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COVID-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe COVID-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe
Covid-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe A new highly transmissible COVID-19 strain that first appeared in Europe is now beginning to spread in the United States. Called XEC, the offshoot of the Omicron strain was initially identified in Germany early this past summer before quickly spreading throughout Europe. It is not causing more serious symptoms than other COVID strains, but it is causing concern. “The rate of infections from XEC they're seeing in some countries rose pretty quickly compared to previous variants in those same places," Dr. Scott Roberts, a Yale Medicine infectious diseases specialist said in YaleMedicine.…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
Catherine Zeta-Jones Posts Nude Photo: Here's Why Catherine Zeta-Jones Posts Nude Photo: Here's Why
Catherine Zeta-Jones Posts Nude Photo: Here's Why Longtime New York resident actress Catherine Zeta-Jones found a new meaning for the term "birthday suit" in a new social media post.  The 55-year-old actress posted a naked photo of herself on Instagram on Thursday, Sept. 25 to celebrate both her birthday and that of her husband, acclaimed actor Michael Douglas, who turned 80.  The post shows Zeta-Jones standing over a bathroom sink wearing nothing but her high heels. In the caption, the actress said the photo was "gift option two" for her husband, after golf balls. "After over 25 years of sharing my birthday day with my hu…

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by Ben Crnic
News
COVID-19: Surge In Summer Cases Sparks Concern COVID-19: Surge In Summer Cases Sparks Concern
Covid-19: Surge In Summer Cases Sparks Concern A surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States and around the globe is sparking concern among health officials who are warning that more severe variants of the virus may be coming. “COVID-19 is still very much with us and circulating in all countries," Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove of the World Health Organization said in a news conference last week. “Data from our sentinel-based surveillance system across 84 countries reports that the percent of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 has been rising over several weeks." Wastewater surveillance suggests that the circulation of COVID is two to 20 times…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Building An Empire: Babson College Grad Wants To Revolutionize Real Estate Industry Building An Empire: Babson College Grad Wants To Revolutionize Real Estate Industry
Building An Empire: Babson College Grad Wants To Revolutionize Real Estate Industry Saranga Pagadala doesn't have an off switch. It's why at just 22, he’s built a CV that would make someone 10 years older jealous. It's a drive he's had since childhood, and now he says he's putting the full might of that confidence into his attempt to revolutionize the real estate industry. Pagadala's story begins in Florida and twists through India and most of Europe before landing in Massachusetts. But while he’s making a make for himself with his big-brained ideas now, the Boston man had hoped to be known for his legs. "I wanted to be a professional soccer player," he says. "I traveled a…

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by Josh Lanier
Lifestyle
‘Record-Breaking’ Fourth Show Added For Comedian Matt Rife's Connecticut Leg Of World Tour ‘Record-Breaking’ Fourth Show Added For Comedian Matt Rife's Connecticut Leg Of World Tour
‘Record-Breaking’ Fourth Show Added For Comedian Matt Rife's Connecticut Leg Of World Tour Tickets to see comedian Matt Rife on his first ever world tour are in such demand that a Connecticut venue is adding more shows to its lineup. In a Facebook post Thursday, June 8, Mohegan Sun Area, located in Uncasville in New London County, announced it was adding a “record-breaking FOURTH show” for Rife’s “ProbleMATTic World Tour.” The 27-year-old comic, who has amassed nearly 18 million followers on TikTok and Instagram, is now set to perform in Connecticut from Thursday, Feb. 22 through Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. Rife announced the tour Monday, June 5, in a TikTok video featuring fellow …

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by Michael Mashburn
Sports
Patriots Will Play Game In Germany Next Season Patriots Will Play Game In Germany Next Season
Patriots Will Play Game In Germany Next Season The NFL announced on Thursday, Jan. 19, that the Patriots would host one of two games in Germany next season. The Chiefs will also play in the country during the 2023 season.  It will be the first time any NFL franchise has played a regulation game in Germany. The opponent has yet to be determined, and the host city will either be Munich or Frankfurt. The move comes as the National Football League looks to expand its reach and footprint in Europe.  The league has hosted games in London for several seasons.  A message from Robert Kraft to the German Patriots fans. pic.twitter.com/A3YpPS…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Death Confirmed Days After CDC Issues Nationwide Alert For Mysterious Hepatitis Outbreak Death Confirmed Days After CDC Issues Nationwide Alert For Mysterious Hepatitis Outbreak
Death Confirmed Days After CDC Issues Nationwide Alert For Mysterious Hepatitis Outbreak Just days after the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention issued a national alert to doctors over a mystery hepatitis outbreak, the death of a child has now been confirmed, the World Health Organization announced. At least 169 cases have now been reported in the United States and 11 other countries, the WHO said, adding that the cases range from those in the ages of 1 month to 16 years old. The CDC notified clinicians and public health authorities on Thursday, April 21 about a cluster of children identified with hepatitis and adenovirus infection, asking all physicians to be on …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
CDC Issues Nationwide Alert After Hepatitis Outbreak Of Unknown Origin CDC Issues Nationwide Alert After Hepatitis Outbreak Of Unknown Origin
CDC Issues Nationwide Alert After Hepatitis Outbreak Of Unknown Origin The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has issued a national alert to doctors over a mystery hepatitis outbreak. The CDC notified clinicians and public health authorities on Thursday, April 21 about a cluster of children identified with hepatitis and adenovirus infection, asking all physicians to be on the lookout for symptoms and to report any suspected cases of hepatitis of unknown origin to their local and state health departments. The CDC said it is currently working with the Alabama Department of Public Health to investigate a cluster of nine cases of hepatitis of unknown ori…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Stealth Omicron Now Labeled 'Subvariant Of Concern' COVID-19: Stealth Omicron Now Labeled 'Subvariant Of Concern'
Covid-19: Stealth Omicron Now Labeled 'Subvariant Of Concern' With the number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations ticking up across the country, some are cautioning that the new “stealth” subvariant of the virus could become a strain of concern. Health officials in the US are calling the BA.2 a “subvariant of concern" as countries overseas have seen the number of new cases spiking in China and parts of Europe. Earlier story - COVID-19: This Key Factor Could Indicate Whether Stealth Omicron Will Cause New Surge In US With the BA.2 variant beginning to spread in Europe and Asia, prompting another new rise in infections and new hospitalization…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: US Infections Expected To Rise As Subvariant Cases Triple Every Two Weeks COVID-19: US Infections Expected To Rise As Subvariant Cases Triple Every Two Weeks
Covid-19: US Infections Expected To Rise As Subvariant Cases Triple Every Two Weeks Federal health experts are cautioning Americans about a new, highly-contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant that may lead to a sudden rise in new infections. The emerging variant, called BA.2, is believed to be upwards of 60 percent more transmissible than Omicron, according to infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, though it is not more severe than the original strain. Earlier story - COVID-19: New Strain Of Virus Detected That Combines Two Omicron Sub-Variants According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), BA.2 has been tripling its presence in the US every two wee…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: This Key Factor Could Indicate Whether Stealth Omicron Will Cause New Surge In US COVID-19: This Key Factor Could Indicate Whether Stealth Omicron Will Cause New Surge In US
Covid-19: This Key Factor Could Indicate Whether Stealth Omicron Will Cause New Surge In US With the new “stealth” COVID-19 sub-variant emerging from the shadows in the US and overseas, researchers are concerned that one subset of Americans could potentially lead to a possible new surge of infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Omicron, which is known as B.1.1.529, has three sub-variants: the original BA.1 that remains the dominant strain, the “stealth” BA.2, which is picking up steam, and the more elusive BA.3. The new “stealth” variant - named for its difficulty to identify due to a lack of certain genetic characteristics - has been becoming more of a co…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: New 'Deltacron' Variant Identified For First Time COVID-19: New 'Deltacron' Variant Identified For First Time
Covid-19: New 'Deltacron' Variant Identified For First Time A new hybrid COVID-19 strain combining the Delta and Omicron variants of the virus has been confirmed for the first time and is being tracked by the World Health Organization (WHO). Researchers reported that they now have solid evidence regarding the first confirmed case of “Deltacron,” though it is not believed to be considered a cause of concern as the number of vaccines and people with natural immunity continue to rise across the globe. The “Deltacron” variant had previously been suspected in several countries, but scientists in Paris submitted a full genomic sequence on Tuesday, March 8…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: New Research Reveals Percentage Of Cases That Occur Without Symptoms COVID-19: New Research Reveals Percentage Of Cases That Occur Without Symptoms
Covid-19: New Research Reveals Percentage Of Cases That Occur Without Symptoms Health officials have released a new study confirming that nearly half of all those who contract COVID-19 infections remain asymptomatic, confirming a long-held belief. New research found that more than 40 percent of those who tested positive for the virus have not shown symptoms, according to a new study published this week in JAMA Network Open. In the study, researchers examined nearly 100 studies between January 2020 and February 2021 of nearly 30 million people in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Africa. Of those millions, approximately 60 percent of confirmed COVID…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Three More NY Residents Identified As Being Infected With Omicron Variant COVID-19: Three More NY Residents Identified As Being Infected With Omicron Variant
Covid-19: Three More NY Residents Identified As Being Infected With Omicron Variant Omicron, the new strain of COVID-19 that has caused worldwide alarm the last week, has now been detected in eight New York residents. On Saturday, Dec. 4, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced three more cases have been identified, two days after the state announced its first five cases. So far, the cases appear unrelated and have been confirmed through sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to the New York State Health Department.  All three of the new cases are from New York City. Nationally, a total of 23 people have been infected in 11 states: Utah, California, Minneso…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Number Of US Omicron Cases Now At Nine; Here's Info On Conditions Of Those Infected COVID-19: Number Of US Omicron Cases Now At Nine; Here's Info On Conditions Of Those Infected
Covid-19: Number Of US Omicron Cases Now At Nine; Here's Info On Conditions Of Those Infected Omicron, the new strain of COVID that has caused worldwide alarm the last week, has now been detected in five states, with a total of nine cases. New York is the only state with multiple infections so far. Here's a rundown, with the number of cases in parentheses following the name of the state: New York (5): Four of the five infected are from New York City and the other was a 67-year-old Long Island woman who lives in Suffolk County and had recently traveled to South Africa, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced early Thursday evening, Dec. 2. All five had mild symptoms, Hoc…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Five NY Residents Identified As Being Infected With Omicron Variant COVID-19: Five NY Residents Identified As Being Infected With Omicron Variant
Covid-19: Five NY Residents Identified As Being Infected With Omicron Variant Omicron, the new strain of COVID that has caused worldwide alarm the last week, has now been detected in five New York residents. Four are from New York City and the other was a 67-year-old Long Island woman who lives in Suffolk County and had recently traveled to South Africa, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced early Thursday evening, Dec. 2. All five had mild symptoms, Hochul said.  The vaccination status has only been determined for one of the five -- the Suffolk County woman who was fully vaccinated. She tested positive on Tuesday, Nov. 30, Hochul said. Two of the other fo…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: First Case Of New Omicron Variant Identified In United States COVID-19: First Case Of New Omicron Variant Identified In United States
Covid-19: First Case Of New Omicron Variant Identified In United States Omicron, the new strain of COVID that has caused worldwide alarm the last week, has been detected in the United States for the first time. Health officials had been bracing for the first such Omicron case for days, and early Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 1, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention confirmed a person in California has been infected with the new strain. The San Francisco Department of Health said the individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Monday, Nov. 22, and tested positive for COVID on Monday, Nov. 29. The individual was fully vaccinated and experi…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: First Cases Of New Variant Identified In North America COVID-19: First Cases Of New Variant Identified In North America
Covid-19: First Cases Of New Variant Identified In North America The new strain of COVID-19 that has caused worldwide alarm the last week has been detected in North America for the first time. Two cases of the Omicron variant were confirmed in Canada. Both were in Ottawa, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said in a statement released Sunday evening, Nov. 28. The two infected people had traveled from Nigeria and have been isolated, Elliott said. The Omicron variant, whose name comes from the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet, is spreading fast in Europe after the first case was identified by scientists in South Africa on Tuesday, Nov. 9. In…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: New Variant's 50 Mutations Make It Different From Original Virus, NIH Director Says COVID-19: New Variant's 50 Mutations Make It Different From Original Virus, NIH Director Says
Covid-19: New Variant's 50 Mutations Make It Different From Original Virus, NIH Director Says Why are scientists so concerned about the new strain of COVID-19? Simply stated, when it comes to Omicron, it's all about the sheer numbers -- as in the number of mutations. "The main thing that has us focused on this and has caused us to be sort of 24-7 on Zoom calls the last four days is that it has so many mutations," Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), said Sunday morning, Nov. 28 on CNN. "Omicron has more than 50 variants that make it different from the original virus, including more than 30 that are in the spike protein." The spike proteins …

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by Joe Lombardi
Weather
July Was Hottest Month Ever Recorded On Earth, NOAA Says July Was Hottest Month Ever Recorded On Earth, NOAA Says
July Was Hottest Month Ever Recorded On Earth, NOAA Says The world broke a dubious record last month as the Earth’s climate continues heating up. July was the hottest month ever recorded, according to new data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), causing more concern for those anxious about climate change. The combined land- and ocean-surface temperature around the world was 1.67 degrees Fahrenheit above the average of 60.4 degrees, according to NOAA — making July the hottest month on Earth since record-keeping started 142 years ago. “In this case, first place is the worst place to be,” NOAA Administrator Ri…

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by Zak Failla
News
Ransomware Group That Collected Millions From Meat Supplier Threatens Hundreds Of New Targets Ransomware Group That Collected Millions From Meat Supplier Threatens Hundreds Of New Targets
Ransomware Group That Collected Millions From Meat Supplier Threatens Hundreds Of New Targets A new ransomware attack linked to a Russian group that collected $11 million from a major meat supplier has reportedly paralyzed the networks of dozens of companies in the United States. The attack by the group known as REvil was focused on Kaseya VSA, a United States software company used by hundreds of tech-service providers and large companies. Kaseya said on Friday, July 2 that it's investigating what a cybersecurity expert said is a ransomware attack similar to the previous one attributed to the Russian hackers. The company said it shut down some of its servers and urged cus…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: CDC Issues New Travel Guidance For Americans COVID-19: CDC Issues New Travel Guidance For Americans
Covid-19: CDC Issues New Travel Guidance For Americans The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has issued new COVID-19 travel guidance for Americans. The guidance "better differentiate countries with severe outbreak situations" from those where the virus is "sustained, but controlled." The CDC has grouped countries into four levels, with those in Level 4, the highest threat level. In those countries, there have been 500 cases for every 100,000 residents in the last 28 days. Brazil and India are among the Level 4 countries. The CDC is advising Americans to avoid traveling to Level 4 countries. Those in Level 3, with a high…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
COVID-19: CVS Health Unveils Sweepstakes To Encourage Vaccinations COVID-19: CVS Health Unveils Sweepstakes To Encourage Vaccinations
Covid-19: CVS Health Unveils Sweepstakes To Encourage Vaccinations CVS Health is jumping on the bandwagon in getting more Americans vaccinated for COVID-19 by offering big prizes including international trips, tickets to the next Super Bowl, and lots of other incentives. The sweepstakes kick off on Tuesday, June 1, when all eligible customers who received or plan to receive a COVID-19 vaccination through CVS Health may choose to enter the #OneStepCloser sweepstakes for an opportunity to win from thousands of fun and exciting prizes through weekly drawings and grand prizes over a six-week period, the company said. CVS Health is working to close gaps in hesi…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: Pill Being Touted As Potential Cure For Virus Could Be Coming COVID-19: Pill Being Touted As Potential Cure For Virus Could Be Coming
Covid-19: Pill Being Touted As Potential Cure For Virus Could Be Coming An anti-viral pill that's being touted as a potential cure for COVID-19 could be ready later this year, according to a brand-new report. PF-07321332, an antiviral drug being developed by Pfizer, is designed to attack the “spine” of the COVID-19 virus to prevent it from replicating in the nose, throat, and lungs, according to the Telegraph. Trials involving volunteers from age 18 to 60 are now underway at Pfizer facilities in both the United States and Europe, according to the report. Pizer's director of medicinal chemistry, Dafydd Owen, said the pill was developed from scratch, the Te…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
COVID-19: CDC Director Warns Of 'Impending Doom,' As US Cases Rise; Biden Takes New Action COVID-19: CDC Director Warns Of 'Impending Doom,' As US Cases Rise; Biden Takes New Action
Covid-19: CDC Director Warns Of 'Impending Doom,' As US Cases Rise; Biden Takes New Action Alarm bells are ringing and red flags are flying for Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as she senses “impending doom” as the number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise amid a possible fourth wave, as the White House announced new actions. An emotional Walensky's voice broke during a briefing on Monday, March 29 as she cautioned Americans not to get complacent as a new wave of the virus could hit the country. “I’m (going to) lose the script and I’m going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom,” she said from the W…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: CDC Director Warns Of 'Avoidable Rise In Cases,' Says US Is At Fork In Road COVID-19: CDC Director Warns Of 'Avoidable Rise In Cases,' Says US Is At Fork In Road
Covid-19: CDC Director Warns Of 'Avoidable Rise In Cases,' Says US Is At Fork In Road Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky is urging Americans to remain vigilant so the country doesn’t see an “avoidable rise in cases." Walensky warned on Monday, March 22 that another surge similar to what happened in the winter is “avoidable” as the federal government ramps up production and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. “I get it. We all want to return to our everyday activities and spend time with our friends, family, and loved ones,” she said. “But we must find the fortitude to hang in there just a bit longer. "We are at a critical point in this …

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by Zak Failla
News
So-Called 'Silent Killer' Caused One in Five Deaths Worldwide, Study Says So-Called 'Silent Killer' Caused One in Five Deaths Worldwide, Study Says
So-Called 'Silent Killer' Caused One in Five Deaths Worldwide, Study Says There's something people come in contact with every day that's being called a "silent killer" responsible for about 20 percent of deaths worldwide in 2018. A new study by various top universities has found that air pollution killed 8.7 million people globally in 2018 - about one in five deaths. A major contributor to fatal air pollution was caused by burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil, said the study, “Global mortality from outdoor fine particle pollution generated by fossil fuel combustion: Results from GEOS-Chem.”  Exposure to high levels of air pollution can cause respirator…

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by Kristin Palpini
Business
Godiva Chocolate Closing All US Stores - Including 5 In Massachusetts Godiva Chocolate Closing All US Stores - Including 5 In Massachusetts
Godiva Chocolate Closing All US Stores - Including 5 In Massachusetts Godiva chocolates is closing all of its North American stores. The mass closure will affect 128 stores in the U.S. and Canada - including 5 in Massachusetts and 3 in Connecticut. Outposts in Europe, the Middle East, and China will remain open. Godiva will stay open through Valentine’s Day, but closures will be completed by March, according to CT Post and other media sources. The news comes as a new Godiva CEO steps in, Nurtac Ziyal Afridi, who was appointed in mid-December 2020. Godiva said, in a press release, that its business has been shifting from in-store purchases to online o…

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by Kristin Palpini