Food allergy treatment, ransomware bust, and neon blue waves.

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Big Stories

FDA approves use of asthma drug to treat severe food allergies.

The FDA has approved the asthma medication Xolair to help people with food allergies avoid severe reactions.

• Xolair is not meant for use during an allergic reaction but is designed to be taken every few weeks to lower the risk of reactions over time. The drug could potentially treat nearly 17 million Americans who have food allergies that can cause extreme, whole-body reactions, including death.

• The drug was trialed in 168 patients allergic to peanuts and at least two other foods. 68% of people who took Xolair for 4-5 months could eat 2.5 peanuts without symptoms like hives, coughing, or vomiting. The results were similar for other common allergens like tree nuts, milk, egg, and wheat.

• It’s expensive — about $2,900 a month for children to $5,000 a month for adults — but most insured patients will typically pay less out of pocket. Doctors say having the drug will be life-changing for people who are constantly worried about exposure to allergens at restaurants and other social events.

Tlaib calls to vote against Biden in Michigan primary

Rep. Rashida Tlaib encouraged Michigan Democrats to vote "uncommitted" in the state's upcoming primary instead of supporting President Biden.

• In a social media post by Listen to Michigan Tailb — who is Palestinian-American — said “It is important, as you all know, to not only march but to create a voting bloc.”

• After facing increased criticisms from progressive lawmakers for his stance on Israel, Biden has issued executive orders targeting Israeli settlers who attack Palestinians and imposed conditions on military aid to Israel. Nevertheless, Muslim Americans in key swing states have organized an “abandon Biden” campaign with organizers in Michigan leading the movement.

• A similar effort to get voters to write "ceasefire" in New Hampshire’s Democratic primary instead of voting from Biden last month wasn’t successful. Biden has coasted to victory in South Carolina and Nevada and remains the favored candidate for the Democratic nomination.

Widow of murdered Haitian president indicted in case

A judge investigating President Jovenel Moïse's assassination in July 2021 issued a final report indicting several people, including Moïse's widow, Martine Moïse, ex-prime minister Claude Joseph, and former police chief Léon Charles.

• Léon Charles, now Haiti’s permanent representative to the Organization of American States, faces multiple charges including murder. Martine Moïse and Claude Joseph are accused of complicity and criminal association in connection with the assassination.

• US prosecutors revealed that conspirators in both Haiti and Florida hired mercenaries to kidnap or kill Moïse in his home near Port-au-Prince in July 2021.

• The judge's findings are expected to worsen instability in Haiti, which is already grappling with increased gang violence and recent protests demanding Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation. The report also revealed indictments of nearly 50 suspects, and 11 additional suspects have been extradited to the US.

Little Stories

• Sunday night's NBA All-Star game in Indianapolis broke the record for the most points scored in the game's 73-year history. It was also the first time in NBA history that a scoreboard reached 200 points. The Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 211-186. The total of 397 points broke the previous record of 374 set in 2017. (More)

• Capitol One Financial is close to acquiring Discover Financial Services in a $35.3 billion all-stock deal. The company plans to keep the Discover brand, and the merger will combine two of the largest credit card issuers in the US. (More)

• The US launched self-defense strikes on five Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen after the Houthis used an unmanned submarine for the first time. The change in tactics is cause for concern because subsurface vessels are harder to detect and destroy than aerial drones. (More)

• International law enforcement teams have taken down the dark web site connected with the ransomware gang LockBit. LockBit was responsible for the recent attack on Georgia’s Fulton Country that disrupted key county services for weeks. (More)

• The Biden Administration is reportedly adjusting its climate change strategy to give car manufacturers more time to increase electric vehicle production. Both manufacturers and unions say they need more time to meet the aims of the White House, which is extending the ramp-up timeline through 2030. (More)

Extra Credit

NASA is looking for volunteers to spend a year inside a Mars simulator.

A famous fossil turns out to be mostly black paint.

Bioluminescent plankton turned San Diego’s waves neon blue. 

The Choco Taco is making a comeback...kind of.