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mark byington

A Clash of Views: Vaccine Safety and Science

December 19, 2025

A recent debate within the FDA has sparked concerns about the future of vaccine safety and policy. Dr. Vinay Prasad, head of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, sent an internal email claiming that COVID vaccines had caused the deaths of "at least 10 children. " This claim was me

health

Why is the US Funding a Questionable Hepatitis B Vaccine Study in Africa?

December 19, 2025

The US government is planning to spend $1. 6 million on a study in Guinea-Bissau, a country in West Africa where nearly one in five adults has hepatitis B. The study will look at whether giving the hepatitis B vaccine to newborns is safe and effective. But many researchers are calling this study une

health

Gaza's Fight Against Hunger: A Fragile Victory

December 19, 2025

Gaza has avoided famine, but the situation is still dire. The recent ceasefire and improved aid access have helped, but the progress is shaky. Millions still face severe food shortages, and many families can't afford basic food items. The destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods makes it hard f

business

The Changing Landscape of Drug Discovery: A Look into the Future

December 19, 2025

In 2006, a young journalist visited Pfizer to discuss the company's research and development (R&D) plans. This was a time when the pharmaceutical industry was facing a significant drop in productivity. During the 1990s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 311 new medicines. However, in t

technology

Samsung's Exynos 2600: A Leap in Smartphone Tech

December 19, 2025

Samsung has just unveiled its new Exynos 2600 chipset, marking a big step forward in smartphone technology. This is the first chip made using 2nm GAA technology, which means it's more powerful and efficient than ever before. The Exynos 2600 has a unique setup of 10 CPU cores. It includes one ultra-

politics

Ukraine Hits Back: Striking Russian Tankers and Seeking Peace

December 19, 2025

In a bold move, Ukraine has taken its fight against Russia to the Mediterranean Sea. The country's intelligence agency, the SBU, claims to have struck a Russian oil tanker, part of what's known as the "shadow fleet. " This fleet is accused of helping Russia dodge sanctions and fund its war efforts.

politics

EU and South America Trade Deal Hits Another Snag

December 19, 2025

The European Union has once again delayed signing a trade agreement with Mercosur, the South American trade bloc. This time, the signing was pushed back to January, marking yet another delay in a process that has been ongoing for 25 years. The EU's top official, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed hope

finance

Home Buying Takes a Chilly Turn in November

December 19, 2025

Buying a home in November was tough. Prices stayed high, mortgage rates didn't budge much, and there were fewer homes on the market. Sales of used homes only went up a tiny bit from October. They were even lower than they were in November last year. About 4. 13 million homes were sold in a year, but

entertainment

Avatar 3: A Global Box Office Powerhouse

December 19, 2025

James Cameron's latest epic, "Avatar: Fire and Ash, " is making waves at the box office. The movie raked in $12 million from early preview screenings in the U. S. on its opening day. While this is impressive, it's worth noting that the second film, "The Way of Water, " had a stronger start with $17

crime

Uncovering the Hidden Fraud in Healthcare

December 19, 2025

The USPS Office of Inspector General recently brought to light a significant healthcare fraud scheme that has been operating for a decade. This scheme involved Texas pharmacies and medical professionals who billed the government for unnecessary prescriptions. The investigation revealed that these h