INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — There's more than just school pride and bragging rights to all that bellyaching over who might be in and who might be out of college football 's first 12-team playoff. Try the more than $115 million that will be spread across the conferences at the end of the season, all depending on who gets in and which teams go the farthest. According to the College Football Playoff website , the 12 teams simply making the bracket earn their conferences $4 million each. Another $4 million goes to conferences whose teams get into the quarterfinals. Then, there's $6 million more for teams that make the semifinals and another $6 million for those who play for the title. Most of this bonanza comes courtesy of ESPN, which is forking over $1.3 billion a year to televise the new postseason. A lot of that money is already earmarked — more goes to the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference than the Big 12 or Atlantic Coast — but a lot is up for grabs in the 11 games that will play out between the opening round on Dec. 20 and the final on Jan. 20. In all, the teams that make the title game will bring $20 million to their conferences, all of which distribute that money, along with billions in TV revenue and other sources, in different ways. In fiscal 2022-23, the Big Ten, for instance, reported revenue of nearly $880 million and distributed about $60.5 million to most of its members. The massive stakes might help explain the unabashed lobbying coming from some corners of the football world, as the tension grows in advance of Sunday's final rankings, which will set the bracket. Earlier this week, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark lit into the selection committee, which doesn't have a single team higher than 15 in the rankings. That does two things: It positions the Big 12 as a one-bid league, and also threatens to makes its champion — either Arizona State or Iowa State — the fifth-best among conference titlists that get automatic bids. Only the top four of those get byes, which could cost the Big 12 a spot in the quarterfinals — or $4 million. “The committee continues to show time and time again that they are paying attention to logos versus resumes,” Yormark said this week, while slamming the idea of teams with two losses in his conference being ranked worse than teams with three in the SEC. The ACC is also staring at a one-bid season with only No. 8 SMU inside the cut line of this week's projected bracket. Miami's loss last week all but bumped the Hurricanes out of the playoffs, a snub that ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said left him “incredibly shocked and disappointed." “As we look ahead to the final rankings, we hope the committee will reconsider and put a deserving Miami in the field," Phillips said in a statement. The lobbying and bickering filters down to the campuses that feel the impact. And, of course, to social media. One of the most entertaining episodes came earlier this week when athletic directors at Iowa State and SMU went back and forth about whose team was more deserving. There are a few stray millions that the selection committee cannot really influence, including a $3 million payment to conferences that make the playoff. In a reminder that all these kids are going to school, after all, the conferences get $300,000 per football team that meets academic requirements to participate in the postseason. (That's basically everyone). Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballFrance's government has fallen. Germany can't expect a new one until June. Just as Donald Trump prepares to take office in the US, the EU powerhouses face political disarray and economic contraction. Wednesday was a long day for France's shortest-ever serving prime minister. In the evening, 73-year-old Michel Barnier's minority government was toppled in a no-confidence vote in the French lower house, the National Assembly, that saw sworn enemies from the left and the far-right team up against him. "This no-confidence motion will make everything more serious and more difficult. That's what I'm sure of," Barnier said ahead of the vote. On Thursday morning, he officially tendered his resignation. He will continue as acting prime minister until a new government is formed. French President Emmanuel Macron wasted no time seeking a replacement; within hours he was seeing candidates. Not for the first time Macron, whose second and final presidential term expires in 2027, is batting away calls to resign himself. What's next for France? Macron appointed Barnier out of the blue in September to end months of political uncertainty. The president had called snap legislative elections that in July left the National Assembly divided into three camps, none strong enough to govern alone. A broad left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, won the polls, but the far-right National Rally party of Marine Le Pen won the most votes as a single party. French PM Barnier toppled in no-confidence vote To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Macron's pro-business centrist Ensemble group did not want to work with either. So instead, they formed a minority government with Barnier's right-wing Republican party despite its historically poor performance in the parliamentary polls. In office, old-hand conservative Barnier made France's finances one of his top priorities. At 6.1% this year, the French gross domestic product-to-debt ratio is twice as high as EU rules allow; the country is among several EU states to be officially reprimanded by the European Commission. Barnier proposed a 2025 budget and social security reform that would have brought down public debt but necessitated tax hikes and spending cuts which the left and far-right slammed as austerity measures neglectful of citizens' needs. He presented parliament with a choice: vote for this budget or the government falls. They chose the latter, triggering the no-confidence motion that toppled him. Headcount is unchanged in National Assembly It is unclear what lies ahead for France, which is in an era of political volatility unprecedented since the end of the World War II. The balance of power in the National Assembly remains the same. It is divided into three blocs that are reluctant to enter coalition with each other. Government formation looks just as difficult as it did in July. Macron has made clear he will stay, and fresh legislative polls can't be called until mid-2025. Whoever follows Barnier as prime minister will be in a similarly weak position, struggling to get their political vision approved by the French parliament. Under the country's presidential system, most power is concentrated in Macron's hands, though he appears to have an ever-loosening grip. Tough times ahead for Paris and Berlin For Europe, all this likely means a more preoccupied France, and a potential slowdown of important collective decisions. "We need a French government that works for European legislation to also pass through, so the quicker we get a government the better," Sophie Pornschlegel of the Jacques Delors Centre, a think tank in Berlin, told DW. France's three-month stint without a government before Barnier's appointment didn't cause too many issues, she pointed out, but that period was less crucial because the new European Commission had not yet taken office. But Pornschlegel also warned against being too alarmist: "There's also possibility that it's not that much of a huge political crisis because they relatively quickly form a new government." At the same time, Germany is also somewhat out of action . Chancellor Olaf Scholz called time on his uncomfortable coalition government last month, with elections set for February. A new government should take office in Berlin by June. Until then, the government is likely to refrain from bold policy decisions. "It's bad news. What we need in times of crisis and times of geopolitical turmoil is to have strong and stable leadership," Pornschlegel said. Germany and France also face a bleak economic outlook . In November, investment bank Goldman Sachs predicted that both countries ― the two largest economies in the Eurozone ― would contract economically in 2025, though the closely interlinked single market as a whole would swerve recession. "Despite those challenges, economic activity data for the euro area indicates modest but positive growth," economist Sven Jari Stehn wrote. Trump 2.0 on the horizon Paris and Berlin are normally deemed the key axis of power in the European Union, driving policy and setting the main contours of the 27-member bloc's agenda. Their preoccupations at home come at a critical moment. In January, Donald Trump will return to the White House a for a second term as US president. For the EU, that likely means a return of escalating tit-for-tat tariffs, which spell bad news for the German auto industry in particular. Within NATO, European states can expect regular blasting from Washington for lower defense spending that amounts to perceived free-riding on US military might. Trump has previously threatened to leave NATO members under attack to fend for themselves if they hadn't spent enough on their militaries. The "America First" Republican president-elect has also said he will quickly wrap up the Ukraine war by pushing Kyiv to negotiate with Moscow. If Trump withdraws US military support for Ukraine, the EU will be under pressure to dig very deep to fill the gap. For Pawel Zerka of the European Council on Foreign Relations, regardless of what's going on in Paris and Berlin, Trump's return means others must step up. "Europeans simply need to take a greater share of the burden when it comes to defending Europe and supporting Ukraine," he told DW. "Surely, a weakened French participation in these discussions will be felt. But this simply means other countries will need to take a greater role, leave the shade and their comfort zones." Edited by: Carla Bleiker...God has liberated Rivers – Fubara The former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, has lauded Governor Siminialayi Fubara for preventing the quest by some persons to capture the state and make it a private estate. Odili, who spoke at a Christmas Ballad, he hosted at his residence in Old GRA, Port Harcourt for Fubara, also praised the governor for emancipating Rivers people, his steadied governance and making civil servants and Rivers people happier as it used to be until he left office in 2007. He said that as a family, he, his wife and children, decided to host Fubara and his family to a night of varieties of sing-song and other activities in appreciation of the fortitude and sterling leadership qualities he has demonstrated. Odili explained that it is now over 12 months, since the 25th of October, 2023, when a fierce existential fight, though unnecessary, was waged against Governor Fubara over the soul of Rivers State. In her speech, Justice Mary Odili, who presented gifts to the governor, his wife, Lady Valerie, and children, said God knew long ago the need for an emancipator and gave Fubara to Rivers State. She added that Fubara had played the role satisfactorily, and pledged the continuous support of her family to the success of his administration. Fubara, who also spoke said that God has proved Himself worthy as the ultimate liberator of the state and its people because he ensured total triumph over the political crisis and those behind it. The Governor stated that while the political antagonism lasted, God gave him a new perspective on leadership, adding that with the strength of support from Rivers people, he stopped seeing the crisis as a problem but as a necessary enabler in governance. He said, “And not just because I want to accept it, I get stronger in this course every day when I look at the support I am getting from the true Rivers people. “So, it is not me being strong. My strength is drawn from every one of you that is here. You gave me encouragement; you do the work for me; you make the calls for me. So, why won’t I stand up for you? “But we also believe strongly that the ultimate game changer, the ultimate liberator, and the ultimate fighter remains God Almighty. And because we have Him on our side, victory is assured.” Fubara said God is in control of the affairs of the State, adding that as they look forward to a very prosperous 2025, they should be assured that it will be better than what had been experienced. He assured of the determination of his administration to make every succeeding year in the State better with remarkable records of progress, stressing that the excitement experienced among Rivers people during the Christmas celebrations is indicative of a brighter future aheadConfronting The Power Of Rumours
Personalized Gifts Market to Grow by USD 14.98 Billion (2024-2028), Driven by New Product Innovations, AI Driving Market Transformation - TechnavioJohn Mahama Accuses Electoral Commission of Aiding NPP in Election Rigging Ahead of Ghana’s 2024 Polls
Shares of National Health Investors, Inc. ( NYSE:NHI – Get Free Report ) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $73.29. NHI has been the subject of several analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered National Health Investors from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded National Health Investors from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and raised their target price for the company from $81.00 to $86.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 1st. Truist Financial lifted their price target on National Health Investors from $65.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, August 30th. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on National Health Investors in a research note on Tuesday, September 24th. They set a “buy” rating and a $92.00 price target for the company. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on NHI Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Health Investors National Health Investors Stock Down 0.2 % Shares of NYSE NHI opened at $77.71 on Monday. National Health Investors has a 1 year low of $51.59 and a 1 year high of $86.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 10.29 and a quick ratio of 10.29. The firm has a market cap of $3.53 billion, a PE ratio of 26.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.20 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $79.48 and a 200 day simple moving average of $74.37. National Health Investors ( NYSE:NHI – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.65 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.07 by ($0.42). The business had revenue of $63.32 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $67.93 million. National Health Investors had a return on equity of 10.11% and a net margin of 38.53%. National Health Investors’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.08 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that National Health Investors will post 4.42 EPS for the current year. National Health Investors Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 29th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be issued a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.63%. National Health Investors’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 123.71%. About National Health Investors ( Get Free Report Incorporated in 1991, National Health Investors, Inc (NYSE:NHI) is a real estate investment trust specializing in sale, leasebacks, joint-ventures, senior housing operating partnerships, and mortgage and mezzanine financing of need-driven and discretionary senior housing and medical investments. NHI's portfolio consists of independent living, assisted living and memory care communities, entrance-fee retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities, and specialty hospitals. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for National Health Investors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Health Investors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Former officials urge closed-door Senate hearings on Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for intel chiefTrump appoints ‘AI and crypto czar’
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said on Thursday that she plans to introduce legislation to freeze federal hiring and move agencies out of the D.C. swamp. “I will be introducing legislation that coincides with @DOGE ’s plan to make the federal government more efficient,” Blackburn wrote on Thursday. “My DOGE Act will freeze federal hiring, begin the process to relocate agencies out of the D.C. swamp, and establish a merit-based salary system for the federal workforce. @elonmusk @VivekGRamaswamy .” The Tennessee senator’s announcement comes on the heels of her hosting Vivek Ramaswamy on her podcast, Unmuted with Marsha , to discuss how to cut government waste; Ramaswamy and Elon Musk will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative. Much of Blackburn’s forthcoming legislation may draw inspiration from her prior work to drain the D.C. swamp and cut waste. Sens. Blackburn and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced legislation in 2019, the Helping Infrastructure Restore the Economy (HIRE) Act to move federal agency headquarters to regions of the American Heartland. Blackburn said in a statement when she and Hawley introduced the bill: Moving agencies outside of Washington, DC, both boosts local economies and lowers costs — that’s a winning combination. This legislation would enable Americans across the country to have greater access to good jobs. Tennesseans would greatly benefit from having portions of the Department of Education in the Volunteer State. It is my hope that the HIRE Act will quickly pass the Senate. One study found that moving agencies in the Agriculture Department will save $300 million over 15 years. The report also found that moving agencies outside D.C. could save money by decreasing employee attrition. The HIRE Act would move the headquarters of the Agriculture Department to Missouri and the Education Department to Tennessee, as well as eight other agencies to economically depressed areas in separate states. Sean Moran is a policy reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on X @SeanMoran3 .Maverick McNealy and Vince Whaley share the lead in an RSM Classic that is wide open
Glassdoor and Indeed report the average salaries for 10 highly-paid Artificial Intelligence (AI) jobs in the United Kingdom (UK) that will revolutionise almost every industry in 2025. These jobs create a demand for skilled professionals to design, develop, and manage the technologies. For students interested in technology, coding, or problem-solving, AI is a field worth exploring—whether they aspire to build the next generation of robots, enhance self-driving cars, or develop safer social media platforms. AI refers to technology that enables computers and machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognising images, making decisions, and learning from experience. Unlike traditional computer programs that follow pre-set instructions, AI systems can adapt based on new information, much like humans learn. AI utilises several key techniques, including machine learning, which allows computers to identify patterns and make predictions based on data; natural language processing (NLP), which helps computers understand and generate human language; and computer vision, which enables them to interpret visual information such as photos or videos. These tools make AI incredibly powerful and useful across various sectors, including healthcare, entertainment, automotive technology, and finance. Here are the jobs, average salary and skills needed: 1. Machine Learning Engineer Average UK annual salary: £59,000 (source: Glassdoor) Machine Learning Engineers design and build systems that enable computers to learn from data, identify patterns, and make decisions or predictions without explicit instructions. Therefore, this role requires a strong foundation in computer science, mathematics, and programming languages such as Python and R. 2. AI Engineer Average UK annual salary: £52,000 (source: Glassdoor) AI Engineers design and build intelligent systems that can learn from data and perform tasks automatically. They use AI to solve real-world problems and improve business efficiency and user experiences. Proficiency in programming languages like Python and Java, as well as AI tools such as TensorFlow and PyTorch, is essential. 3. Computer Vision Engineer Average UK annual salary: £57,884 (source: Indeed) Computer Vision Engineers create technology that enables computers to recognise and interpret visual information. They work on projects such as facial recognition, self-driving cars, and medical imaging. This role requires strong programming skills and knowledge of computer vision libraries like OpenCV. 4. Natural Language Processing (NLP) Engineer Average UK annual salary: £53,000 (source: Glassdoor) NLP Engineers develop systems that allow computers to understand, interpret, and respond to human language. They work on technologies such as chatbots, voice assistants, and translation services. Skills in programming, particularly Python, and knowledge of NLP frameworks are essential. 5. Data Scientist Average UK annual salary: £51,761 (source: Indeed) Data Scientists collect, analyse, and interpret large amounts of data to help organisations make informed decisions. They use programming languages like Python and R, as well as statistical and machine learning techniques, to extract valuable insights from data. As AI continues to integrate into more industries, these roles will be in high demand, offering lucrative and exciting career paths for those with the necessary skills and qualifications. 6. Robotics Engineers Average UK annual salary: £46,025 (source: Indeed) Robotics Engineers design, build, and maintain robots and robotic systems. They work in various sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and space exploration, developing robots to perform tasks autonomously or assist humans. This role requires strong skills in engineering, programming, and mathematics, particularly calculus, linear algebra, and physics. As technology advances, demand for Robotics Engineers is rising, making this a lucrative career path for 2025. 7. Deep Learning Engineers Average UK annual salary: £58,000 (source: Glassdoor) Deep Learning Engineers build and train advanced AI models inspired by the human brain. They create systems for tasks like recognising faces, understanding speech, and diagnosing medical conditions. This role demands strong programming skills, especially in Python, and a solid understanding of mathematics. With the growing use of deep learning in various industries, Deep Learning Engineers are in high demand, making this a top-paying AI career path for 2025. 8. AI Researchers Average UK annual salary: £49,096 (source: talent.com) AI Researchers develop new theories, algorithms, and models to advance artificial intelligence. They focus on improving AI’s capabilities for future use, leading to breakthroughs in areas like image recognition and language processing. This role requires strong skills in mathematics and computer science, along with creativity and problem-solving abilities. The demand for AI Researchers is rising as organisations seek to advance technology, making this a rewarding career path for 2025. 9. AI Product Managers Average UK annual salary: £64,713 (source: Indeed) AI Product Managers oversee the development and launch of AI-powered products, bridging the gap between technical teams and business needs. They identify customer needs, define product features, and coordinate with engineers and data scientists. Success in this role requires a blend of technical knowledge and business acumen, including project management and strategic thinking skills. With growing AI adoption, demand for AI Product Managers is increasing, making this a high-paying career path for 2025. 10. AI Consultants Average UK annual salary: £50,000 (source: Glassdoor) AI Consultants advise companies on leveraging AI to improve operations and make better decisions. They recommend AI strategies and solutions based on a business’s needs. Success in this role requires a strong understanding of AI concepts, excellent communication and problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking. As AI continues to transform industries, demand for AI Consultants is growing, making this a well-paid and in-demand career for 2025.
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WASHINGTON(TNS) — If there’s a theme among President-elect Donald Trump’s health Cabinet picks, it’s this: The vast majority were critics of how the Biden administration handled COVID-19. The pandemic upended Americans’ perspective on public health and health care delivery, both throughout the United States and among Republican lawmakers. Policy experts say that change is evident in Trump’s selections to lead major U.S. health agencies. That change is particularly notable in Trump’s pick for secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic who has been critical of the federal government’s pandemic response. Trump and Republicans have praised Kennedy for bucking conventional thinking when it comes to public health, even though many of Kennedy’s theories and proposals are not backed by science. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy advocated against vaccinating kids against the coronavirus. He also led the anti-vaccination group Children’s Health Defense beginning in 2018. As Trump’s presumptive HHS secretary nominee, Kennedy worked with the Trump team to pick the leaders of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. Former Rep. Dave Weldon, Trump’s selection to head the CDC, is also a vaccine skeptic. Mehmet Oz, known more commonly as “Dr. Oz,” Trump’s choice to head CMS, promoted use of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19. FDA commissioner pick Marty Makary promoted herd immunity to stop the virus, as did Trump’s choice to lead the NIH, Jay Bhattacharya. Taken as a whole, the picks reflect a deep skepticism toward the recommendations of the very agencies these men have been tapped to lead. Trust in public health institutions plummeted in the wake of the pandemic, particularly among Republicans, according to polling, and virus prevention measures like wearing a face mask on an airplane or getting a routine vaccination have morphed into political actions in many parts of the United States. “There was a lot of misinformation, uncertain information,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said of the COVID-19 pandemic response. “In the end, when you looked at what the benefits were, the benefits were not as large as promised and some people were penalized. So I’m sure that’s reflected in [Trump’s] Cabinet choices.” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., applauded Trump’s choice of Kennedy and Oz, saying Trump “should have a good opportunity to maybe get somebody in there who will shake it up a little.” But as Republicans cheer these changes to the public health sector, Democrats and medical institutions are concerned about health misinformation and how that could impact the American health care system, which spends roughly $4.5 trillion per year and accounts for 17.3 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. On the campaign trail, Trump won voters by promising to buck the system. But public health experts warn that moving too far from the medical establishment and rejecting scientific data could have disastrous consequences. “If [Trump’s health nominees] move too far out of the mainstream of what we know is correct from a science and evidence perspective, they’re going to have a very tough time getting things done,” said Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. A look at other key Trump health picks and their records on COVID-19: Mehmet Oz, CMS Oz has long been criticized for his controversial views on public health. The pandemic was no exception. The Daytime Emmy award winner served as an informal adviser during the first Trump administration, promoting the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 early in the pandemic. He reportedly tried to persuade the president’s advisers to accelerate approval of the drug for use against COVID-19, even though at the time it had not been tested against the virus. Later, the FDA and infectious disease doctors found the antimalarial would not treat the virus. Oz also urged Trump administration officials to back a study he offered to fund at Columbia University Medical Center about the impacts of the antimalarial on COVID-19 patients, according to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. In April 2020, Oz said on Fox News that reopening schools would be worth it, even if it led to increased deaths. He later retracted the statement. Marty Makary, FDA Like Kennedy, Makary has publicly questioned the broad use of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine mandates. But unlike Kennedy and many others in Trump’s health Cabinet, Makary was an early advocate of masking to prevent the spread of the virus and restricting air travel. The Johns Hopkins surgeon and author publicly opposed COVID-19 booster shots and promoted natural immunity over vaccinations. He went as far as arguing that the federal government censored pandemic data on natural immunity in an attempt to get more people vaccinated. But Makary also promoted early vaccination strategies to protect those most at risk for severe disease, such as getting single doses of vaccines to as many people as possible before allowing people to go back for a second dose of the shot. In late 2020, he criticized the FDA for not moving fast enough to approve mRNA vaccines. Jay Bhattacharya, NIH A Stanford physician and professor, Bhattacharya made a name for himself as a skeptic who opposed COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He also promoted herd immunity, the concept that low-risk people should live their lives normally and build up resistance to COVID-19 through infection while only high-risk individuals took precautions. In October 2020, Bhattacharya co-authored the controversial “Great Barrington Declaration,” an open letter advocating against virus prevention measures with the hopes of quickly obtaining herd immunity. Both the World Health Organization and leading academic and public health organizations condemned the letter, with the American Public Health Association and other health organizations signing a letter calling it a “wrong-headed proposal masquerading as science” and arguing that the declaration would lead to preventable deaths. Dave Weldon, CDC Weldon, a physician who represented Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 through 2009, has routinely questioned the links between vaccines and autism throughout his career. He does not specialize in infectious diseases and has never formally worked in public health, having spent his career as a military doctor, internist and politician. In 2007, Weldon introduced a bill that would remove vaccine safety research from the CDC’s domain and house it in a separate HHS agency. Although the bill didn’t advance, some privately worry it’s indicative of the way he’d strip down the public health agency. Former acting CDC Director Richard Besser said he’s concerned about Weldon’s lack of public health credentials and suspects he was nominated to the post largely because his vaccine skepticism aligns with Kennedy’s views. “What we’re seeing with a number of these nominations is a continuation of that politicization [of public health], where you know people coming in who are saying public health is the problem, not the solution,” Besser said.
VIDEO: Stolen pickup truck sparks police chase in downtown VictoriaWorld News | Syria's Embassy Suspends Services as Lebanon Hands over Former Syrian Army OfficersNoneWASHINGTON , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has selected Nova Space Solutions, LLC of Anchorage, Alaska , to provide operations, services, maintenance, and infrastructure support for NASA's Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi , and NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans . The Combined Operations, Services, Maintenance, and Infrastructure Contract is a cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price, and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that has a value of approximately $822.7 million . The performance period begins July 1, 2025 , and extends eight years and three months, with a 15-month base period, followed by a one-year option period and three two-year option periods. Under the contract, Nova Space Solutions will be responsible for contract management, logistics, safety, health and environmental compliance, engineering and manufacturing support services, site services, facility operations and maintenance services, and environmental services and program management. NASA's Stennis Space Center is the nation's largest propulsion test site, with infrastructure to support projects ranging from component and subscale testing to large engine hot fires. Researchers from NASA, other government agencies, and private industry use NASA Stennis test facilities for technology and propulsion research and developmental projects. NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility, managed by the agency's Marshall Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama , is the nation's premier site for manufacturing and assembly of large-scale space structures and systems. For information about NASA and other agency programs, visit: https://www.nasa.gov View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-awards-operations-services-maintenance-and-infrastructure-contract-302325313.html SOURCE NASA
Hinson defends Ernst over senator’s hesitancy to back Trump’s defense secretary pickPolitics Our political journalists are based in the Maine State House and have deep source networks across the partisan spectrum in communities all over the state. Their coverage aims to cut through major debates and probe how officials make decisions. Read more Politics coverage here . A former state lawmaker and brewery owner is set to succeed Public Advocate Bill Harwood as Maine’s utility and consumer watchdog after Harwood retires next month. Gov. Janet Mills plans on appointing Heather Sanborn, a Portland native who served in the Maine House of Representatives and Maine Senate between 2016 and 2022, to the position after Harwood retires when his term ends Jan. 31, 2025. The Senate will need to confirm the Democrat’s nomination. Harwood, 72, said earlier this week he was retiring after more than 40 years of work on energy and utility issues to spend more time with family and friends. Mills appointed Harwood to the ratepayer and consumer advocate role in 2022. Sanborn and her husband, Nathan, founded Rising Tide Brewing in 2010 as one of the first breweries in Portland’s East Bayside neighborhood. Oxbow Brewing Company announced Wednesday it would acquire Rising Tide in the coming weeks. Mills said in a news release Thursday that Sanborn, as a small business owner, knows “just how important it is to have stable, affordable energy costs for Maine people and businesses, and, as a lawmaker, she has championed bipartisan legislation to make energy costs more affordable and to improve energy efficiency across the state.” Sanborn, who served on the Legislature’s energy committee, would take over from Harwood after he upset lawmakers at times on both sides of the aisle for seeking to limit new natural gas pipelines in Maine and warning about how the state’s community solar program will result in high costs to ratepayers . Help us raise $100,000 to fund trusted journalism for your community. Make a tax-deductible donation now . One of the more public and noteworthy parts of the public advocate’s job is challenging Central Maine Power Co. and Versant Power to justify their requests for rate increases in a state that has seen rising energy costs while also seeking to meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals. “My experiences as a small business owner and as a legislator have made me acutely aware of the burden of high energy prices on Mainers,” Sanborn, who practiced law and taught at Cape Elizabeth High School earlier in her career, said in Thursday’s release. More articles from the BDNDaily Post Nigeria Don’t succumb to influences of disgruntled politicians — Ebonyi APC chairman warns workers Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Politics Don’t succumb to influences of disgruntled politicians — Ebonyi APC chairman warns workers Published on December 5, 2024 By Casmir Nwankwo The chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebonyi State, Mr Stanley Okoro Emegha, has called on Ebonyi workers not to allow those he described as disgruntled politicians to manipulate them into joining forces against the present administration in the state. The chairman, who x-rayed the notable achievements of Governor Francis Nwifuru in the area of welfare and human capital development, stated that the governor was the first person under the present democratic dispensation to increase workers’ take-home package even before the negotiation of the new national minimum wage of N70,000. Disclosing this in a statement, Emegha added: “I wish to admonish workers to always employ dialogue in ironing out issues of interest rather than applying archaic and immature measures to frustrate the state government and make mockery of themselves under a system whereby their welfare is in the first-line charge.” According to him: “In all honesty, the recent and aborted industrial action embarked upon by Ebonyi State civil servants does not only reflect their weaknesses and ability to retrace their steps on the instruction of the leader of the state and Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru but it also raised a significant concern bothering on who actually played the drum. “In as much as their recent action, despite the commendable efforts of the governor towards increasing their take-home, apart from other incentives, remains unwarranted and odious. I wish to ask them whether they were more comfortable with the era of executive rascality, impunity, and abandonment. “To say that civil servants in Ebonyi State could contemplate embarking on strike just because some of their leaders succumbed to the undue pressure from greedy, malicious and uncircumcised politicians is difficult to comprehend because Governor Nwifuru has done exceptionally well in changing their narrative through several means. “Firstly, the Governor increased their salaries by 20%, awarded one hundred thousand naira as a Christmas bonus last year to each of them among other incentives. He is the first person under the present democratic dispensation to increase workers’ take-home package even before the negotiation of the new national minimum wage of N70,000. He did not only give his consent to it but he increased it to N75,000. “Apart from these interventions aimed at cushioning the effect of economic downturn in the country, the civil servants also benefit from numerous government empowerment programs. “Recall also that His Excellency, the Governor, voluntarily, on assumption of office, paid the gratuities arrears of all the state retired civil servants from 1996 to 2023 and currently working assiduously hard to ensure that local government workers get theirs soon. “Although it is heartwarming that they have come with the directive of the Governor and have since returned to their various duty posts, which is a sign of gratitude to the numerous incentives they are enjoying presently in the state, they should not allow a few disgruntled politicians whose relevance have since died a natural death to hoodwink or manipulate them into carrying out their mischievous and spiteful plans against their wishes and the state government. “Through words and actions, the governor has reiterated that the civil service is the engine room of government and would not relent in charting a course that will improve the well-being of the state workforce. This is also contained in his People’s Charter of Needs agenda, compass of the administration.” Emegha commended Governor Nwifuru for always “taking a firm and proactive posture in addressing headlong matters of importance to the state and her good people.” Related Topics: Ebonyi APC Stanley Okoro Emegha Don't Miss Zamfara APC rejects state’s 2025 budget proposal You may like Defection: Ebonyi APC chair assures PDP, LP, others of equal treatment Economic Hardship: Let’s go back to farming – Ebonyi APC Chairman advises Nigerians Supreme Court Judgement: Close ranks with govt to develop Ebonyi – APC to opposition Rerun election: Ebonyi APC zones senatorial seat to Onicha LGA I’ll be governor for all – Ebonyi APC governor-elect, Nwifuru vows APC chairman, Okoro, 171 ward councillors trade words over LG election nullification Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdTSN's Chris Johnston has provided an update on Maple Leafs defenseman Jani Hakanpaa and his playing future doesn't appear to be very promising at the moment. After skating in just two games with the Leafs this season, the team announced that Hakanpaa underwent a surgical procedure on his knee again at the start of December. A few weeks later, the Leafs placed the Finnish defenseman on injured reserve with Craig Berube stating he needed some time to 'get up to speed'. Concerns initially arose in July when the Leafs and the former Dallas Star initially appeared to have agreed on a two-year contract. Those concerns were related to a potentially career-threatening knee injury that the Leafs downplayed before officially signing the 32-year-old to a one-year deal ahead of training camp. On TSN's 'OverDrive' on Tuesday, Chris Johnston was asked about the Leafs potentially shopping for another defenseman after Chris Tanev's lower-body injury kept him out of the lineup against the Jets . Johnston said that it was nothing to be concerned about with Tanev given his style of play and history, but he also revealed there is still much to be concerned about with Hakanpaa and that the Leafs will be looking for a defenseman to replace the former fourth-round pick due to the uncertainty around his health. Based on Johnston's comments, it would appear that the Leafs have no idea if Hakanpaa will be returning to the lineup this season, which is something the media and fans called out Brad Treliving for when he initially signed him. Given the lack of production from the Leafs' blueline, Johnston noting they would be looking for someone like Luke Schenn or Ilya Lyubushkin over offensive help does come as a surprise. The Leafs may believe they have enough offensive potential with Morgan Rielly , Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Conor Timmins on the back end, but the numbers show that the team is heavily relying on Rielly to provide the production once again. The problem is that Rielly's numbers aren't all that flattering at the moment. Hopefully Hakanpaa is able to return to the lineup so the Leafs can focus on adding their preferred third-line center and/or an offensive-minded defensemen instead of a replacement for the hulking 6-foot-7 blueliner. This article first appeared on Maple Leafs Daily and was syndicated with permission.