Month: December 2021

Ontario Makes Fourth Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Available for Seniors

The fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is now available for long-term care residents and other senior citizens, the Ontario government said on Thursday. Ontarians living in congregated settings like long-term care homes and retirement homes can get the fourth dose of the mRNA vaccine if three months have passed since they received their third…


Missouri’s COVID-19 State of Emergency Expires After Governor Decides Against Extension

Missouri’s COVID-19-related state of emergency expired on Friday after Gov. Mike Parson decided against extending the designation. Parson, a Republican, first declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19 on March 13, 2020. The designation has been in place ever since. Parson said he opted not to extend the state of emergency because of COVID-19…


New York’s Mask-or-Vaccine Mandate for Businesses Extended

New York’s statewide COVID-19 mask-or-vaccine mandate for businesses and indoor venues will be extended several more weeks until Feb. 1, said Gov. Kathy Hochul on Dec. 31. Hochul, a Democrat, introduced the mandate, which requires businesses and venues to require people to wear masks or present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, in mid-December amid the spread…


Betty White, Longtime TV Actress, Dies Just Days Before 100th Birthday

Betty White, a television actress whose career spanned decades, died at age 99, according to her agent in a statement on New Year’s Eve. “Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever,” agent Jeff Witjas said in a statement to People magazine. He added: “I will miss her terribly…


Beijing Kills Holiday Spirit as It Tightens Grip on Society

News Analysis China cancelled Christmas this year, claiming that it was damaging traditional Chinese culture, and warned its people to avoid Western influence. This is just the latest step in Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s new policy of tightening social control, while turning China inward. Christmas celebrations first became popular in the 1990s, largely among young…


A Healthy Homemade Soup to Jumpstart the New Year

When sweater weather arrives, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a pot of something savory and delicious simmering on the stove. As you turn to hearty soups this winter, having the right seasonal staples means you’ll be well on your way to having piping hot meals on the table, quickly and hassle-free. Keep your pantry…


What to Watch in China 2022

Commentary The year 2021 seemed to present a never-ending stream of worrying events out of China, from stock market delistings to floods and COVID-19. The good news, though, is that 2022 promises to be even better. So what are the events and big stories we should be watching for in 2022? The big story in…


Limited Number of Revelers Return to Times Square to Usher in 2022

NEW YORK—New York City readied to embrace the new year—and bid good riddance to another pandemic-marred 12 months—as it prepared to revive its annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square. The city said it would limit the number of people it lets into Times Square to witness a 6-ton ball, encrusted with nearly 2,700…


Rewind, Review, and Re-Rate: ’Draft Day’: A Dude-Flick for the Hardcore Sports Fan

PG-13 | 1h 50m | Sports, Drama | April 7, 2014 The NFL Draft—it hypes American football like the Oscars hype movies. Public picking of players for pro ball makes money. “Draft Day” is an infomercial for the NFL, of course. It’s big hype. We know this because Roger Goodell has a speaking role. Enough…


Canadian Pro-Democracy Activist and Pop Star Denise Ho Released on Bail in Hong Kong

Cantopop singer Denise Ho has been released on bail after being arbitrarily detained by Hong Kong police during the city government’s crackdown on a pro-democracy media outlet. Ho, a Canadian citizen, was taken from her home in Hong Kong in the early hours of Dec. 29, according to her Facebook page. The same day, national…