Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
WHO says COVID-19 remains an international emergency but is at transition point
The World Health Organization said Monday that COVID-19 remains a global crisis, but it is at an "inflection" point and could transition from a hair-on-fire emergency to a manageable problem before the end of the year. Published January 30, 2023
Police search for man who threw Molotov cocktail at N.J. synagogue
Investigators in a New Jersey town are searching for the man who threw a Molotov cocktail at a synagogue early Sunday, an incident that coincides with fears about rising antisemitism. Published January 30, 2023
Rep. Michael McCaul: Risk of conflict with China over Taiwan is ‘very high’
A top House Republican is warning the risk of conflict with China is "very high," blaming in part a President Biden-led withdrawal from Afghanistan that projected weakness and fearing the U.S. would run out of advanced weaponry in a war with the Asian superpower. Published January 30, 2023
Revolt over House speaker inspires Freedom Caucus lawmakers in the states
A coalition of "Freedom Caucus" lawmakers say there is a swamp in each of the 50 states that they will try to drain, pointing to the concessions that archconservatives won in the recent fight over the House speaker on Capitol Hill. Published January 30, 2023
Chris Sununu, Nikki Haley tease presidential bids as Trump visits N.H., S.C.
Former President Donald Trump kicked off his 2024 campaign with low-key events in New Hampshire and South Carolina, but potential GOP rivals in both states are talking about the need to reach new voters and usher in the next generation of leadership. Published January 30, 2023
TikTok CEO to testify on Capitol Hill about China links, privacy fears
The CEO of TikTok, the China-linked video platform that's been banned from many government devices, will testify on Capitol Hill this spring, House Republicans said. Published January 30, 2023
Video of Paul Pelosi attack shows intruder refuses cop instructions to ‘drop the hammer’
Video footage released Friday of the hammer attack on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband shows the dramatic moment in which an intruder and Paul Pelosi jockeyed for control of a hammer before the man later identified as David DePape swings it out of frame. Published January 27, 2023
COVID-19 increases risk of heart attack, strokes and other cardiovascular disease, study finds
It's not just the lungs. Mounting evidence shows that COVID-19 can invade the heart or spark so much inflammation during the immune response that it weakens the critical organ, raising the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiac chaos. Published January 27, 2023
FDA revokes emergency use of monoclonal drug, says it won’t work against circulating strains
The Food and Drug Administration is halting the emergency use of Evusheld -- a monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 -- because regulators believe it's no longer effective against dominant variants. Published January 27, 2023
Businessman’s presidential bid off to rough start after pregnant wife faints
A businessman's 2024 presidential bid got off to a rough start when his pregnant wife fainted during his launch speech in West Virginia, taking the American flag with her. Published January 27, 2023
FAA points finger at Bethesda-based contractor for systems outage that grounded airplanes
The Federal Aviation Administration has identified a Bethesda-based company as the contractor behind the mishap that grounded air traffic on Jan. 11. Published January 27, 2023
FDA debates simplified, flu-like COVID vaccine campaigns; most people would get one dose
The Food and Drug Administration moved Thursday toward simplifying COVID-19 vaccination into a yearly process that tailors all the shots to circulating variants and provides the public with clear guidance about when they should roll up their sleeves. Published January 26, 2023
National Archives may ask former presidents, VPs to search for classified docs
The National Archives might ask former presidents and vice presidents to search their couch cushions for classified documents, given the recent discovery of sensitive material at the homes of President Biden, former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence. Published January 26, 2023
Mike Pompeo says he held back intel from Rep. Adam Schiff over concerns it would be leaked
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he held back sensitive information from Rep. Adam B. Schiff of California out of concerns it would leak to persons who shouldn't receive it. Published January 26, 2023
A record 16.3M sign up for Obamacare plans after Biden supercharges subsidies
More than 16 million people signed up for private health insurance during Obamacare's open enrollment season for the coming year, the administration said Wednesday, boasting that President Biden's decision to supersize federal subsidies resulted in record signups. Published January 25, 2023
Trump leads Biden by 3 points in hypothetical 2024 matchup, poll shows
President Biden's approval numbers have improved since November, but he trails former President Donald Trump by 3 points in a new nationwide poll that takes stock of a hypothetical 2024 matchup. Published January 25, 2023
Sen. Josh Hawley readies bill to ban TikTok nationwide
Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri says he plans to introduce legislation that would ban TikTok throughout the country over fears the China-linked video-streaming platform is a privacy and security risk. Published January 25, 2023
Former presidents say they turned over documents to archivists
Representatives for a quartet of former presidents say they turned over their classified records to the National Archives when they left office as President Biden, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence face questions about why classified materials were stowed at their homes. Published January 25, 2023
D.C. mayor, council tell Congress to butt out of their criminal-code rift
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson on Tuesday said they want to resolve their differences over the city's criminal code without interference from Congress, presenting a united front as local leaders and Capitol Hill Democrats launched another uphill bid for D.C. statehood. Published January 24, 2023
Biden revives call for assault weapons ban after another mass shooting in California
President Biden on Tuesday renewed his call for a ban on military-style weapons after a gunman on Monday killed seven people at two locations in Half Moon Bay, California, in the second mass shooting in the state in just a few days. Published January 24, 2023
