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

[ad_1] Good morning. You are studying the Up First e-newsletter. Subscribe right here to get it delivered to your inbox, and hear to the Up First podcast for all of the information you should begin your day.

At present's high tales The flu season is off to a tough begin this yr. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention estimates that no less than 7.5 million individuals have been sickened, and greater than 3,100 individuals have died from the flu this season. The surge in instances seems to be pushed primarily by a brand new pressure of the virus often known as subclade Ok of influenza A(H3N2), which emerged over the summer season in Australia.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6016x3384+0+367/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F54%2Fda%2F04aeb8fb4c5ba63ac7838e5ad0e1%2Fgettyimages-1220674667.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6016x3384+0+367/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F54%2Fda%2F04aeb8fb4c5ba63ac7838e5ad0e1%2Fgettyimages-1220674667.jpg" class="img" alt="There have been at least 7.5 million illnesses and 3,100 deaths from flu this season, according to CDC data. And flu cases are expected to rise significantly in the coming weeks." loading="lazy"/> There have been no less than 7.5 million diseases and three,100 deaths from flu this season, in accordance with CDC information. And flu instances are anticipated to rise considerably within the coming weeks. LittleCityLifestylePhotography/Getty Photographs cover caption

toggle caption

LittleCityLifestylePhotography/Getty Photographs 🎧 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 in opposition to the virus as a result of it was formulated earlier than the pressure emerged. Early information from the U.Ok. present that the vaccine stays efficient at stopping hospitalization. Some well being consultants, nevertheless, have raised issues that the federal authorities has didn't launch a powerful 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 in opposition to a Venezuelan dock allegedly used to load medication onto boats. The newest operation marks the primary identified U.S. strike inside Venezuela — an escalation of Trump's marketing campaign in opposition to Nicolás Maduro's authorities.

🎧 The strike is critical as a result of it raises the danger 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 focusing on some sanctioned oil tankers and boats suspected of trafficking medication. 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 economic system, flood the streets. Inflation within the nation has skyrocketed, and the foreign money has plummeted to a document low. Public anger is rising over sanctions in opposition to the ruling authorities.

🎧 Months of anger and frustration over water and power 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 battle 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. Residing higher <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3900x2194+0+366/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7b%2F10%2Ff09ddda444b3ad44f9bb00b5238f%2Fgettyimages-1153928212.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3900x2194+0+366/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7b%2F10%2Ff09ddda444b3ad44f9bb00b5238f%2Fgettyimages-1153928212.jpg" class="img" alt="a package sitting by a front door" loading="lazy"/>

TriggerPhoto/iStockphoto/Getty Photographs Residing Higher is a particular collection about what it takes to remain wholesome in America.

December is the busiest time of yr for package deal deliveries and for the porch pirates who steal them. Bundle theft, nevertheless, can occur any time of yr. In reality, the safety analysis firm SafeWise estimates that thieves steal about 250,000 packages each day. Typically, as an alternative of a brand new iPad, the thief may swipe a mail order of medication. Here is what you need to do about it.

💊 Schedule deliveries for when you're residence. Corporations akin to CVS Caremark supply clients package deal monitoring.💊 Having a supply spot that is hidden or perhaps a locker in your porch that does not lock generally is a good deterrent.💊 See when you can decide into requiring a signature upon supply.💊 Contemplate getting medicines delivered to a P.O. field. Image present <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2048x1152+0+192/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F30%2F8f%2F35f9383c45c88f1efbfd622784e6%2Fimg-2256.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2048x1152+0+192/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F30%2F8f%2F35f9383c45c88f1efbfd622784e6%2Fimg-2256.jpg" class="img" alt="IMG_2256.jpg" loading="lazy"/>

On the Plum Island Museum of Misplaced Toys & Curiosities, one-time treasures discover a new residence, deliver again recollections 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 Forties-era doll on a abandoned seaside in 2015. What started as a "sizzling mess" of stuff in her residence advanced into an official museum in Amesbury, Mass., which opened its doorways in 2021. The house is a kaleidoscope of colour, with rigorously curated shows on cabinets created from driftwood. Check out the artfully organized gadgets contained in the museum.

3 issues to know earlier than you go <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5616x3159+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F53%2F8a%2Fc1bce3c1405cbc8adc0bf052fc67%2Fgettyimages-1188110131.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5616x3159+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F53%2F8a%2Fc1bce3c1405cbc8adc0bf052fc67%2Fgettyimages-1188110131.jpg" class="img" alt="Tatiana Schlossberg is pictured at her book signing in 2019 in Richmond, Calif. Schlossberg says she has a rare form of cancer." loading="lazy"/> 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 Photographs for Goop cover caption

toggle caption

Amber De Vos/Getty Photographs for Goop 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.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.Many individuals have fun the New Yr 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 cut back issues into less complicated varieties. Here is how NPR's Phrase of the Week has advanced right into a long-standing custom. This text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.