(Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden pledged on Friday to make it “very, very difficult” for Russia’s Vladimir Putin to take military action in Ukraine as U.S. intelligence officials determined that Russian planning is underway for a possible military offensive that could begin as soon as early 2022.
Biden says he’s preparing initiatives to make it difficult for Putin to ‘do what people are worried he may do’ in Ukraine | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden said Friday he is preparing a “set of initiatives” to make it more difficult for Russian President Vladimir Putin to “do what people are worried he may do” – namely, having Russia invade Ukraine.
www.cnn.com
Biden signs stopgap funding bill to keep government running
President Joe Biden has signed into law the stopgap spending bill that will keep the federal government running through Feb. 18.
apnews.com
Putin to seek guarantees on Ukraine as invasion fears grow
The Kremlin says President Vladimir Putin will seek binding guarantees precluding NATO’s expansion to Ukraine during a planned call with U.S. President Joe Biden.
apnews.com
Gov. DeSantis 'Florida State Guard' proposal prompts alarm from critics
Left-leaning politicians and pundits expressed alarm Friday after Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed the creation of a “State Guard,” a civilian military force that he would control to assist with what his office described as “state-specific emergencies.”
Sanders to Biden: Cut back looming Medicare premium hike
Sen. Bernie Sanders is asking the White House to cut back a big Medicare premium hike set to take effect in weeks and tied to a pricey Alzheimer’s drug whose benefits have been widely questioned.
apnews.com
Trump attorneys argue for dismissal of E. Jean Carroll's defamation lawsuit
Carroll is suing Trump over his claim she was "totally lying" about her allegation that he assaulted her in the 1990s to sell a memoir.
www.cbsnews.com
Russia positions more forces, supply lines as fears rise of potential Ukraine invasion | CNN Politics
Russian forces have capabilities in place along the Ukraine border to carry out a swift and immediate invasion, including erecting supply lines such as medical units and fuel that could sustain a drawn-out conflict, should Moscow choose to invade, two sources familiar with the latest...
www.cnn.com
Jan. 6 panel faces new test as first witness pleads the Fifth
Former Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) official Jeffrey Clark’s plans to plead the Fifth to the House’s Jan. 6 committee could complicate the department’s willingness to prosecute him …
thehill.com
Court mulls: Was Trump's reply to rape claim part of job?
Federal appeals judges are weighing whether former President Donald Trump can be held liable in a defamation case that concerns his response to a rape allegation.
apnews.com
Appeals court grapples with DOJ effort to shield Trump from E. Jean Carroll suit
A federal appeals court on Friday grappled with the Justice Department’s effort to intervene on behalf of former President Trump in a defamation lawsuit from the writer E. Jean Carroll, who a…
thehill.com
US jobless rate sinks to 4.2% as many more people find jobs
America’s unemployment rate tumbled last month to its lowest point since the pandemic struck, even as employers appeared to slow their hiring — a mixed picture that pointed to a resilient economy that’s putting more people to work.
apnews.com
Blinken decries coordinated Russian destabilizing efforts
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said the U.S. and European allies are determined to “stand resolutely against” increasing and coordinated Russian aggression in the region, during an int…
thehill.com
Meadows doubles down on debunked election fraud claims and whitewashes January 6 riot in new book | CNN Politics
In a new memoir, Donald Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows doubles down on the baseless claim the 2020 election was stolen and whitewashed the violent attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters on January 6, according to a copy of the book obtained by CNN.
www.cnn.com
New Harvard study declares winner between Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
A team of researchers from Harvard Medical School and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of public health recently published a study claiming the Moderna vaccine is slightly better than Pfizer.
thehill.com
McCarthy backs Boebert after apology for Omar remarks, but says controversies like hers are 'problems'
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said controversies involving Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert and Paul Gosar cause "problems."
‘Medical condition’ prompts Capitol riot panel to delay deposition of Trump DOJ official - Washington Examiner
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot agreed to delay its deposition of former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, whose attorney said he is dealing with a medical condition that prevented him from showing up this weekend. The deposition will now take place Dec. 16...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
McCarthy laments distractions from far-right members
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Friday that recent political distractions caused by a trio of conservative rabble-rousers — Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), Lauren Boebert (…
thehill.com
'She's going to lose': Dems brag redistricting dooms conservative Illinois freshman
First-term Rep. Mary Miller says she's running for reelection, even though Democrats in the state legislature gutted her district and forced her to consider challenging two of her GOP colleagues.
www.politico.com
Roe 'settled' law? Justices' earlier assurances now in doubt
During his confirmation to the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh assured Sen. Susan Collins a woman's right to an abortion was “settled law.”
apnews.com
Five things to know about the November jobs report
The November jobs report gave a muddled picture of an improving economy. Overall job growth fell far short of expectations, with the U.S. adding just 210,000 of the roughly 500,000 jobs that a…
thehill.com
Virginia GOP completes sweep of elections with House win
A three-judge panel overseeing a recount in a close Virginia Beach state House race has upheld the Republican candidate’s victory.
apnews.com
Parents of Michigan boy charged in Oxford school shooting
The parents of a teen accused of killing four students at a Michigan high school have been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
apnews.com
Influential Koch network rocked by an alleged affair scandal, donor departures and a discrimination lawsuit
The influential, libertarian-leaning Koch network has been rocked by an alleged affair scandal, departures of key donors and a workplace discrimination lawsuit.
Iran torches tentative plans to restore nuclear deal in abortive return to Vienna talks - Washington Examiner
A seventh round of negotiations to rehabilitate the 2015 Iran nuclear deal floundered this week after the regime renounced the tentative agreements struck over the previous six rounds of meetings.“Iran, right now, does not seem to be serious about doing what's necessary to return to compliance...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Jan. 6 Committee subpoena for private phone records requests swath of data, from call logs to IP addresses
The Jan. 6 Committee is sending subpoenas to telecom companies for private individuals' phone records.
Fact-checking 4 Biden claims about the economy | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden has spoken regularly about the economy in the past month – trying at once to reassure Americans about inflation, draw attention to job growth and earn support for his signature infrastructure and social spending proposals.
www.cnn.com
What happens if Washington falls behind on its bills?
The U.S. government could fall behind on its bills this month - and even default on its debt - if Congress doesn't raise a $28.9 trillion cap on government borrowing, a failure that could trigger economic calamity and panic on global financial markets.
Putin to demand legal guarantee against NATO expansion in call with Biden
Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding a legally binding guarantee that NATO will not expand east — including to Ukraine — and plans to raise the issue in an upcoming phone call with President Biden, according to the Kremlin.Why it matters: Russia has massed more than 94,000 troops on the...
Inside Ghislaine Maxwell's 'house manual' for the management of Epstein's estate
Epstein's former house manager testified on Thursday.
Waukesha suspect Darrell Brooks faces charges in area that has long downplayed violent crimes, expert says
Milwaukee County, where Darrell Brooks was released on $1,000 bail just days before he allegedly plowed his car through a Christmas parade, downplays severe crimes, according to an expert.
Authors of color speak out against efforts to ban books on race
Authors like Kwame Alexander, Lulu Delacre and Sheetal Sheth are fighting against banned books amid critical race theory debate.
Opinion | Time to Pull the Plug on Cable News
Cable News reaches a tiny fraction of the country, so why does the rest of the media care so much about the stupid things it says?
www.politico.com
Nikki Haley meets with Trump amid 2024 speculation - Washington Examiner
Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley visited former President Donald Trump weeks after he denied her such a meeting. The meeting between the two Republicans, both of whom are potential contenders in the 2024 presidential election, took place at Trump's Mar-a-Lago...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
More than 13,000 fake designer products seized in Los Angeles
Customs and Border Protection warned shoppers about counterfeit goods amid the holiday season.
www.cbsnews.com
Bump stock ban remains intact after appeals court deadlocks
A tie vote by a federal appeals court Friday left intact a Trump-era ban on “bump stock” devices that modify semi-automatic rifles to fire more rapidly.The 8-8 vote by the Cincinnati-based U.S. Cou…
thehill.com
New 'dark money' financial disclosures expose the political outlook and power of teacher unions
New financial disclosures further exposes the political power of the Nation's two largest teachers unions.
Investigator in Republicans' Wisconsin 2020 election review sought to overturn Biden's victory
Ron Heuer, one of the investigators in the election review ordered by the GOP-led Wisconsin Assembly, was involved in two failed lawsuits to overturn Biden's 2020 victory.
www.cbsnews.comThe New York Times admits riots and weak prosecutors influenced high-profile organized thefts - Washington Examiner
The New York Times has admitted that the Black Lives Matter looting in cities such as Minneapolis, along with soft-on-crime policies, is responsible for the widespread organized robberies that businesses are seeing across the country.Reporters Michael Corkery and Sapna Maheshwari wrote for The...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
China could win 'trump card' over global economy by taking over Taiwan semiconductor manufacturing
Top experts are sounding the alarm that a Chinese takeover of Taiwan could spell trouble for not only the island's inhabitants but also the global community – including the U.S. – due to Taiwan's dominance in semiconductor manufacturing.
Special Report: Pro-Trump news site targets election workers, inspiring wave of menace
The story had a bombshell headline: “Thousands of fake votes” had been discovered in Madison, Wisconsin, two weeks after Democrat Joe Biden narrowly beat then-President Donald Trump in the state. The bogus report from the far-right website Gateway Pundit drew attention to a set of initials –...
How real is the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine?
Experts are divided on whether Moscow is planning an imminent incursion, or merely posturing to win geopolitical sway.
Washington state Supreme Court approves new congressional maps
The Washington state Supreme Court on Friday gave final approval to new congressional district map lines two weeks after the panel formed to craft those lines narrowly missed a critical deadline.Th…
thehill.com
Jeffrey Epstein accuser reflects on being a sex trafficking victim — and recruiting other girls: "The guilt will never go away"
Haley Robson first met Jeffrey Epstein in 2002 when she was a 16-year-old high schooler in West Palm Beach Florida.
www.cbsnews.comDemocratic Socialists Decline To Expel Rep. Jamaal Bowman Over Israel Stances
Bowman, a New York Democrat, met with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in November. The visit angered members of the DSA political group.
Biden administration seeks to prevent potential Russian invasion of Ukraine
The Biden administration said it is consulting with Congress and allies on options aimed at dissuading Russia from carrying out a potential attack on Ukraine.
Dr. Siegel 'confident' Biden's in good health
Fox News contributor Dr. Marc Siegel said he was "confident" that President Biden is in good health, despite recent concerns about the president’s raspy voice.
US, European allies sound a pessimistic note as Iran nuclear talks break in Vienna | CNN Politics
US and European officials sounded a pessimistic note Friday as the latest round of talks to revive the Iran nuclear deal concluded, saying that Tehran’s maximalist demands and push to unwind previously agreed upon points are leaving them disappointed and concerned.
www.cnn.comImmigration protections in Build Back Better bill bring hope to DACA recipients
If passed into law, President Biden’s Build Back Better bill would create the largest mass-legalization program for undocumented immigrants in U.S. history. Roughly 7 million of the 11 million unauthorized immigrants currently in the U.S. — including "Dreamers," coronavirus-era essential workers...
Senate eyes plan B amid defense bill standoff
Senators are mulling pulling a sweeping defense bill that has been stuck in limbo for days, and instead cutting a deal with the House on a final version of the legislation. The Senate lef…
thehill.com
A blow to the 'directed-energy' Havana Syndrome case
www.politico.com
EXPLAINER: How unusual to charge parents in school shooting?
Experts say guns used in U.S. school shootings have often come from the homes of young perpetrators. But parents are rarely charged for the violence that occurs.
apnews.com
Parents of Michigan school shooting suspect plead not guilty, held on $500K bond each
The suspected gunman, 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley, allegedly used his father's semi-automatic handgun in Tuesday's shooting.
Mark Cuban purchases small Texas town - Washington Examiner
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban recently decided to treat himself to a Mustang. No, not the car — a small town in Texas with an estimated population of about two dozen people. Cuban said he made the purchase to help a friend. MARK CUBAN PULLING PLUG ON NATIONAL ANTHEM SAID NOT TO BE OUT OF
www.washingtonexaminer.com
AOC blasts Dem leadership for not stripping Boebert's committees seats: 'Embarrassing'
The New York Democrat posted the tweet amid the controversy between Boebert and Ocasio-Cortez’s fellow “Squad” member Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.
Trump, rape accuser Carroll battle in defamation appeal
A lawyer for Donald Trump on Friday urged a U.S. appeals court to find the former president immune from author E. Jean Carroll's defamation lawsuit arising from her allegation that he raped her, an argument Carroll's lawyer said would put him "above the law."
Black women see unemployment rate fall sharply in November, but are still left behind in overall labor market recovery
The unemployment rate for Black women fell sharply in November, but labor market recovery from pre-pandemic levels remains uneven across race and gender lines.
DeSantis proposes a new civilian military force in Florida that he would control | CNN Politics
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to reestablish a World War II-era civilian military force that he, not the Pentagon, would control.
www.cnn.com
Hunter Biden, foreign agent plotted investment meeting with Serbian president and oligarchs, emails show
A registered Serbian foreign agent and the Serbian Ambassador to the United States were in discussions with Hunter Biden in the early years of his dad’s first term as Vice President to coordinate the scheduling of an investment meeting with Serbia’s president and Serbian “high net worth...
Few want Roe overturned, but abortion opinions vary widely
As the conservative-leaning Supreme Court this week signaled that it may dramatically limit abortion rights, polling suggests Americans want Roe v.
apnews.com
Wisconsin Democratic governor vetoes restrictive abortion bills
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) vetoed five bills on Friday that would have made abortion access more restrictive in the state.
thehill.com
Gorka says ‘one thing’ will stop Trump 2024 run - Washington Examiner
Former Trump White House official Sebastian Gorka says the midterm elections next year will be the determining factor in whether former President Donald Trump runs again in 2024.Echoing the opinions of other people close to Trump, Gorka told GB News he is extremely confident that Trump will...
www.washingtonexaminer.comState Department phones were hacked with software from Israel-based company: report
NSO Group was recently blacklisted by the Biden administration amid allegations it supplied spyware to foreign governments for malicious purposes.
Hoarse Biden says it's just a cold he caught from grandson
President Joe Biden has at least one thing in common with thousands of parents and grandparents this winter: He’s picked up a cold from his young grandson.
apnews.com
Parag Agrawal: Why Indian-born CEOs dominate Silicon Valley
Parag Agrawal, Twitter's new CEO, is the latest of several Indian-Americans leading global tech firms.
www.bbc.com
Equilibrium/Sustainability — Space station reroutes to dodge debris
Today is Friday. Welcome to Equilibrium, a newsletter that tracks the growing global battle over the future of sustainability. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup. The International …
thehill.com
Homeowner fighting snake infestation burns down house
“It is believed that the heat source was too close to the combustibles and caused fire in the walls and ceiling area, unknown and unbeknownst to the homeowner at that time,” fire officials sa…
thehill.com
Biden vows ‘meaningful set of initiatives’ to dissuade Putin from Ukraine incursion - Washington Examiner
President Joe Biden said Friday that he is preparing ways to halt a potential incursion into Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin as Moscow masses troops along Ukraine’s border.The president told reporters Friday that he is compiling a “meaningful set of initiatives to make it very, very...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
America's chronic labor shortage is 'primary focus' for Northrop Grumman in 2022, CEO says
Warden's comments come on the heels of a jobs report that shows the U.S. economy created far fewer jobs than expected in November.
DOJ launches civil rights probe into police department in New York suburb
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday that it would be opening a civil rights investigation into a police department in a New York City suburb.The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the So…
thehill.com
Analysis: Mitch McConnell’s 2022 agenda? Do nothing. | CNN Politics
Give Mitch McConnell this: He is remarkably transparent about his political aims.
www.cnn.comChamber of Commerce’s fight with FTC heats up
The fight between the agency and the Chamber over public records is escalating.
www.politico.com
‘We just feel it’: Racism plagues US military academies
Eight years after he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Geoffrey Easterling remains astonished by the Confederate history still memorialized on the storied academy’s campus – the six-foot-tall painting of Confederate Gen.
apnews.comKoch Industries buys GOP Senate candidate's company
A division of industrial giant Koch Industries has bought Senate hopeful Jim Lamon's company, likely providing a cash infusion for the Arizona Republican as he pours huge sums of his own money into the race.Why it matters: Lamon is vying for the GOP nomination to take on Democratic Sen. Mark...
Evidence at Maxwell trial: massage table, unfolded in court
A folding massage table used by financier Jeffrey Epstein was carried into a Manhattan courtroom and set up in front of a jury on Friday to bolster allegations he teamed up with British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell to sexually exploit underage victims.
apnews.com
Ohio Republican Party meeting ends abruptly over anti-DeWine protesters
An Ohio Republican Party meeting had to be ended early due to the presence of protesters against Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.The committee voted to end the meeting early because the protesters, who…
thehill.com
Lebanese minister resigns in bid to ease crisis with Saudis
Lebanon’s information minister has resigned in a bid to ease an unprecedented, weekslong diplomatic crisis with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab countries.
apnews.com
EXPLAINER: Turkey's currency is crashing. What's the impact?
Turkey’s beleaguered currency has been plunging to all-time lows against the U.S. dollar and the euro in recent months as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presses ahead with a widely criticized effort to cut interest rates despite surging consumer prices.
apnews.com
British Airways to use recycled cooking oil as fuel to cut down on emissions - Washington Examiner
To British Airways, using cooking oil as fuel is not a half-baked idea. British Airways announced on Thursday it signed an agreement with a U.K. refinery that turns recycled cooking oil and other household waste into fuel as part of an effort to make air travel more sustainable. Thousands of...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Gambians vote in first presidential election since Jammeh era
Saturday’s vote will be closely watched as a test of the democratic transition in The Gambia.
Columbia University student stabbed to death near campus on way home from soccer practice
A Columbia University student has been stabbed to death near the Ivy League school's New York City campus.
White House won’t rule out any options in defense of Ukraine - Washington Examiner
The White House declined to rule anything out in response to Russian advances along Ukraine's border, including some form of military action.The Biden administration is preparing "for a range of options," press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday. Asked whether this could include a military...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Jeffrey Clark’s deposition postponed until December 16 | CNN Politics
The January 6 select committee announced Friday that the deposition with Jeffrey Clark originally scheduled for Saturday has been postponed until December 16 due to a “medical condition that precludes his participation in tomorrow’s meeting.”
www.cnn.com
Vatican takes in 12 migrants as pope denounces indifference
Pope Francis has denounced the “indifference” that the West shows migrants as the Vatican confirmed at least a dozen asylum-seekers would be transferred from Cyprus to Italy.
apnews.com
US jobless rate sinks to 4.2% as many more people find jobs
America’s unemployment rate tumbled last month to its lowest point since the pandemic struck, even as employers appeared to slow their hiring — a mixed picture that pointed to a resilient economy that’s putting more people to work
Kamala Harris' staffers leaving White House in part because they fear being labeled 'Harris person': report
A new report revealed that departing staffers for Vice President Harris are leaving their White House posts in part due to concerns of being forever labeled a "Harris person."
US military launches investigation after possible civilian casualties in Syria strike targeting al Qaeda leader | CNN Politics
US Central Command has launched an investigation after a drone strike against a senior al Qaeda leader in northwest Syria on Friday may have killed civilians, according to a spokesman for Central Command.
www.cnn.com
Rich? Want to be a U.S. senator? Welcome to Pennsylvania!
Pennsylvania's high-stakes race for an open U.S. Senate seat is seeing candidates bringing big bank accounts and big-time connections from blue states.
apnews.com
‘Horrific’: Sri Lankan national lynched, body burned in Pakistan
Prime Minister Imran Khan says he will personally oversee investigation into ‘the horrific vigilante attack’.
France signs weapons mega-deal with UAE as Macron tours Gulf
France has announced multibillion-euro deals to sell fighter planes and combat helicopters to the United Arab Emirates.
apnews.com
Time is no ally as Dems strain to finish Biden's $2T bill
Democrats are hoping that Congress is nearing the finish line in its seven-month trek on President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion social and environment package.
apnews.com
Plumber's find possibly tied to 2014 Texas megachurch theft
Authorities are investigating whether cash and checks discovered during repair work being done at Pastor Joel Osteen’s Houston megachurch is connected to $600,000 that was stolen from a church safe more than seven years ago.
apnews.com
Author of Hunter Biden book asks Amazon to take down counterfeit copy - Washington Examiner
Some art, some art not.That was the case for an apparent impostor's book about President Joe Biden's artist son, Hunter Biden, when a similar-looking cover made it to Amazon's bestseller list under a slightly adjusted author name. "Shocking @amazon that you won’t remove this counterfeit of my...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Former officer pleads not guilty to murder charges in Casey Goodson's death
Former Ohio sheriff's deputy Jason Meade was charged with murder for fatally shooting Casey Goodson. Goodson's family spoke out at a press conference on Thursday.
AP Source: NSO Group spyware used to hack State employees
The phones of 11 U.S. State Department employees were hacked using technology from Israel’s NSO Group, the world’s most infamous hacker-for-hire company.
apnews.com
US Capitol rioter ‘sought to physically remove’ Pelosi and McConnell, prosecutors say | CNN Politics
Justice Department prosecutors say they have evidence that an alleged rioter who brought a gun to the US Capitol on January 6 was targeting both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and then-Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
www.cnn.com
Blizzard warning issued for Hawaii with at least 12 inches of snow forecast
A blizzard warning has been issued for Hawaii, with at least 12 inches of snow forecast this weekend.
Senate GOP open to taking Dr. Oz's miracle cure in Pa.
The surgeon-turned-talk-show-host has name recognition and cash, but also hours of TV for his opposition to use against him.
www.politico.com
Pipeline: Cascade of white owners has slowed NFL change
Over the past 100 years, around 110 people have owned controlling portions of NFL teams. Of that select group, all but two have been white.
apnews.com
Census Bureau works to improve confidence in 2020 headcount
The Census Bureau is working to increase the public's confidence in the numbers it gathered during the 2020 census.
apnews.com
Euro 2020 final review finds England fans endangered lives
An investigation into the disorder at the European Championship final says aggression by England fans exposed an “embarrassing” part of the national culture that endangered lives and should lead to fans being barred from stadiums if they are chanting abuse and under the influence of drugs or alcohol
apnews.com
Colorado supermarket shooting suspect incompetent for trial
A man charged with killing 10 people at a Colorado supermarket earlier this year has been ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial for now.
apnews.com
In Mexico border camps, families ‘wait for US doors to open’
Asylum seekers blocked from seeking protection in the US say conditions in Mexican border areas are increasingly dire.
U.S. could be unable to pay its bills in weeks as debt limit approaches
The Bipartisan Policy Center updated its "X date" projections to fall between December 21 and January 28, 2022.
www.cbsnews.com
Oregon police seek clues in poisoning of eight wolves
Conservation groups call the deaths a "huge setback" for Oregon's endangered wolf population.
www.bbc.com
Indiana teenager charged in killing of three men
An Indiana teenager has been charged as an adult in the killings of three men who were found in a field.Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced Friday that 16-year-old Caden Smith w…
thehill.com
Struggling Chinese developer warns it could run out of money
A troubled Chinese developer struggling under $310 billion in debt has warned it may run out of money to “perform its financial obligations."
apnews.com
Conservative lawyer Eastman says he will defy subpoena from January 6 committee | CNN Politics
John Eastman, a conservative lawyer who helped craft a questionable legal theory that former Vice President Mike Pence had the constitutional authority to interrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results, has informed the January 6 congressional committee that he plans to...
www.cnn.com
Massachusetts teacher fired for opposing CRT on TikTok sues superintendent and principal - Washington Examiner
A Massachusetts school teacher fired for opposing critical race theory in several TikTok videos has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against her former employers. Kari MacRae filed the lawsuit against Hanover Public Schools superintendent Matthew Ferron and Hanover High School principal...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Mali: Dozens of civilians killed after militants attack bus
More than 30 people are killed after gunmen attack a bus travelling to a market.
www.bbc.com
EXPLAINER: Who are the jurors for trial of Kim Potter?
The jurors who will hear testimony in former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter's trial in the death of Daunte Wright are a mostly white group, with two people who identify as Asian and one as Black.
apnews.com
Iraqi region hit by migrant deaths; smuggling big business
RANYA, Iraq (AP) — Shoes pile up outside the Mamand home in northern Iraq from relatives and friends who have streamed inside to offer solace as they anxiously await news of the family's young son, who was lost at sea somewhere between France and Britain.
apnews.com
Police: Mother kills 6-year-old son with deer rifle
A mother in South Carolina is charged with murder after investigators say she shot her 6-year-old son in the chest with a deer rifle, saying she wanted him to go to heaven
Where's the snow? Rockies winter starts with a whimper
Denver’s winter has started with a whimper, and the parched mountains to the west aren’t faring much better.
apnews.com
US jobs growth falls far short of expectations
Employers took on 210,000 new workers in November, less than half the number that had been forecast.
www.bbc.com
Jovanni Ortiz in talks for potential Harris job
Jovanni Ortiz, a long-time communications official in Democratic circles, is in talks to join the Biden administration, potentially in a top communications role in Vice President Harris’s off…
thehill.com
Famously soggy Seattle sees its wettest fall on record
Seattle, a city known for soggy weather, has seen its wettest fall on record. The National Weather Service says 19.04 inches of rain fell between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30, breaking a record set in 2006.
apnews.com
Honda recalls SUVs and pickups because hoods can fly open
Honda is recalling nearly 725,000 SUVs and pickup trucks because the hoods can open while the vehicles are moving
Omicron-stricken South Africa may be glimpse into the future
The new omicron variant appears to be driving a dramatic surge in South Africa, providing the world a glimpse of where the pandemic might be headed.
apnews.com
Omicron: What you need to know about the COVID variant
Officials say boosters are needed to shore up protection against the highly contagious variant.
www.cbsnews.com
Contact tracing revs up in some states as omicron reaches US
The arrival of the omicron variant of the coronavirus has health officials in some U.S. communities reviving contact tracing operations in an attempt to slow and understand its spread.
apnews.com
Covid: Don't panic about Omicron variant, WHO says
The World Health Organization urges people to be cautious and prepare for the Omicron variant.
www.bbc.com
Bolsonaro: Brazilian Supreme Court opens investigation into vaccine comments
Brazil's president will face a Supreme Court inquiry for his falsehood about Covid-19 jabs and Aids.
www.bbc.com
Biden, allies increasingly pushing back at GOP's virus barbs
For months, President Joe Biden has taken it on the chin from Republicans over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
apnews.com
Facebook 'failing' to tackle COVID-19 misinformation posted by prominent anti-vaccine group, study claims
Facebook is "failing" to tackle COVID-19 misinformation posted by prominent anti-vaccine group, a study claims.
Omicron coronavirus variant found in at least 10 states
The new omicron coronavirus variant has been found in at least 10 U.S. states a little over a week after the strain was discovered in southern Africa. The variant has been found in Maryla…
thehill.com
WHO says measures used against Delta should work for Omicron
Measures used to counter the Delta variant should remain the foundation for fighting the coronavirus pandemic, even in the face of the new omicron version of the virus, World Health Organization officials said Friday.
www.politico.com
Germany: 1 in 100 infected with virus, health minister says
Germany’s health minister says more than 1% of the population is currently infected with the coronavirus, and has called on citizens who haven’t done so yet to get vaccinated.
apnews.com
Omicron updates: COVID outbreak reported on cruise ship docking in New Orleans
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.2 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 785,000 Americans.
Biden confirms he has a cold, tested negative for Covid
“What I have is a 1-and-a-half-year-old grandson who’s got a cold and likes to kiss his pop,” Biden said.
Psaki offers no update whether China's Xi is helping to track COVID-19 origins
Jen Psaki said Friday that she did not have "any updates" as to whether China is helping American intelligence agencies track down the origins of COVID-19.
FDA authorizes Lilly antibody treatment for use in children, including newborns
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday expanded the emergency authorization of Eli Lilly’s antibody therapy for treating mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms to include all children, …
thehill.com
Analysis: Republicans pull back from the Covid brink – for now | CNN Politics
Sanity prevailed Thursday night when the Senate overcame an effort by a handful of conservative Republican senators who had threatened to force a government shutdown unless they got a vote on an amendment to defund President Joe Biden’s Covid-19 vaccine mandates.
www.cnn.com
South Africa investigates "sharp increase" in hospitalized children with COVID
Officials say the Omicron variant is driving a "steep rise" of cases across the country.
www.cbsnews.comBiden Doesn’t Support Vax Mandate for Domestic Flyers ‘At This Point’
Anna MoneymakerAs the number of Omicron variant cases continues to rise in the United States, President Joe Biden said on Friday that he remains opposed to implementing vaccine requirements for domestic air travel, but is leaving the door open to changing his mind.Biden said he didn’t think...
Biden embraces his one-time foe: Walmart
Not so long ago, it would have been unimaginable for a Democratic president to ally himself with the retail giant. But that’s what this one has done.
www.politico.com
Zambia records Omicron cases as new strain spreads
New COVID-19 variant spreads to more than 40 countries, sending alarms and triggering travel curbs.
Ex-nurse gets 10 years in prison for raping incapacitated patient
The woman later gave birth at the Arizona clinic where she has been since she was a toddler.
www.bbc.com
Trump’s White House doctor facing fresh scrutiny over Covid test timeline | CNN Politics
Former President Donald Trump’s positive Covid test in September 2020, three days before the first presidential debate, is raising new questions about whether Trump’s physician at the time, Dr. Sean Conley, had a duty to inform the public – and Joe Biden – about Trump’s positive result.
www.cnn.com
WHO says measures used against delta should work for omicron
World Health Organization officials say that the measures used to counter the delta variant should remain the foundation for fighting the coronavirus pandemic, even in the face of the new omicron version of the virus.
apnews.com
Making COVID-19 vaccinations a family affair can protect against omicron: Analysis
COVID-19 cases in children rose 16% over the last week and 32% over the last two weeks.
Biden’s free at-home test promise could come with added costs
"We should not think for a minute that this is some sort of magic bullet that is going to get us to universally free and accessible testing," said a Georgetown health policy expert.
www.politico.com
Biden pledge to 'shut down the virus' questioned as president predicts winter COVID-19 spike
President Biden's previous promises to "shut down the virus" have slowly been walked back after the discovery of the omicron variant, with the president saying the United States will need to "beat it back" before we "shut it down."
The Origins of Herschel Walker’s Complicated Views on Race
He has often remained silent when asked to take sides. Running for Senate in Georgia, that might not be possible.
www.politico.com
Twitter’s new CEO announces leadership shake-ups
Twitter will undergo a reorganization of key leadership roles under new company CEO Parag Agrawal, the company announced Friday. The changes, which were laid out in a companywide email, f…
thehill.com
Biden administration shipping 9 million vaccine doses to Africa and another 2 million worldwide | CNN Politics
White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeffrey Zients is set to announce the Biden administration is shipping 11 million vaccines doses abroad on Friday, with 9 million going to Africa and another 2 million to other countries around the world, according to remarks obtained by CNN.
www.cnn.com
The AP Interview: Scientist says omicron was a group find
The Botswana scientist who may well have discovered the omicron variant of the coronavirus says he has been through a “rollercoaster of emotions” — the pride of accomplishment followed by dismay over the travel bans immediately slapped on southern African countries.
apnews.com
Study suggests past COVID infection may not fend off omicron
South African scientists are warning that the new omicron variant may be causing more reinfections among COVID-19 survivors than earlier virus mutants.
apnews.com
Study: Black, Asian Britons have higher COVID-19 death rates
A British study has found that Black and other members or racial and ethnic minorities in the U.K are dying with the coronavirus at higher rates than white residents.
apnews.com
Oklahoma sues over National Guard vaccine requirement
The suit claims the "federal government is trying to disarm the state of Oklahoma from protecting itself."
www.cbsnews.com
