(AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
BRUSSELS (AP) — Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the world raced Friday to contain a new coronavirus variant potentially more dangerous than the one that has fueled relentless waves of infection on nearly every continent.
Graham emerges as go-to ally for Biden’s judicial picks
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) went viral during the Trump administration, and bolstered his conservative cred, with a fiery defense of then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. But now, he is quie…
thehill.com
Rep. Boebert apologizes after making anti-Muslim remarks against Democratic colleague
Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., apologized after video surfaced of her making anti-Muslim remarks about her colleague Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. NBC News’ Garrett Haake reports on Omar’s response to the comments.
www.nbcnews.com
Stocks sink on new Covid variant; Dow loses 950 points
The S&P 500 was down 2.3%, on pace for its worst day since February.
www.politico.com
Biden administration seeks to raise the price to drill for oil and gas on public lands
The royalty rate of 12.5 percent has been in place since 1920.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump pulls strings behind the scenes to help loyal 2022 candidates | CNN Politics
Former President Donald Trump has taken his involvement in 2022 Republican primaries to a new level as he works to permanently mold the GOP in his image. Beyond Trump’s public efforts to oust Republican incumbents he considers disloyal, he has quietly tried to clear potential GOP threats to his...
www.cnn.com
Republicans point to number of times Garland has politicized the Justice Department
Attorney General Merrick Garland is under fire from Republican lawmakers for allegedly politicizing the Justice Department.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Jan. 6 panel faces double-edged sword with Alex Jones, Roger Stone
The House committee investigating the attack on the Capitol faces both risk and reward by turning to two Trump allies with a history of lying as it seeks to map out the planning and financing …
thehill.com
Steve Bannon asks court to deny request to shield records in his case
Bannon has pleaded not guilty to contempt of Congress charges.
www.cbsnews.com
Liberal dark money juggernaut raises $1.6 billion to flood left-wing groups with cash, tax forms reveal
Arabella Advisors-managed funds raked in $1.6 billion for left-wing groups and causes in 2020.
U.S. lawmakers meet with officials in Taiwan despite China tensions
Five U.S. lawmakers met with government officials in Taiwan despite warnings from Beijing as tensions between China and the democratic island continue to rise. NBC News' Josh Lederman reports.
www.nbcnews.com
Black Friday sales on track for record high
Holiday sales in November and December could top $200 billion, according to a forecast from Adobe.
www.cbsnews.comWill any Republicans challenge Trump in 2024? DeSantis, Pence and the other top contenders to know
GOPers like Mike Pence and Ron DeSantis - and a host of others - could run in 2024, though that will likely turn on ex-president Donald Trump.
EXPLAINER: What happened to the Afghanistan evacuation?
The evacuation of American citizens and others from Afghanistan didn’t end with the departure of the last U.S. troops on Aug. 30. But it did slow to a trickle.
apnews.com
Abigail Spanberger on Biden, FDR and what Democrats want - "The Takeout"
The Virginia congresswoman talked with host Major Garrett about losses in Virginia and how Democrats should be thinking about the midterm elections.
www.cbsnews.comU.S. says 'all options' on the table over Russian troop buildup near Ukraine
All options are on the table in how to respond to Russia's "large and unusual" troop buildup near Ukraine's border, and the NATO alliance will decide on the next move following consultations next week, the State Department's top U.S. diplomat for European affairs said on Friday. "As you can...
Amazon faces climate activists and employee protests on Black Friday
If Amazon packages arrive slowly this week, it may be due to one of several protests against the company on Black Friday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Black Friday draws U.S. shoppers but many shun stores for online
Bargain hunters ventured out in chilly weather to buy Christmas gifts on Black Friday only to discover that many U.S. retailers offered smaller price markdowns this year amid tight supplies.
'Ed the Trucker': The Trump Republican Who's Riding High in New Jersey
Edward Durr Jr., a Republican who this month toppled New Jersey’s second most powerful lawmaker, had three children under 13 when a mortgage company began foreclosure proceedings on his 1,200-square-foot, one-story home in South Jersey in 1997. Within two years, he and his first wife had filed...
Why wiping out Hong Kong's opposition may have cost China a whole generation in Taiwan | CNN
Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong has played an important role in how Taiwanese view China, with opinion polls suggesting more people now support the self-ruled island becoming formally independent from the mainland.
www.cnn.com
Omar calls on House leadership to take 'appropriate action' against Boebert after Islamophobic comments
A video on Twitter showed Boebert at a campaign event using anti-Muslim rhetoric against Omar, who wants House leadership to take "appropriate action."
www.usatoday.com
Trump and his allies have embraced, promoted and counseled Kyle Rittenhouse since his acquittal
Since a jury found him not guilty, Kyle Rittenhouse has met with various top right wing operatives and leaders, including former President Donald Trump himself.
New maps spark debate over majority-minority districts
DETROIT (AP) — Adam Hollier is a lieutenant in the Army Reserves, a paratrooper, Detroit native, a Democrat and a Black man.
apnews.com
Dow plunges 2.5% as new COVID-19 variant stokes financial fears
Concerns about the new variant are spurring a stock sell-off, as some European countries impose flight restrictions.
www.cbsnews.com
North Korea bans leather coats after Kim starts new fashion trend
North Korea has banned leather coats that copy the style of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, multiple sources told Radio Free Asia. Kim popularized the leather jacket in 2019. It was initially…
thehill.comIlhan Omar: Boebert is a ‘buffoon’ and ‘bigot’ for ‘made up’ anti-Muslim story
‘Sad she thinks bigotry gets her clout,’ says Omar after Boebert claims to have joked about terrorism when sharing elevator Ilhan Omar at Boom Island Park, Minneapolis, in September. Photograph: Nikolas Liepins/REX/Shutterstock The Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar called the Colorado Republican...
Australia missing campers: Pilot accused of murders remanded in custody
After a dramatic arrest, Greg Lynn is charged with killing a pair who disappeared 20 months ago.
www.bbc.com
Interior recommends imposing higher costs for public lands drilling
A long-awaited report from the Interior Department recommends taking steps to increase fees for drilling on public lands, arguing that taxpayers are currently being shortchanged.The department says…
thehill.com
Despite drought, New Mexico project to seed clouds scrapped
A plan to seed the clouds over the mountains of New Mexico to increase snowfall during a historic drought was pulled this week after accusations it could poison people and the environment.
Biden South Africa travel ban announced hours after Fauci said White House didn't know enough to implement ban
President Biden has imposed another coronavirus-related travel ban just hours after one of his top advisers cautioned that the U.S. didn't have enough information to do so.
Rep. Lauren Boebert suggested Rep. Ilhan Omar was terrorist in anti-Muslim remarks at event | CNN Politics
Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado apologized to “anyone in the Muslim community I offended” on Twitter Friday after video surfaced of her making anti-Muslim comments last weekend about Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
www.cnn.com
Beto O'Rourke raises $2M in 24 hours for long-shot gubernatorial bid. Will it help?
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke raised $2 million dollars in the first 24 hours of his bid, his campaign told the Texas Tribune. The former congressman has previously reported impressive fundraising numbers in unsuccessful bids for the Senate and the White House, leaving some…
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Opinion | Shipping delays vex Americans, but could be a boon for China
China has accumulated an unprecedented stake in global shipping and commerce, and its power and profits present ominous possibilities for the future.
www.nbcnews.com
U.S. trade chief to keep pushing on vaccine IP, WTO reform after meeting delay
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the United States would continue to push for World Trade Organization members to agree on an intellectual property framework for COVID-19 vaccines after a major WTO ministerial meeting set for next week was postponed on Friday.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy alleges coup will be attempted against him next week; Russia denies involvement
Russia has denied any involvement after Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that an attempted coup d'etat is being planned in his country to take place next week.
Marjorie Taylor Greene rips Kevin McCarthy for 'failure of our leadership'
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, went after House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, Thursday while speaking with Rep. Matt Gaetz on his Firebrand podcast.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Covid: Swiss back government on Covid pass as cases surge
Sunday's referendum is held in a country with one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe.
www.bbc.com
U.S. lawmakers visit Taiwan; China conducts military patrols
The visit came as tensions between Taiwan and China have risen to their highest level in decades.
www.politico.comMelania Trump Makes Rare Post-White House Outing to 'Wonderful' Local Foster Care Organization
After a rocky four years in Washington, D.C., sources say the former first lady has little appetite for returning to politics, despite her husband's constant hints at a 2024 campaign
Boebert apologizes to Muslims as Democrats call for ‘real action to confront racism’
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) tweeted an apology to Muslims on Friday after Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) called her out for “anti-Muslim bigotry” over an anec…
thehill.com
Opinion | Ahmaud’s Killers Are Guilty, But Trayvon’s Shooter Went Free. Here’s One Reason Why.
Highlighting racial bias, as the prosecutor did — subtly — in the Ahmaud Arbery trial, can lead to fairer outcomes.
www.politico.comRep. Adam Kinzinger retweets Lauren Boebert's primary challenger after calling the Colorado lawmaker 'TRASH' for her Islamophobic story about Ilhan Omar
"Help me take out the trash," Marina Zimmerman, a Republican primary challenger to Boebert, wrote on Twitter. Kinzinger retweeted her message.
Victims and prosecutors see Ghislaine Maxwell as 'center' of Epstein's scheme ahead of trial
“This is a ring that ensnared dozens and dozens and dozens of girls. And Maxwell was an integral player,” one civil attorney said.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden administration proposes oil and gas drilling reform but stops short of ban
The long-anticipated report did not indicate that the Biden administration would take climate change impact into account when approving new oil and gas leases.
‘Ridiculous demands’ and ‘impossible requests’: Life outside Cuomo's pandemic war room
While Cuomo projected calm during his daily public briefings, with thousands dying as the virus ravaged New York City, public health officials were forced to find ways to work around him.
www.politico.com
Eight historical episodes in which fiscal problems led to disaster
Governments throughout history have seen political and social unrest stem from fiscal irresponsibility.
www.washingtonexaminer.comGOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger Slams Lauren Boebert As 'Trash' For Her Anti-Muslim Tale
Her Republican primary challenger, Marina Zimmerman, then tweeted: "Help me take out the trash."
Trump photo with Rittenhouse reveals ‘Mount Trumpmore’ sculpture
Miniature Mount Rushmore with ex-president’s face on it was given to him by South Dakota’s governor, Kristi Noem, last year Donald Trump at Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota, in July 2020. Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP Pictures released before the Thanksgiving holiday showed Donald Trump...
‘Go through, go,’ Lukashenko tells asylum seekers near EU border
Belarusian leader makes first public appearance near the chaotic border since crisis broke out.
Channel disaster: Kurdish woman is first victim identified
Maryam Nuri Mohamed Amin was a 24-year-old Kurdish woman from northern Iraq.
www.bbc.com
Milwaukee district attorney shines spotlight on liberal prosecutors
A self-described "progressive" district attorney at the center of the Waukesha Christmas parade massacre claims to be the inspiration for a wave of liberal prosecutors whose policies are increasingly coming under scrutiny.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Black Friday is back but with thinner crowds, fewer discounts
A shift online, COVID fears and less-steep discounts have thinned crowds on the day after the US Thanksgiving holiday.
Manchin ready to further slash ambitions for Biden spending bill
During his six years as governor, Sen. Joe Manchin developed a rough three-part test he's taken to Washington: Are proposed programs paid for? Do they have bipartisan support? And do they solve a specific problem facing his constituents?Why it matters: The West Virginia Democrat wields...
Administrator banned from school grounds after exposing critical race theory ideology
A school administrator in Indiana was locked out of his email and banned from school grounds Wednesday after leaking information that students were being instructed in critical race theory ideology.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Ethiopia’s PM pledges victory in video from front line
State media shows Abiy wearing army fatigues, saying morale is high and Tigrayan forces have been pushed back.
Three wounded in shooting at mall in Durham, N.C.
Black Friday shoppers were escorted out of the mall as authorities responded to reports of shots fired.
www.nbcnews.com
Renters strike back as cities cap price hikes by landlords
The revival of rent control policies long derided by economists, including one of President Joe Biden’s top advisers, comes as officials scramble to contain rising prices across a range of goods and services.
www.politico.com
Advocates see pilot program to address inequalities from highways as crucial first step
Advocates across the country say the recently signed $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law does not include enough money to address inequalities made worse by previous highway construction, b…
thehill.com
Iraqi migrants return home from Belarus, vow to try entering the EU again
More than 600 Iraqi migrants reportedly returned to their home country on Friday after a failed attempt to enter the European Union through Belarus. Two flights first arrived in Erbil, th…
thehill.com
19 dead, 32 injured in Mexico religious site pilgrimage bus crash
Many Mexicans go on religious pilgrimages as Dec. 12, the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, approaches.
www.nbcnews.com
‘Point of no return’: Refugees in Libya long for safety
Evacuation flight brings some to safety, but many more remain camped outside Tripoli UN centre pleading for relocation.
Covid: US joins EU in restricting travel from southern Africa
Flights from eight African nations to be blocked as new variant is classified as being "of concern".
www.bbc.com
Macron tells UK to ‘get serious’ on migrant crisis amid fresh tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron warned Britain Friday that it needs to “get serious” about dealing with the flow of migrants between the two countries, Reuters reported, amid incr…
thehill.com
Black Lives Matter claims America is 'stolen land' in Thanksgiving tweet
Black Lives Matter raised eyebrows with a Thanksgiving post that characterized America as "stolen land."
Stephen Sondheim, legendary Broadway composer and lyricist, dies at 91
The creator of "Sweeney Todd" and "Into the Woods" was considered the greatest American theater composer and lyricist of the last half century or more.
www.nbcnews.com
North Carolina Black Friday mall shooting sends customers scrambling, 3 shot, 1 in custody
A North Carolina mall was evacuated after three people were reportedly shot on Friday afternoon.
Rep. Lauren Boebert suggested Rep. Ilhan Omar was terrorist in anti-Muslim remarks at event | CNN Politics
Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado apologized to “anyone in the Muslim community I offended” on Twitter Friday after video surfaced of her making anti-Muslim comments last weekend about Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
www.cnn.com
U.S. to restrict travel from South Africa, 7 other nations amid new Covid variant
The new variant, classified by the WHO as a "variant of concern," is blamed for a surge of cases in South Africa and has sparked fears over its high number of mutations.
www.nbcnews.com
Germany and Austria seeing COVID cases rise among unvaccinated population
Europe has once again become the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis.
Will Covid variant omicron need a new vaccine? Time and data will tell
Manufacturers are already testing how their vaccines work against omicron.
www.nbcnews.comFox News Host Still Thinks Dems Used COVID to ‘Steal’ the Election
Fox NewsMore than a year after Donald Trump decisively lost the 2020 presidential election, there are still some pro-Trump Fox News personalities who believe the “Big Lie” that the election was stolen.Fox News contributor Sean Duffy, a former Republican congressman and ex-cast member of MTV’s...
UK official warns COVID-19 variant is ‘most significant’ yet
Leaders in Britain and other nations on Friday reacted with alarm over a new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa, which a top U.K. health official described as the “most signi…
thehill.com
Omicron COVID-19 variant: US to limit travel from 8 southern Africa countries
The United States will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries starting Monday over concerns of the "heavily mutated" COVID-19 omicron variant, senior administration officials said.
What we know and don't know about the Omicron variant | CNN
A new and potentially more transmissible coronavirus variant first identified by South African scientists has prompted a fresh round of travel restrictions across the world and raised concern about what may be next in the pandemic.
www.cnn.com
Five things to know about omicron, new COVID-19 ‘variant of concern’
The announcement of a COVID-19 variant called B.1.1529 this week by scientists in South Africa, where it was first detected, has sent governments and financial markets around th…
thehill.com
Florida reports lowest daily coronavirus cases per capita in nation
Florida is reporting the lowest amount of coronavirus cases per capita in the nation after Gov. Ron DeSantis was widely criticized by media outlets for his handling of the virus.
France opts for 3rd shots, not lockdown, to fight new wave
France has launched a plan to give booster shots to all adults, opting against a further lockdown or curfew, to help combat a worrying uptick in infections in the country
Gottlieb calls travel bans counterproductive after new African restrictions
Former Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb took to Twitter on Friday to criticize the U.S. travel ban on eight southern African countries announced by the White Hou…
thehill.com
WHO names new variant of concern 'omicron,' as scientists advise caution
Epidemiologist Dr. Deepti Gurdasani, said she would rather see countries “overreact and then scale back than under-react” to the new variant.
www.nbcnews.com
Tensions emerge over redefining the fully vaccinated
A debate is emerging around what it means to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as some state and local officials push to change the definition to include an additional dose of a coronavirus vac…
thehill.comPeter Navarro Says He Wanted 'Baby' Dr. Anthony Fauci 'Strangled In His Crib'
He appealed to former Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney to boot Fauci because Donald Trump was busy and "I'm an economics guy," he told Steve Bannon.
FDA calls Merck COVID-19 pill effective, but points to safety concerns
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that while Merck’s experimental COVID-19 antiviral pill is effective, the agency has yet to determine whether the medication can be …
thehill.com
FDA seeks advice on whether to limit Covid-19 pill in pregnant people
Regulators are considering whether to authorize the pill's emergency use in adults who have been experiencing symptoms for less than five days and, if so, how to define who's considered high risk.
www.politico.com
European Union proposes booster shot requirement for unrestricted travel in the region
Residents of the European Union (EU) who wish to travel throughout the region may soon need to have a coronavirus booster shot, according to the European Commission, which can regulate movemen…
thehill.com
U.S. President Biden says not considering new vaccine mandates
U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday his administration was not considering new vaccine mandates following the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant in South Africa, which led to travel bans from that country and seven other nations.
