Mounting Debt Taking a Toll on Health, Nearly Half of Americans Say
The online survey questioned 200 people of both genders with various ages and incomes across the nation.
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USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
With a new COVID variant on the rise, which US states have the most cases?
Some states are being hit harder than others this summer as a new COVID-19 strain (XGF) continues to spread. Some regions of the U.S. are still experiencing higher rates of positive COVID tests than others, though reporting has slowed down enough nationwide that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has begun allowing more time to pass between certain types of updates, such as those on variant prevalence. Testing, cases, hospitalizations and deaths are still being recorded on a weekly basis, however, even amid the chaos of ever-changing strains, recommendations and cuts to vaccine development funding. Here's what to know about the latest data. How many COVID cases were reported nationwide? During the week ending on Aug. 2, 8.5% of the 25,731 Americans tested were positive for COVID, according to the CDC's latest data. This was 2% increase from the week prior. During the same period, only 0.3% of cases resulted in death and 0.9% resulted in an emergency room visit, a 0.1% decrease from the week prior for both categories. More: What is an mRNA vaccine, and why is it controversial? Where are the most COVID cases being reported? See map Western and southern states, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, had higher percentages of positive COVID tests during the week ending Aug. 2. What is the most common COVID variant? The CDC has moved to using longer data timeframes for COVID tracking due to low reporting from states. According to the latest data for the two weeks ending June 21, variant NB.1.8.1 remained the most common, accounting for 43% of cases, followed by LP.8.1 at 31% of cases and XFG at 14%. NB.1.8.1 experienced a meteoric rise to becoming the predominant variant, accounting for 0% of cases in April and only 10% in the last week of May, up to 24% at the beginning of June and 43% by the end. XFG, a combination of variants F.7 and LP.8.1.2, is on the rise as of late, having been responsible for 0% of U.S. cases through March, 11% by early June and 14% by late June.
NBC News
4 hours ago
- NBC News
Trump's tax law will mostly benefit the rich, while leaving poorer Americans with less, CBO says
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump 's tax and spending law will result in less income for the poorest Americans while sending money to the richest, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported Monday. The CBO estimates that the 10% of poorest Americans will lose roughly $1,200 a year as they experience restrictions on government programs like Medicaid and food assistance, while the richest 10% of Americans will see their income increase by $13,600 from tax cuts. Overall, American households will see more income from the tax cuts in the legislation, including middle income households, but the largest benefit will go to the top 10% of earners. The CBO's report comes as lawmakers are away from Washington, many taking their messages about the bill to voters. Republicans muscled the legislation — deemed 'the big, beautiful bill' by Trump — through Congress in July. Democrats all vehemently opposed the legislation, warning that its tax cuts and spending priorities would come at the expense of vital government aid programs and a ballooning national debt. 'This really is a big, beautiful bill for billionaires, but for the poor and the working class in this country, you are actually poorer,' said Rep. Brendan Boyle, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, in an MSNBC interview on Monday. Changes to eligibility for government food assistance under the law will impact millions of Americans, the CBO found. Roughly 2.4 million people won't be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program under new work requirements for many recipients. Low-income Americans could also see their income reduced through further restrictions on food aid and other types of assistance included in the law. Already, more than 10 million Americans are expected to be without health insurance by 2034 due to changes to Medicaid under the law. Following release of the report, Rep. Jason Smith, the Republican chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said he took issue with CBO's methodology, repeating criticism he has made in the past. 'CBO has a troubled track record of getting its estimates incorrect and, like Democrats, is biased in favor of more federal spending and higher taxes,' Smith said on social media. 'Don't buy it.' Republicans have been eager to sell the upsides of the legislation — arguing that the tax cuts will spur economic growth — while they are on a monthlong summer break from Washington. But those who have held townhalls in their home districts have often been greeted by an earful from voters and activists. 'Tax the rich,' the crowd in Lincoln, Neb. chanted last week as Republican Rep. Michael Flood attempted to defend the bill. Still, Trump has been undeterred.
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Chocolate Recall Sparks Nationwide Warning to Customers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Neuhaus Chocolates NV is recalling their Belgian Chocolate Moments Smurfs 'Popping Milk Chocolates with Cookies because the product contains wheat which was not declared on the packaging. Newsweek reached out to the company via email Monday for comment. Why It Matters Numerous recalls have been initiated this year due to the potential for damaged products, foodborne illness, contamination and undeclared food allergens. Millions of Americans experience food sensitivities or allergies every year. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the nine "major" food allergens in the U.S. are eggs, milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, Crustacean shellfish, sesame, tree nuts and peanuts. People with a wheat allergy could experience a "serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products," the FDA warns. What To Know Neuhaus Chocolate can be seen related to a recall in August 2025. (Photo from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) Neuhaus Chocolate can be seen related to a recall in August 2025. (Photo from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) In the alert, the FDA says the recalled chocolates were distributed from July 21, 2025, until August 4, 2025, by Neuhaus stores in Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and via their online store. The impacted batch numbers are 80108690 and 80108763 with a best use before date of January 13, 2026, the FDA alert says. There have been no reports of illnesses related to this recall and 150 units of the impacted products were sold, the FDA says. What People Are Saying The FDA in their alert in part: "The action was initiated after it was discovered during an internal check that product containing wheat was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by an exceptional combination of circumstances in which the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) did not include the allergen on the packaging." In an email to Newsweek in January, the FDA said: "Most recalls in the U.S. are carried out voluntarily by the product manufacturer and when a company issues a public warning, typically via news release, to inform the public of a voluntary product recall; the FDA shares that release on our website as a public service. "The FDA's role during a voluntary, firm-initiated, recall is to review the recall strategy, evaluate the health hazard presented by the product, monitor the recall, and as appropriate alert the public and other companies in the supply chain about the recall. "The FDA provides public access to information on recalls by posting a listing of recalls according to their classification in the FDA Enforcement Report, including the specific action taken by the recalling company. The FDA Enforcement Report is designed to provide a public listing of products in the marketplace that are being recalled." Additional information on recalls can be found via the FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts. What Happens Next Customers who have purchased the recalled product who have a wheat allergy are asked to return it to the original place of purchase and not to consume it, the FDA says. People with additional questions may contact the company via phone at +32 2 568 23 00 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central European Summer Time on weekdays or via email at customercare@
