a visa, Mexico is often the ticket to seeking asylum in the United States. They fly to the U.S. border, walk across in broad daylight and surrender to agents. In doing so, they escape the Biden administration’s sweeping restrictions on seeking humanitarian protection. But Mexico is increasingly restricting visitors, making it more difficult and dangerous to reach the border. UPCOMING: 1,365 words, photos by 4 p.m.
SYRIA-YAZIDI IN EXILE — She was 11 years old when she was abducted, along with thousands of others when Islamic State militants overran her hometown of Sinjar in northwestern Iraq. Since then, Roza Barakat has been afraid to go home, fearing her community would not accept her. Her story mirrors the plight of many Yazidi women enslaved by IS, who came of age during wartime and for whom liberation has spurred an identity crisis. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.
INDIA-POLITICS OF RELIGION — The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, seeking re-election in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, are casting the neglected town of Ayodhya as a blueprint for Hindu-first politics and economic prosperity. SENT: 1,230 words, photos.
INDIA-HIJAB-CONTROVERSY — A court in a southern Indian state told students not to wear any religious clothing until it delivers a verdict on petitions seeking to overturn a ban on hijabs, headscarves used by Muslim women. SENT: 410 words, photos.
LIBYA — Libya’s east-based parliament has appointed a new prime minister, a development that counters U.N. efforts to reconcile the divided country and one that will likely produce two parallel administrations. SENT: 480 words, photos.
—————————————-
HEALTH & SCIENCE
——————————————
MED--OPIOID PRESCRIBING GUIDELINES — The nation’s top public health agency has proposed changing — and in some instances, softening — guidelines for U.S. doctors prescribing oxycodone and other opioid painkillers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s previous guidance, issued six years ago, helped slow the kind of prescribing that ignited the worst overdose epidemic in U.S. history. But it also caused some doctors to become too quick to cut off patients taking prescription painkillers and too strict in keeping the drugs from patients who might benefit, CDC officials said. SENT: 620 words, photos.
CLIMATE-CHANGE-NUCLEAR POWER-TVA — The largest public power company in the United States is launching a program to develop and fund new small modular nuclear reactors as part of its strategy to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The board for the Tennessee Valley Authority authorized the program, with up to $200 million to be spent for the first phase. UPCOMING: 775 words by 5 p.m.
FRANCE-MONTAGNIER-OBIT — French researcher Luc Montagnier, who won a Nobel Prize in 2008 for discovering the HIV virus and more recently spread false claims about the coronavirus, has died at age 89. SENT: 500 words, photos.
————————————————
BUSINESS/ECONOMY
————————————————
FINANCIAL MARKETS — Stocks edged lower as expectations build that the Federal Reserve will have to get more aggressive about removing the support it’s given the economy. SENT: 745 words, photo.
TWITTER-RESULTS — Twitter’s stock is rising after it posted strong revenue growth last year and announced a $4 billion share buyback program. That’s despite posting a loss in 2021 and missing analysts’ expectations on user growth in the fourth quarter. The San Francisco-based company said that revenue increased 37%, to $5.08 billion, compared with 2020. SENT: 390 words, photo.
—————————————
ENTERTAINMENT
————————————-
SUPER-BOWL-PERFORMERS — Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg said the NFL was late embracing hip-hop and vowed that their Super Bowl halftime show would open more doors for the genre. SENT: 350 words, photos.
MUSIC-ACM-NOMINATIONS — Country star Chris Young combined his skills as an artist and a producer to earn seven nominations at the Academy of Country Music Awards, including album of the year and single of the year. SENT: 290 words, photo.
——————-
SPORTS
——————-
BKN-NETS-76ERS TRADE — The Philadelphia 76ers have traded Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets for James Harden as part of a multi-team deal. The trade was confirmed by multiple people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced. SENT: 460 words, photo. With BKN-NBA-TRADE-DEADLINE — The NBA trade deadline is Thursday afternoon. With the Lakers struggling, Russell Westbrook's name continues to be thrown out in possible deals, but other reliable players might be on the move. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 6 p.m.
BBO-LOCKOUT — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says spring training remains on hold because of a management lockout and his goal is to reach a labor contract that allows opening day as scheduled on March 31. With the second-longest work stoppage in baseball history stretching into its 71st day, Manfred said teams will make a new offer when negotiations resume Saturday for just the fifth economic bargaining session since the five-year labor contract expired. Spring training workouts had been scheduled to start on Feb. 16. SENT: 750 words, photos.
FBN-SUPER-BOWL-WITHOUT-WOODS — Robert Woods is missing the Super Bowl for the Los Angeles Rams after tearing a ligament in his knee last November. The injury deprived the Rams of a cornerstone of their offense for all five seasons of coach Sean McVay’s tenure. Woods also grieved the death of his father last month, but the veteran receiver has come to terms with the enormous changes in his life. He will be able to watch Sunday’s game from the sideline knowing the Rams needed him to get to this stage, even if he can’t join them for the final act. SENT: 830 words, photos.
——————————————
The Canadian Press
