jili slot png

The team that President-elect Donald Trump has selected to lead federal health agencies in his second administration includes a retired congressman, a surgeon and a former talk-show host. All could play pivotal roles in fulfilling a political agenda that could change how the government goes about safeguarding Americans’ health — from health care and medicines to food safety and science research. In line to lead the Department of Health and Human Services secretary is environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine organizer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump’s choices don’t have experience running large bureaucratic agencies, but they know how to talk about health on TV. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid pick Dr. Mehmet Oz hosted a talk show for 13 years and is a well-known wellness and lifestyle influencer. The pick for the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Marty Makary, and for surgeon general, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, are frequent Fox News contributors. Many on the list were critical of covid-19 measures like masking and booster vaccinations for young people. Some of them have ties to Florida like many of Trump’s other Cabinet nominees: Dave Weldon, the pick for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, represented the state in Congress for 14 years and is affiliated with a medical group on the state’s Atlantic coast. Nesheiwat’s brother-in-law is Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., tapped by Trump as national security adviser. Here’s a look at the nominees’ potential role in carrying out what Kennedy says is the task to “reorganize” agencies, which have an overall $1.7 trillion budget, employ 80,000 scientists, researchers, doctors and other officials, and effect Americans’ daily lives: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Atlanta-based CDC, with a $9.2 billion core budget, is charged with protecting Americans from disease outbreaks and other public health threats. Kennedy has long attacked vaccines and criticized the CDC, repeatedly alleging corruption at the agency. He said on a 2023 podcast that there is “no vaccine that is safe and effective,” and urged people to resist the CDC’s guidelines on if and when kids should get vaccinated. Decades ago, Kennedy found common ground with Weldon, 71, who served in the Army and worked as an internal medicine doctor before he represented a central Florida congressional district from 1995 to 2009. Starting in the early 2000s, Weldon had a prominent part in a debate about whether there was a relationship between a vaccine preservative called thimerosal and autism. He was a founding member of the Congressional Autism Caucus and tried to ban thimerosal from all vaccines. Kennedy, then a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, believed there was a tie between thimerosal and autism and also charged that the government hid documents showing the danger. Since 2001, all vaccines manufactured for the U.S. market and routinely recommended for children 6 years or younger have contained no thimerosal or only trace amounts, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine. Meanwhile, study after study after study found no evidence that thimerosal caused autism. Weldon’s congressional voting record suggests he may go along with Republican efforts to downsize the CDC, including to eliminate the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, which works on topics like drownings, drug overdoses and shooting deaths. Weldon also voted to ban federal funding for needle-exchange programs as an approach to reduce overdoses, and the National Rifle Association gave him an “A” rating for his pro-gun rights voting record. Food and Drug Administration Kennedy is extremely critical of the FDA, which has 18,000 employees and is responsible for the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs, vaccines and other medical products, as well as overseeing cosmetics, electronic cigarettes and most foods. Makary, Trump’s pick to run the FDA, is closely aligned with Kennedy on several topics. The professor at Johns Hopkins University who is a trained surgeon and cancer specialist has decried the overprescribing of drugs, the use of pesticides on foods and the undue influence of pharmaceutical and insurance companies over doctors and government regulators. Kennedy has suggested he’ll clear our “entire” FDA departments and also recently threatened to fire FDA employees for “aggressive suppression” of a host of unsubstantiated products and therapies, including stem cells, raw milk, psychedelics and discredited COVID-era treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Makary’s contrarian views during the COVID-19 pandemic included questioning the need for masking and giving young kids COVID-19 vaccine boosters. But anything Makary and Kennedy might want to do when it comes to unwinding FDA regulations or revoking long-standing vaccine and drug approvals would be challenging. The agency has lengthy requirements for removing medicines from the market, which are based on federal laws passed by Congress. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services The agency provides health care coverage for more than 160 million people through Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, and also sets Medicare payment rates for hospitals, doctors and other providers. With a $1.1 trillion budget and more than 6,000 employees, Oz has a massive agency to run if confirmed — and an agency that Kennedy hasn’t talked about much when it comes to his plans. While Trump tried to scrap the Affordable Care Act in his first term, Kennedy has not taken aim at it yet. But he has been critical of Medicaid and Medicare for covering expensive weight-loss drugs — though they’re not widely covered by either. Trump said during his campaign that he would protect Medicare, which provides insurance for older Americans. Oz has endorsed expanding Medicare Advantage — a privately run version of Medicare that is popular but also a source of widespread fraud — in an AARP questionnaire during his failed 2022 bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania and in a 2020 Forbes op-ed with a former Kaiser Permanente CEO. Oz also said in a Washington Examiner op-ed with three co-writers that aging healthier and living longer could help fix the U.S. budget deficit because people would work longer and add more to the gross domestic product. Neither Trump nor Kennedy have said much about Medicaid, the insurance program for low-income Americans. Trump’s first administration reshaped the program by allowing states to introduce work requirements for recipients. Surgeon general Kennedy doesn’t appear to have said much publicly about what he’d like to see from surgeon general position, which is the nation’s top doctor and oversees 6,000 U.S. Public Health Service Corps members. The surgeon general has little administrative power, but can be an influential government spokesperson on what counts as a public health danger and what to do about it — suggesting things like warning labels for products and issuing advisories. The current surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, declared gun violence as a public health crisis in June. Trump’s pick, Nesheiwat, is employed as a New York City medical director with CityMD, a group of urgent care facilities in the New York and New Jersey area, and has been at City MD for 12 years. She also has appeared on Fox News and other TV shows, authored a book on the “transformative power of prayer” in her medical career and endorses a brand of vitamin supplements. She encouraged covid-19 vaccines during the pandemic, calling them “a gift from God” in a February 2021 Fox News op-ed, as well as anti-viral pills like Paxlovid. In a 2019 Q&A with the Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation, Nesheiwat said she is a “firm believer in preventive medicine” and “can give a dissertation on hand-washing alone.” National Institutes of Health As of Saturday, Trump had not yet named his choice to lead the National Institutes of Health, which funds medical research through grants to researchers across the nation and conducts its own research. It has a $48 billion budget. Kennedy has said he’d pause drug development and infectious disease research to shift the focus to chronic diseases. He’d like to keep NIH funding from researchers with conflicts of interest, and criticized the agency in 2017 for what he said was not doing enough research into the role of vaccines in autism — an idea that has long been debunked.Furthermore, Diarlo and Bfee have a special connection that extends beyond the field of play. They share a mutual respect and admiration for each other's abilities, which translates into a seamless partnership on the field. Whether it's a quick glance, a subtle gesture, or a knowing smile, they are always in sync and ready to support each other in any situation.

Investing $9,000 in a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) can be a savvy move toward generating solid monthly passive income, especially when directed into dividend-paying stocks like ( ). Let’s explore how this strategy can work to your advantage and how to create some massive passive income. DIR: A perfect dividend stock First off, the TFSA is a Canadian gem for investors. Contributions grow tax-free, and withdrawals don’t incur taxes either. This means that any or capital gains earned within the account aren’t subject to the taxman’s reach, allowing your investments to compound more effectively over time. Now, let’s talk dividends. DIR.UN offers an attractive annual dividend of $0.70 per share at writing, yielding about 5.6%. This translates to a monthly payout of approximately $0.05833 per share. With a share price around $12.54, your $9,000 investment could acquire roughly 718 shares. This leads to an estimated monthly dividend income of $41.88. Not too shabby for a passive income stream! DIR has demonstrated consistent financial performance. In Q3 2024, the dividend stock reported a 4% year-over-year increase in funds from operations (FFO) per unit, reaching $0.26. Net rental income also saw a 7.1% uptick, amounting to $90.5 million. These figures highlight the dividend stock’s robust operational efficiency and ability to generate steady income for investors. More to come The dividend stock’s portfolio is impressive, comprising 338 industrial assets totalling approximately 71.9 million square feet across key markets in Canada, Europe, and the U.S. This diversification helps mitigate risks associated with any single market and provides a foundation for income generation. Looking ahead, DIR.UN’s management remains optimistic about growth prospects. Management has been actively engaging in capital recycling initiatives, selling non-core assets to reinvest in higher-yield opportunities. This strategy aims to enhance the quality of their portfolio and, consequently, the returns to investors. Moreover, the industrial real estate sector is experiencing favourable trends. Companies like Prologis have reported increased earnings, citing a slowdown in new warehouse construction. This helps keep supply tight and supports rental rates. Furthermore, this environment bodes well for DIR.UN’s occupancy rates and rental income stability. Bottom line The bottom line here is that allocating $9,000 of your TFSA to a dividend-paying stock like DIR.UN can be a strategic move toward building a reliable passive income stream – one that could pay out $41.88 each and every month buying at these levels! And that’s without even including the other passive income coming in from returns. The combination of tax-free growth, consistent dividend payouts, and the dividend stock’s solid financial performance makes it a compelling option for investors seeking steady income. As always, it’s prudent to conduct thorough research and consider your individual financial goals before making investment decisions. But this dividend stock certainly looks like a strong option for investors seeking long-term income that’s only due to rise higher. So certainly take a close look for your TFSA portfolio today.As the final notes of the concert echoed through the venue, fans were left in awe of the talent and camaraderie displayed by Yamashita and Chou. The image of the two artists standing side by side, arms around each other, will be etched in the memories of all who attended the concert.

Dumont's openness about their gender identity serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and visibility in the entertainment industry. By sharing their story, Dumont is not only embracing their true self but also inspiring others to feel seen and heard. The industry has taken strides in recent years to become more inclusive and diverse, and Dumont's announcement is a step forward in creating a more accepting and understanding environment for all individuals.Ireland blamed Northern Ireland Office for ‘damaging leaks’, records show

In a thrilling showdown, with a score of 11 out of 9, the player known as Liu Chuanxing delivered a stunning performance on the court, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead his team to a resounding victory over Zhou Qi and his squad. The electrifying game has led fans to question whether Zhu Fangyu, the team's manager, now regrets his decision to part ways with Liu Chuanxing, who has emerged as the key player in the team's recent success.In conclusion, as suspects in the "Bu Incident" face criminal coercive measures and the investigation continues to deepen, it is imperative for all stakeholders to remain vigilant, patient, and committed to ensuring that justice is served. The implications of this case extend far beyond the individuals directly involved, impacting public trust, institutional integrity, and the broader fabric of society. Only through a rigorous and transparent investigative process can the truth be uncovered, accountability be established, and lessons be learned for the future.This change of heart led to tensions and disagreements within the family, with both parents and daughter feeling hurt and misunderstood. The daughter, who had assumed that the property was now rightfully hers, was taken aback by her parents' sudden change of attitude. She felt betrayed and accused her parents of trying to control her life even from a distance.

Nevertheless, President Biden’s decision to engage with all Syrian groups represents a positive step towards fostering dialogue, understanding, and cooperation in pursuit of a just and lasting peace. By embracing a more inclusive and comprehensive approach, the United States can play a constructive role in shaping the future of Syria and supporting the aspirations of its people for a better tomorrow.

Extensive confidential documents in the lead-up to the collapse of Northern Ireland’s institutions in 2002 have been made available to the public as part of annual releases from the Irish National Archives. They reveal that the Irish Government wanted to appeal to the UK side against “manipulating” every scenario for favourable election results in Northern Ireland, in an effort to protect the peace process. In the years after the landmark 1998 Good Friday Agreement, a number of outstanding issues left the political environment fraught with tension and disagreement. Mr Trimble, who won a Nobel Peace Prize with SDLP leader John Hume for their work on the Agreement, was keen to gain wins for the UUP on policing, ceasefire audits and paramilitary disarmament – but also to present his party as firmer on these matters amid swipes from its Unionist rival, the DUP. These issues were at the front of his mind as he tried to steer his party into Assembly elections planned for May 2003 and continue in his role as the Executive’s first minister despite increasing political pressure. The documents reveal the extent to which the British and Irish Governments were trying to delicately resolve the contentious negotiations, conscious that moves seen as concessions to one group could provoke anger on the other side. In June 2002, representatives of the SDLP reported to Irish officials on a recent meeting between Mr Hume’s successor Mark Durkan and Prime Minister Tony Blair on policing and security. Mr Blair is said to have suggested that the SDLP and UUP were among those who both supported and took responsibility for the Good Friday Agreement. The confidential report of the meeting says that Mr Durkan, the deputy First Minister, was not sure that Mr Trimble had been correctly categorised. The Prime Minister asked if the SDLP could work more closely with the UUP ahead of the elections. Mr Durkan argued that Mr Trimble was not only not saleable to nationalists, but also not saleable to half of the UUP – to which Mr Blair and Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid are said to have laughed in agreement. The SDLP leader further warned that pursuing a “save David” campaign would ruin all they had worked for. Damien McAteer, an adviser for the SDLP, was recorded as briefing Irish officials on September 10 that it was his view that Mr Trimble was intent on collapsing the institutions in 2003 over expected fallout for Sinn Fein in the wake of the Colombia Three trial, where men linked to the party were charged with training Farc rebels – but predicted the UUP leader would be “in the toilet” by January, when an Ulster Unionist Council (UUC) meeting was due to take place. A week later in mid September, Mr Trimble assured Irish premier Bertie Ahern that the next UUC meeting to take place in two days’ time would be “okay but not great” and insisted he was not planning to play any “big game”. It was at that meeting that he made the bombshell announcement that the UUP would pull out of the Executive if the IRA had not disbanded by January 18. The move came as a surprise to the Irish officials who, along with their UK counterparts, did not see the deadline as realistic. Sinn Fein described the resolution as a “wreckers’ charter”. Doubts were raised that there would be any progress on substantive issues as parties would not be engaged in “pre-election skirmishing”. As that could lead to a UUP walkout and the resulting suspension of the institutions, the prospect of delaying the elections was raised while bringing forward the vote was ruled out. Therefore, the two Governments stressed the need to cooperate as a stabilising force to protect the Agreement – despite not being sure how that process would survive through the January 18 deadline. The Irish officials became worried that the British side did not share their view that Mr Trimble was not “salvageable” and that the fundamental dynamic in the UUP was now Agreement scepticism, the confidential documents state. In a meeting days after the UUC announcements, Mr Reid is recorded in the documents as saying that as infuriating as it was, Mr Trimble was at that moment the “most enlightened Unionist we have”. The Secretary said he would explore what the UUP leader needed to “survive” the period between January 18 and the election, believing a significant prize could avoid him being “massacred”. Such planning went out the window just weeks later, when hundreds of PSNI officers were involved in raids of several buildings – including Sinn Fein’s offices in Stormont. The resulting “Stormontgate” spy-ring scandal accelerated the collapse of powersharing, with the UUP pulling out of the institutions – and the Secretary of State suspending the Assembly and Executive on October 14. For his part, Irish officials were briefed that Mr Reid was said to be “gung ho” about the prospect of exercising direct rule – reportedly making no mention of the Irish Government in a meeting with Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan on that day. The Northern Ireland Secretary was given a new role and Paul Murphy was appointed as his successor. A note on speaking points for a meeting with Mr Murphy in April showed that the Irish side believed the May elections should go ahead: “At a certain stage the political process has to stand on its own feet. “The Governments cannot be manipulating and finessing every scenario to engineer the right result. “We have to start treating the parties and the people as mature and trusting that they have the discernment to make the right choices.” However, the elections planned for May did not materialise, instead delayed until November. Mr Trimble would go on to lose his Westminster seat – and stewardship of the UUP – in 2005. The November election saw the DUP emerge as the largest parties – but direct rule continued as Ian Paisley’s refused to share power with Sinn Fein, which Martin McGuinness’ colleagues. The parties eventually agreed to work together following further elections in 2007. – This article is based on documents in 2024/130/5, 2024/130/6, 2024/130/15The release of the Ideal L6 Model C-NCAP results marks a significant milestone for the automotive industry, underscoring the importance of prioritizing safety in vehicle design and engineering. Ideal's relentless pursuit of excellence in safety has paid off, as the Ideal L6 sets a new benchmark for safety in its class.

Yorkshire's only working windmill is well worth a visit

Of course, the road to peace in Syria will not be easy, and there are complex challenges that lie ahead. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with millions of Syrians in need of assistance and protection. Rebuilding trust among warring factions and addressing deep-seated grievances will require sustained efforts and a long-term commitment from all parties involved.Meitu Xiu Xiu has long been celebrated for its user-friendly interface and extensive range of editing tools. However, the app's ascent to the pinnacle of the App Store rankings can be largely attributed to its innovative use of AI technology. By leveraging the capabilities of AI, Meitu Xiu Xiu has revolutionized the way users edit and enhance their photos, resulting in a more seamless and efficient editing experience.

Qatar's prime minister said on Saturday that momentum had returned to talks aimed at securing a truce and hostage exchange deal in Gaza following Donald Trump's election as US president. The Gulf emirate, along with the United States and Egypt, had been involved in months of unsuccessful negotiations for a Gaza truce and hostage release. But in November, Doha announced it had put its mediation on hold, saying it would resume when Hamas and Israel showed "willingness and seriousness". "We have sensed, after the election, that the momentum is coming back," Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani told the Doha Forum for political dialogue. He spoke as a source close to the Hamas delegation in the talks told AFP that a new round of negotiations will "most likely" begin in the coming week. Sheikh Mohammed said that while there were "some differences" in the approach to an agreement by the outgoing and incoming US administrations, "we didn't see or recognise any disagreement on the goal itself to end the war". He said there had been "a lot of encouragement from the incoming administration in order to achieve a deal, even before the president comes to the office", adding this had affected Qatar's decision to get talks "back on track". "We hope to get things done as soon as possible. We hope that the willingness of the parties to engage in a good faith continues," he said. The source close to the Hamas delegation, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP: "Based on contacts with the mediators, we expect a new round of negotiations to begin in Cairo, most likely this week, to discuss ideas and proposals regarding a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange." The source added that Turkey, as well as Egypt and Qatar, had been "making commendable efforts to stop the war". In a statement later on Saturday, the group said Turkish spy chief Ibrahim Kalin met with a Hamas delegation in Doha to discuss the war in Gaza. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. During the attack, militants kidnapped 251 people, 96 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 declared dead by the Israeli military. Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 44,664 people, a majority civilians, according to figures from the territory's Hamas-run health ministry which the UN considers reliable. The US president-elect this week warned on social media of unspecified massive repercussions if the hostages were not released by the time he takes office next month. Trump has vowed staunch support for Israel and to dispense with outgoing President Joe Biden's occasional criticism, but has also spoken of his desire to secure deals on the world stage. On Saturday, Qatar's premier dismissed the prospect of his country facing greater pressure over the status of the Hamas political bureau, which the Gulf state has hosted since 2012 with Washington's blessing. Sheikh Mohammed called the Hamas office a "platform to convene between the different parties". Qatar was not "expected to enforce solutions" on the Palestinian militants, he added. csp/srm/dcp/it

Disagreeing with the voters’ choice is a dead end. Let’s find ways to unite for change: Letter to the EditorBut the real reward was yet to come. As the villagers gathered around the freshly exposed pig heads, a festive atmosphere descended upon the village. The aroma of sizzling meat filled the air, and soon a hearty feast was underway. The villagers shared in the bounty, their laughter and joy infectious.