Classification of Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern  —  The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) is an independent group of experts that periodically monitors and evaluates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assesses if specific mutations and combinations …

Stephen Sondheim, Titan of the American Musical, Is Dead at 91  —  He was the theater's most revered and influential composer-lyricist of the last half of the 20th century and the driving force behind some of Broadway's most beloved and celebrated shows.  —  Stephen Sondheim …

Seeking Backers for New Fund, Jared Kushner Turns to Middle East  —  Former President Donald J. Trump's son-in-law is trying to raise capital for his investment firm and is turning to a region that he dealt with extensively while in the White House.  —  As a White House adviser …

In Minneapolis Schools, White Families Are Asked to Help Do the Integrating  —  In a citywide overhaul, a beloved Black high school was rezoned to include white students from a richer neighborhood.  It has been hard for everyone.  —  MINNEAPOLIS — When Mauri Friestleben learned that Minneapolis …

Laser-focused on 2020, Trump seeks a Michigan Legislature that could help him in 2024  —  Jon Rocha was settling in to watch the new “Ghostbusters” with his young daughter at the movies last week when he got the news: Former President Donald Trump had endorsed his bid for state representative in Michigan.

Oil and gas companies should pay more to drill on public lands and waters, Interior Department says  —  In an effort to boost revenue and protect the environment, the Biden administration on Friday laid out plans to make fossil fuel companies pay more to drill on federal lands and waters.

Trump goes after Woodward, Costa over China  —  Former President Trump went after The Washington Post's Bob Woodward and Robert Costa over their recent book on his presidency, specifically attacking claims that Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley called China to offer reassurances after the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

Russian & Chinese Ambassadors: Respecting People's Democratic Rights  —  Anatoly Antonov, Qin Gang  —  The upcoming American-led online Summit for Democracy will stoke ideological confrontation.  Faced with an array of global challenges, countries urgently need to strengthen coordination and cooperation for common progress.

Former Trump Adviser Steve Cortes Out at Newsmax  —  Tensions have long simmered between the cable channel and Cortes, a diehard Trump loyalist whose public criticism of Newsmax's vaccine policy may have been the last straw. … Former Trump campaign adviser Steve Cortes is out at Newsmax …

Sudanese politicians released after beginning hunger strike … Sudan's former minister of cabinet affairs Khalid Omer Yousif was released from detention along with others less than a day after beginning a hunger strike, the country's information ministry said in a statement early on Saturday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul orders halt on elective surgery amid COVID spike, Omicron  —  Here we go again.  —  Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Friday to postpone elective hospital surgeries — something that hasn't been done since the worst of the initial coronavirus outbreak last year.

Can Biden find the right balance on immigration?  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats wielded demands to fix the nation's broken immigration system as a cudgel against Republicans in the 2020 campaign.  Elect us, went the argument, and we'll stop the cruel treatment of migrants at the border …

Centrist Senate Democrats Signal Opposition to Biden Banking Nominee  —  Concern conveyed in telephone call with committee chairman, likely scuttling Saule Omarova's chances of confirmation  —  WASHINGTON—A group of Senate Democrats have privately voiced their opposition to President Biden's nomination …