 THE BIG STORY
Republicans are optimistic about a bipartisan COVID aid deal, while Democrats plan to pass a bill with or without them
After a two-hour meeting with President Joe Biden, a group of Republican senators left the White House without a deal for a new COVID aid package. This said, they expressed optimism that a deal is possible.
The basis for this optimism is a mystery. Right now, the two sides are miles apart. Biden is pushing a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package that includes $1,400 checks for most Americans, as well as an additional $400 per week in federal unemployment benefits through September.
Meanwhile, the Republican group’s proposal is a third of the size of Biden’s. They want an approximately $600 billion package, with $1,000 checks for fewer people, plus an additional $300 per week in unemployment benefits through June.
Democrats have widely rejected the proposal as inadequate.
The stalemate represents Biden’s first major test of his plan to win over some Republicans to back his agenda. The president needs 10 Republican senators on board for any bill to pass the Senate through normal methods.  President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris meet with 10 Republican senators in the Oval Office on Monday. Doug Mills / Pool / Getty Images HELP US PURSUE GOVERNMENT SECRETS
Our journalists filed 58 Freedom of Information Act lawsuits during Trump's presidency — more than any other media organization in the US. We have no plans to slow down, but pursuing that work is expensive and time consuming. STAYING ON TOP OF THIS
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez opened up about her traumatic experience during the Capitol riot
In an emotional Instagram Live, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shared details of her traumatic experience evacuating from her office during the attack on the US Capitol.
Ocasio-Cortez also described how Republicans who have repeated Donald Trump’s lies that the election was “stolen” have urged Democrats to move on, and called for Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley to resign.
“They’re trying to tell us that it wasn't a big deal. They’re trying to tell us to move on without any accountability, without any truth telling,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
“What that tells me is that when given another window of political opportunity for themselves, even if they know that it means, that it will endanger their colleagues, they will do it again.” SNAPSHOTS
Twitter temporarily blocked accounts critical of the Indian government. The government order to block included a movie star, a political commentator, and a prominent magazine. Their accounts have all been restored.
A 9-year-old girl was handcuffed and pepper-sprayed by Rochester cops while she screamed for her dad. Body camera video shows officers handcuffing and pepper-spraying the distressed child after responding to a call of “family trouble.” In the video, an officer is heard telling the girl, "you're acting like a child." She responds, screaming, “I am a child.”
Evan Rachel Wood alleged her ex-fiancé Marilyn Manson “horrifically abused” and “manipulated” her. “He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years,” wrote Wood, who was engaged to Manson in 2010. On the same day Wood released her statement, four other women also came forward with claims of abuse against Manson.
Singer Tony Bennett has revealed he has Alzheimer’s Disease. Bennett's family said his condition had slowly been worsening but that continuing to perform had been beneficial.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Immigration advocates hope Biden will address overlooked family separations at the border
President Joe Biden is preparing to announce a family separation task force to reunite children and parents separated at the border.
The goal of the task force, expected to be announced Tuesday, will be to identify thousands of children separated under the Trump administration and make recommendations as to how the families can be reunited.
But advocates want Biden to pay attention to separations that are still taking place, and the guidelines that allow them to happen. Border Patrol agents have the power to separate children from their parents in cases where authorities believe parents are dangerous, have a criminal history, or are affiliated with a gang.
But at times, agents have used unreliable and murky records to accuse parents of crimes they didn't commit. As one advocate told us, it can be tougher to make the public care about cases where parents are accused of having a criminal record, but in some cases the crime doesn't merit separation. DANCING IN THE COUP LIGHT
Yes, this PE teacher really danced through the coup in Myanmar
On Monday morning, news broke of a military coup in Myanmar. As the story was unfolding and footage was coming out of the country, one particular video caught the attention of the internet.
The video is a bit surreal. A woman dances an aerobic routine to a lively electronic beat. Behind her, armored vehicles drive by.
The scene is so absurd, many thought the video was fake. But alas, it was real. The woman, named Khing Hnin Wai, dances for three minutes, seemingly oblivious to what is unfolding behind her. According to her Facebook profile, she is a physical education teacher.  Be still long enough to hear what your quiet inner voice is trying to say today, Elamin 📝 This letter was edited and brought to you by Elamin Abdelmahmoud and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.
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