NPR News

The vaccine is now being used in Brazil, Indonesia and Turkey for starters. But there are conflicting reports about its degree of effectiveness.

"I believe this genocide is ongoing," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, in a forceful statement that was issued on his last full day representing the U.S. to the world.

President-elect Joe Biden teared up in his goodbye to his adopted home state before flying to Washington, D.C. "When I die, Delaware will be written on my heart," Biden said.

View NPR's maps and graphics to see where COVID-19 is hitting hardest in the U.S., which state outbreaks are growing and which are leveling off.

Although vaccination has begun, this winter has been the deadliest season of the pandemic. The U.S. death toll jumped from 300,000 to 400,000 in just five weeks.

Air quality limits on cremations are temporarily suspended in Los Angeles because of increased demand due to COVID-19. Officials say the death rate is now more than double that of pre-pandemic years.

Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman in America to earn her medical degree. Her sister Emily followed in her footsteps. Janice Nimura tells the story of the "complicated, prickly" trailblazers.

Austin, a retired four-star Army general, served in the military for 40 years including as the first Black general to lead U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East.

Retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin is appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on his nomination to be President-elect Joe Biden's defense secretary. Austin, who previously led U.S. Central Command, will require a waiver for his confirmation as he's only been retired from active duty for four years. Watch the hearing live.

The Senate majority leader's remarks are his strongest against the president since the Jan. 6 riot.