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The law allows the government to choose 10 drugs to negotiate from among the 50 costliest drugs for Medicare. Even so, Republicans will "chip away" at the drug price negotiation provision and its implementation, said Joel White, founder and president of Horizon Government Affairs. Biden is unlikely to weaken his signature domestic achievement, said Larry Levitt, Executive Vice President for Health Policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation. Even Republican support for the drug pricing provision is not guaranteed because it is popular with voters across the political spectrum, he said. "All Republicans voted against drug price negotiation, but they have to tread carefully in any effort to weaken it."

☆ Covid-19 rebound may be more common in people who take Paxlovid, early study suggests
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Brenda Goodman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Covid-19 rebound also seems to be more common in people who take Paxlovid compared with those who don’t take the antiviral, although it can happen in either circumstance. In the past few months, instances of Covid-19 rebound have peppered headlines. That study found rebound happened about twice as frequently in people taking Paxlovid as in those who took the placebo. Among the 127 who took Paxlovid, about 14% saw their viral loads climb again after treatment. At least one study has documented a case of a person with rebound Covid-19 who took Paxlovid and passed the infection to an infant.

☆ ‘Here comes the bride’: White House to host its 19th wedding
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

WASHINGTON — “Here Comes the Bride” will be heard at the White House very soon. Stewart McLaurin, president of the historical association, said special occasions at the White House aren’t soon forgotten. “It’s like being part of the American fabric.”A White House wedding is no guarantee of a lasting marriage. Lynda Johnson Robb said she never thought about a White House wedding, but circumstances practically dictated that she and Marine Capt. Red is her signature color and December nuptials meant the White House was already decorated for Christmas.

☆ Biden eggs on a possible Trump-DeSantis 2024 clash: 'It'll be fun watching them take on each other'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Biden seemed delighted by the prospect of Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis clashing. "It'll be fun watching them take on each other," Biden said during a Wednesday press conference. Ron DeSantis. "It'll be fun watching them take on each other," Biden joked during a press conference of the incipient clash between Florida's two most powerful figures when asked who he would rather face. As for himself, Biden told reporters that he is hoping he and first lady Jill Biden will get away from Washington during the holidays.

“The key differential between 2018 and 2022 is that in 2018 Joe Biden was not president,” the former official said. Biden allies also point to early polling that shows Biden narrowly ahead in a potential rematch against former President Donald Trump, who hinted Monday night at a rally that he’ll launch his own bid for re-election in a week. “You have an incumbent with a really good track record, and you’ll have Donald Trump [running],” said Jim Messina, who ran Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012. Democrats in some of the toughest races largely shied away from Biden, preferring popular surrogates, like Obama or first lady Jill Biden. In 2018, Biden held his final rally in a Pennsylvania county that had the largest swing from 2008 to 2016.

☆ In final midterm push, Biden warns of threats, Trump hints at another run
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Control of even one chamber would allow Republicans to stymie Democrat Biden's legislative agenda and launch potentially damaging investigations. Biden warned that many Republican candidates are threatening democratic norms by echoing Trump's false claims about a stolen election in 2020. Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker said at a rally in Georgia. Biden spoke in normally safe Democratic territory outside New York City, where Republicans are threatening to make gains. First Lady Jill Biden visited Texas, a Republican-dominated state that has a handful of competitive races.

Nonpartisan forecasts and polls show Republicans are heavy favorites to win control of the House of Representatives, with the Senate a toss-up. In recent weeks momentum has shifted toward the Republicans, Democratic strategists acknowledge, as voters' concerns about inflation and crime have outweighed those about abortion after the Supreme Court ended the nationwide right to abortion in June. For Democrats, Sunday's rallies in areas traditionally friendly to the party are a last-minute chance to minimize losses on Tuesday. Florida for years swung from party to party, but has recently trended Republican and is not considered a major battleground this election. Trump's frequent rallies maintain his profile as he weighs launching a third run for the White House after the midterms, according to advisers.

Trump, meanwhile, will appear in Miami alongside both the state's U.S. senators and several U.S. representatives. Trump's frequent rallies have served to maintain his own profile as he contemplates launching a third run for the White House after the midterms, according to advisers. Both Trump and Biden appeared in Pennsylvania on Saturday, as did former Democratic President Barack Obama. For Democrats, the Sunday rallies - held in areas that are traditionally friendly to the party - are a last-minute opportunity to minimize losses on Tuesday. In recent weeks, the momentum has shifted toward the Republicans, Democratic strategists acknowledge, as voters' concerns about inflation and crime have proven more durable than concerns about abortion.

CNN —“Mattress Mack” had reason to celebrate the Houston Astros’ World Series win on Saturday – and not just because he’s an Astros superfan. Houston furniture store owner Jim McIngvale, known as “Mattress Mack,” made a series of bets amounting to $10 million on the Astros to win the World Series. The Houston Astros celebrate their World Series win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, November 5. Peña was awarded the World Series MVP for his stellar play during the series. He is just the second rookie to be named LCS and World Series MVP in the same postseason.

☆ Tim Ryan doubles down on his go-it-alone strategy in Ohio's crucial Senate race as Democratic leaders campaign elsewhere: 'They don't need to rescue me. I need to rescue them'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Democratic Senate hopeful Tim Ryan is facing off against Trump-backed challenger JD Vance in Ohio. He added, somewhat defiantly, "They don't need to rescue me. Fans of Democratic Ohio Senate hopeful Rep. Tim Ryan chat in front of his campaign bus during a rally in Xenia, Ohio on November 4, 2022. "We don't need people from the outside coming in to sell us something, because his message is so strong," Saul added. Matheny said, adding that it "shows working-class people that you don't need all that extra money in your pocket."

CNN —The Houston Astros won the franchise’s second World Series title on Saturday after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in Game 6 at Minute Maid Park. After falling behind 2-1 through the first three games of the World Series, Houston evened up the series after throwing a combined no-hitter in Game 4. Party!”The Houston Astros celebrate their World Series win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, November 5. Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos/Getty Images The Houston Astros celebrate their win in Game 5 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, November 4. The Phillies hit five home runs in the game, tying a World Series record, and they won 7-0 to take a 2-1 series lead over the Houston Astros.

CNN —It was an anxious, exciting night to be a Philadelphia or Houston sports fan Thursday, with a two-sport high-stakes showdown played at the same time that gave Houston an edge in the World Series and kept Philadelphia perfect on the gridiron. In Pennsylvania, there was Game 5 of the World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros, each looking to take the advantage in a 2-2 series. The Houston Astros celebrate their win in Game 5 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, November 4. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images Philadelphia right fielder Nick Castellanos makes a diving catch on the first play of Game 3 on Tuesday night. Houston vs. Philly, againAs the World Series was underway Thursday night, the Eagles held off the Texans in Houston 29-17 to start 8-0 for the first time in franchise history.

☆ Astros pitch second no-hitter in World Series history
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Javier and Houston’s bullpen combined on just the second no-hitter in World Series history, silencing a booming lineup and boisterous fans as the Astros blanked the Phillies 5-0 Wednesday night to even the matchup at two games each. The only previous no-hitter in the World Series was a perfect game by Don Larsen of the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956. Astros ace Justin Verlander will again chase that elusive first World Series win when he faces Noah Syndergaard. Up NextAstros: Verlander is 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA in eight World Series starts after failing to hold a five-run lead in the opener. Phillies: RHP Noah Syndergaard had been set to start Game 3 before it was washed out Monday night.

☆ Halloween at the White House
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Dave Lucas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

First lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden distribute Halloween candy to photographers and reporters after an event where they greeted and gave candy to visiting children in costumes for Halloween at the South Portico of the White House in...moreFirst lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden distribute Halloween candy to photographers and reporters after an event where they greeted and gave candy to visiting children in costumes for Halloween at the South Portico of the White House in Washington, October 31, 2022. REUTERS/Leah MillisClose

☆ Fact Check-Fabricated Jill Biden quote on abortion circulates online
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A fabricated quote attributed to U.S. first lady Jill Biden has been circulating online. The posts claim that she said she would have been fine with her mother’s decision to abort her. A spokesperson for the first lady told Reuters that the quote was not authentic. An advanced Google search did not reveal any report of the alleged comment, and only returned results linked to a meme website (archive.ph/wip/zhsYe). A Twitter advanced search did not reveal any attribution of the quote (archive.ph/wip/vQKRN) while an advanced search via the first lady’s Twitter account did not reveal any related comments (archive.ph/wip/a70ry).

☆ Bidens celebrate their first Halloween at the White House
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Steve Holland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden distribute Halloween candy to visiting children at the South Portico of the White House in Washington, U.S., October 31, 2022. REUTERS/Leah MillisWASHINGTON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed trick-or-treaters to the White House to celebrate Halloween on Monday, their first time hosting such a celebration since taking office. Treats were also distributed by representatives from the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, NASA, United States Secret Service, Peace Corps, White House Fire Brigade and White House staff among others. The South Portico of the White House was decorated with fall colors, pumpkins, various shades of autumn, and songs such as "Ring of Fire," "Psycho" and "Hall of the Mountain King" set the mood. Halloween has been celebrated at the White House since the mid-20th century, according to the White House Historical Association.

☆ Democrats hold slim leads over GOP rivals in key Senate races in Pa., Ga. and Ariz., new poll shows
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The survey shows Democrats hold slim leads over their Republican opponents in Senate races in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Georgia, while the two competitors in Nevada are locked in a dead heat. A Republican-controlled Senate could sink President Joe Biden's hopes for passing major legislation in the final two years of his first term. That result, taken from 604 likely voters between Oct. 24 and Oct. 26, fell outside the poll's margin of error of 4.4 percentage points. The pollsters surveyed 885 likely voters in Nevada between Oct. 19 and Oct. 24; the results carry a 4.2-percentage-point margin of error. They also have pinned high inflation, a global phenomenon in the last two years, on Biden's and the Democrats' policies.

President Joe Biden was among several world leaders to send his condolences to South Korea after at least 153 people were killed and 82 injured during Halloween festivities in a popular nightlife district, in the capital Seoul. Xi added that he hoped South Korea “will make every effort to cure and deal with the aftermath,” Xinhua reported. “I am devastated by news of the terrible incident in connection with Halloween celebrations in Seoul,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said in a statement. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on Twitter that he was deeply shocked by the “tragic events in #Seoul” and added that “This is a sad day for South Korea. "My heart goes out to those who lost their loved ones and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.

And the House Democrats’ campaign arm last week deployed hundreds of thousands of dollars to save its chairman in a Biden district north of New York City. “And I think that right there explains why this red wave is going to be so big.”The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm for House Democrats, said it isn't throwing in the towel. “Nearly a week from Election Day, House Democrats are well positioned to retain the majority despite a Republican gerrymandered map and MAGA Republicans’ dark money-fueled campaigns. Connecticut’s 5th District: Democrats have already spent $4.5 million to re-elect Hayes in a district that backed Biden 54.6% to Trump's 43.9% in the last election. Between now and Election Day, Democrats said they plan to spend an additional $1.5 million in ads to combat comparable spending by Republicans.

☆ International leaders offer condolences over deadly South Korea Halloween crush
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, Oct 30 (Reuters) - International leaders expressed condolences after at least 22 foreign nationals from 13 countries were among those killed in a deadly crowd surge in Seoul's Itaewon district, a popular nightlife spot for South Koreans and expatriates alike. South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a period of national mourning on Sunday after a Halloween crush killed some 153 people in the packed nightlife area. At least four Chinese nationals were among those killed, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Chinese embassy in Seoul. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: "All our thoughts are with those currently responding and all South Koreans at this very distressing time." "I am devastated by news of the terrible incident in connection with Halloween celebrations in Seoul," Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said in a statement.

☆ Biden offers condolences after deadly stampede in South Korea
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WILMINGTON, Del., Oct 29 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden offered his deepest condolences after at least 149 people were killed in a stampede at a Halloween event in South Korea, calling the incident tragic. "Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in Seoul. We grieve with the people of the Republic of Korea and send our best wishes for a quick recovery to all those who were injured," he wrote, referring to his wife, first lady Jill Biden. The United States stands with the Republic of Korea during this tragic time." Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Wilmington, Del.

☆ Jill Biden holds the key to the nation's political future as her husband weighs re-election in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

"Joe Biden wouldn't have run in '20 if Jill Biden had not wanted him to run and he won't run in '24 if Jill Biden doesn't want him to run," he told Insider. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden watch fireworks go off on national mall from the White House on July 4, 2022, in Washington, DC. Jill Biden divorced her first husband after five years and married Joe Biden two years later. First lady Jill Biden tours a classroom at the James Rushton Early Learning Center in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 9, 2021. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on May 18, 2022.

For good.”R&B superstar Blige said she lost aunts and other family members to breast, cervical and lung cancer. She has promoted breast cancer screening in the past, especially among Black women who are disproportionately affected, through the Black Women’s Health Imperative. First lady Jill Biden, right, holds hands with singer Mary J. Blige during an event to launch the American Cancer Society's national roundtables on breast and cervical cancer in the State Dining Room of the White House, on Monday. Patrick Semansky / APBlige blamed misconceptions about mammograms among Black women and “the practice of not wanting other people in our business” for disparities in breast cancer outcomes between Blacks and whites. “She has a rock-hard mass in her breast,” Gore said.

☆ Bidens host largest White House Diwali celebration ever
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Sakshi Venkatraman | Sakshi Venkatraman Is A Reporter For Nbc Asian America. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The Bidens hosted Monday the largest Diwali celebration ever held in the White House, with some 200 guests in attendance as the president lit a diya, a ceremonial lamp, and addressed the holiday’s significance. Before he addressed the room full of South Asians, Biden invited two young kids to join him on stage. The president was joined at the ceremony by first lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who was greeted with loud cheers as she took the stage to talk about her own relationship with Diwali. Dancers from the Sa Dance Company perform during a reception to celebrate Diwali at the White House, on Oct. 24, 2022. Yuri Gripas/ABACA / Sipa USA via AP“I have such fond memories of celebrating Diwali as a child,” Harris said.

CNN —Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tested positive for Covid-19 Friday. Walensky is experiencing mild symptoms and is up-to-date on her Covid-19 vaccines, according to a statement released by the agency. Walensky received an updated Covid-19 booster in September. The updated Covid-19 booster shots are bivalent, meaning they target the original coronavirus strain as well as the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants. The booster doses are recommended to given at least two months after the last dose of any Covid-19 vaccine and up to three months after an infection.

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