(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Democrats’ expansive elections and voting bill headed for all but certain rejection late Tuesday in a key Senate test vote, providing a dramatic example of Republicans’ use of the filibuster to block legislation and forcing hard questions for Democrats over next steps.
Manchin to join Democrats in Senate showdown vote over voting rights
The Senate is slated to hold a key procedural vote Tuesday on the Democrats' "For the People Act" election reform bill Republicans are expected to be able to block.
Senate Republicans block Democrats' voting rights bill from advancing
With a 50-50 vote, the effort, which garnered last-minute backing from Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, fell far short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.
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Background checks blocked a record high 300,000 gun sales
Records show the number of people stopped from buying guns through the U.S. background check system hit an all-time high of more than 300,000 last year amid a surge of firearm sales
Democrats corral Manchin on election overhaul measure
Top Senate Democrats struck a deal with key centrist Sen. Joe Manchin to secure his vote to proceed on a major election and voting overhaul bill that Republicans plan to filibuster.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Claims of murder plot against GOP candidate in Florida court
Claims by one Republican congressional candidate that another GOP hopeful plotted to kill her have landed in a Florida courtroom
Voting legislation blocked in Senate as Republicans unite for filibuster
Democrats unified in favor of debating the bill. But it failed to get 60 votes to advance.
www.nbcnews.com
Manhattan DA Vance eyes Trump Organization COO Matthew Calamari in probe of former president's company
The investigation of the Trump Organization by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance has grown to look at chief operative officer Matthew Calamari.
Senate Republicans block signature Democratic election bill in key test vote
Senate Democrats suffered a loss on Tuesday when Republican opposition sunk their signature voting and election bill during a key test vote, underscoring the limits of the party's power with the narrowest possible Senate majority.
22 GOP states ask Congress to restore Hyde Amendment in order to prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions
Nearly two dozen Republican attorneys general (AGs) are calling on congressional leaders to reject President Biden's proposal excluding the Hyde Amendment from the federal budget.
‘Jim Crow 2.0’: Black GOP House members slam Sheldon Whitehouse’s alleged segregated club membership
Both black members of the GOP's House caucus are comparing Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse's membership in an allegedly all-white club to Jim Crow.
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Schumer, Pelosi meeting with White House on infrastructure
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will meet with White House officials on Wednesday to talk about the path forward on infrastructure.Schumer …
thehill.com
As Apple Daily grinds to a halt, China snuffs the last light of a free press in Hong Kong
Beijing has hated the Apple Daily for years. Now, thanks to a "security" law enacted last year, China appears to have exactly the "tool to silence dissent" that it was lacking.
www.cbsnews.com
Stephen Ross-funded group spent more than $1 million to influence New York City Council primary races
A super PAC funded mostly by Stephen Ross spent over $1 million on New York City Council races going into the official primary day.
Progressives slam Garland for DOJ stances on Trump-era cases
Progressive Democrats slammed Attorney General Merrick Garland on Tuesday over his “apparent reluctance to correct the weaponization and politicization” of the Department of Justice (DOJ), sending …
thehill.com
Senate fails to advance sweeping voting rights bill aimed at expanding early voting, registration
The legislation aims to counter regulations that make it difficult to vote –especially for people of color.
www.usatoday.com
Democrats hope a voting rights failure sparks change on Senate filibuster
After a failed vote on U.S. election reform, some congressional Democrats say they hope that defeat may provide the opportunity to scrap the filibuster rule that allows the minority in the Senate to block most legislation.
Obama joins progressive Dems in backing Manchin's voting rights compromise bill
Former President Barack Obama said Monday that he backs Sen. Joe Manchin’s compromise to the For the People Act, a sweeping voting rights bill that the West Virginia Democrat said was too partisan.
Factbox-What are Democrats considering including in a voting rights bill?
As Republican-controlled state legislatures pass a wave of laws https://www.reuters.com/world/us/republicans-erect-voting-barriers-across-number-politically-crucial-us-states-2021-06-15 that civil rights advocates say will restrict access to voting for Blacks and Hispanics, congressional...
Psaki: Lawmaker critiques of Biden on voting rights 'a fight against the wrong opponent'
The remarks came hours ahead of an expected Senate vote on congressional Democrats’ expansive election reform bill, a package virtually certain to fail.
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Concerns rising inside White House over surge in violent crime | CNN Politics
A nationwide surge in violent crime has emerged as a growing area of concern inside the White House, where President Joe Biden and his aides have listened with alarm as local authorities warn a brutal summer of killing lies ahead.
www.cnn.com
Judge permanently blocks Iowa law mandating 24-hour abortion waiting period
An Iowa judge has permanently blocked a state law mandating a 24-hour waiting period before getting an abortion. Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed the measure into law in June 2020; it requires people s…
thehill.com
5 things to watch in NYC mayoral race as ranked-choice voting makes primary debut
For the first time, voters will have the option to select as many as five of the eight Democratic mayoral candidates in order of preference.
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What would statehood for Washington, DC mean — and could it finally happen?
Why does Washington, D.C., want statehood? We explain the bid by the nation's capital for representation as legislation gets a Senate hearing.
www.usatoday.com
Australia rejects U.N. warning to list Great Barrier Reef as "in danger"
The United Nations says the Great Barrier Reef has suffered such extensive damage that it should be listed as "in danger." The Australian government disagrees.
www.cbsnews.com
Trump Can’t Be Sued Over The Violent Clearing Of Lafayette Square Last Summer, A Judge Ruled
The judge found there wasn’t enough evidence that Trump and other officials had conspired to violate protesters’ rights.
Manchin, Schumer strike deal ahead of election bill vote
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said Tuesday that he will vote in favor of advancing a sweeping election bill after striking a deal with Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on a co…
thehill.com
House Democrats urge Biden to extend eviction ban
The lawmakers said in a letter that without further action "millions of renters will once again face the threat of eviction" next week.
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Kamala Harris breaks tie as Senate confirms Kiran Ahuja, Biden nominee with critical race theory ties
The Senate on Tuesday voted to confirm Kiran Ahuja to be the director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on a 50-50 party-line vote with Vice President Kamala Harris providing the tiebreaking 51st vote in Ahuja's favor.
Joint Chiefs warn against sweeping reform to military justice system
The nation’s top military officers are warning against a sweeping military justice overhaul that has broad bipartisan backing in the Senate.In letters released Tuesday by Senate Armed Services Comm…
thehill.com
Trump's GOP friends and foes unite — to shrug at Dem fury over secret subpoenas
Democrats are accusing Trump of a Nixon-style leak hunt, but Republicans say it's legitimate for the DOJ to investigate leaks.
www.politico.com
Insight: Analysis: Biden’s Justice Dept may defend Trump in Capitol riot lawsuits
Former U.S. President Donald Trump may have an unlikely ally to defend him against lawsuits alleging he incited the U.S. Capitol insurrection: President Joe Biden’s Justice Department.
In Fountain, Colorado, There’s Plenty Of Room For New Homes. But There Isn’t Enough Water
Colorado Springs' housing boom is expanding into nearby cities, like Fountain. But new homes require water — and there are currently fewer than 9,000 taps to Fountain’s water supply.
www.cpr.org
Senior Democrat outlines new drug pricing plan as talks drag on
Sen. Ron Wyden hopes his new plan could jump-start drug pricing talks, which have stalled over concerns from moderate Democrats.
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Adams leads, Yang concedes, but outcome uncertain in New York City mayoral primary
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, a former police captain who put public safety at the center of his campaign for New York City mayor, was leading a field of 13 Democratic candidates in Tuesday's primary election, though the outcome likely won't be known for weeks.
U.S. appeals court puts on hold overturning of California assault weapon ban
A U.S. federal appeals court on Monday put on hold a judge's ruling this month to overturn California's 32-year-old ban on assault weapons.
Democratic super PAC vows $20 million to counter state voting restrictions
The Senate is set to block a sweeping bill that would have gutted Republican-backed state laws despite a last-minute lobbying effort for passage.
www.nbcnews.comActivists fear Biden’s climate pledges are falling apart: ‘We aren’t seeing grit’
The president took swift action upon entering the White House, but recent developments raise concern his agenda has stalled A court recently ruled that the Biden administration could not unilaterally pause oil and gas leases. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock On his first day at the White House, Joe...
Senate Republicans block Dems' sweeping elections reform bill
Democrats have characterized the legislation as essential to pass before the 2022 midterms, but their path forward is now unclear.
www.politico.comFed's Powell says high inflation temporary, will 'wane'
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday responded to concerns from Republican lawmakers about spiking inflation by reiterating his view that current price increases will likely prove temporary. Consumer prices jumped 5% in May compared with a year earlier, the largest increase in 13...
Fact check: Lindsey Graham inaccurately describes Democrats' redistricting proposal | CNN Politics
At a conference of religious conservatives last week, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina inaccurately described a Democratic proposal to have independent state commissions, rather than state politicians, draw the boundaries of congressional districts.
www.cnn.com
UN Afghan envoy Deborah Lyons alarmed at Taliban gains
The insurgents are lining up to seize key cities once foreign troops leave, the UN envoy warns.
www.bbc.com
Georgia counties receive payments for legal costs in Trump election suits
Two Georgia counties have received payments to cover attorney fees incurred due to a lawsuit filed by former President Trump.Cobb and DeKalb counties have been paid funds to cover legal costs …
thehill.com
'Divest to invest': Biden Navy shipbuilding plan leaves lawmakers and analysts bewildered
The Navy’s latest shipbuilding plan is falling flat with lawmakers and analysts as the Biden administration's defense budget calls for a reduction in the fleet and the ability to put steel on targets even as China’s naval and Pacific presence grows.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Tentacles of Manhattan DA's Trump probe reach former bodyguard Calamari
The scrutiny comes as the investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance's office appears to have ramped up in recent weeks.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden pledge to end cash bail unchanged amid violent crime surge
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday she is not aware of any changes to President Biden’s support of ending cash bail amid a spike in violent crime, though she did not expressly stand up for the proposal.
Trump has ‘zero desire’ to be speaker of House, spokesman says
Chatter about the most unlikely of political comebacks has spread among Trump supportersUS politics – live coverage Donald Trump at the North Carolina GOP convention dinner in Greenville, North Carolina, on 5 June 2021. Photograph: Jonathan Drake/Reuters Donald Trump has “zero desire” to be...
Biden to meet with governors on weather, hike salaries for firefighters
President Joe Biden said on Tuesday he will host a meeting next week of governors from states in the western United States, cabinet members and federal emergency management officials to help prepare for heat, drought and wildfires.
Connecticut state Sen. Alex Kasser resigns, blames bitter divorce battle waged by Morgan Stanley executive husband
Connecticut state Sen. Alex Kasser of Greenwich is resigning. She is embroiled in a contentious divorce with a top Morgan Stanley executive, Seth Bergstein.
Top adviser to Dem megadonor privately blasts party’s prioritization of voting rights bill
The party was wasting precious time and capital on an item that can’t pass, argued Reid Hoffman’s right hand man.
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Biden administration backs bill to undo cocaine sentencing disparities
The top White House drug policy official testified that the disparities have "caused significant harm for decades, particularly for individuals, families and communities of color."
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Trump wants revenge. Whom will he bury?
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Harris casts tiebreaking vote to confirm OPM nominee
Vice President Harris returned to the Senate chamber on Tuesday to cast a tiebreaking vote, confirming President Biden’s nominee for the director of the Office of Personnel Manageme…
thehill.com
Connecticut governor signs recreational marijuana into law
Gov. Ned Lamont has signed a bill making Connecticut the 19th state to legalize recreational use of marijuana, which remains an illegal drug under federal law
Haaland announces program to review impact of Native American boarding schools
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the nation’s first Native American Cabinet secretary, on Tuesday announced an initiative that will review the legacy of federal boarding schools that numerous Native…
thehill.com
Georgia congressman calls lawsuit against race-based aid for farmers 'discrimination at its worst'
A Democratic congressman blasted a lawsuit over the Biden administration's $4 billion race-based federal relief program for farmers.
U.S. Justice Department launches new effort to crack down on firearms trafficking
The U.S. Justice Department is launching a new strike force aimed at cracking down on illegal firearms trafficking, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said on Tuesday.
Scoop: After U.S. pressure, Israel joins statement criticizing China
Israel supported a statement criticizing China at the UN Human Rights Council after being pressured to do so by the Biden administration, U.S. and Israeli officials tell me.Why it matters: This is a significant policy change from Israel's newly inaugurated government. Under former prime minister...
Americans want voting to be easier, also worry about election fraud
Americans want to make it easier to vote but most adults also favor strict voter identification laws and remain concerned about election fraud, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows. The latest poll, conducted June 11-17, shows that both Democrats and Republicans can claim some degree of popular support...
Longtime C-SPAN anchor Steve Scully to depart for bipartisan think tank
The network placed Scully on administrative leave last year after he admitted to lying about an exchange on social media with Anthony Scaramucci.
www.politico.com
How Democrats can defy history in 2022 | CNN Politics
The huge voter turnout over the past three elections could scramble the usual dynamics of midterm voting – potentially providing Democrats their best chance to avoid losses next year that could cost them control of the House, the Senate or both.
www.cnn.com
America’s biggest environmental battle erupts in Minnesota
“We’re here to make the stand for all living things.”
thehill.com
Minnesota Vikings player shot 4 times, agent says he was 'innocent bystander'
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman was shot in his hometown of Washington, D.C., on Monday, suffering non-life threatening injuries.
Bill de Blasio Has Some Regrets
As voters ready to pick his successor, the outgoing mayor reflects on his legacy and his relationship with a city that loves to hate him.
www.politico.comBiden to 'bring every resource' to manage busy storm season
President Joe Biden said Tuesday that his administration needs to “bring every resource to bear" to deal with natural disasters as huge swaths of the country have already endured extreme weather with the summer season just starting. The president said he plans to meet next week with western...
Supreme Court battle could wreak havoc with Biden’s 2020 agenda
Liberal activists fearful of Democrats losing control of the Senate are pushing for stalwart liberal Justice Stephen Breyer to retire this year, but Democratic senators don’t share their enthusiasm…
thehill.com
Joint Chiefs wary of congressional drive to shake up military justice system
The services chiefs' concerns include the potential erosion of good order and discipline under the chain of command and the broad scope of the legal overhaul.
www.politico.comClaims of murder plot against GOP candidate in Florida court
Claims by a Republican congressional candidate that another GOP hopeful plotted to kill her landed Tuesday in a Florida courtroom. Anna Paulina Luna, who plans to run for Florida's District 13 seat after losing a race for the slot in 2020 to Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, contends in court...
Asylum-seekers, attorneys decry 'horrendous' Louisiana ICE detention center
The Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative of Louisiana has written two letters to the Department of Homeland Security over reports of “abuses and inhumane" conditions.
www.nbcnews.com
'A fight against the wrong opponent': White House deflects liberal criticism on Biden's voting access push
The White House is defending President Joe Biden from criticism that he has not been vocal enough about voter access, saying members of his own party are targeting "the wrong opponent."
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Rio Grande Valley Border chief says apprehensions of large migrant groups dwarfing prior years
Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector are seeing a significant increase in large groups of migrants hitting the border, with more groups in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 already matching the number encountered in the past two years combined.
Federal Officials Can't Be Sued For Clearing Protesters Near White House, Judge Says
A District Court judge has dismissed claims that former White House officials conspired to forcibly remove peaceful protesters last year from Washington, D.C.'s Lafayette Square.
www.npr.org
The winner of Tuesday's Manhattan DA primary is poised to take over Trump investigation | CNN Politics
Whoever wins the Democratic primary race for Manhattan district attorney on Tuesday isn’t just poised to take the helm of one of the most legendary prosecutors offices in New York. They also will inherit perhaps the highest profile investigation in the country: that of former President Donald...
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Kim Jong Un's sister derides U.S. official, dismisses chances for talks
Kim Yo Jong’s blunt statement indicates that the diplomatic impasse over North Korea’s nuclear program is likely to continue.
www.nbcnews.com
The biggest Democratic divide on voting bill is between the activists and pragmatists
First Read is your briefing from "Meet the Press" and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.
www.nbcnews.com
White House advisers huddle with Senate moderates on infrastructure
Top White House officials, including senior adviser Steve Ricchetti and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, met with a group of Senate moderates Tuesday afternoon in hopes of makin…
thehill.com
Marijuana use may increase risk of suicide, NIH study finds
A new study from the National Institutes of Health found an increased risk of suicide was associated with marijuana use.
www.washingtonexaminer.comSchumer blasts GOP over voting rights bill: 'A rot at the center of the modern Republican Party'
In anticipation of the Senate vote Tuesday on the For the People Act, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer denounced Republican efforts to stop the legislation from being passed.
Ethiopia's Tigray crisis: Heavy fighting reported
Rebel forces claim to have seized several towns, which the army has dismissed as "fake news".
www.bbc.com
Colonial Pipeline hit with class-action lawsuit for negligence following major hack
The Colonial Pipeline, which was the subject of a major hack in early May, was sued on Monday for negligence after the security breach strained thousands of gas stations throughout the East Coast.
www.washingtonexaminer.comBiden still has a higher average approval rating than Trump ever did, but warning signs abound
President Biden continues to hold a higher approval rating than former President Donald Trump ever recorded in office, polls show. But the public's support for the new president appears to be weakening as his agenda has stalled in Congress.
Tennessee man is fifth to plead guilty in US Capitol riot | CNN Politics
A Tennessee man pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegally demonstrating inside the US Capitol on January 6, becoming the fifth rioter to admit their guilt in the massive federal probe.
www.cnn.com
#AbbottHatesDogs trends after Texas governor vetoes bill expanding animal cruelty law
The hashtag “#AbbottHatesDogs” is trending on Twitter after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) vetoed a measure on Friday that would have expanded animal cruelty laws.The Houston Chronicle…
thehill.com
Obamacare remains popular with voters following third Supreme Court decision to keep law
Public support for the landmark healthcare law Obamacare remains divided despite the third Supreme Court decision to keep the legislation intact following years of conservative attempts to undo the law, recent polling shows.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Josh Hawley blasts critical race theory as Biden admin's 'animating ideology' as he opposes OPM nominee
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., railed against critical race theory, expressing concern that it is influencing the inner workings of the Biden administration as he opposed the nomination of Kiran Ahuja as director of the Office of Personnel Management.
Why 'instant runoff' voting in New York doesn't mean instant results
New York City is rolling out ranked-choice voting in its mayoral primary and several other key races, becoming the largest US jurisdiction to give the voting system a try.
Kim Yo Jong Overtakes Putin as Biden’s Most Outspoken Foe
GettyNorth Korea leader Kim Jong Un’s younger sister Kim Yo Jong has a blunt message for U.S. officials looking for dialog with the North: Don’t get your hopes up.With a long record of attacking both the U.S. and South Korea on behalf of her brother, Kim Yo Jong warned the U.S. against even...
White House pushes back on claims Biden doing too little on voting rights
The White House on Tuesday rejected criticism from some Democrats that President Biden hasn’t focused his bully pulpit enough on voting rights ahead of a critical Senate vote on ele…
thehill.com
Activists: Vatican is 'meddling' in Italy's LGBT rights law
The Vatican has formally opposed a proposed Italian law expanding anti-discrimination protections to the LGBT community
GOP senator blasts DC statehood as 'power grab' in clash with Democratic mayor during hearing | CNN Politics
A Senate committee hearing on a bill to grant statehood to Washington, DC, grew tense for a time on Tuesday when one of the panel’s Republican lawmakers clashed with the city’s mayor on the key Democratic priority, which has gained momentum in recent years.
www.cnn.com
Sanders, Warren respond to Sinema's filibuster defense, say Senate 'has got to act' despite rule
Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren Tuesday dismissed arguments by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema that it is dangerous for Democrats to get rid of the filibuster, as divisions in the Democratic caucus over the 60-vote hurdle for legislation continue to bedevil progressives.
Rising violent crime poses new challenge for White House
President Biden will detail his administration’s crime prevention strategy on Wednesday in a high-profile address that comes as a series of major cities see spikes in crime.Violent crime rates are …
thehill.com
Unesco: Great Barrier Reef should be listed as 'in danger'
Canberra lashes out as the UN says the reef should join a list of World Heritage Sites "in danger".
www.bbc.comChicago banker accused of arranging risky loans to Paul Manafort goes on trial
The former chief of a Chicago bank will go on trial on Tuesday on charges he gave millions of dollars of risky loans to Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort in order to win a top post in the former U.S. president's administration. Stephen Calk, a former chairman and chief...
Moderna's president talks COVID-19 and vaccine technology
Moderna President Dr. Stephen Hoge says his company is working on developing COVID-19 vaccine booster shots while also trying to harness the genetic code technology it helped pioneer to fight other diseases
Almost 900 Secret Service employees were infected with COVID
Records obtained by a government watchdog show that roughly 900 U.S. Secret Service employees tested positive for the coronavirus
White House acknowledges U.S. will miss July 4 vaccination goal
The Biden administration acknowledged on Tuesday that it will likely miss its goal of vaccinating 70% of U.S. adults with at least one dose by July 4.Why it matters: Despite falling short of the goal, the White House still believes most Americans will be safe to fully celebrate Independence Day...
White House to narrowly miss 70% COVID vaccination goal by July 4
The White House is expected to fall short of President Biden’s goal of partially vaccinating 70% of adults ages 27 and up against COVID-19 by July 4, but officials told Fox News Tuesday that the Biden administration has already met its target of delivering at least one dose to 70% of adults ages...
Help wanted: Labor crisis shocks California restaurants
California restaurants that managed to survive the pandemic are facing a new crisis: finding workers
Fauci Warns Dangerous Delta Variant Is The Greatest Threat To U.S. COVID Efforts
More contagious than other variants, and maybe more likely to cause severe disease, Delta is spreading so fast in the U.S. it could cause another surge this summer or fall, according to new research.
www.npr.org
Indiana students sue over COVID-19 vaccine requirement
Students at Indiana University are suing the school over its COVID-19 vaccination requirement.
Health insurers capitalize on pandemic-fueled Medicaid growth
Data: Company filings, CMS, Kaiser Family Foundation; Chart: Michelle McGhee/AxiosNational Medicaid enrollment hit a record 80.5 million this past January, as Congress provided extra funding for states to retain and sign up more low-income adults and children during the coronavirus...
No silver lining, but pandemic lessons to learn
Aging comes of age — From social determinants to equity
www.politico.com
Nursing home deaths spiked in 2020, watchdog report shows
Deaths among Medicare beneficiaries in nursing homes increased last year by 32 percent compared to 2019, as the coronavirus ravaged vulnerable populations, according to a government watchdog r…
thehill.com
3 siblings get Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as part of global trials in young children
Three American siblings have received their first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as part of global clinical trials for young children.
As passengers return to air travel, bad behavior skyrockets
As much as passengers are eager to return to the skies, they likely don’t miss all the frustrations that come with airplane travel
