National

Three law enforcement officers filed suit in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday against former President Trump for his alleged role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Driving the news: Capitol Police Officer Marcus J. Moore and, separately, Washington Metropolitan Police officers Bobby Tabron and DeDivine Carter are seeking damages from civil suits, which allege the former president aided and abetted assault and battery committed by his followers against the officers.

“The insurrectionist mob, which Trump had inflamed, encouraged, incited, directed, and aided and abetted, forced its way over and past [Moore] and his fellow officers,” according to Moore's complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, “pursuing and attacking them inside and outside the United States Capitol."

Moore asks that the 45th president pay his medical bills for the injuries he suffered that day, including sustained emotional and physical distress such as "persistent tinnitus, a condition that [is] causing ringing in his ears." 

"He continues to suffer a severe emotional toll in the wake of the January 6 insurrection" and is "haunted by the memory of being attacked, and of the sensory impacts — most particularly the explosions of flashbangs and other devices, as well as the sights, sounds, smells, and even tastes of the attack remain close to the surface."

Tabron and Carter also seek compensation for injuries incurred nearly a year ago while they tried to hold off the rioters. 

Tabron suffered a broken wrist, among other injuries, and continues to deal with insomnia, according to the joint lawsuit, which was also filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

"His thinking is slower, and his speech is slightly slurred from the concussion he suffered when the insurrectionists repeatedly struck him in the head" with flagpoles and bats, according to the lawsuit.

Go deeper: Seven Capitol Police officers sue Trump over Jan. 6 riot

Three more police officers sue Trump over Capitol riot

"His thinking is slower, and his speech is slightly slurred from the concussion he suffered when the insurrectionists repeatedly struck him in the head."

Pepper spray is used as rioters battle with U.S. Capitol Police officers while breaching the Capitol building grounds on Jan. 6, 2021. Photo: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Jan. 6

Three law enforcement officers filed suit in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday against former President Trump for his alleged role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.Driving the news: Capitol Police Officer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Marcus J. Moore" data-vars-click-url="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/21173440/complaint-moore-v-trump.pdf" data-vars-content-id="2327b1b5-142d-461e-b470-ff581e8a4d37" data-vars-headline="Three more police officers sue Trump over Capitol riot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/21173440/complaint-moore-v-trump.pdf" target="_blank">Marcus J. Moore</a> and, separately, Washington Metropolitan <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Police officers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000017e-26a0-dee4-a5ff-eeb8cfd10000" data-vars-content-id="2327b1b5-142d-461e-b470-ff581e8a4d37" data-vars-headline="Three more police officers sue Trump over Capitol riot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000017e-26a0-dee4-a5ff-eeb8cfd10000" target="_blank">Police officers</a> Bobby Tabron and DeDivine Carter are seeking damages from civil suits, which allege the former president aided and abetted assault and battery committed by his followers against the officers.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

The White House criticized China's decision to cancel more flights from the U.S. on Wednesday, saying it was "inconsistent with its obligations under the U.S.-China Air Transport Agreement."

Driving the news: China announced it suspended six flights over the course of the next week due to passengers testing positive for COVID-19, per Reuters.

The latest canceled flights affect United and China Southern airlines flights departing for Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

What they're saying: "[W]e retain the right to take regulatory measures as appropriate," a Transportation Department spokesperson said in a statement. 

The big picture: It adds to a spate of recently announced flight cancellations, as the Omicron variant continues to impact travel in the new year.

Go deeper: Flight cancellations become the post-holiday norm

Biden administration criticizes China's move to cancel more flights

China announced it suspended six flights next week due to passengers testing positive for COVID-19.

tail of airplane seen with united airliner in background.

United Airlines flights are among the latests to be suspended. Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images

China

The White House criticized China&#x27;s decision to cancel more flights from the U.S. on Wednesday, saying it was &quot;inconsistent with its obligations under the U.S.-China Air Transport Agreement.&quot;Driving the news: China announced it suspended six flights over the course of the next week due to passengers testing positive for COVID-19, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Reuters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-criticizes-china-canceling-some-flights-over-covid-19-cases-2022-01-12/" data-vars-content-id="2d937403-e79c-455c-8831-561649c40a12" data-vars-headline="Biden administration criticizes China&#x27;s move to cancel more flights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-criticizes-china-canceling-some-flights-over-covid-19-cases-2022-01-12/" target="_blank">Reuters</a>.

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

President Biden on Wednesday announced he intends to nominate Caroline Kennedy as ambassador to Australia and Olympian Michelle Kwan as ambassador to Belize.

Why it matters: Senate confirmations of Biden's diplomatic appointments have been slow compared to his predecessors, and embassy roles have remained empty. 

Details: It's the second high-profile assignment for Kennedy, a lawyer and the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan during the Obama administration.   

It comes at a time when the Biden Administration has strengthened security alliances in the Pacific, with an eye towards China.

Kwan, the Olympic medalist and the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history, earned a master's degree from Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and began working with the State Department in 2006. 

She joined Biden's presidential campaign staff in 2019 as surrogate director and also worked on Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Biden also announced picks for UN, defense, commerce, education and energy positions.

Go deeper: Breaking Biden's diplomatic logjam 

Biden picks Caroline Kennedy, Michelle Kwan for ambassador roles

He intends to nominate Kennedy as ambassador to Australia and Kwan as ambassador to Belize.

Caroline Kennedy (left) and Michelle Kwan (right). Photos: Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe (left), Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images (right).

Appointments

Joe Biden

President Biden on Wednesday announced he intends to nominate Caroline Kennedy as ambassador to Australia and Olympian Michelle Kwan as ambassador to Belize.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate confirmations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/biden-nominee-senate-confirmation-94dd2370-7e3c-4fe5-9772-736912e8ae47.html" data-vars-content-id="b76244a8-ea12-4353-a136-9412faaa9739" data-vars-headline="Biden picks Caroline Kennedy, Michelle Kwan for ambassador roles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/biden-nominee-senate-confirmation-94dd2370-7e3c-4fe5-9772-736912e8ae47.html" target="_self">Senate confirmations</a> of Biden&#x27;s diplomatic appointments have been slow compared to his predecessors, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="embassy roles have remained empty. " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/bidens-empty-embassies-e1cd2881-72bd-4b73-a203-9a60f8d3a142.html" data-vars-content-id="b76244a8-ea12-4353-a136-9412faaa9739" data-vars-headline="Biden picks Caroline Kennedy, Michelle Kwan for ambassador roles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/bidens-empty-embassies-e1cd2881-72bd-4b73-a203-9a60f8d3a142.html" target="_self">embassy roles have remained empty. </a>

A new United Nations report warns that global tourism will see only modest revenue gains in 2021 after last year's historic losses amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why it matters: Tourism revenues in 2020 fell by more than half from the previous year — a significant blow to the global economy, according to an analysis by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Tourism was the sector most affected by the pandemic, per the report, which was published Monday.

By the numbers: The UNWTO estimates 2021 global tourism revenue will amount to $1.9 trillion — a modest bump from 2020's low of $1.6 trillion.

Before the pandemic, 2019's global tourism revenue clocked in at $3.5 trillion, or 4% of world GDP.

The UN finds the drop in tourism is responsible for 70% of the total drop in world GDp last year.

In all, the pandemic will likely cost the global tourism sector $2 trillion in lost revenue in 2021, according to the UNWTO.

What they're saying: UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said in a statement Monday that data for the third quarter of 2021 was "encouraging."

But Pololikashvili noted that arrivals were still 76% below pre-pandemic levels "and results across the different global regions remain uneven."

What to watch: Governments are increasingly concerned about the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, as they seek to reopen economies stalled by nearly two years of pandemic restrictions.

Pololikashvili noted that with cases rising and the emergence of new variants, there needed to be continued "efforts to ensure equal access to vaccinations, coordinate travel procedures, make use of digital vaccination certificates to facilitate mobility, and continue to support the sector."

UN report: Pandemic set to cost global tourism $2 trillion in 2021

The UN projects 2021 global tourism will generate $1.9 trillion in revenue, only a slight increase from 2020's low.

Woman with suitcase takes selfie in front of Eiffel tower.

A tourist in front  of the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Nov. 25.  Photo:Chesnot/Getty Images

Travel

Coronavirus

A new United Nations report warns that global tourism will see only modest revenue gains in 2021 after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last year&#x27;s historic losses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/tourism-economy-coronavirus-e6f01ee9-7b38-49e2-9245-3622f11fbffb.html" data-vars-content-id="f7848557-af9d-49fb-b031-02b1c01736b1" data-vars-headline="UN report: Pandemic set to cost global tourism $2 trillion in 2021" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/tourism-economy-coronavirus-e6f01ee9-7b38-49e2-9245-3622f11fbffb.html" target="_self">last year&#x27;s historic losses</a> amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Why it matters: Tourism revenues in 2020 fell by more than half from the previous year — a significant blow to the global economy, according to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis by the UN World Tourism Organization" data-vars-click-url="https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/epdf/10.18111/9789284423200" data-vars-content-id="f7848557-af9d-49fb-b031-02b1c01736b1" data-vars-headline="UN report: Pandemic set to cost global tourism $2 trillion in 2021" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/epdf/10.18111/9789284423200" target="_blank">analysis by the UN World Tourism Organization</a> (UNWTO).

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

The U.S. faces a range of health care flashpoints — unaffordable drugs, opioids, vaping — as we debate whether to adopt universal care. For now, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, but Republicans want to issue it a final death blow.

Health

Four Black men wrongly charged with rape were exonerated Monday, more than 70 after being convicted of what prosecutors now say were baseless charges.  

Why it matters: Prosecutors said the case against the men, who all died before it was re-examined by Florida officials, "lacked due process and would not be tried today," the New York Times reports. 

Context: The accused, Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd and Ernest Thomas, came to be known as the Groveland Four.

Background: On July 16, 1949, a 17-year-old white woman and her estranged husband told police in Lake County, Fla., the four men had stopped to help with a broken down car when they took the woman from the car and raped her, per the NYT.  

Following the accusations, Thomas was killed by a mob after he fled Lake County.

The three other men were convicted by an all-white jury. Irvin and Shepherd were sentenced to death and Greenlee to life in prison, according to the NYT.

NCAAP lawyers appealed the convictions to the Supreme Court, which unanimously overturned them and instructed a lower court to order a retrial.

In 1951, a Lake County sheriff fatally shot Shepherd and injured Irvin as they were being taken to a pretrial hearing leading up to the retrial, AP notes. 

Irvin and Greenlee were later convicted again. Greenlee was sentenced to life in prison, as was Irvin after his original death sentence was commuted. 

Irvin was granted parole in 1968 and died a year later, per NBC News. Greenlee, who was 16 when he was charged, was paroled in 1962 and died in 2012 at age 78.

Driving the news: In August, investigators obtained information from Jesse Hunter, the state attorney who prosecuted the case, which suggested Hunter and the judge who presided over the 1951 retrial knew that the alleged rape never happened, per the NYT.

In April 2017, the state of Florida issued an official apology to the families of the Groveland Four. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) pardoned the four men in January 2019, one month after the Department of Law Enforcement was ordered to review the case.

The woman who said she was raped testified at the clemency board hearing against the pardons, the NYT notes. 

What they're saying: In the motion filed in October to clear all four men of the charges, Bill Gladson, state attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, wrote: 

"Given these facts today, no fair-minded prosecutor would even consider filing these charges and no reasonable jury would convict. The evidence strongly suggests that the sheriff, the judge, and the prosecutor all but ensured guilty verdicts in this case. These officials, disguised as keepers of the peace and masquerading as ministers of justice, disregarded their oaths, and set in motion a series of events that forever destroyed these men, their families, and a community. I have not witnessed a more complete breakdown of the criminal justice system, nor do I ever expect I will again."

Aaron Newson, Thomas' nephew, cried at the news, saying "I hope that this is a start because lot of people didn't get this opportunity," AP reports.

"A lot of families didn’t get this opportunity. Maybe they will. This country needs to come together."

4 Black men wrongly charged with rape are exonerated after 72 years

"I hope that this is a start because lot of people didn't get this opportunity," the nephew of one of the men said, per AP.

A man and two woman stand behind a granite monument with a plaque that reads "In Memory of the Groveland Four" under an image of four young men.  

Relatives of the Groveland Four gather at the just-unveiled monument in front of the Old Lake County courthouse in Tavares, Fla., in February last year. Photo: Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Criminal justice

Four Black men wrongly charged with rape were exonerated Monday, more than 70 after being convicted of what prosecutors now say were baseless charges. Why it matters: Prosecutors said the case against the men, who all died before it was re-examined by Florida officials, &quot;lacked due process and would not be tried today,&quot; the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New York Times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/22/us/groveland-four-exonerated-florida.html" data-vars-content-id="fabc548d-85a6-481e-8628-08b99e255fbd" data-vars-headline="4 Black men wrongly charged with rape are exonerated after 72 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/22/us/groveland-four-exonerated-florida.html" target="_blank">New York Times</a> reports.

Julia Sclafani

Stories

Biden administration criticizes China's move to cancel more flights

Three more police officers sue Trump over Capitol riot

Biden picks Caroline Kennedy, Michelle Kwan for ambassador roles

UN report: Pandemic set to cost global tourism $2 trillion in 2021

4 Black men wrongly charged with rape are exonerated after 72 years