Merck asks FDA to authorize first pill to treat COVID in U.S.; Trump continues to peddle the big lie as GOP embraces him; U.S. delegation says talks with Taliban “candid and professional”;

Merck: COVID pill cut risk of hospitalization & death by 50%; COVID cases & hospitalizations drop in U. S. as vaccinations rise; FDA vaccine advisers meet this week to discuss booster shots from Moderna, Johnson & Johnson; Dr. Fauci: “go out there” and enjoy Halloween; GOP candidate for governor in Texas: COVID vaccine is a “dangerous shot”; Pushes for more antibody treatments; Labor dept: heath care industry lost more than 500,000 employees since February 2020; Trump allies get subpoenaed, as committee threatens to pursue criminal charges for those who don’t comply; Capitol police whistleblower alleges leadership failures on Jan 6; No. 2 house republican dodges on whether 2020 election “stolen”; Cheney calls out Scalise for refusing to say Biden won election; Trump sends birthday video demanding “justice” for capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt over 1/6 death; Grassley embraces Trump’s support as former pres. spreads lies; Taliban preaches gentler approach; but violence, oppression are reality; CNN on the ground in Taliban controlled Afghanistan; Afghan says Taliban “were enjoying beating me”; FBI: couple tried to sell nuclear intel hidden in sandwich; Southwest cancels hundreds of flights for fourth straight day; Southwest blames air traffic control problems, staff shortages and weather for cancellations; Passengers stranded as Southwest cancels thousands of flights;

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