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The NIH is enrolling volunteers in an early-stage trial for an mRNA-based universal flu vaccine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:08:21 GMT

(CNN) — The National Institutes of Health is now enrolling participants to test an experimental universal influenza vaccine using mRNA technology.The NIH is looking for 50 volunteers ages 18 to 49 for the Phase 1 trial at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.“A universal influenza vaccine would be a major public health achievement and could eliminate the need for both annual development of seasonal influenza vaccines, as well as the need for patients to get a flu shot each year,” said Acting NIAID Director Dr. Hugh Auchincloss in a news release. “Moreover, some strains of influenza virus have significant pandemic potential. A universal flu vaccine could serve as an important line of defense against the spread of a future flu pandemic.”This early-stage trial will evaluate the best dosage for the experimental vaccine while comparing its immunogenicity and safety to current seasonal flu vaccines. Participants in the trial will be followed for up to one year after vaccination ...

Bruins’ Hampus Lindholm was playing with a broken foot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:08:21 GMT

So now we have a clue as to why Bruins’ defenseman Hampus Lindholm’s game dropped off so dramatically in the playoffs.In a communication with the Swedish publication Aftonbladet last week in explaining while he could not represent Sweden in the World Championships, Lindholm revealed that he’d just found out that he’d been playing with a fractured foot “for the past month,” he wrote in a text.Lindholm blocked a shot in the Bruins’ March 11 win over the Red Wings and did not play in the second half of the weekend back-to-back the next day. He was also given the March 26 game in Carolina off to take care of a nagging injury, coach Jim Montgomery said at the time.Those were the only two games he missed all season. Whether the fracture occurred in that March 11 game or there was subsequent trauma that caused the break is not clear.In the first year of an eight-year, $52 million deal, the big Swede enjoyed a breakout season in which he set a career high in po...

Timeline of investigation into Massachusetts US Attorney Rachael Rollins

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:08:21 GMT

The U.S. Department of Justice’s offices of Inspector General and the Office Special Counsel each issued scathing reports on U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins’ ethical breaches in office. Rollins has announced she will deliver her resignation to President Biden by Friday.Here is a timeline of Rollins brief and troubled time in office.July 26, 2021President Biden announces nomination of then-Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins for U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts.Dec. 8, 2021Vice President Kamala Harris casts tie-break vote for Senate confirmation of Rollins’ appointment to the post.Feb. 17, 2022Rollins speaks with a youth basketball group at a Project Safe Neighborhoods outreach event in Springfield. Without informing her staff, she announces: “I’m going to see if I can get the championship team tickets to a Celtics game. My significant other works for the Celtics. We will see what we can do. Play a great game.”A program specialist with her office told the DOJ’s Office of Inspector Ge...

Minnesota gets $60.5M in settlement with e-cigarette maker Juul, tobacco giant Altria

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:08:21 GMT

By STEVE KARNOWSKI (Associated Press)ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota settled its lawsuit against e-cigarette maker Juul Labs and tobacco giant Altria for $60.5 million, Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday, saying the total is significantly higher per capita than any other state that sued Juul over youth vaping and marketing practices.The state’s lawsuit was the first and still the only one of thousands of cases nationwide against the e-cigarette maker to reach trial. It settled just ahead of closing arguments last month, but the terms had to be kept confidential for 30 days until the formal papers were filed publicly with the court.Ellison said Minnesota got the big settlement precisely because the state took Juul to trial. He said the sum exceeds what Juul made in Minnesota from 2015 to 2021.“We were the only state willing to take this battle to trial and hold the bad actors accountable. It sends a message that you cannot get away with this,”...

How Al Horford’s leadership is continuing to guide Celtics during another playoff run

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:08:21 GMT

As the Celtics take another crack at winning a championship, no one is showing more urgency than Al Horford. It was on display during Tuesday’s practice.A day before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Horford wasn’t satisfied with how the Celtics were handling their business. The veteran big man stepped in.“It was a little light,” Malcolm Brogdon said. “Practice was light and guys were a little loose and Al brought us together in the middle of practice and just told us to tighten it up. I think it’s those constant reminders from our leader that’s going to help us stay poised, start the series poised, and really locked in.”Those instances aren’t uncommon inside the Celtics locker room, on the court or in the huddle during heated, critical playoff moments. More than just his inspired play on the court, Horford’s leadership in pivotal times have guided the Celtics back into position to advance to the NBA Finals again.“That’s all the time. He’s always getting on our as...

Mike Preston’s Ravens ‘football school’ observations on Todd Monken’s offense, Lamar Jackson’s absence and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:08:21 GMT

Coordinator Todd Monken has the type of offensive presence the Ravens haven’t had since Gary Kubiak led the unit in 2014.Back then, Ravens coach John Harbaugh spent most of his time with the defense while Kubiak ran the offense. It appears, based on the portion of Wednesday’s voluntary practice that was open to the media, that 2023 will offer a similar scenario.The show belonged to Monken, who was hired by the Ravens in February to replace Greg Roman, who the team parted with in January. Monken won back-to-back national championships at Georgia before the Ravens handed him the keys to their offense, and while the Bulldogs believed in a strong running game, their passing attack was diverse.Monken spent the practice directing the offense like a downtown New York City traffic cop at rush hour. His language was a bit salty and some might consider it slightly offensive, but this is the NFL, not the Boy Scouts.Under Kubiak in 2014, the Ravens had their most successful season i...

Five takeaways from Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald during Wednesday’s practice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:08:21 GMT

Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald wasn’t reading from a script. It only sounded like it when he opened his session with the media Wednesday noting that “the guys who are here” for the team’s voluntary “football school” have been doing a great job. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken used the same phrasing last week.Quarterback Lamar Jackson, who officially signed his five-year extension worth a reported $260 million two weeks ago, was again the most notable absence, but he wasn’t alone.While All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey and All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith were on the field during Wednesday’s portion of practice that was open to the media, linebacker Patrick Queen, whose fifth-year option was not picked up by the Ravens earlier this month, was among those not in attendance. Neither was safety Marcus Williams.Here are five takeaways from the day, which included interviews with Macdonald and two of the Ravens’ young de...

Prince Harry and Meghan made getaway in NYC taxi after being trailed by paparazzi

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:08:21 GMT

By MICHAEL R. SISAK, BOBBY CAINA CALVAN and DANICA KIRKA (Associated Press)NEW YORK (AP) — Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, were trailed in their car by photographers as they left a New York City charity event Tuesday night, briefly taking refuge at a police station before being whisked away in a yellow taxicab. The pursuit and media frenzy evoked memories of the 1997 car chase through Paris that killed Harry’s mother, Princess Diana — though in this case, police said, no one was hurt.The royal couple set off alarms when their spokesperson claimed Wednesday that they had been dangerously pursued by paparazzi in a “near catastrophic car chase” through the streets of Manhattan. That account led New York City Mayor Eric Adams to condemn the paparazzi chasing them as “reckless and irresponsible.”Later, though, police said the pursuit was relatively short and led to no injuries, collisions or arrests, and warranted no further investigation. Sti...

2023 Preakness: Here’s what to know, including post time, who’s racing, draws and odds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:08:21 GMT

Tim Schwartz and Childs Walker | Baltimore Sun (TNS)BALTIMORE — The eyes of the horse racing world and beyond will converge on the 148th Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore for the second jewel of the Triple Crown series. Last year, there was no chance for a Triple Crown winner after Rich Strike, the surprising Kentucky Derby winner, was not entered to run the Preakness. But this year’s Derby winner, Mage, will and is an early 8-5 favorite as the only one from the May 6 race set to compete amid the eight-horse field.As always, there will be plenty to watch for on and off the track. Here’s what you need to know:What is the Preakness Stakes?The Preakness Stakes first ran in 1873. It’s run two weeks after the Kentucky Derby at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. It’s the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, which consists of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, which runs three weeks after the Preakness. The 148th edition of the Preakness, which cov...

At Cannes Film Festival, Johnny Depp says he has no ‘further need for Hollywood’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:08:21 GMT

By JAKE COYLE (AP Film Writer)CANNES, France (AP) — Appearing at the Cannes Film Festival the day after premiering his first film in three years, Johnny Depp said Wednesday that he has “no further need” for Hollywood.Depp made a rare public appearance to face questions from the press following the opening-night premiere of “Jeanne du Barry,” in which Depp plays King Louis XV. The French film, directed by and starring Maïwenn and featuring a French-speaking Depp, is the actor’s first film since a jury last year largely sided with him in his legal battle with his ex-wife, Amber Heard.Part of Depp’s argument in that 2022 defamation trial was that he had lost work due to Heard’s allegations. Heard was ordered to pay Depp $10 million in damages, vindicating his allegations that Heard lied about Depp abusing her before and during their brief marriage. Heard was also awarded $2 million.“Did I feel boycotted by Hollywood? You’...