US & World Archives

Senate confirms retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as nation’s 1st Black secretary of defense

January 22, 2021 9:05 AM Associated Press

WASHINGTON, DC — Lloyd J. Austin, a West Point graduate who rose to the Army’s elite ranks and marched through racial barriers in a 41-year…

Mega Millions jackpot is $970 million, but odds of winning it are 1 in 302.5 million

January 22, 2021 8:24 AM CNN Newsource

The Mega Millions jackpot — drawing Friday night — is worth a staggering $970 million. It’s also highly, highly unlikely that…

This couple married for 70 years were scheduled to get the Covid-19 vaccine, but died from the virus before their appointment

January 22, 2021 6:20 AM CNN Newsource

Childhood sweethearts who were inseparable during their 70 years of marriage died of Covid-19 while holding hands in an Ohio hospital, their family…

Foreign fighters were meant to leave Libya this week. A huge trench being dug by Russian-backed mercenaries indicates they plan to stay

January 22, 2021 5:57 AM CNN

Construction on an enormous trench across Libya, dug by Russian-backed mercenaries Wagner, is raising fears that foreign fighters will not withdraw…

People are stepping up to help the seniors in their lives navigate the vaccine sign-up process

January 22, 2021 5:31 AM CNN Newsource

For Caroline Brant, attempting to get a vaccine appointment for her in-laws in Pennsylvania felt like trying to “win a seat at the big…

Evacuation order lifted after residents of Washington State town were told to flee due to explosion threat

January 22, 2021 2:32 AM CNN Newsource

Residents of a Washington State town were told to flee Thursday night due to the threat of a potential explosion, but the order was lifted early…

Residents of Washington State town told to evacuate due to the threat of an explosion

January 22, 2021 2:05 AM CNN Newsource

A fire in a Washington State town has forced residents to flee the area due to the threat of a potential explosion. Local police and fire agencies…

Four people charged in Portland after demonstrators vandalized federal ICE building, Democratic Party state headquarters

January 22, 2021 2:00 AM CNN Newsource

Demonstrators in Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday vandalized the state Democratic Party headquarters and a federal US Immigration and Customs…

‘The Simpsons’ seemed to get it right again — by predicting part of the inauguration

January 22, 2021 12:01 AM CNN Newsource

First things first: No, “The Simpsons” cannot actually predict the future. Yet, as the longest-running sitcom in US history, the timeless…

Death toll in twin suicide bombings in Baghdad rises to at least 32 dead, 110 wounded

January 21, 2021 3:14 AM Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Officials say twin suicide bombings have ripped through a busy market in Iraq’s capital, killing at least 32 people and wounding…

Biden order halts border wall work after Trump surge

January 21, 2021 11:26 PM Associated Press

WASHINGTON, DC — President Joe Biden has ordered a “pause” on all border wall construction within a week, one of 17 executive orders issued on…

January 21 coronavirus news

January 21, 2021 9:58 PM CNN Newsource

THE VIRUS OUTBREAK: — Expert panel says both China and the WHO should have acted faster to prevent the pandemic — Surging infections…

Canada’s governor general steps down after employees accuse her of creating a ‘toxic’ workplace

January 21, 2021 7:51 PM CNN Newsource

Julie Payette, a former Canadian astronaut and the country’s governor general since 2017, announced she would step down Thursday after she was…

Bernie Sanders, Gaga’s outfit and other meme-able Inauguration moments. (But mostly Bernie)

January 21, 2021 7:30 PM CNN

WASHINGTON, DC — It’s time to admit that making jokes about sacred historical moments like inaugurations is just part of our way of…

Texas doctor charged with stealing a vial of Covid-19 vaccine

January 21, 2021 7:01 PM CNN Newsource

HOUSTON, Texas — A public health doctor in Texas has been charged with stealing a vial of Covid-19 vaccine, according to the Harris County…

Florida man accused of being in Capitol riots was arrested at the inauguration, Justice Department says

January 21, 2021 6:36 PM CNN Newsource

A Florida man knew he was wanted by authorities for being at the US Capitol riots but returned to Washington, DC, to attend the inauguration, the…

Fauci returns to White House briefing room under Biden, calls it ‘liberating’

January 21, 2021 3:00 PM ABC News, CNN

WASHINGTON, DC — The nation’s top expert on infectious diseases and President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci offered a glimmer…

Congress passes waiver for Biden Pentagon pick Lloyd Austin, clearing path to confirmation

January 21, 2021 3:23 PM Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has sent President Biden the first bill that he’ll sign into law, a measure to allow retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as…

House approves waiver for Biden Pentagon pick Lloyd Austin, moving him step closer to confirmation

January 21, 2021 2:11 PM Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is moving quickly to install retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as President Joe Biden’s secretary of defense. The House on…

Biden rolls out national plan to fight virus, including mask mandate

January 21, 2021 11:56 AM ABC News, Associated Press

WASHINGTON, DC — A day after being sworn in, President Joe Biden rolled out a national strategy Thursday to fight Covid-19, reopen the nation’s…

Biden signs executive orders on COVID-19 response, authorizes broader use of Defense Production Act to speed vaccine

January 21, 2021 1:05 PM Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is putting into play his national Covid-19 strategy to ramp up vaccinations and testing, reopen schools and…

Florida tries to cut down on ‘vaccine tourism’ after vaccinating tens of thousands from out-of-state

January 21, 2021 1:00 PM CNN Newsource

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state’s Covid-19 vaccines should only be administered to residents who live in the state either part-time or…

3 National Guard soldiers killed in helicopter crash in New York state

January 21, 2021 12:53 PM CNN Newsource

Three New York National Guard soldiers were killed Wednesday night when their helicopter crashed while on a routine training mission in upstate New…

Newly discovered giant galaxies dwarf the Milky Way

January 21, 2021 12:52 PM CNN Newsource

Our universe may be filled with unseen giants. Astronomers have discovered two giant radio galaxies, which are some of the largest-known objects in…

In Biden’s Oval Office, Cesar Chavez takes his place among America’s heroes

January 21, 2021 12:41 PM CNN Newsource

The Oval Office décor quickly changed after President Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday. Walls featuring figures such as Andrew Jackson…

The religious books used during the swearing-ins — and the symbolism behind them

January 21, 2021 11:43 AM CNN Newsource

There were a number of notable swearings-in on Wednesday (though the President’s oath arguably received the most attention). Aware of the…

At least 8 arrested as Portland protesters vandalize ICE building, Democratic Party headquarters

January 21, 2021 10:59 AM CNN Newsource

PORTLAND, Oregon — Demonstrators in Portland on Wednesday night vandalized the state Democratic Party headquarters and a federal U.S.…

Biden administration to seek 5-year extension of nuclear arms treaty with Russia

January 21, 2021 10:44 AM Associated Press

WASHINGTON, DC — The White House says President Joe Biden has proposed to Russia a five-year extension of a nuclear arms treaty that is otherwise…

Powerball jackpot winner worth $731.1M sold in Maryland

January 21, 2021 7:55 AM Associated Press

(Editor’s note: Winning numbers for Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing were: 40-53-60-68-69 and a Powerball of 22.) LONACONING, Maryland — The…

One ticket sold in Maryland wins $731.1 million Powerball jackpot

January 21, 2021 9:17 AM CNN Newsource

One ticket sold in Maryland hit the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot in history on Wednesday night. The winning ticket, sold at the Coney Market in…