WHAT’S HOT NOW

Social bar 300×250

Business

Search This Blog

Theme images by kelvinjay. Powered by Blogger.
  • ()

Native banner

Social bar

" });

Banner 300×250

Social bar

" });

Banner 300×250

" });

US nears deal to fund Moderna's bird flu vaccine trial, FT reports

 

US nears deal to fund Moderna's bird flu vaccine trial, FT reports



May 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. government is nearing an agreement to fund a late-stage trial of Moderna's mRNA bird flu vaccine, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, as the outbreak spreads in dairy cows.
Moderna told Reuters it was in discussions with the government on advancing its vaccine candidate, but did not confirm the funding, saying it has nothing further to add.( )
Federal funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) could come as soon as next month and would include a promise to procure doses if late-stage trials are successful, the FT report said, citing people close to the discussions.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment.
Moderna is testing the experimental shot, mRNA-1018, against several strains of the virus - including the currently circulating H5N1 variant. It said dosing in an early-to-mid stage study of the vaccine was completed, and it expects data soon.( )
Shares of the company have risen about 40% since April 1, when the second known human case of bird flu in the United States was reported. The stock was up about 3% at $151.25 in premarket trading on Thursday.
The United States has a stockpile of bird flu vaccines matched with the strain currently circulating, as well as antivirals that could be used to treat human infections. For a major epidemic or a pandemic, however, the country would have to considerably scale up stock.
READ MORE.......... 

Mayoral candidate shot dead at election campaign rally in Mexico’s Guerrero

 

Mayoral candidate shot dead at election campaign rally in Mexico’s Guerrero



A mayoral candidate has been shot dead at a campaign rally in Mexico’s southern Guerrero state, the latest in a string of attacks ahead of Sunday’s elections.( )

Alfredo Cabrera was murdered on Wednesday in the town of Coyuca de Benitez. A video published by local media showed a person approaching him at the campaign event, shooting him several times at point-blank range.( )

cal polls on June 2. The government said on Tuesday that at least 22 people running for local office had been murdered since last September.( )

On Tuesday, a mayoral candidate in the central state of Morelos was murdered while another one was shot and wounded in western Jalisco state, authorities said.( )

Cabrera belonged to an opposition coalition backing Xochitl Galvez, a centre-right senator and businesswoman with Indigenous roots, who is currently polling second in the presidential race.( )

Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado condemned the “cowardly” murder, saying on X that she had asked the state prosecutor’s office to bring “the full weight of the law against the person or persons responsible”.( )

The alleged attacker was killed at the scene, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Security concerns

Drug cartels have often carried out political assassination attempts in a bid to control local police or extort money from municipal governments.( )

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador acknowledged in early April that the cartels often seek to determine who will serve as mayor – either by running their own candidates or eliminating potential rivals.

READ MORE................. 

14 pro-democracy activists convicted, 2 acquitted in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case


14 pro-democracy activists convicted, 2 acquitted in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case



Fourteen pro-democracy activists were convicted in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case on Thursday by a court that said their plan to effect change through an unofficial primary election would have undermined the government’s authority and created a constitutional crisis.( )

After a 2019 protest movement that filled the city’s streets with demonstrators, authorities have all but silenced dissent in Hong Kong through reduced public choice in elections, crackdowns on media and the Beijing-imposed security law under which the activists were convicted.( )

Those found guilty of conspiracy to commit subversion included former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting, Helena Wong and Raymond Chan, and they could face up to life in prison when sentenced later. The two defendants acquitted were former district councilors Lee Yue-shun and Lawrence Lau. But the prosecution said it intends to appeal against the acquittals.( )

The activists were among 47 democracy advocates who were prosecuted in 2021 for their involvement in the primary. Prosecutors had accused them of attempting to paralyze Hong Kong’s government and topple the city’s leader by securing the legislative majority necessary to indiscriminately veto budgets.( )

In a summary of the verdict distributed to media, the court said the election participants had declared they would “either actively use or use the power conferred on the (Legislative Council) by the (Basic Law) to veto the budgets.”

READ MORE............ 

Mets expected to DFA Jorge Lopez after he throws glove into stands, calls Mets 'worst' team in MLB

 

Mets expected to DFA Jorge Lopez after he throws glove into stands, calls Mets 'worst' team in MLB

The New York Mets have underperformed in 2024, and one of the team's top relievers has seemingly had enough. Following a 10-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, finishing off a sweep of the Mets, 2022 All-Star Jorge Lopez had this to say about his team.( )

OUCH! The worst team in MLB? It doesn't matter how bad your team is playing, you can't say that.

Lopez's emotions were obviously running high during this interview. Lopez had been ejected from the game for arguing a check swing call with the third base umpire. After the ejection, Lopez threw his glove into the stands in frustration, which manager Carlos Mendoza deemed "unacceptable."( )

Lopez ended the day having pitched just 0.1 innings, surrendering two earned runs on two hits and one walk.

What will happen to Lopez?

The Mets will DFA Lopez, according to multiple reports.( )

All things Mets: Latest New York Mets news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

While the decision makes sense given what Lopez did and said, it's still a little shocking considering the success Lopez has had this season. In 2024, Lopez has posted a 3.12 ERA. He is one of only two relievers on the team to have pitched at least 20 innings while maintaining an ERA under 3.50.( )

What does DFA mean?

When a player is DFA'd (Designated for Assignment), he is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster. The team then has seven days to either return the player to the 40-man roster, place them on waivers, trade them, release them, or send them down to the minor leagues.( )

Given Lopez's strong start to 2024, it would not be a shock for him to find a new team quickly should the Mets decide to place him on waivers or release him outright.( )

Are the Mets actually 'the worst team in baseball?'

Record-wise, no. The Mets have a better record than the Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies, Miami Marlins, and Chicago White Sox, with the White Sox having the worst record in baseball at 15-41.

READ MORE........ 

Terrifying video shows 2 women's ordeal as they face violent Texas tornado: ‘I'm shaking, the car’s still shaking’

Terrifying video shows 2 women's ordeal as they face violent Texas tornado: ‘I'm shaking, the car’s still shaking’



A terrifying video being recorded by two women shows the moment a tornado crossed the road while they were driving near Valley View, Texas.( )

terrifying video being recorded by two women shows the moment a tornado crossed the road while they were driving near Valley View, Texas. The duo survived, but the storm killed several people.
Valenia Gill and Brenda Proctor Dance were returning after attending a singer/songwriter show when they faced the ordeal. 15 minutes after the show, rain began blowing sideways and wind sounded across their vehicle.

The terrifying video( )

In the video, one can hear the hail pelting the car. “(Expletive)’s flying everywhere,” Gill says in the clip, as chunks of debris flew past the headlights.

“Look at it,” Dance says. “My ears are popping.”

“My ears are popping, too, from the pressure,” Gill says. “Look at the sign shaking.”

Soon the road signs start flapping violently. As visibility out of the car window worsens, Gill stops the car.

“Oh my God,” one of the women can be heard repeating.

“We’re right in the middle of the tornado, Brenda. What do I do?” Gill shouts. “The car is shaking.”

The video shifts right, left and down as the horrifying tornado wildly rocks the car. The car, we’re in it (the tornado), Brenda,” Gill yells, with the movement making the video blurry. “I can’t do anything.”

Cover your head,” a distressed Dance says. “Cover your head.”( )

The sound of the wind in the video is frightening, and power flashes light up the roadway with the power poles being disassembled. “It’s got my car, I know,” Gill says. “We’re still shaking, my ears are popping.”

The wind seems to become slightly slower, but still loud enough to scare the women. “Okay, okay,” Gill said, sounding terrified. “I don’t want to go anywhere yet. I’m shaking, the car’s still shaking.”( )

In the background, one can hear the sirens or emergency vehicles. When a car pulls around them, a power line can be seen down across the street. As the car drives away, one of them says, shocked, “Are they going?”

READ MORE.......... 

Former ‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor fatally shot in Los Angeles

 

Former ‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor fatally shot in Los Angeles

The actor, who played Brando Corbin in the hospital soap opera, was shot as he left work early Saturday morning, his mother told KABC, ( )

In a statement to CNN, Wactor’s agent David Shaul described him as a spectacular human being, “not just a talented actor who was committed to his craft but a real moral example to everyone who knew him.”( )

Wactor represented hard work and tenacity, and strove to be the best he could be, Shaul said. “Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on everyone. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever.”She said her son had been walking with one of his coworkers after working at a downtown rooftop bar when he saw what he thought was someone working on a car.Her son initially thought his car was being towed, and he approached the person to ask, Scarlett Wactor told KABC. Instead, the suspect looked up and opened fire, she added.( )

The shooting occurred around 3:25 a.m. PT Saturday, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Tony Im told CNN.( )

Three men were trying to steal a catalytic converter when the victim interrupted them, Im said. One of the suspects pulled out a gun and shot the victim before the men drove off in a vehicle.The victim was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, Im said.( )

The LAPD did not confirm the victim was Wactor.( )

Wactor starred in “General Hospital” as Brandon Corbin from 2020 to 2022, according to IMDB. Other acting credits include “Criminal Minds” and “Siberia.”

READ MORE.........