(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite,
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to weigh challenges to two Biden administration policies covering vaccine requirements for millions of workers, policies that affect large employers and health care workers.
In milestone deal, Proud Boy pleads guilty in Capitol riot
A New York man pleaded guilty Wednesday to storming the U.S. Capitol with fellow members of the far-right Proud Boys, a milestone in the Justice Department's prosecution of extremists who joined the Jan.
apnews.com
5 in custody after Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon carjacked at gunpoint in Philadelphia
Scanlon, D-Pa., was unharmed, her spokeswoman said. Five people were later arrested in Delaware where her Acura was found, police said.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden tries COVID cajoling, avoids new decrees that divide
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s message to the American people on confronting omicron comes with a heavy dose of cajoling, while some other countries are issuing edicts to their citizens as the new coronavirus variant takes over with breathtaking speed.
apnews.com
Biden and Dems scramble to salvage social, climate package
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden, along with progressive and moderate Democrats, appears determined 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.
apnews.com
President Biden spending Christmas at the White House
WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden will spend his first Christmas as president at the White House with family and is giving up his New Year’s tradition of sun and St. Croix for the chill of Delaware this year, his spokesperson said Wednesday.
apnews.com
GOP’s Rice says he regrets Jan. 6 vote against Biden’s election
Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) told Politico on Wednesday he wishes he had certified the electoral votes of several states that voted for President Biden in the 2020 pres…
thehill.com
Alleged scam PAC operator indicted by the Justice Department still ran robocalls after his arrest | CNN Politics
A man indicted by the Justice Department last month for allegedly running two fraudulent political action committees in 2016 continued to run another operation -- including promises of a Trump Christmas card for contributions of at least $35 -- using a different PAC shortly after his indictment...
Jim Jordan says he has ‘real concerns’ with Jan. 6 panel after sit-down request
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said on Wednesday that he has “real concerns” about the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, which requested to sit down with …
thehill.com
EPA withdraws Trump Oklahoma environment order after input from tribes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Wednesday it plans to withdraw and reconsider a Trump administration decision to grant Oklahoma authority over environmental issues on tribal land after consulting with the state's 38 tribal nations. The agency would reverse a decision made...
Treasury authorizes working with Taliban to facilitate aid to Afghanistan
The Biden administration is taking new actions in an attempt to facilitate humanitarian aid to people in Afghanistan, with the Department of Treasury allowing some financial transactions with the Taliban
Judge pauses Ghislaine Maxwell trial deliberations until next week
The New York judge overseeing the criminal sex trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell halted juror deliberations until Monday. The jury will now resume deliberations after the Christmas break.The j…
thehill.com
Biden tells ABC's David Muir 'yes' he'll run again, Trump rematch would 'increase the prospect'
President Joe Biden sat down for an exclusive interview at the White House with ABC "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir.
Leaders call young conservatives at Turning Point USA confab to action: 'Nation is not going to save itself'
Republican optimism ahead of the 2022 midterm elections is at an all-time high, according to several conservative thought leaders and politicians who traveled to Phoenix for Turning Point USA's AmericaFirst conference.
Unused Trump border wall could be used by Texas and US military bases
AUSTIN, Texas — Stockyards of border wall materials have been sitting untouched in each of the four states that line the U.S.-Mexico boundary for nearly a year since President Joe Biden canceled all of the Trump administration’s projects.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
After SCOTUS hearing, a new look at baby 'safe haven' laws
PHOENIX (AP) — For years, Nicole Olson had longed for a baby and gone through a rigorous and emotional adoption process. Then Olson and her husband got a call asking if they'd like to adopt a newborn.
apnews.com
Hong Kong university removes Tiananmen massacre statue
HONG KONG (AP) — A monument at a Hong Kong university that commemorates the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre was removed by workers early Thursday over the objections of its creator from Denmark. The 8-meter (26-foot) tall Pillar of Shame, which depicts 50 torn and twisted bodies piled on top of...
apnews.com
President Biden to ABC's David Muir on at-home COVID testing: 'Nothing's been good enough'
President Joe Biden sat down for an exclusive interview at the White House with ABC "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir.
Biden says 2024 reelection run depends on his health
President Biden on Wednesday added a caveat to his contention that he is planning to run for reelection in 2024, saying that he would do so if he remains in good health.
Snow could pile as high as a one-story building for some in the US as others get a rare white Christmas
Santa is bringing the gift of another atmospheric river event to the parched US West Coast this week, with heavy snow and rain and windy conditions predicted in spots from Canada to Mexico.
www.cnn.com
Biden says he's even more likely to run for reelection if Trump also decides to run in 2024
In an interview with ABC News' David Muir, President Joe Biden said he plans to run for reelection in 2024 as long as he's "in good health."
Gov. DeWine signs 'born alive' bill that threatens to close 2 Ohio abortion clinics
Republicans Gov. Mike DeWine has signed every abortion restriction that has crossed his desk. The latest threatens two SW Ohio abortion clinics.
www.usatoday.com
4 adults, 3 kids found in Minnesota home died of carbon monoxide poisoning
Most of the victims were in their beds Saturday night in Moorhead, near Fargo, N.D., after family members could not reach them.
www.nbcnews.com
Psaki claims Biden 'saved Christmas' amid ongoing supply chain issues
White House press secretary Jen Psaki claimed Wednesday that President Biden and his administration had ‘saved Christmas’ as the supply chain problems continue and inflation soars.
Proud Boys member pleads guilty in January 6 attack on US Capitol, the first to do so in alleged conspiracy
In one of the most prominent cases against far-right groups that the Justice Department alleges planned to storm the US Capitol on January 6, a New York member of the Proud Boys has pleaded guilty to felony charges, including conspiracy.
Parents of school shooting suspect seek lower bail on involuntary manslaughter charges
James and Jennifer Crumbley are accused of making a gun accessible to their 15-year-old son who allegedly used it to kill four people at his Michigan high school.
www.nbcnews.com
Israeli archaeologists find treasures in ancient shipwrecks
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israel Antiquities Authority announced Wednesday the discovery of remnants of two shipwrecks off the Mediterranean coast, replete with a sunken trove of hundreds Roman and medieval silver coins.
apnews.com
President Biden to ABC's David Muir: 'I haven't given up' on Build Back Better bill
President Joe Biden sat down for an exclusive interview at the White House with ABC "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir.
Senators ask Biden for 'overdue' report on vetting of Afghan refugees
A handful of Republican senators are calling on the Biden administration to provide an overdue report on the vetting process for Afghan evacuees brought into the United States.
Jury in Daunte Wright shooting trial ends 3rd day of deliberations without verdict
Jurors ended their third day of deliberations onWednesday without reaching a verdict in the trial of Kimberly Potter, the former Minnesota police officer who mistook her handgun for her Taser and killed Black motorist Daunte Wright.
www.reuters.com
Jan. 6 committee asks GOP Rep. Jim Jordan for information on communications with Trump
The committee said it believes Jordan, a vocal Trump ally, spoke with Trump "at least one and possibly multiple" times on Jan. 6.
www.nbcnews.com
Joe Biden's polling malaise continues | CNN Politics
When President Joe Biden's poll numbers initially began to slip in late August, Democrats insisted to anyone who would listen that this would be a temporary blip.
9 days after tornado, cat found in rubble of building
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Nine days after a tornado demolished his three-story office building in downtown Mayfield, Kentucky , Sonny “Hoot” Gibson was standing in the rubble when he thought he heard a faint meow.
apnews.com
‘Very little chance of survival’ for missing miners in Myanmar
At least 25 people were hospitalised, while 50 remain missing following a landslide at a jade mining site in Hpakant.
US Rep. Scanlon carjacked in Philadelphia park, uninjured
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon was carjacked at gunpoint by two men in a south Philadelphia park but wasn't injured, police and her office said. Scanlon, D-Pa., was walking to her parked vehicle after a meeting in FDR park shortly before 3 p.m.
apnews.com
DOJ releases second financial activity report on Durham special counsel investigation
The Department of Justice released a second report on the financial activity of John Durham's special counsel inquiry into the origins and conduct of the Trump-Russia investigation.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Asian Americans have the biggest wealth gap. Here's how they're helping one another this year.
With winter comes isolation and food insecurity for lower-income Asian Americans. Community organizations are working to combat that.
www.nbcnews.com
Mexico says fentanyl and meth seizures have soared since 2019 as cartels ramp up production, import from China
Federal seizures of fentanyl are soaring in Mexico as cartels have begun churning out increased quantities of the deadly synthetic drug while also importing it from China.
2 officers involved in Manuel Ellis' fatal arrest return to duty
Two Tacoma Police officers involved in the arrest of Manuel Ellis will return to duty.
Energy company will pay $43 million for US’ longest-running oil spill
Taylor Energy, the company behind the United State’s longest-running oil spill, has agreed to pay more than $43 million in removal costs, civil penalties and natural resource damages since its …
thehill.com
Rep. Madison Cawthorn and wife to divorce
Rep. Madison Cawthorn and his wife are divorcing after less than a year of marriage, with the North Carolina Republican citing his job in Congress as part of the reason for the split.”When my…
thehill.com
Fewer Latino births, more deaths have an impact on nation's slower growth
The nation is seeing a history-making slowdown in population growth amid Covid-19, decreased international immigration and fewer births.
www.nbcnews.com
Top DeSantis official embraced critical race theory in dissertation
The head of Florida’s Department of Juvenile Justice argued that school curriculum is crafted in a way that disadvantages minority students.
www.politico.com
Biden says Americans must be ready to resume student-loan payments next year, clashing with Democrats, such as AOC, who urge him to cancel the debt
Although Biden extended the pause on student-loan payments until May, he told borrowers to "prepare for payments to resume."
‘Unabomber’ Ted Kaczynski, 79, moved to prison medical facility
Ted Kaczynski, commonly known as the “Unabomber” for terrorizing people with homemade bombs, has been transferred to a federal prison medical facility, according to The Washington Post.…
thehill.com
'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' actor Sally Ann Howes dies at 91
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sally Ann Howes, who played as a child actor before she later starred in the 1968 film “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” with Dick Van Dyke, has died. She was 91. Her son Andrew Hart Adler confirmed his mother's death in an interview with the Press Association on Wednesday.
apnews.com
US probes potential of drivers playing video games in Teslas
ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — The U.S. has opened a formal investigation into the potential for Tesla drivers to play video games on a center touch screen while the vehicle is in motion. In a document posted Wednesday on its website, the agency says the feature, called “Passenger Play,” may distract the...
apnews.com
Pfizer pill becomes 1st US-authorized home COVID treatment
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators on Wednesday authorized the first pill against COVID-19, a Pfizer drug that Americans will be able to take at home to head off the worst effects of the virus.
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
Corporate donations to Sen. Joe Manchin's PAC surged as he fought President Biden's agenda
Sen. Joe Manchin's leadership PAC saw a surge in corporate contributions this fall as he fought President Biden's agenda.
House committee seeks to interview GOP firebrand Rep. Jim Jordan about January 6
The House select committee investigating January 6 has asked Rep. Jim Jordan, one of former President Donald Trump's top congressional allies, to voluntarily meet with the panel as it zeroes in on Republican lawmakers who may have significant knowledge of events leading up to the US Capitol attack.
Pause on student loan payments is extended through May 1
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Wednesday extended a student loan moratorium that has allowed tens of millions of Americans to put off debt payments during the pandemic. Under the action, payments on federal student loans will remain paused through May 1.
apnews.com
GOP could win 6 of Arizona's 9 congressional seats after remap
The state's Independent Redistricting Commission approved the new congressional map on Wednesday.
www.politico.com
McConnell openly courts Manchin to leave Democrats, join GOP
Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell is openly recruiting Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin after his fractious split with the White House over the president’s social and environmental spending package
Trump’s tax law hits four-year anniversary in a safer spot
Four years after former President Trump signed his 2017 tax-cut law, most of the measure is unlikely to be reversed in the near term, even under a Democratic president and Congress.Democratic lawma…
thehill.com
Judge rejects bid by former Trump advisor Michael Flynn to block Jan. 6 Capitol probe subpoena
Flynn briefly served as national security advisor to President Donald Trump. He was later pardoned by Trump for the crime of lying to the FBI.
Putin threatens "retaliatory military-technical" measures as standoff with U.S. and NATO over Ukraine escalates
Russian leader says, "if the obviously aggressive line of our Western colleagues continues," Moscow "will take adequate, retaliatory military-technical measures."
www.cbsnews.com
Senate hopefuls use frustration with Manchin to woo Democratic voters | CNN Politics
To Democrats eager to become senators in 2023, the Senate is plainly broken and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin's power over President Joe Biden's Build Back Better plan is proof.
McConnell continues pitching Manchin on switching parties, says WV senator 'feels like a man alone'
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made his latest pitch to Sen. Joe Manchin while speaking to conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt, who asked if the minority leader had talked to the Democratic senator about joining the GOP.
He wore a wire, risked his life to expose who was in the KKK
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — For nearly 10 years, Joseph Moore lived a secret double life. At times the U.S. Army veteran donned a white robe and hood as a hit man for the Ku Klux Klan in North Florida.
apnews.com
Trump sues NY AG over business probe
Donald Trump sued New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday in what legal experts described as a longshot bid to block her investigation into his business practices.
www.usatoday.com
Durham probe cost $3.8M over past year
The spending, detailed in documents released Wednesday by the Department of Justice, coincides with an uptick in activity from Durham in recent months.
www.politico.com
Trump keeps urgency of Jan. 6 inquiries alive: The Note
While Republicans look ahead to 2022, Trump remains stuck on 2020.
Jan. 6 committee seeks meeting with Jim Jordan
The House committee investigating the Capitol riot is requesting a meeting with Rep. Jim Jordan.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Samantha Power lowballed Cayman Island investment by at least $1M, watchdog alleges
Biden administration official Samantha Power lowballed her stake in a Cayman Islands-based investment firm by at least $900,000 during her Senate confirmation process, a watchdog group alleged in a complaint.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Roger Stone is selling a Trump autograph NFT to pay his legal bills
The post-Trump presidency, encapsulated in one short story.
www.politico.com
Biden signs law streamlining Capitol Police emergency response after Guard delays on Jan. 6
The law allows the Capitol Police chief to directly request help from the National Guard in emergencies.
www.nbcnews.com
The political vise tightens on Biden as he faces a Covid storm | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden stepped before the podium Tuesday in an impossible political bind -- attempting to assure vaccinated Americans that they don't need to cancel their holiday plans as he confronts a fast-growing Covid surge that is likely to further disrupt American life as many more workers...
Still waiting on a delivery? You may find it off the Los Angeles coast
If you're still hunting an elusive Christmas gift, it could be sitting on one of the 91 cargo ships anchored off the coast of Los Angeles.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
New York member of Proud Boys pleads guilty to conspiracy, obstruction of Secret Service
Mark Greene became the fifth of 50 people charged with conspiracy in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to plead guilty to conspiracy and obstruction.
www.usatoday.com
Trump surprised and ‘very appreciative’ about Biden’s praise
“I think it was a terrific thing, and I think it makes a lot of people happy.”
thehill.com
US economy grew at 2.3% rate in Q3, up from earlier estimate
The U.S. economy grew at a 2.3% rate in the third quarter according to a third and final estimate of the nation's economic growth for that period
Biden loosens aid rules for Afghanistan, keeps assets frozen
The Biden administration is loosening restrictions to make it easier for humanitarian groups to provide aid to a devastated Afghanistan, senior administration officials told reporters Tuesday night.Why it matters: The steps do not address the urgent calls from the Taliban, Afghan protesters...
Manchin a Republican? Not so fast, analysts say
Any move by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., to leave the Democratic Party would likely come at too high a political cost to him personally, according to several political analysts and consultants who spoke to Fox News Digital.
Former Smith College staffer sues school for maintaining hostile anti-white workplace
A white former staffer at a Massachusetts liberal arts college for women is suing the school, alleging it discriminated against her because of her skin color.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
‘Have I Hit Bottom?’: Michael Avenatti and the Fall of a Trump-Era Antihero
The man once seen as a leader of the Trump resistance is now fighting prison — and historical obscurity.
www.politico.com
Democrats scramble to avoid electoral blowback after Manchin halts Biden agenda
It's exactly the scenario Democrats had worked for months to avoid -- but now find themselves confronting.
www.cnn.com
Republicans could flip two Senate seats in Georgia and Nevada, new GOP polling shows
It’s a dead heat between former football star Herschel Walker and Sen. Raphael Warnock in Georgia.
www.nbcnews.com
Jury suggests possible deadlock in trial of ex-Minnesota officer who killed Wright
The jury asked a question on Tuesday that suggested a possible deadlock in the trial of Kimberly Potter, the former Minnesota police officer who mistook her handgun for her Taser and fatally shot Black motorist Daunte Wright during a traffic stop.
www.reuters.com
Sixteen Hispanic House Democrats ask EPA for tougher methane rule
Sixteen members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Wednesday asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to tighten its rules on methane emissions, citing the particular impact of emission…
thehill.com
Turkey arrests US citizen over alleged passport handover
Police say the US man gave the document to a Syrian trying to travel to Germany from Istanbul airport.
www.bbc.com
Biden, Democrats face grim findings in 2 new polls
President Biden and congressional Democrats are getting less done in Washington than many voters expected, according to a new poll.
McConnell urges Thune to run for reelection amid retirement talk
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is urging Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a close ally and his No. 2, to run for reelection next year as Thune weighs retiring.Asked on Wednesday about the possibility that Thune retires, McConnell told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, "I certainly...
Has Putin's war failed and what does Russia want from Ukraine?
A year into Russia's war, he has little to show for it but there is no sign of an end.
www.bbc.com
U.S. lawmakers demand training for air crews to address violent passengers
U.S. lawmakers urged major airlines to back mandatory training for flight crew members to address violent incidents amid a record number of disruptive onboard incidents.
www.reuters.com
Schumer vows a floor vote on Biden's $1.7T megabill next month
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) joined the virtual caucus call and addressed colleagues at the beginning, days after nixing the House-passed version of the bill.
www.politico.com
Elon Musk doesn't hold back: ‘At its heart, wokeness is divisive, exclusionary, and hateful’
Tech entrepreneur and billionaire Elon Musk punched left several times during a Tuesday interview with satire website, the Babylon Bee.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Federal pandemic rental aid helped 2.5 million households. Nearly 5 million are still struggling
One year after Congress first authorized billions of dollars in Covid-19 pandemic rental assistance, the money has helped more than 2.5 million struggling renters to remain in their homes. But there are still roughly 4.7 million households behind on their rent across the country.
www.cnn.com
‘The runner-up is almost always the next nominee’: Cruz says he’s well-positioned for 2024
Asked whether he would consider launching another White House bid, the senator responded: “Absolutely. In a heartbeat.”
www.politico.com
Bill could lift civil protections on police departments for rights violations
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) has filed legislation advocates hope may offer an opening to resume stalled bipartisan talks over police reform.Why it matters: It would allow excessive force lawsuits against police departments, agencies and the federal government — but not individual officers...
Trump ally Jim Jordan draws eye of U.S. House's Capitol riot probe
The congressional committee probing the deadly Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday requested an interview with ardent Donald Trump supporter Jim Jordan, the second sitting U.S. representative drawn into the probe.
www.reuters.com
Democrats gain edge from New Jersey Redistricting Commission-approved maps
The New Jersey Redistricting Commission on Wednesday approved new congressional maps for the next decade that give the Democratic Party clear advantages in several races, but that could hurt Rep. T…
thehill.com
Russian charged by U.S. with insider trading spurned feelers by U.S., UK spies
Vladislav Klyushin's lawyer said, “It’s not a secret his company had a series of government contracts in Russia, including with some of the national intelligence agencies.”
www.nbcnews.com
U.S. tax experts say Biden spending bill likely to be resuscitated
Corporate tax advisers are warning clients not to celebrate the apparent demise of U.S. President Joe Biden's $1.75 trillion climate and social spending package, which they say could be resuscitated with a similar price tag and proposed tax hikes.
www.reuters.com
Model legislation targets banks that divest from fossil fuel companies
ALEC is turning its focus on the fossil fuel industry.
Red states like Texas and Florida growing, while California, Illinois and NY shrinking: census
Between 2020 and 2021, the biggest population increases have occurred in Republican-led states and the biggest declines have occurred in Washington, D.C., and Democrat-led states.
Biden administration, oil industry come to a detente
The oil industry has seen quite a change in tone from the Biden administration since the beginning of 2021.
www.politico.com
After SCOTUS hearing, a new look at baby 'safe haven' laws
PHOENIX (AP) — For years, Nicole Olson had longed for a baby and gone through a rigorous and emotional adoption process. Then Olson and her husband got a call asking if they'd like to adopt a newborn.
apnews.com
Madagascar: Minister 'swims for 12 hours' after helicopter crashes at sea
Madagascar's police minister was part of a team looking for survivors after a shipwreck.
www.bbc.com
Biden signs law allowing Capitol Police chief to call in National Guard
President Biden signed a law Wednesday authorizing the Capitol Police chief to directly request assistance from federal agencies in cases of emergency.Why it matters: The move expedites a process that previously hindered the federal response to the Capitol riot.Stay on top of the latest market...
Biden touts progress on alleviating supply chain problems: 'Shelves are not empty'
President Joe Biden on Wednesday touted progress his administration has made in alleviating supply chain issues that have spurred shortages of consumer products, raised prices for Americans and contributed significantly to historic levels of inflation in the United States.
www.cnn.com
Milley speaks with Russian counterpart amid fears of Ukraine invasion
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley on Wednesday spoke with his Russian counterpart amid heightened tensions over Moscow’s military presence at its border with Ukraine. M…
thehill.com
Russian pipeline faces big hurdles amid Ukraine tensions
Russia's natural gas pipeline to Europe is built and filling with gas
Trump says new media company could be up and running by end of first quarter 2022
EXCLUSIVE: Former President Trump said his new media company will likely be up and running in the first quarter of 2022, telling Fox News in an exclusive interview that the platform is currently “under development” and will be a way of ”getting our voice out to a lot of people."
The FBI Deployed Surveillance Teams Inside Portland Protests
PORTLAND, Ore. — In the hours after President Joe Biden’s inauguration this year, protesters marched once again through the streets of Portland, Oregon, sending a message that putting a Democrat in the White House would not resolve their problems with a system of policing and corporate wealth...
Rogel Aguilera-Mederos: Colorado lorry driver's sentence sparks uproar
The 110-year prison sentence for the Colorado lorry driver sparks calls for leniency and reform.
www.bbc.com
POLITICO Playbook: Schumer and Manchin face off on Zoom
And Biden tries to tackle Omicron.
www.politico.com
Manchin's West Virginia worst in the nation for power reliability
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin has said one of the reasons he can't support President Joe Biden's sweeping climate and social spending bill was that its incentives for renewable energy would put the stability of the U.S. power grid at risk.
www.reuters.com
Hawaii families devastated by the impacts of fuel-contaminated water: "Have I been poisoning my children?"
Thousands of families could be displaced for up to six to eight weeks.
www.cbsnews.com
White House takes victory lap about article crediting consumers, businesses with getting gifts on time
Several high-level White House staffers posted tweets claiming President Biden’s policies led to the timely delivery of gifts.
Harvard professor convicted for hiding affiliation with China
A Harvard chemistry professor was convicted on Tuesday for lying to authorities regarding his affiliation with a Chinese government educational program as well as failing to report income he made f…
thehill.com
Japanese billionaire wants to see ‘people with power and influence’ visit space
A Japanese billionaire who just returned from a 12-day trip to the International Space Station is urging people with “power and influence” to fly to space, saying the cosmic trip will e…
thehill.com
Malaysia hit by the worst floods in decades
At least 14 people have died and tens of thousands evacuated their homes after torrential rain.
www.bbc.com
Omicron prompts new confusion over what's safe and what's not | CNN Politics
How worried should you be about the uptick in Covid-19 cases and the emergence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus?
This perfectly preserved dinosaur egg shows long-held theory
Embryonic dinosaur fossils are extremely rare. It is the first time any have shown signs of a distinctive birdlike posture known as “tucking” — with the head under the right arm.
www.nbcnews.com
EU takes legal action against Poland over rule-of-law dispute
Poland says the EU’s decision reflects a trend towards ‘bureaucratic centralism’ in Brussels that ‘has to be stopped’.
Snow could pile as high as a one-story building for some in the US as others get a rare white Christmas
Santa is bringing the gift of another atmospheric river event to the parched US West Coast this week, with heavy snow and rain and windy conditions predicted in spots from Canada to Mexico.
www.cnn.com
Sen. Ted Cruz says 'the most fun I've ever had in my life' was running for president in 2016 and that he'd run again 'in a heartbeat'
Among other blows during the 2016 campaign, Donald Trump insulted Cruz's wife and implicated his father in the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
New estimates show US economy was in slightly better shape in Q3
Revised figures show the economy grew at a slightly faster pace in Q3, but Omicron is expected to weigh in on Q4.
Florida GOP candidate’s 'Let's go Brandon' Christmas lights leads to standoff with homeowners' association
Martin Hyde, a Florida Republican who is looking to challenge the Trump-endorsed Rep. Vern Buchanan in next year’s primary, is locked in a bitter battle with his Sarasota homeowners' association over an anti-Biden Christmas lights display.
You can draw your own congressional district
Redistricting is already inherently self-interested, with lawmakers routinely drawing maps for the benefit of their party. But, in some cases, politicians are working in their literal self-interest.
www.politico.com
Myanmar: Up to 100 missing in jade mine landslide
Most of the victims are believed to be illegal jade miners prospecting for the semi-precious stone.
www.bbc.com
Blinken, Austin to host Japanese officials in January
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will host his Japanese counterpart as part of a high-level security meeting between diplomatic and defense officials early next month, a source familiar with …
thehill.com
Criminals have stolen nearly $100 billion in Covid relief funds, Secret Service says
Criminals targeting pandemic relief funds have stolen close to $100 billion, the U.S. Secret Service said Tuesday.
Research: Wreck of last US slave ship mostly intact on coast
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Researchers studying the wreckage of the last U.S. slave ship , buried in mud on the Alabama coast since it was scuttled in 1860, have made the surprising discovery that most of the wooden schooner remains intact, including the pen that was used to imprison African...
apnews.com
Zemmour: French Jews slam far-right Jewish presidential hopeful
Rabbis, historians and observers are worried that Zemmour’s bigoted discourse has become part of the mainstream debate.
Hungary's Viktor Orban to defy EU over immigration law
PM Viktor Orban vows to stick by an asylum law the European Union's top court deemed illegal.
www.bbc.com
US military strikes fell 54% in Biden's first year compared to Trump's last, monitoring group says
"The biggest take-home is that Biden has significantly decreased US military action across the globe," the group Airwars said in a new report.
EPA moves to reverse decision giving Oklahoma control over some tribal issues
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday proposed the withdrawal of a Trump-era rule that gave the state of Oklahoma jurisdiction over certain environmental issues on tribal land…
thehill.com
US life expectancy declined in 2020 mainly due to COVID, report finds
Life expectancy in the U.S. decreased by nearly two years in 2020, mainly because of the pandemic, a new federal report suggests.
Trump-backed Tshibaka endorsed by pro-female candidates conservative group over incumbent Murkowski
A leading outside group that works to elect conservative women is endorsing Kelly Tshibaka, the Republican primary challenger to GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Roman-era 'Good Shepherd' ring found off Israel in ancient shipwreck
Israeli archaeologists discover a Roman-era gold ring bearing an early Christian depiction of Jesus.
www.bbc.com
Kristof faces residency questions in Oregon governor's race
Elections officials in Oregon are seeking more information to determine whether former New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof is eligible to run for governor. Kristof announced his candidacy last October and on Monday officially filed paperwork to run as a Democrat. Oregon Public...
Development and conservation clash at Komodo National Park
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — On a dirt path, forked yellow tongue darting from its mouth, a member of the world’s largest lizard species lazes on an island in eastern Indonesia’s Komodo National Park as tourists snap photos.
apnews.com
NYC adds testing; no decision on Times Square New Year's Eve
NEW YORK (AP) — With COVID-19 cases spiking, New York City officials said Wednesday they’re opening more testing sites and restricting visiting at city-run hospitals and jails — but having crowds in Times Square for New Year’s Eve is still a go, for now.
apnews.com
What's inside that 1887 time capsule opened in Confederacy's capital
An 1887 time capsule was opened in Richmond, Virginia, Wednesday after being unearthed from the base of the now-removed statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Jayapal lays out ‘whole-of-government approach’ on Biden agenda
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) on Wednesday urged lawmakers and the White House to take a “whole-of-government approach” to advancing President Biden’s agenda.“Tod…
thehill.com
Kosovo agrees to rent prison cells to Denmark to ease overcrowding
Denmark is due to pay €210m (£179m) over the next 10 years to rent 300 cells in the jail at Gjilan.
www.bbc.com
Mitch McConnell says Joe Manchin 'feels like a man alone' in the Democratic party and has a lot in common with Republicans
If Democrat Joe Manchin switches parties, Republican Mitch McConnell would become Senate majority leader.
Congressional panel investigates deadly Astroworld concert
A congressional committee has launched an investigation into the promoter of the Astroworld music festival in Houston, in which 10 people were killed during a massive crowd surge
New Florida residents who fled high-crime cities praise DeSantis' policies: 'The governor has done a good job'
The pandemic-led trend of people moving to Florida in 2020 has continued into 2021 as former residents of large, metropolitan areas seek more comfortable living in the Sunshine State.
Launch of NASA’s newest space telescope postponed because of wind
Upper-level high wind could force a rocket off-course or even damage or destroy it.
www.nbcnews.com
Florida man with drugs around penis denies they were his
Florida authorities say they found cocaine and methamphetamine wrapped around a man’s penis during a traffic stop, but the man denied the drugs were his
New Florida residents who fled high-crime cities praise DeSantis' policies: 'The governor has done a good job'
The pandemic-led trend of people moving to Florida in 2020 has continued into 2021 as former residents of large, metropolitan areas seek more comfortable living in the Sunshine State.
Move over, Black Friday. Big discounts are coming in January — here's why.
One expert expects "heroic" discounts on goods in January, but it's hard to predict what items will be on sale.
www.cbsnews.com
James Franco breaks silence on sexual misconduct allegations
Franco, 43, has previously denied allegations several former students made in a lawsuit in 2019. In June, he agreed to pay more than $2 million to settle the lawsuit.
www.nbcnews.com
McCormick drawing support from Trump alumni ahead of Pennsylvania Senate bid
Pennsylvania Republican David McCormick is drawing support from alumni of the Trump administration and allies of the former president ahead of the expected launch of his Senate campaign.Among those…
thehill.com
McDonald's faces a French fries shortage in Japan
The firm's potato deliveries from North America are being delayed by supply chain disruptions.
www.bbc.com
Omicron less likely to put you in the hospital, studies say
Two new British studies provide some early hints that the omicron variant of the coronavirus may be milder than the delta version. Scientists stress that even if the findings of these early studies hold up, any reductions in severity need to be weighed against the fact omicron spreads much...
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.
Biden says 250,000 treatment courses of Pfizer's antiviral pill will be available in January | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden on Wednesday pledged more than 250,000 treatment courses of Pfizer's antiviral pill will be available starting in January after the US Food and Drug Administration authorized it to treat Covid-19.
Opinion | There’s Good News About Vaccinations. Now What?
The national campaign has been a huge success so far. Now it’s time to get smarter about vax resistance.
www.politico.com
Biden expresses some regret for COVID-19 test shortage
President Biden said Wednesday that the current shortage of coronavirus tests is not a failure of his administration but expressed regret that he did not ramp up supplies sooner ahead of the r…
thehill.com
Christmas comes to Capitol Hill, even as omicron makes its way there too
Every year, as the holiday season descends on Washington, a beautiful mural emerges in an obscure, basement hallway of the Capitol.
Biden resists shutdowns as omicron threat rises
President Biden is resisting school closures and other shutdown measures in the face of the highly transmissible omicron variant as the public grows increasingly weary about a seemingly never-endin…
thehill.com
Supreme Court schedules January 7 oral arguments in challenges to Biden vaccine mandates
The Supreme Court said Wednesday it is scheduling oral arguments for January 7 in the cases challenging the Biden administration's Covid-19 vaccine requirements for large employers and certain health care workers.
Biden Doesn't Think COVID-19 Test Shortage Is a ‘Failure’
ABC NewsPresident Joe Biden claimed on Wednesday that he doesn’t see it as a “failure” of his administration that there has been a dire shortage of COVID-19 tests amid the recent explosion in cases due to the Omicron variant.At the same time, he did seem to express some regret that he didn’t...
Jim Clyburn tests positive for Covid after seeing Biden last week
Clyburn said he is fully vaccinated and asymptomatic.
www.nbcnews.com
Omicron hits all 50 states less than a month after entering U.S.
Multiple states and territories set records for seven-day averages this week, including New York, Maine, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
www.nbcnews.com
CityMD temporarily closes 19 locations amid surge in COVID-19 cases
CityMD announced it is temporarily closing 19 of its 150 locations amid a surge in COVID-19 cases and increased demands for testing.
Trudeau tells Canadians to ‘hunker down’ as Biden urges calm over Omicron
Canadians hunt for boosters and rapid tests amid Covid surge that is disrupting holiday plans.
www.politico.com
De Blasio tells Biden: New York needs help now
The mayor said the White House should invoke the Defense Production Act.
www.politico.com
China orders lockdown of up to 13 million people in Xi'an
BEIJING (AP) — China ordered the lockdown of as many as 13 million people in neighborhoods and workplaces in the northern city of Xi'an following a spike in coronavirus cases, setting off panic buying just weeks before the country hosts the Winter Olympic Games.
apnews.com
Live updates: S Korea has new daily high for COVID-19 deaths
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has set a new record for daily COVID-19 deaths as it struggles to resolve a shortage of hospital beds amid weeks of surging cases. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Thursday that 109 people died in the latest 24-hour period.
apnews.com
With warning for unvaccinated, Biden lays out plan to fight surging Omicron
U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday more federal vaccination and testing sites to tackle a surge in COVID-19 driven by the Omicron variant, and said 500 million free at-home rapid tests will be available to Americans starting in January.
www.reuters.com
Health care workers frustrated, exhausted amid latest COVID surge
"We are burnt out. We are tired and we are disheartened."
Delta CEO asks CDC to reduce quarantine times for breakthrough COVID-19 cases
Delta CEO Ed Bastian on Tuesday asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to shorten quarantine guidelines for breakthrough cases of COVID-19 in people who are fully vaccinated.Del…
thehill.com
Covid: Who is not vaccinated in the US and what's the risk?
We break down the facts on who's getting the shot and who's not - and each group's odds of survival.
www.bbc.com
EXPLAINER: What to do if you test positive for COVID-19
NEW YORK (AP) — You’ve tested positive for COVID-19. Now what? The short answer for those in the U.S.: Stay home and avoid others. Tell the people you've been in close contact with that you tested positive.
apnews.com
Maps: Track hospital stress levels in your state
Higher numbers of Covid patients limit the ability of hospitals to provide a full range of services.
www.nbcnews.com
Omicron wave appears milder, but concern remains
The risk of needing hospital treatment could be 30 - 70% lower with Omicron than other variants.
www.bbc.com
Large holiday gatherings in U.S. not safe even if boosted, Fauci says
Americans vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 can be with family over the holidays but attending large gatherings is not safe, even for those who received a booster dose, top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said on Wednesday.
www.reuters.com
WHO warns world cannot ‘boost its way out’ of the pandemic
Blanket booster programmes in rich countries risk prolonging the battle with COVID-19, WHO chief says.
Federal pandemic aid runs dry as businesses deal with Omicron's impact
Congress has committed nearly $6 trillion since early 2020 to fight Covid-19 and cushion the economic blow from a once-in-century pandemic.
www.cnn.com
Biden took a page from the U.K. on free rapid tests. Here's what Americans should know.
"Apart from the vaccine program, this is one of the things that may have made the biggest difference in the U.K.," one expert said.
www.nbcnews.com
White House says Biden credit to Trump on vaccine shows COVID-19 fight shouldn't be 'political battle'
The White House on Wednesday said President Biden’s “acknowledgment” of former President Trump and his administration for their success in making COVID-19 vaccines available to the public was a “reflection” of Biden's “belief” that “the enemy of the American people is the virus.”
Amazon, Walgreens and CVS limit how many Covid-19 tests people can buy amid soaring cases
The companies cited low inventories and spiking demand, prompting rules about how many test kits each person can buy.
www.nbcnews.com
Queen guitarist Brian May calls Covid 'incredibly transmissible.'
The 74-year-old musician, who says he has received 'three Pfizer jabs,' has chronicled his bout with the virus on his Instagram account.
www.nbcnews.com
Omicron: What we know about the symptoms
What do we know about the new coronavirus variant’s symptoms and its severity, and what are the effect of vaccines?
Schumer, Senate Dems plot assault on filibuster in new year after elections bill stalls
Amid frustration over their stalled legislative agenda, Senate Democrats appear ready to move to neuter the legislative filibuster in the new year -- but it does not appear they have the votes to do it,
Omicron has now been detected in every US state
The Omicron variant is now the dominant strain in a host of countries including the US, Denmark, Portugal, and the UK. Leaders around the world continue to implement measures to curb cases as the holidays approach. Follow here for the latest news updates.
‘It checks all the boxes’: US approves Pfizer’s COVID-19 pill
Trial data shows oral pill is 90 percent effective in preventing deaths and hospitalisations in high-risk patients.
COVID Christmas: Officials advise masks at home, canceling gatherings, shunning unvaxxed
With rising omicron COVID cases nationwide, officials are telling Americans to take drastic COVID mitigation measures, including canceling gatherings.
Convalescent plasma treatment for COVID-19 sees renewed promise in study
A new study found using plasma from COVID-19 survivors early in an infection period prevents hospitalization.
Case drop may show South Africa's omicron peak has passed
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa's noticeable drop in new COVID-19 cases in recent days may signal that the country's dramatic omicron-driven surge has passed its peak, medical experts say. Daily virus case counts are notoriously unreliable, as they can be affected by uneven testing, reporting...
apnews.com
With pediatric COVID cases surging, millions of children remain unvaccinated
Nearly 170,000 new pediatric COVID-19 cases were confirmed last week.
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
S.African study offers Omicron hope ahead of second coronavirus Christmas
South African data offered a glimmer of hope on Wednesday about the severity of the Omicron coronavirus variant, but World Health Organization officials cautioned that it was too soon to draw firm conclusions as the strain spread across the globe.
www.reuters.com
Fauci says population immunity is "entirely conceivable" once enough people get vaccinated or recovered from COVID
Fauci's remarks come as the U.S. faces a major spike of infections ahead of the holidays, with nearly 930,000 new cases over the last seven days.
www.cbsnews.com
Biden announces newest COVID plans: 'We all want this to be over'
President Joe Biden announced the newest plans to tackle the spike in COVID-19 cases.
www.usatoday.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
Covid: Australian trial tests blood thinner as nasal spray
A blood-thinning drug could be sprayed as extra protection if a trial shows promise, scientists say.
www.bbc.com
EXPLAINER: How does someone confuse a gun for a Taser?
The jury deliberating at Kim Potter’s manslaughter trial in the shooting death of Daunte Wright asked a judge whether the officer’s handgun could be freed from an evidence box so they could hold it
Jackson State football player arrested in alleged COVID-19-related fraud scheme
A Jackson State University football player was arrested for allegedly devising a COVID-19-related fraud scheme. In a statement on Tuesday, The Justice Department (DOJ) said that Abdul-Malik Mc…
thehill.com
Squad member Pressley demands return of Massachusetts mask mandate
Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., is demanding that Massachusets Gov. Charlie Baker reimpose an indoor mask mandate as the omicron variant spreads throughout the country
Irish urged to limit contact to Christmas day guests
Ireland's chief medical officer says people should only see those they plan to spend Christmas with.
www.bbc.com
In Greece, taxis help with race to deliver booster shots
Public health authorities in Greece have stepped up a campaign to deliver booster shots to seniors and people with mobility difficulties at home, with some agencies using taxi companies to take healthcare workers to where the vaccinations are needed
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