Today’s Big Story

The Vaccine of the Future

New vax strategy could be a breakthrough: No boosters, no needles and more rapid effects

When are we due for a booster? Like, are we still doing that? Or will it just be when cold and flu (and, I guess, COVID?) season rolls around again? Of course, there’s always bird flu to worry about, right?

The World Health Organization’s top scientist has just said the recent avian flu outbreak is of “great concern” to public health, and vaccine development to halt the virus is “not where we need to be.” The virus, known as Type A H5N1, which typically circulates among poultry and wild birds, has spread to mammals, including cows, cats and at least two people in the U.S. in recent years. The new development experts are eyeing is that the virus is now passing from mammal to mammal. Bird flu has a high mortality rate in the hundreds of people who've contracted it, Dr. Jeremy Farrar, chief scientist at WHO, the United Nations health agency, told reporters late last week.

It’s clear that immunization is the key. But, like at the beginning of the pandemic, most people envision a world in which a vaccine (or maybe even infection) would provide durable lifetime immunity—like in the case of diseases like measles or mumps. But a virus like the flu or COVID, will mutate constantly, resulting in only short-term immunity. That means they require new and different vaccine formulas aimed at defeating newly circulating variants of the viruses. The inevitable result of this has been, for most of us, increasing vaccine fatigue.

And if people don’t keep up with their vaccines and boosters, everyone pays. Interestingly, vaccine-preventable conditions currently cost G20 economies $1 trillion in annual productivity loss among those aged 60-64. Productivity value in immunized populations serves as another compelling argument for the economic benefits of adult vaccination programs.

But what if it were possible to protect against these viruses (and even those that haven't yet emerged) with just one shot? If that became reality, seasonal or annual boosters would be a thing of the past. It might not even require a needle. While those possibilities may sound far in the future, scientists at the University of California believe they could become reality relatively soon—perhaps within the next five to 10 years. As illustrated in a paper just published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a new, RNA-based vaccine strategy could be effective against any viral strain to emerge in the future. According to Salon, this next generation of vaccines would theoretically offer protection against viruses we aren’t even aware of yet, and could be used safely on infants and people with compromised immune systems, who today must often opt out of vaccination to protect their health.

House Approves $95 Billion Aid Bill

Breaking a long congressional stalemate, the package drew overwhelming bipartisan support

This is kind of a big deal: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson just shepherded through a massive foreign aid package, providing $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in a rare Saturday session. He put his job on the line and Democrats and Republicans finally joined together after months of political turmoil over renewed American support for repelling Russia’s invasion.

As Axios put it: “In an era of tribal politics and congressional dysfunction, the country witnessed a rare triumph of consequential bipartisanship. If you're a fan of both sides working together to do hard things, this was it.” The unusual process, with each bill having its own vote, allowed unique coalitions to form around the bills, pushing them forward. The whole package will go to the Senate, where passage in the coming days is nearly assured. President Biden has promised to sign it immediately.

According to the Associated Press, the GOP-controlled House struggled for months over what to do, first demanding that any assistance for Ukraine be tied to policy changes at the U.S.-Mexico border, only to immediately reject a bipartisan Senate offer along those very lines. Reaching an endgame has been an excruciating lift for Johnson that has tested both his resolve and his support among Republicans, with a small but growing number now openly urging his removal from the speaker’s office.

Paris Is Banking on the River Seine for the Olympics

But the huge effort could be spoiled by one rainy day and some security concerns

It’s an iconic Parisian landmark, but with less than 100 days to go before the 2024 Olympics, fears are growing that the organizing committee’s herculean effort to clean up the River Seine will be for naught. Events like the marathon swim, the triathlon and the paratriathlon could be postponed or canceled because of high pollution levels, or that the flotilla-based opening ceremony could be affected by security concerns.

Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, told CBS News that the water pollution is a challenge and the swimming portion of the triathlon event might be delayed until later in the Games. The Surfrider Foundation said in a social media post that the samples revealed high levels of pollution at the Alexandre III Bridge and that a “shadow looms over the quality of the water.” The organization blamed rainfall and sewage malfunctions for the pollution and warned the bacteria could lead to infections such as staphylococcus. They urged stakeholders to take action before athletes dip into the river.

Meanwhile, the plan for a splashy, open-air Opening Ceremony has been scaled back amid mounting security concerns. Tourists were told they won’t be allowed to watch it for free from riverbanks because the French government scaled back ambitions amid ongoing security threats. And last month, France raised its security readiness to the highest level after a deadly attack at a Russian concert hall and the Islamic State group’s claim of responsibility. French President Emmanuel Macron says the ceremony could be shifted instead to the national stadium at Stade de France if the security threat is deemed too high.

Is Tesla in Trouble?

The automaker has cut prices after massive Cybertruck recall

Tesla has cut its prices again in a number of major markets—including the U.S., China and Germany—as the electric car giant run by Elon Musk faces falling sales. The move comes after the automaker grappled with a sharp fall in its global vehicle deliveries in the first three months of this year.

But that’s not the only trouble facing Tesla. Mashable reports on a series of setbacks for the company, including workforce reductions, executive departures, legal challenges concerning CEO Elon Musk's compensation, and paused projects. Not to mention a massive recall of all 3,878 Cybertrucks due to a stuck accelerator pedal issue.

According to NPR, the electric vehicle manufacturer laid off 10% of its staff last week and the company's stock price has fallen back to where it was a year ago. Tesla, as you might’ve noticed over the years, has been slow to refresh its aging models as high interest rates have sapped consumer appetite for big-ticket items, while rivals in China, the world's largest auto market, are rolling out cheaper, newer models.

Treat Her to Something Lasting

Mom deserves something meaningful

Your mother doesn't ask for much, right? But she’s someone who appreciates things that are made to last and crafted with care. So treat her to something useful, something that elevates her everyday experience and something built to last. These are the kind of wares that Huckberry is great at sourcing, from small indie makers to respected global lifestyle brands. From the latest grooming tech and a high-end fragrance to a comfortable jacket that will get better over the years, here's just a taste of what they've got on offer this year for Mom.

It’s up to you.