Tens of thousands of protesters rallied in Russia for the second consecutive week, defying the Kremlin in support of the jailed opposition leader Aleksei A. Navaly.

On Friday, the World Health Organization reviewed the details of its investigation into the origin of the coronavirus in China, and what it hopes to learn from the visit.

On Friday, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci warned that new virus variants, despite the global vaccine distribution, should offer a wake-up call to the continuing dangers of the pandemic.

On Friday, The White House coronavirus response team and federal public health officials held a news briefing to discuss the status of the federal government's pandemic response.

Cecilia Rouse, President Biden's pick to lead the White House Council of Economic Advisers, testified to the Senate Banking Committee on how she would lead a recovery in the wake of the pandemic.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan called for a unified political approach in combatting the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic during her State of the State speech on Wednesday.

The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs considered Rep. Marcia L. Fudge and Cecilia Rouse, President Biden's nominees for secretary of housing and urban development and chair for the Council of Economic Advisers.

John Kerry, the new American envoy for climate change, said on Wednesday that the United States will once again become a global leader in tackling climate change, through agreements such as the Paris Accord.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said officials were assessing whether indoor dining could soon return in some capacity to New York City.

On Wednesday, President Biden signed a series of executive orders aimed at combating climate change through job creation, and included a 'pause' in fossil fuel leasing.