For one of the last visits of his presidency, Trump chose the Rio Grande Valley, the setting of some of his most criticized immigration polices — separation of families and detention of minors — to emerge from public and political isolation following the U.S. Capitol attacks.
A relatively subdued Trump highlights immigration policies at border
Supreme Court says abortion drugs must be obtained in person, not by mail
In its 6-3 order, the Supreme Court justices said women must follow previous Food and Drug Administration requirements that they had to visit a doctor’s office, hospital or clinic in person to obtain abortion-inducing drugs.
U.S. putting Cuba on list of state sponsors of terrorism called wrongheaded
The Trump administration reclassified Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism Jan. 11, 2021, five years after the island nation was removed from that list.
Australian agency admits serious error in reporting Vatican bank transfers
The Vatican thanked Australia’s financial crime agency for its collaboration after it issued a report Jan. 13 saying that it had grossly over-reported the amount of money transferred from the Vatican to Australia in the last six years.
Popes Francis, Benedict XVI in line for vaccination against COVID-19
The Vatican began vaccinating its employees and residents against COVID-19 Jan. 13, giving priority to its health care workers, security personnel, employees who deal with the public and older residents, employees and retirees.
Lisa Montgomery put to death after Supreme Court reversal
After a flurry of court decisions, the Supreme Court reversed a pair of rulings from federal appeals courts that had put death-row inmate Lisa Montgomery’s execution on hold, and it denied two other last-minute requests to postpone the execution.
Federal appeals court continues hold on Arkansas laws restricting abortion
A federal appeals court reaffirmed a hold on an Arkansas law that bans abortions 18 weeks into pregnancy and another banning an abortion from being performed when a fetus is detected to have Down syndrome.
Capitol Hill riots addressed in homilies at some U.S. Catholic churches
Several bishops, priests and deacons across the country used their pulpits during Jan. 9-10 weekend Masses to address what happened in Washington and how people of faith should respond.