ADMEXICO CITY — Most of the thousands of migrants who left Honduras for the United States on foot last week have been turned around in Guatemala. By Tuesday morning, more than 3,000 had been detained or forcibly sent back by security forces.Some in the caravan were aware that President-elect Joe Biden was days away from taking office in Washington and were hopeful that he would make it easier for migrants to enter the United States. But others were oblivious to the political context.For most, it was their own plight — poverty, security threats, the — that compelled them to join the...…ADMEXICO CITY — Most of the thousands of migrants who left Honduras for the United States on foot last week have been turned around in Guatemala. By Tuesday morning, more than 3,000 had been detained or forcibly sent back by security forces.Some in the caravan were aware that President-elect Joe Biden was days away from taking office in Washington and were hopeful that he would make it easier for migrants to enter the United States. But others were oblivious to the political context.For most, it was their own plight — poverty, security threats, the — that compelled them to join the...WW…

ADSALEM, ORE. — Jonathan Jones named his restaurant Epilogue because it was supposed to be the end of a beginning.Jones, 32, and his wife, Maura Ryan, 31, moved here from Wilmington, N.C., in 2014, to delve into Oregon's wine industry and to try to oNow, he and Ryan, who is White, wonder if this is the city to carry on their new beginning. The two have been targeted by far-right extremists and white-supremacist groups, and the attacks have intensified over the past few months as several of these groups, including those supporting President Trump, have held marches and rallies at the Capitol...…ADSALEM, ORE. — Jonathan Jones named his restaurant Epilogue because it was supposed to be the end of a beginning.Jones, 32, and his wife, Maura Ryan, 31, moved here from Wilmington, N.C., in 2014, to delve into Oregon's wine industry and to try to oNow, he and Ryan, who is White, wonder if this is the city to carry on their new beginning. The two have been targeted by far-right extremists and white-supremacist groups, and the attacks have intensified over the past few months as several of these groups, including those supporting President Trump, have held marches and rallies at the Capitol...WW…

ADPresident Joe Biden signed a blizzard of executive orders Wednesday on the , immigration andchange — launching a 10-day cascade of directives reversing policies of his GOP predecessor as Democrats pushed for even more sweeping and prompt legislative action.The most pressing of his priorities are measures to combat the ongoing deadly coronavirus pandemic. Biden signed executive actions to require masks on all federal grounds and asked agencies to extend moratoriums on evictions and on federal student loan payments.He urged Americans to don face coverings for 100 days while reviving a...…ADPresident Joe Biden signed a blizzard of executive orders Wednesday on the , immigration andchange — launching a 10-day cascade of directives reversing policies of his GOP predecessor as Democrats pushed for even more sweeping and prompt legislative action.The most pressing of his priorities are measures to combat the ongoing deadly coronavirus pandemic. Biden signed executive actions to require masks on all federal grounds and asked agencies to extend moratoriums on evictions and on federal student loan payments.He urged Americans to don face coverings for 100 days while reviving a...WW…

ADPresident Trump’s farewell address was essentially a mini-version of one of his campaign rallies — minus the cheers and applause. Since Trump’s campaign rallies were a rich source of false or misleading claims, the president brought out some of his favorite golden oldies, many of which are on our list of . Here’s a quick guide to what was wrong or exaggerated.“We also built the greatest economy in the history of the world. … Powered by these policies, we built the greatest economy in the history of the world.”This is Trump’s favorite false claim, so there should be no surprise he said it...…ADPresident Trump’s farewell address was essentially a mini-version of one of his campaign rallies — minus the cheers and applause. Since Trump’s campaign rallies were a rich source of false or misleading claims, the president brought out some of his favorite golden oldies, many of which are on our list of . Here’s a quick guide to what was wrong or exaggerated.“We also built the greatest economy in the history of the world. … Powered by these policies, we built the greatest economy in the history of the world.”This is Trump’s favorite false claim, so there should be no surprise he said it...WW…

ADWilliam Pesek is a Tokyo-based writer and author of “.”As President Trump leaves office, comparisons to Richard Nixon abound. These tend to focus on alleged crimes, impeachment and late-term paranoia. Yet the Nixonian parallel that posterity might recall most relates to Asia’s economic rise.It was Nixon-era Treasury Secretary John Connally who a group of European finance ministers that the “dollar is our currency, but it’s your problem.” This seems even truer now than in 1971, thanks to Trump’s presidency. On his watch, the dollar lost around 10 percent against the Japanese yen. And one...…ADWilliam Pesek is a Tokyo-based writer and author of “.”As President Trump leaves office, comparisons to Richard Nixon abound. These tend to focus on alleged crimes, impeachment and late-term paranoia. Yet the Nixonian parallel that posterity might recall most relates to Asia’s economic rise.It was Nixon-era Treasury Secretary John Connally who a group of European finance ministers that the “dollar is our currency, but it’s your problem.” This seems even truer now than in 1971, thanks to Trump’s presidency. On his watch, the dollar lost around 10 percent against the Japanese yen. And one...WW…

ADAs President Trump is leaving office, just over 1 in 10 Americans say the pandemic in the United States is mostly under control, despite the departing president’s assertions that record case levels are exaggerations, according to a .The nationwide survey shows that large majorities of people of all political affiliations say they think the deadly virus, which arrived in the country a year ago, is only somewhat under control or not at all controlled.About 1 in 5 Republicans say they think the pandemic is at least mostly under control, with fewer than 1 in 20 regarding it as completely...…ADAs President Trump is leaving office, just over 1 in 10 Americans say the pandemic in the United States is mostly under control, despite the departing president’s assertions that record case levels are exaggerations, according to a .The nationwide survey shows that large majorities of people of all political affiliations say they think the deadly virus, which arrived in the country a year ago, is only somewhat under control or not at all controlled.About 1 in 5 Republicans say they think the pandemic is at least mostly under control, with fewer than 1 in 20 regarding it as completely...WW…

ADPresident-elect Joe Biden on Monday plans to nominate five women to serve in the No. 2 spots at key Cabinet agencies, moving to fill out vital day-to-day operations roles in the government he will take over on Wednesday.The moves, which will install deputies with hands-on experience in critical departments, reflect Biden’s push to elevate women and his desire to quickly tackle the nation’s crises and repair agencies suffering from morale and other problems.The nominees, who must be confirmed by the Senate, include Jewel H. Bronaugh at Agriculture, Polly Trottenberg at Transportation,...…ADPresident-elect Joe Biden on Monday plans to nominate five women to serve in the No. 2 spots at key Cabinet agencies, moving to fill out vital day-to-day operations roles in the government he will take over on Wednesday.The moves, which will install deputies with hands-on experience in critical departments, reflect Biden’s push to elevate women and his desire to quickly tackle the nation’s crises and repair agencies suffering from morale and other problems.The nominees, who must be confirmed by the Senate, include Jewel H. Bronaugh at Agriculture, Polly Trottenberg at Transportation,...WW…

ADOn Jan. 20, 2020, a 35-year-old man who had recently returned to the United States from Wuhan, China, was admitted to Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash., suffering from fever, cough and general fatigue.He turned out to be — the first of 24 million people in the United States who over the next year would test positive for the novel coronavirus.Exactly one year later, as Joe Biden takes the presidential oath of office, he will inherit a pandemic that has sickened and killed more people — and caused anguish and hardship across the nation — at a scale not seen since the...…ADOn Jan. 20, 2020, a 35-year-old man who had recently returned to the United States from Wuhan, China, was admitted to Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Wash., suffering from fever, cough and general fatigue.He turned out to be — the first of 24 million people in the United States who over the next year would test positive for the novel coronavirus.Exactly one year later, as Joe Biden takes the presidential oath of office, he will inherit a pandemic that has sickened and killed more people — and caused anguish and hardship across the nation — at a scale not seen since the...WW…

ADOn the other side of Donald Trump’s turbulent presidency, the lawyers are waiting.Leaving aside his Senate impeachment trial, mounting government investigations include a civil probe by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a criminal probe by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., and by acting U.S. Attorney for D.C. Michael Sherwin that may include Trump’s role in the catastrophic storming of the U.S. Capitol this month.But already pending for the soon-to-be South Florida retiree is a trio of lawsuits that allege defamation, fraud and more fraud — all of which are helmed by one...…ADOn the other side of Donald Trump’s turbulent presidency, the lawyers are waiting.Leaving aside his Senate impeachment trial, mounting government investigations include a civil probe by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a criminal probe by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., and by acting U.S. Attorney for D.C. Michael Sherwin that may include Trump’s role in the catastrophic storming of the U.S. Capitol this month.But already pending for the soon-to-be South Florida retiree is a trio of lawsuits that allege defamation, fraud and more fraud — all of which are helmed by one...WW…

ADThe Justice Department has ended its investigation into Sen. Richard Burr and will not pursue charges against the North Carolina Republican, who was being probed for stock sales he made before the pandemic crashed global markets.In a statement Tuesday, Burr said, “Tonight, the Department of Justice informed me that it has concluded its review of my personal financial transactions conducted early last year. The case is now closed.”Burr’s lawyer, Alice Fisher, said the senator was pleased that the department had closed the case without further action.“As the country continues to concentrate...…ADThe Justice Department has ended its investigation into Sen. Richard Burr and will not pursue charges against the North Carolina Republican, who was being probed for stock sales he made before the pandemic crashed global markets.In a statement Tuesday, Burr said, “Tonight, the Department of Justice informed me that it has concluded its review of my personal financial transactions conducted early last year. The case is now closed.”Burr’s lawyer, Alice Fisher, said the senator was pleased that the department had closed the case without further action.“As the country continues to concentrate...WW…

ADWe do not have a peaceful transfer of power. That was lost when President Trump incited a violent insurrection on Jan. 6. We do not have a smooth transfer of power thanks to Trump’s decision to delay the start of the transition and refusal to allow his administration to fully cooperate with the incoming team. But we do have one of the most joyful transfers of power. After a dark, painful and deadly four years, we rid ourselves of what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) a “stain” on our country. And it is not merely Trump and his unctuous vice president who are leaving.In every position...…ADWe do not have a peaceful transfer of power. That was lost when President Trump incited a violent insurrection on Jan. 6. We do not have a smooth transfer of power thanks to Trump’s decision to delay the start of the transition and refusal to allow his administration to fully cooperate with the incoming team. But we do have one of the most joyful transfers of power. After a dark, painful and deadly four years, we rid ourselves of what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) a “stain” on our country. And it is not merely Trump and his unctuous vice president who are leaving.In every position...WW…

ADWhen Thomas Fee got a text on Jan. 6 from his girlfriend’s brother asking if he was in Washington, he responded with a selfie inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as dozens of others who had just stormed the building waved flags behind him, federal officials said.In one message, Fee wrote he was “at the tip of the spear,” according to a criminal complaint filed Saturday.But Fee’s girlfriend’s brother wasn’t asking out of simple curiosity — he is a special agent with the State Department. The agent, who isn’t identified in court documents, later turned the evidence over to the FBI’s Joint...…ADWhen Thomas Fee got a text on Jan. 6 from his girlfriend’s brother asking if he was in Washington, he responded with a selfie inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as dozens of others who had just stormed the building waved flags behind him, federal officials said.In one message, Fee wrote he was “at the tip of the spear,” according to a criminal complaint filed Saturday.But Fee’s girlfriend’s brother wasn’t asking out of simple curiosity — he is a special agent with the State Department. The agent, who isn’t identified in court documents, later turned the evidence over to the FBI’s Joint...WW…

ADThere have been four occasions in which the president of the United States has been impeached. Twice, the president being impeached was Donald Trump. When Trump was impeached this month, joined with every member of the Democratic majority in the rebuke.The charge? “Incitement of insurrection.”Trump was being impeached for having repeatedly lied to the public about the results of the 2020 presidential election and, on the morning of Jan. 6, having repeated those lies at a large rally as he challenged his supporters to march on the Capitol. Thousands did — then breaking into the building...…ADThere have been four occasions in which the president of the United States has been impeached. Twice, the president being impeached was Donald Trump. When Trump was impeached this month, joined with every member of the Democratic majority in the rebuke.The charge? “Incitement of insurrection.”Trump was being impeached for having repeatedly lied to the public about the results of the 2020 presidential election and, on the morning of Jan. 6, having repeated those lies at a large rally as he challenged his supporters to march on the Capitol. Thousands did — then breaking into the building...WW…

ADFor weeks, the long-term care facility where Linda Green works as a nurse looked to her like a battlefield hospital, swathed in plastic drapes separating the ill from the uninfected. The ripped through the western Maryland facility like wildfire at the end of 2020, deepening Green’s fear that she, at 73, might bring the virus home to her husband, who is 84.Then she received a coronavirus shot. It felt like any other vaccination, leaving her with mild upper arm soreness but no other physical side effects. The emotional effects, however, were remarkable. Even thinking of the vaccine, Green...…ADFor weeks, the long-term care facility where Linda Green works as a nurse looked to her like a battlefield hospital, swathed in plastic drapes separating the ill from the uninfected. The ripped through the western Maryland facility like wildfire at the end of 2020, deepening Green’s fear that she, at 73, might bring the virus home to her husband, who is 84.Then she received a coronavirus shot. It felt like any other vaccination, leaving her with mild upper arm soreness but no other physical side effects. The emotional effects, however, were remarkable. Even thinking of the vaccine, Green...WW…

ADClimate change has boosted the cost of flood damage caused by heavy rainfall in the United States by $75 billion over the past three decades, accounting for about a third of total losses, Stanford University researchers say.With planet-heating emissions still going up, both extreme rainfall and related losses will continue to grow, they said — although strong efforts to curb emissions and adapt to changing conditions could help hold the line.“The more global warming we get, the more we can expect these damages to increase — and reductions [in emissions] will have value in terms of avoided...…ADClimate change has boosted the cost of flood damage caused by heavy rainfall in the United States by $75 billion over the past three decades, accounting for about a third of total losses, Stanford University researchers say.With planet-heating emissions still going up, both extreme rainfall and related losses will continue to grow, they said — although strong efforts to curb emissions and adapt to changing conditions could help hold the line.“The more global warming we get, the more we can expect these damages to increase — and reductions [in emissions] will have value in terms of avoided...WW…

ADOutside a Capitol ringed by 25,000 troops to guard against more violence by Trump supporters, President Biden will deliver an inaugural address at noon Wednesday billed as a “” and of healing.It is a noble sentiment. It is exactly what so many Americans want to hear. But it’s not what the country needs to hear — and it won’t work.There can be no unity without truth. There can be no healing without accountability.The outgoing president incited a failed coup d’etat. For hours, he declined to call off his supporters as they , leaving five dead and forcing lawmakers to hide in fear of...…ADOutside a Capitol ringed by 25,000 troops to guard against more violence by Trump supporters, President Biden will deliver an inaugural address at noon Wednesday billed as a “” and of healing.It is a noble sentiment. It is exactly what so many Americans want to hear. But it’s not what the country needs to hear — and it won’t work.There can be no unity without truth. There can be no healing without accountability.The outgoing president incited a failed coup d’etat. For hours, he declined to call off his supporters as they , leaving five dead and forcing lawmakers to hide in fear of...WW…

ADThe house atop the hill at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., is the home of the vice president of the United States. When President-elect Joe Biden lived there, he hosted a gathering for the press and their families. And it was at the fete in 2016, his final year in the residence, that produced my favorite photo of the man who would be elected president four years later.At a certain point during the party, a band of wet, screaming kids raced around shooting each other and adults with Super Soakers. And following along, clad in khakis, sneakers and his trademark Ray-Ban sunglasses...…ADThe house atop the hill at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., is the home of the vice president of the United States. When President-elect Joe Biden lived there, he hosted a gathering for the press and their families. And it was at the fete in 2016, his final year in the residence, that produced my favorite photo of the man who would be elected president four years later.At a certain point during the party, a band of wet, screaming kids raced around shooting each other and adults with Super Soakers. And following along, clad in khakis, sneakers and his trademark Ray-Ban sunglasses...WW…

ADPresident-elect Joe Biden will ban his senior presidential appointees from accepting special bonuses akin to “golden parachutes” from former employers for joining the government, while putting in place other expanded revolving-door restrictions in his first days in office.The new ethics rules, which were described by transition officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the draft executive order is not public, will in some ways go beyond the guidelines for senior appointees that were put in place by the Trump and Obama administrations.The biggest shift is the new rule that...…ADPresident-elect Joe Biden will ban his senior presidential appointees from accepting special bonuses akin to “golden parachutes” from former employers for joining the government, while putting in place other expanded revolving-door restrictions in his first days in office.The new ethics rules, which were described by transition officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the draft executive order is not public, will in some ways go beyond the guidelines for senior appointees that were put in place by the Trump and Obama administrations.The biggest shift is the new rule that...WW…

ADStacy Milrany probably runs the only art gallery in the country where visitors are encouraged to walk away with the art.And as far as she knows, her in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood is likely the only museum where all of the works will fit neatly in a pocket.Milrany’s miniature gallery, which opened for public view on Dec. 13, sits five feet off the ground inside a white wooden box in front of her house.The head curator and painter said she based her idea on the popular in neighborhoods coast to coast.“The idea is pretty simple — anyone is welcome to leave a piece, take a piece or...…ADStacy Milrany probably runs the only art gallery in the country where visitors are encouraged to walk away with the art.And as far as she knows, her in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood is likely the only museum where all of the works will fit neatly in a pocket.Milrany’s miniature gallery, which opened for public view on Dec. 13, sits five feet off the ground inside a white wooden box in front of her house.The head curator and painter said she based her idea on the popular in neighborhoods coast to coast.“The idea is pretty simple — anyone is welcome to leave a piece, take a piece or...WW…

ADAmid a push to investigate whether any GOP lawmakers aided rioters at the Capitol, several Democrats last week accused an unnamed House Republican of before the Jan. 6 attack.Now, two Democratic lawmakers say they personally saw one Republican — Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado — with a “large” group in a tunnel connected to the Capitol days before the attempted insurrection that left four rioters and one police officer dead.Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) said on Monday that he and Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) had both seen Boebert in the tunnel outside the Cannon House Office Building with a...…ADAmid a push to investigate whether any GOP lawmakers aided rioters at the Capitol, several Democrats last week accused an unnamed House Republican of before the Jan. 6 attack.Now, two Democratic lawmakers say they personally saw one Republican — Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado — with a “large” group in a tunnel connected to the Capitol days before the attempted insurrection that left four rioters and one police officer dead.Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) said on Monday that he and Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) had both seen Boebert in the tunnel outside the Cannon House Office Building with a...WW…

The forthcoming Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, set to begin as early as this week, threatens to delay hearings for President-elect Joe Biden’s top political appointees, further upsetting a transition already beset by extraordinary delays and facing generational challenges.Even the Trump administration, which took , had its defense and homeland security secretaries confirmed on Inauguration Day. And President Trump’s five immediate predecessors had at least five Cabinet heads in place within a week of inauguration.Delayed confirmation hearings could force the incoming...…The forthcoming Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, set to begin as early as this week, threatens to delay hearings for President-elect Joe Biden’s top political appointees, further upsetting a transition already beset by extraordinary delays and facing generational challenges.Even the Trump administration, which took , had its defense and homeland security secretaries confirmed on Inauguration Day. And President Trump’s five immediate predecessors had at least five Cabinet heads in place within a week of inauguration.Delayed confirmation hearings could force the incoming...WW…

ADU.S. authorities have leveled the first conspiracy charge against an apparent leader of an extremist group in the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, arresting an alleged Oath Keeper who is accused of plotting to disrupt the electoral vote confirmation of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory and proposing further assaults on state capitols.Thomas Edward Caldwell, 66, of Clarke County, Va., was taken into custody before 7 a.m. on four federal counts, including conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States in the attack on the Capitol. The conspiracy charge is reserved for...…ADU.S. authorities have leveled the first conspiracy charge against an apparent leader of an extremist group in the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, arresting an alleged Oath Keeper who is accused of plotting to disrupt the electoral vote confirmation of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory and proposing further assaults on state capitols.Thomas Edward Caldwell, 66, of Clarke County, Va., was taken into custody before 7 a.m. on four federal counts, including conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States in the attack on the Capitol. The conspiracy charge is reserved for...WW…

ADPlease NoteThe Washington Post is providing this important information about the coronavirus for free. A variant first identified in Denmark has ripped through Northern California — including outbreaks at nursing homes, jails and a hospital in the San Jose area — prompting state and local officials to investigate whether it may be more transmissible.California officials disclosed the rise of the variant Sunday night after genetic monitoring linked it to a fast-growing share of new cases, as well as to the outbreaks in Santa Clara county, which includes San Jose.This rising variant is...…ADPlease NoteThe Washington Post is providing this important information about the coronavirus for free. A variant first identified in Denmark has ripped through Northern California — including outbreaks at nursing homes, jails and a hospital in the San Jose area — prompting state and local officials to investigate whether it may be more transmissible.California officials disclosed the rise of the variant Sunday night after genetic monitoring linked it to a fast-growing share of new cases, as well as to the outbreaks in Santa Clara county, which includes San Jose.This rising variant is...WW…

ADThe 147 Republican lawmakers who opposed certification of the presidential election this month have lost the support of many of their largest corporate backers — but not all of them.The Washington Post contacted the 30 companies that gave the most money to election-objecting lawmakers’ campaigns through political action committees. Two-thirds, or 20 of the firms, said they have pledged to suspend some or all payments from their PACs.Meanwhile, 10 companies said only that they would review their political giving or did not commit to take any action as a result of this month’s events.The...…ADThe 147 Republican lawmakers who opposed certification of the presidential election this month have lost the support of many of their largest corporate backers — but not all of them.The Washington Post contacted the 30 companies that gave the most money to election-objecting lawmakers’ campaigns through political action committees. Two-thirds, or 20 of the firms, said they have pledged to suspend some or all payments from their PACs.Meanwhile, 10 companies said only that they would review their political giving or did not commit to take any action as a result of this month’s events.The...WW…

ADAfter President Trump undertook an unprecedented effort to overturn the election, and after Trump incited a mob assault on lawmakers who resisted that scheme, many Republicans have already signaled how they’ll carry forward this aspect of his legacy: by on counter-majoritarian tactics.So it’s good news that one of the first moves from Senate Democrats in the majority will be the announcement of a sweeping pro-democracy package that would widen access to voting and seek to ensure that executive branch officials operate in the public interest.The first honorary bill from Senate Democrats in...…ADAfter President Trump undertook an unprecedented effort to overturn the election, and after Trump incited a mob assault on lawmakers who resisted that scheme, many Republicans have already signaled how they’ll carry forward this aspect of his legacy: by on counter-majoritarian tactics.So it’s good news that one of the first moves from Senate Democrats in the majority will be the announcement of a sweeping pro-democracy package that would widen access to voting and seek to ensure that executive branch officials operate in the public interest.The first honorary bill from Senate Democrats in...WW…