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White House announces steps to boost monkeypox vaccine supply

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White House announces steps to boost monkeypox vaccine supply

The FDA has issued emergency authorisation for a dosage approach that will enable extra pictures of vaccine per vial.

America Meals and Drug Administration (FDA), a federal well being company, has introduced emergency use authorisation (EUA) for a monkeypox vaccination technique that would develop the provision of doses.

Underneath the order, well being care suppliers can use a dosing approach that permits them to extract extra doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine per vial. The FDA launched an announcement on Tuesday that mentioned the change may enhance vaccine availability “by as much as five-fold”.

“In latest weeks the monkeypox virus has continued to unfold at a fee that has made it clear our present vaccine provide is not going to meet the present demand,” mentioned FDA Commissioner Robert Califf in an announcement. “The FDA rapidly explored different scientifically applicable choices to facilitate entry to the vaccine for all impacted people.”

The authorisation was described as a “recreation changer” by Robert Fenton, who’s overseeing the White Home’s monkeypox response, in a press convention on Tuesday, and will mark a brand new stage of the federal government’s efforts towards the illness. The EUA additionally permits high-risk people youthful than 18 to acquire the vaccine.

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The dosage technique includes administering the vaccine “intradermally”, or between layers of pores and skin, versus “subcutaneously”, or under the pores and skin. Administering the vaccine intradermally will enable medical staff to acquire 5 doses per vial of the JYNNEOS vaccine, which was authorised for monkeypox prevention in 2019. Califf known as the observe “protected and efficient”.

The FDA mentioned {that a} 2015 research confirmed that “intradermal administration produced the same immune response to subcutaneous administration”. Whereas the intradermal technique produced some uncomfortable side effects resembling “redness, firmness, itchiness and swelling”, the FDA described these results as “manageable”.

Greater than 9,400 instances of monkeypox have been reported within the US, greater than any nation on this planet, and in cities resembling San Francisco and New York demand for vaccines has outstripped provide.

Public well being officers provided reassurances to members of the press that the choice was the results of a sound and strong scientific course of, not political expediency.

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The unfold of monkeypox was declared a public well being emergency final week, releasing up extra authorities assets to assist comprise the unfold of the virus, which the Biden administration has known as a prime precedence.

Monkeypox is transmitted via “shut, private, usually skin-to-skin contact”, in response to the CDC. Males who’ve intercourse with males have been disproportionately affected by the virus, however well being officers have harassed that anyone could be affected.

In late July, the World Well being Group (WHO) urged males who’ve intercourse with males to scale back their variety of sexual companions as a way of mitigating their danger of publicity. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), harassed that such protecting steps are nonetheless an necessary facet of mitigating the danger of an infection.

The United Nations has mentioned that journalists and public well being officers should take care to make sure that communication concerning the illness doesn’t “reinforce homophobic and racist stereotypes”.

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Males who’ve intercourse with males “have demonstrated important confidence in vaccines,” mentioned Dr Demetre Daskalakis, White Home Nationwide Monkeypox Response deputy coordinator, responding to questions on doable scepticism in the direction of the newly-approved dosage technique. “I believe we’re going to see that we’ll doubtless nonetheless run out of vaccines earlier than we run out of arms.”

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Memes, Jokes and Cats: South Koreans Use Parody for Political Protest

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Memes, Jokes and Cats: South Koreans Use Parody for Political Protest

As South Koreans took to the streets this month demanding the ousting of their president, some found an unexpected outlet to express their fury: jokes and satire.

They hoisted banners and flags with whimsical messages about cats, sea otters and food. They waved signs joking that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law had forced them to leave the comfort of their beds. Pictures of the flags spread widely on social media.

The idea was to use humor to build solidarity against Mr. Yoon, who has vowed to fight his impeachment over his ill-fated martial law decree on Dec. 3. Some waved flags for nonexistent groups like the so-called Dumpling Association, a parody of real groups like labor unions, churches or student clubs.

Video by Yu Young Jin/The New York Times

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Photos by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times

“I just wanted to show that we were here as part of the people even if we aren’t actually a part of a civic group,” said Kim Sae-rim, 28, who waved the flag of the dumpling group at a recent protest she went to with friends. Some groups referred to other local favorites like pizza and red bean pastries.

Kwon Oh-hyouck, a veteran protester, said that he had first seen such flags emerge during demonstrations in 2016 and 2017 that ultimately resulted in the removal of President Park Geun-hye. Mr. Kwon said that satire was part of the Korean spirit of protest.

“People satirize serious situations, even when those in power come out with guns and knives,” he said. “They are not intimidated.”

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In the past month, protesters have come up with a wide range of unorthodox groupings. Some were self-proclaimed homebodies. Still others came together as people who suffered from motion sickness.

Video by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

Photos by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times

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Video by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times

Photo by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

Lee Kihoon, a professor of modern Korean history at Yonsei University in Seoul, said that he believed the flags at this month’s protests were an expression of the diversity of people galvanized by the president’s attempt to impose military rule.

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“They’re trying to say: ‘Even for those of us who have nothing to do with political groups, this situation is unacceptable,’” he said. “‘I’m not a member of a party or anything, but this is outrageous.’”

Some held signs ridiculing Mr. Yoon, saying that he had separated them from their pets at home and disrupted their routine of watching Korean dramas. One group called itself a union of people running behind schedule, referring to the idea that the need to protest over martial law had forced them to reschedule their appointments.

Photo by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times

Photo by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

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And of course, there were animals, both real and fake.

Photos by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times

South Koreans have shown that protests for serious causes — like the ousting of a president — can still have an inviting, optimistic and carnival-like atmosphere.

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“I don’t know if the protesters realize it, but even though they’re angry, they haven’t gotten solemn, heavy or moralistic,” Mr. Lee said. “The flags have had an effect of softening and relaxing the tension.”

On the day that lawmakers voted to impeach Mr. Yoon, protesters who were K-pop fans brought lightsticks to rallies and danced to pop songs blasting from speakers. “Even though this is a serious day,” said Lee Jung-min, a 31-year-old fan of the band Big Bang, “we might as well enjoy it and keep spirits up.”

Video by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

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Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident: US military

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Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident: US military

Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in what appeared to be “friendly fire”, the U.S. military said.

The pilots were found alive after they ejected from their aircraft, with one suffering minor injuries.

The incident demonstrates the pervasive dangers in the Red Sea corridor amid ongoing attacks on shipping by the Iranian-backed Houthis, even as U.S. and European military coalitions patrol the area.

The U.S. military had conducted airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels at the time, but U.S. Central Command did not elaborate on what their mission was.

US NAVY SHIPS REPEL ATTACK FROM HOUTHIS IN GULF OF ADEN

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A fighter jet maneuvers on the deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea, June 11, 2024. (AP)

The military said the aircraft shot down was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

The F/A-18 shot down had just flown off the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, according to Central Command. On Dec. 15, Central Command said the Truman had entered the Mideast, but did not specify that the carrier and its battle group were in the Red Sea.

“The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18,” Central Command said in a statement.

It is unclear how the Gettysburg had mistaked an F/A-18 for an enemy aircraft or missile, particularly since ships in a battle group are linked by radar and radio communication.

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US MILITARY CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL AIRSTRIKES ON HOUTHI REBEL FORCES IN YEMEN

USS Gettysburg

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) steams in the Mediterranean Sea, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP)

Central Command said that warships and aircraft earlier shot down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile launched by the rebels. Fire from the Houthis has previously forced sailors to make decisions in seconds.

The U.S., since the Truman arrived, has ramped up its airstrikes targeting the Houthis and their missile fire into the Red Sea and the surrounding area. But an American warship group in the region may lead to additional attacks from the rebels.

On Saturday night and into Sunday, U.S. warplanes conducted airstrikes that shook Yemen’s capital of Sanaa, which the Houthis have held for a decade. Central Command said the strikes targeted a “missile storage facility” and a “command-and-control facility.”

Houthi-controlled media reported strikes in both Sanaa and around the port city of Hodeida, but did not disclose details on any casualties or damage.

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USS Harry S. Truman

Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman is moored near Split, Croatia, Feb. 14, 2022. (AP)

The Houthis later acknowledged the aircraft being shot down in the Red Sea.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October of last year, the Houthis have targeted about 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones.

The rebels say that they target ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the U.K. to force an end to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which began after Hamas’ surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, although many of the ships the rebels have attacked have little or no connection to the ongoing war, including some headed for Iran.

The Houthis also have increasingly targeted Israel with drones and missiles, leading to retaliatory airstrikes from Israeli forces.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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AfD party calls for big rally after Germany's Christmas market attack

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AfD party calls for big rally after Germany's Christmas market attack

Leading right-wing figures in Europe have also weighed in, criticising the German authorities for failing to take stronger preventative action.

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German far-right political party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is calling for a major rally following the attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg which left several people dead and hundreds injured.

At a memorial site for the victims, AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla called on Interior Minister Nancy Faeser to take stronger action to ensure the safety of the German public.

“I am now demanding answers from the interior minister: What is actually going on here in this country? What is actually happening in this country? We put up with it week after week, we put up with attacks, we put up with murders of our own people. This has to be cleared up now, and these phrases from politicians that things can’t go on like this, which I’ve heard again today, are actually upsetting,” Chrupalla told the press at the site.

Experts are now raising concerns that far-right groups could exploit the tragedy to fuel their anti-immigration rhetoric after police identified the assailant as a doctor from Saudi Arabia.

“Magdeburg is in eastern Germany where the support for the AfD is quite high. So, in elections usually, they have in the region more than one-third of the votes. So about 30% of the votes in the city, not as much as in the rural areas around,” says Matthias Quent, Professor of Sociology at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences.

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“The region in general, eastern Germany, is a hotspot of far-right mobilisations. And we are facing election campaigns until the federal elections in February. And so this is not just a critical time because of Christmas and the trust that gets destroyed by such an attack but, also, regarding questions of disinformation and polarisation and the spread of hate that will and could happen over these kinds of attacks now,” he added.

Leading right-wing figures in Europe have also weighed in, criticising the German authorities for failing to take stronger preventative action.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán drew a direct link between immigration and Friday’s deadly attack in Germany, telling a news conference on Saturday, “These phenomena have only existed in Europe since the start of the migration crisis. So there is no doubt that there is a link between the changed world in Western Europe, the migration that flows there, especially illegal migration and terrorist acts.”

However, Quent explains that this particular case becomes more complex as further details emerge on the background of the attacker.

Investigators have found that the perpetrator had tried to build connections to far-right organisations in Germany and the UK, including Germany’s far-right AfD party as well as Tommy Robinson, the founder of the far-right English Defence League.

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“So it’s a very complicated case we are facing here. And it’s not an Islamist attack. It’s quite sure, a kind of anti-Islam. More like far-right attacks than any other, if you want to search a kind of context on the political radar,” Quent says.

Identified by local media as 50-year-old Taleb A., a psychiatry and psychotherapy specialist, authorities said he had been living in Germany for two decades.

Taleb’s alleged X account is filled with tweets and retweets focusing on anti-Islam themes and criticism of the religion while sharing congratulatory notes to Muslims who left the faith.

He also described himself as a former Muslim.

He was critical of German authorities, saying they had failed to do enough to combat the “Islamism of Europe.”

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