OBAMA-IMMIGRATION

WASHINGTON — After seven years, 2 million-plus deportations, two executive actions and 720,000 "Dreamers" who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children, the bottom line on President Barack Obama's immigration record still remains an open question for many immigrants and their advocates. 

SUPREME COURT-IMMIGRATION

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court steps into a boiling political dispute over immigration, setting up a likely decision in the middle of a presidential campaign marked by harsh rhetoric about immigrants. 

PRESIDENTIAL RACE-TRUMP-PALIN

AMES, Iowa — Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump receives the endorsement of conservative firebrand Sarah Palin, giving the billionaire businessman a potential boost less than two weeks before Iowa's kick-off caucuses. 

CONGRESS-SYRIAN REFUGEES

WASHINGTON — The debate over tough new screening procedures for Syrian and Iraqi refugees should be driven by facts, not fearmongering, says Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ahead of a key vote that had at least one Republican presidential candidate changing his campaign schedule. 

JIHADI JOHN

NEW YORK — The Islamic State group has acknowledged the death of the masked militant known as "Jihadi John," who appeared in several videos depicting the beheadings of Western hostages, in an article in its online English-language magazine Dabiq. 

UNITED STATES-RUSSIA

WASHINGTON— Secretary of State John Kerry is hoping to move aside obstacles that threaten to delay the start of peace talks to end Syria's war, seeking compromise with Russia's foreign minister on which Syrian opposition groups should be eligible to participate. 

UNITED STATES-AUSTRALIA

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama thanks Australia for its "steadfast" alliance and key contributions in the fight against Islamic State group, as he welcomes Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to the White House for his first visit to Washington since taking office in September.