With its stunning visuals, immersive gameplay, and captivating storytelling, "Deep Sea Enchantment" is shaping up to be a must-play DLC for fans of "Atomic Heart." Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the game or a newcomer looking for an exciting adventure, this new expansion promises to deliver an experience that will leave a lasting impression.
More than 1 million Americans live with human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, with tens of thousands of new diagnoses each year. But with earlier diagnoses and advances in treatment, HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, has become far more manageable. Death rates among diagnosed individuals have dropped, even as recently as the past five years. Stacker analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to better understand drops in HIV-related deaths nationally and among certain subpopulations, taking a closer look at the factors behind these declines. Overall, the CDC reports that 4,145 people died of a known cause related to HIV in 2022, a drop of about 19%—or 971 fewer deaths—compared to 2018. Dr. Robyn Neblett Fanfair, director of the HIV prevention division at the CDC, said this is due to ever-evolving HIV testing and treatments. "HIV testing is becoming more of an option as people seek care, wherever they seek care," Fanfair told Stacker. "That's in community-based organizations, their primary care settings, family planning settings. It's been wonderful to see HIV tests become a part of overall well-being and health care in this country." A hallmark of modern HIV treatment is viral suppression, or reducing the presence of HIV in one's blood to very low levels, which keeps patients healthy and prevents transmission. Nearly 2 in 3 Americans diagnosed with HIV have reached viral suppression, though the lowest rates are among women, those aged 25 to 34, Black people, and people who inject drugs, Fanfair said. New efforts in testing, treatment, and prevention are particularly targeted at these and other disproportionally affected groups. Fanfair highlighted one recent testing innovation, Together TakeMeHome, a program for HIV self-tests that people can order via delivery. Demand for the tests was beyond what Fanfair's division anticipated, showing real eagerness for self-initiated testing among Americans, she said. HIV treatments have also advanced substantially. In the past few years, researchers have developed combination pills so that those with HIV may only have to take one pill per day, rather than the dozens of daily pills characteristic of earlier antiretroviral treatments. Recently released treatments also include long-lasting injections, which patients only receive every few weeks or months. Fanfair, who is also a medical provider for people living with HIV, called both innovations "revolutionary." She said other modalities are continuing to come out as well, giving HIV patients myriad treatment options that help them to live long and healthy lives. "What these promising declines of HIV-related deaths really show us is the power of ongoing HIV care and treatment in this country," she said. You may also like: As the US population ages, these states have the most older residents It took decades to reach current strides in HIV care, largely due to early public health failures. The first U.S. cases of AIDS emerged in 1981, though health officials at the time didn't yet fully understand the disease or its implications. It was first identified as a "gay cancer" as it mainly affected gay men and was associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, a rare form of cancer linked to weakened immunity. It further spread among other marginalized communities, namely intravenous drug users, immigrants, and communities of color; as a result, the disease was largely overlooked by policymakers and public health officials. Those with the disease and those attempting to treat them faced rampant discrimination. Lacking proper funding, research, and resources, the disease spread quickly and was incredibly deadly. By the end of that first year, there were 337 reported cases of individuals with severe immune deficiency, and nearly 2 in 5 had already died. The life expectancy for those diagnosed with HIV or AIDS was just one or two years. It took outcry from affected communities, medical professionals, and activists before the U.S. and international health community took major action to combat the growing epidemic. The first public AIDS research and treatment was funded in 1983—two years after initial reports. In the interim, research remained limited, and dangerous misconceptions took root about the disease and how it spread. Not until the mid-'80s was it understood that HIV spread through bodily fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk, but not through casual contact or other bodily fluids like saliva. Even then, as stigma and discrimination persisted, deaths surged. AIDS was the leading cause of death for American men between the ages of 25 to 44 in 1992, and two years later it became the leading cause of death for all Americans in that age bracket. By 1996 death rates had dropped, though remained the leading cause of death for Black Americans. When highly active antiretroviral therapies were introduced to treat HIV in the late '90s and early 2000s, the disparity in mortality rates grew between white and Black HIV patients. Studies suggest that this was due to fewer medical professionals providing these advanced treatments to Black populations and government policies limiting care in low-income communities, on top of other social factors. Decades later, racial disparities persist in HIV infections and deaths. This is especially true among Black populations, namely Black women, youth, gay and bisexual men, and Black populations in the South. Although they only account for 12% of the population, Black Americans make up 39% of new HIV diagnoses, 40% of people living with HIV, and 43% of HIV-related deaths. Stigma and discrimination, higher poverty rates, lack of health care access, and less awareness of HIV status contribute to these ongoing disparities. Medical breakthroughs have reduced death rates for Americans with HIV, including groups that are disproportionately affected by the virus. Even in the past five years, HIV-related death rates fell for all diagnosed Americans and across most at-risk groups. Some of the largest drops have been measured among older people. Three decades ago, growing old with HIV wasn't a likely outcome—in the 1980s, the life expectancy was just three years after diagnosis for people living with AIDS. But as effective treatments have allowed people to lead long and healthy lives, aging with HIV has become a major focus for researchers. As of 2023, life expectancies for most people receiving HIV treatment was about the same as the overall population. Those aging with HIV have similar health concerns to other aging Americans but remain at higher risk for some HIV-associated conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal disease, and cancer. HIV-related death rates also dropped among Black, multiracial, Hispanic or Latino, and Native American or Alaska Native populations. Rates remained consistent among transgender women and girls, though their actual number of HIV-related deaths rose from 2018 to 2022. Some disproportionately affected populations have been prioritized in the White House's 2021 HIV/AIDS strategy , which puts forth a roadmap to end the U.S. HIV epidemic by 2030. The document provided guidelines to achieve this goal, including improving health outcomes for those with HIV and reducing related disparities and health inequities. Hundreds of millions of dollars have gone toward these goals over the past few years, funding health centers, treatment access, workforce training, and other resources. Much funding and support is targeted at specific communities where new infections have been highly concentrated. This often means supporting work at the local or community level to ensure that people can access HIV care in the places where they already go for health and other services, Fanfair explained. Federal funding aimed at reducing disparities has proven effective in the past, particularly in decreasing HIV-related death rates for Black and Hispanic populations, according to a 2020 study. Today's falling death rates indicate that the same may be true of these more recent efforts toward overburdened communities. The combination of federal attention, medical advancements, and outreach in affected communities has led to great improvements in American HIV care. Moving forward, researchers are pursuing preventative vaccines and cures . In addition, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is looking at intersections with other diseases, expediting small and early-stage trials, and working to ensure that research is accessible to and representative of the most affected populations. "Thinking of ways that we can support access to all communities is going to be really critical," Fanfair said. Story editing by Alizah Salario. Copy editing by Tim Bruns.
One key driver of China's foreign trade growth has been the booming demand for Chinese goods in international markets. Chinese exports, particularly in sectors such as electronics, machinery, and textiles, have remained robust, supported by the country's competitive pricing, efficient production capabilities, and strong reputation for quality. Additionally, China's commitment to opening up its markets and enhancing trade cooperation with other countries has further bolstered its export performance.Moreover, the effectiveness of "moderate easing" in boosting economic growth is not guaranteed. With interest rates already at historic lows and many countries facing structural challenges such as demographic shifts and technological disruption, the impact of monetary policy tools may be limited. In such a scenario, central banks may find themselves with fewer tools at their disposal to address economic downturns and financial instability.
The wait is finally over. The €200 million superstar is back, and the battle is about to begin. Real Madrid is ready to write a new chapter in their storied history, and they are determined to show the world that they are a force to be reckoned with. Brace yourselves, for the Champions League showdown of a lifetime is about to unfold.By ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weeks-long delay. The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transiton of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them. Teams of investigators have been standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers. “This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day,” said Susie Wiles, Trump’s designate to be White House chief of staff. The announcement comes a week after the Trump transition team signed an agreement with the Biden White House to allow transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office on Jan. 20. The White House agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House had issued both public and private appeals for Trump’s team to sign on. Security clearances are required to access classified information, including on ongoing operations and threats to the nation, and the Biden White House and outside experts have emphasized to Trump’s team the importance of having cleared personnel before Inauguration Day so they could be fully briefed and ready to run the government. Republican Senators have also insisted on FBI background checks for Trump’s nominees before they face confirmation votes, as has been standard practice for decades. Lawmakers have been particularly interested in seeing the findings of reviews into Trump’s designated nominee for defense secretary, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. “That’s why it’s so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review of extensive questions and questionnaires, and a public hearing,” said. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine on Monday. John Thune, the incoming Senate Republican leader, said the Trump team “understands there’s going to have to be a thorough vetting of all these nominees.” AP congressional correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed.
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TORONTO — Canada's main stock index rose Thursday, helped by strength in energy and utilities stocks, while U.S. markets moved lower ahead of reports on the labour market on both sides of the border. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 38.86 points at 25,680.04. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 248.33 points at 44,765.71. The S&P 500 index was down 11.38 points at 6,075.11, while the Nasdaq composite was down 34.86 points at 19,700.26. Friday will bring the monthly jobs reports in both the U.S. and Canada, which markets will be eyeing for clues on upcoming interest rate decisions by central banks, said Kevin Headland, co-chief investment strategist at Manulife Investment Management. The U.S. Federal Reserve has several key data reports coming before it makes its own decision on Dec. 18, said Headland, including inflation. Markets are currently leaning toward a quarter-percentage-point cut from the Fed, he said. But “there’s a lot of data for them to digest before the announcement.” The Bank of Canada’s decision is next week, and Headland said markets seem to think there’s a good chance the central bank could cut by an outsized half-percentage point. “In my belief, the bank is trying to front-run the mortgage renewals that are coming due over the next year or so, to just avoid some of the bigger hits to discretionary spending,” said Headland. “There’s no reason for them not to continue rate cuts unless there’s a surprise tomorrow.” Canadian bank earnings continued to roll in on Thursday. CIBC saw its profit rise while its provisions for loan losses dropped. TD also saw its profit rise, though its adjusted earnings were lower as the bank continues to work through the fallout from its anti-money laundering deficiencies. Meanwhile, BMO’s earnings were a miss on analyst expectations but the bank said it expects loan performance to improve in 2025. So far, there haven’t been any major surprises from bank earnings overall, said Headland. Bitcoin continued its meteoric rise, briefly breaching US$100,000 for the first time after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump tapped crypto advocate Paul Atkins to head the Securities and Exchange Commission. “US$100,000 is definitely a psychological threshold,” said Headland. “I guess time will tell whether it can remain at that level,” he added. “If we’re getting downside pressure to risk assets, I would assume that Bitcoin and other companies will be swept up in that negativity.” But for now, the surge is indicative of the broader positive momentum markets have enjoyed since Donald Trump’s election, said Headland. The Canadian dollar traded for 71.24 cents US compared with 71.09 cents US on Wednesday. The January crude oil contract was down 24 cents at US$68.30 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was up four cents at US$3.08 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was down US$27.80 at US$2,648.40 an ounce and the March copper contract was down a penny at US$4.19 a pound. — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press
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One striking example of this trend is the emergence of influencers who are willing to undress or engage in provocative behavior to gain attention. By baring it all, both physically and metaphorically, these internet celebrities are breaking the traditional boundaries of decency and morality. They are unapologetically flaunting their bodies, sexuality, and personal beliefs, sparking discussions about the limits of self-expression and freedom of speech.