(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden appeared determined Tuesday to return to the negotiating table with Sen. Joe Manchin, the holdout Democrat who effectively tanked the party’s signature $2 trillion domestic policy initiative with his own jarring year-end announcement.
Rep. Scott Perry denies Jan. 6 panel's request for interview
Republican congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania has rebuffed a request for him to sit down for an interview and turn over documents to the committee investigating the Jan. 6 U.S.
apnews.com
Manchin joins Senate Democrats to discuss future of Build Back Better bill
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told colleagues to expect votes next month on the safety net package and a rules change to pass voting rights legislation.
www.nbcnews.com
Fauci says Fox's Watters should be fired for comments on him
Fox News defended Jesse Watters after he used the phrase “kill shot” in a speech urging young conservatives to conduct a hostile ambush interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci.
apnews.com
State legislators gear up to pass a 'tidal wave' of voting restrictions ahead of crucial 2022 midterms
The push to impose voting restrictions at the state level is poised to continue next year as Republicans drive forward with an array of new proposals -- ranging from legislation that would eliminate ballot drop boxes to bills that would establish new ID requirements to vote.
www.cnn.com
Biden: ‘Dangerous misinformation’ on social media, TV fueling vaccine hesitancy
Misinformation spreading on social media platforms and cable television is fueling vaccine hesitancy, President Biden said Tuesday. “The unvaccinated are responsible for their own choices. But…
thehill.com
Harvard professor found guilty of hiding ties to China
A Harvard University professor charged with hiding his ties to a Chinese-run recruitment program has been found guilty on all counts in a federal court in Boston.
apnews.com
U.S. denies Russian claims on Ukraine as rhetoric heats up
Russia's defense minister claimed the U.S. has been smuggling chemicals into eastern Ukraine.
www.politico.com
Biden administration advances two large-scale solar projects in California
The Biden administration announced on Tuesday the approval of two major solar projects on public lands in California as part of a broader push to promote onshore renewable energy production.The two…
thehill.com
U.S. population grew at record low rate in 2021, in part due to COVID-19
The United States' population grew at a slower rate in 2021 than in any other year on record as the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the more subdued growth the country has experienced in recent years, the U.S. Census Bureau said.
Republican senator texted Joe Manchin about joining GOP
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Tuesday said he reached out to Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to encourage him to join the Republican Party amid backlash over his opposition to the House-passed Build Bac…
thehill.com
Senate Dems convene emergency call amid grim outlook for massive spending bill, Manchin mum on if he'll attend
Sen. Joe Manchin roiled Senate Democrats, the White House, and Washington more generally when he said he firmly opposes President Biden's massive reconciliation spending bill this weekend.
Many Independent voters question Biden's leadership amid COVID surge, legislative setbacks
As COVID cases surge amid legislative setbacks, some independent voters are questioning President Joe Biden’s leadership.
Trump 'very appreciative' and 'surprised' Biden acknowledged his administration's COVID vaccine success
Former President Trump said Tuesday that he is “very appreciative” and “surprised” that President Biden thanked him and his administration for their success in making COVID-19 vaccines available to the public, telling Fox News that “tone” and “trust” are critical in getting Americans vaccinated.
Collins open to negotiating overhaul of child tax credit set to expire
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said on Tuesday she is open to discussing proposals to overhaul an expanded child tax credit included in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan that is …
thehill.com
Biden administration considering another extension of student loan payment pause
A spokesperson for the Education Department said a decision whether to extend the moratorium beyond the Jan. 31 deadline would be made later this week.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden preaches concern, not panic on omicron
President Biden on Tuesday sought to strike a balance between reassuring Americans about the coming wave of omicron infections, but also to once again try to persuade the public to take precautions…
thehill.com
POLITICO Playbook: The search for a Plan B begins
And Biden plans to deliver another big Covid speech.
www.politico.com
Hispanic Dems aim to expand footprint beyond traditional Latino districts
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) campaign arm is putting its weight behind Hispanic candidates in districts that haven’t historically been represented by Latinos, in an effort to expan…
thehill.com
Secret Service: Nearly $100B stolen in pandemic relief funds
The U.S. Secret Service says nearly $100 billion has been stolen from COVID-19 relief programs set up to help businesses and people who lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
apnews.com
Democrats riled by Spanish-language radio attacks on Kamala Harris
Political operatives and the radio hosts themselves say the uptick in calls is notable. Who, if anyone, is behind them remains unclear.
www.politico.com
Ghislaine Maxwell trial jury ends first full day of deliberations without verdict
Jury deliberations in British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell's sex abuse trial came to a close without a verdict on Tuesday, as jurors reviewed testimony of women who said she set them up for abuse by financier Jeffrey Epstein when they were teenagers.
Jury in Kim Potter trial ends another day without verdict
A Minnesota jury has ended its second day of deliberations without reaching a verdict in the manslaughter trial of the suburban Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot Black motorist Daunte Wright.
apnews.com
Hospitals in New York region say they've run out of antibody treatment for omicron variant
Federal supply of the one monoclonal antibody treatment that has proven effective is now "limited," with more doses expected in January, a Health and Human Services spokesperson said.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden says ‘there’s a possibility’ Build Back Better can still pass
President Biden on Tuesday said he thinks there is still a possibility that his Build Back Better agenda can get done, despite Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) opposition to the climate and social…
thehill.com
On the Horn of Africa, a tiny 'country' has Congress' ear
Somaliland's delegation swept through Washington, promising to support Taiwan and ditch China. All it wants is a little recognition.
www.politico.com
Democrats set to play hardball with Manchin
Senate Democrats are signaling they plan to take more of a hardball approach to pressuring Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to support their climate and social spending agenda after months of kid-gl…
thehill.com
DeSantis vows to take on communist China: 'Not a vehicle that we want to be entangled with'
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vowed to take on communist China, saying the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is not something that his state wants to be involved with.
Latinos in new poll say both parties take them for granted
Large percentages of Latino Americans say they feel both the Republican and Democratic parties take them for granted in a new Axios-Ipsos poll released on Tuesday.
thehill.com
As House Democratic retirements soar, McCarthy says 2022 election ‘becomes a different play’
House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy in August predicted the current wave of House Democratic retirement announcements ahead of the 2022 midterm elections
81-year-old US Capitol rioter sentenced to three years of probation
An 81-year-old Army veteran was sentenced to three years of probation on Tuesday for illegally breaching the US Capitol on January 6.
www.cnn.com
Utah billionaire leaves Mormon church, donates $600,000 to LGBTQ group
Businessman Jeff Green wrote in a letter that the church "is actively and currently doing harm in the world," including to LGBTQ rights.
www.nbcnews.com
Tax hikes still in the mix as Dems scramble to save spending bill
Sen. Joe Manchin continues to cast a skeptical eye at what many Democrats believe to be a centerpiece of their agenda — the more generous version of the Child Tax Credit.
www.politico.com
Twenty-five states sue Biden admin over mask mandate for kids in Head Start
Louisiana and 24 other states are suing the Biden administration over mask mandates for children and vaccine requirements for staff Head Start programs.
GOP Sen. John Thune seriously considering retirement: report
Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., is reportedly considering not seeking a third term in Congress, despite being the second-highest ranking member of the Senate's GOP caucus.
How one of America’s largest employers leans on federal law enforcement
Amazon has increasingly tipped off the Justice Department and FBI to investigate its own employees and the sellers using its platform, according to a POLITICO analysis.
www.politico.com
New reforms target US military's missing weapons problem
The Department of Defense is overhauling how it keeps track of its guns and explosives, and Congress is requiring more accountability from the Pentagon -- responses to an Associated Press investigation that showed lost or stolen military weapons were reaching America’s streets.
apnews.com
Boulder police turning to genetic DNA in JonBenet Ramsey case
Colorado police are evaluating the use of DNA in the case investigating the killing of JonBenet Ramsey as the 25th anniversary of the cold case approaches. In a news release, the Boulder Polic…
thehill.com
Michael Flynn sues January 6 committee to block phone records subpoena | CNN Politics
Michael Flynn, the embattled former national security adviser to former President Donald Trump, is suing to block a US House subpoena for his phone records.
www.cnn.com
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, first Mexican American congresswoman, retiring
"Every Latina owes a debt of gratitude," California state Sen. Susan Rubio, a Democrat, said about Roybal-Allard, a co-author of the DREAM Act and other legislation.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden offers rare praise of Trump during Covid speech | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden on Tuesday gave credit to the Trump administration for the development of the Covid-19 vaccine and praised his predecessor, Donald Trump, for getting a booster shot – marking a rare moment where the two men have found common ground since Inauguration Day.
www.cnn.com
Kamala Harris warns that Russia could see sanctions "like you've not seen before" if it invades Ukraine
Vice President Kamala Harris who spoke with "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan in an interview Monday, declined to say whether these new sanctions would target Putin directly.
www.cbsnews.com
Democrats face tough choices on Biden plan after Manchin setback
Democratic leaders are facing painful decisions and intraparty tensions as they look for a path forward on President Biden’s sweeping climate and social spending bill.Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) effe…
thehill.comAnalysis: Republicans see election opportunity in Biden border struggles
The leading Republican vying to unseat an Arizona Democrat in a crucial U.S. Senate race next year gets heated when he talks about Democratic President Joe Biden's "failed border policies," occasionally throwing in expletives when decrying their alleged financial cost and what he says is the...
Derek Chauvin wants to go to federal prison, even though it means he'll do more time
After pleading guilty for his part in George Floyd's death, former police officer Derek Chauvin made one request: that he serve his time in federal prison.
Five big questions about Trump and the riot
The inquiry into the 6 January riot is underway with over 250 interviews conducted and 45 subpoenas issued.
www.bbc.com
Thousands of inmates released because of pandemic will be allowed to remain on home confinement, Justice Department says | CNN Politics
Thousands of federal inmates who were released from prison to complete their sentence from home as a preventative measure to combat the spread of Covid-19, will be allowed to remain on home confinement, the Justice Department announced on Tuesday.
www.cnn.com
DOD moves to counter 'extremism' in ranks, top Republican warns against 'virtue signaling'
In a move to counter extremism in the ranks, the Department of Defense issued new guidelines Monday on what it will not tolerate from service members, but some in the GOP are concerned.
Tackling the racial divide in the fight against cancer
Black and White women have the same chance of getting breast cancer, but Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced cancer and are 40% more likely to die from it.
www.cbsnews.com
First-ever injectable HIV prevention drug approved by FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first-ever long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention.
Dems' 2022 prospects hit with one-two blow on economy
While the surge in Covid cases threatens to undercut growth, much of the effect will depend on how policymakers respond.
www.politico.com
U.S. says moving quickly to permit renewables on public lands
The Biden administration has approved two major solar projects in the California desert and is working on permit applications for 50 more clean energy facilities, it said on Tuesday as it seeks to deliver on the president's climate change agenda.
Federal watchdog: Trump's USDA overpaid corn farmers by $3B
A federal watchdog says the Trump administration overpaid corn farmers by about $3 billion in federal aid in 2019 and that farmers in the South were paid more for the same crops than elsewhere in the country.
apnews.com
Winter storms could bring extreme weather to the East and West coasts this week
Winter storms on both coasts could bring extreme weather conditions throughout this week, with winter advisories in place in the East and West.
19 states enacted voting restrictions this year
States enacted 34 laws this year that add hurdles to the voting process — more than any other year for at least a decade, according to new data released by Brennan Center for Justice.Why it matters: The surge in mostly Republican voting bills across 19 states follows former President Trump's...
Trump to hold news conference on anniversary of deadly attack on US Capitol
Former President Trump announced he will hold a news conference on January 6th at his south Florida resort and residence early next month.
January 6 committee says it would make criminal referrals if 'appropriate,' but that could be a long way off | CNN Politics
Members of the House select committee investigating the January 6 riot are increasingly pushing the idea that they could produce evidence related to criminal activity by former President Donald Trump, but sources tell CNN the panel is still in the fact-finding stage and any potential referrals...
www.cnn.com
Biden administration moves to expand solar power on US land
U.S. officials have approved two solar projects in California and are opening public lands in other Western states to potential solar development.
apnews.com
Watch this space: New telescope to unlock mysteries of the cosmos
The James Webb Space Telescope launch is set for Dec. 24 after decades of work. The Hubble telescope successor's mission: Unravel the mysteries of space.
www.nbcnews.com
Democrats not yet ready to trim climate ambitions despite Manchin blow
For now, Democrats are committed to reconfiguring a sweeping climate package centered on clean energy tax incentives.
www.politico.com
Police arrest 76-year-old man in cold case of 1978 strangling death of teen in San Francisco
The San Francisco Police Department said they arrested Colorado man Mark Stanley Personette and charged him with the murder of Marissa Rolf Harvey over 40 years ago.
www.nbcnews.com
Agents with Homeland Security team to wear body cameras
Agents with an investigative unit of the Department of Homeland Security will wear body cameras for the first time as part of a six-month pilot program that will focus on the costs and benefits of using the technology in federal law enforcement.
apnews.com
Jurors in Kim Potter's trial for killing Daunte Wright end day of deliberations after asking about not reaching consensus | CNN
Jurors in the manslaughter trial of Kim Potter, the White former Minnesota police officer who says she mistook her firearm for her Taser and fatally shot Daunte Wright, concluded deliberations for the day Tuesday after earlier asking what they should do if they can’t reach a verdict.
www.cnn.com
States, towns use incentive programs to entice movers across the country
“Why would someone give you $10,000 if they don't want you there, right?” said Tyler Jaggers.
Princess Haya: The princess, the sheikh and the £550m divorce settlement
A UK court publishes a ruling in the divorce case of Sheikh Mohammed and his ex-wife Princess Haya.
www.bbc.com
Georgia port uses pop-up concept to alleviate supply chain strain
The pop-up concept being used at the Port of Savannah in Georgia — one of the nation's busiest — could be applied nationwide to unclog shipping ports.
www.cbsnews.com
Woman charged more than $500,000 after giving birth despite having health insurance
A Florida woman switched health insurance plans while her newborn was in intensive care, and she says that led to major confusion over billing.
www.cbsnews.com
Cascade of failures upended LA County’s 2020 primary, report finds
The county’s lax oversight of a hardware vendor and slowness to make crucial preparations contributed to chaos and long lines, according to a consultant’s report that POLITICO sued to obtain.
www.politico.com
Researchers capture footage of rare deep sea fish with translucent head
A 55-second video captured between 2,000 and 2,600 feet beneath the ocean surface contains closeups of the rarely seen barreleye fish’s translucent head and tail and glowing green eyes.
thehill.com
Biden declines to say whether Manchin broke his commitment
President Biden refused to comment on whether Sen. Joe Manchin broke his commitment to pass the Build Back Better legislation, instead opting to express optimism that a deal was still possible.
Ghislaine Maxwell trial jurors resume deliberations
The British socialite faces up to 80 years in prison if convicted on sex-trafficking and perjury charges.
www.bbc.com
Japan hangs 3 death row inmates in first executions since 2019 | CNN
Japan executed three death row inmates by hanging on Tuesday, marking the first executions the country has carried out since 2019 and the first under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
www.cnn.com
DOJ says inmates on home confinement can stay out of prison
The Justice Department has reversed its own legal opinion and will now allow federal inmates released on home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic to not return to prison.
apnews.com
Putin blames West for tensions, demands security guarantees
The Russian president has reiterated the demand for guarantees from the U.S. and its allies that NATO will not expand eastward, blaming the West for current tensions in Europe.
apnews.com
DNC data rift deepens after state parties balk
The Democratic National Committee and the early-nominating states are squabbling over how much to charge presidential candidates for valuable voter files.
www.politico.com
A perfectly preserved, rare baby dinosaur egg discovered in China
“It is an amazing specimen … I have been working on dinosaur eggs for 25 years and have yet to see anything like it.”
thehill.com
Controversial 110-year sentence to be reconsidered for truck driver responsible for fatal crash: DA
Civil rights advocates are calling for Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to intervene after a truck driver was sentenced to 110 years for a fatal crash after his brakes failed.
Packaged salad products recalled in 19 states
Fresh Express recalled salad products from 19 states on Monday while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating an outbreak related to the packaged salads that has killed at least one …
thehill.com
Ted Cruz says he is leading effort to 'stop every dumb--- thing' Biden, Democrat leaders are doing
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Monday that he is working “to stop every dumba-- thing Biden and Pelosi and Schumer are doing” ahead of the 2022 midterms and the 2024 presidential election.
Philippine typhoon survivors warn food is running out, plea for aid
"We're fighting a tremendous disaster. It's Haiyan all over again," the head of the Philippine Red Cross said, referring to a devastating storm in 2013.
www.nbcnews.com
‘Moment of truth’: Russia renews threats after US condemns ‘pretext for war’
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government raised the specter of a military conflict in a series of statements reinforcing its demanded rollback of NATO military presence in Eastern Europe after U.S. lawmakers denounced the Kremlin proposal as a “pretext for war” against Ukraine.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
California man gets 3 years over threats to lawmakers, journalists who said Trump lost
Robert Lemke told the brother of a U.S. representative, “We are armed and nearby your house.”
www.nbcnews.com
California Democrat joins growing list of reps not running for reelection in 2022
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., became the latest House Democrat to announce she will not run for reelection in 2022, as the party works to keep its slim majority.
Florida’s largest electric utility conspired against solar power, documents show
Rooftop solar, while critical to fighting climate change, is a threat to the traditional utility business model. So Florida Power & Light did something about it.
Kentucky man accused of joining terrorist group is returned to face charges
Prosecutors allege that Mirsad Hariz Adem Rami, 31, joined the Islamic State group and trained with its fighters.
www.nbcnews.com
White House shakeup: Biden to get new German shepherd and cat as current dog gets rehomed
The first family is revamping its pet lineup, bringing in a new dog and cat while President Biden's current dog is set to be rehomed.
California’s new congressional map boosts Democrats
The final maps were approved late Monday by the state’s independent redistricting commission.
www.politico.com
Kat Cammack urges young conservatives to 'scare the hell out of' Pelosi every day
Republican Rep. Kat Cammack contended the tenacity of young conservative voices will stop the United States from becoming a socialist nation.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
How to Give Political Email Readers What They Want
Want to get more of your emails read? Give your donors factually accurate, helpful information. It’s a simple tactic that works well.
campaignsandelections.com
Trump allies are helping Overstock founder Patrick Byrne run a group that pushes false election claims
An ex-Trump administration aide and a leader with a pro-Trump Christian group are helping Overstock founder Patrick Byrne push false election conspiracy claims.
Texas governor's decision: Whether to pardon George Floyd
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott isn’t saying whether he will posthumously pardon George Floyd for a 2004 drug arrest.
apnews.com
Latino political power is a big winner in California's new congressional map
Nearly one-third of state's districts in Congress would have Latino majorities under independent commission's plan. The new map also endangers some GOP incumbents.
www.latimes.com
Pentagon stops short of banning military membership in extremist groups
The Pentagon stopped short on Monday of creating a list of extremist groups that military members cannot join and declined to say explicitly whether refusing to view President Joe Biden as America's legitimate leader was a violation of policy.
'I'm like a PhD at litigation': A look into Trump's history of lawsuits
Durham tells court members of Clinton 2016 campaign under scrutiny
Special counsel John Durham told a federal court that he is scrutinizing members of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign as part of his criminal inquiry into the origins and conduct of the Trump-Russia investigation.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Debt-Rule Showdown Will Shape Europe’s Economy for Years to Come
Some call the Growth and Stability Pact a relic from another era, but “frugal” nations are still wedded to it.
www.bloomberg.comJury in Kim Potter trial ends another day without verdict
A Minnesota jury has ended its second day of deliberations without reaching a verdict in the manslaughter trial of the suburban Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot Black motorist Daunte Wright.
apnews.com
Federal class action lawsuit filed over treatment of Haitian migrants
A group of Haitian migrants filed a federal class action lawsuit against the U.S. government on Monday after their experience at the border in Del Rio, Texas, which included interactions with Borde…
thehill.com
China imposes sanctions on US officials over Xinjiang
BEIJING (AP) — China announced sanctions on Tuesday on four members of the U.S. government's Commission on International Religious Freedom in retaliation for penalties imposed on Chinese officials over complaints
Mexico sees seizures of meth, fentanyl soar since 2019
Mexican drug cartels are turning to bigger, more productive labs to churn out increasing quantities of synthetic drugs like meth and fentanyl
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on Build Back Better setback, omicron's spread
NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including the recent setback to President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better bill, and how the spread of the omicron variant and rise in COVID-19 cases is affecting...
www.pbs.orgWhat Joe Manchin sinking BBB means for business taxation
Sen. Joe Manchin yesterday decapitated President Biden's "Build Back Better" legislation and, in so doing, maintained the status quo on business taxation.The big picture: No changes are coming to carried interest or qualified small business stock, at least for the 2021 tax year. And forget about...
LIPSON: Why local crime hurts Democrats nationally
Submitted by Charles Lipson For several years now, progressives have waged a war on law enforcement Preventing crime and punishing offenders is primarily the responsibility of local authorities. They have no greater obligation to the citizens who elected them and who fund the government. It is up t
yallpolitics.com
DC police officer beaten during Jan. 6 attack resigns
Michael Fanone, a 41-year-old D.C. police officer who was dragged into a crowd and beaten on Jan. 6, announced his resignation from the police force on Monday. Since the attack on the Capitol …
thehill.com
Snoop Dogg calls for 'peace in hip-hop' amid string of rapper killings
Snoop Dogg called for "peace in hip-hop" after fellow Los Angeles rapper Drakeo the Ruler was fatally stabbed Saturday night at the "Once Upon a Time in L.A." festival.
Washington Legislature sues Inslee again over veto power
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington lawmakers are suing Gov. Jay Inslee for the second time over allegedly exceeding his veto power.
White House notifies public after Biden gets on plane with COVID-infected staffer
President Joe Biden came into close contact on Air Force One with a staff member who tested positive for COVID-19, the White House announced Monday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Winter solstice 2021: Where modern science and pagan traditions meet | CNN
Winter solstice 2021 will be on December 21. Find out why the Northern Hemisphere has its shortest day at this time and how people have celebrated for thousands of years.
www.cnn.com
Ukraine accuses former president Poroshenko of treason
Ukrainian authorities accuse Petro Poroshenko of having helped pro-Russian separatists sell coal to Kyiv.
Benefit raises over $20,000 for Wisconsin teenager injured in Christmas parade
Erick Tiegs, 16, was playing the trombone when he was struck by the SUV.
Former Rep. Rangel endorses Hochul's election to full term
Hochul faces several Democratic opponents.
spectrumlocalnews.com
U.S. files action to return $150 Million in alleged embezzled funds to Sony
The United States filed a civil forfeiture complaint on Monday to return more than $154 million in funds that were allegedly stolen from a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corp and then seized by law enforcement during the FBI’s investigation of the theft, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Leftist millennial vows to remake Chile after historic win
Former student leader Gabriel Boric will be under quick pressure from his youthful supporters to fulfill his promises to remake Chile after the millennial politician won the country’s presidential runoff.
apnews.com
Political prisoner Nikita Yemelyanov has been criminally charged for disobedience to the prison administration
Young man sentenced to 4 years in prison faces a new sentence
belsat.eu
Greece to extend border wall to stop migrants, wants EU help
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece says it will renew a request for European Union funds in 2022 to extend a border wall along its frontier with Turkey and promised to
White House names members of AAPI visibility task force
Actor Daniel Dae Kim is among the 23 members of Biden's advisory board, tasked with combating anti-Asian hate and improving opportunity.
www.nbcnews.com
Indian man runs ‘dress bank’ to help poor girls on their weddings
Nasar Thootha’s charity gives out once-used wedding attires donated by privileged families to women of limited means.
The politics of an independent Fed
Powell is going to need every bit of the Fed’s independence to succeed.
thehill.com
New York photographer can't decline gay weddings over religious objections, federal court rules
A federal judge in New York has ruled a photographer with religious objections to photographing same-sex weddings cannot deny services under the state's accommodations clause.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
NHL shuts down Wednesday through Saturday; 5 games postponed
The NHL is putting all teams on pause from Wednesday through Saturday
How politicians project their status in virtual meetings
During the pandemic, physical summits were replaced by Zoom meetings, and global political leaders had to quickly adjust. How did they visually convey their status in this new world of digital diplomacy? A new study from Lund University in Sweden analyzed over 50 photos from the first virtual...
Launch of new statewide voter system postponed
Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen's announcement follows concerns by local elections officials that bugs in the new software could cause problems during the 2022 elections.
The tourist attractions you can't visit in 2022 | CNN
While many of the world's most popular tourist destinations are expected to reopen to travelers in 2022, there are still some places that will be off-limits.
www.cnn.comMastriano all but declares in race for Pennsylvania governor
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Republican state senator who has helped spread conspiracy theories about last year's presidential election and led opposition to pandemic-related shutdowns, vaccine mandates and masking orders
Members of Congress not running for reelection in 2022
Republicans only need to flip five seats to win the House majority in the 2022 midterms.
www.wwlp.comBelarus claims diplomat hurt in 'attack' on London embassy
LONDON (AP) — The government of Belarus said Monday that it summoned a British diplomat in protest after its embassy in London was “attacked” and a diplomat injured.
Man admits impersonating New England Patriots player to obtain Super Bowl rings
One of the rings fraudulently obtained by Scott Spina was later sold at auction for more than $300,000, according to federal prosecutors.
www.nbcnews.com
Man to plead guilty in Tom Brady Super Bowl ring fraud
A New Jersey man who posed as a former New England Patriots player in order to buy and sell Super Bowl rings that he claimed were gifts to Tom Brady’s family will plead guilty to fraud
Political murders are a stain on Kerala’s record of progressive politics, social harmony
🔴 This is a sobering moment that calls for a reiteration and reassertion of the progressive spirit the state is known for. All players should join hands to ensure peace.
indianexpress.com
Unpacking Political Power: SPLC, LDF and NAACP urge Louisiana city to reconsider redistricting plan that dilutes Black representation
A letter from the SPLC, LDF and the NAACP urges the Abbeville City Council to eliminate the at-large district and create a second single-member, majority-Black district.
www.splcenter.org
Philippine governor warns of looting without typhoon aid
The governor of a central Philippine province devastated last week by Typhoon Rai has pleaded for the government to quickly send food and other aid.
apnews.com
Laura Kuenssberg to step down as BBC's political editor
After seven years in the post, the journalist will now take on other roles within the BBC.
www.bbc.com
Channel rescuers accused of manslaughter in migrant deaths
PARIS (AP) — The Paris prosecutor’s office said it has received a manslaughter lawsuit for failure to help in the tragic capsizing last month of a boat in the English
How children were used in a 48-hour deadly rampage for gold | CNN
The men were shot as they slept outside, having spent their days underground, choking in the Sahel dust, digging and panning for gold.
www.cnn.com
'Let us eat': Protesters in Kabul urge release of Afghanistan's frozen assets
International funding to Afghanistan has been suspended and billions of dollars of the country’s assets abroad were frozen after the Taliban took control.
www.nbcnews.com
New Syrian migrants seek Europe, driven by post-war misery
GIESSEN, Germany (AP) — She had already walked for 60 hours through the wet, dark forests of Poland, trying to make her way to Germany, when the 29-year-old Syrian Kurd twisted her knee.
apnews.com
American ex-priest in East Timor found guilty of sex abuse
A defrocked American priest accused of sexually abusing orphaned and disadvantaged young girls under his care in East Timor has been found guilty and sentenced to 12 years in prison, in the first case of its kind in the staunchly Catholic nation.
apnews.com
Biden pivots to home tests to confront omicron surge
President Joe Biden has announced plans to deliver 500 million free COVID-19 tests to Americans, increase support for hospitals and expand the availability of vaccines to confront a winter surge of coronavirus cases driven by the fast-spreading omicron variant.
apnews.com
Omicron casts a new shadow over economy's pandemic recovery
Just as Americans and Europeans were eagerly awaiting their most normal holiday season in a couple of years, the omicron variant has unleashed a fresh round of fear and uncertainty — for travelers, shoppers, party-goers and their economies as a whole.
apnews.com
Trump says he got the booster shot and dismisses fans who boo him
The former president tried to correct a smattering of boos in the audience.
www.cbsnews.com
Biden accuses 'immoral' cable networks, social media of spreading vaccine lies
U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday accused unspecified cable television personalities and social media companies of making money by "peddling lies" about COVID-19 vaccines and spreading misinformation that can kill their viewers and followers.
Live updates: British Columbia orders closures due to COVID
The Canadian Pacific Coast province of British Columbia is closing bars, nightclubs and gyms because of the omicron coronavirus variant.
apnews.com
Biden assures Americans vaccinated against Covid-19 that they can go ahead with holiday plans despite Omicron surge | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden aimed to reassure vaccinated Americans that they can still proceed with their holiday plans without fear of becoming seriously ill, announcing a number of new efforts to combat a surge of Covid-19 cases in the United States.
www.cnn.com
Biden pushes Covid vaccination and testing but says 'we're ready' for holiday surge
"We're prepared today for what's coming," said Biden. "In March of 2020, we were not ready."
www.nbcnews.com
White House changes tune on free at-home tests, but they'll be too late for Christmas
The Biden administration has signaled a shift to a more aggressive approach to in-home testing for COVID-19, but it will not be in time to help most Americans before Christmas or even New Year's Eve.
Warren, Democrats ask federal government to resume tracking breakthrough cases
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and three other Democratic lawmakers are calling on the federal government to resume tracking all COVID-19 infections in fully vaccinated individuals, whil…
thehill.com
Omicron has 27 percent of companies delaying reopening plans
Back-to-the office gets moved back, again.
www.nbcnews.com
Fauci says reducing the recommended Covid isolation period for the fully vaccinated is being considered | CNN Politics
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering loosening its isolation length recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals – particularly health care workers – who test positive for Covid-19 but don’t have symptoms.
www.cnn.com
Fauci: U.S. mulling shortening quarantine window for asymptomatic health workers
"We want to be careful that we don’t keep them out of action for that long period of time," said Fauci, the government's leading infectious disease expert.
www.nbcnews.com
How Biden’s appeals to U.S. unvaccinated went from beer and cash to ‘illness and death’
U.S. President Joe Biden dispensed unvarnished advice on Tuesday to the one in four American adults who have yet to be vaccinated for the coronavirus vaccine: the new Omicron variant can make you very sick or even kill you.
Chicago to require vaccination proof at indoor venues amid COVID-19 surge
Chicago will require patrons to present proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for entry to restaurants, bars, gyms and some other indoor spaces, effective Jan. 3, amid a surge of new cases, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said on Tuesday.
Boston mayor lines up vaccine mandates amid pushback from city workers
“I wish we were taking these actions faster,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said at a press conference.
www.politico.com
As omicron spreads, experts share how to celebrate holidays safely
More vaccinated members will prevent spread from gathers, doctors said.
DC records more than 3,700 new COVID-19 cases this past weekend
More than 3,700 D.C. residents tested positive for COVID-19 this past weekend, according to new data released by the district’s Department of Health.D.C. reported 3,763 new cases and one…
thehill.com
NBA commissioner says there's no plans to pause season amid virus surge
Seven NBA games have been postponed with more potentially in doubt, and over 100 players and coaches have entered the league's health and safety protocols.
www.cbsnews.com
Republicans accuse Biden of controlling Americans with ‘fear’ as COVID cases spike
Republicans immediately pushed back on President Biden’s address to the nation Tuesday, accusing him of stoking "fear" of the coronavirus to exert his power.
Omicron slams into American businesses: 'We've taken a big nose dive' | CNN Business
Business was starting to turn around for Lido, an Italian restaurant in Harlem, after a grinding 20 months.
www.cnn.com
NY AG warns against price gouging, 'misrepresenting' COVID test turnaround time
The New York Attorney General's office warned against misrepresenting Covid test turnaround time and at-home test price gouging as cases continue to surge.
Five things to know about Biden’s omicron plan
President Biden laid out a plan Tuesday to tackle the new threat of increasing COVID-19 cases across the U.S. that is largely due to omicron quickly becoming the dominant variant.The new initiative…
thehill.com
Covid Omicron: Biden buys 500m test kits to tackle surge
The US will also deploy more military medics amid fears the holiday season will spark a Covid spike.
www.bbc.com
Biden tries to teach to the Covid test
www.politico.com
House panel says documents show One Medical failed to give out COVID-19 vaccines ‘equitably’
Congressional investigators say San Francisco-based health provider One Medical failed to administer COVID-19 vaccines “equitably,” by pushing vaccine-seekers to buy memberships and prioritizing ex…
thehill.com
Unvaccinated Bills wide receiver tests positive for COVID-19, put on reserve list
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley, who has been a prominent anti-vaccine voice in sports, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The team announced on Tuesday tha…
thehill.com
New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams postpones his inauguration ceremony
New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams is postponing his inauguration ceremony, which was set for Jan. 1, due to the rise in cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, he said in a statement quoted by media.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee tests positive for COVID-19
The California congresswoman said she is fully vaccinated and received a booster dose and is experiencing "cold-like symptoms."
www.cbsnews.com
UK to give $1.3 billion in aid to businesses hurt by omicron
Britain has announced $1.3 billion in grants and other aid to help the hospitality industry survive the onslaught of the omicron variant of COVID-19.
apnews.com
COVID-19 live updates: New York sees fourfold increase in pediatric hospitalizations
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.3 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 816,000 Americans.
Are 500 million at-home coronavirus test kits enough? 4 things to know about Biden's Omicron strategy
President Biden plans to beef up at-home testing and more.
U.S. hospitals are once again 'at a breaking point' with delta and omicron
The omicron-driven surge is arriving at hospitals as they are still battling the delta variant and trying to manage the ongoing shortage of personnel.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden was masked during contact with aide who tested positive for Covid
The president has tested negative so far. Sources said the White House expects more cases in the coming days.
www.nbcnews.com
AP sources: NHL to withdraw from Olympics after COVID surge
The NHL is not sending players to the Beijing Olympics after all. Two people with direct knowledge of the decision tell The Associated Press the league is going to withdraw from the Beijing Olympics after its regular-season schedule was disrupted by coronavirus outbreaks.
apnews.com
What to know about rapid COVID at-home tests as White House prepares to mail them across US
President Joe Biden plans to announce his administration will distribute 500 million free at-home rapid tests to Americans beginning in January.
Covid-19: Israel plans to give fourth dose of vaccine to over-60s
A second booster would be offered to over-60s and medics as Israel prepares for an Omicron wave.
www.bbc.com
White House Press Secretary expresses regret over answer on free COVID testing
Ahead of President Biden’s announcement Tuesday of a new plan to distribute 500 million free COVID-19 tests to Americans in January, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki addressed her own dismissive response to the idea of such a proposal just two weeks earlier.
US population growth at lowest rate in pandemic's 1st year
U.S. population growth dipped to its lowest rate since the nation’s founding during the first year of the pandemic.
apnews.com
Minnesota Gov. Walz, family test positive for COVID-19
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has tested positive for COVID-19, along with his wife and teenage son, the governor's office announced Tuesday.
apnews.com
Covid Omicron: European nations reinstate restrictions
As the Omicron variant spreads across the continent, countries tighten curbs to brace for another wave.
www.bbc.com
De Blasio says 'No more shutdowns' as NYC faces virus spike
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he’s committed to keeping the city open as it grapples with yet another spike in coronavirus cases.
apnews.com
France seeks to avoid a lockdown with tougher vaccine rules
Facing a jump in COVID-19 hospitalizations, France’s government is trying to push through a law requiring vaccination to enter any restaurant and many other public places.
apnews.com
Parents, schools face another reckoning over COVID-19 cases
The quick spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus has stirred another reckoning about whether in-person schooling is worth the risk.
apnews.comBiden pivots to home tests to confront omicron surge
President Joe Biden has announced plans to deliver 500 million free COVID-19 tests to Americans, increase support for hospitals and expand the availability of vaccines to confront a winter surge of coronavirus cases driven by the fast-spreading omicron variant.
apnews.com
Biden administration finds itself on defense as Omicron races across the US | CNN Politics
The Biden administration is once again on the defensive as the pandemic cuts its wildly unpredictable course, upending American lives with the holidays around the corner and the tools that could make for safer gathering – widespread, easily available testing – in short supply nearly two years...
www.cnn.com
UK PM Johnson rules out new COVID curbs before Christmas
The British leader says the government is monitoring Omicron closely and does not rule out new measures after Christmas.
Feeling powerless, families bring elderly home in pandemic
ROTTERDAM JUNCTION, N.Y. (AP) — Pushed up to the breakfast table, Betty Bednarowski folds and refolds her napkin with studied intensity, softly singing “Winter Wonderland” without the words, the same as she did in March and July and September.
apnews.com
Charts: Covid hospitalizations are rising in most states
The winter Covid surge is fueling increased hospitalizations in high- and low-vaccinated areas.
www.nbcnews.com
Virus fears widen as omicron variant takes hold across US
The nation’s second-largest city has called off its New Year’s Eve celebration, and its smallest state re-imposed an indoor mask mandate.
apnews.com
Omicron doesn’t stop Ron DeSantis from cashing in on Dr. Fauci hate
Fauci's air travel masking comments outraged the Governor.
floridapolitics.com
'Startling': Americans feel increased anxiety as Covid cases surge
Days before the holidays and as coronavirus cases spiked, many Americans expressed renewed anxiety and reservations about seeing friends and family.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden to offer millions of at-home COVID-19 tests to Americans, says 'we're prepared' for omicron
Biden's remarks on coronavirus came as the US faces the new omicron variant, a surge in infections, long lines for testing and overwhelmed hospitals.
www.usatoday.com
Some countries shorten booster timeline to five months amid omicron spread
Several countries are moving up their COVID-19 booster shot eligibility timelines amid a spike in cases due to the omicron variant, Reuters reported.The standard timeline for booster shot…
thehill.com
State TV: Recalled Iranian diplomat to Yemen dies of COVID
Iran is reporting that its top diplomat to Yemen has died after contracting the coronavirus. The death of Ambassador Hassan Irloo on Tuesday came after he was recalled from war-torn Yemen for what Iran described as medical treatment.
apnews.com
Asian markets bounce back from omicron sell-offs
Asian shares are mostly higher after a worldwide slump for financial markets spurred by worries about how badly the omicron variant, inflation and other forces will hit the world economy.
apnews.com
Moderna booster shot increases antibody levels against Omicron, company says | CNN
Biotechnology company Moderna announced Monday that preliminary data suggests its half-dose booster shot increased antibody levels against the Omicron coronavirus variant – and a larger-sized dose of the booster increases antibody levels even more.
www.cnn.com
Freezing in the Alps, migrants find warm hearts and comfort
As Europe erects ever more fearsome barriers against migration, volunteers along the Italy-France border are working to keep migrants from being killed or maimed by cold and mountain mishaps as they cross the high Alps.
apnews.com
After reprieve, NYC is rattled by a stunning virus spike
Just a couple of weeks ago, New York City seemed like a relative bright spot in the U.S. coronavirus struggle.
apnews.com
Australia's New South Wales tops 3,000 daily COVID cases
New COVID-19 cases in Australia’s most populous state have surged past 3,000 for the first time, adding pressure on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to speed the rollout of booster shots
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