INSIDER
US students who box, skydive and help youth and asylum seekers are among 2025's Rhodes scholars
Read full article: US students who box, skydive and help youth and asylum seekers are among 2025's Rhodes scholarsA group of 32 students from the United States have been selected to attend the University of Oxford as part of the prestigious Rhodes scholar program in the coming year.
US Rhodes scholars chosen to begin Oxford studies in 2023
Read full article: US Rhodes scholars chosen to begin Oxford studies in 2023A new group of Rhodes scholars from the U.S. has been chosen for the prestigious academic program in a selection process that was conducted online for the third consecutive year.
The Latest: Minnesota officials urge proper mask wearing
Read full article: The Latest: Minnesota officials urge proper mask wearingMore than 6,300 people have died in Minnesota and more than 470,000 people have had confirmed coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic. So far, just over 46 million doses have been administered, and the administration’s goal is to ramp up daily doses to 1.5 million. By next week, states will be sent a total of 11 million doses, an increase of 500,000 compared with this week. Iran plans also to import some 17 million doses of vaccine from the international COVAX program and millions more from individual countries. AdActing Health Secretary Alison Beam says the moves are intended to hold hospitals, pharmacies and other providers accountable for the vaccine doses.
UK prime minister orders new virus lockdown for England
Read full article: UK prime minister orders new virus lockdown for EnglandPeople were told to work from home unless it's impossible to do so, and leave home only for essential trips. All nonessential shops and personal care services like hairdressers will be closed, and restaurants can only operate takeout services. As of Monday, there were 26,626 COVID-19 patients in hospitals in England, an increase of more than 30% from a week ago. Authorities have recorded more than 50,000 new infections daily since passing that milestone for the first time on Dec. 29. London and large areas of southeast England were put under the highest level of restrictions in mid-December, and more regions soon joined them.
UK is first to authorize easy-to-handle AstraZeneca vaccine
Read full article: UK is first to authorize easy-to-handle AstraZeneca vaccineFILE - This undated file photo issued by the University of Oxford on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, shows of vial of coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, in Oxford, England. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, which recommended the AstraZeneca vaccine for emergency use, did not endorse one vaccine over the other. Britain’s action likely means the World Health Organization could soon clear the AstraZeneca vaccine for use in a global effort to help poor countries, called COVAX. The European Medicines Agency said it is still assessing the AstraZeneca vaccine and has asked the company for more information on its quality, safety and effectiveness. In addition to the Serum Institute, AstraZeneca has deals with vaccine makers in Brazil, South Africa and China.
Canada getting 168K Moderna vaccine doses before year end
Read full article: Canada getting 168K Moderna vaccine doses before year endFILE - This undated photo provided by the University of Oxford shows of vial of coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University in Oxford, England. Trudeau said deliveries could begin within 48 hours of regulatory approval and health officials said they expect to approve use of the Moderna vaccine soon. Canadians began receiving vaccine shots developed by Pfizer and BioNTech on Monday and Trudeau said Canada expects to receive about 200,000 doses from Pfizer next week. The Moderna vaccine was more than 94% effective overall at preventing COVID-19 illness, and 86% effective in people 65 and older. Trudeau noted the Moderna vaccine does not need some of the extra special handling requirements of the one from Pfizer, including ultra cold freezers.
Studies suggest AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine safe, effective
Read full article: Studies suggest AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine safe, effectiveFILE - In this undated file photo issued by the University of Oxford, a volunteer is administered the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, in Oxford, England. “The only way we get the pandemic behind us is if we get doses of vaccine out there,” he said. Hopes are high for the AstraZeneca vaccine because it can be shipped and stored at normal refrigerator temperatures unlike the others that require freezing until a few hours before they're given. AstraZeneca has also signed licensing deals for the vaccine to be produced in countries including Brazil, South Africa and China. ___This story has been corrected to show that COVAX has ordered 400 million doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine, not 700 million.
Stocks rise on Wall Street as S&P 500 hits record high
Read full article: Stocks rise on Wall Street as S&P 500 hits record high(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)BEIJING – The S&P 500 rose to a record high Friday as investors continue to look forward to the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine and relief for the global economy. The benchmark index rose 8.70 points, or 0.2%, led by gains in technology companies, and closed at an all-time high of 3,638.35. The Nasdaq also closed at a record helped by gains in Apple, Tesla, Zoom and other tech companies. AstraZeneca shares were flat. European markets rose.
UK asks regulator to assess AZ-Oxford vaccine amid questions
Read full article: UK asks regulator to assess AZ-Oxford vaccine amid questionsThis undated photo issued by the University of Oxford shows of vial of coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, in Oxford, England. (University of Oxford/John Cairns via AP)LONDON – The British government said Friday it has formally asked the country’s medicines regulator to assess whether a coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University should be authorized for use. The British government has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, and plans to start distributing it in December if it gains approval. The drugmakers informed the U.K. regulator of the issue when it was discovered, and it was agreed to complete the late-stage trial with two groups. The British government and its scientific advisers have expressed confidence that multiple vaccines will win approval, but say all decisions are up to the regulator.
With hope high for vaccine, Britain prepares to roll it out
Read full article: With hope high for vaccine, Britain prepares to roll it outThe National Health Service is making plans to administer 88.5 million vaccine doses throughout England, according to a planning document dated Nov. 13. While most of the injections would be delivered at around 1,000 community vaccination centers, about a third would go to 40 to 50 “large-scale mass vaccination centers,” including stadiums, conference centers and similar venues, the document indicates. The German government has asked regional authorities to get special vaccination centers ready by mid-December. France, meanwhile, has reserved 90 million vaccine doses, but has not yet laid out its plan for mass vaccination. The vaccinations will be administered in 13,000 public health centers.
EU says first virus vaccinations possible by Christmas
Read full article: EU says first virus vaccinations possible by ChristmasFILE - This undated photo provided by the University of Oxford shows of vial of coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University in Oxford, England. The deals allow it to purchase over 800 million doses, more than the population of the bloc, which stands at around 460 million people. But von der Leyen said that while vaccines are important, “what counts are vaccinations. Still, Von der Leyen urged European citizens to continue respecting restrictions, even as the measures harm businesses, further damage coronavirus-ravaged economies and put people through social and mental hardship. Relaxing too much is a risk for a third wave after Christmas,” von der Leyen said, adding that “this Christmas will be different, and yes, it will be quieter.”___Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
Keep the mask: A vaccine won't end the US crisis right away
Read full article: Keep the mask: A vaccine won't end the US crisis right awayDespite the expected arrival of COVID-19 vaccines before the end of 2020, it could be well into 2021 before things get back to something close to normal. Federal officials say the first doses will ship within a day of authorization. By the end of January, HHS officials say, all senior citizens should be able to get shots, assuming a vaccine becomes available by the end of 2020. Rather than prevent infection entirely, the first COVID-19 vaccines might only prevent illness. But Chen said public health officials will need to clearly explain the relative risks to avoid public panic.
VIRUS TODAY: 3rd vaccine shows promise, death toll soars
Read full article: VIRUS TODAY: 3rd vaccine shows promise, death toll soarsIn this undated photo issued by the University of Oxford, a volunteer is administered the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, in Oxford, England. —Americans are still heading to airports in large numbers to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, despite the pandemic and guidance from health officials to limit gatherings as the virus rages through the country. THE NUMBERS: The U.S. is now averaging more than 1,500 new deaths per day, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. ICYMI: A slowdown in industrial activity linked to the coronavirus pandemic has cut emissions of pollutants and heat-trapping greenhouse gases, but hasn’t reduced their record levels in the atmosphere, the United Nations weather agency said on Monday. ___Find AP’s full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
3rd major COVID-19 vaccine shown to be effective and cheaper
Read full article: 3rd major COVID-19 vaccine shown to be effective and cheaperNo hospitalizations or severe cases of COVID-19 were reported in those receiving the vaccine. Earlier this month, rival drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna reported preliminary results from late-stage trials showing their vaccines were almost 95% effective. The AstraZeneca vaccine is also cheaper. A half-dose of the vaccine followed by a full dose at least one month later was 90% effective. The AstraZeneca trials were paused earlier this year after a participant in the U.K. study reported a rare neurological illness.
Oxford scientists expect COVID-19 vaccine data by Christmas
Read full article: Oxford scientists expect COVID-19 vaccine data by ChristmasLONDON – University of Oxford scientists expect to report results from the late-stage trials of their COVID-19 vaccine by Christmas, a key researcher said Thursday as he discussed the team’s latest findings. Oxford is developing its vaccine in conjunction with the drugmaker AstraZeneca. “I think we’re getting close, and it’s definitely going to be before Christmas based on the progress,” Pollard said in an interview with the BBC. Phase II vaccine trials provide important preliminary data but don’t prove whether they ultimately prevent people from getting sick. Despite recent progress, Pollard said the world is still in the early stages of the effort to protect people against COVID-19.
The Latest: Hawaii imposes new COVID-19 travel restrictions
Read full article: The Latest: Hawaii imposes new COVID-19 travel restrictionsThere were 1,225 new confirmed COVID-19 cases increasing the state total to 60,873. ___WASHINGTON -- Pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and BioNTech will seek emergency government approval for their coronavirus vaccine, as the U.S. aims to begin administering doses by the end of the year. ___LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Kentucky reported a new daily record of 3,649 coronavirus cases Thursday amid warnings by Gov. He and public health experts are warily watching the number of patients hospitalized with the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavirus. ___WASHINGTON — Infection disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci says he “wants to settle” concerns about a coronavirus vaccine as he returns to the White House podium for the first time in months.
AstraZeneca, J&J resuming US tests of COVID-19 vaccines
Read full article: AstraZeneca, J&J resuming US tests of COVID-19 vaccinesOn Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, AstraZeneca Inc. announced that the Food and Drug Administration is letting it resume testing of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the U.S. (Siphiwe Sibeko/Pool via AP)Two drugmakers announced Friday the resumption of U.S. testing of their COVID-19 vaccine candidates. Testing of AstraZeneca’s vaccine candidate had been halted since early September, while Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine study was paused at the beginning of last week. Testing of the AstraZeneca vaccine, developed with Oxford University, has already resumed in the United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa and Japan. AstraZeneca testing had also been paused earlier in the summer. Johnson & Johnson said it’s preparing to resume recruitment soon for its U.S. vaccine study.
3 scientists win Nobel physics prize for black hole finds
Read full article: 3 scientists win Nobel physics prize for black hole findsThis combination of 2020 and 2015 photos shows, from left, Reinhard Genzel, astrophysicist at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics; Andrea Ghez, professor of physics and astronomy at UCLA, and Roger Penrose, of the University of Oxford. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, they shared the Nobel Prize in Physics for advancing our understanding of black holes. (Matthias Balk/dpa, Elena Zhukova/UCLA, Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
3 scientists win Nobel physics prize for black hole research
Read full article: 3 scientists win Nobel physics prize for black hole researchOn Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, they shared the Nobel Prize in Physics for advancing our understanding of black holes. He said our galaxy and the galaxies near us “will ultimately get swallowed by one utterly huge black hole. “If you fall into a black hole, then you pretty well inevitably get squashed into this singularity at the end. It was a black hole. Not just an ordinary black hole, but a supermassive one, 4 million times the mass of our sun.
Wrangling over virus relief persists despite high stakes
Read full article: Wrangling over virus relief persists despite high stakesIn this handout photo released by the University of Oxford a volunteer participates in the vaccine trial in Oxford, England on July 7, 2020. Even as the latest experimental vaccine appeared to show promise, politicians in Washington seemed far apart in finding a way to bring financial relief to Americans. British researchers first began testing the vaccine in April in about 1,000 people, half of whom got the experimental vaccine. Such early trials are designed to evaluate safety and see what kind of immune response was provoked, but cant tell if the vaccine truly protects. We are seeing good immune response in almost everybody, said Dr. Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute at Oxford University.
First vaccinations begin in Africa for COVID-19 trial
Read full article: First vaccinations begin in Africa for COVID-19 trialAfricas first participation in a COVID-19 vaccine trial has begun as volunteers received injections developed at the University of Oxford in Britain. The large-scale trial is being conducted in South Africa, Britain and Brazil. The large-scale trial is being conducted in South Africa, Britain and Brazil. South Africa has nearly one-third of Africa's confirmed cases with more than 106,000, including more than 2,100 deaths. Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa all have highly developed clinical trial capabilities, said Salim Abdool Karim, chair of South Africa's ministerial advisory committee for COVID-19.