(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law Monday, authorizing $768.2 billion in military spending, including a 2.7% pay raise for service members, for 2022.
52% of Republicans disapprove of Mitch McConnell as Trump ramps up his pressure campaign to topple him: poll
Trump frequently refers to the Kentucky Republican as a "broken old crow" while criticizing his actions on the debt limit and infrastructure bill.
Analysis: Trump and the January 6 committee are now locked in a full-on confrontation | CNN Politics
Nearly a year after his failed coup attempt, Donald Trump’s habit of putting his own political gain over truth is playing out again as the ex-commander-in-chief and his associates seek to delay and defy the House select committee probing the January 6 insurrection.
www.cnn.com
Jury signals verdict not near at Ghislaine Maxwell trial
A jury in the sex trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell has completed three full days of deliberations without a sign that a verdict is near.
apnews.com
In abortion rights debate, Biden doesn't often use the word
President Joe Biden insists that he strongly believes in the rights spelled out in the 1973 Roe v. Wade court decision, which are now under the most dire threat in decades.
apnews.com
Man who told Biden ‘let’s go Brandon’ goes on Bannon’s podcast, touts Trump
The Oregon man who called President Biden and first lady Jill Biden and said the anti-Biden phrase “Let’s Go Brandon” pushed the baseless claim that the 2020 election was sto…
thehill.com
Snow blasts California and freezes Pacific Northwest
Severe weather sweeping parts of the U.S. has brought frigid temperatures to the Pacific Northwest, heavy snow to mountains in Northern California and Nevada, and unseasonable warmth to Texas and the Southeast.
apnews.com
Gen Z conservatives seek to recruit and mentor young, diverse candidates running for office | CNN Politics
When Roxy Ndebumadu, a Black conservative woman, ran for city council in Bowie, Maryland, at age 26, it was hard to find mentorship from elected officials of similar backgrounds.
www.cnn.com
What is the filibuster? The Senate quirk is back in debate over voting rights legislation
The filibuster is a hot topic in the Senate, where lawmakers pushing voting rights legislation are contending with this potential stumbling block.
www.usatoday.com
US airstrikes fall 54 percent under Biden compared to Trump in 2020
President Biden's administration has been much less aggressive with U.S. military air power in 2021 than former President Donald Trump was last year, with strikes falling 54% as of mid-December.
BBC journalist leaves Russia after ‘unprecedented surveillance’
A journalist for BBC’s Russian-language service said on Monday he would leave Russia for “exile” in Britain as a result of surveillance of his actions in Russia.Andrei Zakharov, a…
thehill.com
Justice Department boosts funds to cities to battle rise in crime | CNN Politics
The Justice Department is closing out the year with a surge in grants for public safety programs in cities across the country, including many grappling with a dramatic rise in violent crime.
www.cnn.comRussia ‘not bluffing’ on NATO rollback, warns of ‘large-scale conflict in Europe’ - Washington Examiner
Russia will not drop a demand that NATO “be rolled back” to its 1997 boundaries, according to a senior Russian envoy, a requirement backed by the threat of “a large-scale conflict in Europe” arising out of Ukraine.“We are not bluffing,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Monday...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Philippine President Duterte's China pivot hasn't reduced tensions in the South China Sea
China and its Southeast Asian neighbors including the Philippines have been embroiled in territorial disputes in the South China Sea for decades.
'I Look Like the Strategy': Winsome Sears Wants Black Voters to Rethink the GOP
RICHMOND, Va. — On a December afternoon, Winsome Sears, Virginia’s lieutenant governor-elect, stood at the podium in the state Senate chamber where she will soon preside. It was empty but for a few clerks and staffers who were walking her through a practice session, making pretend motions and...
Ted Cruz spent much of 2021 putting 'radical' Biden nominees on their heels
Sen. Ted Cruz's delaying of dozens of Biden appointee confirmations may pay off next month when the Senate votes on whether to impose sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Fauci on Trump getting booed: ‘Poisoning the well’ on vaccines has ‘lingering effect’
President Biden’s chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci on Monday appeared to accuse former President Trump of “poisoning the well” on vaccines during his administration.Fauci, duri…
thehill.com
Again, crews find apparent time capsule at Lee statue site
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam says crews wrapping up the removal of a giant pedestal that once held a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E.
apnews.com
Delegates at new round of Iran nuclear talks strike hopeful note
Progress has been made, but both sides still need to make ‘difficult decisions’ if an agreement is to be reached.
POLITICO Playbook: ‘The View’ struggles to find a Republican
And coronavirus cases spike to record levels across the world.
www.politico.com
BBB advocate Bernie Sanders extolled the USSR in 1988, three years later the empire collapsed
Bernie Sanders visited the Soviet Union in 1988 and praised it for its transportation systems and public programs three years before it fell.
Arizona Senate candidate offering NFTs to donors who give $5,800 to his campaign
Blake Masters, co-author of tech pioneer Peter Thiel's blockbuster "Zero to One," and now a Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Arizona, is offering NFTs with a limit of 99 copies. Why it matters: Masters, 35, told Axios the plan is to attract support "from folks who are less conventional...
Jan. 6 committee interested in Trump phone call about blocking certification of Biden election - Washington Examiner
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot will investigate an alleged phone call then-President Donald Trump had with allies at the Willard hotel to stop the certification of Joe Biden's election victory. Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the committee, confirmed it will look...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Chinese citizens slam Musk online after space station near-misses
One user of microblogging platform Weibo called Starlink’s satellites “a pile of space junk,” while another described them as “American space warfare weapons.”
www.nbcnews.com
Iraq’s Supreme Court ratifies October election results
Iran-backed factions, including powerful armed groups, had alleged irregularities in October’s parliamentary vote.
Biden objects to NDAA restriction barring transfer of prisoners from Gitmo to other countries
President Biden took issue with ongoing restrictions on the president's ability to move detainees from Guantánamo Bay in the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, arguing the restrictions could even threaten national security.
Never say die: Trump-Russia collusion theorists strike again - Washington Examiner
Call it the scandal that will not die. Or, more accurately, the scandalmongering that will not die. In the last few weeks, there has been a spate of new assertions that presidential candidate Donald Trump and the Trump campaign did, in fact, collude with Russia to fix the 2016 election. No...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
‘Speeding driver’ hits group of children, killing two, in Florida - Washington Examiner
A driver in Florida struck plowed into a group of children with a vehicle on Monday, killing two and injuring the rest before speeding off, according to local authorities. Two of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene in Wilton Manors, located roughly 32 miles north of Miami, said Fort...
www.washingtonexaminer.comVice President Harris said she was frustrated when Charlamagne tha God asked her whether Biden or Manchin was president
During an interview, Harris became heated when radio host Charlamagne tha God asked if President Joe Biden or Sen. Joe Manchin was leading the US.
From real estate to inflation, here's what to expect from the economy in 2022
Will the pandemic economy bounce back next year? Here’s what experts predict.
www.nbcnews.comHow a Relief Fund for Restaurants Picked Winners and Losers
When Congress created a grant program early this year to help battered bars and restaurants survive the pandemic, one thing was immediately clear: The money would not be enough. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund contained $28.6 billion, far below the $100 billion that industry groups estimated...
Only 100 people allowed to attend funeral of Desmond Tutu due to coronavirus restrictions
Capacity will be limited at the funeral mass to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
thehill.com
LA police video shows officer shooting that killed bystander
Video released Monday shows Los Angeles police firing at an assault suspect last week at a clothing store, a shooting that also killed a 14-year-old girl who had been hiding in a dressing room and was struck by a bullet that went through a wall
India restricts foreign funding for Mother Teresa’s charity
Move to block foreign funds of the Missionaries of Charity comes after Hindu groups disrupt Christmas celebrations.
Greta Thunberg: “Strange” that Biden would be considered a leader in climate
Climate activist Greta Thunberg slammed the Biden administration on climate policy in an interview with the Washington Post Monday, saying that it's "strange" to consider Biden a leader in the arena "when you see what his administration is doing."What she's saying: "The U.S. is actually...
New York personal trainer arrested and accused of shooting his parents on Christmas
Dino Tomassetti, 29, was being held without bail in Bergen County Jail in New Jersey, pending extradition.
www.nbcnews.com
Autopsy: Death of Black Kansas teen in custody was homicide
An autopsy report says that a Black youth’s death following a physical struggle with staff at a Kansas juvenile center was a homicide
Bill targeting US company vetoed by Polish president
Polish President Andrzej Duda on Monday vetoed a bill that would have required Discovery, a U.S. media company, to forgo its controlling share of a Polish television network.“Contracts have to be k…
thehill.com
Richard Marcinko, the first head of the elite SEAL Team Six, has died | CNN Politics
Richard Marcinko, a legendary military figure known for leading SEAL Team Six when the covert special operations unit was in its infancy, died Saturday, according to his son and the National Navy SEAL Museum. He was 81.
www.cnn.comBiden just canceled a big chunk of student debt. Here's everything he's done so far to address the $1.7 trillion crisis.
From extending the student-loan payment pause to canceling debt broadly, here's everything Biden has done on the issue to date.
$150K raised as reward to help find missing Texas girl
The reward for a missing 3-year-old Texas girl has been increased to $150,000.A $100,000 reward for Lina Sardar Khil’s return has been offered by The Islamic Center of San Antonio, and Crime …
thehill.com2 children killed, 4 injured in South Florida hit-and-run
Two children were killed and another four children were hospitalized with injuries when a car plowed into them and fled the scene in South Florida
Meghan King confirms separation from Joe Biden’s nephew - Washington Examiner
Meghan O'Toole King said she split from her husband, Cuffe Biden Owens, the nephew of President Joe Biden, on Monday, just two months after the couple wed in a whirlwind romance. King, who has three children with her second husband, former major league baseball player Jim Edmonds, said she was...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Biden says he agrees with Republican governors: There's 'no federal solution' to pandemic
President Biden said he agreed with two Republican governors on Monday that there is "no federal solution" to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andrzej Duda: Polish president vetoes controversial media law
Opponents say the law banning foreign ownership in the media aimed to silence government critics.
www.bbc.com
Teen plunges to death from cruise ship that was returning to Miami
Police say they do not suspect foul play in the boy's death, which the cruise line says appears to have been a suicide.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump’s 2020 fixation is putting him at odds with some of his biggest fans
Anger over the election animated local GOP chapters in tangible ways this year. Now, some see issues like inflation and education as being of greater interest.
www.nbcnews.comURL unfurl="true"]https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/12/26/flights-delayed-fauci-warns-omicron-fuel-infections-covid-updates/9018556002/[/URL]
Elizabeth Warren goes to war against SpaceX’s Elon Musk
As 2021 draws to a close, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has launched a Twitter attack against SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
thehill.com
The pandemic pushed nearly 100 million people in poverty. They’re struggling to escape | CNN Business
The World Bank estimates that 97 million people across the globe fell into poverty due to the pandemic in 2020, living on less than $2 a day. This year, that number is expected to stay the same.
www.cnn.com
Climate change: Huge toll of extreme weather disasters in 2021
Floods and storms connected to rising temperatures have had a huge impact on people worldwide.
www.bbc.com
GOP optimism grows over possible red wave in 2022
With less than a year to go until the 2022 midterms, Republicans are increasingly bullish on the prospect of a red wave that could flip both chambers of Congress and end Democrats’ unified control …
thehill.com
Delta: Flight to Shanghai turned back because of COVID rules
Delta Air Lines says new pandemic-related cleaning requirements at a Shanghai airport were behind the turning back of a recent flight from Seattle in midair.
apnews.comCapitol panel to investigate Trump call to Willard hotel in hours before attack
Committee to request contents of the call seeking to stop Biden’s certification and may subpoena Rudy Giuliani Trump speaking to supporters near the White House on 6 January. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Congressman Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the House select committee...
Myanmar court postpones verdicts in 2nd case against Suu Kyi
A court in military-ruled Myanmar has postponed its verdicts on two charges against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in which she is accused of importing and possessing walkie-talkies without following official procedures.
apnews.com
Ghislaine Maxwell jury eyes Epstein flights as third day of deliberations ends
Jurors in British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell's sex abuse trial deliberated for a third full day on Monday without reaching a verdict, after reviewing the testimony of one of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein's personal pilots.
www.reuters.comDemocracy under attack: how Republicans led the effort to make it harder to vote
Baseless claims of fraud have pushed Republicans to enact restrictive voting laws – and they haven’t stopped there Trump supporters on 6 January. Between January and October, 19 states enacted 33 laws to restrict voting access, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Photograph: Mandel...
Rep. Lauren Boebert said Kyle Rittenhouse has 'bigger intentions than being an intern in Congress'
The Republican representative is one of several lawmakers who've offered the 18-year-old an internship on Capitol Hill after his acquittal.
The most consequential votes Congress took in 2021
In the past year, Congress has voted on a number of noteworthy pieces of legislation.
www.nbcnews.comAnalysis: Trump and the January 6 committee are now locked in a full-on confrontation | CNN Politics
Nearly a year after his failed coup attempt, Donald Trump’s habit of putting his own political gain over truth is playing out again as the ex-commander-in-chief and his associates seek to delay and defy the House select committee probing the January 6 insurrection.
www.cnn.com
Abortion rights groups say tech giants thwart ability to reach public
Abortion rights groups say Facebook and other tech giants are making it harder for the public to access information about abortion pills by blocking posts and ads with credible information. Th…
thehill.com
Russia to hold security talks with US next month
Russian FM says diplomats, military officials will participate in discussions prompted by tensions over Ukraine.
Sarah Weddington, the lawyer who at 26 successfully argued Roe v. Wade, has died
Weddington argued the case before the high court twice, in December 1971 and again in October 1972, resulting the next year in the 7-2 ruling that legalized abortion. She died Sunday at age 76.
www.npr.org
Afghanistan's Taliban ban long-distance road trips for solo women
Afghanistan's rulers say a male relative must accompany women travelling more than 45 miles (72km).
www.bbc.com
Inside an explosive whisper campaign that tried to sink a Biden ambassador pick
Steven Bondy had his detractors in a previous job. When he was tapped for a top Mideast post, they started talking.
www.politico.com
Outlets hurt by dwindling public interest in news in 2021
The metrics are ugly for many television, digital and print news organizations: after record-setting engagement numbers in 2020, many people are cutting back on news consumption.
apnews.com
Bulgarian shoppers find bargains in Turkey as lira struggles
Bulgarian shoppers are crossing Turkey’s western border in packed cars and buses, taking advantage of a declining Turkish lira to fuel their own shopping sprees.
apnews.com
Racial reckoning turns focus to roadside historical markers
Pennsylvania is undertaking a comprehensive examination of the stories told by its 2,500 roadside historical markers.
apnews.com
The new rules of Monopoly
Washington has spent decades playing from the same rulebook in the game of keeping dominant businesses from snuffing out the competition. But a new breed of antitrust enforcers say those rules are rigged against consumers — and in favor of Big Tech. They say it’s time to change the game.
www.politico.com
Four environmental fights to watch in 2022
With Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) dashing Democratic hopes for major climate change and environmental legislation, pressure is increasing on the Biden administration to take significant regulato…
thehill.com
Major storm dumps snow, closes mountain routes in California
A major Christmas weekend storm caused whiteout conditions and closed key highways amid blowing snow in mountains of Northern California and Nevada, with forecasters warning that travel in the Sierra Nevada could be difficult for several days.
apnews.com
2021's top 10 global weather disasters cost more than $170 billion — $20 billion more than last year, an aid group says. It blames climate change.
Global tally was 13% more than 2020's total of $150 billion, says the British charity Christian Aid. It blames climate change for the worsening trend.
www.cbsnews.com
Snow expected to continue as winter storm warnings extend from Seattle to San Diego
A heat wave continued to bake the Southern Plains, with temperatures in the 80s in Texas and Oklahoma.
www.nbcnews.com
AP PHOTOS: Afghans desperate; Taliban face economic ruin
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The bitter cold of Afghanistan’s winter has small children huddled beneath blankets in makeshift camps.
apnews.comTrump Flack Cooperates With Jan. 6 Committee—Then Hits the Brakes
Scott Olson/GettyDespite all the bluster from Team Trump railing against the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection, the former president’s spokesman has been quietly cooperating with investigators, a new lawsuit reveals.Taylor Budowich, a flack for former President Donald...
Brazilian town floods after two dams collapse
People in the town of Itabuna can be seen using inflatable rafts and canoes to get from house to house.
www.bbc.com
Tens of thousands without power as massive storm hits Western U.S.
In Northern California, 29 inches of snow fell over a 24-hour period ending Sunday morning.
www.cbsnews.com
Opinion | Biden got by with little help from his friends: A Beatles remix
During the first year of the Biden presidency, the nation just seemed to want to double down on divisiveness.
www.politico.com
Desmond Tutu death: South Africans remember anti-apartheid leader
The archbishop, who was a driving force in the anti-apartheid movement, has died aged 90.
www.bbc.com
World leaves United States behind on commitment to Indigenous Peoples’ language rights
The International Decade of Indigenous Languages starts in two weeks, the same period during which experts predict another language will die or go dormant. If the U.S. will not lead, it is at least…
thehill.com
14-year-old arrested in connection with Texas convenience store shooting that left 3 dead | CNN
A 14-year-old was arrested Monday in connection with a convenience store shooting in Garland, Texas, that left three people dead and one in critical condition, Garland Police Chief Jeff Bryan said during a news conference.
www.cnn.com
Desmond Tutu's laugh was contagious. His fight for freedom was deadly serious
Desmond Tutu will be remembered for helping end apartheid. But also for his memorable laugh, an infectious, cackling howl employed in the service of easing tensions in a very tense nation.
www.npr.org
India wants to protect your data. Should you worry?
India has expanded the bill to include non-personal data, exempt gov’t agencies and potentially curb free speech.
Somalia’s president suspends prime minister amid election spat
Prime minister, marine forces commander suspended until corruption investigations are complete, president’s office says.
Oregon father who told Biden ‘let’s go Brandon’ said comment was in ‘jest’
A man who called into the North American Air Defense (NORAD) Command’s annual Santa tracking center and told President Biden “let’s go Brandon” said he meant it in…
thehill.com
Windsor Castle: Queen 'assassination' bid video probed
The footage appears to show a person holding a crossbow saying they wanted to assassinate the Queen.
www.bbc.com
Timeline of the coup: How Trump tried to weaponize the DOJ to overturn the 2020 election
A full year after the 2020 presidential election, new details are still emerging about former President Donald Trump's unprecedented effort to overturn the results.
www.cnn.com
China’s year of crackdowns: Party first, business second
Beijing’s crackdown on real estate, tech and education has shown it dictates the terms to private businesses.
Woman killed boyfriend with sword on Christmas Eve: Police
Missouri authorities said a woman killed her boyfriend with a sword on Christmas Eve, The Associated Press reported. The Cape Girardeau Police Department said responding officers found Brittan…
thehill.com
Dam breaks threaten worse flooding in northeast Brazil
Two dams have broken in northeastern Brazil, threatening worse flooding in a rain-drenched region that has already seen thousands forced to flee their homes
A giant acorn, a big potato, bologna: Cities get creative with their New Year's Eve 'drops'
Venture outside Times Square, and you'll find some creative renditions of the famous New Year's Eve ball drop.
www.usatoday.com
Ship captain sentenced to 20 months over Mauritius oil spill
Magistrate says captain and second-in-command were ‘irresponsible and did not deliver as they should’.
Effects of climate change taking root in the wine industry
Climate change is jolting the wine industry. Lesley Stahl reports on how the economics, practices and in some cases even the flavors of wine are being altered by our shifting climate.
www.cbsnews.com
Ron Klain, Biden’s chief of staff, retweets column calling 2021 not ‘all bad’
Ron Klain, the White House chief of staff, drew mixed reactions on social media late Sunday night when he retweeted a post that called 2021 not “all bad.”
1st U.S. gay bishop remembers Tutu’s generosity and kindness
“It’s hard to remember how controversial this was, and for him to stand with me at the very time I was being excluded ... it completely floored me,” Right Rev. Gene Robinson said.
www.nbcnews.com
Prostate screening could be ready in five years
One of the UK's leading cancer scientists said medical advances were making it possible.
www.bbc.com
Jean-Marc Vallée: Canadian filmmaker dies aged 58
The director's works included Dallas Buyers Club, Wild and the TV series Big Little Lies.
www.bbc.com
NYC entertainment industry workers worry about future amid show cancellations
Entertainment industry workers are worried about being able to make ends meet if their shows shutdown.
OBITUARY E.O. Wilson, naturalist dubbed a modern-day Darwin, dies at 92
E.O. Wilson, an American naturalist dubbed the modern day Darwin whose interest in ants led him to conclusions about human nature being directed by genetics rather than culture, died on Sunday at the age of 92, his foundation said.
www.reuters.com
Sarah Weddington, lawyer who argued Roe v. Wade, dies at 76
Sarah Weddington, a Texas lawyer who at 26-year-old successfully argued the landmark abortion rights case Roe v
‘Dallas Buyers Club’ director Jean-Marc Vallée dies | CNN
Acclaimed film director Jean-Marc Vallée – who helmed the 2013 drama “Dallas Buyers Club” – died Sunday near Quebec City, Canada, his production company’s publicist told CNN. He was 58 years old.
www.cnn.com
Harvey Evans, actor in Broadway's golden years, dies at 80
Harvey Evans, an actor, singer and dancer who managed to land roles in the original Broadway productions of such classics as “West Side Story,” “Follies” “Hello, Dolly!”
Nancy Keating, matriarch of influential family, dies at 94
Nancy Keating, a charitable volunteer and matriarch of a large family with deep and philanthropic ties to the Cincinnati area, has died. Keating was the wife of the late William J. Keating, who after leaving Congress in the 1970s spent three decades as an Ohio newspaper executive and served on...
US officials recommend shorter COVID isolation, quarantine
U.S. health officials are cutting isolation restrictions for asymptomatic Americans who test positive for the coronavirus and shortening the time that close contacts have to quarantine.
apnews.com
Omicron, storms disrupt air travel for 4th consecutive day
Flight cancellations that disrupted holiday travel stretched into Monday. Staffers calling out sick because of COVID-19 have left airlines short in recent days.
apnews.com
Experts say COVID-19 cases don’t tell whole story
For nearly two years, Americans have looked carefully at coronavirus case numbers in the country and in their local states and towns to judge the risk of the disease.Surging case numbers signaled g…
thehill.com
Live updates: Chinese city records 175 local infections
The Chinese city of Xi’an recorded 175 local coronavirus infections as it grapples with a coronavirus outbreak that has pushed China’s daily cases to record highs since early last year
apnews.com
GOP governor thanks Biden for efforts to ‘depoliticize’ pandemic response
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) on Monday thanked President Biden for his efforts to “depoliticize” the nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic as the omicron variant surge…
thehill.com
Biden says Covid surge needs to be solved at state level, vows full federal support
Biden pledged to support governors struggling with Covid-19, but said the administration needs states to step up to solve the crisis.
Biden looks to reassure governors amid Omicron surge and long lines for tests
Biden acknowledged the shortages that hit several states ahead of the holidays, conceding that he had not done enough to prepare for the rising demand.
www.politico.com
Flu is making a comeback in US after an unusual year off
The U.S. flu season has arrived on schedule after taking a year off
Experts warn COVID cases still climbing amid rise in child hospitalizations and college disruptions
The average daily number of new cases is over 176,000 — the highest it's been in nearly a year, according to the CDC.
www.cbsnews.com
UK PM Boris Johnson to assess latest omicron data before deciding on new Covid curbs
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have already started new curbs to help stop the spread of the omicron variant.
Holiday travel nightmare continues with COVID-related flight cancellations
Weekend travel nightmare continues with almost 1,000 cancellations before noon Monday.
CDC cuts COVID-19 isolation guidance down to 5 days amid Omicron surge
The agency says science shows the majority of transmission "occurs early in the course of illness."
www.cbsnews.com
Omicron spreads global gloom over New Year's celebrations
New Year celebrations are approaching and across the world there is an urge to party. But the desire to let loose is being countered by the highly transmissible omicron variant.
apnews.com
Biden concedes not enough has been done to expand Covid-19 testing capacity: ‘We have more work to do’ | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden, speaking to the nation’s governors, conceded Monday the steps he took earlier this year to scale up testing capacity for Covid-19 weren’t enough to meet demand as a wave driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant crashes across the country.
www.cnn.com
Roughly 9,100 Marines remain unvaccinated, nearly 170 discharged for refusal - Washington Examiner
Thousands of active-duty Marines remain unvaccinated amid an increase in discharges for those who have refused the jab.The coronavirus vaccine deadline for the Marines occurred weeks ago, and as of Thursday, 94% of active-duty troops are fully vaccinated, according to data from the service...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
‘No federal solution’: Biden’s COVID-19 tone shifts away from shutting down the virus - Washington Examiner
President Joe Biden’s message on what the federal government can do about COVID-19 appears to be shifting as the latest variant hits Democratic-run states and the pandemic continues under his watch.Biden told governors on Monday that “there is no federal solution” to the latest wave of the...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Moderna shareholders demand answers to unequal vaccine access
“Instead of being transparent and using its life-saving technology to help curb the pandemic, Moderna is doing the opposite, obfuscating its patent dispute with the U.S. government, ignoring the de…
thehill.com
Covid: France tightens restrictions amid Omicron surge
Germany and Greece also toughen measures in a bid to tackle infections amid fears about Omicron.
www.bbc.com
Fauci: US should consider vaccine mandate for US air travel
The top U.S. infectious disease expert says the nation should consider a vaccination mandate for domestic air travel. Dr.
apnews.com
Officials: Nearly 25% of Navy warship crew has COVID-19
A U.S. Navy warship remains in port at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, with about two dozen sailors — or nearly a quarter of its crew — testing positive for COVID-19, according to U.S. defense officials.
apnews.com
No new Covid rules in England before new year - Javid
The health secretary's comments come as England reported a record 113,628 cases on Christmas Day.
www.bbc.com
Gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin tests positive for COVID-19 less than 6 weeks before Olympics
The skiing star said she is "doing well" despite the positive test.
www.cbsnews.com
Opinion | How a new lawsuit is calling evangelical Christianity's Covid bluff
For many on the religious right, religious freedom only matters if it supports a right-wing political agenda.
www.nbcnews.com
NBA virus numbers still rising, expanded testing begins
The NBA's virus numbers continue to rise
Covid flight cancellations delay holiday travel
More than 1,400 flights are scrapped on Monday, capping off a tough festive period for travellers.
www.bbc.com
Covid: PM gets Covid briefing as UK nations tighten rules
But the BBC understands no further Covid restrictions in England are set to be announced on Monday.
www.bbc.com
Omicron surge sets records as flight disruptions continue
More than 1,400 flights canceled worldwide Monday, adding to thousands canceled over the Christmas weekend. And across the country, long lines continued at COVID-19 testing sites.
www.npr.org
5 college football bowl games have now been canceled because of Covid-19 | CNN
The Holiday Bowl, Arizona Bowl, Military Bowl, Fenway Bowl and Hawaii Bowl have all been canceled due to Covid-19.
www.cnn.com
China’s Xi’an imposes ‘strictest’ controls to halt COVID outbreak
Since locking down the city last week, authorities launched several rounds of mass testing.
In under-vaccinated Congo, fourth Covid wave floods hospitals
While the official infection tally is low compared to many countries, health officials warn that unvaccinated populations increase the risk of new variants emerging.
www.nbcnews.comAnger over masks mandates, other covid rules, spurs states to curb power of public health officials
At the entrance to the Lowe's in a central Ohio strip mall, a bright blue-and-white sign tells customers that, under local ordinances, they must wear a face covering inside. Next door, at Hale's Ales & Kitchen, a sign asks customers to please be patient with a staff shortage - with no mention of...
Price tag to vaccinate the world: $7 billion. And the U.S. is already coming up short.
In September, U.S. officials noted it would take at least $7 billion in 2022 to ensure shots are administered across the globe.
www.politico.com
Australia’s New South Wales records first omicron death
Australia’s most populated state on Monday recorded its first COVID-19 death from the omicron variant, The Associated Press reported.New South Wales reported that the victim was a man in…
thehill.com
Australia: Omicron death, false negative COVID results
Australian authorities remain staunch in their plans to reopen the country despite new restrictions in some states.
‘An incredibly important tool’: Omicron could mean more COVID-19 testing for day care centers
Regular coronavirus testing is a helpful strategy for keeping child care centers open and safe. Why don't more providers do it?
www.usatoday.com
For third day, COVID-19 crimps Americans' holiday travels
U.S. airlines canceled more than 1,300 flights on Sunday as COVID-19 thinned out the number of available crews, while several cruise ships had to cancel stops after outbreaks on board, upending the plans of thousands of Christmas travelers.
www.reuters.com
Omicron triggers business outcry for Washington lifeline
The lobbying push poses a new challenge for the Biden administration and congressional leadership heading into the 2022 midterm elections.
www.politico.com
NHL to reimplement taxi squads as league struggles with COVID-19 outbreaks
The National Hockey League will reimplement taxi squads and other roster revisions as the league struggles with COVID-19 outbreaks, The Associated Press reported. According to the new provisio…
thehill.com
Man sentenced to a year in prison after attacking employee over mask policy
A Minnesota man has been sentenced to serve a year in prison after attacking a Menards employee over a mask policy, The Associated Press reported. Luke Oeltjenbruns is accused of hitting the l…
thehill.com
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