Get Up-to-Date with Your Daily Briefing
Start your morning with these top 5 news stories:
- Israel & Gaza
- Vaccine Boost Needed
- EU & Ukraine
- Storms & Wet Weather Alerts
- Train Collision in China
Israel & Gaza
The Biden administration has announced a shift in support for Israel's military operations in Gaza due to the increasing number of casualties, with over 18,000 Palestinian deaths in less than 3 months. The heightened casualty count has led to a growing divide between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed to continue fighting Hamas "until absolute victory." Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, is scheduled to visit the West Bank today to underscore continuing U.S. support and urge leaders to reduce civilian deaths.
Vaccine Boost Needed
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expressed the urgency to raise vaccination rates across the United States due to a rise in respiratory illnesses. While around 7 million fewer adults have received the flu vaccine this season compared to the previous year, the COVID-19 and RSV vaccine uptake rates also remain worryingly low. With less than 25% of eligible adults receiving an RSV vaccine and just 20% of American adults aged 18+ receiving the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC is strongly encouraging individuals to get vaccinated to shield against the impact of respiratory illnesses.
EU & Ukraine
The European Union (EU) has opened talks for membership with Ukraine, a move President Volodymyr Selenskyj described as a "win for all of Europe." This decision sends a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising concerns about decreasing Western support for Ukraine. Despite potential long-term hurdles, Ukraine's bid for EU membership dates back more than a decade. Having been designated as a EU candidate back in 2020, Ukraine now faces rigorous procedures to boost economic stability and ensure democratic governance.
Storms & Wet Weather Alerts
A powerful storm is anticipated to bring heavy rain and flooding to the East Coast, with precise location and intensity still to be determined. Preliminary forecasts show that by early next week, heavy rainfall will continue in the Atlantic and New England regions. Strong winds could also cause flooding along the Gulf Coast of Florida. Potentially severe weather conditions are predicted for Mexico's eastern Gulf coast, the Florida Keys, and the southeastern U.S. Atlantic coast throughout the weekend.
Train Collision in China
An accident on a Peking subway line left hundreds injured after a collision caused by a braking system failure and unfavorable weather conditions. Investigations revealed that the initial train had to apply an emergency brake on a slippery, snowy track, causing a subsequent collision. More than 500 individuals were transported to hospitals, with over 100 patients diagnosed with bone fractures.
Additional Insights:
The Perseverance Rover from NASA has unveiled intriguing new evidence of water's history on the Mars surface after spending over 1,000 days on the planet. The NFL has announced that Sao Paulo, Brazil, will host a game during the 2024 regular season, marking the first time such a game has been arranged in South America. And a historic palatial building in Rome has been restored after decades of neglect, now ready to welcome tourists once again.
Quiz Time:
Which Ivy League university centralized complaints from donors and appointed a new president next week?
Daily Numbers:
6.95% - latest 30-year fixed-rate mortgage interest rate in the US, as reported by Freddie Mac. This is the first time since August that rates have dropped below 7%, as both inflation and demand for mortgage purchases have improved.
Quote of the Day:
"Innovations only achieve impact when people have access to them, and we will continue to support the goal of broad and equal access."
- Biogen and Sage Therapeutics, biopharmaceutical companies behind the first oral drug in the US approved for postpartum depression treatment. The medication, marketed as Zurzuvae, is now prescription-only, but its high price may limit its use by patients.
(Sources: edition.cnn.com, freddiemac.com, greenbook.com)
