Sunday, December 12th, 2021

Three Hamas members are killed and six more injured during a dispute with Fatah gunmen in Tyre, Lebanon, at the funeral of a Hamas member killed two days ago during an accidental explosion at the Burj al-Shemali camp. (Al Jazeera) 

The death toll from the tornado outbreak in Kentucky, United States, increases to 80, making it the deadliest tornado outbreak to occur in the state. Fourteen people are also killed in other U.S. states, with some towns being completely destroyed. (BBC News) 

The United Kingdom raises its COVID-19 Alert level to Level 3 due to the rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, which has resulted in 3,137 cases. (France 24) 

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Philippines’ central bank, issues a statement that it is currently monitoring an increase in complaints on social media regarding Banco de Oro clients losing money and having their accounts hacked. (Reuters) 

Citizens in New Caledonia vote against independence and choose to remain part of France. Pro-independence parties boycotted the referendum in order to protest the alleged lack of time to campaign. (RNZ) 

At the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen wins the Driver’s Championship, while Mercedes wins the Constructors’ Championship. (The Guardian) 

Secret drone strike cell showed reckless disregard for civilian casualties, New York Times report claims A classified Delta Force cell that coordinated strikes against Islamic State targets showed reckless disregard for civilian casualties by regularly circumventing safeguard procedures and engaging in deceptive practices, according to a report published Sunday by The New York Times. The cell, known as Talon Anvil, worked out of nondescript offices in Iraq and Syria. Authority to order airstrikes was delegated to enlisted personnel. High-ranking intelligence officers became skeptical of the cell’s methods as civilian casualties mounted. Talon Anvil members reportedly misclassified almost all strikes as defensive in order to sidestep waiting periods imposed on offensive strikes and even took to averting the drones’ cameras after launch in order to hide evidence of civilian deaths.  THE NEW YORK TIMES 

Anne Rice, vampire novelist, dead at 80 Anne Rice, author of the best-selling Interview with a Vampire and other novels, died Saturday. Her son, author Christopher Rice, announced her death on Twitter and Facebook, expressing his hope that Anne “is now experiencing firsthand the glorious answers to many great spiritual and cosmic questions.” Anne Rice was the author of the 13-book Vampire Chronicles series, which starred the iconic vampire Lestat. She also wrote erotic fiction and, after returning to the Catholic Church 1998, two novels about the early life of Jesus Christ. By the end of her life, Rice had distanced herself from Catholicism and identified as a secular humanist. She will be laid to rest in New Orleans. BBC 

G7 to Russia: invading Ukraine would have ‘massive consequences’ “Russia should be in no doubt that further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe cost,” the G7 nations said in a draft statement released Sunday. Around 94,000 Russian troops have massed on the Ukrainian border, and intelligence estimates suggest that the invasion could come as early as January 2022 and involve 175,000 troops. CIA Director William Burns warned Monday that the build-up of military forces could allow Russia to act “in a very sweeping way.” The G7 comprises the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. REUTERS 

Israeli PM makes groundbreaking visit to UAE Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is scheduled to travel to the United Arab Emirates Sunday, marking the first ever visit to the UAE by an Israeli premier. This visit comes after the UAE signed the Abraham Accords last year, normalizing relations between the two nations. Bennett says he plans to discuss “economic and regional issues that will contribute to prosperity, welfare and strengthening stability between the countries” during his Monday meeting with Emirati Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed. Also on the agenda will be how best to respond to an increasingly hostile Iran that seems bent on acquiring nuclear weapons. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Trump blasts Netanyahu, praises Obama Former President Barack Obama is “smart and sharp,” but sowed “tremendous division” during his time in office, former President Donald Trump said at an event in Florida Saturday. Trump also said he “liked” Obama. This is a major shift in rhetoric for Trump, who spent years claiming his predecessor was born in Kenya and was “the most ignorant president in our history.” Even as he warms up to Obama, Trump appears to have soured on his longtime ally former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. An Israeli outlet released excerpts Friday from an interview in which Trump blasted “Bibi” for congratulating then-President-elect Biden on his victory before Trump had conceded. “F— him,” Trump said of Netanyahu. FOX NEWS

In SNL cold open, ‘Fauci’ presents COVID Christmas showcase Kate McKinnon played Dr. Anthony Fauci in the latest Saturday Night Live cold open, providing public service announcements for dealing with the Omicron variant with a little help — or hinderance — from Sen. Ted Cruz (Aidy Bryant), Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Cecily Strong) and Lauren Boebert (Chloe Fineman), and the Cuomo brothers (Pete Davidson as Andrew and Andrew Dismukes as Chris). “Do people still think I’m sexy, or are we done with that?” McKinnon-as-Fauci asked before explaining that the new Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus is not as dangerous as was initially feared and that those who have been vaccinated and boosted can safely “unclench.” FOX NEWS

Saturday, December 11th, 2021 

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz says he has instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prepare military options for potential use against Iran, that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action yielded “no progress”, and that world powers “understand that the Iranians are playing games”. (Haaretz) 

At midnight, terrestrial transport between Argentina and Uruguay reopens as buses resume service to border crossings between the two countries. Both countries require a proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test in order to board the buses and enter both countries. (Misiones Cuatro) 

A court in Benin sentences opposition leader Reckya Madougou to 20 years in prison after finding her guilty of “financing terrorism”. The case has been highly controversial, with a judge in the case fleeing to France and denouncing the case as “entirely politically motivated”. (The Washington Post) 

U.K. foreign secretary threatens ‘severe consequences’ if Russia invades Ukraine  Invading Ukraine would be a “strategic mistake” that would lead to “severe consequences for Russia,” United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Friday ahead of a weekend G7 meeting in Liverpool. Around 94,000 Russian troops have massed on the Ukrainian border, and intelligence estimates suggest that the invasion could come as early as January 2022 and involve 175,000 troops. Truss urged European leaders to reduce their dependence on Russian natural gas and suggested that the U.K. might take steps to lock Russian money out of British financial markets. When asked if she could rule out a military response, Truss said the U.K. is working to bolster Ukraine’s “defense and security capability.” BBC 

Omicron reaches Taiwan and is on track to surpass Delta in Europe Officials from Britain and Denmark said Friday that the new Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus is expected to become the dominant strain in their countries within the next week. According to the U.K. Health Security Agency, Omicron spreads more rapidly than Delta, which currently accounts for the greatest number of cases. Taiwanese officials announced Saturday that a woman returning from the small southern African country of Eswatini — also known as Swaziland — tested positive for the Omicron variant. This is Taiwan’s first confirmed case of Omicron. ABC NEWS

Inflation rate hits 39-year high Consumer prices rose in November at an annual rate of 6.8 percent, the U.S. Labor Department reported Friday. This marks the most rapid rate of inflation since 1982. Wages rose only 4.3 percent last month. Inflation has been bad for the President Biden’s poll numbers, and observers suggest this latest report could prompt him to agree to further cuts to his massive spending bill in order to get it passed by Christmas.  THE WALL STREET JOURNAL 

Palestinians vote in municipal elections as support for Abbas slips  Palestinians voted Saturday in municipal elections in the West Bank as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas grows increasingly unpopular. No elections were held for Palestine’s legislature or presidency, and the last legislative elections were held in 2006. Abbas was elected to a four-year term in 2005 and has not faced voters since. Over 400,000 Palestinians in 154 villages were able to cast votes, but municipal elections were canceled in major West Bank cities. Hamas, which is feuding with Abbas’ Fatah party, boycotted elections in Gaza. Hamas has seen a surge in support after fighting a brief war with Israel in May, and polling suggests that the Islamist faction is now more popular than Fatah. REUTERS 

Mexico announces crackdown on people smugglers after deadly crash Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebard announced the creation of a new working group to combat people smuggling after a truck crash on a Mexican highway killed more than 50 migrants Thursday. More than 150 people were packed into the tractor-trailer, which flipped when its driver attempted to take a turn too sharply. The migrants reportedly paid at least $2,500 each to be driven from southern to central Mexico, after which they would have had to hire other smugglers to complete their journey to the U.S. border.  The working group comprises Mexico, the U.S., Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has blamed the migrant crisis on poverty and a lack of jobs. BBC

Bosnian Serbs vote for greater autonomy, stoking fears of renewed conflict Lawmakers in the lower house of the Republika Srpska passed a non-binding resolution Friday that would decouple the semi-autonomous republic from Bosnia’s tax system, military, and judicial system. The Republika Srpska — also known as the Bosnian Serb Republic — was set up under international auspices following the cessation of bloody ethnic strife in 1995. Lawmakers who opposed the measure warned that it was a step back toward the dark days of the Bosnian War. Milorad Dodik, the Serb member of Bosnia’s three-person interethnic presidency, favors removing the framework established by the 1995 Dayton Accords. “I don’t believe [Bosnia] can survive because it does not have an internal capacity to survive,” he said. REUTERS 

Prosecution rests in Ghislaine Maxwell trial The prosecution rested Friday after two weeks of dramatic and emotional testimony in the sex-trafficking trial of former Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Four alleged victims, two of whom were underage at the time, took the stand to accuse Maxwell of grooming them for Epstein and pressuring them into unwanted sexual acts. The defense will begin to make its case Monday. So far, Maxwell’s lawyers have attempted to poke holes in the witnesses’ stories and suggested Maxwell is being made into a scapegoat for Epstein’s crimes. Epstein was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges when he died in prison in 2019 under suspicious circumstances. His death was officially ruled a suicide. BBC 

Friday,  December 10th, 2021 

The Bundestag and Bundesrat approve a revised Infectious Disease Protection Act that would require healthcare workers and other health professionals to be vaccinated or to have recovered from COVID-19. The new legislation also requires the closure of bars, restaurants and theatres in high-risk areas, as well as the suspension of cultural and sporting events in those areas. (Deutsche Welle) 

The Czech government announces the compulsory COVID-19 vaccination for people aged above 60 years, as well as healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters and the military, beginning from March 1, as the country experiences the world’s highest infection rate. (The Times of India) 

Nicaragua severs diplomatic relations with Taiwan and establishes diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. (The Hill) 

The London High Court accepts an appeal from the U.S. government to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States. The judge cited that certain conditions have been met for his decision. However, the extradition will not take place immediately as Assange has a right to appeal the decision. Assange’s fiancée says that they will appeal the decision “at the earliest possible moment”. (CNBC) 

The End Monday 

Biden urges world leaders to ‘lock arms’ to defend democracy President Biden on Thursday called on fellow world leaders participating in the first White House Summit for Democracy to “lock arms” to show that democracies can deliver progress better than autocracies. Biden said global democratic institutions are under assault, and he called for leaders everywhere to step up efforts to strengthen democracies. “This is an urgent matter,” Biden said as he opened the two-day virtual summit. “The data we’re seeing is largely pointing in the wrong direction.” The video gathering came as the U.S. and key allies are warning Russia that it will face strong sanctions if it invades Ukraine. Russia and China, adversaries who were not invited to participate in the summit, accused the Biden administration of trying to “stoke up ideological confrontation and a rift in the world” with a “Cold-War mentality.” THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

At least 53 migrants die in tractor-trailer accident in Mexico A tractor-trailer full of migrants crashed Thursday in southern Mexico, killing at least 53 people. Mexican authorities said at least 54 others were injured. The crash happened in Chiapas state near the Guatemalan border. “According to survivors, the majority appeared to be citizens of Guatemala,” Luis Manuel García Moreno, the state director of civil protection, said in an interview broadcast on Foro TV. He said a mechanical problem appeared to have triggered the crash. The Biden administration has called for Mexico to curb the flow of Central American migrants toward the U.S.-Mexico border, and smugglers have increasingly used tractor-trailers to avoid detection. Guatemala’s top human rights official, Jordán Rodas, said 200 migrants might have been packed into the truck that crashed. THE WASHINGTON POST 

N.Y. attorney general requests Trump deposition in civil fraud case New York State Attorney General Letitia James has asked to question former President Donald Trump under oath in an investigation into possible civil fraud at the Trump Organization, Trump’s property company. James’ office is looking into whether Trump’s company fraudulently reported property valuations, inflating them to get better loans and under-reporting them to lower tax bills. James could file a lawsuit against Trump if she finds evidence of fraud, but couldn’t bring criminal charges. But James’ office also is collaborating in a criminal investigation being led by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. that is seeking to determine whether Trump was involved in a pattern of criminal fraud by giving lenders false property values. James on Thursday ended her campaign for governor as the Trump investigations intensified. CNBC 

Senate passes bill clearing way for debt ceiling increase The Senate on Thursday passed a bill temporarily changing the chamber’s rules to prevent a filibuster so Democrats can raise the debt ceiling with a simple majority vote, preventing a potentially catastrophic default. Ten Republicans joined Democrats in the 59-35 vote. The House approved the measure Tuesday, so it now goes to President Biden for his signature. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Congress earlier this month that the federal government could run out of money to pay its bills by Dec. 15. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said passing the one-time rule change was “crucial” to help avoid “the prospect of a catastrophic, calamitous default on our sovereign debt. This is the responsible path forward — no brinkmanship, no default on the debt, no risk of another recession.” ABC NEWS 

Appeals court rejects Trump attempt to block records from Jan. 6 committee The federal appeals court for the D.C. Circuit on Thursday rejected former President Donald Trump’s request to block the National Archives from giving his White House records to the special House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. The three-judge panel’s decision set up an emergency Supreme Court review. The judges said Trump had given them no reason to override President Biden’s decision not to invoke executive privilege to keep the documents secret. They said the White House and Congress agreed there was a legitimate need for the documents because the rioters, who sought to prevent lawmakers from certifying Trump’s loss to Biden, threatened the peaceful transfer of power, and there’s “a direct linkage between the former president and the events of the day.” THE WASHINGTON POST 

’19 Kids and Counting’ star Josh Duggar convicted on child pornography charges A federal jury in Arkansas on Thursday found former reality TV star Josh Duggar guilty of downloading and possessing child pornography. Duggar, 33, faces up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 for one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possession. Duggar, 33, will be sentenced next year. TLC canceled the Duggar family’s show, 19 Kids and Counting, in 2015 after revelations that Duggar had allegedly molested four of his sisters and a babysitter. Authorities investigated the case in 2006 after a tip from a family friend but concluded that no charges could be filed because the statute of limitations had expired. Duggar’s parents said he had confessed to fondling the girls, and apologized. He later confessed to a pornography addiction. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

Jury finds ex-‘Empire’ star Jussie Smollett guilty of staging fake hate crime A jury on Thursday found actor Jussie Smollett guilty on five of six felony counts of disorderly conduct for falsely reporting to Chicago police that he was the victim of a hate crime three years ago. Prosecutors said the former Empire star arranged for two men to attack him, wrap a noose around his neck, and douse him with bleach while yelling racist and homophobic slurs, and lied when he reported the staged attack to police. Smollett took the stand and told jurors “there was no hoax.” Smollett could get up to three years in prison for the charge of a false crime report. Cook County Judge James Linn will have discretion to impose concurrent or consecutive sentences. Defense attorneys said they would appeal. CNN 

American cuts international flights, citing Boeing Dreamliner delays  American Airlines plans to cut back on international flights next summer due to delays in deliveries of new Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Production problems have hampered Boeing’s efforts to get the popular wide-body jets to airlines for more than a year, leaving the aircraft maker with more than $25 billion of jets in its inventory. “Without these wide-bodies, we simply won’t be able to fly as much internationally as we had planned,” Vasu Raja, American’s chief revenue officer, wrote in a memo American released after The Wall Street Journal reported on the cuts. American plans to halt flights to Edinburgh; Shannon, Ireland; and Hong Kong next summer, and reduce flights to Shanghai, Beijing, and Sydney, according to an internal airline memo the Journal viewed. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL 

N.Y. attorney general requests Trump deposition in civil fraud case New York State Attorney General Letitia James has asked to question former President Donald Trump under oath in an investigation into possible civil fraud at the Trump Organization, Trump’s property company. James’ office is looking into whether Trump’s company fraudulently reported property valuations, inflating them to get better loans and under-reporting them to lower tax bills. In the civil case, James could file a lawsuit against Trump if she finds evidence of fraud, but she couldn’t bring criminal charges. But James’ office also is collaborating in a criminal investigation being led by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. that is seeking to determine whether Trump was involved in a pattern of criminal fraud by giving lenders false property values. James on Thursday ended her campaign for governor as the Trump investigations intensified. CNBC 

Starbucks workers in Buffalo vote to become company’s 1st unionized store Starbucks workers at a Buffalo, New York, store voted to unionize on Thursday, a first in the coffee giant’s 50-year history. The National Labor Relations Board said that workers at one of Starbucks’ three stores in Buffalo voted 19-8 in favor of a union. A second store voted 12-8 against unionizing, although the union said it was considering contesting that vote. Both sides challenged the balloting in a third store. Starbucks and the union, Workers United, have five days to submit any objections. The company has aggressively tried to keep out unions, and it spent months urging baristas to vote against organized labor representation. The Buffalo vote marked the latest sign of renewed strength for organized labor after decades of waning influence. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

Thursday, December 9th, 2021 

PKK fighters kill three Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq, before Turkish fighter jets reportedly kill six PKK fighters during airstrikes. (Al Jazeera) 

A tractor-trailer transporting more than 100 illegal migrants – mostly Guatemalans and Hondurans – crashes in Chiapas, Mexico, killing at least 53 people. (The Washington Post) 

Hong Kong mandates usage of its COVID-19 tracing app for all adults under the age of 65. The app logs a person’s presence at 18 types of premises, including bars and restaurants, and enables tracing of infections if an outbreak is reported. (CNA) 

Singapore reports its first locally transmitted case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 24-year-old airport employee with no recent travel history. (South China Morning Post) 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people as young as 16 years receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This comes after the FDA authorized the usage of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for people in that age group. (CBS News) 

The Austrian government announces plans to make COVID-19 vaccination compulsory for the general population, setting a minimum age of 14 years and requiring unvaccinated persons to pay fines of up to 3,600 euros every three months. The rules will be in effect from February 1 until January 2024. (Reuters) 

The World Health Organization recommends that people who are immunocompromised or received an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine should get their COVID-19 booster dose due to reducement of vaccine effectiveness against virus variants. (The Hill) 

An mRNA vaccine candidate against the human immunodeficiency virus, developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Moderna and other institutes, shows a 79% efficacy rate and no major side effects in animal trials on rhesus macaques, according to a peer-reviewed paper published in Nature Medicine. (France 24) 

The government announces that it will begin increasing the legal age for purchasing tobacco by one year every year beginning in 2025, effectively preventing future generations from legally purchasing tobacco products. The plan also involves decreasing the nicotine content of tobacco, limiting licenses for the sale of tobacco, and increasing funding for anti-addiction services. Electronic cigarettes, which are more popular among younger generations in New Zealand, will not be subject to the ban. (The Guardian) 

The Supreme Court of the Philippines partially upholds provisions of the contentious Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 while declaring unconstitutional the designation of terrorists on the request of foreign jurisdictions as well as the qualifier on harmful dissent. (Rappler) 

American actor Jussie Smollett is convicted on five counts of disorderly conduct for lying to police after staging a racist and anti-gay hate crime on himself in 2019. (AP) 

The End Friday 

3 Northeast states tap National Guard to help fight COVID surge The governors of three Northeast states — Maine, New York, and New Hampshire — are calling on the National Guard to help address surging COVID-19 cases overwhelming hospitals. The New York National Guard announced Wednesday it deployed 120 medics and medical technicians to a dozen long-term care facilities across the state in response to a call issued by Gov. Kathy Hochul due to staffing shortages. Hochul said she might also deploy Guard members to hospitals that are running out of beds. Maine Gov. Janet Mills activated the National Guard after a spike in cases strained hospitals. New Hampshire Gov. Christopher Sununu called on the Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard for help “preparing for the winter surge.” CNN 

U.S. President Joe Biden rules out deploying American troops unilaterally to Ukraine in order to deter a potential Russian invasion, saying that the option “was not on the table”. (Reuters) 

Senate approves resolution against Biden vaccine mandate for big employers The Senate on Wednesday approved a resolution calling for the repeal of President Biden’s mandate on large businesses to require coronavirus vaccinations or regular testing for their employees. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called the mandate “blatant overreach.” Two Democrats — Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) — voted with all the Senate’s Republicans to pass the measure. It is unlikely to become law, because it faces an uphill battle to get a vote in the Democratic-controlled House, and Biden is certain to veto it if it reaches his desk. Biden said in September that he wanted the Labor Department to make businesses with 100 or more employees require vaccinations or weekly testing, and wear masks. A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked the rule, which was set to take effect Jan. 4. NEW YORK POST 

4.2 million people left their jobs in October About 4.2 million Americans quit their jobs in October as people continued to seek new opportunities in a changing pandemic-era economy, according to a report released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The figure marked a slight decline from the record of 4.4 million in September, which broke the previous high of 4.3 million set in August. The survey found that there were 11 million job openings in the country, just under a record set in July. “This report once again shows strong demand from employers leading to a hot labor market,” Nick Bunker, an economist at Indeed, wrote Wednesday. “The bargaining table is tilted more toward workers than it has been in the past. … The question now is whether the Omicron variant cools down in the labor market.” THE WASHINGTON POST 

Biden calls for making federal government carbon neutral by 2050 President Biden signed an executive order Wednesday calling for making the United States government carbon neutral by 2050. The Biden administration said it planned to pursue the goal by spending billions to replace its 600,000 cars and trucks with an all-electric fleet, buy power to support cleaner energy, and make more efficient federal buildings. Biden’s order aims to use the government’s buying power to slash its carbon emissions by 65 percent by 2030. The government would stop buying gas-powered vehicles by 2035, and make most buildings owned or leased by the federal government carbon neutral a decade later. Left-leaning groups said Biden wasn’t going far enough, while conservatives like Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said his plan would hurt states with big fossil-fuel reserves. NBC NEWS 

Cuba reports its first case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a person who had travelled from Mozambique. (The Straits Times) 

The government of New Zealand announces it will begin increasing the legal age for purchasing tobacco by one year every year starting in 2025, effectively preventing future generations from ever legally purchasing tobacco products. This plan also involves decreasing the nicotine content of tobacco, limiting licenses for its sale, and increasing funding to addiction services. Electronic cigarettes, which are more popular among younger generations in New Zealand, will not be subject to the ban. (The Guardian) 

The Supreme Court of the Philippines partially upholds provisions of the contentious Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 while declaring unconstitutional on the designation of terrorists upon the request by foreign jurisdictions and a qualifier on harmful dissent. (Rappler) 

U.S. surpasses 200 million vaccinations as Omicron spreads The United States’ vaccination push has reached a major milestone, with more than 200 million Americans now fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. The total amounts to more than 60 percent of the population. Concerns about the spread of the newly discovered Omicron variant have increased demand for shots, although the current rate of 1.78 million doses per day is far below the April 13 peak of 3.38 million. Scientists and the public have expressed concerns that the fast-spreading new strain could be resistant to existing vaccines. Pfizer and BioNTech said Wednesday that laboratory tests showed that Omicron partially evaded their COVID-19 vaccine, but three doses — two initial shots and a booster — provided significant protection from the new strain. THE NEW YORK TIMES 

Mark Meadows sues to block Jan. 6 committee subpoenas Former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows filed a lawsuit Wednesday asking a federal court to block a subpoena for his cooperation from the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by a mob of former President Donald Trump’s supporters. Meadows also named House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in the lawsuit. The filing came after the Jan. 6 committee indicated that it would pursue a vote to ask the Justice Department to determine whether to charge Meadows with criminal contempt for refusing to give a deposition about the riot. Meadows says the subpoenas are “overly broad and unduly burdensome.” He also claims the committee “lacks lawful authority to seek and to obtain” the information it’s demanding. CNN 

U.K. toughens COVID restrictions in response to new variant British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday tightened COVID-19 restrictions, ordering people in England to work from home, wear masks in public, and show proof of vaccination as part of an effort to fight the spread of the newly discovered Omicron coronavirus variant. Critics called Johnson’s “Plan B” a “hammer blow” to London restaurants and shops that were hoping Christmas sales would help them recover from the damage caused by the pandemic. As Johnson imposed the tougher rules, he faced criticism, even from lawmakers in his own party, over accusations that his staff attended a party at Downing Street during last year’s Christmas lockdown. In Finland, Prime Minister Sanna Marin apologized as she faced a backlash for going clubbing in Helsinki last weekend after being exposed to COVID-19, although she has tested negative. REUTERS 

California attorney general investigates Torrance officers’ racist, homophobic texts California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Wednesday launched a review of excessive force and discriminatory conduct allegations in the Torrance Police Department, after the surfacing of racist and homophobic text messages exchanged by more than a dozen current and former officers. In the texts, officers joked about lynching Black people, “gassing” Jewish people, assaulting gay people, and lying during the investigation into a police shooting, the Los Angeles Times reported. The comments have led to the dismissal of at least 85 criminal cases involving the officers. The department’s new chief of police, Jay Hart, requested the review after the texts were found during an investigation into two former Torrance officers accused of painting a swastika on an impounded vehicle. LOS ANGELES TIMES 

Court sentences Scott Peterson to life after death sentence overturned Superior Court Judge Anne-Christine Massullo of California resentenced Scott Peterson to life in prison on Wednesday, months after the state Supreme Court overturned his death sentence. The decision came nearly 17 years after Peterson was convicted of killing his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn child, and dumping them in San Francisco Bay. Peterson, who is not eligible for parole, also will serve a concurrent 15-year sentence for the death of the unborn child. Three of Laci Peterson’s relatives testified during the hearing that he was “evil” and a “coward.” Peterson didn’t say anything. His attorney said was innocent. SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE 

Kim Kardashian thanks Kanye West at the People’s Choice Awards Kim Kardashian accepted a Fashion Icon award at the People’s Choice Awards Tuesday night, giving a shout-out to her ex-husband, the artist formerly known as Kanye West. “To Kanye, even,” she said, “for really introducing me to the fashion world.” The comments came after Kardashian was confirmed to be dating Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson. Meanwhile, West — who has legally changed his name to Ye — has claimed she is “still my wife” despite their divorce because he has “never even seen the papers.” In her speech, Kardashian thanked the designers who have “really believed in me,” or at least, she quipped, who were “talked into it by getting a call from Kanye.” Sadly, she ended her speech before ever using the phrase “thank Ye very much.”  PEOPLE 

Jessica Chastain defends Jeremy Strong against ‘incredibly one sided’ profile He’s still her number one boy. Jessica Chastain came to Succession star Jeremy Strong’s defense on Twitter in response to a recent profile of him from The New Yorker, which discussed his acting methods. “[He’s] a lovely person,” Chastain wrote of her Molly’s Game co-star. “Very inspiring & passionate about his work. The profile that came out on him was incredibly one sided. Don’t believe everything you read folks. Snark sells but maybe [it’s] time we move beyond it.” The New Yorker mentioned, among other things, the “unusual lengths” Strong sometimes goes to while acting, and it quoted his co-star Kieran Culkin as saying this doesn’t necessarily “help me.” Still, some were a bit confused by Chastain’s passionate slam of the profile, with Variety editor Kate Aurthur replying, “Wait, what? It was an incredibly nuanced portrait of him.”  THE WRAP 

Jennifer Aniston says she’s been ‘bullied’ over COVID-19 vaccines Give her a break, anti-vaxxers! Jennifer Aniston told The Hollywood Reporter she’s faced some pushback for being in favor of COVID-19 vaccination. After noting that she’s exclusively been going to restaurants that require patrons to be vaccinated, she shared, “You know, someone literally called me a ‘liberal Vax-hole’ the other day. I don’t understand the disconnect right now, being bullied for wanting people not to be sick? I mean, that’s what we’re talking about.” Aniston previously revealed to InStyle she “lost a few people in my weekly routine” who refused to get vaccinated or reveal their vaccine status. The Friends star told the Reporter she does “think we’re getting closer” to the end of the pandemic, though, adding she’s “excited to get on a plane again — and terrified as well.” Hey, if it’s too much to handle, you can always get off the plane.  THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021 

The death toll from the eruption of the Semeru volcano in Indonesia increases to 39. (France 24) 

China’s National Medical Products Administration approves the use of the neutralizing antibody cocktail developed by BRII Biosciences to treat COVID-19 in adults and teenagers. (Financial Post) 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces new “Plan B” restrictions that include working from home for those who can beginning on December 13, and an extension of mandatory face mask wearing to more indoor venues beginning on December 10. The restrictions also include usage of the mandatory NHS COVID pass in order to enter nightclubs and other venues with large crowds, as well as daily tests for people who had contact with a person who tested positive for the Omicron variant. (Sky News) 

The Danish government announces that schoolchildren will be sent home early from December 15 and nightlife establishments will close on December 10 due to persistently high number of COVID-19 cases. (Daily Sabah) 

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority approves the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for people over the age of 18 that can be administered six months after their second dose, as well as immunocompromised people aged above 12 years that can be administered 28 days after their second dose. (BusinessTech) 

Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom join a U.S.-led diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Beijing citing China’s human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region and Beijing’s ongoing freeze on ministerial contact with Canberra.  (Politico)  

The End