Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
White House says no change in Biden’s COVID-19 testing regimen after close calls
The White House said Thursday it doesn't plan to change President Biden's testing regimen for COVID-19 despite two close calls with the virus this week. Published March 17, 2022
Russia starts to seize leased planes that are foreign-owned
Russia has begun seizing foreign-owned commercial planes to bolster its airline industry in the face of crippling sanctions from the West over its invasion of Ukraine. Published March 17, 2022
COVID numbers are falling, but not for those in Biden’s circle
Americans are ditching masks and trying to move on from COVID-19, but the virus is piercing the inner circle of the White House and its line of succession with alarming frequency. Published March 17, 2022
Biden to discuss Ukraine war, economic competition with China’s Xi Jinping
President Biden plans to hold a high-stakes call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday as the U.S. pressures Beijing to leverage its ties with Russia in a way that gets Vladimir Putin to end his brutal assault on Ukraine. Published March 17, 2022
Americans split on whether military spending is too high, too little or just right: Gallup
Americans are divided on whether the government is spending too little, too much or the right amount on the military, Gallup said Thursday, highlighting a major drop in the share who feel spending is inadequate even before Russia invaded Ukraine. Published March 17, 2022
Biden replaces COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients with high-profile Dr. Ashish K. Jha
President Biden said Thursday that Jeff Zients, who coordinated the White House COVID-19 response since Inauguration Day, will depart and be replaced by Dr. Ashish K. Jha as the pandemic effort pivots from a logistical battle to one in which the virus is managed as another health threat. Published March 17, 2022
Irish PM tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of Biden meeting
The prime minister of Ireland, Micheal Martin, tested positive for COVID-19 during his trip to Washington, turning his St. Patrick's Day visit with President Biden into a virtual one. Published March 17, 2022
Lawmakers press Biden to help send MiG fighter jets after Zelenskyy’s address to Congress
Lawmakers stepped up pressure on President Biden to help get fighter jets to Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's powerful appeal to Congress on Wednesday for more U.S. military support. Published March 16, 2022
Fox News reporter Benjamin Hall in good spirits, being treated outside of Ukraine
Fox News correspondent Benjamin Hall is safe and being treated outside of Ukraine after a Russian attack on Kyiv that killed his cameraman and a Ukrainian woman who was working alongside them. Published March 16, 2022
N.Y. audit finds Cuomo team undercounted COVID-19 nursing home deaths by over 4,000
The state of New York undercounted the number of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes by more than 4,000 during former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's tenure, according to a new audit that says incorrect data led to an inflated perception of New York's performance against other states. Published March 16, 2022
White House says historical Black colleges targeted by bomb threats will be eligible for grants
The White House said Wednesday it will make grant funding available to historically Black colleges and universities that have received bomb threats this year so they can upgrade security systems and provide mental health services on campus. Published March 16, 2022
Russian shelling hits 12-story tower in Kyiv, prompting rescues
First responders on Wednesday scrambled to help Kyiv residents of a 12-story residential building that was hit by Russian shelling, prompting a partial collapse. Published March 16, 2022
Russian army struggles with terrain, intel says; Zelenskyy to plead for more help from Congress
Russian forces have remained tied to Ukraine's road network, but they are struggling with the terrain, limiting their advance, intelligence authorities said Wednesday. Published March 16, 2022
Biden sets Europe trip as Russia inches forward in Ukraine
President Biden will travel to Europe next week to huddle with top U.S. allies over their ongoing response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the White House said Tuesday in an announcement that came as Russian forces intensified their bombardment of Ukrainian cities and the leaders of three NATO nations made a perilous visit to Kyiv. Published March 15, 2022
Senate committee advances bill that preps for next pandemic, scrutinizes COVID-19 response
Congress on Tuesday took steps to bolster America's defenses against COVID-19 and prevent future pandemics by accelerating the pipeline of tests, treatments and vaccines and improving federal data collection. Published March 15, 2022
Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski killed in Ukraine
Pierre Zakrzewski, a longtime Fox News cameraman, was killed Monday in Ukraine, the network said Tuesday. Published March 15, 2022
Americans stock up on potassium iodide due to nuclear panic
Americans are reportedly panic-buying potassium iodide tablets because of fears the Russian war on Ukraine will result in nuclear fallout. Published March 15, 2022
Fate of the Russian producer who protested Ukraine war on-air is unclear
Human rights lawyers say they are unable to locate a Russian TV producer who interrupted a live news broadcast with a sign condemning the war in Ukraine. Published March 15, 2022
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy tells disillusioned Russian soldiers to surrender, promises fair treatment
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday appealed to the Russian public and soldiers who do not agree with Russian President Vladimir Putin's war. Published March 15, 2022
Russia will try to subvert Ukrainian democracy with puppet mayors, staged referendums, says intel
Russia may stage a "referendum" in the Ukrainian city of Kherson to legitimize it as a "breakaway republic" and make other attempts to subvert democracy as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's unprovoked assault on his neighbor, British intelligence officials said Tuesday. Published March 15, 2022
