Jeanie Buss inherited a team, and a legacy, from her father. What will her imprint be?

Lady of the Lakers

Some Republicans who once scolded about fiscal austerity are now embracing government spending, underlining that the public supports more generous relief.

As Some Deficit Hawks Turn Dove, the New Politics of Debt Are on Display

A year of hardship in parts of Cleveland has left many with the sense that the fabric of their communities was fraying.

Gunfire and Crashing Cars: In Struggling Neighborhoods, ‘We’re Losing Our Grip’

Those behind the widespread intrusion into government and corporate networks exploited seams in U.S. defenses and gave away nothing to American monitoring of their systems.

As Understanding of Russian Hacking Grows, So Does Alarm

Most officials believe the Taliban are behind the attacks on civil leaders, but others fear that factions are using chaos as a cover to settle scores, in an echo of Afghanistan’s past civil war.

Targeted Killings Are Terrorizing Afghans. And No One Is Claiming Them.

He first wanted to run for office years ago. Now Stacey Abrams, the Democratic Party and the Rev. Raphael Warnock all believe that the time is ripe for Georgia voters to send a Black Baptist preacher to Washington.

Raphael Warnock, From the Pulpit to Politics, Doesn’t Shy From ‘Uncomfortable’ Truths

Vice President Mike Pence signaled his support as 11 Republican senators and senators-elect said that they would vote to reject President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s victory.

Pence Welcomes Futile Bid by G.O.P. Lawmakers to Overturn Election

A website called Not Amazon was created to drive sales to more than 4,000 independent stores in four cities. The initiative aims to keep expanding.

A Canadian ‘Buy Local’ Effort Fights Amazon on Its Own Turf

A 2019 analysis found that 90,000 packages are lost or stolen every day in New York. And it’s only getting worse during the pandemic.

My Packages Keep Getting Stolen. What Can I Do?

Quotation of the Day for Saturday, January 2, 2021.

Quotation of the Day: Sudden Sisterhood of Covid Widows, United in Unthinkable Loss

In 2020 we stocked up on a lot. Maybe some things we didn’t need.

The Year of Buyer’s Remorse

All 54 African countries put together have registered fewer Covid deaths than France. That doesn’t mean people aren’t dying from the virus.

A Continent Where the Dead Are Not Counted

The pandemic did not stop a Las Vegas tradition: the fast, budget-priced nuptial ceremony with you and your very own (socially distant) Elvis impersonator.

The Vegas Chapels Are Open, and Waiting

As the coronavirus claims more victims, a once-rare diagnosis is receiving new attention from scientists, who fear it may affect nutrition and mental health.

Some Covid Survivors Haunted by Loss of Smell and Taste

The island’s success against the coronavirus has created a sinking feeling for many residents: How much longer can their good fortune last?

How Taiwan Plans to Stay (Mostly) Covid-Free

Hospitals are at capacity and coronavirus cases are surging, but many foreigners, especially Americans, are heading to the Mexican capital — some intending to stay awhile.

Fleeing Lockdown, Americans Are Flocking to Mexico City

We put that question to readers and received more than 800 responses. Here are some of the highlights.

What’s the First Thing You Will Do When the Pandemic Ends?

Drafted in the first round by the Celtics, he played for 12 seasons before leading teams in Phoenix, Seattle and Sacramento.

Paul Westphal, N.B.A. Hall of Famer and Coach, Dies at 70

Notre Dame never really threatened the Crimson Tide in their College Football Playoff semifinal, and then Ohio State rolled over Clemson.

Alabama and Ohio State Reach the National Title Game With Runaway Wins

Housebound because of the pandemic, an international correspondent finds a way to travel the globe in her kitchen.

Conjuring Up the World Through the Sense of Taste

Readers take issue with an Op-Ed suggesting that the pandemic has undone the advances in gender equity.

What Has Feminism Achieved?

The Education Department lies in ruins right when it’s needed most.

The Wreckage Betsy DeVos Leaves Behind

At 31, Griffin is a Detroit Pistons elder who still knows how to entertain, even if soaring dunks are no longer his specialty.

Blake Griffin: Thriving Away From the Rim and Feeling ‘Ancient’

Ancient pharaohs rowed the Nile. Now Egyptians have rediscovered the practice, finding a new perspective on the river that shaped their country.

Rowing the Nile: A Soothing Respite in a Chaotic Metropolis

After six years of quiet diplomacy as the U.N.’s Middle East envoy, Nickolay Mladenov leaves his post to a chorus of praise from an unlikely choir.

January 2, 2021

Headlines from January 2, 2021

Lady of the Lakers

As Some Deficit Hawks Turn Dove, the New Politics of Debt Are on Display

Gunfire and Crashing Cars: In Struggling Neighborhoods, ‘We’re Losing Our Grip’

As Understanding of Russian Hacking Grows, So Does Alarm

Targeted Killings Are Terrorizing Afghans. And No One Is Claiming Them.

Billboard 200

Evermore

McCartney III

Music To Be Murdered By

Christmas

Merry Christmas

Historical Context for January 2, 2021