August 2024 - Page 13 of 23

23 Aug

New COVID reinforcements approved: protection of vulnerable populations a priority

295Health

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday greenlit a new round of annual COVID-19 vaccines, clearing the way for Americans of all ages to receive updated protection against the current summer surge. Vaccine giants Pfizer and Moderna will begin distributing doses to health care workers within days. These vaccines target the dominant variant that emerged this spring, although newer, more closely related strains are now circulating. All of these variants appear to be more transmissible than previous ones. The new boosters offer a critical lifeline for vulnerable populations, especially older adults, who have borne the brunt of COVID-related deaths…

23 Aug

Veteran public relations executive Jody Frisch dies at 68 after battle with pancreatic cancer

295Entertainment

Jody Frisch, a seasoned communications leader with extensive experience in both the entertainment and public relations industries, died Aug. 21 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles from pancreatic cancer. She was 68. Frisch’s distinguished career has spanned several key roles at prominent organizations, including the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA. Between 2006 and 2009, he was a notable contributor during the WGA’s significant 100-day strike, serving as Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs in both Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. In 2015, he assumed the role of Director of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs at SAG-AFTRA.…

23 Aug

The implications of a possible Kamala Harris presidency for European relations

295News

At the UK AI Security Summit, held in Bletchley Park, England, on 2 November 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US Vice President Kamala Harris prepared for a group photo, underlining their continued diplomatic engagement. As Vice President Kamala Harris prepares for her pivotal speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, her speech is expected to be a defining moment in her political career. At 59, Harris is outlining her political vision for America, sparking interest in Europe about the potential impact her presidency will have on transatlantic ties. After President Joe Biden dropped out of…

23 Aug

Japanese baseball players ask for freedom and fair compensation

295Sports

Nippon Professional Baseball players are demanding greater autonomy and financial rewards, challenging the league’s long-standing control over their careers and earnings. In a move reminiscent of the MLBPA’s historic battles of the 1970s, the Japanese players are demanding early free agency and a share of their name, image and likeness rights. The JPBPA, the players' union, is preparing a lawsuit challenging the league's reserve system, which limits player movement and restricts their earning potential. The union argues that the system violates antitrust laws and unfairly benefits NPB clubs. The JPBPA is also advocating for players to retain control over their…

23 Aug

Significant downward revision in U.S. job growth, according to the Labor Department

295Business

According to a recent announcement from the Department of Labor, the United States reported a substantial downward revision to job growth, with 818,000 fewer jobs added in the 12-month period ending in March 2024 than initially estimated. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has made its preliminary annual changes to its baseline nonfarm payroll data, revealing that actual job growth was nearly 30% lower than the 2.9 million previously reported for April 2023 through March 2024. This revision, a 0.5 percent decrease in total wage figures, marks the largest adjustment since 2009. Although these figures are updated monthly, the BLS…

23 Aug

U.S. investigates U.S. involvement with Russian state media prior to election

295Technology

In a significant escalation of its efforts to counter foreign influence in its electoral processes, the U.S. Department of Justice has launched a full criminal investigation into American individuals who have been associated with Russian state media outlets. This action underscores a proactive approach to safeguarding the integrity of the upcoming November presidential election. Earlier this month, FBI operations included raids on the residences of two well-known individuals with ties to Russian media: Scott Ritter, a former United Nations weapons inspector and a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy, and Dimitri K. Simes, who served as an advisor to Donald…

22 Aug

Wisconsin woman sentenced to 11 years after pleading guilty in sex exploiter’s death

295Politics

KENOSHA, WI, United States — A Milwaukee woman has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after accepting a plea deal on a lesser charge of manslaughter in connection with the 2018 death of a Kenosha man. The Kenosha County Court handed down the sentence to Chrystul Kizer, which also includes five years of extended supervision, representing the 570 days she has already spent in custody. Kizer, who was charged with second-degree manslaughter, avoided a potential life sentence with her guilty plea. At age 17, Kizer was accused of fatally shooting Randall Volar in his Kenosha home and then setting…

22 Aug

Understanding the NASCAR appeals process: a deep dive into recent developments and procedures

295Sports

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is preparing to appeal Wednesday the penalty imposed on driver Austin Dillon. The appeal is in response to NASCAR’s decision to revoke Dillon’s automatic playoff qualification due to his controversial Richmond race win, as well as a 25-point deduction and a three-race suspension for team observer Brandon Benesch. Dillon’s aggressive maneuvers, which resulted in contact with Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin in the closing moments of the race, were deemed by NASCAR to compromise the integrity of stock car racing. Austin Dillon expressed optimism about the upcoming appeal, saying, "The appeals process is challenging, but we…

22 Aug

UK homebuyers take advantage of lower mortgage rates following BOE rate cut

295News

LONDON — In response to the Bank of England’s recent decision to lower interest rates for the first time in four years, the UK’s major banks have cut mortgage rates, significantly reviving the housing market. Lenders such as Barclays, Halifax, HSBC and NatWest are now offering five-year fixed-rate mortgages at rates below 4%, which is below the BOE’s 5% prime rate. The most competitive of these offers is a five-year fixed rate of 3.83% for homebuyers who can put down a 40% deposit, the latest Rightmove report revealed. This rate is the lowest since the economic fallout from the UK’s…

22 Aug

Revolving door: Food and Drug Administration official’s ties to medical device industry raise concerns

295Health

Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, former head of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) medical devices division, presided over a period of increased device approvals and public health concerns. Although Dr. Shuren is retired, his tenure raises questions about potential conflicts of interest due to his wife’s work as an attorney representing medical device companies. A decade of overlap For 15 years, Dr. Shuren has overseen the approval process for a wide range of medical devices. His wife, Allison Shuren, is a senior partner at Arnold & Porter, a high-powered Washington law firm that represents medical device makers. Dr. Shuren has signed…