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A person prepares to administer a Pfizer COVID vaccine at a clinic in Ferguson, Missouri in August 2021. Merriam-Webster has chosen "vaccine" as the word of the year, citing a sustained surge in lookups.

Merriam-Webster's 2021 word of the year is, of course, 'vaccine'

The word "vaccine" saw a more than 600% increase in lookups this year over last. In its announcement, Merriam-Webster noted that it's come to represent much more than just medicine.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel speaks wednesday at the National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. He warned of deep budget cuts across his department, to put the brakes on spiraling costs and reshape the military for leaner budgets and new challenges.

With Eye On Budget, Hagel Seeks Pentagon Changes

In his first major policy speech, the defense secretary said the Pentagon is at war with itself: There are competing and spiraling costs within the military — for aging weapons, and for health and pension benefits for military personnel and retirees. He added that U.S. military power must be used judiciously, with a keen appreciation of its limits.

Erin Jackson almost didn't make Olympic Team USA, but luckily a friend stepped in

Competitive speed skater Erin Jackson just missed qualifying at the Olympic trials. However, she will still compete for Team USA after fellow skater Brittany Bowe gave her spot to Jackson.

An official holds a lantern with the Olympic flame during an event to display the Olympic torch and flame at the Beijing University of Posts and Communications in Beijing, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021.

China is limiting the Olympics torch relay to three days

The flame will be displayed only in enclosed venues that are deemed "safe and controllable," according to officials.

The Colorado Fire burns along Highway 1 near Big Sur, Calif., on Saturday.

A wildfire near California's Big Sur forces residents to evacuate

A wind-driven wildfire broke out late Friday in the rugged mountains above Big Sur, forcing residents to evacuate from their homes and authorities to shut down a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway.

Inflation is causing prices to rise for staple Fourth of July foods.

Fourth of July parties will cost more this year but you can save with a bit of math

Hosting a July 4th barbeque is 11 percent more expensive than last year, thanks to inflation. The prices of chicken wings, ground beef and beer have all skyrocketed. Still, there are ways to save.

A picture taken in Moscow in March 2018 shows the Russian language version of Facebook's about page, featuring the face of founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Russia plans to limit Instagram and could label Meta an extremist group

Russia's top prosecutor called for Facebook and Instagram's parent company to be labeled an extremist group after Meta said it would permit some calls for violence against "Russian invaders."

Russia's war will be led by a general with a reputation for attacking civilians

Russia put a new commanding general in charge of operations in Ukraine. The move comes after several top Russian military leaders died during the invasion which has taken longer than Russia expected.

Hayden May Replace Goss at CIA

The next CIA director may be Air Force Gen. Michael V. Hayden, an aide to National Intelligence Director John Negroponte. Porter Goss said Friday he will leave the top CIA post. Did he jump or was he pushed?

Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Scott Bray, left, and Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Ronald Moultrie speak Tuesday during a House Intelligence, Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation Subcommittee hearing on "Unidentified Aerial Phenomena" on Capitol Hill in Washington.

The military's UFO database now has info from about 400 reported incidents

That's up from 143 incidents in a report issued in 2021. Officials partly credited reducing stigma around the issue for the new reports, many of which are older and went unmentioned at the time.

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