Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
China’s Xi pledges 1 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to Africa in wake of omicron variant
China pledged late Monday to provide 1 billion doses of its COVID-19 vaccines to Africa amid fears of the omicron variant and jockeying with the U.S. to be viewed as a responsible nation doing its part to battle the pandemic on the world stage. Published November 30, 2021
Omicron variant spreading fast, but scientists call it mild, warn not to panic
Omicron, the latest coronavirus variant with a Greek name, features a buffet of mutations suggesting it will spread faster, stiff-arm vaccines to some degree and bind tighter to human cells, but scientists aren't hitting the panic button yet. Published November 29, 2021
Biden: Omicron cause for ‘concern’ but not ‘panic’
President Biden said Monday the omicron variant first detected in South Africa is "cause for concern" but "not a cause for panic." Published November 29, 2021
WHO: It’s not just quantity — COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Africa must be coordinated
Vaccine donations to Africa must be more predictable and include vials with a shelf life of at least 10 weeks, the World Health Organization and partner groups said Monday, saying "ad hoc" shipments from wealthy nations with little notice make it difficult for the continent to use the shots it receives. Published November 29, 2021
First lady Jill Biden displays White House Christmas decor
First lady Jill Biden unveiled White House Christmas decor Monday that highlights "Gifts from the Heart" that unite the country -- including faith, family, the arts and service -- and pays homage to front-line workers who toiled through the coronavirus pandemic. Published November 29, 2021
Are vaccine mandates worth the hassle? Economists, lobby groups say voluntary measures work better
President Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandate is expected to push 23 million workers at large companies to get vaccinated, but the political backlash, disruptive legal fight and threat of workplace upheaval over the holiday season raises the question: Is it all worth it? Published November 27, 2021
Biden orders travel ban on South Africa, other countries due to variant
The Biden administration said Friday it is restricting travel from South Africa and seven other countries because of fears about a new coronavirus variant with mutations that could make it more powerful against humans. Published November 26, 2021
WHO: Mutation in South Africa, ‘omicron,’ is a variant of concern
The World Health Organization on Friday formally designated a coronavirus variant first detected in South Africa as one "of concern" as the U.S., Europe and others rushed to ban flights from the affected region and stock markets took a dive from the bitter news. Published November 26, 2021
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says there are plans for a coup against him
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that opposition figures were planning a coup d'etat in the coming weeks, heightening tensions in a country already dealing with mounting pressure from Russia across the border. Published November 26, 2021
WHO to debate dangerous South Africa coronavirus variant with ‘many mutations’
The World Health Organization will meet Friday to discuss what an alarming coronavirus variant with a "large number of mutations" could mean for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments as European countries started to ban flights from South Africa and surrounding nations. Published November 26, 2021
Biden nominates Shalanda Young as White House budget director
President Biden on Wednesday said he will nominate Shalanda Young to serve as White House budget director, a move that will elevate her from an acting role to the permanent post if she is confirmed by the Senate. Published November 24, 2021
Rapid COVID tests in spotlight as families gather again
The winter holidays are putting a sharp focus on at-home testing for COVID-19 as families look to ensure their first gatherings in two years don't turn into superspreader events. Published November 24, 2021
Trump: Kyle Rittenhouse paid me a visit after Kenosha shooting acquittal
Former President Donald Trump said Kyle Rittenhouse visited his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida days after a jury in Wisconsin found the teen not guilty of charges related to shootings that killed two persons and injured a third during racially charged unrest in Kenosha last summer. Published November 24, 2021
Texas leaders, White House hail plans for Samsung chip plant
Texas leaders and the White House are celebrating news that South Korean tech giant Samsung will build a $17 billion semiconductor plant outside of Austin, a move that could help fill a shortage of computer chips used in phones and cars. Published November 24, 2021
White House announces 92% vaccination rate among federal workforce
The Biden administration's vaccine mandate for millions of federal workers seems to be working, with no apparent disruption to law enforcement, intelligence-gathering or holiday travel. Published November 24, 2021
Germany starts to check COVID-19 documents on public transport
German inspectors on Wednesday will begin demanding proof of vaccination, COVID-19 recovery or a negative test on public transport as the country tries to mitigate a coronavirus surge that is gripping Europe. Published November 24, 2021
Biden doesn’t support ‘Squad’ bill to abolish federal incarceration, White House says
The White House on Tuesday said President Biden enjoyed visiting the Michigan district of Rep. Rashida Tlaib earlier this month but he does not support a proposal that she and other members of the progressive "Squad" are championing to release federal prisoners within 10 years. Published November 23, 2021
Biden orders release of strategic oil reserves, says high gas prices not caused by clean-energy push
President Biden insisted on Tuesday that Democrats' climate change policies are not causing high gas prices, as he ordered the release of 50 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in a bid to ease soaring prices at the pump. Published November 23, 2021
Thomas Jefferson statue ousted from NYC City Hall
An 884-pound statue of Thomas Jefferson has been removed from City Hall in New York City after a contentious debate over his slave-owning past. Published November 23, 2021
Biden to tap U.S. strategic oil reserve as gas pump prices surge
President Biden plans to release 50 million barrels of oil held in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve in an attempt to slash sky-high fuel prices on the cusp of the holidays, the White House said Tuesday. Published November 23, 2021
