The Hill Articles: December 20, 2021

NHL to pause season starting Wednesday amid COVID-19 outbreak Federal class action lawsuit filed over treatment of Haitian migrants Some countries shorten booster timeline to five months amid omicron spread Bill O’Reilly says Trump will run again Actor Chris Noth no longer part of CBS’ ‘Equalizer’ amid sexual assault allegations Pro-Beijing candidates sweep controversial Hong Kong election Iran’s Revolutionary Guard stages massive exercise amid heightened tensions DC police officer beaten during Jan. 6 attack resigns Staffer who had contact with Biden tests positive for COVID-19 Overnight Defense & National Security — New rules try to tackle extremism in the ranks The politics of an independent Fed Northern California rocked by 6.2 magnitude earthquake Members of Congress not running for reelection in 2022 On The Money — Dems lay blame for Build Back Better blowup McConnell: Manchin’s opposition to Biden plan ‘great shot in the arm for the country’ Biden national security adviser to travel to Israel, West Bank Harris says ‘stakes are too high’ for Build Back Better to be about Manchin Get a gorgeous, locally-created Teleflora arrangement sent right to anyone’s door at 50% off Overnight Health Care — Presented by AstraZenca and Friends of Cancer Research — Biden’s speech to focus on testing, vaccines Missing LGBTQ+ persons page raises awareness for unsolved cases China: Taiwan a ‘wanderer’ that will come home Jan. 6 panel asks GOP Rep. Scott Perry to turn over info Hillicon Valley — Dems press Amazon on warehouse collapse Health equity could get worse unless Congress acts Black civil rights icon replacing Confederate general statue in US Capitol New York sets new COVID-19 record for third day in a row CDC: Omicron now a majority of US COVID-19 cases — 73 percent Overnight Energy & Environment — Biden tightens auto emissions rules Pentagon releases new rules aimed at tackling extremism in the ranks Illinois hospital bed availability hits record low during pandemic Incoming Manhattan DA vows personal focus on Trump business practices Coal miners’ union urges Manchin to reconsider opposition to Biden plan Researchers discover new muscle layer in humans’ jaws Bidens welcome new puppy, first feline coming in January Biden’s relationship with ‘Joe-Joe’ Manchin hits the rocks Chicago preacher leads sermon in drag Snoop Dogg calling for ‘peace in hip-hop’ after rapper fatally stabbed at festival Houston-area officials raise COVID-19 threat level, urge testing before holiday gatherings IRS extends tax deadlines in Illinois, Tennessee counties following tornadoes Former Olympic skater accused of illegally obtaining $10M in COVID-19 relief funds Pakistan is opening a dangerous Pandora’s box with the Taliban Equilibrium/Sustainability — Underground abortion network links to Mexico WHO: Too early to conclude omicron less severe than previous strains White House on Biden and Manchin: ‘The door remains open’ Biden speech to focus on vaccinations and testing, not ‘lockdowns’ 4 in 10 say Democrats, Biden have accomplished less than expected: poll What’s at stake for climate change if Build Back Better collapses Several Democrats call on FAA, CDC to mandate vaccines, negative tests for air travel It’s time to stop policing women’s bodies DHS to close gaps, address safety, environmental concerns from border wall construction Los Angeles coronavirus cases more than double within days First New Hampshire resident under 18 dies of COVID-19-related complications California sues Walmart for alleged illegal hazardous waste disposal Powerful House Democratic appropriator not seeking reelection McCormick moves closer to Senate run in Pennsylvania Missouri high school senior becomes school’s first male homecoming queen Children reportedly pool allowance money to purchase $671K home Progressive leader calls on Biden to unilaterally act on agenda Belgian defense ministry hacked by attackers exploiting Apache vulnerability We must redraw the invisible lines that make or break our schools Alex Jones suing Pelosi and Jan. 6 panel, planning to plead the Fifth Queen cancels British royal family’s Christmas gathering: report Top 5 most important health stories of 2021 Orcas stun beachgoers in Rio de Janeiro Almost 200 infections linked to US base in Japan Tech 101 is offering fundamental digital skills training you need to know — and it’s all 100% free Prosecutor: Officer who killed Daunte Wright committed ‘colossal screw-up’ Pelosi says ‘solemn observance’ planned on Jan. 6 Trevor Noah files negligence lawsuit against New York City hospital Educator had third grade class reenact Holocaust: report House Democrats call on Biden to unfreeze Afghan central bank reserves SEC’s Roisman to step down in January Protecting the freedom to vote will help us tackle the climate crisis SpaceX launches dozens of satellites from base in California Browns quarterbacks ineligible for Monday’s game due to COVID-19 protocols: report Three human rights activists sentenced to prison in Egypt Police find man who allegedly stole entire 58-foot bridge Starbucks says it will negotiate ‘in good faith’ with workers who voted to unionize Himalayan glaciers melting at ‘exceptional’ rate: research NASA’s Mars helicopter just ‘keeps going, going, going!’ LA Santa’s workshop nonprofit helps those in need Every day of continued conflict in Yemen costs 80 lives Snowless winters could soon strike the US Mountain West Two-thirds of HIV-related arrests in Kentucky are women, study finds Politicians and celebrities who have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the holidays More than 16,000 Afghan refugees were received by just 7 states: report Katie Hill diagnosed with COVID-19 late in pregnancy Massachusetts, Maryland move forward with offshore wind projects Justice Department indicts Russian hacker for allegedly participating in trading scheme White House hails ‘significant progress’ on conservation goals The most dangerous divide in America isn’t what you think Dr. Oz praises J.K. Rowling’s controversial comments on transgender women, gossip site says Democrats press Amazon about fatal warehouse collapse Sullivan urges Russia to de-escalate It’s time for an alliance of democracies Los Angeles New Year’s Eve celebration going online as cases rise Missionaries made dramatic overnight escape from captors in Haiti, agency says Redistricting 101: The inside story of America’s first gerrymander Prosecutor: Maxwell caused ‘deep and lasting harm’ to young girls Thune, Johnson say decisions on reelection bids expected soon DC to reimpose indoor mask mandate after COVID infections rise Germany says NATO won’t let Russia dictate military posture Silicon Valley turns to tiny homes to end homelessness by 2025 Boston to require proof of vaccines at restaurants, gyms Ohio hospitals plead for people to get vaccinated Top health expert says there’s ‘no indication’ omicron causes more severe COVID-19 The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Manchin explains BBB opposition, slams Dems GOP lawmakers back Navy service members’ lawsuit over vaccine mandate The unvaccinated and their impact on the health care system Democrats descend into finger-pointing after Build Back Better implodes Davos Economic Forum postponed amid omicron concerns Fewer Americans saying coronavirus situation is improving: Gallup Key centrist Democrat Stephanie Murphy won’t seek reelection NASA set to launch James Webb Space Telescope on Christmas Eve FedEx receives first of its all-electric delivery vans Trump says he received a vaccine booster shot College swimming champion Lia Thomas targeted by transphobic rhetoric HHS dedicates $280 million toward transition to 988 suicide prevention hotline Enough scapegoating — long-term care workers need support to succeed Driver of ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ fame has ‘zero desire to be involved in politics’ Tennis star Rafael Nadal tests positive for COVID-19 Larry Hogan tests positive for COVID-19 breakthrough case Biden raises vehicle mileage standards, reversing Trump rollback Ocasio-Cortez: Democrats need to to ‘crack down’ on ‘old boys club’ in Senate After Afghanistan: The veteran community’s path to healing Veteran journalist Mark Leibovich joining The Atlantic Elon Musk: ‘I will pay over $11 billion in taxes this year’ Ossoff announces birth of first child Fauci says mask wearing on planes could be here to stay Winter solstice is here and brings the shortest day of the year Rapper Drakeo the Ruler fatally stabbed Truck runs into US Army convoy in Germany Manchin hits back at White House pressure on Biden plan EU approves Novavax COVID-19 vaccine White House incivility is what ‘lost’ Joe Manchin Watch live: Psaki holds press conference Stocks sink as omicron fears shake market Biogen halves price of controversial Alzheimer’s drug Collins warns 1 million COVID-19 infections per day possible in US CNBC’s Jim Cramer reveals positive COVID-19 test Republicans, ideology, and demise of the state and local tax deduction Trump sues New York attorney general Biden approval rating at historic low in NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll Russia says US response to security demands needs to be ‘urgent’ Michelle Obama joins celebrities’ mothers in vaccine push Pope calls domestic violence ‘almost satanic’ and says parents should never slap their children House Democratic campaign arm, DNC raise $12.6M and $9.1M in November NIH director says Trump, Republicans pressured him to back unproven COVID-19 remedies NATO today: The sad decline of a grand alliance Ocasio-Cortez: Manchin rationale for opposing Biden’s bill ‘a farce’ Rising: December 20, 2021 New AI and free press standards fortify the fight against autocracy New York City mayor urges Biden administration to send help as omicron cases rise Propaganda enables Putin’s aggression Democratic Rep. Albio Sires won’t run for reelection in New Jersey: report Israel bans travel to US, citing omicron For the Fed, taming inflation has risks Colorado Democrat tests positive for COVID-19 after trip to Ukraine Schumer vows to bring up voting rights legislation, Senate rules changes We can’t afford to stand back in the fight against COVID    Kinzinger says Jan. 6 panel examining whether Trump acted criminally Why China won’t invade Taiwan and Russia won’t attack Ukraine Schumer: Democrats will not give up on Build Back Better in new year Moderna says booster increases antibody levels significantly against omicron No, Congress should not codify ‘Chevron deference’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by National Industries for the Blind – Manchin says no; White House fires back Discrimination case haunts Democrats in Arizona governor contest Juan Williams: McCarthy’s inaction is a disgrace Manchin undercuts Biden, leaving his agenda in limbo Meadows contempt vote poses thorny questions for DOJ Best spa gift sets for that person who loves to pamper themselves Best gift for dogs Looking for gifts for mom and dad? 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