Republicans will be in full control today, with a larger House majority and Senate control for the first time since 2007. Speaker John A. Boehner will almost certainly be re-elected to the top House leadership post today, but a potentially record number in his Republican conference may vote against him.The new Congress is slightly more diverse, but still 80 percent white and 80 percent male.

The top-selling tabloid newspaper in Germany splashed on its front page today a plea to end what it sees as rising xenophobia. On Monday, thousands of protesters rallied against Muslim immigration in several cities, despite the urging of Chancellor Angela Merkel to shun the rallies and their organizers as racist.

Former Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia is due in federal court today for sentencing on 11 counts of public corruption. His lawyers are asking for three years of community service; prosecutors are seeking a sentence of at least 10 years in jail.

The Baseball Writers’ Association of America announces today the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 from a ballot with 34 names. This year’s list includes players who have been linked to the use of performance-enhancing drugs: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.