The Hill
Democrats are barreling toward a showdown over voting rights and changes to the Senate rules, after months of growing frustration from within the caucus. The party is under pressure, from both outside groups and lawmakers, to pass federal election legislation as GOP-run state legislatures debate new voting rules and as the start of the 2022 midterm election is fast-approaching.
Biden says he’s in favor of exception to filibuster for voting rights, ‘whatever it takes’
President Biden said in an interview Thursday that he would support an exception to the Senate’s filibuster rule when it comes to the wide-ranging election and campaign finance reform bill that passed the Democrat-controlled House earlier this year but hit a roadblock in the Senate.
Trump suspected of making 'several' tapes of Capitol riot response
The House committee investigating the Capitol riot suspects there are several versions of a video message recorded by former President Donald Trump in response to the violence on Jan. 6.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
More than 3,000 flights canceled worldwide amid airlines’ staffing issues
More than 3,000 flights scheduled for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day have been canceled globally, according to the website FlightAware. Around 20 percent of those canceled for Friday inv…
thehill.com
Trump pushes one truth and hides another | CNN Politics
There are things that former President Donald Trump wants to talk about, like vaccines, and things he’d rather keep quiet, like what exactly happened in the White House leading up to January 6.
www.cnn.comTrump could face charges for trying to obstruct certification of election, legal experts say
Analysis: charges could be well founded given Trump’s incendiary remarks to a rally before the Capitol attack and aggressive pressuring of officials The panel could make a criminal referral of evidence for the justice department to investigate. Photograph: Leigh Vogel/UPI/REX/Shutterstock...
Wave of retirements rocks Democrats' hopes of holding the House
So far, 23 Democrats and a dozen Republicans in the House have announced they're not seeking re-election or are running for another office.
www.nbcnews.com
China calls US law on Xinjiang imports ‘economic bullying’
China’s Commerce Ministry expresses ‘strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition’ to the US ban on imports from Xinjiang.
Fox News Host's Incendiary Fauci Comments Follow a Network Pattern
Fox News host Jesse Watters used notably violent language this week in urging a gathering of conservatives to publicly confront Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s foremost infectious-disease specialist, who has become a frequent source of criticism on the political right. Referring to tabloid-style...
Judge blocks New York Times on Project Veritas coverage
The Times was also ordered to return or delete relevant documents.
www.politico.com
New Year's Eve in Times Square still on, with smaller crowd
Revelers will still ring in the new year in New York’s Times Square next week, there just won’t be as many as usual under new COVID-19 restrictions.
apnews.com
New January 6 video shows three hours of violent and chaotic assault on police | CNN Politics
The Justice Department this week released a three-hour video of a battle between rioters and the police at the US Capitol Building on January 6 where rioters brandished weapons, officers were viciously beaten, and a member of the mob died on Capitol steps.
www.cnn.com
Covid, immigration and voting rights: Checking in on Biden's year-one promises
Biden promised his campaign for president to tackle a wide range of issues in his first year in office.
www.nbcnews.com
NY Gov. Hochul shortens quarantine period for 'critical workforce': 'We need you again'
Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., announced during a Friday briefing at the New York state Capitol in Albany that she is shortening the requisite quarantine period for vaccinated “critical workforce” who test positive for COVID-19.
Biden calls NORAD and updates children on Santa's progress across the globe | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden made a Christmas Eve call to North American Aerospace Defense Command on Friday at the White House, updating children on Santa’s progress across the globe as part of what NORAD Commander Gen. Glen VanHerck on the call called “DOD’s largest outreach program.”
www.cnn.com
$2.5B headed to tribes for long-standing water settlements
Native American tribes are awaiting a one-time windfall that could help deliver reliable, clean water to their residents.
apnews.com
Biden, first lady make Christmas Eve visit to Children’s National Hospital
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden on Friday made a Christmas Eve visit to the Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., where the first couple met with and read a story to hospitali…
thehill.com
WATCH: President and first lady visit Children's National Hospital
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited the Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., on Friday to greet patients, families, and staff.
www.washingtonexaminer.comRoger Stone Is Desperate for Cash and Still Selling Autographed Rocks
Photo Illustration by Kristen Hazzard/The Daily Beast/GettyLast-minute holiday shoppers can breathe easy: Roger Stone’s one-day auction of rocks, NFTs, and private phone calls with his friends has been extended indefinitely.Stone, a longtime GOP operator and friend of Donald Trump, was...
Middle man: Petersen poised to play key role in Va. Senate
Republican victories last month in Virginia gave the GOP control of the governor's mansion and House of Delegates.
apnews.com
5 Trump quotes that indicate he will run in 2024
The presidential election is three years away, but former President Trump is already fueling speculation he might mount a third bid for the White House.In findings that would be sure to please the …
thehill.com
Josh Hawley facing left-wing activist group's threat of new protest outside his DC-area home
Left-wing activist organization ShutDownDC on Wednesday seemingly threatened to show up at the Washington, D.C.-area home of Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., to mark the one-year anniversary of when when his wife and newborn daughter were harassed there while he was in Missouri.
Santa's measurements may surprise you: Official numbers released
The answers to the questions of Santa Claus's height, weight, and age have been released.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
President, first lady visit children's hospital, share stories of Christmas, new puppy
The Bidens greeted patients at Children's National Hospital on Christmas Eve, meeting a boy named Beau and sharing tales of new puppy, Commander.
www.usatoday.com
U.S. Navy warship sidelined with Covid outbreak
The USS Milwaukee is staying in port.
www.politico.com
About 600 flights have been canceled within, into or out of the US on Christmas Eve
The Omicron variant has now been detected in every US state and health officials warn more people are expected to get infected as they gather ahead of the Christmas holiday. Follow here for the latest.
Victory for Project Veritas: Judge orders New York Times to get rid of memos
A New York trial judge ordered The New York Times to destroy all copies of memos Project Veritas says are protected by attorney-client privilege.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Amid Ukraine invasion fears, Putin says West must give NATO guarantees
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday sent mixed messages about Ukraine while making menacing comments about a possible military confrontation.
And a Merry Christmas From the 'Patriots' of Jan. 6
A boy recently received a Christmas card signed by more than two dozen of his heroes. Many of them took the time to add small notes reflecting the sentiments of the season. “Have a jolly Christmas!” “Merry Christmas! #45 Won.” Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times “Merry...
Arnold Schwarzenegger donates 25 shelters to homeless veterans
Hasta la vista, homelessness.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Winter weather across the northern US could mean hazardous holiday travel, while record-breaking springlike temperatures warm the south | CNN
Jack Frost is taking over the northern US for the holiday weekend, delivering heavy snowfall, plummeting temperatures, and a white Christmas to the Pacific Northwest. The northern cold stops short of the southern US, where balmy springlike temperatures will likely break records.
www.cnn.com
On Santa tracking call, Biden is told 'Let's go Brandon' - and says he agrees
A vulgar anti-Biden slogan made for an awkward moment on Friday during President Joe Biden's phone calls with children tracking Santa's flight when a father said, "Let's Go Brandon."
Bernie Kerik plans to publicly release documents demanded by Jan. 6 committee
Kerik, raising concerns that his documents could be released selectively or without context, indicated that he planned to post them on a public website.
www.politico.com
Why many House Democrats are retiring or moving on before the next election
Twenty-five Democrats so far are leaving the House, compared to just 11 Republicans.
www.cbsnews.com
Japan says it will not send government delegation to Beijing Olympics
Tokyo’s decision follows a U.S.-led diplomatic boycott of the Games over concerns about human rights in China, although Japan has avoided explicitly labeling its move as such.
www.nbcnews.com
Kushner investment firm raises more than $3B: report
Jared Kushner’s new investment fund, Affinity Partners, has raised over $3 billion in committed funding from international investors, Reuters reported Thursday.Kushner, a former top Whit…
thehill.com
Global airlines cancel more than 2,000 Christmas flights amid omicron surge
More than 450 of the canceled flights had been scheduled for within, into or out of the United States, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.
www.nbcnews.com
Western powers urge Libya to set new election date ‘swiftly’
The UK, France, Germany, Italy and the US call on Libya to set a new date for delayed presidential vote quickly.
Parents of Michigan school shooting suspect bought him a gun despite animal abuse, 'disturbing texts' and other red flags, prosecutor says
James and Jennifer Crumbley knew their son was depressed and heading down a dangerous and violent path, a new court filing alleges.
www.usatoday.com
US tribes see hope for clean water in infrastructure bill
The massive infrastructure bill signed earlier this year promises to bring change to Native American tribes that lack clean water or indoor plumbing through the largest single infusion of money into Indian Country.
apnews.com
AOC confronts Bill Bratton after ex-top cop blasts NYC subway homeless problem
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez responded Thursday after William Bratton – a former top cop in New York City, Los Angeles and Boston – suggested that the Big Apple’s Democratic leadership was to blame for a "mess" of homelessness on city subway trains.
Manchin told White House he would back version of billionaire tax: report
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) reportedly told the White House last week that he was open to backing some version of a billionaire tax as part of the party's social spending and climate package before effectively tanking the Democrats' chances of passing the legislation by announcing that he would...
Biden finds uneven footing with Black voters
President Biden finds himself on uneven footing with a key constituency that delivered him the White House — Black voters — one year into his presidency.Black leaders and pollsters say that Biden h…
thehill.com
Fire in Arizona Walmart sparks investigation, several aisles destroyed in blaze
A Tuscon, Arizona, Walmart was ravaged by a fire on Friday, prompting an investigation.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Reporter's Notebook: Retracing Kentucky's longest tornado
ABC News' Brad Mielke retraced the path of Kentucky's deadly tornado.
Suit settled over trans teen's suicide at detention center
The mother of a transgender teenager who died by suicide at a youth detention center in Maine has settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the state for $225,000.
apnews.com
Pope celebrates Christmas Eve Mass as virus surges in Italy
He urged the faithful to focus on the “littleness” of Jesus, and remember that he came into the world poor, without even a proper crib.
www.politico.com
Google handed $100 million fine in Russia
A Moscow court fined Google nearly $100 million Friday over the company’s alleged failure to remove content banned by the government, the largest penalty of its kind yet issued as R…
thehill.com
SKorea ex-President Park, jailed for corruption, is pardoned
South Korean President Moon Jae-in says he will pardon his chief conservative rival and predecessor, Park Geun-hye, who is serving a lengthy prison term for bribery and other crimes.
apnews.com
Jan. 6 committee subpoenas for sitting lawmakers could enter 'dangerous Constitutional territory'
The past doesn't tell us much about how the House committee investigating the January riot at the Capitol can get the information it wants from Reps. Scott Perry, R-Penn., and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.
Record heat wave set to sweep central US on Christmas weekend
Vast swathes of the central United States are expected to experience above-average temperatures this Christmas weekend.”We’re talking daytime highs that are running as much as…
thehill.com
New Jersey to pay close to $53 million to families of veterans who died of COVID-19 in state care
New Jersey will reportedly pay out roughly $53 million to settle with the families of at least 119 military veterans who died of COVID-19 in state care during the preliminary stages of the pandemic.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
2 Georgia poll workers sue Giuliani, OAN over election conspiracy theories
Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, her daughter, worked as poll workers counting ballots at State Farm Arena in Fulton County, Ga., during the November 2020 election.
www.politico.com
EXPLAINER: What will judge weigh in sentencing Kim Potter?
The former suburban Minneapolis police officer who said she confused her handgun for her Taser when she shot and killed Daunte Wright will be sentenced in February after a jury convicted her Thursday on two counts of manslaughter.
apnews.com
5 teens charged in carjacking of Representative Mary Gay Scanlon
Five teenagers have been charged in the armed carjacking of Scanlon in Philadelphia.
www.cbsnews.com
The Worst Political Predictions of 2021
We all make mistakes. But some people got things really, really wrong this year.
www.politico.com
'Let's go, Brandon': Caller pranks Biden at White House event
A father from Oregon uttered a term that is code for an obscenity directed at the president.
www.bbc.com
Remains identified after Mississippi man's pre-execution tip
Mississippi authorities say they have identified the remains of a woman found following a tip from an inmate prior to his execution.
apnews.com
14-year-old girl killed by LAPD identified
The Los Angeles Medical Examiner-Coroner office has identified the 14-year-old girl who was killed by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) inside a department store dressing room.
thehill.com
Here's what to know about NASA's newest invention that's launching into space tomorrow
NASA is set this week to launch into space humanity’s largest and most powerful telescope, a $10 billion behemoth that can see into the universe's past.
www.nbcnews.com
Global airlines scrap more than 4,000 flights as Omicron spreads
Holiday travel disrupted as Thailand reports first Omicron cluster, Ecuador makes vaccines compulsory.
A year after police killed Christian Hall, his parents continue calls for accountability
Christian Hall, an Asian American adoptee, was shot by Pennsylvania State Police troopers. His parents are pushing for a new investigation and more mental health resources.
www.nbcnews.com
Say it ain't Joe: Manchin's not the only big hurdle left for Biden's megabill
The Senate parliamentarian, a little-known nonpartisan rules referee, still has the power to ax big portions of the $1.7 trillion social spending plan.
www.politico.com
As COVID fueled the drug crisis, Native Americans hit worst
BEMIDJI, Minn. (AP) — The medicine man told her she should soon give her son back to the earth. Rachel Taylor kissed her fingertips and pressed them to the crow sewn onto a leather bag nestled on the couch in the living room.
apnews.com
Dad tells Biden, 'Let's go, Brandon' during Christmas Eve call — and Biden responds
Things went off script when President Biden and first lady Jill Biden spoke with children and NORAD officials who are tracking Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
More Tiananmen massacre memorials removed in Hong Kong
Universities in Hong Kong are removing memorials to the bloody suppression of the 1989 Chinese pro-democracy movement centered on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.
apnews.com
Famed scientist Jane Goodall warns against charitable Christmas gifts
“Farm animals are bought in great numbers by generous donors. Unfortunately, this can result in unintended consequences,” Goodall said.
thehill.com
West Coast battered by severe storms as parts of U.S. see springlike temperatures
As western storms bring flood threats and snow, parts of the central U.S. will "have to settle for spring-like temperatures" this Christmas, the National Weather Service said.
www.nbcnews.com
NASA launches $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope to explore earliest stars and galaxies
It's the most expensive science probe ever built — a $10 billion effort to explore the origins of the universe.
www.cbsnews.com
India: Hindu event calling for genocide of Muslims sparks outrage
Videos of event in which Hindu religious leaders called for mass killings of Muslims have gone viral.
Many US churches canceling in-person Christmas services
Amid the surge of coronavirus cases across the U.S., numerous churches have canceled in-person Christmas services.
apnews.com
'Long overdue': New Zealand models generational tobacco purchasing ban on a U.S. suburb
In Brookline, Massachusetts, anyone born after Jan. 1, 2000, is barred from buying tobacco products — ever.
www.nbcnews.com
Hawaii pulls out of Hawaii Bowl night before game against Memphis
The University of Hawaii pulled out of the Friday game because of Covid-19, season-ending injuries and transfers.
www.nbcnews.com
Atlanta owns up to legacy of convict labor that rebuilt city
The official seal of the City of Atlanta shows a phoenix rising from the ashes of the Civil War. What it doesn’t show is that Atlanta was rebuilt with slavery’s successor: unpaid convict labor, working in horrific conditions to break granite at the Bellwood Quarry and burn clay at the Chattahoochee
apnews.com
Massive ferry fire kills at least 39 in southern Bangladesh
Officials say a massive fire swept through a crowded river ferry in Bangladesh, leaving at least 39 people dead and 70 injured.
apnews.com
US foreign policy in 2021: Key moments in Biden’s first term
Washington moved to re-engage with global institutions, pivot towards China, and oversaw chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal.
Husband of Illinois Dem state lawmaker fired legal gun at perps during carjacking: reports
Illinois state Sen. Kimberly Lightford's husband used a legally-owned gun to trade fire with suspected carjackers.
Western storms bring flood threats, snow for Christmas
Forecasters say winter storms that have killed at least two people will bring flooding threats, snow and bitter cold throughout much of the West through Christmas.
apnews.com
Haridwar: Police case after outrage in India over anti-Muslim hate speech
Viral videos show Hindu religious leaders making provocative anti-Muslim speeches at a conclave in Haridwar.
www.bbc.com
4 people injured after shooting breaks out at Chicago-area mall
“This is just a very unfortunate incident that is completely out of character for our area,” Oak Brook Police Chief James Kruger said.
www.nbcnews.com
A gift of Christmas joy for the children of the incarcerated
During the holidays, some faith groups and congregations across the United States work to bring some Christmas cheer—and connection—to prisoners and their children.
apnews.com
Rare pink handfish spotted in Australia for first time in decades
Australian researchers found the endangered "walking" handfish in wild waters off Tasmania.
www.bbc.com
In UAE desert, camels compete for crowns in beauty pageant
LIWA, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Deep in the desert of the United Arab Emirates, the moment that camel breeders had been waiting for arrived.
apnews.com
COVID puts a damper on Christmas Eve again around the world
From Bethlehem and Frankfurt to London and Boston, the surging coronavirus dampened Christmas Eve festivities for a second year.
apnews.com
Omicron less likely to put you in the hospital, studies say
Two new British studies provide some early hints that the omicron variant of the coronavirus may be milder than delta.
apnews.com
COVID-19 live updates: New York sees fourfold increase in pediatric hospitalizations
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.3 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 816,000 Americans.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for children?
Pfizer’s vaccine has been authorized by U.S. regulators for younger children, and millions of teens already safely received the shot.
apnews.com
Beleaguered hospitals warn patients, push back treatments amid Covid surge
It appears patients should once again prepare to delay treatments, procedures and operations as the omicron variant spreads.
www.nbcnews.com
Fauci says it’s ‘too premature’ to discuss fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose
Anthony Fauci on Wednesday said it is “too premature” for the U.S. to be discussing a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose, noting that health officials must first study the “durability” of protection from…
thehill.com
Christmas travelers stranded as omicron forces cancellation of thousands of flights
"It was a bit of a gut punch," said Jaclyn Stanton, 36, who was expecting to reunite with her parents for the first time since February 2020.
www.nbcnews.com
3rd Florida-based ship has outbreak, as state's cases hit a pandemic record
The ship was denied entry to Bonaire and Arub after an undisclosed number of passengers and crew aboard the Carnival Freedom cruise caught Covid.
www.nbcnews.com
Omicron is latest blow to pandemic-weary front-line workers
The surge in coronavirus cases driven by the new omicron variant is the latest blow to hospitals, police departments, supermarkets and other critical operations struggling to maintain staffing levels.
apnews.com
Testing logjams could hinder Biden’s multibillion-dollar bet on Covid pills
Patients have to first test positive for Covid to get a prescription for the drug, which needs to be taken within the first five days of the onset of symptoms to be effective.
www.nbcnews.comBiden admin abandoned work on a mass COVID-19 testing plan because it thought it could vaccine its way out of the pandemic, report says
President Joe Biden's administration is scrambling to provide millions of free COVID-19 tests amid a surge in Omicron variant cases.
Protesters storm Guadeloupe legislature over vaccination requirements
Protesters stormed Guadeloupe’s regional legislature in defiance of the COVID-19 vaccination requirements imposed by the government, The Associated Press reported. During a council meeting, de…
thehill.com
Boosters are the best defense against omicron. But that message isn't getting through.
COVID-19 vaccine boosters are the best defense against omicron. But that message isn't getting through.
Officials warn children’s mental health worsens amid pandemic
Officials and experts have sounded the alarm over the state of children’s mental health as the second pandemic year comes to a close, warning a crisis is emerging – but advocates, hospitals and sch…
thehill.com
Why you should upgrade your mask as the Omicron variant spreads | CNN
As the Omicron variant spreads, it’s time to upgrade from your cloth face masks. Experts explain why medical-grade masks – such as surgical/disposable masks and N95 and KN95 respirators – are better options now and what people should do with the cloth masks they already have.
www.cnn.com
COVID-19 makes Biden's 1st White House Christmas less merry
The holiday scene at the White House has been a little less merry under under COVID-19's shadow. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden replaced the large parties and overflowing buffet tables of the past with food-free open houses, face masks and testing for the unvaccinated.
apnews.com
Omicron: US to lift travel restrictions from southern Africa
The White House said the measures were no longer necessary amid a US explosion of Omicron cases.
www.bbc.com
EXPLAINER: How will Biden's COVID-19 test giveaway work?
President Joe Biden says the federal government will buy half a billion COVID-19 rapid test kits and distribute them free of charge to people to use at home.
apnews.com
Essential workers slammed again as Omicron variant spreads
COVID-19 is again hitting nurses, flight crews and other frontline staff. "We don't have enough hands," one grocery worker says.
www.cbsnews.com
Maryland officials advise health care providers to conserve monoclonal antibody treatments
Maryland officials are telling health care providers to preserve monoclonal antibody treatments after the federal government discovered that a portion of the approved therapies do not pro…
thehill.com
White House defends testing response amid shortage, saying it quadrupled at-home supply since September
The White House is accentuating the positive when it comes to the availability of COVID-19 antigen tests for home use; pointing to how there are more now than there used to be at a time when there is still not nearly enough.
What to do when those around you are not wearing masks? An expert weighs in about Christmas travel | CNN
With holiday travel returning to pre-pandemic levels, a health expert is offering advice for those planning to visit loved ones for Christmas, given the surge in Covid-19 cases in many parts of the country.
www.cnn.com
Cities that are canceling their big New Year's Eve events -- and those still going forward | CNN
London is just one major city canceling its big New Year's Eve celebrations. Find out what other cities are canceling because of the pandemic -- and which ones are still on schedule.
www.cnn.com
US to lift travel restrictions on eight African countries
The United States will lift restrictions on most air travelers from eight southern African nations before the end of the year, reversing the move meant to curb the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Omicron: Good news, bad news and what it all means
There are many things in our favour, but Omicron is spreading fast. What have we learned this week?
www.bbc.com
Quarantined over Christmas: Here's what the newly infected have to say.
Tens of thousands of people in the U.S. will be isolating at home during the holidays after they contracted Covid-19.
www.nbcnews.com
Melting Arctic ice will have catastrophic effects on the world, experts say. Here's how.
Melting in the Arctic could have disastrous effects on the rest of the world.
Guadeloupe: Protesters angry over COVID rules occupy legislature
Mandatory jabs for health workers sparked wave of protests on French Caribbean island, drawing criticism from Paris.
Local officials call on Idaho sheriff to resign after he allegedly made disparaging comments about Native Americans | CNN
Members of a southeastern Idaho youth church group were being driven around by their chaperone last month,delivering Thanksgiving cards in the neighborhood to those they were thankful for when they decided last-minute to stop at the home of the county sheriff’s house, according to a probable...
www.cnn.com
COVID-19 spike worsens Africa’s severe poverty, hunger woes
As 2021 comes to a close, many people in richer parts of the globe are fretting over the risk of contracting COVID-19 and how rising infections are upending their holiday plans.
apnews.com
Universal Orlando reinstates mask rule as COVID cases rise
ORLANDO (AP) — Universal Orlando is reinstating its mask requirements beginning Christmas Eve as COVID-19 cases are surging as a result of the omicron variant.
apnews.com
