Flu instances; Venezuela-U.S. tensions; Iran protests : NPR

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The flu season is off to a tough begin this yr. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention estimates that at the very least 7.5 million folks have been sickened, and greater than 3,100 folks have died from the flu this season. The surge in instances seems to be pushed primarily by a new pressure of the virus generally known as subclade Ok of influenza A(H3N2), which emerged over the summer season in Australia.

• 🎧 The brand new pressure does not appear to be extra extreme or harmful than earlier ones, NPR’s Gabrielle Emanuel tells Up First. As an alternative, this yr’s flu vaccine seems to be mismatched towards the virus as a result of it was formulated earlier than the pressure emerged. Early knowledge from the U.Ok. present that the vaccine stays efficient at stopping hospitalization. Some well being consultants, nevertheless, have raised considerations that the federal authorities has didn’t launch a robust flu vaccination marketing campaign.

President Trump’s critics say {that a} strike on a Venezuelan facility is dragging the U.S. even nearer to a extra harmful battle. This week, the president revealed new particulars about an assault towards a Venezuelan dock allegedly used to load medicine onto boats. The newest operation marks the primary identified U.S. strike inside Venezuela — an escalation of Trump’s marketing campaign towards Nicolás Maduro’s authorities.

• 🎧 The strike is critical as a result of it raises the chance of killing individuals who don’t have anything to do with narcotics trafficking, NPR’s Franco Ordoñez says. Up till this strike, the U.S. was concentrating on some sanctioned oil tankers and boats suspected of trafficking medicine. Each of these operations have taken place in worldwide waters.

Iran is experiencing its largest protests in years as 1000’s of individuals, sad with the state of the financial system, flood the streets. Inflation within the nation has skyrocketed, and the forex has plummeted to a report low. Public anger is rising over sanctions towards the ruling authorities.

• 🎧 Months of anger and frustration over water and vitality shortages, civil rights abuses and widespread corruption have fueled the present unrest, NPR’s Jackie Northam says. These criticisms, mixed with the financial protests, have the potential to spiral into one thing considerably bigger. The 12-day conflict Iran had with Israel over the summer season was pricey. There may be now a widespread perception that Israel will begin one other battle with the nation, which might add extra financial uncertainty, Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, an economics professor at Virginia Tech, tells Northam.

Dwelling higher

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Dwelling Higher is a particular sequence about what it takes to remain wholesome in America.

December is the busiest time of yr for bundle deliveries and for the porch pirates who steal them. Package deal theft, nevertheless, can occur any time of yr. In reality, the safety analysis firm SafeWise estimates that thieves steal about 250,000 packages day by day. Generally, as a substitute of a brand new iPad, the thief would possibly swipe a mail order of drugs. This is what you must do about it.

• 💊 Schedule deliveries for when you find yourself dwelling. Firms reminiscent of CVS Caremark supply prospects bundle monitoring.
• 💊 Having a supply spot that is hidden or perhaps a locker in your porch that does not lock is usually a good deterrent.
• 💊 See in case you can choose into requiring a signature upon supply.
• 💊 Contemplate getting medicines delivered to a P.O. field.

Image present

On the Plum Island Museum of Misplaced Toys & Curiosities, one-time treasures discover a new dwelling, convey again reminiscences and warn of the permanence of plastic waste. The gathering of things began when the museum’s founder, Corinn Flaherty, noticed the pinnacle of a Nineteen Forties-era doll on a abandoned seaside in 2015. What started as a “scorching mess” of stuff in her dwelling developed into an official museum in Amesbury, Mass., which opened its doorways in 2021. The house is a kaleidoscope of shade, with fastidiously curated shows on cabinets made out of driftwood. Check out the artfully organized gadgets contained in the museum.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

Tatiana Schlossberg is pictured at her e book signing in 2019 in Richmond, Calif. Schlossberg says she has a uncommon type of most cancers.

Amber De Vos/Getty Photos for Goop

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Amber De Vos/Getty Photos for Goop

1. Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy and daughter of Caroline Kennedy, has died at age 35 following a battle with a uncommon blood most cancers.
2. FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Monday justified the excessive 2026 World Cup ticket costs by citing an unprecedented demand of over 150 million ticket requests.
3. Many individuals have fun the New 12 months by making resolutions, an idea that dates again centuries. The phrase “decision” entered English from Latin within the late 14th century, initially which means to scale back issues into less complicated types. This is how NPR’s Phrase of the Week has developed right into a long-standing custom.

This article was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.