Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Joe Biden: Coronavirus situation ‘very different’ by end of summer
President Biden on Monday declined to say when he thinks the U.S. will reach "herd immunity" to the coronavirus but predicted "we'll be in a very different position" by the end of the summer. Published May 3, 2021
EU: Time to open up to COVID-19 vaccinated tourists
The European Commission proposed Monday to open member countries to vaccinated tourists from the U.S. and other places by early summer while including an "emergency brake" in case the COVID-19 picture suddenly worsens from aggressive variants. Published May 3, 2021
White House: Biden will deploy a middle-ground approach to N. Korea
The White House said Friday it completed a review of its North Korea policy and will continue to seek denuclearization but strike a middle-ground between the strategies that President Biden's predecessors deployed with little success. Published April 30, 2021
U.S. military planes with COVID-19 aid reach India: White House
A pair of military planes loaded with COVID-19 aid left the U.S. late Thursday for India as the Asian country battles an unprecedented viral surge that is depleting oxygen supplies and bringing the health system to the brink of collapse. Published April 30, 2021
Feds: Arc of pandemic improving from vaccines; cases, hospital stays, deaths gradually declining
Daily coronavirus cases are down 25% since mid-April, enthusing federal officials who feared "impending doom" in March but now believe the vaccine rollout is making a tangible dent in the pandemic. Published April 30, 2021
Mike Pence decries ‘radical’ first 100 days of Biden era in South Carolina speech
Former Vice President Mike Pence slammed the "radical" first 100 days of the Biden administration in his first public speech since leaving office and hailed former President Trump despite his role in sparking the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that placed him in danger. Published April 30, 2021
Moon Jae-in, South Korea president, visit set for May 21, White House says
The White House on Thursday said South Korean President Moon Jae-in will visit President Biden on May 21, making him the second foreign dignitary to enjoy an in-person summit amid the pandemic. Published April 29, 2021
Kamala Harris: ‘American aspiration’ defined first 100 days
Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday said "American aspiration" defined the first 100 days of the Biden presidency as she tied an improving economic outlook to Democrats' big-spending plans and a vaccine rollout that is starting to show dividends but risks stalling out. Published April 29, 2021
FDA moves to ban menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars
The Biden administration moved Thursday to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, cheering anti-smoking groups who have long said the products harm minorities while sparking fears that Black smokers will flock to illicit markets and face unfair prosecution. Published April 29, 2021
Tim Scott: ‘Socialist dreams’ won’t help America thrive
Sen. Tim Scott said "Washington schemes" and "socialist dreams" won't deliver America from its pandemic doldrums, using a prime-time GOP rebuttal Wednesday to decry Democrats as divisive virtue-signalers and promote free market reforms over the big-spending plans President Biden outlined to a joint session of Congress. Published April 28, 2021
Joe Biden pushes Medicare drug-price negotiation
President Biden on Wednesday said Congress should stop yapping about their push to let Medicare negotiate drug prices and actually do it "this year." Published April 28, 2021
Joe Biden in speech to Congress begs Americans to get shots
President Biden reprised his role as America's vaccine pitchman Wednesday in a joint address to Congress like no other, saying there is work to do against COVID-19 but one of "the greatest logistical achievements our country has ever seen" is starting to pay dividends. Published April 28, 2021
Feds execute warrant at Rudy Giuliani’s NYC home
Federal investigators on Wednesday raided former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani's home and office as part of an ongoing investigation into his dealings in Ukraine. Published April 28, 2021
CDC study: Pfizer, Moderna vaccines 94% effective against hospitalization in seniors
Seniors fully vaccinated by COVID-19 shots from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna were 94% less likely to land in the hospital from the virus than people over age 65 who were not immunized, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday. Published April 28, 2021
Tokyo organizers: ‘Very difficult’ to allow maximum Olympic crowds
Hopes for a normal Summer Games slipped again Wednesday as Tokyo organizers said full venues will be "very difficult" and delayed a decision on capacity limits. Published April 28, 2021
Fauci: Joe Rogan ‘incorrect’ to say 21-year-old doesn’t need vaccine
Dr. Anthony Fauci on Wednesday said podcast host Joe Rogan was "incorrect" to say a healthy 21-year-old probably doesn't need to get vaccinated for COVID-19, pointing to the risk of transmission to others. Published April 28, 2021
CDC: Fully vaccinated people can ditch masks for outdoor dining, small gatherings
The Biden administration on Tuesday said fully vaccinated people can ditch their COVID-19 masks outdoors but should keep them on at sporting events and among crowds. Published April 27, 2021
GOP docs in Congress promote COVID-19 vaccine, say it’s the best way to end limits on freedoms
Republican doctors and health pros in Congress promoted the COVID-19 vaccines Tuesday as safe and effective tools to wind down the pandemic and "end the government's restrictions on our freedoms." Published April 27, 2021
Biden pledges to aid India amid COVID-19 surge, share 60 million vaccine doses worldwide
President Biden on Monday pledged to share up to 60 million unused doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine globally and called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer "steadfast support" as India deals with a coronavirus surge that is spiraling into a major public health catastrophe. Published April 26, 2021
COVID-19 crisis in India: Joe Biden pledges ‘steadfast support’ in call with PM Narendra Modi
President Biden on Monday pledged "America's steadfast support for the people of India" in a call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his country battles a coronavirus surge that is spiraling into a major health catastrophe. Published April 26, 2021