Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Biden issues executive order to thwart wrongful detentions of Americans
President Biden issued an executive order Tuesday designed to reduce the risk of Americans being wrongfully detained abroad as he faces pressure to bring home basketball star Brittney Griner and others detained in Russia. Published July 19, 2022
Cost-of-living increase for Social Security may push seniors into higher tax bracket, say experts
Retirees on fixed incomes and Social Security could get a double whammy from inflation because benefits, which rise with the cost of living, might push them into a higher tax bracket. Published July 19, 2022
China threatens strong response if Pelosi visits Taiwan
China is issuing an ominous threat over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's reported plans to visit Taiwan. Published July 19, 2022
Former NSC aide Matthew Pottinger to testify at House Jan. 6 committee hearing
A former member of President Trump's National Security Council, Matthew Pottinger, is expected to testify publicly before the House Jan. 6 committee at its prime-time hearing on Thursday. Published July 19, 2022
FDA authorizes Novavax COVID-19 vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration authorized the COVID-19 vaccine from Novavax for emergency use on Wednesday, providing the U.S. with a fourth option. Published July 13, 2022
Biden underscores U.S. ties with Israel during Middle East trip
President Biden kicked off a high-stakes trip to the Middle East on Wednesday with a visit to Israel, the first stop on a diplomatic mission to bolster U.S. ties to the region, facilitate growing ties between the Arab world and the Jewish state, and get some help on soaring world energy prices and the challenge posed by Iran. Published July 13, 2022
Man arrested for rape of preteen girl who Biden cited as victim of Ohio abortion law
A Columbus man has been arrested and charged with rape in connection with the national headline-grabbing story about a 10-year-old girl who traveled from Ohio to Indiana to seek an abortion. Published July 13, 2022
New post-Roe bill in Senate would send child support payments to pregnant moms
Congressional Republicans filed legislation Wednesday that would allow courts to order child-support payments to be sent to women while they are pregnant. Published July 13, 2022
NYC Mayor Eric Adams presses Biden team for more monkeypox vaccines
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Wednesday he is urging the Biden administration to supply a tranche of monkeypox vaccines that reflects the city's status as the "epicenter" of the unusual outbreak. Published July 13, 2022
Dr. Fauci: COVID-19 vaccines don’t protect ‘overly well’ against infection
Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health says available COVID-19 vaccines "don't protect overly well" against infection but can stave off the possibility of hospitalization or death. Published July 13, 2022
Hate-crime charges possible for man making threats near Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s home
A Seattle man could be slapped with hate crime charges Wednesday after he was arrested over the weekend for allegedly standing outside Rep. Pramila Jayapal's house and issuing threats while armed with a handgun. Published July 13, 2022
Biden touches down in Tel Aviv, kicking off first Middle East trip of presidency
President Biden lauded the "bone-deep" U.S.-Israeli relationship and pledged to deepen ties between the two countries as he landed Wednesday in Tel Aviv on the first Mideast trip of his presidency. Published July 13, 2022
Biden to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi leaders on Friday night
The White House said President Biden will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Saudi leaders on Friday evening. Published July 13, 2022
Russia seeks ways to absorb Ukrainian territory into its administrative state
Russia is trying to incorporate Ukrainian towns into its administrative state, but pro-Russian officials risk being targeted by angry locals who fight back, U.K. intelligence officials said Wednesday. Published July 13, 2022
WHO: ‘Sex is not limited to male or female’
The World Health Organization says sex "is not limited to male or female" as it plans to update a manual used by public health professionals to recognize gender and sexual diversity, wading into the thorny debate about whether gender is strictly binary or something more complicated. Published July 12, 2022
White House COVID coordinator: Country can weather new BA.5 variant just fine
The Biden administration said the fast-moving BA.5 variant of the coronavirus is a stark but manageable challenge, unveiling a plan that relies on frequent testing, antiviral drugs and up-to-date vaccinations while stopping short of an immediate expansion of the booster campaign as drugmakers reformulate their shots. Published July 12, 2022
Georgia judge orders Sen. Lindsey Graham to testify in Fulton County probe
A Georgia judge has ordered Sen. Lindsey Graham to testify before a special grand jury that is looking into former President Donald Trump's push to revisit the 2020 election results in Georgia. Published July 12, 2022
Rep. Jamie Raskin says Pat Cipollone corroborated other witnesses’ testimony to the Jan. 6 committee
Former White House Counsel Pat Cipollone corroborated "almost everything" the House Jan. 6 committee learned from previous hearings and its star witness, Cassidy Hutchinson, a panel member said Tuesday. Published July 12, 2022
Biden officials may authorize another COVID-19 booster for those under 50: Reports
The Biden administration is reportedly considering a plan that would let all adults seek a second COVID-19 booster. Published July 12, 2022
Biden enlists Mayo Clinic for monkeypox testing push
The Biden administration said Monday that Mayo Clinic Laboratories will begin processing up to 10,000 monkeypox tests per week as the U.S. tries to track down infections and slow a mounting case total. Published July 11, 2022