Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
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
D.C. police arrest suspect in shootings of homeless persons in the capital, NYC
D.C. police said Tuesday it arrested a suspect in five shootings in Washington and New York City that targeted homeless persons, killing two of them, and alarmed the mayors of both major cities. Published March 15, 2022
Wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas says she attended Jan. 6 pro-Trump rally
Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, says she attended the rally near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, but did not have a role in the Capitol attack or any plans around it. Published March 14, 2022
Pfizer to stop trials in Russia while maintaining access to medicines
Drugmaker Pfizer said Monday it will wind down clinical trials in Russia while allowing its medicines to continue to flow into the country for compassionate reasons, using any proceeds for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine. Published March 14, 2022
China battles worst COVID-19 surge since early days in Wuhan
China is battling some of its worst COVID-19 outbreaks since the start of the crisis, forcing Beijing to shutter a major manufacturing hub in the south while residents of a northern province have been told not to leave or travel. Published March 14, 2022
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy to update members of Congress on war effort
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will deliver a video address to Congress on Wednesday morning about his country's efforts to beat back the withering assault ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Published March 14, 2022
Sen. Rand Paul pushes amendment to eliminate, divvy up Dr. Fauci’s job
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said Monday he will introduce an amendment to fire Dr. Anthony Fauci as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and divide his role among three institutes. Published March 14, 2022
Big-name companies urge Texas to reverse actions on trans surgeries, treatments for kids
Dozens of big-name businesses are pushing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to backtrack on state efforts that have been condemned as harmful to the LGBT community, saying "discrimination is bad for business." Published March 14, 2022
Most voters think Biden will be unable to contain war to Ukraine, conservative group poll shows
Only a third of American voters say President Biden can prevent Russia's war on Ukraine from spreading to other countries, a conservative group said Monday in a fresh poll. Published March 14, 2022
Foxconn, a major iPhone supplier, suspends operations in China due to coronavirus surge
A key supplier for Apple iPhones suspended operations Monday in Shenzhen after the Chinese city imposed a lockdown to control a surge in coronavirus cases. Published March 14, 2022
Mayors in D.C. and NYC seek help in finding the killer of homeless men
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and New York City Mayor Eric Adams late Sunday pleaded for the public's help in identifying the suspect in shootings that killed two homeless men and wounded three others in their cities. Published March 14, 2022
