The Hill Articles: September 15, 2021

French forces kill Islamic State in Sahara leader, Macron says Judge schedules Oct. 1 hearing on DOJ request to halt Texas abortion law Utah police called on Gabby Petito and boyfriend before her disappearance Pentagon asks all personnel to report symptoms of ‘Havana syndrome’ White House offers to answer Nicki Minaj’s questions about COVID vaccine Former Sen. Heller to run for Nevada governor Warren, Daines introduce bill honoring 13 killed in Kabul attack Overnight Defense & National Security — Milley becomes lightning rod California, Texas to host highest number of Afghan refugees Save over 25% on these wireless earbuds that come with 15 hours of playtime SpaceX launches first all-civilian orbit crew into space Conservative group files ethics complaint over Ocasio-Cortez appearance at Met Gala UN official wants moratorium on AI tools that violate human rights Democrats hope Biden can flip Manchin and Sinema Overnight Hillicon Valley — Scrutiny over Instagram’s impact on teens North Korea says recent missiles were test of ‘railway-borne’ system On The Money — Presented by Wells Fargo — Democrats advance tax plan through hurdles Settlement reached in hush money case involving ex-Speaker NBA’s Bucks name first female TV play-by-play announcer for major men’s sports team Stumbling plutonium pit project reveals DOE’s uphill climb of nuclear modernization Joint Chiefs Chairman Milley becomes lightning rod on right Overnight Health Care — Democrats face setback on drug pricing Equilibrium/Sustainability — Presented by API — Climate fears leave 40 percent of young people scared to have kids Haitian official steps down over PM’s possible ties to president’s assassination Pope Francis challenges vaccine skeptics Overnight Energy & Environment — Presented by Climate Power — Senate Democrats ding Biden energy proposal China asks its sworn rival, the United States, to ‘guide’ the Taliban Largest US colleges push for students to get vaccinated Save big on America’s fastest mobile network and get lifetime VPN security First Lady visits schools to discuss COVID-19 House Democrat says she won’t support reconciliation bill ‘at this early stage’ Ireland to investigate Tik Tok over child, China data concerns Climate change isn’t the only factor in recent disasters — governance and security risk Police name boyfriend of missing woman Gabby Petito as ‘person of interest’ Six Democrats blast Energy Department’s uranium reserve pitch Andrew McCabe says Nassar case represents ‘worst dereliction of duty’ he’s seen at FBI Majority of Americans believe worst COVID-19 outbreak is yet to come: report Business coalition aims to provide jobs to Afghan refugees FTC warns health apps to notify consumers impacted by data breaches Probe spurred by Elijah McClain’s death finds Aurora Police ‘racially biased’ Congress picked the worst possible time for business tax hikes Two Americans plunge to their deaths after climbing cliffs in Mallorca Moderna studies support need for booster shots, suggest waning immunity Ex-Trump adviser Bolton defends Milley: ‘His patriotism is unquestioned’ Minnesota high court tosses out conviction of Minneapolis police officer Boaters urged to keep distance from 3 pregnant orcas off coast of Washington state US to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines in counter to China Galileo Project: Religion, science and the search for extraterrestrial life Yellen presses Democrats on tax enforcement House panel advances key portion of Democrats’ $3.5T bill North Dakota hospital executive: ‘We really are in a crisis’ Supreme Court job approval sinks to all-time low, poll shows Paris attack suspect says death of 130 people ‘nothing personal’ Authorities say teen charged in hit-and-run death wanted to ‘scare’ and ‘bump’ runner LA County to require proof of vaccination for some indoor and outdoor venues Former Georgetown tennis coach to plead guilty in college admissions scandal WNBA’s Mystics coach to miss two games after testing positive for COVID-19 Former Teacher of the Year suspended for using N-word in class Capitol Police ask Pentagon for help ahead of Sept. 18 rally Woman allegedly abused by Nassar after he was reported to FBI: ‘I should not be here’ Judge denies Trump’s request to stop E. Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit Biden to convene world leaders for climate forum this week $3 trillion tax hike the opposite of ‘good investment’ Second Oath Keeper in Capitol riot conspiracy case pleads guilty Biggest biofuel producer in US pledges carbon neutrality by 2050 State, local governments struggle to recover jobs after COVID-19 recession Video catches moment teenage surfer is bitten by shark Watch live: Biden delivers remarks on national security initiative Clean energy wins and woes in Biden’s budget Democrat rips Justice for not appearing at US gymnastics hearing Wild meat consumption leads to increased risk of zoonotic diseases: UN report Capitol fencing raises questions about a democratic disconnect US gymnasts offer scathing assessment of FBI Former Georgetown coach to plead guilty in ‘Varsity Blues’ case Simone Biles says FBI neglected sexual abuse accusations against Larry Nassar MLB’s Nationals to terminate contracts of employees who skip COVID-19 rules: report CEOs urge Congress to raise debt limit or risk ‘avoidable crisis’ New Army office to address sex crimes removed from chain of command Democrats suffer blow on drug pricing as 3 moderates buck party Democratic bill would force Fed to defund fossil fuels More people watched the U.S Open women’s match than the men’s A simpler global tax plan needed Unvaccinated pregnant mother and her husband die of COVID-19, leaving four children and one newborn FBI director apologizes to victims of Larry Nassar Biden administration launches new effort to help communities with energy transition Majority of Americans say democracy is under attack: poll DC police department will be ‘all hands on deck’ for J6 protest, official says FDA scientists skeptical of COVID-19 booster evidence ahead of key meeting 56 percent of car owners ‘likely’ to buy an EV or hybrid car next: poll Why Congress should modernize finance for education and training Appeals court overrules judge’s order blocking Biden immigration priorities London court says it will ensure that Prince Andrew is served with lawsuit Boris Johnson appoints his party’s first female foreign secretary Trinidad health minister shoots down Minaj claims about vaccines Kim Jong Un’s sister threatens ‘complete destruction’ of relationship with South Korea Judge rejects Minnesota parents’ attempt to force statewide school mask mandate White House: Larry Nassar is a ‘monstrous human being’ 24 Democratic AGs back Biden bid to block Texas abortion law DoorDash sues New York City over data sharing rule Shocking massacre of nearly 1,500 dolphins sparks outrage History shows Democrats’ tax proposals will hurt hiring, wages and economy ‘Truly heartbreaking’: Native Americans heartbroken over sale of sacred cave with 1,000-year-old paintings Six unvaccinated members of Florida family die of COVID-19 Biden hails Newsom win as validation on pandemic policies After years of pressure, US women’s soccer team gets offer of equal pay Capito grills EPA nominee on ‘#ResistCapitalism’ tweet ‘Wendy Williams Show’ production delayed after she tests positive for COVID-19 Crypto risk-takers aren’t crazy — they’re just desperate LA City Council votes to crack down on protests outside homes Most states have curbed public health authority since pandemic began: analysis Facebook says removal of Alabama governor’s campaign was not based on Biden comments GOP senators unveil bill designating Taliban as terrorist organization Joint Chiefs spokesperson confirms Milley calls with China, defends them as routine Symbol of the #MeToo movement in China loses sexual harassment case Biden says he has ‘complete confidence’ in Milley FBI director says he’s ‘deeply’ sorry to Nassar victims Third Republican drops out of race to replace Cheney after Trump endorses challenger Time to change how we fight wildfires What America’s Thinking: September 15, 2021 Jon Stewart on Trump: ‘You have to be shameless to do shameful things’ Georgia businesswoman launches primary challenge against Greene 1 in 500 US residents has died of COVID-19: CNN analysis No-fridge coronavirus vaccine looks promising: study Meeks on being mistaken for a staffer: ‘Glad I still blend in with the cool kids’ NIH awards $470M to NYU Langone Health to build long COVID-19 study population Hassan launches first ad of reelection bid focusing on veterans’ issues The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – Simone Biles, gymnastics stars slam FBI during Nassar testimony Majorities in new poll support requiring proof of vaccine to fly, enter arenas Congress must help keep the climate crisis from boiling over PhRMA launches 7-figure ad campaign against Democrats’ drug pricing measures McKayla Maroney says FBI lied about her abuse allegation UK sees record jump in annual inflation Confederate monument to be moved from Maryland courthouse lawn to Virginia battlefield Pope on Biden communion debate: Bishops shouldn’t ‘go condemning’ The undeniable logic of Manchin’s ‘strategic pause’ Japan: North Korea missile launch a threat to region Activists sentenced to prison in Hong Kong for unauthorized Tiananmen memorial Raging wildfires threaten world’s largest trees, the ancient sequoias of California Watch Live: White House press briefing Fire threatening Sequoia National Park grows five times in size, forcing evacuations Facebook draws lawmaker scrutiny over Instagram’s impact on teens Coronavirus most important issue among California voters, exit polling shows Pfizer plans to seek vaccine authorization in November for kids under 5 More people see climate change as personal threat: survey US requiring COVID-19 vaccines for new immigrants Is Jerome Powell doomed to repeat the Fed’s past mistakes? Simone Biles tells Congress ‘entire system’ enabled Nassar abuse Pennsylvania GOP authorizes subpoenas in election probe Why poverty in the US plunged during the pandemic Top Democrats tout California recall with an eye toward 2022 Most-populous Virginia county approves tax on plastic bags Florida landlord requiring proof of vaccinations from tenants Analysis: No G-20 country has climate plan that meets Paris deal obligations Former national security officials warn antitrust bills could help China in tech race Boston set to elect first female mayor Good ideas often originate outside D.C. — What I learned in Colorado Remote C-SPAN interviews lead to mug surplus Top Hispanic group endorses Cortez Masto for reelection Leaked messages reveals Facebook is studying Instagram’s effects on female users Members of Afghan women’s soccer team cross into Pakistan Dunkin’ opens first ‘digital only’ shop Spectacular video shows rare ‘megapod’ of humpback whales How Afghanistan’s Taliban can prove it’s new and improved: Expel the terrorists Number of states with high obesity rate nearly doubles since 2018: CDC Rising: September 15, 2021 No ICU beds reported available in southern Illinois ‘The Lord of the Rings’ star Elijah Wood praises man who has chosen to live as a hobbit ABC staffer accuses network of retaliation following sexual assault complaint Florida Democrat says vaccines, masks are key to small-business recovery Advocates call on top Democrats for $100B in housing investments California sheriff says he won’t enforce vaccine mandate for employees Pastor offers to sign vaccine exemptions in exchange for becoming online member of his church Progressive groups call for Puerto Rico Fiscal Control Board to be abolished How fintechs helped small businesses during PPP COVID-19 hospitalizations starting to plateau in Dallas area, official says Kucinich fails in bid to return to Cleveland mayor’s office Biden to meet with Sinema, Manchin on Wednesday on $3.5T spending plan Hotel workers need a lifeline; It’s time to pass The Save Hotel Jobs Act Watch live: Simone Biles, others testify on Larry Nassar abuse investigation South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh told a former client to kill him, authorities say Watch live: House panel marks up $3.5T spending package Comedian Ricky Gervais writes comic book to protest bullfighting US Army orders mandatory vaccinations America needs a new strategy for Pacific Island Countries New podcast pairs lawmakers with entertainment figures John McEnroe doubles down on controversial comments about US Open champion Emma Raducanu Two NFL teams now require fans to be vaccinated Democrat Michelle Wu advances in Boston mayoral election Lawmakers, staff asked to avoid the Capitol during pro-Trump protest LIVE COVERAGE: Ways and Means to conclude work on $3.5T package Anthrax was the COVID-19 of 2001 Vindman calls for Milley’s resignation: ‘He usurped civilian authority’ PepsiCo plans reduction in use of virgin plastic Biden ignored Austin, Blinken warnings on Afghanistan withdrawal: Woodward book Seven takeaways from California’s recall election Biden to meet with business executives on vaccine requirements WHO reports first drop in global infections in two months Biden: 2.8M people signed up for ObamaCare in special period US Digital Corps essential for our human-centered, tech-enabled future Radio host who pushed for vaccine boycott dies of COVID-19, co-host announces North, South Korea test missiles amid tensions Elder concedes California recall: ‘Stay tuned’ If $3.5 trillion ‘infrastructure’ bill fails, it’s bye-bye for an increasingly unpopular Biden Congress must extend this critical measure to keep kids connected to learning The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by National Industries for the Blind – Schumer: Dem unity will happen eventually; Newsom prevails More Republicans call on Biden to designate Taliban as terrorist group Pavlich: Biden’s Afghan shame Mellman: The anomaly of Republican unanimity Budowsky: High stakes drama for Biden, Manchin, Sinema How lawmakers aided the Afghan evacuation Democrats revive filibuster fight over voting rights bill The Memo: Like the dress or not, Ocasio-Cortez is driving the conversation again OSHA faces big challenge with Biden vaccine mandate Governors brace for 2022 after year in pandemic spotlight Democrats say Biden must get more involved in budget fight Lobbying world Newsom touts victory over recall as rejection of ‘Trumpism’