DC plane crash, DEI, Trump, Project 2025, Senate hearing, figure skating, California wildfire, Grammy Awards: Daily Briefing

Investigators are searching for explanations for the rare mid-air collision that resulted in the nation’s deadliest aviation disaster in more than two decades. USA TODAY tracked how Project 2025 is showing up in President Donald Trump’s actions so far. The Grammy Awards are this weekend, and we’ve got everything you need to be ready for music’s…

Read More

Wall Street prepares for Fed decision, Apple and Nvidia share prices dip

Wall Street’s main indexes were on track for a subdued open on Wednesday, as losses in tech heavyweights Apple and Nvidia kept broader gains in check and investor attention turned to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decision, due later in the day. Markets widely expect the central bank to hold its lending rate steady in its decision, expected at 2 p.m. ET. “Without clarity…

Read More

How the U.S., China use panda diplomacy

Pandas, those roly-poly, black-and-white stuffies come to life, are back in the United States and already delighting visitors to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo as they frolic in the snow, gnaw on bamboo and generally add a bit of whimsy and joy to an otherwise frigid and foreboding January. Three-year-old Bao Li (a male) and Qing…

Read More