Biden is set to have a video call with Putin on Tuesday. Here's what's at stake President Biden is having a video call on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid growing concern about Russian troops amassed on the Ukraine border. Franco Ordoñez
New York York will have the nation's 1st vaccine mandate for private sector employers New York City Mayor Bill deBlasio has announced what he called a "pre-emptive strike" before the winter — a vaccine mandate for private sector employers. Quil Lawrence
Trump's social media deal is being investigated by regulators Regulators including the SEC are investigating a planned merger between a shell company and former President Donald Trump's social media startup. David Gura
Citing humanitarian abuses, U.S. will stage a diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics The White House cited the "ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity" in the Xinjiang region of China. U.S. athletes will compete in the Olympics. Alana Wise
Congressman shares photo celebrating guns at Christmas, days after a school shooting "Santa, please bring ammo," Rep. Thomas Massie wrote as he posted the image of him and his family posing with guns in front of a Christmas tree. Bill Chappell
Russia tests Biden administration as fears of Ukraine invasion NPR's David Folkenflik speaks with Heather Conley of the Center for Strategic and International Studies about U.S.-Russia relations amid Russian troop build up on the Ukrainian border.
Bob Dole, longtime GOP senator and 1996 presidential nominee, dies After recovering from wounds suffered in World War II, Dole went on to represent Kansas in Congress for more than 30 years. Mara Liasson
Communities of color face disproportionate exposure to pollution Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Michael S. Regan, the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, about the Biden administration's approach to environmental justice. Ayesha Rascoe
Pro-Trump counties now have far higher COVID death rates. Misinformation is to blame An analysis by NPR shows that since the vaccine rollout, counties that voted heavily for Donald Trump have had more than twice the COVID mortality rates of those that voted for Joe Biden. Daniel Wood
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on the administration's response to the Omicron variant NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on the Biden administration's ongoing response to the Omicron variant. Elena Burnett