Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
White House says blocking Russian oil would increase prices, rules out no-fly zone in Ukraine
The White House said Thursday that President Biden is still not considering a no-fly zone over Ukraine and warned that blocking Russian oil imports would result in higher prices for consumers. Published March 3, 2022
Biden and Quad leaders discuss Ukraine, humanitarian assistance
President Biden discussed the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine with the Indo-Pacific partnership known as the Quad on Thursday and the leaders agreed to meet in person in Tokyo in "the coming months," the White House said. Published March 3, 2022
Zelenskyy says the world has to get through to Putin to stop the war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday said his countrymen are not afraid of anything, but he wants peace, and he appealed to the world to get tough on Moscow before more civilians are massacred. Published March 3, 2022
Senate votes to ditch vaccine mandates on health workers
The Senate voted Wednesday to get rid of President Biden's vaccine mandate on health workers at places that receive federal funding in a political messaging move ahead of the midterm elections. Published March 3, 2022
Volkswagen stops production in Russia, cuts off vehicle exports
Volkswagen said Thursday it will cease operations in Russia until further notice, citing "extensive disruption" from the war in Ukraine. Published March 3, 2022
Russian convoy headed for Kyiv is stalled, U.K. intelligence says; Putin’s troops seize Kherson
The main body of a long column of Russian forces advancing to Kyiv remains more than 18 miles from the center of the city and has been delayed by "staunch Ukrainian resistance, mechanical breakdown and congestion," according to a British intelligence update Thursday. Published March 3, 2022
U.S. reliance on Russian oil hits record high; Biden pressed to ease clampdown on U.S. energy
President Biden moved Tuesday to check Russian President Vladimir Putin's energy leverage, releasing strategic oil reserves as U.S. petroleum imports from Russia hit a record high and frustration mounted over the administration's domestic fossil fuel crackdown. Published March 1, 2022
Russia escalates in Ukraine as global opposition mounts
Violent explosions rocked Ukraine's two largest cities Tuesday as Russia dramatically escalated its invasion in the face of hardening global resolve against the war and calls by the Biden administration for Moscow to be held accountable for the "crimes" its military forces are carrying out in the nearly week-old invasion of its neighbor. Published March 1, 2022
Biden, Zelenskyy talk by phone as Ukrainian leader rallies West
President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke for more than 30 minutes Tuesday as the leader in Kyiv pleaded with the West to help him repel Russian invaders. Published March 1, 2022
Biden taps 30M barrels from oil reserve, part of a global release to mitigate Russia-related shocks
President Biden authorized the Department of Energy on Tuesday to release 30 million barrels from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve as part of a global effort to mitigate supply shocks from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Published March 1, 2022
Zelenskyy condemns rocket strike near Holocaust memorial
Ukrainian officials on Tuesday condemned a Russian rocket attack that struck a television tower near the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center, located on the site in Kyiv where Nazi forces massacred thousands of Jews in 1941. Published March 1, 2022
White House says Biden will use SOTU address to combat ‘unprecedented’ mental health crisis
President Biden will promote a new "988" crisis hotline and outline funding to combat the harmful effects of social media when he devotes a portion of his State of the Union Address to the "unprecedented mental health crisis" in the country, the White House said. Published March 1, 2022
Sarah Palin formally seeks new defamation trial
Former vice-presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin on Monday sought a new defamation trial against The New York Times, saying she wants the presiding judge from the trial she lost to be disqualified. Published March 1, 2022
White House condemns Senate vote blocking debate on abortion protections, flurry of state laws
The White House on Tuesday criticized Republicans for blocking attempts to take up abortion rights legislation in the Senate, calling it "extremely disappointing" as states pass new restrictions and hinting President Biden will explore actions he can take on his own. Published March 1, 2022
Left-leaning business group to Biden: Use speech to offer more money to small biz
A left-leaning business group urged President Biden on Tuesday to spend more taxpayer money on small businesses that are still reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, adding to the list of demands ahead of the State of the Union address. Published March 1, 2022
Belarus sends troops into northern Ukraine, officials say
Belarus has sent forces into northern Ukraine to support Russia's invasion, officials said Tuesday. Published March 1, 2022
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy makes an emotional appeal for help to European Parliament
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an emotional appeal to the European Parliament for assistance Tuesday, saying his country is suffering from Russian bombardments but "nobody's going to break us." Published March 1, 2022
Russians feel the economic pain as war grinds on with Ukraine
Russian forces pounded civilian apartments in Ukraine and the Kremlin again raised the specter of nuclear war as the first diplomatic talks since the start of Russia's five-day-old invasion failed to produce a cease-fire Monday and the Russian economy staggered under a slew of Western economic and financial sanctions. Published February 28, 2022
WH lifts mask rules, following Capitol Hill ahead of Biden’s speech
The White House said Monday it will drop its mask mandate for vaccinated persons who visit or work at the complex, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its guidance, placing the Washington area in a low-risk category. Published February 28, 2022
California lifts mask mandate on schools as of March 12
Masks will no longer be required in California schools as of March 12 but will remain "strongly recommended," Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday. Published February 28, 2022
