Residents evacuated as SWAT surrounds Colleyville TX synagogue  —  Authorities northeast of Fort Worth are negotiating with a man who has apparently taken people hostage at a Colleyville synagogue during services.  It is unclear if anyone is injured and how the man may be armed.

How the ‘Djokovic Affair’ Finally Came to an End  —  Novak Djokovic lost to a government with powerful laws, determined to make an example out of him.  —  SYDNEY, Australia — The day before the Australian Open was set to begin, Novak Djokovic, possibly the greatest tennis player of all time …

Trump Soft-Launches His 2024 Campaign  —  FLORENCE, Ariz.—Tonight, deep in the Arizona desert, thousands of people chanted for Donald Trump.  They had braved the wind for hours—some waited the entire day—just to get a glimpse of the defeated former president.

University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel fired by board after investigation  —  The University of Michigan Board of Regents has unanimously fired school President Mark Schlissel for cause following an investigation into a relationship with a subordinate, the board announced Saturday evening.

How the states have become “Laboratories of Autocracy” — and why it's worse than you think  —  Former Ohio Democratic Party head David Pepper has a dire warning: Rigged state legislatures are destroying America  —  There's a booming literature on the erosion of democracy in America …

Netanyahu negotiating plea deal in corruption trial  —  TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is negotiating a plea deal in his corruption case, a person involved in the talks said Sunday.  —  The deal, which could be signed as early as this week …

Miyares fires 30 in AG's office, including lawyer investigating dangerous conditions at Richmond apartments  —  Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares notified about 30 staff members in the office — 17 of them attorneys — that they won't have jobs in his administration, including the lawyer …

More Mojo, Joe!  —  WASHINGTON — Poor Joe.  —  Oh, the tribulations of Job Biden!  Kyrsten Sinema humiliated him.  Mitch McConnell disrespected him.  The Supreme Court blocked him.  Vladimir Putin scorned him.  Inflation defied him.  Covid stalked him.  Even Stacey Abrams stiffed him.

Concern for UK security as anti-vaxxer groups evolve towards US-style militias  —  Counter-terrorism officials are monitoring movement amid military-style training and lurch towards violent extremism  —  Counter-terrorism officials and police are increasingly concerned over the trajectory …

Four Facts About the Filibuster  —  This post is meant as a primer on a political discussion that is about to reclaim center-stage.  —  When a TV series has been running long enough, we get the introductory recaps that bring viewers up to date.  “Previously, on Ozark ... ” This post could be called, “Previously, on Filibuster...”

Jan. 6 panel grapples with how to secure testimony from lawmakers, Pence  —  The House select committee is divided on whether to pursue subpoenas, in part over fears that a protracted legal fight would delay the committee's goal of issuing a report ahead of the November midterms.

Manchin, Sinema turn on Biden, join others holding him responsible for COVID test shortages  —  Do better.  That is the message from some Senate Democrats to Joe Biden's White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients.  In a letter signed by the senators, they urged him to do better …

The Justice Dept. alleged Jan. 6 was a seditious conspiracy.  Now will it investigate Trump?  —  The Justice Department's decision to charge Oath Keepers with seditious conspiracy last week makes clear that prosecutors consider the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol part of an organized assault …

A Library the Internet Can't Get Enough Of  —  Why does this image keep resurfacing on social media?  —  On the first Tuesday of the year, the author and political activist Don Winslow tweeted a photograph of an avid reader's dream library.  Bathed in the buttery glow of three table lamps …