National News

By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — An experimental COVID-19 drug that could soon become the first U.S.-authorized pill to treat the coronavirus faces one final hurdle Tuesday: A panel of government experts will scrutinize data on the medication from drugmaker Merck. The Food and Drug Administration is asking its outside experts whether…

With less than four weeks to go until Christmas, Kristyn Begari has been rushing to find enough doll styling heads to give to kids in need. But, the purchasing coordinator for the California-based nonprofit Family Giving Tree says it’s been difficult to find them, or racially diverse Barbies or Disney princess dolls. Others charities who…

The National Institute on Aging As dementia worsens, people may gradually lose the ability to prepare meals, bathe, get dressed, and otherwise care for themselves. The likelihood that people living with dementia rely on unpaid care rather than paid care depends on whether a spouse or adult children are available to be primary caregivers, according…

Despite being at the highest risk of experiencing elder financial abuse, retirees reported having the least concern that they will become a victim of financial fraud and scams. Less than a quarter (24%) of retirees worry they may become a victim of financial fraud, compared with 42% of pre-retirees and 46% of near-retirees, according to…

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday sternly warned NATO against deploying its troops and weapons to Ukraine, saying it represents a red line for Russia and would trigger a strong response. Commenting on Western concerns about Russia’s alleged intention to invade Ukraine, he said that Moscow is equally worried about NATO drills…

Jeremy Kagan University of Southern California (THE CONVERSATION) People have recognized the power of storytelling for thousands of years. The Bible relies on parables like the prodigal son because stories successfully convey the underlying message in a memorable way that’s easy to pass along to future generations. But when public health leaders and medical professionals…

By RAF CASERT Associated Press BRUSSELS (AP) — The omicron variant was already in the Netherlands when South Africa alerted the World Health Organization about it last week, Dutch health authorities said Tuesday, adding to fear and confusion over the new version of the coronavirus in a weary world hoping it had left the worst…

By DÁNICA COTO Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Barbados stopped pledging allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday as it shed another vestige of its colonial past and became a republic for the first time in history. Several leaders and dignitaries, including Prince Charles, attended the ceremony that began late Monday in…

ZEKE MILLER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will urge Americans to get vaccinated including booster shots as he seeks to quell concerns Monday over the new COVID-19 variant omicron, but he won’t immediately push for more restrictions to stop its spread, his chief medical adviser said. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top…

JUSTIN SPIKE, PAUL WISEMAN and VANESSA GERA Associated Press BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — From appliance stores in the United States to food markets in Hungary and gas stations in Poland, rising consumer prices fueled by high energy costs and supply chain disruptions are putting a pinch on households and businesses worldwide. Rising inflation is leading…