Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters
Congressional Democrats will return next year and try to check a few long-floundering items off their to-do list before the 2022 midterms consume Washington. The next few months in the Capitol could shape the economic health of U.S. households for years to come.
Biden to speak with Zelensky as US warns against Russian invasion of Ukraine | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden will speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, several days after Biden urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease an unremitting military crisis on Ukraine's border.
New laws take effect across US on abortion, policing, taxes
Minimum wage increases, animal protections, police accountability, cutting and increasing taxes are all part of a series of new laws taking effect across the country on Saturday, the first day of 2022.
apnews.com
US and Russia face deep differences ahead of Ukraine talks
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — After tough talk between Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin over the Russian troop buildup on the Ukraine border, both sides insist they are hopeful that a pathway to easing tensions could open during diplomatic talks set for January.
apnews.com
Federal officials warn January 6 anniversary 'may be exploited by threat actors' but cite no specific or credible threats | CNN Politics
Federal officials are warning that "threat actors" may take advantage of the upcoming anniversary of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, though there are currently no specific or credible threats, according to an intelligence assessment issued Thursday to state and local officials.
New laws in 2022 address surprise medical bills, chained pets, cocktails-to-go
A host of new laws go into effect, from the budget-wise to the dog and owner friendly.
www.nbcnews.com
Documents show Chinese government collects droves of data from Western social media: report
China is using part of its internal internet surveillance network to mine data from Western social media and provide its government agents with information on foreign targets, The Washington Post r…
thehill.com
Chief justice: Judges must better avoid financial conflicts
WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts says the federal judiciary needs to do more to ensure judges don't participate in cases where they have financial conflicts of interest. Roberts made the comments as part of his annual report on the federal judiciary released Friday...
apnews.com
Fact Focus: Misinformation persists after Maxwell trial ends
The sex-trafficking trial of Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, ended with a guilty verdict, but that hasn't stopped the flow of false news that has swirled around the case.
apnews.com
Putin threatened Biden with a complete collapse of US-Russia relations if he launches more sanctions over Ukraine
Putin told Biden in their call that sanctions over Ukraine "could lead to a complete breakdown in ties between our countries," a Kremlin aide said.
Photos: New Year's celebrations around the world | CNN
With the rapid spread of the new Omicron coronavirus variant, many cities across the world scaled back their New Year's celebrations.
Bernard Kerik provides batch of documents to Jan. 6 select committee
The former New York City Police commissioner also provided a “privilege log” describing materials he declined to provide to the committee.
www.politico.com
Ocasio-Cortez criticizes GOP for ‘projecting their sexual frustrations’ at her
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Friday shot back at criticism from right-wing figures after a photo of her on vacation with her boyfriend in Florida was shared online, suggesting that her…
thehill.com
Biden warns Putin of ‘severe sanctions’ if Russia invades Ukraine
President Biden warned Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call on Thursday of “severe sanctions” if Russia invades Ukraine, Biden told reporters a day later.”I made i…
thehill.com
'Miraculous': No casualties reported in devastating Colorado wildfires
Hundreds of homes were destroyed in Superior, Colorado.
FDIC chairman appointed by Trump resigns
Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) Chairman Jelena McWilliams, a Trump appointee, resigned Friday amid a power struggle with Democratic members of the agency’s board.In a letter to President Bi…
thehill.com
Ron DeSantis accompanied wife to cancer treatment while critics claimed he was 'missing'
The office of Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing back against recent criticism that the Sunshine State governor has been “missing” after he made limited appearances amid the rise of COVID-19 cases in the state.
POLITICO Playbook: Meet the GOP’s new national security power broker
And neither Biden nor Putin backs down on a new call.
www.politico.com
Chief Justice Roberts touts independence of federal courts as some lawmakers press for change
In his annual report, Chief Justice John Roberts made no mention of the Supreme Court's "shadow docket" and recent controversy about it.
www.usatoday.com
NASCAR reviewing driver’s paint scheme that references ‘Let’s go Brandon’
NASCAR is reportedly reviewing a deal it approved with racecar driver Brandon Brown to have a paint scheme on his vehicle featuring a cryptocurrency sponsor that references the anti-…
thehill.com
US and Russia face deep differences ahead of Ukraine talks
After tough talk between Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin over the Russian troop buildup on the Ukraine border, both sides insist they are hopeful that a pathway to easing tensions could open during diplomatic talks set for January. Biden on Friday told reporters that he advised Putin...
Roberts pushes for judiciary's continued independence in year-end report | CNN Politics
Chief Justice John Roberts stressed the importance of the judiciary's institutional independence Friday in an annual report that comes as the Supreme Court is considering some of the most important issues of the day, and critics are seeking to dilute the court's conservative majority.
Over 65 shots fired on busy Philadelphia street; 6 wounded
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Six gunmen fired more than 65 rounds on a Philadelphia street, sending nighttime pedestrians on a busy block teeming with markets and restaurants scrambling for cover and injuring six people, at least one of them critically, police said Friday.
apnews.com
Nancy Pelosi, husband buy call options worth millions in Google, Disney despite ethics concerns from party
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul bought millions of dollars in call options for stocks including Disney, Google, and Salesforce just two days after she publicly pushed back on concerns from her own party surrounding the ethics of lawmakers making individual stock trades.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
‘We’re falling behind’: 2022 seen as a pivotal lap in the space race with China
Washington and Beijing are jockeying for advantage — and international partners — to develop the moon.
www.politico.com
78 members of Congress have violated a law designed to prevent insider trading and stop conflicts-of-interest
Insider has identified numerous members of Congress who have violated the STOCK Act. Congress is now considering banning lawmakers from trading stocks.
Biden extends U.S. support for International Space Station through 2030
The Biden administration wants to continue research being conducted in the orbiting laboratory with international partners, including Russia.
www.nbcnews.com
House GOP committee deletes tweet spreading disinformation on Covid boosters after backlash | CNN Politics
Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee deleted a tweet Friday morning that spread disinformation about Covid-19 booster shots.
Putin 'upping the ante' in tense Russia-Ukraine dispute, experts say
While an invasion may not be imminent, tensions at the Russia-Ukraine border and between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Western leaders appear to be escalating rather than diminishing.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Chief justice calls for judicial independence amid growing political criticism of federal courts
Chief Justice John Roberts asserted the independence of the federal courts from what he called "inappropriate political influence."
New York City ushers in 2022 with ball drop in Times Square
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City welcomed the new year — and bid good riddance to 2021 — as confetti and cheers spread across Times Square as a New Year's Eve tradition returned to a city beleaguered by a global pandemic.
apnews.com
Amid tension with Russia, Biden administration wants to extend the life of the International Space Station
WASHINGTON - The Biden administration wants to extend the life of the International Space Station to 2030, keeping the orbiting laboratory aloft despite mounting tensions with Russia, its main partner on the orbiting laboratory. The announcement by NASA Friday comes a day after Russian President...
Biden at 11 months: ‘One of the worst years ever’
All of the hope in President Joe Biden’s 21-minute inaugural address, which promised “unity, unity,” has not only evaporated in his first 11 months but left people feeling that 2021 was “one of the worst years ever,” according to the latest Rasmussen Reports survey.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Behind the wait for a verdict at Maxwell jury deliberations
NEW YORK (AP) — The Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking trial was a four-week winding road featuring sordid testimony by four women who accused the British socialite of grooming their teenage selves for abuse at the hands of financier Jeffrey Epstein.
apnews.com
Bernie Sanders: Pay your workers better. Warren Buffett: That's not my job | CNN Business
Warren Buffett, the ninth-richest person on the planet, says it's not up to him to settle a strike by 450 steelworkers at a company he owns.
In the year since the US Capitol attack, judges remind us what it means to be American | CNN Politics
On January 6, rioters streamed past the federal courthouse in Washington, DC, and descended upon the US Capitol. For weeks after the attack, DC's chief judge said she could see National Guard troops from the window in her chambers.
Can the GOP flip another Orange County House seat in 2022?
Lisa Bartlett hopes to follow in the steps of a former colleague on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Rep. Michelle Steel, and flip a House seat by a Democratic incumbent in the traditionally Republican county.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Betty White: Biden leads tributes for Golden Girls actress
The long-time Hollywood star died on Friday at the age of 99 after an eight-decade film and TV career.
www.bbc.com
As governor commutes truck driver's sentence, prosecutors vow to release new information from case
Rogel Aguilera-Mederos' attorneys said the move is "politically" motivated.
Blair becomes 'Sir Tony' and joins top royal order
Tony Blair, the Duchess of Cornwall, and Baroness Amos are appointed to the Order of the Garter.
www.bbc.com
New laws in 2022 address surprise medical bills, chained pets, cocktails-to-go
The new year will bring a host of new laws that take effect starting Saturday on issues from surprise medical bills to restraints for the family pet.
The year in weird: 9 bizarre political stories that rocked 2021
In the midst of a pandemic, growing concerns about the future of American democracy, an uneven economic recovery and a former president who refuses to concede the stage, politics in the United Stat…
thehill.com
Law banning surprise healthcare bills to take effect Jan. 1
A bill that prevents patients from being surprised with out-of-network costs will take effect on Jan. 1, decreasing the price of millions of medical bills.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Wave of canceled flights from omicron closes out 2021
More canceled flights frustrated air travelers on the final day of 2021 and appeared all but certain to inconvenience hundreds of thousands more over the New Year's holiday weekend. Airlines blamed many of the cancellations on crew shortages related to the spike in COVID-19 infections , along...
apnews.com
SBA investigating PPP loan to Virginia radio company paid millions to broadcast CCP propaganda
The Small Business Administration’s watchdog has been asked to investigate after a Virginia radio company that was paid millions of dollars to broadcast Chinese Communist Party propaganda received more than $100,000 through the Paycheck Protection Program.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
United Airlines offers triple pay to pilots amid travel chaos
The pay bump will extend from Dec. 30 to Jan. 29, an airline executive said.
www.nbcnews.com
Virginia Giuffre: Prince Andrew accuser seeks evidence he could not sweat
Lawyers for Virginia Giuffre call on the royal to submit medical reports to a New York court.
www.bbc.com
2 suspects arrested in connection with shooting of Illinois officers
Police have arrested two suspects wanted in connection with the shooting of two Illinois police officers.
Naked man stalks woman on walking trail before disappearing into the woods: Police
A naked man reportedly followed a woman who was on a walking trail in Alabama on Thursday, police say.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
6 people injured after multiple shooters fire 87 shots in Philadelphia, police say | CNN
Six people were injured after multiple shooters fired 87 shots during an incident in a Philadelphia neighborhood, police said. The exact number of shooters has not been determined.
Hall of Famer Sam Jones, winner of 10 NBA titles, dies at 88
BOSTON (AP) — Basketball Hall of Famer Sam Jones, the Boston Celtics' “Mr. Clutch” whose sharp shooting fueled the league's longest dynasty and earned him 10 NBA titles — second only to teammate Bill Russell — has died, the team said.
apnews.com
French ban on plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables begins
Officials hope the law will prevent a billion items of single use plastics every year.
www.bbc.com
Bank accidentally deposits $176 million into people’s accounts on Christmas Day
Santander said the duplicate payments were caused by a scheduling issue that has now been rectified.
www.nbcnews.com
US Postal Service recovers from poor holiday showing in 2020
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The U.S Postal Service pulled out all the stops to avoid a repeat of the 2020 holiday shipping disaster, and it worked. The Postal Service and several other private shippers reported that holiday season deliveries went smoothly for the most part.
apnews.com
Bye bye BlackBerry: Company announces software will 'no longer reliably function'
Any device running on BlackBerry's software after Jan. 4 will "no longer reliably function," according to the company.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Betty White never went out of style. Here’s why.
In an astonishingly long and prolific career, the small-screen entertainer deftly found ways to adapt to the times.
www.nbcnews.com
IKEA boosts prices, blames supply chain troubles
IKEA, the world’s biggest furniture retailer, has boosted its prices due to supply chain troubles, Reuters reported. IKEA said Thursday that prices will go up to 9 percent on average across it…
thehill.com
Betty White, TV’s Golden Girl, dies at 99
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Betty White, whose saucy, up-for-anything charm made her a television mainstay for more than 60 years, whether as a man-crazy TV hostess on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” or the loopy housemate on “The Golden Girls,” has died.
apnews.com
Teen's suit says coaches made him eat pizza despite religion
An Ohio high school football player who says coaches forced him to eat a pizza covered with pepperoni grease in violation of his religious beliefs is suing his former district and ousted coaches
Tiffini Hale, former ‘All New Mickey Mouse Club’ star, dies at 46
Hale was an original star of “The All New Mickey Mouse Club” in 1989 and was a member of the Disney-created pop music group The Party.
www.nbcnews.com
Juror: Kim Potter made mistake but was still responsible
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A member of the jury that convicted Minnesota police officer Kim Potter of manslaughter in the killing of Daunte Wright says jurors felt she made an honest mistake when she drew her firearm instead of her stun gun, but that she was still responsible for his death.
apnews.com
Georgia redistricting signed into law and lawsuits quickly follow
Gov. Brian Kemp signed new congressional and legislative maps into law Thursday. The redistricting could enable Republicans to gain a seat in Congress after the 2022 elections, potentially giving them a 9-5 advantage.
Some cautious, many fed up, Americans prepare to ring in the New Year
Dana Fenner's hands were full of New Year's Eve hats and horns as she perused an aisle at a Party City store in Texas, not hesitating for a second when asked about her hopes for 2022.
www.reuters.com
A pandemic-scarred year ends in darkness -- but with hope on the horizon | CNN Politics
2021 wasn't supposed to end like this.
Hundreds of homes lost amid fast-spreading Colorado fires
Many areas of Colorado are facing extreme drought.
The 9 politicians who had the most impact in 2021
The inauguration of a new president, the long shadow of the Jan. 6 insurrection and the pandemic’s peaks and troughs made 2021 another tumultuous year.A handful of politicians exerted enormous infl…
thehill.com
Parents selling children shows desperation of Afghanistan
SHEDAI CAMP, Afghanistan (AP) — In a sprawling settlement of mud brick huts in western Afghanistan housing people displaced by drought and war, a woman is fighting to save her daughter. Aziz Gul’s husband sold the 10-year-old girl into marriage without telling his wife, taking a down-payment so...
apnews.com
Biden outpaces Trump in first-year judicial confirmations, leaving his own mark on the courts
President Biden saw a record number of his circuit and district court nominees confirmed by the Senate in his first year in office, leaving his own mark on the federal courts.
Brother of Ghislaine Maxwell says crimes against Epstein accusers 'were not committed by my sister'
The brother of Ghislaine Maxwell tells ABC News he denies any possibility that his sister is guilty of the sex trafficking crimes she was convicted of on Wednesday.
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy accepts Trump endorsement conditioned upon him not endorsing Sen. Murkowski in 2022 | CNN Politics
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Alaska governor Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday in his bid for reelection, but the endorsement comes with one contingency.
Fearing for their lives, Mexicans fled a gang-ruled town. Now they seek political asylum in California
Gangs have infiltrated remote municipalities, intimidated voters, murdered opposing candidates and seized control of local town halls.
www.latimes.com
2021 Notebook: Climate change, weather crises and what next
Melting glaciers, deadly floods in Germany, record high summer temperatures in generally mild Oregon, more urgent pleas for help from Pacific island nations
The five biggest media stories of 2021
It was a busy year for the news media in 2021, as the industry moved past the Trump era while not escaping the COVID-19 pandemic.Most news organizations dealt with a post-Trump slump in ratings and…
thehill.com
Floods, fires, freezes: how 2021 made Joe Biden a climate crisis president
The US president has made at least five disaster tours in the past year as his administration has tried to pass sweeping climate policies, with mixed success Joe Biden takes part in a briefing with local leaders in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in New Jersey in September. Photograph: AFP/Getty...
New Mexico governor signs state House redistricting measure
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed legislation to redraw election boundaries for seats in the New Mexico House of Representatives.
Biden pushes Putin for Ukraine de-escalation in second call this month | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden urged his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Thursday to take steps to ease an unremitting crisis on Russia's border with Ukraine, warning again of dire economic consequences should Putin proceed with an invasion.
Trump's interference with the Covid response comes into sharper focus
We'll never know how many would've benefited if the Trump administration hadn't undermined the U.S. pandemic response, putting politics over policy.
www.msnbc.com
Will the crushing defeat of Slidell casino play a role in St. Tammany politics? Opponents say yes
Leading up to the controversial Dec. 11 referendum to allow a casino to be built in the Slidell area, political observers were expecting a close outcome that could go either
'Absolutely devastating': Wind-driven Colorado wildfires burn hundreds of homes near Boulder
About 600 homes, a Target shopping complex and a hotel have been destroyed by fire in the area, according to Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle.
www.usatoday.com
Behind the wait for a verdict at Maxwell jury deliberations
NEW YORK (AP) — The Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking trial was a four-week winding road featuring sordid testimony by four women who accused the British socialite of grooming their teenage selves for abuse at the hands of financier Jeffrey Epstein.
apnews.com
Xi'an: Cries for help and food in quarantined Chinese city
Officials say there are adequate supplies, but some in Xi'an say they do not have enough to eat.
www.bbc.com
Michigan's new political maps could face legal challenge for slashing majority-Black districts
While Michigan's new political maps make districts more competitive, they eliminate several majority-Black districts.
www.fox17online.com
How the world plans to celebrate New Year under COVID cloud
Some of the most iconic celebrations will be going ahead as countries hit new record levels of infections.
December 30, 2021 Boulder, Colorado, area fire
Hundreds of structures have been destroyed and thousands of people have evacuated after 1,600-acre fire spread across several communities in Boulder County, Colorado. Follow here for the latest news.
Year in Review: Political turbulence and faltering policy solutions
Election fights, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, border security, and congressional spending dominated 2021
wng.org
Biden will struggle to steer US agenda in 2022: Analysts
With poll numbers down and domestic priorities stalled, US president faces a tough midterm election battle.
Capitol Police officer trashes ‘pathetic’ Mike Pence for downplaying Jan. 6 attack
Sgt. Aquilino Gonell said in an NPR interview that he was stunned to hear Pence pooh-pooh the attack as “one day in January”
Year in Review: Political divide after Jan. 6 widens, but local leaders still see common ground
In a year defined by growing ideological divisions over issues from COVID vaccines to infrastructure spending, the insurrection of Jan. 6 stands as a flash point in what many see
Tens of thousands evacuated, hundreds of homes destroyed in late-season wind-blown wildfires outside Denver
One has already destroyed more homes than any wildfire in Colorado history. Hurricane-force gusts fanned the flames of the late-season blaze.
www.cbsnews.com
Bice: U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson's 10 most controversial statements of 2021
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson found himself praised on conservative websites and parodied on late-night TV because of his controversial statements in 2021.
A tense exchange highlights unsettled part of Tutu's legacy
Desmond Tutu was begging for an apology. Not from a leader of South Africa’s former racist white government, but from a fellow titan of the anti-apartheid struggle. “I beg you, I beg you, I beg you, please,” Tutu implored Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at a 1997 hearing of the Truth and...
apnews.com
Hundreds of Colorado homes lost and tens of thousands of residents told to evacuate due to fast-growing wildfires | CNN
Hundreds of homes have been lost after two wildfires started and grew quickly Thursday as high winds whipped through the Front Range in Colorado, forcing tens of thousands of residents from their homes, the Boulder County sheriff said.
Former GOP congressman faces Trump squeeze in key Senate race
Former Rep. Mark Walker's looming decision: whether to drop down and run in a House primary, or continue his uphill bid against a Trump-endorsed rival.
www.politico.com
Canadian media outlet says bank denied it a commercial mortgage over conservative political leanings
Ezra Levant of Canada's conservative media outlet Rebel News said the Royal Bank of Canada denied him a commercial mortgage for a new office over his website’s politics.
New political maps chop Muskegon County into different state, Congressional districts
New political district maps have made things a bit complicated in Muskegon County, which is now divided into two Congressional districts, two state Senate districts and four state House districts.
A late slide pulls major US indexes just below record highs
A late slide pulled major indexes into the red on Wall Street Thursday, leaving the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slightly below the record highs they set a day earlier
Virginia Confederate monuments likely headed to black history museum
A black history museum in Richmond may soon receive the controversial memorials.
www.bbc.com
Biden says Chile ‘powerful example’ for world in first call with president-elect
President Biden called Chile’s 35-year-old President-elect Gabriel Boric on Thursday to congratulate him on his electoral victory, lauding the country’s election as a “p…
thehill.com
France's COVID Limits on Large Gatherings Don't Include Political Rallies
Some musicians have joked that they may refer to their concerts as political rallies in order to be able to perform for larger crowds.
www.newsweek.com
Peter Thiel, Donald Trump Jr. to co-host fundraisers for Cheney challenger
The tech billionaire is holding two events at his Miami home benefiting Wyoming Republican Harriet Hageman.
www.politico.com
How decisions and bills passed in 2021 could impact Texas politics in 2022
Several Texas laws passed in 2021 will have an impact on Texas politics and voters’ decisions for years to come.
www.kxan.com
Census Bureau: World grew by 74 million over past year
The world’s population is projected to be 7.8 billion people on New Year’s Day 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Germany shuts down half of its 6 remaining nuclear plants
Germany has shut down half of the six nuclear plants it still has in operation
How MAGA Media Dead-Enders Fought for Scraps in Trump’s Wake
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/GettyRiddled with post-election turmoil along with equal parts unwavering enthusiasm and a megadose of grievances, for some of the most ardently pro-Trump right-wing media stars the year 2021 proved quite eventful.For many, with President Biden in the White...
Insurrection, GOP division, tribal sovereignty mark Oklahoma's year in politics
From failed insurrections to an attempted censure of Oklahoma GOP mainstays, local politics mirrored the chaos of the national landscape in 2021.
Florida’s dark money playbook: How ‘ghost’ candidate scheme revealed secretive political tactics
Florida's "ghost" candidate scandal has revealed tactics and dark-money strategies influencing politics throughout the state.
The AP Interview: Nikole Hannah-Jones' warning on democracy
NEW YORK (AP) — Following a year of professional milestones born of her work on America’s history of slavery, Pulitzer Prize-winning Black journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones said she is clear-eyed about her mission to force a reckoning around the nation’s self-image.
apnews.com
2021: A record-smashing year in Idaho politics
BOISE — It was a wild year in Idaho politics, with the state’s longest-ever legislative session taking place amid a pandemic; an all-out power struggle between the legislative and executive
From the tallest woman to the biggest sandcastle, these world records were broken in 2021
From the world's largest pot brownie, the biggest sandcastle to the world's oldest weightlifter, here's a look at 2021 world records.
www.usatoday.com
Teachers' union sues to withdraw measures from Nevada ballot
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Political action committees backed by Nevada's largest teachers' union are suing the secretary of state to remove two of their own tax measures from the
2 police officers shot while responding to call at hotel in Illinois
Police were responding to a report of dogs barking in a parked car when the incident occurred.
Four soldiers killed in raid on Pakistan Taliban hideout
The military said on Friday that security forces raided two hideouts in a former Taliban stronghold near Afghanistan.
Battle over emergency power highlights year in Kentucky politics
Republicans targeted Gov. Beshear’s authority over COVID-19
spectrumnews1.com
Omicron's New Year's cocktail: Sorrow, fear, hope for 2022
PARIS (AP) — Sorrow for the dead and dying, fear of more infections to come and hopes for an end to the coronavirus pandemic were — again — the bittersweet cocktail with which the world said good riddance to 2021 and ushered in 2022.
apnews.com
The world welcomes 2022 with muted celebrations as COVID-19 cases surge
The Omicron variant, which is now driving record case numbers, forced many cities to tone down New Year's Eve events or cancel them altogether.
www.cbsnews.com
It won't be a pandemic forever. Here's what could be next | CNN
Even after Covid-19 cases fall from their current record-high levels, it's unlikely the United States -- let alone the world -- will be able to completely eliminate the coronavirus that causes them.
The world rings in 2022 as omicron variant dashes NYE plans
Australia seemed to buck the worldwide trend despite the omicron surge, with its prime minister telling people to “enjoy the evening.”
www.nbcnews.com
Massachusetts denies teacher union’s request to keep schools closed for COVID-19 testing
Massachusetts officials have denied a teacher union’s request to keep schools closed for COVID-19 testing. The Massachusetts Teachers Association made the request to close schools for COVID testing…
thehill.com
Michigan shifts, will follow CDC isolation guidance
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced on Friday that it would be changing its quarantine guidance to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and…
thehill.com
CDC sued for vaccine safety app data after multiple refusals
A nonprofit that is critical of vaccines is suing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after the agency declined to comply with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for data on the effects of the coronavirus vaccine.
WHO chief gives New Year speech: ‘If we end inequity, we end the pandemic’
The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday he was confident the pandemic will end in 2022 “if we end inequity” and spread vaccine w…
thehill.com
Ayanna Pressley says she has tested COVID-19 positive in breakthrough case
Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D) announced Friday that she has tested positive for COVID-19 in a breakthrough case. “After experiencing COVID-like symptoms, this morning I received a Peice of work…
thehill.com
1,400 US flights canceled Friday as omicron continues to slow travel
More than 1,400 flights going into, out of and within the U.S. were canceled on Friday as the year comes to a close with snarled travel due to the impact of COVID-19 and the omicron variant on…
thehill.com
Should kids be vaccinated? Brazil turns to online survey
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — As world leaders rely on public health specialists to inform their decisions about whether and how to vaccinate children against the coronavirus, Brazil's government is asking the online public for guidance.
apnews.com
Covid-19: WHO chief optimistic disease will be beaten in 2022
The organisation ends the year on a positive note but warns about "nationalism and vaccine hoarding".
www.bbc.com
Missouri to end COVID-19 state of emergency, citing effectiveness of vaccine
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is allowing the COVID-19 state of emergency that has been in place since March 2020 to expire, saying that "we all now know how to best fight and prevent serious illness from this virus."
Live updates: South Korea extends social distancing rules
SEOUL, South Korea __ South Korea says it’ll extend the toughest social distancing rules for another two weeks to try to lower critical cases and guard against the omicron variant. The government said Friday the current restrictions such as a four-person limit on private gatherings and a 9 p.m.
apnews.com
Omicron's New Year's cocktail: Sorrow, fear, hope for 2022
PARIS (AP) — Sorrow for the dead and dying, fear of more infections to come and hopes for an end to the coronavirus pandemic were — again — the bittersweet cocktail with which the world said good riddance to 2021 and ushered in 2022.
apnews.com
US maintains high death rate due to COVID-19 despite lockdowns, mask mandates, and vaccines
The United States has one of the world's highest rates of COVID deaths per million despite massive spending, several phases of lockdowns, mask mandates, and a moonshot initiative to develop vaccines.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Live updates: Virus forces changes in Vegas gadget gathering
LAS VEGAS — The annual CES gadget convention will be three days instead of four amid a jump in COVID-19 cases and the withdrawal of some of its best-known tech presenters. Convention organizer The Consumer Technology Association announced in a statement Friday that CES will run from Jan.
apnews.com
Cruz accuses Fauci of playing politics with COVID-19 after recent comment about hospitalized children
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and top critic of Dr. Anthony Fauci, took to Twitter late Thursday to accuse the top disease doctor of editing his message when it comes to COVID-19 hospitalizations during the Biden administration.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective for children: 3 CDC studies say
The new studies come as cases of COVID-19 are on the rise among children.
Understaffed U.S. transit agencies adjust services as Omicron surges
Transportation agencies across the U.S. are suspending or reducing service due to COVID-19 staff shortages as the Omicron variant surges nationwide.
www.reuters.com
A pandemic-scarred year ends in darkness -- but with hope on the horizon | CNN Politics
2021 wasn't supposed to end like this.
Top COVID-19 test scientist says there's no reason to stop using rapid tests
Rapid tests may perform differently in a laboratory with omicron, but they still work, experts say.
Covid: France suspends transit ban for UK nationals during Christmas period
EU-based Brits trying to get home will be allowed to cross France during the Christmas period.
www.bbc.com
Omicron wave delays UN nuclear treaty conference
A U.N. nuclear treaty conference has been delayed until August of next year due to the surge in COVID-19 cases brought on by the highly transmissible omicron variant, further pushing back the …
thehill.com
AOC in Miami Beach for 'taste of freedom' as New York sees record number of COVID cases: report
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appeared to get an early start on New Year’s weekend Thursday, according to a report.
Omicron main COVID variant in France
The Omicron variant’s advance expected due to its contagious nature as it becomes dominant in France, Portugal and UK.
COVID-19 hospitalization surge among U.S. children spurs new Omicron concerns
Within weeks, the Omicron variant has fueled thousands of new COVID-19 hospitalizations among U.S. children, raising new concerns about how the many unvaccinated Americans under the age of 18 will fare in the new surge.
www.reuters.com
New virus infections driven by omicron soar in Australia
New coronavirus infections have soared again in Australia to a record of more than 32,000, just days after surpassing 10,000 for the first time
Health experts urge caution ahead of New Year's Eve festivities as COVID-19 surge intensifies
"Omicron and delta are coming to your party," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned at a press conference Monday.
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