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A science-oriented advocacy group on Tuesday said the Earth remains at its closest ever position to doomsday, citing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the climate change crisis and advances in artificial intelligence. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists kept its "Doomsday Clock" at 90 seconds to midnight – the same setting as in 2023. Midnight on the clock represents a theoretical point of global catastrophe and destruction. The clock dates back to 1947 and was typically “set” at minutes to midnight, though the group has switched to counting down the seconds in recent years. The clock has been as far away from midnight as 17 minutes in 1991 after the end of the Cold War.

Persons: Rachel Bronson, “, ” Bronson, ” Organizations: Atomic Scientists Locations: Ukraine, Gaza, Israel

New COVID-19 hospitalizations may have passed their winter peak in the U.S.Coronavirus hospital admissions last week decreased for the first time in more than two months, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though the number remains elevated, weekly hospitalizations fell by nearly 10% week over week. “Despite test positivity (percentage of tests conducted that were positive), emergency department visits, and hospitalizations remaining elevated nationally, COVID-19 rates have stabilized, or in some instances decreased,” the CDC said in a post on Friday. The vast majority of COVID-19 cases are stemming from a new COVID-19 variant, JN.1. CDC estimates published on Friday indicate the strain is likely responsible for about 86% of new coronavirus cases over the past two weeks.

Persons: It’s, “ Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, CDC, World Health Organization Locations: U.S, South, Midwest

India: The most recent moon landing before Japan’s was successfully completed by India, whose spacecraft touched down last year near the unexplored south pole of the moon. The most recent moon landing before Japan’s was successfully completed by India, whose spacecraft touched down last year near the unexplored south pole of the moon. China: The country made its first lunar landing in 2013 on the near side of the moon. The country is planning to undertake another moon mission in the next few years. The country is planning to undertake another moon mission in the next few years.

Persons: ” Hitoshi Kuninaka, SLIM, Japan’s, Vladimir Putin’s, it’s Organizations: Institute of Space, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Smart, Soviet Union, Innovation Nations, News Locations: Japan, U.S, India, Russia, China, United States

The U.S. is in the midst of a winter wave of COVID-19. COVID-19 is not the problem it once was in the U.S. Americans have access to tests, treatments and vaccines. Here are three things to know about the current COVID-19 surge in the U.S.COVID-19 Levels in the U.S. Are ElevatedWastewater viral activity for COVID-19 is “very high” nationally, surpassing last winter’s levels, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “All regions show high and increasing levels, with the highest regional levels in the South and Midwest,” the CDC reported last week. “COVID-19 surveillance data, hospital admission forecasts and growth estimates indicate that COVID-19 activity has increased and is likely to continue increasing into January,” the agency said.

Persons: it’s, ”, “, They’re, Luo Organizations: U.S, Centers for Disease Control, CDC, Department, omicron, JN Locations: U.S, South, Midwest, COVID

Tensions in the Red Sea have been increasing for weeks, culminating in air strikes from the U.S. and its allies on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen early Friday local time. What Has Been Happening in the Red Sea? As of Thursday, the Houthis have launched 27 attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden that they claim were linked to Israel. Reactions to the Air StrikesThe Houthis vowed to keep attacking ships in the Red Sea after the airstrikes. Container shipping company Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc told the Financial Times that re-establishing safe passage through the Red Sea could take months.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, “, Joe Biden, Biden, ”, –, Yahya Saree, Nasser Kanaani, Ro Khanna, Chip Roy, Sen, Rick Scott of, Vincent Clerc Organizations: Hamas, U.S, Central Command, Air Force, Houthis, Air, Political, ”, Democrat, Republican, California, Biden, Terrorists, Trade, Container, Maersk, Financial Times, Kiel Institute Locations: U.S, Yemen, Red Sea, Iran, Israel, Austin, United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, Red, Sanaa, Saudi Arabia, Middle, Lebanon, Hamas, Gaza, Aden, Gulf of Aden, Brig, British, Texas, Rick Scott of Florida, Europe, Asia, South Africa

Abortion is sure to be a divisive topic during the 2024 election following the Supreme Court’s decision in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, thereby ending a nationwide right to abortion. Trump has called himself the most “pro-life president ever” and taken credit for appointing the Supreme Court conservative majority that overturned Roe v. Wade. Here are five key quotes from Trump on abortion over the years:– “I’m very pro-choice. Shortly after that statement, Trump credited divine intervention for the Supreme Court’s decision. “God made the decision,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News.

Persons: Roe, Wade, Donald Trump, Trump, –, ” Trump, “ God, I’m, ” Organizations: Supreme Court, Republicans, Donald Trump View, Trump –, Republican Party, GOP, Press, MSNBC, WIN, LIFE, United States Supreme, Fox News, Democrat Party, Coalition, Washington , D.C Locations: U.S, Washington ,

A faster and more effective rollout of the first COVID-19 booster shot authorized in 2021 would have saved more than 29,000 lives in the U.S., according to a new study. regulatory caution, in the middle of a pandemic, thus had a large, avoidable cost.”Still, they estimated that the first round of booster shots in the U.S. saved 42,000 lives. Israel was the first country to authorize a COVID-19 booster in July 2021. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 81% of the U.S. population received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, uptake decreased with every subsequent shot authorized. Just 16% of adults have gotten the latest shot, which health officials have said is not enough.

Persons: ”, Israel Organizations: Health Affairs, U.S, Centers for Disease Control Locations: U.S, Israel

New coronavirus hospitalizations have increased for the third week in a row. More than 19,400 new COVID-19 hospital admissions were reported last week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Holiday gatherings and travel are also typically followed by an increase in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. COVID-19 vaccination rates, meanwhile, have been disappointing for many. CDC Director Mandy Cohen told Congress this week that about 16% of Americans have gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Persons: Mandy Cohen, That’s, ” Cohen, – Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, Midwest, CDC Locations: China

“What we know as of right now, today, what's happening in China, they are having an increase in some of their respiratory illness they're seeing in the northern part of their country, they're seeing an uptick in their pediatric population,” CDC Director Mandy Cohen told a House subcommittee. But they are seeing an upsurgence.”The World Health Organization this month requested China provide details on the uptick in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children in northern China. “Recently we have seen some clusters of flu cases among children in certain parts of China. In fact, that is a very common phenomenon in many countries, and in China that has been put under effective control,” Wang told reporters at the United Nations in New York. Maria Van Kerkhove of WHO said on Wednesday that the organization is following up with the situation in China.

Persons: Mandy Cohen, Wang Yi, ” Wang, Maria Van Kerkhove, Cohen, ” Cohen Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, United Nations, WHO, CDC, European Union Locations: China, COVID, New York

When the COVID-19 strain BA.2.86 entered the scene over the summer, it quickly captured the attention of officials who were concerned about the variant’s large number of mutations. The organization said that there has been a “slow but steady increase in the proportion of BA.2.86 reported” globally. The CDC said in a statement this week that BA.2.86 has also been slowly increasing in the U.S. since August. “These numbers are based on a relatively small number of BA.2.86 sequences, so should be interpreted with caution, as should BA.2.86 growth rates and other extrapolations based on these numbers,” the CDC said. COVID-19 tests and treatment are also expected to work on BA.2.86.

Persons: “ pirola, ”, Maria Van Kerkhove, ” Van Kerkhove, “, It’s Organizations: World Health Organization, WHO, Centers for Disease Control, CDC Locations: hospitalizations, U.S

Weekly COVID-19 hospitalizations increased ahead of record-breaking holiday travel, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New coronavirus hospital admissions topped 18,100 the week ending in Nov. 18 – a nearly 10% increase over the week prior. Despite the increase in COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, the CDC reported that “hospital bed occupancy and capacity, including within intensive care units, remain stable nationally.”It’s the second week in a row that COVID-19 hospitalizations increased after mostly declining or remaining stable for about two months. Political Cartoons on the Economy View All 611 ImagesUptake of the updated COVID-19 vaccine has so far been disappointing for infectious disease researchers, with about 15% of adults rolling up their sleeves for the latest shot. While the public’s concerns over COVID-19 are surely declining as the U.S. enters its fourth holiday season with the virus, the CDC “recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter.”

Persons: ” Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, CDC, Federal Locations: COVID, U.S

COVID-19 vaccine uptake this fall is perhaps not what many had hoped it would be. The rates appear to be on track with the rollout of the previous updated COVID-19 shot but fall significantly short of the flu vaccine coverage so far this season. A couple other factors have probably affected vaccine uptake to a smaller extent. Smith says that it is surprising how the COVID-19 vaccination rates compare to flu shot uptake. Combination flu and COVID-19 vaccines are in the works but aren’t expected to be available to the public until 2025.

Persons: “ It's, ”, Camille Kotton, ” Kotton, “, they've, haven’t, they're, Kotton, didn't, Emily Smith, Smith, it's, it’s Organizations: Massachusetts General Hospital, Centers for Disease Control, CDC, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, U.S . Locations: Massachusetts, COVID, U.S

Over 16,200 new COVID-19 hospital admissions were reported last week – an increase of more than 8% over the week prior. CDC continues to monitor HV.1, EG.5 and all other lineages.”HV.1 was responsible for 29% of new COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, according to estimates from the CDC. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to work on HV.1, which is a descendant of EG.5. Political Cartoons on Women’s Issues View All 73 ImagesNearly 15% of American adults have received the updated COVID-19 shot, according to a survey from the federal government. While the COVID-19 vaccine coverage so far is comparable to the last updated COVID-19 vaccine, it’s still lower than experts were hoping for ahead of the holiday season.

Persons: “, EG Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, CDC, EG Locations: U.S

SpaceX on Saturday aims to perform its second uncrewed test flight of its massive Starship rocket after the last attempt in April successfully launched but exploded minutes later. Now, months after the first flight test, SpaceX has rebuilt its megarocket and is targeting a 20-minute launch window Saturday at 8 a.m. The test was initially scheduled for Friday, but SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said that a part of the rocket needed to be replaced. SpaceX had to gain clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration to perform the test, which it received earlier this week. “The FAA has given license authorization for the second launch of the @SpaceX Starship Super Heavy vehicle,” the FAA posted on social media on Wednesday.

Persons: “, SpaceX, Elon Musk, ”, Jim Free Organizations: SpaceX, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, NASA Locations: Texas, Indian, Hawaii, Mars

The groups said in a press release that “measles continues to pose a relentlessly increasing threat to children.”Estimated measles cases increased 18% last year while deaths increased 43%, according to the report. About 9 million cases of measles and 136,000 deaths – mostly among children – were reported globally in 2022. “Measles cases anywhere pose a risk to all countries and communities where people are under-vaccinated. Low-income countries reported the lowest vaccination rates and showed no signs of recovery from the vaccination coverage decline during the pandemic. “The lack of recovery in measles vaccine coverage in low-income countries following the pandemic is an alarm bell for action.

Persons: –, ” John Vertefeuille, Kate O’Brien Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, Democratic, Pan American Health Organization Locations: Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, U.S, Ohio, Americas

And in one word, the cloak lifted on a carefully orchestrated summit and revealed the significant lingering tensions between the two countries. By most accounts, the first in-person meeting of the two leaders in a year was productive and resulted in agreements and lengthy discussions that signaled a return to relatively smooth relations. A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry called the comment “extremely wrong and irresponsible political manipulation” without mentioning Biden by name. Political Cartoons View All 1253 ImagesIt’s not the first time Biden has called Xi a dictator. Previously, he used the term after the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon in February.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Biden, ”, He’s, ” Biden, Xi, “, what’s, John Kirby Organizations: House Locations: Beijing, U.S, China

President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced his administration secured agreements with China to resume military communications and combat fentanyl after his first in-person meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a year. “Vital miscalculations on either side can cause real, real trouble with a country like China – or any other major country,” Biden said. During the press conference, Biden added that he believes the ultimate answer to the war in Gaza is a two-state solution. Biden mentioned he raised concerns about China’s human rights and tension between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Overall, though, Biden presented an optimistic view about future relations with China.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, ”, “ I’m, ” Xi, “, ” Biden, “ It's, Xi's, that’s Organizations: Wednesday, Economic Cooperation, U.S, Western, State Department Locations: China, United States, Asia, San Francisco, U.S, Beijing, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Taiwan, Philippines, South China

President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, will talk in the San Francisco Bay Area on Wednesday for their second in-person meeting. The meeting is sure to cover many high-stakes topics, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict. While the meeting is noteworthy, the Biden administration is keeping expectations low given that the two countries disagree on many subject areas. Political Cartoons on World Leaders View All 228 Images“We're not talking about a long list of outcomes or deliverables,” a senior administration official told reporters on a Sunday call. “We're going to cover a whole range of topics that are potentially contentious,” a senior administration official said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, “ We’re, ” Biden, ”, Jake Sullivan, ” Sullivan, Biden “, “ We're, “ Organizations: San Francisco Bay Area, Economic Cooperation, U.S, Union, CBS, Defense Department Locations: San Francisco Bay, Ukraine, Israel, China, Asia, San Francisco, “ State, Pacific, U.S

Public trust in scientists fell again in 2023 even as COVID-19 has faded into the background for many Americans, according to a new report. Those with little or little to no confidence in scientists have, perhaps not surprisingly, increased since the pandemic. Cartoons on the Coronavirus View All 644 ImagesThe decline in trust in scientists is particularly prominent among Republicans, according to the survey. However, a large majority of Democrats report some level of confidence in scientists. While overall trust in scientists has declined, it is generally one of the more trusted professions, according to the survey.

Persons: “ Organizations: Pew Research, Republicans, Republican, Democrat Locations: It’s, U.S

A new COVID-19 variant has entered the scene in the U.S.HV.1 was documented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in low numbers over the summer. It’s a descendent of EG.5, which is the second most common variant in the U.S. at nearly 22% of new cases, according to estimates from the CDC. That estimate also includes cases from HV.1 and another similar strain, HK.5. The CDC is predicting a “moderate” COVID-19 wave, according to its respiratory disease season outlook. “COVID-19 variants continue to emerge but have not resulted in rapid disease surges,” the CDC said in an update to its respiratory disease season outlook published last month.

Persons: eris, ”, Perry, We've, ” Halkitis, “ Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, EG, World Health Organization doesn’t, WHO, HK, Rutgers School of Public Health, CDC Locations: U.S

Most of the exemptions, which come at a time of heightened public vaccine skepticism in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, were listed as nonmedical. Ten states reported an exemption from at least one vaccine for more than 5% of kindergartners. The pair of developments raises concerns about potential disease outbreaks among undervaccinated children. Regular vaccinations took a hit during the pandemic when many were avoiding going to the doctor unless absolutely necessary. Globally, however, some improvements have been made, according to the latest data from the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

Persons: “ Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, CDC, World Health Organization, UNICEF Locations: U.S

One group in particular – Hezbollah – has already clashed with Israel since Hamas’ Oct. 7 invasion of the country. “All of Lebanon, including Hezbollah – we don’t want a war,” Lebanon’s foreign minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, who is in regular contact with Hezbollah, told The New York Times. “There is Western pressure on the Lebanese government to apply pressure on Hezbollah not to go to war. We need equal pressure on them, too.”Still, Hezbollah is showing public – though, mostly symbolic to date – support of Hamas. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are supported by Iran, but Hezbollah’s military capabilities go further than those of Hamas.

Persons: –, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, ”, Abdallah Bou Habib, Naim Qassem, Qassem, ” Daniel Byman, Israel –, ” Khaled Meshaal, ” Byman Organizations: Lebanese, ., New York Times, Hamas, U.S, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Israel Locations: Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Beirut, Lebanon’s Beqaa

Russia is executing soldiers who resist orders to throw themselves at heavily fortified positions using “human wave tactics” as part of a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine, the White House said. Russian forces took heavy losses of machinery in the course of an assault involving a tank column, but Kirby’s emphasis was on the lack of regard Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military has for its own people. “We have information that the Russian military has been actually executing soldiers who refuse to follow orders,” Kirby said. The White House documented cases earlier in the war in which Russian military members surrendered rather than fight. “Recent Russian equipment losses around Avdiivka will likely lead to even more pronounced Russian equipment shortages and setbacks for any progress that the Russian military has made in addressing degraded mechanized maneuver warfare capabilities,” the institute wrote.

Persons: John Kirby, Vladimir Putin’s, ” Kirby, “, “ Russia’s, ”, ” Kirby couldn’t, Kirby Organizations: National Security, House, The Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Avdiivka, Donetsk, Russian, Ukrainian, Avdiivika

About 7% of U.S. adults and 2% of children got the new COVID-19 vaccines during the first month it was available, according to national survey data. The data was presented on Thursday at a meeting held by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It found that vaccine recipients from mid-September to mid-October were more likely to be older, insured and have higher incomes. It found that the groups most likely to get the shots are people 65 and older and Democrats. The recent decrease in coronavirus metrics should not dissuade Americans from getting the new COVID-19 shot, experts warn, noting that the threat of another wave is always looming.

Persons: Mandy Cohen, Cohen, –, “, ” Cohen Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, Politico, CDC Locations: U.S, COVID

Israel’s military is intensifying its ground operations in Gaza in another step that likely moves the country closer to its widely expected, larger ground invasion of the Hama-ruled territory. An Israeli military spokesman on Friday said ground forces were “expanding” their activities in Gaza, distinguishing the uptick from a series of ground raids that Israeli forces have conducted. It’s been more than two weeks since Israel’s military directed the evacuation of northern Gaza within 24 hours. "Simultaneously, we are preparing for a ground invasion. The White House on Thursday declined to comment on what Israel’s military is doing on the ground in Gaza.

Persons: Daniel Hagari, Israel, It’s, Benjamin Netanyahu Locations: Gaza, Hama, Israeli, “, Israel, U.S

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