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• President Donald Trump has a busy first day in office, a border patrol officer is killed in Vermont, the latest from the Middle East and former Vice President Kamala Harris returns to California and the wildfires.
• Sequel to Prince Harry's feud with British tabloids begins in high-stakes trial.
• Trump suspends US foreign assistance for 90 days pending reviews.
• Canada relieved Trump doesn't impose tariffs on the major American trading partner on the first day.
• Trump seeks to remake border security but his efforts will face challenges.
• Do US adults support Trump's agenda Here's what an AP-NORC poll shows.
• Former President Joe Biden says farewell at Joint Base Andrews.
• Just minutes before he leaves office, Biden pardons his siblings and their spouses.
• Man accused of starting fire at Congressman's office motivated by TikTok ban, police say.
• Sting, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to perform at FireAid benefit concert.
• Ohio State wins its second national title of the CFP era over Notre Dame, the top NFL coaching candidate comes off the board, the Celtics beat the Warriors in historic fashion, an All-Star free agent signs in baseball and one of hockey’s top stars is suspended.
• Hundreds of dead sea turtles are washing ashore on India's coast.
• Thailand gears up for a celebration as a long-awaited marriage equality law takes effect.

—The Associated Press

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• Outgoing President Joe Biden issues a final set of pardons to protect against potential retribution from incoming President Donald Trump.
• The Chinese president's envoy meets with Vance and Musk on the eve of Trump's inauguration.
• Chicago prepares for deportation arrests targeting hundreds next week after Trump takes office.
• TikTok says it's in the process of restoring service to US users.
• Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted will succeed JD Vance in the US Senate.
• Biden says the Equal Rights Amendment should be considered ratified.
• Biden task force calls for more training and money to avoid the mishandling of classified documents.
• Florida jury says CNN defamed Navy veteran in story about endangered Afghans.
• Why are lone homes left standing after the fires It's not entirely luck.
• Ozempic, Wegovy and other new drugs are selected for Medicare's price negotiations.
• A big day for Saquon Barkley sends the Eagles into the NFC Championship Game against the Commanders, Josh Allen outduels Lamar Jackson to punch the Bills’ ticket to the AFC title game versus the Chiefs, Paige Bueckers makes history at UConn and a former major leaguer dies. 
• LA's Olympic venues were spared by wildfires, but the city's rebuild could impact the Games' runup.
• As college sports move toward pay for play, Title IX looms as another hurdle for the NCAA.
• Tony Award-winning British actor Joan Plowright, widow of Laurence Olivier, dies at 95.
• On this week's AP Religion Roundup, Pope Francis releases his autobiography, and hundreds of millions gather for the world’s largest religious festival.
• Blessings for dogs Bring them to Mexico City's cathedral and St. Anthony will do the rest.
• Karen Chammas reports on Israeli hostages reuniting with loved ones in hospital, and Palestinians in the West Bank cheering as Israel releases dozens from prison, and sound of Colombian military helicopters evacuating citizens.

—The Associated Press

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In this episode of The Story Behind the AP Story, hear from AP Washington radio correspondent, Sagar Meghani and White House correspondent Darlene Superville. They'll help us peel back the curtain and share what we can expect during a presidential inauguration.

And in other inauguration news:

• Trump swearing-in will move inside Capitol Rotunda because of intense cold.
• Biden got an Oval Office letter from Trump and may leave one in the desk himself. It’d be a first.
• Michelle Obama will skip Trump inauguration, but ex-Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush will be there.
• Carrie Underwood, Village People to perform at Trump's inauguration events.

—The Associated Press

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• Biden sets record by commuting sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted on nonviolent drug charges.
• Biden won't enforce TikTok ban, official says, leaving fate of app to Trump.
• Former Vice President Pence calls on Trump to renew US support for Taiwan.
• Many Americans doubt Trump will be able to lower prices in his first year, an AP-NORC poll shows.
• Giuliani settles legal fight with former Georgia election workers, agrees to stop defaming them.
• Texas judge says states can revive challenge to abortion pill access nationwide.
• Ash and other dangers mean LA area residents who fled fires a week ago won't be going home soon.
• FDA OKs sales of Zyn nicotine pouches, citing health benefits for adult smokers.
• NASA's stuck astronaut steps out on a spacewalk after 7 months in orbit.
• Stock market today Wall Street drifts lower as momentum slows for US stocks.
• US retail sales rose modestly last month amid solid holiday shopping, boosting economy.
• Average rate on 30-year mortgage hits 7% after 5th straight increase, now highest level since May.
• American Express agrees to pay more than $138M to resolve investigation into sales and marketing.
• Eager visitors flock to see spectacular lava fountaining from Kilauea eruption in Hawaii.
• American accused of assaulting a Pennsylvania student is extradited from France to the US.
• College students charged in TikTok-inspired 'catch a predator' plot appear in court.
• Sting, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to perform at FireAid Benefit Concert.
• Conan O'Brien will receive the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy.
• David Lynch, visionary filmmaker behind 'Twin Peaks' and 'Mulholland Drive,' dies at 78.
• 'Mr. Baseball' Bob Uecker, Brewers announcer, dies at 90.
• PGA Tour to move Genesis Invitational out of Riviera. New venue to be determined.
• Jets' Aaron Rodgers remains undecided on playing future with his focus on the California wildfires.
• Netanyahu says deal to release hostages held in Gaza has been reached after last minute snags.
• Pakistani court sentences ex-PM Imran Khan and his wife to 14 and 7 years in prison in graft case.
• South Korean court rejects petition to release impeached president detained over martial law.
• Pope Francis hurts his right arm after falling for the second time in just over a month.
• 3 lawyers for the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny are jailed by a Russian court.

—The Associated Press

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• Biden warns of dangers of 'oligarchy' of ultra-rich, 'tech-industrial complex' running country.
• Trump adviser says president-elect is exploring options to 'preserve' TikTok.
• Trump and Biden both claim credit for Gaza ceasefire deal.
• Trump's outsider Cabinet picks are rapidly gaining support for confirmation.
• Transportation secretary pick vows to buck any pressure to help Elon Musk in agency probes of Tesla.
• Bondi in her confirmation hearing says Trump was 'targeted' by Justice Department investigations.
• Democratic attorneys general ask to defend health access for 'Dreamers' since Trump probably won't.
• Speaker Johnson removes chair of powerful House Intelligence Committee.
• Vivek Ramaswamy, an Ohio native, is interested in filling Vance's old Senate seat, AP source says.
• Biden announces 2 new national monuments in California after wildfires scuttled previous event.
• Kid Rock, Jason Aldean to perform during Trump's Inauguration weekend.
• As flames linger, talk turns to rebuilding Los Angeles neighborhoods leveled by wildfires.
• For LA water issues, misinformation spreads nearly as fast as the wildfires.
• Stock market today: Wall Street rips higher after inflation data and strong bank profits.
• US recovers $31 million in Social Security payments to dead people.
• US population projections shrink from last year because of declining birth rates, less immigration.
• US government sues Southwest Airlines and fines Frontier for chronically delayed flights.
• FDA bans red dye No. 3 from foods.
• US inflation picked up in December, though underlying price pressures ease slightly.
• Two former NFL head coaches interview for openings, a Ravens star NFL wideout is in doubt for this weekend, a top college quarterback is going pro, new compensation for women’s college basketball teams and more.
• 'Conclave' leads race for British BAFTA awards, one more than 'Emilia Perez.'
• 'Last minute crisis' in ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas; UK Prime minister pledges a century of help to Ukraine; South Korea's impeached President refuses questioning; AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports.

—The Associated Press

About this program

In today's edition, we look at the Los Angeles-area wildfires, the latest on President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet picks, public confidence in the Department of Justice, the situation in South Korea, an SEC lawsuiet brought against Elon Musk over Twitter and obesity guidelines.

In other news:

• Top DC prosecutor Trump pardons couldn't erase impact of Capitol riot convictions.
• Special counsel report says Trump would've been convicted for Jan. 6 'unprecedented criminal effort.'
• Sen. Adam Schiff talks fire insurance support while visiting Los Angeles evacuation center.
• Pete Hegseth vows a 'warrior culture' if confirmed as Trump's defense secretary, confronting critics.
• Michelle Obama will skip Trump inauguration, but ex-Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush will be there.
• Biden administration will announce it's lifting state sponsor of terrorism designation for Cuba.
• Hanging out at Starbucks will cost you as company reverses its open-door policy.
• Stock market today Wall Street mostly rises after encouraging inflation data despite Lilly's drag.
• USDA documented insects and slime at Boar's Head plants, records show.
• U.S. producer prices rose 0.2% last month on higher energy costs.
• Britain's Princess of Wales says her cancer is in remission.
• Traffic into Manhattan drops 7.5% in first week of new toll. That's 43,000 fewer cars a day.
• Judge says the New Orleans Police Department can begin the process of ending federal oversight.
• Giannis’ triple-double powers the Bucks to a bounce back win, a man accused of stalking Caitlin Clark publicly admits guilt, former Cowboys stars emerge as potential head coach candidates in Dallas, Tiger Woods makes his indoor golf debut and an NHL player is injured after being hit by a car. 
• Pope Francis is introspective and self-critical in his autobiography, at least about his youth.

—The Associated Press

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—The Associated Press

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Firefighters are preparing for a return of dangerous winds that could again stoke the wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people in the Los Angeles area. Crews made some progress battling the flames this weekend. The relative calm Sunday allowed some people to return to previously evacuated areas. 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Blue Origin has called off the debut launch of its massive new rocket because of technical trouble. The 320-foot rocket was supposed to blast off before dawn Monday with a prototype satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Officials say Israel and Hamas appear to be inching closer to a phased ceasfire agreement. But a deal hasn’t been reached yet. And there are a number of obstacles that could scupper the talks in Qatar.

HONG KONG (AP) — China’s exports in December grew at a faster pace than expected, as factories rushed to fill orders to beat higher tariffs that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose once he takes office. Exports rose 10.7% from a year earlier.

TOKYO (AP) — A strong earthquake measuring a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 has rattled southwestern Japan. 

After a freezing winter storm shut schools, cut power and cancelled or delayed flights, the South is slowly thawing. Warmer weather is melting snow and ice and letting crews restore power. Power is back in parts of North Carolina and South Carolina, where tens of thousands of customers lost electricity over the last few days. In Atlanta, about 1,000 flights were cancelled or delayed Saturday. Airport officials say all roadways and parking lots were cleared of snow by Sunday and all runways are operational. Power was back for 97% of the retail customers served by Georgia Power — the state largest utility — which serves all but four of the state’s 159 counties, it said.

In other news:

• Vance says Jan. 6 participants who committed violence 'obviously' shouldn't be pardoned.
• Americans have dimmer view of Biden than they did of Trump or Obama as term ends, AP-NORC poll finds.
• President Joe Biden says he dropped out of the presidential race for the good of the Democratic Party.
• US added a strong 256,000 jobs in December as unemployment rate dipped to 4.1%.
• California man says two of his cats died after drinking raw milk recalled for bird flu.
• Sam Moore, who sang ‘Soul Man’ in Sam & Dave duo, dies at 89 due to surgery complications.
• Anita Bryant, a popular singer who became known for opposition to gay rights, dead at age 84.
• Fired US Center for SafeSport investigator arrested on new charges.
• Jalen Hurts returns to help the Eagles advance past the Packers, and a game-winning field goal lifts the Commanders over the Buccaneers in the NFC playoffs, Josh Allen leads the Bills to an AFC wild-card win over the Broncos, the Patriots hire another former linebacker as coach and the Cavaliers’ league-best win streak is snapped. 
• Yankees fans who interfered with Mookie Betts during World Series banned from all MLB games.
• Lamar Jackson repeats and Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson are unanimous choices for AP All-Pro.
• Former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck says he has committed to Miami for 2025 season.
• On this week's AP Religion Roundup, Pope Francis starts the year with legacy-building leadership announcements.
• India kicks off a massive Hindu festival touted as the world's largest religious gathering.
• Uyghurs detained in Thailand say they face deportation and persecution in China.

—The Associated Press

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• Jimmy Carter lauded for his humility and service in Washington before his return to Georgia.
• Supreme Court rejects Trump’s bid to delay sentencing in his New York hush money case.
• Judge scraps Biden's Title IX rules, reversing expansion of protections for LGBTQ+ students.
• The Biden administration succeeds in temporarily blocking a plea deal for accused 911 mastermind.
• New Mexico is a go-to state for women seeking abortions. A new court ruling helps it stay that way.
• South Carolina statue honoring Black hero Robert Smalls will stare down a segregationist.
• Major Florida grower to end citrus operations after years of hurricanes and tree disease.
• The NBA is latest sports league to make a schedule change due to the deadly L.A. wildfires.
• Las Vegas Raiders fire general manager Tom Telesco after just one year.
• Researchers confirm 'Music City Miracle' star Frank Wycheck had CTE.
• Their remains were found decades ago. A new push could identify all of a serial killer's victims.
• At last, some welcome news on college costs. Tuition has fallen significantly at many schools.
• Musk uses X livestream to amplify German far-right leader's views ahead of an election.
• New research shows a quarter of freshwater animals are threatened with extinction.
• Scientists drill nearly 2 miles down to pull 1.2 million-year-old ice core from Antarctic.
• An Israeli TV reporter lost his ability to speak clearly. AI is helping him get back on air.
• CES 2025: ‘Portable robot’ clips on cups to cool warm beverages.
• CES 2025: Simple handheld device acts as breathing companion for children

—The Associated Press

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Firefighters are battling to control major fires in the Los Angeles area that have killed five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and caused thousands of people to frantically flee their homes. Ferocious winds that drove the flames and prompted chaotic evacuations have calmed somewhat and are not expected to be as powerful Thursday. 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has canceled the final overseas trip of his presidency just hours before he was set to depart for Rome and the Vatican, choosing to remain in Washington to monitor the response to fires raging in California. Biden had been scheduled to leave Thursday after former President Jimmy Carter’s memorial service and meet with Pope Francis, Italian leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is being honored with the pageantry of a funeral in the nation’s capital before a second service in his tiny Georgia hometown that launched a Depression-era farm boy to the world stage. The dual funerals Thursday conclude six days of national funeral rites for the 39th president who died Dec. 29 at the age of 100.

ROME (AP) — Premier Giorgia Meloni says she doesn't believe President-elect Donald Trump actually intends to use military force to seize control of Greenland or the Panama Canal. She says she reads his comments more as a warning to China and other global players to keep their hands off such strategically important interests. 

DALLAS (AP) — Schools and cities from Texas to Georgia are shutting down in anticipation of freezing rain and snow forecast for much of the Southern U.S. The severe weather is expected across a stretch from New Mexico to Alabama starting Wednesday night and early Thursday. 

LAS VEGAS (AP) — So much of the technology showcased at CES includes gadgets made to improve consumers’ lives — whether by leveraging AI to make devices that help people become more efficient, by creating companions to cure loneliness or by providing tools that help people with mental and physical health. But not all innovation is good, according to a panel of self-described dystopia experts that has judged some products as “Worst in Show.” The award that no company wants to win calls out the “least repairable, least private, and least sustainable products on display.”

In other news:

• President-elect Donald Trump visits Jimmy Carter's casket in Capitol Rotunda after criticizing him.
• Biden casts doubt on his fitness to serve another four years days before term ends.
• Blinken says Trump's push for US to take control of Greenland is 'not going to happen.'
• Justice Department says it plans to release only part of special counsel's Trump report for now.
• Trump asks the Supreme Court to block sentencing in his hush money case in New York.
• Ex-police officer and Proud Boys member gets 14 months in prison for joining Capitol attack.
• Lawyers collecting $148 million judgment from Rudy Giuliani say World Series rings must be given up.
• Top Fed official backs new rate cuts even if Trump tariffs materialize.
• US shifts $100 million in military aid from Israel and Egypt to Lebanon to bolster ceasefire.
• Biden is a great-grandfather.
• CNN defamation trial comes at a rough time for legacy media — and for the struggling network.
• Stock market today Wall Street holds firmer following Tuesday's slide.
• 2 bodies are found in the landing gear of JetBlue plane at Florida airport.
• 'Wicked' tops SAG Awards nominations as many big names are snubbed.
• Eagles QB Hurts returns to practice for the first time since he suffered a concussion.
• Former Baltimore Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz dies at 37, no cause of death announced.
• Mexico's President Sheinbaum offers sarcastic response to Trump's 'Gulf of America' comment.
• Germany's leader says all countries must respect existing borders, in a rebuttal of Trump.
• Attack on Chad's presidential palace leaves 19 dead.
• French far-right leader Marine Le Pen pays tribute to her politically polarizing father.
• Pope asks aide to deliver his annual foreign policy address, tells ambassadors he's battling a cold.
• Taiwan demonstrates sea defenses against potential Chinese attack as tensions rise with Beijing.
• A Russian missile attack in southern Ukraine has killed at least 13 civilians, officials say.
• An Italian journalist is freed from detention in Iran and returns home.

—The Associated Press

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