(CNN)As state leaders clamored for more Covid-19 vaccine doses, Joe Biden became President on Wednesday with an eye toward changing approaches to the pandemic that has in the US.Some state officials say they as the federal government reports distributing and the demand for the vaccine is . Georgia, for example, reports adequate staff, volunteers and infrastructure but not enough doses."We've been getting about 80,000 doses a week, and that's not much for a state with 11 million people," Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey said Tuesday.Biden, meanwhile, has...…(CNN)As state leaders clamored for more Covid-19 vaccine doses, Joe Biden became President on Wednesday with an eye toward changing approaches to the pandemic that has in the US.Some state officials say they as the federal government reports distributing and the demand for the vaccine is . Georgia, for example, reports adequate staff, volunteers and infrastructure but not enough doses."We've been getting about 80,000 doses a week, and that's not much for a state with 11 million people," Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey said Tuesday.Biden, meanwhile, has...WW…

Washington (CNN)Trying to pick the most notable lies from Donald Trump's presidency is like trying to pick the most notable pieces of junk from the town dump. There's just so much ugly garbage to sift through before you can make a decision. But I'm qualified for the dirty job. I fact checked every word uttered by this President from his inauguration day in January 2017 until September 2020 -- when the daily number of lies got so unmanageably high that I had to start taking a pass on some of his remarks to preserve my health.Trump got even worse after November 3. Since then, he has spent the...…Washington (CNN)Trying to pick the most notable lies from Donald Trump's presidency is like trying to pick the most notable pieces of junk from the town dump. There's just so much ugly garbage to sift through before you can make a decision. But I'm qualified for the dirty job. I fact checked every word uttered by this President from his inauguration day in January 2017 until September 2020 -- when the daily number of lies got so unmanageably high that I had to start taking a pass on some of his remarks to preserve my health.Trump got even worse after November 3. Since then, he has spent the...WW…

(CNN)Forty-three people died and 10 were rescued after a boat carrying West African migrants capsized off the Libyan coast on Tuesday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR said in a Wednesday statement.This is the first migrant shipwreck of the year 2021, the UNHCR said.The boat left the northwestern Libyan city of Zawya early Tuesday and reportedly capsized a few hours after departing due to bad sea conditions and when the engine stopped, the UNHCR said.The people who died were all men from West African countries, the UNHCR added."Survivors, mainly from Cote...…(CNN)Forty-three people died and 10 were rescued after a boat carrying West African migrants capsized off the Libyan coast on Tuesday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR said in a Wednesday statement.This is the first migrant shipwreck of the year 2021, the UNHCR said.The boat left the northwestern Libyan city of Zawya early Tuesday and reportedly capsized a few hours after departing due to bad sea conditions and when the engine stopped, the UNHCR said.The people who died were all men from West African countries, the UNHCR added."Survivors, mainly from Cote...WW…

(CNN)President Joe Biden said Wednesday that former President Donald Trump left him a "very generous letter" before . Biden, speaking from the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office after signing , said he would not immediately reveal the contents of the letter out of respect for Trump."The President wrote a very generous letter," Biden told reporters. "Because it was private, I will not talk about it until I talk to him, but it was generous." A senior Trump aide described the letter to CNN as a "personal note" that prays for the success of the country and the new administration to care for the...…(CNN)President Joe Biden said Wednesday that former President Donald Trump left him a "very generous letter" before . Biden, speaking from the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office after signing , said he would not immediately reveal the contents of the letter out of respect for Trump."The President wrote a very generous letter," Biden told reporters. "Because it was private, I will not talk about it until I talk to him, but it was generous." A senior Trump aide described the letter to CNN as a "personal note" that prays for the success of the country and the new administration to care for the...WW…

(CNN)The has a special message for IT folks who know where to look -- and it could lead to a job with the government.The Biden administration updated the Wednesday once .Eagle-eyed Twitter users quickly spotted a comment tag in the site's source code that says "<!-- If you're reading this, we need your help building back better. https://usds.gov/apply →"Comment tags . Developers often use them to leave instructions or explanations for people who might need to edit the code in the future.The link in the comment directs people to the hiring page of the US Digital Service, which is working to...…(CNN)The has a special message for IT folks who know where to look -- and it could lead to a job with the government.The Biden administration updated the Wednesday once .Eagle-eyed Twitter users quickly spotted a comment tag in the site's source code that says "<!-- If you're reading this, we need your help building back better. https://usds.gov/apply →"Comment tags . Developers often use them to leave instructions or explanations for people who might need to edit the code in the future.The link in the comment directs people to the hiring page of the US Digital Service, which is working to...WW…

(CNN)President-elect Joe Biden, who plans to make the coronavirus pandemic his top priority, will begin his presidency by asking Americans to wear masks for 100 days and requiring their use on federal property.His first executive order, the "100 Days Masking Challenge," will symbolize the administration's sharp turn from the Trump era by emphasizing recommendations by public health experts. A president cannot tell states or cities what to do, but a federal mandate will affect federal offices and federal lands and will urge states to do the same.Biden Inauguration"This executive action will...…(CNN)President-elect Joe Biden, who plans to make the coronavirus pandemic his top priority, will begin his presidency by asking Americans to wear masks for 100 days and requiring their use on federal property.His first executive order, the "100 Days Masking Challenge," will symbolize the administration's sharp turn from the Trump era by emphasizing recommendations by public health experts. A president cannot tell states or cities what to do, but a federal mandate will affect federal offices and federal lands and will urge states to do the same.Biden Inauguration"This executive action will...WW…

By , , Melissa Macaya, Mike Hayes, and , CNN 11:42 a.m. ET, January 20, 202118 PostsPresident Trump just walked out of the White House. He's on his way to Joint Base Andrews, where he's expected to have a  at the base before one last presidential flight to Palm Beach.Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at a send-off ceremony at the base. Watch the moment Trump leaves the White House:A source close to Vice President Mike Pence said he said his final goodbye to President Trump yesterday and is not expected to be at the White House this morning as Trump departs. He's also not expected to...…By , , Melissa Macaya, Mike Hayes, and , CNN 11:42 a.m. ET, January 20, 202118 PostsPresident Trump just walked out of the White House. He's on his way to Joint Base Andrews, where he's expected to have a  at the base before one last presidential flight to Palm Beach.Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at a send-off ceremony at the base. Watch the moment Trump leaves the White House:A source close to Vice President Mike Pence said he said his final goodbye to President Trump yesterday and is not expected to be at the White House this morning as Trump departs. He's also not expected to...WW…

Rob Picheta and Saskya Vandoorne, CNN • Updated 20th January 2021(CNN) — Plant-based options have grown in popularity.ShutterstockRelated content…Rob Picheta and Saskya Vandoorne, CNN • Updated 20th January 2021(CNN) — Plant-based options have grown in popularity.ShutterstockRelated contentWW…

(CNN)The sale of the WNBA's Atlanta Dream -- co-owned by outgoing US Sen. Kelly Loeffler -- is close to being finalized, a league spokesperson told CNN on Tuesday. The news of the sale was first reported by .Loeffler, who in the historic Georgia senatorial runoff earlier this month, is a Republican who previously caused controversy in the WNBA by saying she doesn't support the Black Lives Matter movement. She also called for the depoliticization of professional sports. Warnock is scheduled to be sworn in as a US senator on Wednesday."As it relates to the Atlanta Dream, we understand a sale...…(CNN)The sale of the WNBA's Atlanta Dream -- co-owned by outgoing US Sen. Kelly Loeffler -- is close to being finalized, a league spokesperson told CNN on Tuesday. The news of the sale was first reported by .Loeffler, who in the historic Georgia senatorial runoff earlier this month, is a Republican who previously caused controversy in the WNBA by saying she doesn't support the Black Lives Matter movement. She also called for the depoliticization of professional sports. Warnock is scheduled to be sworn in as a US senator on Wednesday."As it relates to the Atlanta Dream, we understand a sale...WW…

Hong Kong (CNN Business) just made his first public appearance in months as his tech empire continues to from Chinese regulators. The billionaire co-founder of resurfaced Wednesday, in a video published by Chinese state media. He was shown speaking to teachers in rural China as part of a philanthropic event. The video was published online by , a subsidiary of the Zhejiang government's official newspaper. Zhejiang province is home to Hangzhou, the city where Alibaba is based. Ma had not made a public appearance or social media post since late October, just over a week before Alibaba's...…Hong Kong (CNN Business) just made his first public appearance in months as his tech empire continues to from Chinese regulators. The billionaire co-founder of resurfaced Wednesday, in a video published by Chinese state media. He was shown speaking to teachers in rural China as part of a philanthropic event. The video was published online by , a subsidiary of the Zhejiang government's official newspaper. Zhejiang province is home to Hangzhou, the city where Alibaba is based. Ma had not made a public appearance or social media post since late October, just over a week before Alibaba's...WW…

Madrid (CNN)At least two people were killed and several injured Wednesday in an explosion caused by a suspected gas leak in the heart of the Spanish capital, Madrid, according to the city's mayor.The blast, which occurred in a building on Toledo Street, caused widespread damage, according to video footage tweeted out by the Madrid city hall emergency information service, Emergencias Madrid.Images from the scene showed a section of exterior wall had been torn off several floors of the building, leaving rooms exposed to view. Debris covered parked vehicles and the street below, and a mangled...…Madrid (CNN)At least two people were killed and several injured Wednesday in an explosion caused by a suspected gas leak in the heart of the Spanish capital, Madrid, according to the city's mayor.The blast, which occurred in a building on Toledo Street, caused widespread damage, according to video footage tweeted out by the Madrid city hall emergency information service, Emergencias Madrid.Images from the scene showed a section of exterior wall had been torn off several floors of the building, leaving rooms exposed to view. Debris covered parked vehicles and the street below, and a mangled...WW…

New York (CNN Business)Joe Biden will be sworn in as president at noon Wednesday. During his campaign, he made sweeping promises to restore the economy and speed up the recovery from the pandemic. Here are some of the policies he plans to institute to get Americans back to work, boost the number of jobs, increase racial equity and raise taxes, with an aim of reopening the economy.Biden's plan for Day One, as detailed on , aims at getting the Covid-19 crisis under control. It calls for doubling the number of drive-thru testing sites around the nation, investing in at-home tests and hiring at...…New York (CNN Business)Joe Biden will be sworn in as president at noon Wednesday. During his campaign, he made sweeping promises to restore the economy and speed up the recovery from the pandemic. Here are some of the policies he plans to institute to get Americans back to work, boost the number of jobs, increase racial equity and raise taxes, with an aim of reopening the economy.Biden's plan for Day One, as detailed on , aims at getting the Covid-19 crisis under control. It calls for doubling the number of drive-thru testing sites around the nation, investing in at-home tests and hiring at...WW…

Washington (CNN)President-elect Joe Biden will direct the Department of Education Wednesday to extend the and interest. Borrowers will not have to make payments until October 1 at the earliest, extending the already unprecedented pause on payments by eight months. When the economy began to shut down in response to the pandemic in March, Congress passed a sweeping relief bill that automatically suspended student loan payments and waived interest. The benefit was originally set to expire in September, but was administration until January 31. Both the pause on payments and interest waiver is...…Washington (CNN)President-elect Joe Biden will direct the Department of Education Wednesday to extend the and interest. Borrowers will not have to make payments until October 1 at the earliest, extending the already unprecedented pause on payments by eight months. When the economy began to shut down in response to the pandemic in March, Congress passed a sweeping relief bill that automatically suspended student loan payments and waived interest. The benefit was originally set to expire in September, but was administration until January 31. Both the pause on payments and interest waiver is...WW…

(CNN)era in Washington is over. The all-consuming, camera-hungry, truth-starved era that fixated the nation and exposed its darkest recesses officially concludes at noon Wednesday. The President, , ended his time in the capital a few hours early to spare himself the humiliation of "We will be back in some form," Trump told a modest crowd of supporters who gathered to see him off at Joint Base Andrews. "So have a good life. We will see you soon."As Air Force One lifted off for a final time with Trump aboard, Frank Sinatra's "My Way" blared in the background.He departed a meant to prevent a...…(CNN)era in Washington is over. The all-consuming, camera-hungry, truth-starved era that fixated the nation and exposed its darkest recesses officially concludes at noon Wednesday. The President, , ended his time in the capital a few hours early to spare himself the humiliation of "We will be back in some form," Trump told a modest crowd of supporters who gathered to see him off at Joint Base Andrews. "So have a good life. We will see you soon."As Air Force One lifted off for a final time with Trump aboard, Frank Sinatra's "My Way" blared in the background.He departed a meant to prevent a...WW…

(CNN)China is rushing to build a massive quarantine camp that can house more than 4,000 people, after an outbreak of this month that has left tens of millions of people under strict lockdown. The quarantine camp is located on the outskirts of Shijiazhuang, the provincial capital of Hebei province, which surrounds the country's capital, Beijing. China has largely contained the spread of the virus, with much of the country returning to normal. However, a sudden rise in cases has alarmed officials and raised concerns ahead of the Lunar New Year, the county's most important annual festival,...…(CNN)China is rushing to build a massive quarantine camp that can house more than 4,000 people, after an outbreak of this month that has left tens of millions of people under strict lockdown. The quarantine camp is located on the outskirts of Shijiazhuang, the provincial capital of Hebei province, which surrounds the country's capital, Beijing. China has largely contained the spread of the virus, with much of the country returning to normal. However, a sudden rise in cases has alarmed officials and raised concerns ahead of the Lunar New Year, the county's most important annual festival,...WW…

(CNN)The historic run of dry weather has been one for the record books across the Western US, but now forecasts show some much needed relief is on the way.Over 70% of the Southwest is in grip of . In Las Vegas, for example, rain has only fallen on two occasions over the past 273 days. And Phoenix has endured a historic run of heat and drought, recording its fewest annual number of rainy days on record in 2020 at just 15 days.Now, a significant pattern change is expected to introduce much needed wet weather to the region.On the heels of this week's , which brought hurricane force winds to...…(CNN)The historic run of dry weather has been one for the record books across the Western US, but now forecasts show some much needed relief is on the way.Over 70% of the Southwest is in grip of . In Las Vegas, for example, rain has only fallen on two occasions over the past 273 days. And Phoenix has endured a historic run of heat and drought, recording its fewest annual number of rainy days on record in 2020 at just 15 days.Now, a significant pattern change is expected to introduce much needed wet weather to the region.On the heels of this week's , which brought hurricane force winds to...WW…

Hong Kong (CNN Business) just made his first public appearance in months as his tech empire continues to from Chinese regulators. The billionaire co-founder of resurfaced Wednesday in a video published online by , a subsidiary of the Zhejiang government's official newspaper. Zhejiang province is home to Hangzhou, the city where Alibaba is based. Ma had not made a public appearance or social media post since late October, just over a week before Alibaba financial affiliate Ant Group was scheduled to list on Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges. The IPO was by Chinese regulators, and his...…Hong Kong (CNN Business) just made his first public appearance in months as his tech empire continues to from Chinese regulators. The billionaire co-founder of resurfaced Wednesday in a video published online by , a subsidiary of the Zhejiang government's official newspaper. Zhejiang province is home to Hangzhou, the city where Alibaba is based. Ma had not made a public appearance or social media post since late October, just over a week before Alibaba financial affiliate Ant Group was scheduled to list on Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges. The IPO was by Chinese regulators, and his...WW…

(CNN)A Boston-based political scientist and author has been arrested and charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent of the Iranian government. Federal prosecutors said Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi, 63, was to make an initial appearance in US District Court in Massachusetts Tuesday after his arrest one day earlier at his home in Watertown on charges of conspiracy to act as an unregistered foreign agent and acting as a foreign agent without registration. CNN has reached out to an attorney for Afrasiabi for comment. A criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday in federal court in Brooklyn said...…(CNN)A Boston-based political scientist and author has been arrested and charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent of the Iranian government. Federal prosecutors said Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi, 63, was to make an initial appearance in US District Court in Massachusetts Tuesday after his arrest one day earlier at his home in Watertown on charges of conspiracy to act as an unregistered foreign agent and acting as a foreign agent without registration. CNN has reached out to an attorney for Afrasiabi for comment. A criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday in federal court in Brooklyn said...WW…

(CNN)Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving bought a house for the family of George Floyd, who died last year at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.Former NBA player Stephen Jackson, who was a close friend of Floyd's, discussed the gift and the outpouring of support for Floyd's , on podcast.Floyd, who was Black, died in May after former police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his . Chauvin is on charges of second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers were fired and also face charges in connection with the incident.Floyd's death across the...…(CNN)Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving bought a house for the family of George Floyd, who died last year at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.Former NBA player Stephen Jackson, who was a close friend of Floyd's, discussed the gift and the outpouring of support for Floyd's , on podcast.Floyd, who was Black, died in May after former police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his . Chauvin is on charges of second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers were fired and also face charges in connection with the incident.Floyd's death across the...WW…

(CNN)President Donald Trump pardoned in a last-minutebefore he is scheduled to depart the White House for a final time. Trump told people that after much deliberation, he had decided to pardon Bannon as one of his final acts in office. "President Trump granted a full pardon to Stephen Bannon. Prosecutors pursued Mr. Bannon with charges related to fraud stemming from his involvement in a political project," the statement from White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany read. "Mr. Bannon has been an important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen."Bannon...…(CNN)President Donald Trump pardoned in a last-minutebefore he is scheduled to depart the White House for a final time. Trump told people that after much deliberation, he had decided to pardon Bannon as one of his final acts in office. "President Trump granted a full pardon to Stephen Bannon. Prosecutors pursued Mr. Bannon with charges related to fraud stemming from his involvement in a political project," the statement from White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany read. "Mr. Bannon has been an important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen."Bannon...WW…

Seoul / Hong Kong (CNN Business)Samsung vice chairman is going back to prison, casting the future of leadership at the massive tech company in doubt. The Seoul High Court in South Korea sentenced Lee to 2 1/2 years behind bars on Monday after finding him guilty of embezzlement and bribery. He was taken into custody following the verdict.It's the latest twist in a controversy that has followed Samsung for years. Lee, also known as Jay Y. Lee, was caught up in a massive influence-peddling scandal that brought down the government of former . Park herself is spending some two decades in prison...…Seoul / Hong Kong (CNN Business)Samsung vice chairman is going back to prison, casting the future of leadership at the massive tech company in doubt. The Seoul High Court in South Korea sentenced Lee to 2 1/2 years behind bars on Monday after finding him guilty of embezzlement and bribery. He was taken into custody following the verdict.It's the latest twist in a controversy that has followed Samsung for years. Lee, also known as Jay Y. Lee, was caught up in a massive influence-peddling scandal that brought down the government of former . Park herself is spending some two decades in prison...WW…

Bangkok (CNN)A 43-year prison sentence given to a woman by a Thai court for insulting the monarchy could be seen as a "warning shot" to protesters demanding reform in the kingdom, according to analysts.The sentence passed Tuesday is believed to be the toughest ever imposed under the country's and comes after months of last year openly calling for reform of Thailand's powerful monarchy . The verdict is likely to send a chill through the movement, which has seen dozens of its charged with the same crime. Thailand has some of the world's strictest laws against defaming or criticizing the king,...…Bangkok (CNN)A 43-year prison sentence given to a woman by a Thai court for insulting the monarchy could be seen as a "warning shot" to protesters demanding reform in the kingdom, according to analysts.The sentence passed Tuesday is believed to be the toughest ever imposed under the country's and comes after months of last year openly calling for reform of Thailand's powerful monarchy . The verdict is likely to send a chill through the movement, which has seen dozens of its charged with the same crime. Thailand has some of the world's strictest laws against defaming or criticizing the king,...WW…

(CNN) issued a early Wednesday that included his onetime political strategist, a former top fundraiser and two well-known rappers but not himself or his family.The batch of 73 pardons and 70 commutations issued in the final hours of his presidency was expected, and is in keeping with a long-standing presidential tradition of exercising clemency powers at the last minute.The list reflected a President keen on awarding pardons to his stalwart allies, an unusual number of whom have been swept up in corruption or lying charges.The on Trump's list were doled out to individuals whose cases have...…(CNN) issued a early Wednesday that included his onetime political strategist, a former top fundraiser and two well-known rappers but not himself or his family.The batch of 73 pardons and 70 commutations issued in the final hours of his presidency was expected, and is in keeping with a long-standing presidential tradition of exercising clemency powers at the last minute.The list reflected a President keen on awarding pardons to his stalwart allies, an unusual number of whom have been swept up in corruption or lying charges.The on Trump's list were doled out to individuals whose cases have...WW…

New York (CNN Business)The US government is warning that groups could rely on radio equipment as an alternative to social media to plan future criminal activities.In a Sunday, the Federal Communications Commission's enforcement bureau said people over radio waves are breaking the law."The Bureau has become aware of discussions on social media platforms suggesting that certain radio services regulated by the Commission may be an alternative to social media platforms for groups to communicate and coordinate future activities," the FCC said in its warning Sunday. "Individuals using radios in...…New York (CNN Business)The US government is warning that groups could rely on radio equipment as an alternative to social media to plan future criminal activities.In a Sunday, the Federal Communications Commission's enforcement bureau said people over radio waves are breaking the law."The Bureau has become aware of discussions on social media platforms suggesting that certain radio services regulated by the Commission may be an alternative to social media platforms for groups to communicate and coordinate future activities," the FCC said in its warning Sunday. "Individuals using radios in...WW…

(CNN) received an unsettling warning on his final Saturday night in the White House.Huddled for a lengthy meeting with his legal advisers, Trump was warned the would place him in a legally perilous position, convey the appearance of guilt and potentially make him more vulnerable to reprisals.So, too, was Trump warned that pardons for Republican lawmakers who had sought them for their role in the would anger the very Senate Republicans in an upcoming .White House counsel Pat Cipollone and another attorney who represented Trump in his first impeachment trial, Eric Herschmann, offered the...…(CNN) received an unsettling warning on his final Saturday night in the White House.Huddled for a lengthy meeting with his legal advisers, Trump was warned the would place him in a legally perilous position, convey the appearance of guilt and potentially make him more vulnerable to reprisals.So, too, was Trump warned that pardons for Republican lawmakers who had sought them for their role in the would anger the very Senate Republicans in an upcoming .White House counsel Pat Cipollone and another attorney who represented Trump in his first impeachment trial, Eric Herschmann, offered the...WW…