Monthly Archives: December 2024

CDC Confirms First Severe Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in the United States

December 18, 2024— A affected person has been hospitalized with a extreme case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus (“H5N1 hen flu”) an infection in Louisiana. This marks the primary occasion of extreme sickness linked to the virus in america. The case was confirmed by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, December 13. Since April 2024, there have been a complete of 61 reported human circumstances of H5 hen flu reported in america.

Partial viral genome information of the H5N1 avian influenza virus that contaminated the affected person in Louisiana signifies that the virus belongs to the D1.1 genotype associated to different D1.1 viruses lately detected in wild birds and poultry in america and in current human circumstances in British Columbia, Canada, and Washington state. This H5N1 hen flu genotype is totally different than the B3.13 genotype detected in dairy cows, sporadic human circumstances in a number of states, and a few poultry outbreaks in america. Extra genomic sequencing and efforts to isolate virus from medical specimens from the affected person in Louisiana are underway at CDC.

Whereas an investigation into the supply of the an infection in Louisiana is ongoing, it has been decided that the affected person had publicity to sick and useless birds in yard flocks. That is the primary case of H5N1 hen flu within the U.S. that has been linked to publicity to a yard flock. A sporadic case of extreme H5N1 hen flu sickness in an individual will not be surprising; avian influenza A(H5N1) virus an infection has beforehand been related to extreme human sickness in different nations throughout 2024 and prior years, together with sickness leading to demise. Nobody-to-person unfold of H5 hen flu has been detected. This case doesn’t change CDC’s total evaluation of the speedy threat to the general public’s well being from H5N1 hen flu, which stays low.

This case underscores that, along with affected industrial poultry and dairy operations, wild birds and yard flocks additionally could be a supply of publicity. Folks with work or leisure exposures to contaminated animals are at greater threat of an infection and may comply with CDC’s really helpful precautions when round animals which might be contaminated or probably contaminated with H5N1 avian influenza virus. Which means that yard flock homeowners, hunters and different hen fans must also take precautions.

One of the simplest ways to forestall H5 hen flu is to keep away from publicity every time doable. Contaminated birds shed avian influenza A viruses of their saliva, mucous, and feces. Different contaminated animals might shed avian influenza A viruses in respiratory secretions and different bodily fluids (e.g., in unpasteurized cow milk or ‘uncooked milk’).

  • As a normal precaution, every time doable, folks ought to keep away from contact with sick or useless animals, particularly wild birds, and poultry.
  • For people with direct/shut contact with wild birds or sick or useless poultry or different animals, put on really helpful private protecting tools (PPE). Wild birds may be contaminated with avian influenza A viruses even when they do not look sick.
  • Don’t contact surfaces or supplies (e.g., animal litter or bedding materials) contaminated with saliva, mucous, or animal feces from wild or home birds or different animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza A virus an infection.

For extra info on H5 hen flu within the U.S. and CDC’s response, together with often up to date case counts, go to the H5 Chicken Flu: Present State of affairs web page.

Snowfall warning in effect for Prince George

Wednesday will deliver intervals of snow all through the morning, truly fizzling out close to midday

Atmosphere Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Prince George, with complete snow accumulations anticipated to vary between 10 and 15 centimetres by Wednesday morning.

A moisture-heavy Pacific frontal system is anticipated to deliver snow, significantly to greater terrain areas, the climate company states The snow will start in a single day and is forecast to ease by late Wednesday morning because the system strikes out of the area.

Along with Prince George, snow is anticipated within the Cariboo space, together with Quesnel and Williams Lake, and the Stuart-Nechako space south of Freeway 16.

Travellers needs to be ready for lowered visibility at instances resulting from heavy snowfall, and highway situations are anticipated to vary quickly, Atmosphere Canada states.

Wednesday will deliver intervals of snow all through the morning, truly fizzling out close to midday. A cloudy afternoon will observe, with a 40 per cent likelihood of extra flurries. One other 5 cm of snow is feasible, and temperatures will stay regular at round -7C. Windchill values will really feel as chilly as -13C.

The night will clear with a low of -10C.

For Thursday, anticipate clouds with a excessive of -2C. The temperature will keep regular in a single day, with a low of -2C.

Friday will see sunny skies with temperatures rising to zero, adopted by clouds at night time and a low of -2C.

The night time will see cloudy situations and a low of minus 2C.

Saturday might be a mixture of solar and cloud, with temperatures reaching zero. Count on cloudy skies as soon as once more at night time, with a low of -5C.

Sunday will see cloudy climate, with a 30 per cent likelihood of flurries and a excessive of  -2C and an in a single day low of -3C in a single day.

 

Governor Newsom takes proactive action to strengthen robust state response to Bird Flu

Ongoing efforts to stop unfold and severe an infection

California has mobilized a complete cross-agency response to Chook Flu in dairy cattle and poultry farms to reduce farm employee exposures, cut back uncooked dairy product contamination, and mitigate the unfold of the virus. The state has enlisted native, state, and federal authorities technical and operational experience to help all aspects of the response; labored to coach the general public, well being professionals, employers, and employees on prevention and management measures to scale back the danger of publicity to Chook Flu; offered complete data for employers and employees on private protecting gear (PPE) necessities; and distributed thousands and thousands of items of PPE to high-risk employees at dairy farms. 

By way of coordinated public consciousness efforts between the California Division of Public Well being (CDPH), the California Division of Meals and Agriculture (CDFA), California Workplace of Emergency Providers (CalOES), and different companies, the state is main a cross-agency response that features well timed public updates, multilingual outreach to dairy and poultry employees, focused social media efforts to advertise preventive practices, on-line and printed assets for the general public, and media interviews to maintain Californians knowledgeable. Moreover, the state is making certain that agriculture employees have entry to further doses of seasonal flu vaccine from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) to scale back concurrent flu dangers.

Officers have additionally been working in shut collaboration with the Facilities for Illness Management, the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration, the U.S.  Division of Agriculture, and native well being and agricultural officers, as a part of a whole-of-government effort to coordinate, implement, and guarantee well timed surveillance and investigation of potential instances of Chook Flu.

Rampant bear spray use emerges as ongoing challenge for Saskatoon police

Saskatoon police say the variety of reported bear spray incidents is up virtually 25 per cent, to shut to 300, from final 12 months.

The acrid spray has been discharged all over the place from the road to mall shops to metropolis buses, and getting a grip on its unlawful use is a main policing problem heading into 2025, Saskatoon Police Service Chief Cameron McBride mentioned.

By means of October, there was been a median of practically one incident per day. At one level, there have been 5 circumstances over two days.

This pattern is troubling sufficient that one of many yardsticks McBride is utilizing to evaluate the province’s Protected Public Area Act is whether or not the brand new legal guidelines will assist management the sale and use of bear spray.

WATCH | Here is what the police chief thinks Saskatoon wants to handle its bear spray downside:

Saskatoon has a bear spray downside. Here is what the police chief thinks must occur

Saskatoon Police Chief Cameron McBride thinks amendments to the Protected Public Areas Act have potential to scale back bear spray incidents in his metropolis — if they will successfully tackle three key factors.

“How will we management it on the level of sale? How will we management it because it travels from one hand to the opposite? How does it get into the fingers of an individual who’s going to make use of it for a legal goal,” he mentioned.

“As we’re trying on the new laws and the way it may implement change and the way efficient it is likely to be … is it successfully going to make a distinction?”

McBride mentioned he had not but studied the brand new laws, launched by the federal government on Dec. 5. The province mentioned the Protected Public Areas (Road Weapons) Act will enhance security by regulating the possession, transportation and storage of things which may be used as avenue weapons, and permitting police to grab them with out laying fees.

That features massive knives, machetes and bear spray.

McBride is open to having a brand new device for police to make use of.

“If there’s optimistic change on account of laws, I am all for it,” he mentioned.

Municipalities should decide in for the legal guidelines to use.

Police flagged bear spray as a stay concern earlier this 12 months once they famous a “troubling rise” in bear spray-related incidents, in line with SPS Supt. Tonya Gresty, particularly in weapons assaults and theft experiences.

Stock market news for Dec. 18, 2024

Merchants work on the ground on the New York Inventory Trade on Oct. 24, 2024.

Brendan McDermid | Reuters

The Dow Jones Industrial Common sank deeper into the historical past books on Wednesday, with the index posting its tenth straight dropping day as a disappointing price outlook by the Federal Reserve rocked the inventory market.

The Dow misplaced 1,123.03 factors, or 2.58%, to 42,326.87, for its worst dropping streak since an 11-day slide in 1974. The Wednesday decline was its worst since August and solely the second time it misplaced 1,000 factors this 12 months in a single session. The S&P 500 misplaced 2.95% to five,872.16 and the Nasdaq Composite shed 3.56% to 19,392.69 with losses intensifying into the shut of buying and selling.

The central financial institution diminished its in a single day borrowing price by 1 / 4 level to a goal vary of 4.25% to 4.5%, as anticipated. Nevertheless, the Fed indicated Wednesday afternoon it could solely lower charges twice in 2025, fewer than the 4 cuts given in its final forecast. Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated the central financial institution’s transfer to chop charges in latest months permits it to “be extra cautious as we take into account extra changes to our coverage price.”

Earlier than Wednesday, merchants had been hoping the Fed would keep aggressive with price cuts in 2025, fueling the bull market additional. Treasury yields jumped following the Fed’s cautious outlook, pressuring share costs. The ten-year Treasury yield crossed above 4.50%.

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Dow, intraday

“Threat belongings and a really extremely valued inventory market does not like the concept price cuts are much less probably on each side of the mandate,” DoubleLine Capital CEO Jeffrey Gundlach stated on CNBC’s “Closing Bell.” “The takeaway that I bought from that press convention was there’s not going to be an aggressive chopping cycle … and the market is just about in sync with that.”

The Dow’s dropping streak started the session after it closed above 45,000 for the primary time ever on Dec. 4. The overall losses for the Dow throughout its dropping streak have totaled 6%.

“Goodbye punch bowl. No Christmas cheer from the Fed. Policymakers see increased inflation and decrease unemployment in 2024. There’s merely no cause to be dovish provided that outlook,” stated David Russell, world head of market technique at TradeStation. “The simple lifting is completed now that charges are now not clearly restrictive. It is a logical time to pause.”

Earlier than it intensified on Wednesday, the Dow’s worst funk in a long time was largely attributable to a rotation out of previous financial system shares and into know-how shares, a sector that the century-old measure underweights in comparison with broader market metrics.

However the entire market was rocked on Wednesday. The S&P 500’s loss was additionally its worst since August and lower its 2024 acquire to 23%.

Elton John Confirms Fans Can Expect ‘More’ Music on ‘Colbert’

“The juices have by no means dried up,” the musician mentioned throughout an interview on the late-night present

Elton John stopped by The Late Present to debate his documentary, Elton John: By no means Too Late. In the course of the prolonged dialog with host Stephen Colbert, the singer mentioned followers can count on new music.

“You’ll be getting some extra,” John confirmed. “The juices have by no means dried up. They by no means wish to dry up as a result of I’m at all times trying to create issues. It’s simply having the house now to do it by myself time. After all there might be new Elton John music.”

John additionally mentioned the documentary, directed by David Furnish and R.J. Cutler and now out on Disney+. Requested concerning the movie’s title, John famous that it signifies, “By no means too late to alter your life. To make choices that can make your life higher.” He added that beneath all of his success, as depicted within the movie, he was “extremely sad.” When Colbert requested if John wished to present his youthful self recommendation, the singer replied, “Keep away from cocaine.”

He added, “I simply wasted a lot of my life so probably the most silly issues after which I acquired sober and made amends for it and I acquired a brand new life collectively and it was incredible.”

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Colbert later introduced out Brandi Carlile to affix John so the pair may discuss their collaborative tune, “By no means Too Late,” which was written for the movie. John mirrored on working with Carlile, in addition to supporting most of the youthful artists he admires, together with Chappell Roan and the Linda Lindas. “These younger artists have a lot power, they’re so good, and if I may help them in any means get a foot on a ladder, I’ll,” he famous.

Earlier this week, “By no means Too Late” made the Oscars’ shortlist for Greatest Unique Tune. Carlile initially wrote the tune after seeing an early minimize of the documentary, and took affect from Bernie Taupin’s signature type. She and John co-wrote the ultimate monitor, with Andrew Watt including further writing and manufacturing.

Stock market news for Dec. 19, 2024

Merchants work on the ground of the New York Inventory Trade in New York Metropolis.

Michael M. Santiago | Getty Photographs

The Dow Jones Industrial Common narrowly snapped its longest shedding streak since 1974 on Thursday.

The 30-stock Dow added 15.37 factors, or 0.04% to shut at 42,342.24. The S&P 500 slid 0.09% to five,867.08, whereas the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.10% to 19,372.77.

Although the most important averages initially rebounded to begin the session – with the Dow up greater than 460 factors and the S&P 500 up greater than 1% at their respective highs of the day – they shed their features because the day went on, leading to a really weak shut. Seven of the 11 sectors of the S&P 500 ended the day decrease.

The ten-year Treasury yield additionally rose for a second day, topping 4.5% and pressuring shares. The benchmark yield surged greater than 13 factors within the earlier session.

The main averages plunged Wednesday after the Federal Reserve struck a heavy blow in opposition to the roaring bull market, signaling that it was more likely to lower rates of interest solely twice subsequent 12 months, down from the 4 reductions that had been penciled in throughout its final forecast, in September. The central financial institution additionally trimmed its benchmark in a single day borrowing fee 1 / 4 share level Wednesday, to a goal vary of 4.25% to 4.5%, however the query now’s what policymakers will do in 2025.

“I believe that this correction may final a bit,” Paul Meeks, Harvest Portfolio Administration’s co-chief funding officer, advised CNBC’s “Squawk Field” on Thursday. “You’ve got seen the marquee title Nvidia come down, so what I’d count on folks to do [and] what I’d suggest folks to do is to perhaps hold some powder dry.”

Volatility took a step down Thursday, with the Cboe Volatility Index pulling again almost 13% to about 24. Wall Road’s so-called “worry gauge” soared Wednesday to as excessive as 28.27, reflecting heightened investor uncertainty over the trail of rates of interest.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell did not supply buyers a lot in the best way of fast consolation Wednesday following the Fed assembly.

“We’re at 4.3% — that is meaningfully restrictive, and I believe it is a well-calibrated fee for us to proceed to make progress on inflation whereas retaining a robust labor market,” Powell mentioned at a press convention, noting that slicing charges in current months has allowed the central financial institution to “be extra cautious as we contemplate extra changes to our coverage fee.”

Main as much as Wednesday’s fee transfer, Wall Road was betting on the Fed to remain extra aggressive in reducing borrowing prices, which have an effect on every part from what corporations pay to boost capital to how a lot it prices shoppers to purchase a brand new home or automotive.

However with the revamped Fed outlook, the Dow Jones Industrial Common slid 1,123.03 factors, or 2.58%, to 42,326.87 — posting its longest shedding streak since 1974. The S&P 500 tumbled 2.95%, and the Nasdaq Composite misplaced 3.56%.

Cara Delevingne plays Elton John for Step Into Christmas video remake | Elton John

The actor and mannequin Cara Delevingne performs Sir Elton John in a brand new video for his track Step Into Christmas.

Within the video, a behind-the-scenes reimagining of the one launched greater than 50 years in the past, Delevingne, 32, wears an identical-looking go well with and glasses as worn by the singer-songwriter within the unique.

On its preliminary launch in November 1973, Step Into Christmas reached No 24 within the UK prime 40 and the highest of the Billboard Christmas singles chart.

Delevingne, who’s a detailed pal of John’s, stated: “Elton has at all times been an idol of mine. To say his music has had a deeply profound impact on me is an understatement. To be requested by him to play him on this recreation was a dream that I didn’t know I had till it occurred. Truthfully, I want I might fake to be Elton day-after-day.

“I hope that Elton could someday return the favour and comply with play me in my not but developed, written, pitched or funded biopic. Fingers crossed.”

Within the new video, a manufacturing workforce is getting ready for Elton John’s arrival, attempting to make sure the set is ‘Christmassy sufficient’. {Photograph}: Thomas Morgan/PA

Within the new video, a manufacturing workforce is getting ready the set for the star’s arrival, attempting to make sure it’s “Christmassy sufficient”.

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John stated: “I noticed Cara at Glastonbury final summer season, and we talked about how a lot we’d like to work collectively if the best concept got here up. She’s hilarious to spend time with, we each have fairly a self-deprecating sense of humour.

“When somebody urged the thought of her taking part in me in a riff on the 1973 Step Into Christmas video, I simply thought it was the right alternative. Thank God Cara thought the identical, as a result of it got here out nice.”

John’s documentary titled Elton John: By no means Too Late was launched on Disney+ on 13 December. Final month, the star launched the track By no means Too Late, which he co-wrote with the US singer and Grammy-winner Brandi Carlile.

easyMarkets and Real Madrid renew collaboration agreement

The affiliation seeks to offer much more unique and distinctive experiences to purchasers within the areas it covers, delivering on new initiatives and alternatives that improve their dedication each to Actual Madrid and to easyMarkets. A pioneer within the CFD Brokerage trade, easyMarkets holds licenses in key markets together with CySEC, ASIC, FSA and FSC, and has not too long ago acquired a FSCA, additional solidifying its international regulatory presence. As such, Actual Madrid is ready to proceed its collaboration with a number one worldwide model within the sector, a unbelievable and world-renowned accomplice.

“We’re delighted to proceed being the official buying and selling accomplice of a top-level titan on this planet’s hottest sport, like Actual Madrid, who boast a historical past of excellence. Actual Madrid is the epitome of the successful mentality that easyMarkets seems to instil on this planet of buying and selling,” underlined Garen Meserlian, easyMarkets advertising director. 

In the meantime, the corporate’s CEO Nikos Antoniades mirrored: “Our affiliation has been extraordinarily fruitful to date for each organisations. Actual Madrid’s lengthy and victorious popularity is the proper complement to easyMarkets, an organization that has been within the CFD Brokerage trade for over 20 years. We’re keen to maintain increasing our profitable collaboration and we’re excited to see what these newly strengthened ties will deliver.”

Theodore Too, beloved Canadian tugboat, partially sinks in Ontario port

Theodore Too, the beloved life-sized duplicate of Theodore Tugboat, has partially sunk whereas in port, its proprietor says.

The 20-metre vessel, which moved to the Port of Hamilton from Halifax Harbour in June 2021, by some means took on water Tuesday night time whereas on the Ontario Shipyard in Port Weller.

Its proprietor, Blair McKeil, CEO of Breakwater Monetary, stated in an announcement Wednesday {that a} staff of execs is devising a plan to refloat the tugboat.

“Right now, the reason for this unlucky incident stays unclear,” McKeil stated.

“Nonetheless, we’re dedicated to executing a protected and profitable refloat of our beloved Theodore Too.”

Kayla Graham, government assistant at Breakwater, informed International Information that Theodore Too is partially submerged within the shallow water. The remainder of the vessel is resting within the mud beside a dock.

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Pictures shared with International Information present Theodore’s iconic pink ball cap, bulbous nostril and pleasant smile above water.




Iconic smiling tugboat units sail for his new residence


The 24-year-old tugboat has lengthy been an iconic determine to many Canadians. Inbuilt 2000 in Dayspring, N.S., as a life-sized duplicate of Theodore Tugboat — the title character of a CBC youngsters’s TV present that aired from 1993 to 2001 — Theodore Too was usually seen bobbing within the water of the Halifax Harbour or making appearances in photographs.

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Earlier than his transfer to Hamilton, Theodore spent summers internet hosting youngsters’s excursions of the Halifax Harbour, in addition to cruising the Nice Lakes and seaboard within the U.S. and Canada, selling Nova Scotian tourism.



Since arriving in Ontario, Theodore Too has visited greater than 20 ports alongside the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario and within the U.S., elevating consciousness concerning the marine trade and conservation, restoration and preservation of water assets, Breakwater stated in a information launch.

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“Individuals throughout the nation maintain this little tugboat expensive, and we’ll do all the things doable to maintain everybody knowledgeable of our progress,” McKeil stated.

“Relaxation assured, measures have been take to mitigate any potential environmental affect.”

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston stated in a put up on Fb it was “unhappy to see our previous good friend in such a broken state.”

“I’m blissful to learn the proprietor is dedicated to repairing Theodore and a protected and profitable refloat,” he stated.

“Keep sturdy, Theodore!”

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In an Instagram put up on its official web page, Theodore Tugboat stated its partial sinking was a “mishap.”

“I’m resting safely on my stomach within the mud and my household in Ontario has assembled a staff of specialists to rigorously proper and refloat me. They’re working tremendous onerous to have me ship form in time for the vacations,” it stated.

“Right now of 12 months, when so a lot of my associates throughout the nation are struggling, I would like you to know the way a lot I really like you all and I want you a heartfelt blissful, wholesome and toot-ally magical vacation. Toot Toot!”


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