Amid high tensions over fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. yesterday ordered the families of all U.S. personnel at the American embassy in Ukraine to leave the country, and said non-essential staff could leave as well. The State Department said, however, that the embassy, which is in Kyiv, will remain open and the announcement isn't an evacuation. That came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who met in Geneva Friday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov without any apparent easing in tensions, warned strongly Sunday of the consequences if any Russian forces enter Ukraine. Appearing on CNN, Blinken said, "If a single additional Russian force goes into Ukraine in an aggressive way, as I said, that would trigger a swift, a severe and a united response from us and from Europe."
Which suggests the US is prepared to give Russia something, and maybe several things, in exchange for not invading Ukraine. If that happens, Putin's brinkmanship will have paid off -- again. https://t.co/CX9aMfQrUq
— Brit Hume (@brithume) January 23, 2022
Meanwhile, President Biden is considering increasing U.S. troop levels in Baltic nations and Eastern Europe, with his top military officials presenting him with options at a briefing Saturday, the New York Times first reported. One reported option is to move between 1,000 to 5,000 troops, both to bolster our allies in those countries, and to have them available to help if needed to get U.S. citizens out.
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➤FAUCI: 'CONFIDENT AS YOU CAN BE' OF U.S. OMICRON PEAK IN MID-FEBRUARY: Dr. Anthony Fauci said yesterday that he's, quote, "confident as you can be" that most U.S. states will reach their peak of omicron Covid-19 cases by mid-February. Appearing on ABC's This Week, the nation's top infectious disease specialist said the pattern of how omicron cases have peaked in other countries suggests that outcome, but added that you, quote, "never want to be overconfident." Although hospitals in some parts of the country are still full or near-full with omicron Covid patients, Fauci said the situation looks like it's, quote, "going in the right direction."
➤AUSCHWITZ MEMORIAL CRITICIZES ROBERT F. KENNDY JR. FOR INVOKING NAZI GERMANY AT ANTI-VACCINE MANDATE RALLY: The Auschwitz Memorial criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after he invoked Nazi Germany at a rally against Covid-19 vaccine mandates in Washington, D.C., yesterday. Kennedy said at the rally, "Even in Hitler Germany, you could, you could cross the Alps into Switzerland. You could hide in an attic, like Anne Frank did. I visited, in 1962, East Germany with my father and met people who had climbed the wall and escaped, so it was possible. Many died, true, but it was possible." The Auschwitz Memorial said, "Exploiting of the tragedy of people who suffered, were humiliated, tortured & murdered by the totalitarian regime of Nazi Germany -- including children like Anne Frank -- in a debate about vaccines & limitations during global pandemic is a sad symptom of moral & intellectual decay."
🏈NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF RESULTS:
Saturday, January 22nd
🏈RAMS, CHIEFS ADVANCE TO CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: The Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs will be playing in the NFL's conference championships next Sunday after winning their divisional playoffs games yesterday in two hard-fought contests packed with twists and turns. The Rams defeated Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-27, but they almost allowed Brady to pull off one of his patented comebacks, as he rallied the Bucs from a 27-3 third-quarter deficit to tie the game at 27-27 with 42 seconds left. But Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford led the Rams downfield and Matt Gay kicked in a 30-yard field goal as time expired.
The Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills 42-36 in overtime after an instant classic contest, matching each other throughout the game, including in the final two minutes of regulation, when the lead changed hands three times and there were 25 points scored. The Bills scored their final touchdown with just 13 seconds left, going up 36-33, but that was enough time for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to get within field goal range, and Harrison Butker killed in a 49-yard field goal to send it to overtime. Kansas City won the coin toss, and scored a touchdown, winning the game without the Bills and quarterback Josh Allen ever getting the ball in OT. Mahomes and Allen each threw for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns, completed at least 70 percent of their passes without an interception, and led their teams with at least 65 yards rushing, something no other quarterback in NFL history has ever done. Additionally, the Bills' Gabriel Davis had a playoff-record four touchdown passes.
🏈COULD LOSS HAVE BEEN BRADY'S LAST GAME?: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' division round playoff loss to the L.A. Rams yesterday could potentially have been Tom Brady's last game, but the 44-year-old quarterback isn't saying if he'll retire. Asked about it after the game, Brady said, "Truthfully, guys, I’m thinking about this game. I’m not thinking about past five minutes from now." He also said, "I haven’t put a lot of thought into it, taking it day by day." Brady is under contract for 2022 and in late September he said he plans to play at least one more season, but he has indicated several times since then that returning will be a family decision.
🎾MEDVEDEV, BARTY IN QUARTERFINALS: Second-seeded Daniil Medvedev for the men and top-ranked Ash Barty among the women both won their fourth-round matches yesterday to advance to the quarterfinals. The both did it by beating Americans, Medvedev downing Maxime Cressy and Barty defeating Anna Anisimova. Other fourth-round winners include Alize Cornet, who made it to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal by upsetting 14th-seeded Simona Halep, seventh-seeded Matteo Berrettini, and American Danielle Collins.
🏀BUCKS' ALLEN SUSPENDED ONE GAME FOR FOUL THAT LED BULLS' CARUSO TO BREAK WRIST: The NBA suspended the Milwaukee Bucks' Grayson Allen for one game yesterday for a hard foul on the Chicago Bulls' Alex Caruso on Friday night that led to Caruso breaking his wrist. Caruso was driving to the basket when Allen's foul caused him to land on his right side. He will have to undergo surgery and the Bulls said he'll be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks. The Bucks said in a statement that they "disagree with the suspension."
➤STUDY LINKS DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS WITH BELIEVING COVID-19 VACCINE MISINFORMATION: A new study reveals people who experience symptoms of depression may be more susceptible to online misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. Researchers looked at data from more than 15,000 adults ages 18 and older, and found those who reported symptoms of major depressive disorder were more than twice as likely to endorse at least one vaccine-related statement that included misinformation. Those who endorsed at least one statement of vaccine misinformation were also 60 percent less likely to be vaccinated and nearly three times more likely to describe themselves as resistant to getting vaccinated. Study co-author Dr. Roy Perlis says, “Depression appears to make people more susceptible to absorbing misinformation, at least about the COVID vaccine” and that the findings are “just another reminder that we need to do better in ensuring people can get [depression] treatment if they need it.”
➤FEDERAL TRIAL BEGINS TODAY OF THREE EX-OFFICERS IN GEORGE FLOYD'S CASE: The federal trial begins today of three former Minneapolis police officers who were with Derek Chauvin when the then-officer kneeled on George Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes in May 2020, leading to his death. The three men, J. Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, are charged with depriving Floyd of his civil rights while acting under government authority. They are charged for failing to provide Floyd with medical care, and Thao and Kueng are also charged with failing to stop Chauvin. AP says it's not clear why Lane isn't part of that second count, but notes evidence shows he asked twice whether Floyd should be rolled on his side. The three former officers face a separate state trial later this year on charges of aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter.
Chauvin was convicted on state murder and manslaughter charges last April, and later pled guilty to a federal civil rights charge.
🚢CRYSTAL CRUISES SHIP DIVERTS RETURN TO BAHAMAS AFTER JUDGE ORDERS SEIZED: A Crystal Cruises cruise ship that was supposed to return to Miami on Saturday went to the Bahamas instead with all its passengers on board after a U.S. judge granted an order to seize the ship last Thursday as part of a lawsuit over $4 million in unpaid fuel. Some of the passengers who were on the Crystal Symphony ship were taken by ferry to Fort Lauderdale yesterday, according to the cruise line, which also said others were taken to local airports. AP said it wasn't clear how many passengers were on the ship, saying one news outlet reported 300 and another 700. The lawsuit was filed by Peninsula Petroleum Far East against the ship, saying it was chartered or managed by Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises, which are sued for owning the $4.6 million in fuel. Crystal Cruises recently announced it was suspending operations through late April.
➤POLL: 72 PERCENT THINK U-S HEADED IN WRONG DIRECTION: Americans aren't feeling good about the state of things in the U.S. right now, with a large majority of 72 percent saying in a new NBC News poll that the country is headed in the wrong direction, basically unchanged from the 71 percent who said the same in October. That's borne out not only in percentages, but with the top answers given when asked where America is today: "downhill," "divisive," "negative," "struggling," "lost" and "bad." Asked about the economy, 61 percent said their family's income is falling behind the cost of living. On the state of the nation's politics, 70 percent agreed that America has become so polarized it can no longer solve the major issues facing the country, and that those differences will only continue to grow. Addressing the state of democracy, just over three-quarters, 76 percent, believe there is a threat to democracy and majority rule in the U.S. When asked to name the two most important issues facing the country, jobs and the economy came in first at 42 percent, the coronavirus second at 29 percent, following by voting rights and election integrity at 25 percent, the cost of living at 23 percent, and border security and immigration at 22 percent.
➤FEDERAL TRIAL BEGINS TODAY OF THREE EX-OFFICERS IN GEORGE FLOYD'S CASE: The federal trial begins today of three former Minneapolis police officers who were with Derek Chauvin when the then-officer kneeled on George Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes in May 2020, leading to his death. The three men, J. Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, are charged with depriving Floyd of his civil rights while acting under government authority. They are charged for failing to provide Floyd with medical care, and Thao and Kueng are also charged with failing to stop Chauvin. AP says it's not clear why Lane isn't part of that second count, but notes evidence shows he asked twice whether Floyd should be rolled on his side. The three former officers face a separate state trial later this year on charges of aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter.
Chauvin was convicted on state murder and manslaughter charges last April, and later pled guilty to a federal civil rights charge.
A truck carrying about 100 monkeys crashed in central Pennsylvania, state police said, as authorities searched for at least three of the monkeys that apparently escaped. The truck had been on its way to a lab, state police said. https://t.co/pOcFqIUrjb
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 22, 2022
🚢CRYSTAL CRUISES SHIP DIVERTS RETURN TO BAHAMAS AFTER JUDGE ORDERS SEIZED: A Crystal Cruises cruise ship that was supposed to return to Miami on Saturday went to the Bahamas instead with all its passengers on board after a U.S. judge granted an order to seize the ship last Thursday as part of a lawsuit over $4 million in unpaid fuel. Some of the passengers who were on the Crystal Symphony ship were taken by ferry to Fort Lauderdale yesterday, according to the cruise line, which also said others were taken to local airports. AP said it wasn't clear how many passengers were on the ship, saying one news outlet reported 300 and another 700. The lawsuit was filed by Peninsula Petroleum Far East against the ship, saying it was chartered or managed by Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises, which are sued for owning the $4.6 million in fuel. Crystal Cruises recently announced it was suspending operations through late April.
#MeetThePress
— Hamlet Garcia (@Hamletgarcia17) January 23, 2022
the left media is very disappointed in #Biden and I don't blame them; they help him snatch the presidency from #trump and that's how he pays them
Biden is unlikeable, and only 5% of American adults think he has done better than expected #BidenIsALaughingstock ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/YmoK5G6g02
➤POLL: 72 PERCENT THINK U-S HEADED IN WRONG DIRECTION: Americans aren't feeling good about the state of things in the U.S. right now, with a large majority of 72 percent saying in a new NBC News poll that the country is headed in the wrong direction, basically unchanged from the 71 percent who said the same in October. That's borne out not only in percentages, but with the top answers given when asked where America is today: "downhill," "divisive," "negative," "struggling," "lost" and "bad." Asked about the economy, 61 percent said their family's income is falling behind the cost of living. On the state of the nation's politics, 70 percent agreed that America has become so polarized it can no longer solve the major issues facing the country, and that those differences will only continue to grow. Addressing the state of democracy, just over three-quarters, 76 percent, believe there is a threat to democracy and majority rule in the U.S. When asked to name the two most important issues facing the country, jobs and the economy came in first at 42 percent, the coronavirus second at 29 percent, following by voting rights and election integrity at 25 percent, the cost of living at 23 percent, and border security and immigration at 22 percent.
BIDEN VOTERS TO NBC NEWS: We regret voting for Biden, he is “listening to too many LIBERALS.” pic.twitter.com/bdMGjRhX0P
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) January 23, 2022
🏈NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF RESULTS:
Saturday, January 22nd
- Cincinnati Bengals 19, Tennessee Titans 16 (AFC)
- San Francisco 49ers 13, Green Bay Packers 10 (NFC)
- Los Angeles Rams 30, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27 (NFC)
- Kansas City Chiefs 42, Buffalo Bills 36 (OT) (AFC)
- Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs (AFC)
- San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (NFC)
RAMS WIN. WHAT A GAME.#LARvsTB | #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/FyEPdaXaqd
— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2022
MAHOMES TO KELCE.
— NFL (@NFL) January 24, 2022
THE @CHIEFS WIN THE GAME OF THE YEAR! #NFLPlayoffs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/9eM2Ur15O0
The Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills 42-36 in overtime after an instant classic contest, matching each other throughout the game, including in the final two minutes of regulation, when the lead changed hands three times and there were 25 points scored. The Bills scored their final touchdown with just 13 seconds left, going up 36-33, but that was enough time for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to get within field goal range, and Harrison Butker killed in a 49-yard field goal to send it to overtime. Kansas City won the coin toss, and scored a touchdown, winning the game without the Bills and quarterback Josh Allen ever getting the ball in OT. Mahomes and Allen each threw for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns, completed at least 70 percent of their passes without an interception, and led their teams with at least 65 yards rushing, something no other quarterback in NFL history has ever done. Additionally, the Bills' Gabriel Davis had a playoff-record four touchdown passes.
🏈COULD LOSS HAVE BEEN BRADY'S LAST GAME?: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' division round playoff loss to the L.A. Rams yesterday could potentially have been Tom Brady's last game, but the 44-year-old quarterback isn't saying if he'll retire. Asked about it after the game, Brady said, "Truthfully, guys, I’m thinking about this game. I’m not thinking about past five minutes from now." He also said, "I haven’t put a lot of thought into it, taking it day by day." Brady is under contract for 2022 and in late September he said he plans to play at least one more season, but he has indicated several times since then that returning will be a family decision.
🎾MEDVEDEV, BARTY IN QUARTERFINALS: Second-seeded Daniil Medvedev for the men and top-ranked Ash Barty among the women both won their fourth-round matches yesterday to advance to the quarterfinals. The both did it by beating Americans, Medvedev downing Maxime Cressy and Barty defeating Anna Anisimova. Other fourth-round winners include Alize Cornet, who made it to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal by upsetting 14th-seeded Simona Halep, seventh-seeded Matteo Berrettini, and American Danielle Collins.
🏀BUCKS' ALLEN SUSPENDED ONE GAME FOR FOUL THAT LED BULLS' CARUSO TO BREAK WRIST: The NBA suspended the Milwaukee Bucks' Grayson Allen for one game yesterday for a hard foul on the Chicago Bulls' Alex Caruso on Friday night that led to Caruso breaking his wrist. Caruso was driving to the basket when Allen's foul caused him to land on his right side. He will have to undergo surgery and the Bulls said he'll be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks. The Bucks said in a statement that they "disagree with the suspension."
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