Holiday light shows combat U.S. pandemic blues - December 21, 2021

President Joe Biden's administration announced it will make up to 20,000 temporary H-2B visas available for foreign workers to help with the labor shortage during the winter season, a first for the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas praised the move as the administration faced pressure from businesses to help alleviate the national labor shortage. Labor unions expressed concern over the program which they say makes it difficult for workers to escape exploitative working conditions. Increase in H-2B visas could ease island staffing woes - The Inquirer and Mirror Biden to raise number of guest worker visas, with more for Haiti, Central America - Reuters Bank of America told New York employees they will be allowed to work remotely during the holiday weeks as COVID-19 cases have spiked on Wall Street. The move follows similar announcements from financial giants Citigroup Inc. and Citadel, as well as Harvard and Syracuse universities, who have instructed students and staff to work remotely where possible into the January term. Is it time to hire a head of remote work? - Raconteur Some Google employees may resign if not offered flexibility over remote working - Computing PC monitor sales slide as remote work rush fades - ZDNet The Environmental Protection Agency strengthened the limit requirements for pollution coming from automobile tailpipes in a reversal of former President Donald Trump’s looser fuel standards. Under the rule, passenger vehicles must travel at an average of 55 miles per gallon by 2026. Following the announcement of the rule, some automobile trade associations warned further government support including consumer incentives and supply chain development would be needed to achieve the agency’s goals. New Mexico governor seeks low-carbon fuel standard - Associated Press Oil Prices Crash On Renewed Omicron Panic - Oilprice @tveitdal: New Biden rule reducing climate emissions from cars and SUVs reverses major Trump rollback The EPA regulation finalized