The death toll in Buffalo, New York, and surrounding areas following a severe holiday blizzard rose to at least 37 yesterday, as warming temperatures allowed search and rescue crews to accelerate efforts. The storm was the region\'s deadliest on modern record, surpassing a historic 1977 blizzard, which left 29 people dead.
The storm swept into the city Friday, with lake-effect snow (see 101) dropping more than 4 feet of powder and creating near-whiteout conditions for almost two days. Victims were found outside, stuck inside cars, at home without heat, and elsewhere. As of yesterday, the National Guard was conducting door-to-door visits, while a driving ban was set to be lifted early this morning. See photos from the storm here.
Overall, at least 65 deaths have been linked to the winter storm from across the US. |
The health of 95-year-old Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI deteriorated in recent days, according to a statement from the Vatican yesterday. The former pope led the Roman Catholic Church for nearly a decade before resigning in 2013, the first to do so in over 600 years. Since then, he has mostly avoided publicity while living on Vatican grounds.
Pope Francis first acknowledged the former pope\'s worsening health during a weekly Wednesday address, breaking from his prepared speech to ask for prayers for his predecessor. The Vatican later confirmed Benedict\'s health is in decline but he is stable and under regular medical observation.
Before becoming pope, Joseph Ratzinger was a renowned theologian from Germany who participated in the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s before becoming the church\'s head doctrinal enforcer as a cardinal. His papacy was overshadowed by the church\'s ongoing clerical sexual abuse scandals. See the most recent footage of the frail Benedict in August here. |
COVID-19 Testing Requirement |
The US will require inbound travelers from China to submit a negative COVID-19 test before entering the country, officials said yesterday, a move made in response to the virus\'s rapid spread in China in recent weeks. The news follows reports of Chinese travelers testing positive upon arrival in other countries, including Italy, where more than half of Chinese travelers on some flights returned positive tests.
After nearly three years of pursuing a strict "zero COVID" approach, China loosened restrictions following waves of public protests. Anecdotal reports suggest the move has spurred a surge in infections—though the government stopped posting data on cases and deaths as it dropped restrictions. Leaked internal assessments estimate up to 250 million people, almost 20% of the Chinese population, were infected in the month of December.
China dropped quarantine requirements for travelers entering the country this week, causing a spike in international travel bookings. The US will begin requiring tests Jan. 5. |
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