DUP minister rejected suggestion licensing laws could be relaxed for jubilee
The ridiculous clown car that is the second Trump administration just gained another clown. He just named Dr. Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford to lead the National Institutes of Health. Eight weeks ago, when Stanford held a strange conference on future pandemic policy planning featuring a number of highly questionable "experts" who were basically COVID deniers and vaccine naysayers, several people surmised that this was just a performative exercise. What better way to audition, as it were, for a potential second Trump administration than to make a big show of your medical wisdom when it comes to pandemics, and what you would have done differently if another COVID came along. Stanford being a conservative institution and home to the right-wing Hoover Institution , they have on their faculty some folks who were more aligned with Trump and his anti-masker cohort, because of course Republicans had to make the pandemic political. One of those is physician and economist Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, who co-authored a manifesto embraced by the right called the Great Barrington Declaration , a document that was penned out of fears for the economic collapse of the country under early-pandemic public health policies. The manifesto argued that young people should be allowed to roam free get infected, in order to achieve herd immunity and keep the economy humming, while the elderly and vulnerable should stay locked down. Setting aside the logistical problems of such a policy — what do families with elderly members do? — many other public health experts contended that such a policy would result in a half-million or more unnecessary deaths, with some young people having underlying conditions they may not even be aware of. It should also be noted that Dr. Bhattacharya, in an incredibly irresponsible move for a physician, jumped out ahead of the scientific community, which had not even reached a consensus at that point about how the virus was even spreading, to pen an opinion essay in March 2020 in the Wall Street Journal titled "Is the Coronavirus As Deadly As They Say?" In that essay, Dr. Bhattacharya predicted that the total death toll from the virus in the US might top out at 40,000, when it's actually been 1.2 million to date. Now, Dr. Bhattacharya has been nominated to be director of the NIH, where he would be in charge of a $48 million budget, answering to another jackass in the field of public health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's pick for secretary of Health and Human Services. "Together, Jay and RFK Jr. will restore the NIH to a Gold Standard of Medical Research as they examine the underlying causes of, and solutions to, America’s biggest health challenges, including our Crisis of Chronic Illness and Disease," writes Trump on Truth Social, about his latest pick. As the New York Times reports , Dr. Bhattacharya is not a practicing physician, and he has previously "called for overhauling the N.I.H. and limiting the power of civil servants who, he believes, played too prominent a role in shaping federal policy during the pandemic." People like Dr. Bhattacharya have been getting more attention recently, as the Times notes, as public health officials continue to debate how the government's handling of the pandemic both succeeded and failed. Notably, many experts now agree that schoolchildren should not have been kept locked down at home as long as they were. But nonetheless, most experts remain firm in the belief that the only way to handle the uncertain early days of a pandemic like we had is through social distancing and masking, and ultimately a vaccine — something that RFK, if he's confirmed, finds suspect. A colleague of Dr. Bhattacharya's at Stanford, Dr. Pantea Javidan of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, called it "a platform for discredited figures who continually promote dangerous, scientifically unsupported or thoroughly debunked approaches to COVID." And Martha Louise Lincoln of San Francisco State University told Bay Area News Group last month, regarding the Stanford symposium and Bhattacharya's ilk, "It’s an election year, and [people are looking to prove themselves as potential advisors to a Trump administration who would] likely advocate weaker, cheaper public health protections that tolerate disease, ask little of government, and leave it to individuals to protect their own health.” Meanwhile, healthcare policy advocacy group Protect Our Care has come out saying Kennedy would be a danger to our healthcare system. Rep. Arvind Venkat, MD, a Pennsylvania congressman and a doctor who is a member of the group, put out a statement Monday saying of Kennedy, "Simply put, he is wholly unqualified and, frankly, dangerous to the public health and well-being of our country." Dr. Venkat added, "His comments and his activities in American Samoa that led directly to a drop in the number of individuals who received measles vaccinations, and as a result, 83 of our fellow Americans, primarily infants and children, died from a vaccine-preventable disease, measles." Speaking to Bay Area News Group, Dr. Bhattacharya sounded magnanimous about his views and differences of opinion with the mainstream scientific community. "Seeing people in public health discussing their different points of view honestly with each other, rather than trying to create an illusion of consensus,” he said, “is a step forward toward restored restoration of trust in public health.” Top image: Jay Bhattacharya speaks during the 2023 Forbes Healthcare Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 05, 2023 in New York City. 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Melbourne [Australia], : In the battle of captains, Australia skipper Pat Cummins established his dominance over his counterpart Rohit Sharma on the final day of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Melbourne. Rohit came out to open alongside young Yashasvi Jaiswal to make a case for India to chase down a herculean 340-run total set by the hosts. Instead of going berserk in front of MCG stands filled with hopeful Indian fans, the opening duo decided to deal with caution and negate the threat of the new red ball. Rohit looked comfortable till the drinks break, and even after the resumption of the game, he grew more in confidence. After facing 39 deliveries and understanding the nature of the surface, Rohit felt it was time to take a chance against Cummins. The Indian skipper tried to flick Captain Fantastic but gave away a leading edge in the process to Mitchell Marsh, stationed at gully. The Indian skipper had to return to the dressing room with 9. This was the sixth instance of Rohit losing his wicket to Cummins in Test cricket, the most a captain has been dismissed by an opposition captain in the format. Former England captain Ted Dexter lost his wicket to former Australia captain Richie Benaud five times. Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar is tied for the feat after losing his wicket five times to former Pakistan captain Imran Khan. After Rohit's dismissal, everything fell apart for the Indian team. KL Rahul joined the Indian skipper in the same over for a five-ball duck. Virat Kohli lost his discipline and got lured into playing a drive by left-armer Mitchell Starc on the final ball before lunch. Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant offered stability and assurance by leading the charge against the Australian bowling attack. Boundaries became more frequent, with Australian bowlers feeling tiredness creep up to them with each passing over. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.None
Saturday, December 21, 2024 As the global corporate travel sector prepares for 2025, industry players face an evolving landscape marked by economic pressures, technological advancements, and environmental considerations. With cost optimization remaining a priority, a sharper focus on traveler experience and climate impact will emerge, reflecting shifting priorities in the business travel sphere. The financial outlook for corporate travel in 2025 indicates stabilized inflationary pressures compared to the steep increases seen in previous years. According to CWT, global airfares are projected to rise marginally by 0.1% to 0.6%, while daily hotel rates are forecasted to increase between 1.9% and 2.9%. Car rental prices, influenced by local supply-demand dynamics, are also expected to see slight growth. Despite these moderate increases, companies will continue to focus on balancing travel budgets with employee needs and environmental goals. As corporate travel buyers seek to enhance program efficiency, the integration of New Distribution Capability (NDC) content remains a critical area of development. Travel management companies (TMCs) and other service providers are striving to leverage emerging technologies to deliver improved services. However, the challenge lies in balancing innovation with the deep industry knowledge of legacy players, creating a competitive environment for both new entrants and established firms. Geopolitical tensions, including ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, coupled with potential policy shifts under the incoming Trump administration, are likely to complicate international business travel. At the same time, new EU climate regulations, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), will compel organizations to adopt greener travel policies. Rail travel, virtual meetings, and extended but fewer business trips are expected to gain traction as companies strive to reduce their carbon footprints. One of the most notable developments heading into 2025 is the proposed $570 million acquisition of CWT by American Express Global Business Travel. This deal, currently under review by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, highlights the increasing consolidation within the industry. Regardless of the outcome, further mergers and acquisitions are anticipated, potentially impacting service levels, client retention, and competitive dynamics. For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TTW newsletter . Sustainability continues to dominate the corporate travel agenda. In 2024, the EU’s Green Claims Directive sparked a significant backlash against supplier greenwashing, with notable legal actions such as the case against KLM setting a precedent. As companies refine their sustainability strategies, transparency in carbon emissions reporting will play a pivotal role in gaining executive buy-in and fostering client trust. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in corporate travel management is expected to accelerate in 2025. Following substantial investments in generative AI during 2024, companies are exploring innovative solutions to streamline operations and enhance traveler experiences. These advancements promise efficiencies but will require careful navigation to align with industry-specific needs and regulatory frameworks. Flexibility in work arrangements remains a contentious issue. While some corporations have introduced return-to-office mandates, others, particularly TMCs, continue to embrace hybrid models. These dynamics influence business travel policies, with an emphasis on aligning travel needs with organizational goals and employee expectations. Reflecting on 2024, industry experts accurately predicted trends such as rising travel costs, a push towards sustainability, and technological adoption. However, unforeseen challenges, including heightened geopolitical tensions and the scale of industry consolidation, shaped the year in unexpected ways. These lessons will undoubtedly inform strategies moving forward. For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TTW newsletter . As 2025 approaches, corporate travel stakeholders must navigate a complex interplay of cost pressures, sustainability goals, and technological innovation. By prioritizing transparency, adapting to regulatory changes, and leveraging advancements in AI and NDC content, the industry can achieve a balanced approach that meets the evolving demands of business travelers and organizations alike. Read Travel Industry News in 104 different regional platforms Get our daily dose of news, by subscribing to our newsletters. Subscribe here . Watch Travel And Tour World Interviews here . Read more Travel News , Daily Travel Alert , and Travel Industry News on Travel And Tour World only.