Here's what we're watching today:

Mask advice: Omicron is aggressive and your cloth mask is likely not up to the challenge. Here are tips for what offers the best protection (and getting the real deal).

Amtrak settlement: Amtrak has paid $2 million to passengers who experienced disability discrimination as part of an agreement reached in 2020.

War crimes case: An ex-Syrian officer was convicted of torture in a landmark trial held in Germany. Those who testified had to stare down threats.

🎧 Also on Up First, our daily podcast, what Russia wants out of its talks with NATO leaders and why it's so hard for the U.S. to meet Moscow partway.

— The Morning Edition live blog team

(Dana Farrington, Nell Clark, Rachel Treisman and Danny Nett)