Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Guardian Angel Sliwa sees the streets, subways as path to NYC mayor’s chair
NEWSMAKER INTERVIEW: Oddsmakers don't give the red-beret-wearing founder of the Guardian Angels much of a chance in the general election -- Democratic voters far outnumber Republicans in the Big Apple. Still, Republican mayoral hopeful Curtis Sliwa introduces himself on the street as the "next mayor of New York," and it's easy to see where he gets his confidence. Published June 29, 2021
Seattle, Northwest to see some relief from record temps
The mercury is expected to hit around 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Seattle on Tuesday -- and that's a small measure of relief. Published June 29, 2021
White House defends July 4 gatherings amid variant fears
The White House said Monday that it sees little risk in holding a July Fourth celebration amid concerns about the fast-moving delta variant of the coronavirus that is enveloping countries around the world because vaccines are sufficiently protective and the arc of the pandemic is improving in the U.S. Published June 28, 2021
North Carolina announces $40M settlement with Juul vaping company
The state of North Carolina said Monday that Juul Labs Inc. will pay $40 million and reform its business practices to resolve a lawsuit that accused the e-cigarette company of hooking young people with its sleek product. Published June 28, 2021
Bystander, 21, struck by a stray bullet in Times Square
A 21-year-old bystander was shot in the back in New York City's Times Square late Sunday. Published June 28, 2021
U.S. sends 2 million Pfizer vaccine doses to hard-hit Peru as ‘delta variant’ raises concern
The U.S. sent millions of vaccine doses to Peru and Pakistan on Monday as the world reels from the delta variant of the coronavirus and President Biden steps up diplomatic efforts to thwart the pathogen before it boomerangs back on Americans. Published June 28, 2021
Delta variant of the coronavirus forces new lockdowns, restrictions around globe
The fearsome delta variant of the coronavirus is forcing countries to extend or reimpose lockdowns as the globe races to thwart the evolving pathogen through vaccination. Published June 28, 2021
Biden designates Pulse gay nightclub a national memorial
President Biden burnished his gay-rights record during Pride Month by designating the site of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando as a national memorial Friday and naming a New York-based expert on human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons as a special State Department envoy. Published June 25, 2021
Taiwan tightens COVID-19 quarantine rules amid ‘delta’ fears
Taiwan officials said people returning from overseas should quarantine for 14 days in centers or hotels, instead of at home, as the island nation tries to stiff-arm the dangerous delta variant of the coronavirus. Published June 25, 2021
Pence rebukes Trump’s stance on Jan. 6: Idea of overturning election results is ‘un-American’
Mike Pence late Thursday rejected former President Donald Trump's claim that his vice president had the power to overturn the 2020 election results when he presided at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Published June 25, 2021
Biden appoints Jessica Stern as special envoy to State Dept. for LGBT issues
President Biden will appoint a New York-based expert on human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons as a special envoy to the State Department as part of Friday's efforts to mark Pride Month at the White House. Published June 25, 2021
EXCLUSIVE: Terry McAuliffe ripped as dishonest over debunked deficit claim
Virginia Republicans attacked Democratic gubernatorial nominee Terry McAuliffe as dishonest Thursday, unveiling a digital ad saying that, if he will repeat debunked claims that he inherited a budget deficit as governor, then he will deceive again as he campaigns for his old job. Published June 24, 2021
Democrat Eric Adams pledges to balance public safety with fair policing as NYC mayor
Brooklyn borough President Eric Adams said Thursday that he will balance public safety with fair policing and take Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa "to task" if his lead in New York's Democratic mayoral primary holds. Published June 24, 2021
Germany’s Angela Merkel warns: Europe still on ‘thin ice’ in battling the coronavirus’ delta variant
German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the European Union to remain wary of the coronavirus in the face of an aggressive delta variant that was first detected in India and is becoming dominant in Western nations. Published June 24, 2021
White House restricts goods, blacklists companies in crackdown over Xinjiang
The White House on Thursday blacklisted companies producing goods by children and forced labor in Xinjiang to punish Beijing for its "cruel and inhumane" genocide against ethnic and religious minorities in the western province. Published June 24, 2021
Self-professed socialist on track to be Buffalo mayor
The next mayor of Buffalo, New York, will be a self-described socialist. Published June 23, 2021
Lawmakers press FDA to crack down on vaping, protect children
Members of Congress on Wednesday pressed the acting chief of the Food and Drug Administration to clear the market of flavored vapes and tobacco products that they said entice kids into the habit. "This is the Super Bowl for the FDA's tobacco effort. I'm afraid they're not ready for primetime. I hope they prove me wrong," Sen. Richard J. Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, told members of the House Oversight Committee. Published June 23, 2021
Tokyo Olympics bans alcohol at events
Olympics organizers said Wednesday they will ban alcohol at the Summer Games in Tokyo, delivering the latest check on an event that's usually marked by crowds and celebrations. Published June 23, 2021
Eric Adams on early lead in NYC mayor race: ‘The little guy won’
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams pledged late Tuesday to deliver a "safe, affordable, fair city" if he can hold onto his impressive lead in first-choice votes in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. Published June 23, 2021
CDC panel convenes to discuss COVID-19 vaccines, heart issue in young persons
An advisory panel at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet Wednesday to discuss rare instances of heart inflammation among young persons who received the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Published June 23, 2021