Here are the stories moving this morning across health, geopolitics, space, and public safety:

• Public health snapshot: The CDC reports elevated flu activity across much of the United States as the season intensifies. Officials continue to urge vaccination and prompt treatment as cases and deaths rise [1], [3].

  
  
  
  

• Iran’s streets defy threats: Protests are intensifying as demonstrators push ahead despite government warnings of a crackdown, signaling a potentially volatile stretch ahead [2].

• War in Ukraine: Russia used its hypersonic Oreshnik missile in a strike against Ukraine, underscoring the conflict’s continued technological escalation and long-range strike capacity [3].

• Space/Science: NASA ended a space mission early due to a medical issue, with officials prioritizing crew safety as they assess next steps [3].

• U.S. economy: Hiring slowed in December, a fresh data point for a labor market that’s been cooling from pandemic-era peaks [3].

• Accountability watch: The trial of a Uvalde officer entered its third day, a key moment in the legal aftermath of the 2022 school shooting. Separately, a former FBI agent said claims that the Minneapolis ICE shooting victim was a “domestic terrorist” were “not accurate,” as scrutiny over the incident continues [3].

• The Americas: A tanker was seized in the Caribbean as oil executives huddled to discuss Venezuela’s energy industry, highlighting the region’s persistent maritime and energy-security flashpoints [4].

• Public safety: An American tourist was killed in a shark attack in the U.S. Virgin Islands, authorities said. In Nevada, police alleged a stolen construction vehicle was used in an attack on officers — both incidents under active investigation [1].

• Culture watch: Awards-season momentum continues, with Hamnet’s lead reflecting on the film’s nominations as ballots and buzz build [4].

References

1. Latest CDC numbers show elevated flu levels across US
2. Video Growing unrest inside Iran
3. Video Flu deaths surging: CDC
4. ‘Hamnet’ star reacts to film’s award season nominations