The Hill Articles: December 18, 2023

Iceland volcano erupts following weeks of earthquakes Border agents find $10 million of meth and cocaine hidden in jalapeño paste shipment Bob Good: Biden’s border policy is ‘greatest harm ever done intentionally to US by any president’ Court date set for Hunter Biden California tax charges case New task force will combat Houthi threat in Red Sea Spinach sold in 7 states recalled over listeria fears Cheney says Trump would appoint lawyers to ‘blow through many of the guardrails of our Constitution’ if reelected IDF spokesperson says no changes on ground after hostages mistakenly killed Cheney urges Fox viewers to ditch Trump  Senate confirms Biden nominee to run Social Security Administration  Cardin ‘angry,’ ‘disappointed’ with ex-staffer after sex tape reveal Marvel drops actor Jonathan Majors after assault verdict Japanese steelmaker’s US Steel deal draws ire in Senate More than half of voters think Trump will act like a dictator if elected: poll New Texas law allows prosecution of migrants entering US from Mexico More than half of voters say they are worse off under Biden: poll Netanyahu’s war bluster exposes growing rift with Biden Project NextGen is ignoring new COVID-19 antivirals when we need them most   Former Georgia election workers sue Giuliani again to ‘permanently bar’ defamatory remarks Petrostates are hosting climate summits. Maybe that’s not a bad thing?   3 million children lose Medicaid coverage Haley, Trump lobby Scott for endorsement EU opens formal probe of X Biden approval on immigration drops 8 points since last month: poll JD Vance opposes sale of US Steel to Nippon Vans, North Face blame cyberattack for issues fulfilling orders Wide generational gap persists on views around Israel-Hamas war: poll What to know about new US maritime task force to combat Houthi threat in Red Sea HHS tells states to do more to protect kids after millions lose Medicaid coverage 60 years After Gideon v. Wainwright: Bridging the gap in access to justice  Why El Niño could wreck plans for a snowy Christmas Comer pushes back on reporting on ‘shell company’ to manage land  Evening Report — Pope Francis allows same-sex blessings NASA releases new images of Uranus and its moons White House says new antitrust rules will help fight inflation Invasive Joro spiders spreading in eastern US: researchers Attorneys for Kentucky woman suing to have abortion drop the case Appeals court rejects Meadows bid to move Georgia election case to federal court DeSantis brushes off concerns about super PAC official’s resignation McConnell’s approval rating sinks to 6 percent: Monmouth poll Hollywood actor Jonathan Majors found guilty of assault and harassment Rail bridges between Texas, Mexico closed amid surge in migrant smuggling Judge temporarily bars removal of Confederate monument from Arlington National Cemetery  Trump asks full court to reconsider Jan. 6 gag order appeal Haley takes aim at Biden in new ad: He’s ‘too old’ California workers who smoke weed will have new protections in 2024 Babylonian bricks provide clues to ancient Earth’s magnetic field Government watchdog gives mixed review on handling of Jan. 6 rally at Ellipse Trump draws Nazi comparisons — and Biden counterattack — with immigration rhetoric Fetterman says he’ll work to block ‘absolutely outrageous’ US Steel sale These 10 states have the most spoiled dogs, according to survey EU opens ‘formal proceedings’ into X over potential violations of Digital Services Act Clinton on Trump’s dictator comment: ‘Take him at his word’ It’s time for FDIC Chair Gruenberg to resign  GOP lawmaker calls Haley ‘a brunette Liz Cheney’ Trump makes fresh bid to toss Georgia election interference charges Is rape and sexual assault part of the Hamas tactic of war?  NY lawmakers call out Chick-fil-A over Sunday closures at highway rest stops Greene says she was honored to meet Jan. 6 defendant Jacob Chansley White House planning 1 more Ukraine aid package before year’s end As antisemitism spikes on campuses, remember that colleges are also workplaces Rising: December 18, 2023 Oil prices rise as BP suspends operations in Red Sea amid attacks The Hill’s 12:30 Report — Messy border security talks divide Democrats John Oliver spends 30 minutes taking down Elon Musk Pentagon chief says he discussed with Israel transition to ‘surgical operations’ in Gaza Why Apple is set to pull some Apple Watches from US shelves CIA director seeks restart on Hamas-Israel hostage talks Greene alludes to Graham primary challenge over Biden impeachment remarks Biden’s approval rating at record low in new poll Santos has message for ex-colleagues: ‘I’ll outlive them’ Mandatory return-to-office will mean an older, less diverse federal workforce Human rights group accuses Israel of trying to starve Palestinians in Gaza Empowering Puerto Rico to bring back manufacturing jobs House Democrats call on Thomas to recuse himself from Trump immunity case Third-party candidate can’t win in 2024, former Obama campaign manager says Convicted sex offender recaptured after escaping Texas prison Police charge driver of vehicle that crashed into Biden motorcade Japan’s Nippon Steel to acquire U.S. Steel Corp. What did Putin really say in his marathon press conference? Priests can bless same-sex unions, pope says Thousands without power as powerful storm moves through New England The US is suffering from chronic drug shortages — Congress must act  Passengers could get $75 for delays under Southwest settlement Newsflash: Russia doesn’t want peace Sandra Day O’Connor’s casket arrives at Supreme Court Passport processing times back at pre-pandemic norm: State Department Ramaswamy pushes back on Van Jones remarks: ‘Shut the f‑‑‑ up’ Fox News host Kilmeade defends Trump on ‘poisoning the blood of our country’ remarks 2023, the year House Republicans played stupid games and won stupid prizes BP suspends shipments through Red Sea after attacks Trump says Nevada fake electors treated ‘unfairly’ Even in Texas, the death penalty is dying    White House pushes back against ‘extreme Congressional Republicans’ in year-end memo Why Iowa is Nikki Haley’s last stand North Korea tests missile that could reach entire US, according to Japan and South Korea We have failed in the fight for justice — we need ceasefire in Gaza now  Southwest fined record $140M over 2022 holiday meltdown Informal diplomacy could play a role in ending the war in Ukraine A media dedicated to saving Democrats Morning Report — Senators seek to defy the odds Democrats see 2024 campaign issue in Texas abortion case Biden faces battle with Democratic base over Israel, Ukraine, border GOP’s fight over surveillance will stretch into new year Ukraine’s US ambassador breaks convention during desperate times Americans abandoning neighborhoods due to rising flood risk, study finds