**Google News Highlights: A Roundup of the Latest News**.
**New Omicron Variant Detected**.
A new subvariant of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, designated as XBB.1.5, has been identified in the United States. This subvariant is thought to be more transmissible than previous strains and has already become the dominant strain in several regions of the country. Health officials are urging people to get vaccinated and boosted as the new subvariant spreads..
**Elon Musk’s Space Ambitions**.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX company has launched a new rocket, the Starship, on an ambitious test flight. The Starship is designed to carry humans to Mars and other destinations in space. The test flight was successful, and SpaceX is now planning to conduct further tests before launching the Starship on a manned mission..
**U.S. Economy Shows Mixed Signals**.
The U.S. economy has shown mixed signals in recent months. While the unemployment rate has fallen to a record low, inflation remains high and consumer spending has slowed. The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates in an effort to curb inflation, but it is unclear how this will impact the economy overall..
**Ukraine War Continues**.
The war in Ukraine continues to rage, with no end in sight. Russian forces have been making gains in eastern Ukraine, but Ukrainian forces have been putting up a fierce resistance. The war has caused a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced and thousands killed..
**Other News Highlights**.
* The United States and China have agreed to resume high-level talks on trade and other issues..
* The United Kingdom has imposed a windfall tax on energy companies to help fund support for households struggling with rising energy bills..
* The World Health Organization has declared a new global health emergency due to the spread of the monkeypox virus..
* A magnitude 7.3 earthquake has struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea, triggering a tsunami warning..
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