The Hill Articles: December 23, 2021

Ecuador makes COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for all eligible residents Japanese government not considering new restrictions despite omicron detection South Korean president pardons imprisoned predecessor United, Delta cancel more than 200 Christmas Eve flights amid omicron surge Evidence believed lost in West Memphis Three case found at police department UK report suggests booster effectiveness against symptomatic omicron decreases within 10 weeks The best laptops under $500 for every type of person How to keep your dog safe and warm this winter How to prepare classic holiday dishes with just an Instant Pot France reports highest daily COVID-19 case numbers of pandemic Trooper’s sexual misconduct allegation against Andrew Cuomo found ‘credible’ but ‘not criminal’ Researcher explains why those without college degrees are seeing decline in close friendships Olayemi Olurin discusses how police television shows can contribute to ‘mass hysteria’ on crime Stray bullet kills 14-year-old girl during police shooting at LA clothing store Task force has reunited 100 children with families separated under Trump Suspect charged in Philadelphia carjacking of Democratic congresswoman On The Money — Democrats seek to scale back Build Back Better Hillicon Valley — Tech companies withdraw from in-person CES Posthumous pardon recommendation for George Floyd withdrawn by Texas parole board CDC loosens isolation rules for health workers amid omicron wave Anti-mask parents not constitutionally allowed to change school rules, says federal judge Overnight Health Care — FDA authorizes second COVID-19 bill, but stresses limitations College Football Playoff says semifinal match-ups won’t be rescheduled if COVID-19 strikes teams Defense & National Security — US, Japan prep for possible Taiwan conflict Pentagon must act to prevent extremist recruitment of unvaxxed service members New York scaling back New Year’s celebrations Overnight Energy & Environment — Company settles longtime oil spill for $43M Without people, there is no preparedness Illinois sets new daily COVID-19 case record Democrats look to scale back Biden bill to get it passed Owner of diner that stayed open despite lockdown dies of COVID-19 Daunte Wright family lawyers call for ‘strongest and most just sentence’ for ex-officer Australian states reintroduce COVID-19 curbs amid record daily infections Equilibrium/Sustainability — James Webb Telescope lifts off on Christmas California Assemblywoman launches congressional run, setting up contested primary Biden nominates South Carolina judge to powerful DC Circuit CES to remain in-person as tech companies withdraw Thanks to Manchin, BBB’s housing provisions are dead — and should stay that way COVID-19 cases in UK exceed 100K for first time Supply chain congestion down 50 percent, says Commerce secretary Florida reports highest daily increase in COVID-19 cases since August 140M new COVID-19 infections possible in first two months of new year, experts say Build Back Better is crucial to boost climate action without leaving coal miners behind Conservation group moves to sue Biden administration alleging failure to protect polar bears Olympic organizers ‘regret’ NHL decision to prohibit players from Beijing Games Ex-officer Kim Potter found guilty in fatal shooting of Daunte Wright Falsifying vaccination card now a crime with possible 1-year jail sentence in NY How work requirements unraveled the threads of our social safety net How scientists are trying to help save people from avalanches and manage the effects of climate change from space Watch live: ‘Trial outcome’ reached in Potter case One of US military’s largest private landlords pleads guilty to fraud Daily COVID-19 infections surpass summer peak Taste the TV: inventor creates lickable screen in different food flavors To uphold the rule of law, US Supreme Court must act in Texas death penalty case White House defends efforts to bolster COVID-19 testing supply Staten Island Amazon workers refile petition for union election Philadelphia ends rapid COVID-19 test giveaway after supplies run out Cat found OK nine days after Kentucky tornado Iran nuclear talks to restart next week Biden administration revokes Georgia Medicaid work requirements Royal Caribbean ship skipping two islands after dozens of positive COVID-19 tests Watch live: Biden signs ALS bill into law The lessons of China’s WTO accession, 20 years later Get an extra 15% off 100 GB of cloud storage for our Christmas Sale White House amplifies Trump on vaccines Coldplay will release its final album as a band in 2025 Faith leaders press Biden, Democrats on voting rights legislation Acclaimed writer Joan Didion dies at 87 The power of the ocean ‘Home Alone’ actor arrested in Oklahoma Biden administration welcomes ‘small’ steps toward diplomacy with Russia In an era of evolving threats, the military needs diversity more than ever Thief breaks into warehouse, steals gifts meant for needy children Parents of Michigan school shooting suspect seek lower bail on their charges Trump criticizes ‘wacko’ Bette Midler over West Virginia remarks Intel apologizes after asking suppliers to avoid goods from Xinjiang Ohio governor signs ‘born-alive’ abortion measure into law Trump asks Supreme Court to block National Archives from releasing Jan. 6 records Spacing out: Will we allow the privatization of space to eclipse NASA and NRO? Sen. Coons announces postitive COVID-19 test Ivy League school moves spring semester start due to COVID-19 Seven staffers who traveled with deputy Pentagon chief test positive for COVID-19 Los Angeles COVID-19 infections double in one day Biden signs bill punishing China for Uyghur abuses House Judiciary asks for expanded probe of FBI response to Portland protests Asylum isn’t the solution for Haitians’ plight Antiviral drug remdesivir can help keep at-risk unvaccinated people out of hospitals, researchers say CDC investigating second listeria outbreak in packaged salads Children’s books reinforce gender stereotypes, study finds COVID-19 leads Celtics to sign 40-year-old Joe Johnson These US cities could see a rare white Christmas this year Flynn suit against Jan. 6 committee dismissed over procedural errors Taking aim at critical race theory, Ron DeSantis grabs reins of the conservative movement Montreal limiting gatherings in homes to six people Universal Orlando reinstating mask requirement on Christmas Eve Last Tiananmen monument removed in Hong Kong History shows only a new Voting Rights Act can preserve our fragile democracy Senate Democrats press for info on nursing home boosters Biden backs exception to filibuster for voting rights bills Unvaccinated Americans’ trust in government plunges: poll Public Christmas celebrations banned in Greece to stem omicron Harry, Meghan push family leave with annual holiday card Last living Nuremberg Trials prosecutor deserves Congressional Gold Medal Hiker found dead in Grand Canyon National Park US, Japan draw up joint military plan for possible Taiwan emergency: report FDA authorizes second COVID-19 pill, from Merck Watch live: Psaki holds press briefing Wife of French President Macron is fighting bizarre rumor that she is transgender Last Afghan refugees leave temporary housing at Marine Corps Base Quantico Trump pushes back on Candace Owens: ‘People aren’t dying when they take the vaccine’ Over half of COVID-19 cases in California omicron Consumer prices up 5.7 percent over past year, fastest in 39 years To fix our prison system, we need far more than a change in leadership Rising: December 23, 2021 Initial jobless claims flat for the week Bette Midler is the latest liberal to pretend to care about the ‘average Joe’ Trump admits he suddenly finds it ‘very tough’ to slam Biden after surprising vaccine comments Illinois state senator carjacked at gunpoint near Chicago Woman pleads guilty in assault of flight attendant Tennessee raises COVID-19 death toll by thousands EPA needs an annual appropriation that will fund the Biden environmental agenda Rep. Jan Schakowsky says she and her husband have tested positive for COVID-19 Five arrested in connection with carjacking of House Democrat Democrats must not give in to self-fulfilling defeatism AstraZeneca, Novavax say their vaccines provide protection against omicron Putin says Russia doesn’t want conflict with Ukraine, West UK studies suggest omicron milder than delta I’m an essential worker, but holiday retail treats me like I’m disposable What happens when child care runs out? Democrats confront rising retirements as difficult year ends GOP steps up flirtation with Manchin Best home gym equipment Holiday gnomes are gaining in popularity this holiday season, here’s how you can join the craze Feel like you’re the only person who likes fruit cake? These 5 can be delivered to your door in days