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National

Biden echoes concern about omicron variant of coronavirus as global cases rise

Days after the new omicron variant of the coronavirus led parts of the world, including the United States, to close their borders to South Africa and neighboring countries, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to the public Monday in defense of the emerging travel restrictions.

Epstein ‘elephant in the room’ as Ghislaine Maxwell trial opens

The long-awaited trial of Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend and longtime associate kicked off on Monday, setting up an expected six-week reckoning of Ghislaine Maxwell’s role in the deceased millionaire’s alleged pyramid scheme of sexual abuse.

Abortion opponents say anti-bias law would control its ranks

Three Trump appointees to the Second Circuit presided over a tense hearing Monday on a New York law that tightens discrimination protections for workers based on their reproductive health choices.

Medicare reimbursement case appears to stump justices

Wrestling with a complicated challenge to how the government reimburses hospitals that cater to low-income patients through Medicare payments, several members of the high court voiced exasperation Monday as they plunged the thornier question of how agencies interpret their own statutes. 

Regional

Vaccine mandate for NYC schools upheld but exemption still possible for staff holdouts

A group of educators who say that the vaccine against Covid-19 goes against their religious beliefs stepped closer to securing an exemption from New York City's mandate after the Second Circuit issued a limited reversal Sunday.

Matthew McConaughey won’t run for Texas governor

Actor and Texas native Matthew McConaughey put an end to questions about his potential run for Texas governor on Sunday night, announcing he will not be mounting a bid to deny incumbent GOP Governor Greg Abbott a third term. 

Chauvin co-defendants lose bid for separate civil rights trial

Derek Chauvin will likely stand trial alongside three colleagues on federal civil rights charges stemming from the murder of George Floyd after a magistrate judge denied a collection of motions to sever. 

International

World seized by fear of highly mutated omicron strain

Fear of the newly discovered omicron variant gripped the world on Monday as scientists raced to discover how dangerous this highly mutated coronavirus strain is and governments closed their borders to international travelers.

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