Should You Worry?

CNN News : Top Stories

• The two leaders will have their first one-on-one call since this summer amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine
  President Joe Biden will hold a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in what is expected to be a highly consequential meeting for the two leaders amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
  
• Ukraine's defense minister warns there will be a 'bloody massacre' if Russia invades
  Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has told CNN there will be a "really bloody massacre" if Russia decides to invade Ukraine, and warned that "Russian guys also will come back in the coffins," amid heightened alarm about troop movements on the nations' border.
  
• Opinion: Why Vladimir Putin could start a war
  Is Russian President Vladimir Putin going to launch an invasion into neighboring Ukraine? Enormous movements of Russian troops and military equipment toward the shared border have raised the alarm among Ukrainians and their Western friends.
  
• Tensions are rising on Ukraine's border with Russia. Here's what you need to know
  Tensions between Ukraine and Russia are at their highest in years, with reports of a Russian troop build-up near Russia's borders with Ukraine fueling fears over Moscow's intentions.
  
• 'Bloody massacre': Ukrainian Defense Minister on potential Russian invasion
  Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov talks to CNN's Matthew Chance amid fears of a Russian invasion in Ukraine.
  
• Biden readying sanctions against Putin's inner circle ahead of key call
  US officials are currently weighing a wide set of sanctions on Russia meant to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from launching an invasion into Ukraine, according to people familiar with the discussions.
  
• 5 European places added to 'very high' risk list for Covid
  • We all want the Omicron variant to be milder. Here's why it's too soon to know • Live Updates: The latest on Omicron • Covid vaccination map looks almost exactly like the election map
  
• The world's newest nation is both drying up and drowning
  • Relentless rain leaves Hawaii facing 'life-threatening flooding' • A giant 'black box' will gather all climate data for future civilizations to learn from
  
• One of America's most popular national park hikes will require a permit next year
  One of America's most popular national park hikes will require a permit as of 2022.
  
• Kentucky Derby winner collapses and dies
  Kentucky Derby-winning horse Medina Spirit died Monday at Santa Anita racetrack in Southern California, according to the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB).
  
• 'It's head-spinning': Ex-GOP lawmaker reacts to ex-senator's gubernatorial bid
  Former US Sen. David Perdue officially announced his run for governor of Georgia, launching a primary challenge to sitting Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in a state that has been trending away from the GOP.
  
• Ghislaine Maxwell said Jeffrey Epstein needed to have sex three times a day, woman testifies
  • Epstein's house manager says staff was told to 'see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing' • Epstein's former pilot testifies Clinton, Trump, Prince Andrew flew aboard private plane
  
• Police arrest boyfriend of Florida woman who has been missing for more than a week
  Police in Florida have arrested the boyfriend of a woman who was last seen more than a week ago in an area northwest of Tampa.
  
• Analysis: Trump's anti-democratic playbook takes shape as Biden faces off with Putin
  Former President Donald Trump's grip on the Republican Party is tightening as the 2022 midterm elections approach and GOP candidates launch campaigns at every level of governance -- from school boards to the US Senate -- with hopes of attracting his endorsement and strengthening the anti-democratic movement fueled by his lies about last year's presidential contest.
  
• Armed with plastic shields, White nationalists march on Lincoln Memorial
  Patriot Front, a group widely considered to be White nationalists, marched at the National Mall in Washington, DC, wearing white masks and carrying plastic shields. CNN's Laura Jarrett and John Avlon react to the scene.
  
• Analysis: Nunes' decision signals where power is in conservative movement
  A version of this article first appeared in the "Reliable Sources" newsletter. You can sign up for free right here.
  
• Michigan shooting could have been prevented, prosecutor says
  One week after a school shooting in Michigan that killed four students and led to the manhunt and arrest of the suspect's parents, officials are wondering how the tragedy could have been prevented.
  
• Opinion: The war that we should all agree is worth fighting
  Fifty years ago, America was bitterly divided. The war in Vietnam was grinding on, claiming nearly as many American troops' lives in 1971 alone as we lost in two decades in Afghanistan. Domestic terrorist attacks were common; the FBI said there were about five bombings a day in the US. That's each day.
  
• Nearly 70 ICU medics at Spanish hospital test positive for Covid after Christmas party
  Nearly 70 nurses and doctors working in the intensive care unit at a Spanish hospital have tested positive for Covid-19 after attending a Christmas party, health authorities said on Monday.
  
• New England Patriots edge Buffalo Bills in 'crazy game' to win seventh straight
  The New England Patriots edged out the Buffalo Bills 14-10 on a blustery night at the Highmark Stadium in Buffalo to extend their winning streak to seven games.
  
• Drake pulls out of Grammy Awards race
  Canadian rapper Drake withdrew on Monday from the Grammy Awards, removing his two nominations for music's highest honors, sources close to the musician said.
  
• Actor offers to play Biden on 'SNL'. Hear Biden's response
  Ahead of the 44th annual Kennedy Center Honors, President Joe Biden hosted a reception for this year's recipients at the White House. Among them are "Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels, who Biden teased for the parade of actors recruited to play him on the late-night sketch show.
  
• BTS members launch personal Instagram accounts after vacation announcement
  BTS fans, Christmas has come early -- members of the K-Pop band finally have personal Instagram accounts.
  
• Giggling foxes charm the internet
  Listen to foxes giggle as they're tickled. CNN's Jeanne Moos has the answer to "what did the fox say?"
  
• Jussie Smollett, after denying he orchestrated attack, will face cross examination
  Jussie Smollett will resume testifying in his defense today after taking the stand Monday to rebut allegations that he staged a fake hate crime in 2019 and lied to Chicago police about it.
  
• These are red flags schools can look out for to help prevent violence
  To help thwart potential school violence, students and staff need to beware of certain warning signs -- and feel comfortable reporting them.
  
• 'Hot' Secret Service agent makes internet swoon
  Hot Secret Service agent has posters panting..."Please wrestle me to the ground." CNN's Jeanne Moos reports.
  
• Harris to mark Maternal Health Day of Action at White House summit
  Vice President Kamala Harris will mark the White House's first ever Maternal Health Day of Action on Tuesday when she hosts a summit with lawmakers, Cabinet secretaries and celebrities, a White House official said
  
• China threatens the US with retaliation over diplomatic boycott of Winter Olympics
  China has threatened the Biden administration with retaliation over its decision to impose a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, warning the move could damage bilateral relations.
  
• 'Egregious': Psaki says human rights abuses reason for Olympics boycott
  White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced that US diplomatic officials will boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as a protest against Chinese human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
  
• China pumps $188 billion into the economy to counter real estate slump
  China has decided it's time to loosen its purse strings and pump money into the economy in a bid to stave off threats to the recovery.
  
• ITF 'does not want to punish a billion people' by suspending China tournaments in Peng Shuai row
  The governing body of tennis, the International Tennis Federation (ITF), has not suspended tournaments in China because it "does not want to punish a billion people," its president said Sunday.
  
• Analysis: China wants to return to 'zero-Covid.' But cases have been above zero for seven weeks
  As the world grapples with the new Omicron coronavirus variant, China is determined as ever to eliminate Covid-19 within its borders -- but it hasn't been able to achieve that ambitious goal for the past seven weeks.
  
• Podcast: Former chief of staff to Pence on how the virus became politicized
  
  
• 30 stocking stuffers for everyone on your list
  
  
• 28 white elephant gifts under $50 your family and friends will love
  
  
• 49 gifts to truly wow the women in your life
  
  
• Powerful photos show autism in a new light
  Although Mary Berridge's son displayed signs of autism from birth -- including motor skill and speech delays, difficulty with change and sensory sensitivity -- it took over seven years for him to be formally diagnosed.
  
• Look up to see bright Comet Leonard this month before it vanishes forever
  There is a new comet in town, and December is your only chance to see it before disappears forever. Astronomers say that Comet Leonard is our best and brightest comet to see in 2021.
  
• See total solar eclipse plunge Antarctica into darkness
  The solar eclipse brought a few minutes of total darkness to the continent which usually experiences continual daylight during its summer season.
  
• At Design Miami, world-class designers presented a new luxury code
  The luxury world's modern codes are evolving. What the word means -- and how luxury is created -- has been long scrutinized, but the events of the past two years have no doubt spurred new definitions or interpretations of the term.
  
• Bitcoin plunges on more market angst
  Over the past week, as markets were churning on fears that the Omicron variant could derail the global economic recovery, bitcoin prices stayed surprisingly stable. Then came the weekend.
  
• Tesla just announced a $1,900 kids ATV
  As Elon Musk wrapped up his presentation of the Tesla Cybertruck back in November 2019, he had one more thing he still wanted to show off.
  
• DoorDash introduces a new delivery service
  DoorDash is jumping on the speedy delivery trend.
  
• 3 jobs trends to look out for next year
  Three important trends are likely to dominate the US labor market in 2022: the ongoing economic recovery from the pandemic, the severe labor shortage, and the increasing adjustment to remote work. But there is one wildcard that could upend everything: A new Covid-19 surge, driven by Omicron or another variant.
  
• 23 gifts every man in your life would love to receive
  
  
• 21 best subscription gifts that'll last long after the holidays
  
  
• 20 fitness gift ideas for anyone struggling with at-home workouts
  
  
• 28 gifts under $100 that look way more expensive than they are
  
  
• Is a SAD lamp actually worth it? Absolutely. Here are 3 we love