Biden awards Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction The White House commended Pope Francis for his commitment to serving the poor, as well as advocating for peace and protecting the planet. Juliana Kim
USDA report finds Boar's Head listeria outbreak was due to poor sanitation practices A report released by the Department of Agriculture found that poor sanitation practices at a Boar's Head facility in Virginia contributed to the largest listeria outbreak since 2011. Clare Marie Schneider
Strong winds pick up, increasing fire danger as firefighters battle LA blazes Large parts of Southern California are once again under wildfire risks as strong winds and dry conditions return this weekend through Wednesday. Alana Wise
Why are so many indigenous Panamanians contracting HIV — and dying of AIDS? The government provides HIV medicines free of charge. Yet in one indigenous territory, cases and deaths are increasing at an alarming rate. Adam Williams
Is Trump's rhetoric on Greenland, Canada and Panama Canal a 'Madman Strategy'? The president-elect's undiplomatic talk in recent days of reclaiming the Panama Canal — and annexing Greenland and even Canada — have some experts comparing his strategy to Nixon's "Madman Theory." Scott Neuman
A look at how one family keeps traditions alive at a rodeo extravaganza in Colorado The 30th anniversary of the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza at the National Western Stock Show is a celebration of pageantry and cultural heritage. Amanda Lopez
A small seafood restaurant turns into a national donation hub for LA fire victims In response to the devastating fires raging in LA, a small restaurant in Surf City USA has become a channel for big help — from locals to people across the country — to support their neighbors up north. Emma Bowman
New photos show the volcanic plains of Mercury after a spacecraft fly-by The BepiColombo spacecraft flew less than 200 miles from Mercury's surface and photographed volcanic plains and icy craters. Manuela López Restrepo
California fires force more than half a million students out of schools Several schools in the U.S.s' second largest public school district have suffered severe damage or burned down altogether.
