(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
CHICAGO (AP) — More than a year after the vaccine was rolled out, new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. have soared to their highest level on record at over 265,000 per day on average, a surge driven largely by the highly contagious omicron variant.
'Slow-motion insurrection': How GOP seizes election power
Supporters of Donald Trump are trying to remove some of the guardrails that stopped him from overturning the 2020 presidential election.
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'They know where Black voters live': Challengers say 'race blind' redistricting maps are anything but | CNN Politics
In states like Texas and North Carolina, Republican lawmakers in charge of redrawing the political maps for the next decade say that the new plans are “race blind.” Their opponents in court say that the claim is implausible and one that, in some situations, is at odds with the Voting Rights Act.
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Biden, Putin to hold call over stepped up security demands
President Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin will speak Thursday as the Russian leader has stepped up his demands for security guarantees in Eastern Europe.
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Harry Reid remembered as a fighter, skilled Senate dealmaker
Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has died. He was 82 and had battled pancreatic cancer for several years.
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Ghislaine Maxwell found guilty in sex trafficking case
Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend and confidant, was found guilty on five of six counts related to the trafficking of young girls to be sexually used by the ex-financier and his high-profile friends.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Less federal aid is coming as Americans enter third year of the pandemic | CNN Politics
Americans can expect to receive significantly less federal aid in 2022. Here’s a look at aid that already expired, like boosted unemployment benefits and guaranteed paid sick leave programs, as well as aid still available, like student loan relief and rental assistance.
www.cnn.com
Decades of DOD efforts fail to stamp out bias, extremism
In February, with the images of the violent insurrection in Washington still fresh in the minds of Americans, newly confirmed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin took the unprecedented step of signing a memo directing commanding officers across the military to institute a one-day stand-down to address ex
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January 6 panel stands down on request for some Trump documents | CNN Politics
The House select committee investigating January 6 has stood down on its requests for some documents from the Trump White House after negotiations with the Biden administration.
www.cnn.comFederal court denies Oklahoma's attempt to block Pentagon vaccine mandate
A federal court on Tuesday denied the state of Oklahoma's lawsuit attempting to block enforcement of the Pentagon's vaccine mandate for federal employees.Driving the news: District Judge Stephen Friot said Oklahoma's attempt was "without merit," ultimately finding that Defense Secretary Lloyd...
Ex-White House, DOJ officials urge Supreme Court to reject Trump effort to stymie Jan. 6 probe
A group of former executive branch lawyers on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court to reject an effort by former President Trump to hamper the House committee investigation into the deadly Jan. 6…
thehill.com
White House, Jan. 6 committee agree to shield some documents
The White House raised concerns that releasing some documents could compromise national security, executive privilege.
www.usatoday.com
Republicans eye new front in education wars: Making school board races partisan
“We’re out there trying to elect good conservatives,” says one Florida lawmaker.
www.politico.com
Trump wants Supreme Court to read Washington Post interview with Bennie Thompson | CNN Politics
As the Supreme Court considers whether to take up former President Donald Trump’s January 6 White House records case, Trump’s attorney submitted to the court a new filing Wednesday making the court aware of a Washington Post interview with Rep. Bennie Thompson, who chairs the House select...
www.cnn.com
The 10 Republicans most likely to run for president
The 2024 presidential election may still be three years away, but Republicans have already begun to jockey for their places in the primary. Former President Trump’s repeated hints that he could mou…
thehill.com
Biden orders flags at half-staff for Harry Reid
President Biden on Wednesday ordered flags outside government buildings be flown at half-staff to honor the late Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who died on Tuesday at the age of 82.Biden directed flags …
thehill.com
Ghislaine Maxwell convicted in Epstein sex abuse case
The British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell has been convicted of helping lure teenage girls to be sexually abused by the late Jeffrey Epstein. The verdict announced Wednesday capped a monthlong trial featuring accounts of the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 14.
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Harry Reid, the former 5-term US senator from Nevada, has died at 82 following cancer battle
Harry Mason Reid, the former five-term U.S. senator from Nevada who led Senate Democrats for a decade spanning the Bush and Obama presidencies, has died.
‘I Feel Half as Successful’: Teachers Push to Ban Hybrid Instruction, But Districts Want to Keep It
Teachers want to ban teaching students in person and online at the same time. Some education leaders say it should be what the future looks like.
www.politico.com
Congressional map approval paves way for Spanberger bid in Northern Virginia district
The Supreme Court of Virginia has approved a final redistricting map, and Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger is already campaigning in a new district.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Two Trump-appointed judges reject comparisons between January 6 and Portland unrest | CNN Politics
Two Trump-appointed federal judges have rejected claims from January 6 defendants that they’re being treated unfairly, because of their conservative politics, compared with left-leaning rioters in Portland, Oregon, in the summer of 2020.
www.cnn.comCapitol riot committee agrees to let Biden White House keep secret hundreds of Trump-era documents it says could harm national security
The committee investigating the Capitol riot agreed to Biden's request to delay attempts to obtain hundreds of Trump-era White House documents.
Border Patrol agents in Del Rio nab multiple child sex offenders in a week
Border Patrol agents in the Del Rio Sector have apprehended multiple child sex offenders attempting to enter the United States illegally in the space of a week, as front-line agents continue to deal with high numbers of migrants coming across the border.
Why Biden isn't likely to find much political relief abroad in 2022 | CNN Politics
Joe Biden hasn’t had a day in the White House free of intractable domestic challenges that threaten to doom his presidency. But his hopes of a 2022 rebound are complicated by equally treacherous tests abroad.
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‘National Divorce scenario’: Marjorie Taylor Greene floats tax and voting penalties for those fleeing blue states
Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed support for penalizing those who move from Democratic-controlled states to Republican-controlled states by temporarily stripping their right to vote or imposing an extra tax.
www.washingtonexaminer.com10 political events that will shape 2022 elections: From redistricting to CPAC to Jan. 6
On the 2022 ballot: control of Congress, the political strengths of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, voting rights and abortion.
Holmes jury to take break after six days of deliberation
The jury weighing fraud charges against former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes departed court Wednesday without reaching a verdict after six days of deliberations
Biden mocked for wearing mask outside on Delaware beach: 'Mask theater is so absurd'
President Biden received mockery online Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning after a clip posted on Twitter showed him wearing a mask while walking outside on a Delaware beach with his wife, first lady Jill Biden, and their dog Commander.
Rand Paul Inadvertently Tells The Truth About Republican Voter Fraud Claims
The Kentucky senator's claim that Democrats "steal" elections via "legally valid" votes lays bare the GOP's belief that no election is legitimate if a Democrat wins.
National Republicans luring John James into House race
Republicans anticipate James, one of their most coveted 2022 recruits, will run for Congress next year after Michigan's new district map was finalized.
www.politico.com
Biden, Putin to talk Thursday ahead of January diplomatic talks in Geneva
The call, requested by Moscow, comes as U.S. and Russian officials are set to meet next month as tensions continue to rise over Ukraine.
www.usatoday.com
Hong Kong pro-democracy news site closes after raid, arrests
Hong Kong’s pro-democracy Stand News online media outlet says it is ceasing operations following a police raid and arrests of current and former editors, board members and a journalist.
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How democracy was dismantled in Hong Kong in 2021
For Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, 2021 has been a year in which the city’s authorities and the central government in Beijing stamped out nearly everything it had stood for.
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A Hillary Clinton vote leads to murder and life in prison for California man
LONG BEACH, California — A musician who shot to death a bandmate’s wife during an argument over the 2016 presidential election was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison on Monday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Nevada casinos report record ninth-straight month of $1B in-house winnings
Casinos in Nevada set a record in November for reporting more than $1 billion in revenue for nine straight months, the longest winnings streak in state history.In its monthly report, the Nevada Gam…
thehill.com
Barack Obama shares letter he wrote to Harry Reid before his death
"Enjoy your family, and know you are loved by a lot of people, including me. The world is better cause of what you've done," Mr. Obama wrote.
www.cbsnews.comJen Psaki called out a clip of Biden seeming to say states had to deal with COVID-19 on their own, saying it was misleadingly edited
Republicans shared the clip, which Psaki said left out important context about what Biden was actually trying to say.
Joe Rogan’s sold out show rescheduled due to vaccine mandates
“I don’t think I can even get into the country. I’m not vaccinated. I’m not gonna get vaccinated. I have antibodies, it doesn’t make any sense.”
thehill.comHarry Reid remembered as a fighter, skilled Senate dealmaker
Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has died. He was 82 and had battled pancreatic cancer for several years.
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Trump roils Alaska GOP as price of endorsement climbs
Former President Donald Trump’s conditional endorsement of Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is pitting top Republicans against each other and complicating GOP efforts in key 2022 contests.
www.washingtonexaminer.comTrump endorsement of Alaska governor comes with a catch
Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would endorse Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy for reelection, but only if the governor doesn't back U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski's bid to return to the Senate. Trump praised Dunleavy for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and his “pushback against the...
Fauci on track to collect largest federal retirement in US history: report
Dr. Anthony Fauci said recently that he does not plan on retiring soon but if were to step down as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases the 81-year-old would reportedly be eligible for the largest federal retirement package in American history.
The year in tech: Space tourism lifts off, NFTs go mainstream and Big Tech faces reckoning
What a year it's been for the tech sector in 2021. The biggest tech news of 2021.
Biden advisor's brother plans to lobby for Taiwan company that developed Covid-19 vaccine
Jeff Ricchetti was hired to lobby for biopharmaceutical firm Medigen, which has developed a Covid-19 vaccine.
Lawrence O’Donnell was on TV life support. Now, he’s MSNBC’s most critical anchor.
Among cable hosts, he has the best line into the White House, and it's paying off.
www.politico.com
Ukraine tensions: Biden and Putin phone call seeks 'diplomatic path'
The presidents of the US and Russia will speak in a bid to de-escalate tensions over Ukraine.
www.bbc.com
Incoming NYC comptroller who pushed to defund police will get NYPD security detail
Incoming New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is taking a security detail despite advocating to "defund" the department, according to reports.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Harry Reid Was More Complicated Than You Knew
Remembering the most important figure in Nevada history, a man I covered for 35 years.
www.politico.com
Delta passenger accused of invoking Rosa Parks acted on "Baywatch"
Patricia Yannet Cornwall, 51, who is charged in federal court with assault, was an NFL cheerleader and acted under the name Patty Breton on several TV shows.
www.nbcnews.com
Melania Trump steps back into the public eye | CNN Politics
After months of relative public silence, former first lady Melania Trump before Christmas emerged from private life to announce a new project: A piece of artwork, a watercolor closeup of her eyes, in the form of a non-fungible token (NFT) was now available for purchase.
www.cnn.com
After impasse, N. Carolina politicians make big deals in '21
In politically divided North Carolina, hostilities between Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and majority-Republican lawmakers have eased somewhat as 2021 nears its end.
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Alaska 'Icemageddon' warning follows heat record
The coldest US state faces weather extremes after heavy snowfall and torrential rain.
www.bbc.com
Spanberger, one of most vulnerable House Dems, announces she’ll run in redrawn Virginia district
Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) announced on Wednesday that she will seek reelection in Virginia’s newly redrawn 7th District after the commonwealth’s Supreme Court approved a new political map that su…
thehill.com
Keith Olbermann criticized for tweet targeting Romney family
Sports and political commentator Keith Olbermann drew backlash on Wednesday after tweeting about Sen. Mitt Romney’s (R-Utah) family.Romney, who with his wife Ann has five sons and 2…
thehill.com
N.Y. enacts ‘groundbreaking’ law to change how Asian American populations are counted
Gov. Kathy Hochul quietly signed a bill last week requiring state agencies to separate data among different Asian ethnic groups.
www.nbcnews.com
The January 6 committee formed 6 months ago. Here's what it's uncovered. | CNN Politics
It’s been a dramatic six months since the establishment of the House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol Hill riot. While an interim report is not expected until the summer, here’s a look at some of the panel’s work that has been made public.
www.cnn.com
California rule addressing 'unconscious bias' will make it tougher for lawyers to remove prospective jurors
Jury selection in California is about to get more complicated, with a new rule going into effect in the new year that will make it more difficult for attorneys to strike prospective jurors from the jury pool out of concern that too many are acting based on bias.
Presidents, lawmakers mourn former Senate 'giant' Harry Reid
Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is being remembered by Democrats as well as Republicans as a skilled dealmaker who was both strong and compassionate.
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Bad weather, COVID cases fuel 6th day of mass flight cancellations
Alaska Airlines is urging passengers to consider rescheduling their trips.
Why Today’s Middle East Needs Henry Kissinger’s ‘Less Is More’ Approach
A new book shows why the controversial secretary of State’s step-by-step diplomacy remains the most promising way to break through in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
www.politico.com
Mark Gordon signs order allowing power plant to continue operations, citing dispute with EPA
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon on Monday signed an emergency order that allows part of a coal-fired power station in Sweetwater County to continue operations, a move he says is necessary because of a deal that was allegedly “abandoned” by the federal government.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Asian American groups call on Biden to end controversial China Initiative
Advocates say the Trump-era national security program to address Chinese economic espionage unfairly targets ethnic Chinese scientists and harms their families.
www.nbcnews.comThe Mystery of an Electronic ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Road Sign in South Dakota
Photo courtesy Dan Ahlers/FacebookSIOUX FALLS—“Let’s Go Brandon,” the anti-Joe Biden catchphrase that has made waves this holiday season—as highlighted by an ex-cop uttering it directly to the president—is now officially in roadside prank territory.An electronic road sign in Dell Rapids, South...
John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85
The NFL says Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster John Madden has died at age 85. Madden's exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades.
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Biden's new German shepherd draws attention from pup-arazzi
President Joe Biden’s new puppy, Commander, has gotten his moment under the flashing lights of the Washington press corps — and some time frolicking on the beach.
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Ghislaine Maxwell jury told to meet every day because of Covid
The judge in Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking trial asks jurors to deliberate every day.
www.bbc.com
Indonesian prosecutors delay sentence for top terror suspect
Indonesian prosecutors have postponed their sentencing demand for a top terror suspect who eluded capture for 18 years and is accused of masterminding deadly attacks and sectarian conflict in the world’s most populous Muslim nation
Some Trump allies slow walk, stonewall or snub January 6 committee | CNN Politics
When the committee investigating the January 6 insurrection struggled to serve Dan Scavino with a subpoena, the former Donald Trump aide said he had been in a fairly obvious locale: Mar-a-Lago.
www.cnn.com
Texas police release teen, say triple killing suspect loose
Dallas-area police have released a 14-year-old boy whom they had suspected in a weekend shooting that left three teenagers dead and a fourth badly wounded, saying the gunman is still on the loose
Ethiopia passes law to start national dialogue commission
Both sides in the conflict have been accused of committing widespread abuses, killings and sexual violence.
www.nbcnews.com
Bringing home the bacon tops new California laws in 2022
Voter-approved rules kicking in Jan. 1 have prompted concerns about possible shortages of bacon and other pork products, amid last-minute calls to delay the new regulations.
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Prince Andrew’s legal team say accuser ‘lives in Australia,’ cannot sue in US court
The legal team representing Prince Andrew, Duke of York, in the lawsuit brought against him by a woman who claims he sexually abused her when she was underage sought to halt discovery of evide…
thehill.com
Lebanon seizes 9 million amphetamine pills headed for Gulf
Interior minister says plot to smuggle Captagon pills from Lebanon foiled, amid a diplomatic rift with Gulf countries.
‘He’s a press guy, I’m not’: How Harry Reid shaped Chuck Schumer
Schumer called Reid “my leader, my mentor, one of my dearest friends,” after the former Senate majority leader’s death Tuesday.
www.politico.com
Missouri school doctor arrested in Arkansas on abuse counts
A Missouri boarding school doctor accused of several child sex crimes has been taken into custody in Arkansas
A look at de Blasio's NYC mayoral tenure and what's next
Bill de Blasio swept into the New York City mayor’s office eight years ago promising a liberal remolding of the nation’s largest city that would level deep inequities and reform police practices.
apnews.com
Juror in Kim Potter trial speaks about how jury found ex-officer guilty in Daunte Wright's death
Potter, a 26-year police veteran, was convicted of first- and second-degree manslaughter last week by a Minnesota jury.
www.nbcnews.com
Tutu's advocacy for LGBTQ rights did not sway most of Africa
Desmond Tutu is being remembered for his passionate advocacy on behalf of LQBTQ people as well as his fight for racial justice.
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Don't forget to declare income from stolen goods and illegal activities, IRS says
“If you find $1 on the street or embezzle from your employer, that’s all taxable income, as well as your paycheck from flipping burgers at McDonald’s,” one tax preparer said.
www.nbcnews.com
Apple offering large bonuses to retain talent from rivals like Meta
Apple is offering large bonuses to employees in an attempt to retain talent from rivals such as Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Bloomberg News reported.The reported bonuses range from&nb…
thehill.com
WHO chief worried about 'tsunami' of omicron, delta cases
The head of the World Health Organization says he’s worried about the omicron and delta variants of COVID-19 producing a “tsunami” of cases between them.
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COVID updates: Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin tests positive
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.4 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 824,000 Americans.
WHO chief worried about 'tsunami' of omicron, delta cases
The head of the World Health Organization says he’s worried about the omicron and delta variants of COVID-19 producing a “tsunami” of cases between them.
apnews.com
Front-line workers describe symptoms they've observed in latest Covid wave
“I’m not seeing people who have got two doses and a booster and are coming in profoundly short of breath. It’s just not happening," one doctor said.
www.nbcnews.com
Fauci: Early data show omicron not as severe as delta for the vaccinated
Early data show the omicron variant of the coronavirus appears to be less severe than the delta strain among people who are vaccinated, Anthony Fauci said Wednesday.Citing international studies and…
thehill.com
Oregon hospital reports outbreak of rare, fungal superbug
An Oregon hospital is reporting an outbreak of a superbug fungus that has hospitalized three people in the state, health officials said.Oregon on Tuesday confirmed three cases of Candida auris at a…
thehill.com
Asia keeps omicron at bay, but a surge may be inevitable
Omicron caseloads have remained relatively low in many countries in Asia. For now, many remain insulated from the worst, although the next few months will be critical.
apnews.com
China: Public shaming returns amid Covid fears
Four men accused of people trafficking are paraded through streets, to mixed reactions online.
www.bbc.com
Republican leaders slam communist China for journalist arrests: 'Shows just how fearful they really are'
High-profile Republican leaders torched the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for the arrests and raid, which was conducted on Wednesday under the communist party’s 2020 National Security Law.
'We must adapt': CDC defends new isolation guidance amid omicron surge
The new guidance, which shortens the recommended isolation time from 10 days to 5 days for people without symptoms, has come under criticism from some health experts.
www.nbcnews.com
Domestic travel vaccine mandate back in spotlight
The debate over requiring COVID-19 vaccines for domestic travel is back in the spotlight this week, despite pushback from the business community and the potential for strong backlash if the Biden a…
thehill.com
France reports ‘dizzying’ daily record of 208,000 COVID cases
France breaks another national and European record of daily COVID infections, as Omicron and Delta variants spread.
The Supreme Court has upheld state and local vaccine mandates. That may not save Biden's. | CNN Politics
A Supreme Court that has declined to block several types of vaccine mandates is now considering whether to allow the Biden administration to require millions of Americans to get Covid-19 vaccines.
www.cnn.com
CDC warns Americans against travel to Sweden, other European hot spots
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning Americans to avoid traveling to several European countries including Sweden due to “very high” levels of COVID-19.The CDC on Mon…
thehill.comCOVID updates: Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin tests positive
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.4 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 824,000 Americans.
Should Americans cancel New Year's Eve plans? Fauci says it depends
Two days before New Year's Eve, Dr. Anthony Fauci said people looking to spend a quiet holiday at home celebrating with family are encouraged to do so, while those with more ambitious plans may want to rethink things.
Walensky: New CDC guidance is ‘what we thought people would be able to tolerate’
Federal health officials said the recommendation to shorten the isolation period for people with asymptomatic COVID-19 was aimed at striking a balance between making sure essential services can con…
thehill.com
DC Mayor Bowser says students must prove negative COVID test before returning to school
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Wednesday that students in the District must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before being allowed to return to school.
Why antigen tests may still work well for Omicron, despite "reduced sensitivity" in lab studies
The FDA said some of the rapid at-home tests may have "reduced sensitivity" in detecting Omicron cases, but real-world results are still coming in.
www.cbsnews.com
New York reports 67,000 COVID cases, up 64 percent in 24 hours
New York on Wednesday reported a new single-day high of 67,000 COVID-19 cases, a 64 percent increase in 24 hours, amid a recent rise of testing numbers due to the nationwide surge of the omicron va…
thehill.com
UK COVID cases soar to new daily record of 183,037
France, Italy, Argentina and Greece also reported record daily highs as WHO warned of COVID ‘tsunami’.
Pediatric COVID-19 case rates, hospitalizations 'on fire' amid nation's latest surge
More than 2,100 children are currently hospitalized in the U.S. with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19, which is up by about 50% since the beginning of December.
Biden inks $137 million contract to boost supply of key material for COVID tests -source
The Biden administration plans to announce on Wednesday a $137 million contract for Millipore Sigma, a unit of Germany's Merck KGaA, to boost production capacity of a highly constrained component of rapid coronavirus tests, a senior administration official told Reuters. But U.S. testing is...
Russia orders health and drug checks for foreigners
Business groups criticise a new law requiring mandatory fingerprinting, drug tests and STD checks.
www.bbc.com
Massachusetts to give schools 200K coronavirus testing kits
The state of Massachusetts has purchased 200,000 COVID-19 testing kits for school staffs in the commonwealth so they can test for the virus before they return to work after the holidays, The A…
thehill.com
White House pushes back on criticism of isolation guidance, says omicron likely less severe
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said that the new guidelines stemmed from "two years of understanding transmissibility."
France ups pressure on unvaccinated amid record infections
France’s government is forging ahead with efforts to increase pressure on unvaccinated people to get coronavirus jabs
Rest of world junior championship canceled over COVID-19
The remainder of the world junior hockey championship has been canceled over fears of a COVID-19 outbreak. The International Ice Hockey Federation made the announcement.
apnews.com
Covid: US reports record infections as Europe's Omicron cases also soar
Several nations see their biggest surge in daily infections as the WHO warns of Omicron's "very high" risk.
www.bbc.com
