Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Biden settled on Supreme Court pick, set to name as soon as Friday
President Biden has reportedly chosen his first Supreme Court nominee and will reveal the name as soon as Friday, setting up a historic confirmation process of the first Black female justice Published February 25, 2022
CDC relaxes mask guidance in update of COVID-19 rules
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has significantly relaxed its mask guidance in a major update to its COVID-19 rules. Published February 25, 2022
Wall Street has a roller-coaster day after Russia invades Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine caused a tumultuous day on Wall Street as stocks took a dive before major indexes recovered to positive territory, buoyed by investors buying the dip on tech stocks and gains in defense stocks amid the upheaval. Meanwhile, Russia's markets had to suspend trading as stocks plunged as much as 45% before closing 33% down, and the ruble dropped to a record low against the dollar. Published February 24, 2022
McConnell to Biden: Ratchet the sanctions against Russia all the way up
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin's "yearning for empire" and a perception of American weakness led to the crisis in Ukraine and urged President Biden not to hold back in the next round of economic sanctions against Moscow. Published February 24, 2022
Governors, NYC mayor express solidarity with Ukraine, immigrant communities
State and local government leaders expressed solidarity for Ukraine and immigrant communities in their states and cities Thursday, as Russia stepped up an invasion on its neighbor. Published February 24, 2022
U.S. Embassy in Kyiv tells American citizens to shelter in place; air raid sirens blare
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv told American citizens to shelter in place Thursday as Russia stepped up its invasion of Ukraine. Published February 24, 2022
Dow drops as Russia invades Ukraine; oil prices reach $100 per barrel
U.S. stocks plummeted and oil prices jumped Thursday as Russia invaded Ukraine, causing unease in the global economy. Published February 24, 2022
Rush by states, stores and cruise lines to ditch mask rules widens gulf with CDC
Every state that had a statewide mask mandate, except Hawaii, either has lifted it or will let it expire in the coming weeks as coronavirus infections fall to levels not seen since November, before the omicron wave. Published February 23, 2022
Gun deaths overtook car crashes as leading cause of trauma death in the U.S., study shows
Gun deaths have overtaken car crashes as the leading cause of trauma death in the U.S., according to new research that found firearm suicides among older White men are a driving factor. Published February 23, 2022
Rep. Liz Cheney accuses Trump aiding U.S. enemies by calling Putin ‘savvy’
Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming accused former President Donald Trump of aiding America's enemies after Mr. Trump described Russian President Vladimir Putin's strategy in eastern Ukraine as "genius" and "savvy." Published February 23, 2022
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy calls for state of emergency, begins calling up reservists ages 18-60
Ukraine proposed a 30-day state of emergency and started to draft reservists ages 18 to 60 on Wednesday in the latest sign President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is preparing for a serious confrontation with Russia. Published February 23, 2022
Biden calls for more domestic production of rare minerals, says U.S. cannot depend on China
President Biden on Tuesday outlined plans to ramp up domestic mining, saying U.S. tech industries are too dependent on China for cobalt, lithium and other critical rare earth minerals. Published February 22, 2022
Biden to outline plans to extract lithium, other minerals needed for greener economy
President Biden will announce Tuesday a series of public and private-sector investments to extract minerals such as cobalt, lithium and graphite that are needed for electric vehicles and other aspects of the global shift toward a "clean energy economy," the White House said. Published February 22, 2022
Hong Kong orders mandatory testing in March to tackle COVID-19
Hong Kong residents must take three mandatory tests in March as part of efforts by the island city to rein in outbreaks that are testing China's zero-COVID policy, which employs strict lockdowns on the mainland. Published February 22, 2022
Disease trackers wary of fast-moving offshoot of omicron
Scientists are warily watching a new, faster version of omicron even as the winter spike of the coronavirus subsides and states and cities rush to relax rules and fully reopen. Published February 21, 2022
Ukraine, border countries tell EU to take firm action now against Russia
A top Ukrainian official on Monday said the European Union should hit Russia with some sanctions to show it is serious about punishing the Kremlin as it waits to see if Moscow invades Ukraine. Published February 21, 2022
Australia reopens to international visitors after 704 days of pandemic rules
Travelers were greeted by D.J., drags queens and stuffed koala bears as Australia reopened to international visitors Monday after 704 days of pandemic restrictions. Published February 20, 2022
Surgeon general says his whole family has COVID-19
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said Friday he tested positive for COVID-19 along with the rest of his household, and used the experience to sympathize with other families who've fallen ill despite taking precautions. Published February 18, 2022
Illinois lawmakers vote to remove GOP members who violate mask rule
Democratic lawmakers in Illinois have voted to oust nine Republicans from the state House after they refused to wear masks under the chamber's mandate. Published February 18, 2022
VP Harris warns Russia of severe consequences if it invades Ukraine
Vice President Kamala Harris opened meetings at the Munich Security Conference on Friday by recommitting the U.S. to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and warning Russia it will face "severe consequences" if it invades Ukraine. Published February 18, 2022
