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BERLIN (AP) — Germany plans to spend another 830 million euros ($872 million) to buy new coronavirus vaccines that will allow the country to deal with a series of possible variants this fall, the health minister said Wednesday. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said that the government, via the European Union, already has ordered enough of the existing vaccines and of one that has been developed by Germany’s BioNTech to counter the omicron variant. He said the new funding is earmarked for a vaccine being developed by Moderna to tackle both omicron and other variants. “We are betting on a broad portfolio of vaccines; we must be prepared for all eventualities,” Lauterbach said. “We don't know what variants will confront us in the fall.” “One lesson from the pandemic is that we never again want to have too little vaccine,” he added, alluding to the sluggish start early last year of the EU's and Germany's COVID-19 vaccination campaign. “We want to be able to offer all those who need … [Read more...] about Germany OKs more COVID-19 vaccine spending for this fall

BONN, Germany (AP) — The U.S., several global development banks and other groups unveiled a multi-billion dollar plan Wednesday meant to address a worldwide food security crisis exacerbated by Russia's war in Ukraine. The Treasury Department announced that several global development banks are “working swiftly to bring to bear their financing, policy engagement, technical assistance” to prevent starvation prompted by the war, rising food costs and climate damage to crops. Tens of billions will be spent on supporting farmers, addressing the fertilizer supply crisis, and developing land for food production, among other issues. The Asian Development Bank will contribute funds to feeding Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and the African Development bank will use $1.5 billion to assist 20 million African farmers, according to Treasury. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the World … [Read more...] about US, banks, unveil plan to ease food crisis from Russia’s war

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Heart surgeon-turned-TV celebrity Dr. Mehmet Oz and former hedge fund CEO David McCormick went into Wednesday essentially tied in Pennsylvania's hotly contested Republican nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat, expected to be among the nation's most competitive races in the fall. Both men emerged at their election night watch parties after midnight to say they would have to wait for vote-counting to resume Wednesday to determine a winner, with each saying he was confident of victory. Some counties had yet to tabulate mail-in ballots in the presidential battleground state. Counting of provisional, overseas and military absentee ballots could last all week. The state's lieutenant governor, John Fetterman, won the Democratic nomination hours after undergoing surgery to implant a pacemaker with a defibrillator to help him recover from a stroke he suffered on Friday. Democrats view the race to replace retiring two-term Republican Sen. Pat Toomey as perhaps … [Read more...] about Vote counting drags on in Pennsylvania’s GOP Senate primary

LONDON (AP) — A U.K. Conservative lawmaker was released on bail Wednesday while police investigate allegations of rape and sexual assault against him, the latest in a series of sexual misconduct allegations that have led some to label Britain's Parliament a toxic workplace. The legislator was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of indecent assault, sexual assault, rape, abuse of position of trust and misconduct in public office. Police, who identified the suspect only as a man in his 50s, said the arrest followed a report of alleged offenses that took place in London between 2002 and 2009. House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle told lawmakers that “a member has been arrested in connection with an investigation into an allegation of very serious criminal offenses.” He said the lawmaker would stay away from Parliament while police were investigating. “I, the House of Commons Commission and the House service take the safety of our staff and parliamentary community as a whole very … [Read more...] about Lawmaker’s arrest is latest sex claim to roil UK Parliament

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 NEW YORK (AP) — The wedding industry remains fraught with waste, but a growing contingent of brides and grooms is pushing for more sustainable changes, from the way they invite guests to the food they serve and the clothes they wear. The wedding resource The Knot estimates that more than two-thirds of about 15,000 site users did or planned to incorporate eco-conscious touches, including secondhand decor, minimizing food waste and avoiding one-time use products. Nearly 1 in 3 said vendors should be more proactive in leading the way. After two chaotic years for the wedding industry, searches on Pinterest for thrifted weddings have tripled, and they've doubled for reuse wedding dress ideas, according to the site's 2022 wedding trends report. The online resale giant Poshmark said demand for secondhand wedding dresses is at an all-time high, especially for those costing $500 … [Read more...] about Green options transforming a wedding industry prone to waste

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 15 You might think of storage cabinets as utilitarian. But designers are forever fascinated with how a simple cupboard can be built, dressed and adorned in ways that showcase craftsmanship and inventiveness. There are sleek, low-slung consoles with jewelry-esque handles. Swanky Deco-style bar cabinets. Rustic credenzas hewn of timber. And some pieces clad in artistic flourishes, or that are even art themselves. Far from workhorses, these casegoods are dressage ponies, ready for their closeups. “These new cabinets are detailed in a way that’s not just a rectangular box with straight metal legs. They have interesting details. And people who are designing casegoods these days are thinking about these details, thinking about what the legs and doors look like, etc.” says San Francisco interior designer Jay Jeffers. … [Read more...] about Homes: Storage that goes well beyond the utilitarian

(CNN) "Yellowstone's" next origin story is getting some major star power. Paramount+ announced Tuesday that Oscar winner Helen Mirren and Academy Award nominee Harrison Ford will star in "Yellowstone's" prequel series, "1932." The news comes after the success of another prequel, "1883." "Yellowstone," which follows the lives and drama of the Dutton family, owners of the largest ranch in Montana, has been a massive hit for Paramount+ and stars another movie star, Kevin Costner. "1883" stars real-life spouses Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, along with Sam Elliott. It tells the story of how the family came to own Yellowstone ranch. Read More The new series "will introduce a new generation of the Dutton family and explore the early twentieth century when pandemics, historic drought, the end of Prohibition, and the Great Depression all plague the mountain west, and the Duttons who call it home," according to a press release. "1932" is set … [Read more...] about ‘1932’ adds Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford to the cast

(CNN) The spotlight in a Virginia courtroom has turned to attorney Camille Vasquez this week. Vasquez serves as one of Johnny Depp's attorneys in his defamation fight with ex-wife Amber Heard over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post. In the piece, Heard described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse." Though Depp was not named in the article, he claims it affected his reputation and lost him work. Vasquez has garnered the attention of those following the trial, now in its fifth week, for her tough questions. During cross-examination Tuesday, the lawyer pressed Heard on several points, including her claim that drugs and alcohol turned Depp into a "monster" who would become violent with her. Read More "Who was the real monster in this relationship, Ms. Heard?" Vasquez asked. "It's half of Johnny. It's not all of Johnny," Heard replied. "The other half of him is wonderful and beautiful and the man I loved." … [Read more...] about Camille Vasquez takes center stage in Depp/Heard trial

London (CNN Business) The mood hanging over financial markets is anxious and gloomy, whether you're a professional investor or a casual trader. The CNN Business Fear & Greed Index is in "extreme fear" territory. According to the most recent survey from the American Association of Individual Investors , 49% of members think the stock market will drop in the next six months, versus a historical average of 31%. And the latest survey of fund managers from Bank of America revealed an "extremely bearish May." Here's one sign of how deep the dread is running, as inflation soars, the Federal Reserve raises interest rates and the war in Ukraine drags on: Fund managers are holding their highest levels of cash since the aftermath of September 11, 2001. According to Bank of America, roughly 6.1% of assets under management are being held as cash. Read More That's compared to 5.9% in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, and 5.4% in the … [Read more...] about Scared investors haven’t hoarded this much cash since 9/11

New York (CNN Business) McDonald's is adding a new McFlurry to its lineup, hoping an enticing summer treat can keep customers loyal as prices keep creeping higher. Beginning May 25 for a limited time, McDonald's will start selling a Chocolatey Pretzel McFlurry that mixes vanilla soft serve ice cream with chocolate-covered pretzel bits, topped with a caramel swirl. It's a "perfect combination of salty and sweet," the company said in a statement. McDonald's newest McFlurry goes on sale May 25. Prices of the new McFlurry will vary depending on city and will be available in two sizes (regular and snack size). It's the second sweet item added to its menu in recent weeks. McDonald's started selling the glazed pull-apart donut in early May. Fast-food chains are constantly competing for customers' dollars and attention, and specialty offerings are a way to attract new customers and maintain existing ones. McDonald's ( MCD ) regularly adds … [Read more...] about McDonald’s has a sweet new treat for the summer