Best-Sellers-Books-USAToday

1. “A Promised Land” by Barack Obama (Crown)

Review: 'Bone Canyon' another first-rate police procedural

“Bone Canyon,” by Lee Goldberg (Thomas & Mercer)

Arizona deemed 'hot spot of the world' amid virus surge

PHOENIX (AP) — Five months after President Donald Trump hailed Arizona as a model for how it dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, public health experts warned Wednesday that the state has become “the hot spot of the world" and that health restrictions the governor has been hesitant to impose could have tamped down the crisis.

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Iowa governor, aides appear in PR video for no-bid vendor

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa's governor and four aides helped make a marketing video for a Utah company that was awarded no-bid contracts for work on the coronavirus pandemic, a move that has raised allegations of favoritism and improper use of public resources.

As Arizona becomes world hot spot, focus put on governor

PHOENIX (AP) — As Arizona experienced periodic spikes in COVID-19 cases since last spring, Gov. Doug Ducey frequently resisted calls to take strong measures. He has declined to institute a statewide mask mandate, allowed school districts to mostly make their own choices and allowed businesses to stay open.

Ugandan police confront Bobi Wine during online briefing

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Police in Uganda confronted popular opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine during his online press conference Thursday to announce a petition to the International Criminal Court over alleged abuses by security forces. He said they fired tear gas and bullets as they swarmed his car.

Rejuvenated Paqueta the driving force in Lyon's title charge

PARIS (AP) — When the best player in Lyon's history phoned AC Milan's greatest defender, they talked business.

Minus coach, Browns end long playoff drought in Pittsburgh

CLEVELAND (11-5) at PITTSBURGH (12-4)

Priefer subbing as Browns head coach in playoffs vs Steelers

CLEVELAND (AP) — Mike Priefer has known for months that he would be Browns coach Kevin Stefanski's replacement in the event of a positive COVID-19 test.

Chiesa and other youngsters making their marks at Juventus

Juventus appears to be reducing its dependence on Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Latest: Schumer urges Cabinet to oust Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on

The Latest: Arizona reports nearly 300 deaths, 10,000 cases

PHOENIX — Arizona reported nearly 300 coronavirus deaths, a pandemic high, and nearly 10,000 new infections on Thursday.

US long-term mortgage rates hit new lows; 30-year at 2.65%

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. long-term mortgage rates declined this week to new record lows for the first week of 2021.

Wall Street keeps rising on Democratic wins, stimulus hopes

Major U.S. stock indexes surged to all-time highs Thursday as Wall Street bet that the Democratic sweep of Washington means more stimulus is on the way for the economy.

Editorial Roundup: US

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Split court tosses Pennsylvania victims' rights amendment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A victims’ rights constitutional amendment that Pennsylvania voters apparently passed by a wide margin was thrown out Thursday by a divided state court that ruled it bundled too many changes together.

Identical twins aren't perfect clones, research shows

WASHINGTON (AP) — If you’re an identical twin who’s always resisted being called a clone of your sibling, scientists say you have a point.

The Latest: General says US strong, despite Capitol violence

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on

US services sector grows for seventh consecutive month

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — The U.S. services sector, where most Americans work, grew for the seventh consecutive month in December even as coronavirus cases surged through the holidays.