Day: August 19, 2025

The first ever chikungunya vaccine is starting to be rolled out. Could it help bring an end to this mosquito-borne disease?

A chikungunya vaccine could stop millions of cases of the mosquito-borne disease that is widely prevalent in the Americas, Africa and South-East Asia. This is according to a study in Nature Medicine studying the potential impact of the vaccine.

A vaccine against the disease spread by the Aedes mosquito has been urgently needed for decades, and two – Valneva’s IXCHIQ and Vimkunya developed by Bavarian Nordic– have now been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). IXCHIQ is supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

While chikungunya rarely kills, its impact is often long-term. Around 1 in 1,000 cases proves fatal but as many as 50% of survivors suffer persistent joint pain for months, severely impacting quality of life. With climate change expanding the range of Aedes mosquitoes, outbreaks are increasingly expected in new areas, including southern Europe and across the Americas.

Key partners for Gavi include governments of developing countries, donor governments, the World Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Moderna is a partner with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Vaccine name is Mrna-1388

Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease, is set to become preventable. With two new vaccines approved, millions of cases could be averted. The next step: ensuring access to these vaccines in the places that need them most. https://t.co/B99eTTM6Th

— Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (@gavi) June 23, 2025

𝔾𝕒𝕧𝕚, 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕍𝕒𝕔𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝔸𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖

Bill Gates funds the world's largest mosquito factory, which breeds 30 million bacteria-infused mosquitos per week, then releases them on the unsuspecting public "to save and improve millions of lives". pic.twitter.com/6s4ZgZWZ36

— Wide Awake Media (@wideawake_media) January 31, 2025

𝕎𝕚𝕕𝕖 𝔸𝕨𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕄𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕒

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump has been invited to visit Russia.

“He has an invitation, as you know. And in Alaska, at a press conference, President [of Russia Vladimir] Putin confirmed this invitation, and Donald Trump, if I remember correctly, said that it was very interesting,” Lavrov said in an interview on the Rossiya 24 broadcaster.

The atmosphere during the talks in Alaska was “very good,” which was reflected in the statements of both Putin and Trump, the foreign minister said.

Putin and Trump held talks in Alaska on Friday.

The meeting of the leaders took place at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base. The leaders’ narrow-format talks were held in a “three on three” format and lasted two hours and 45 minutes. 

Lavrov and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov took part in the meeting from the Russian side. The US was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the US leader’s special representative Steve Witkoff.

🚨 BREAKING: TRUMP INVITED TO RUSSIA

“And Donald Trump, if I remember correctly, said that this is very interesting,” Lavrov said, commenting on Putin and Trump’s conversation in Alaska. pic.twitter.com/DI9x744v5M

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) August 19, 2025

ℕ𝔼𝕏𝕋𝔸

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The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating an explosion aboard a cargo ship hauling coal in Baltimore Harbor near the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, officials said Monday. No injuries were reported.

The vessel, W-Sapphire, a 751-foot bulk carrier registered in Liberia, had 23 crewmembers and two pilots aboard. It was outbound from the harbor when it experienced what appeared to be a fire and explosion, according to the Baltimore City Fire Department.

A 2,000-yard safety zone around the site of the explosion has been set up, spanning from the Key Bridge to Brewerton Angle Channel LB “14,” according to the Coast Guard.

“The U.S. Coast Guard and partners are responding to reports of an explosion aboard the merchant vessel W-Sapphire while it was outbound from Baltimore Harbor, Monday,” the U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement.  

NEW – Cargo ship explodes near Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. pic.twitter.com/oQKld5xY4R

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) August 19, 2025

𝔻𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕝𝕠𝕤𝕖.𝕥𝕧

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