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777 casino slot login By ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weeks-long delay. The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transiton of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them. Teams of investigators have been standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers. “This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day,” said Susie Wiles, Trump’s designate to be White House chief of staff. The announcement comes a week after the Trump transition team signed an agreement with the Biden White House to allow transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office on Jan. 20. The White House agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House had issued both public and private appeals for Trump’s team to sign on. Security clearances are required to access classified information, including on ongoing operations and threats to the nation, and the Biden White House and outside experts have emphasized to Trump’s team the importance of having cleared personnel before Inauguration Day so they could be fully briefed and ready to run the government. Republican Senators have also insisted on FBI background checks for Trump’s nominees before they face confirmation votes, as has been standard practice for decades. Lawmakers have been particularly interested in seeing the findings of reviews into Trump’s designated nominee for defense secretary, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. “That’s why it’s so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review of extensive questions and questionnaires, and a public hearing,” said. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine on Monday. John Thune, the incoming Senate Republican leader, said the Trump team “understands there’s going to have to be a thorough vetting of all these nominees.” AP congressional correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed.

49ers claim running back after McCaffrey, Mason injuriesShares of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) were trading on a flat note in early deals on Monday even as the Mukesh-Ambani led conglomerate announced the acquisition of technology-led oncology platform Karkinos Healthcare for Rs 375 crore, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Reliance Strategic Business Ventures (RSBVL), in an all-cash deal. RIL shares traded at Rs 1214.80 , down 0.50% in early deals against the previous close of Rs 1220.95 on BSE. The stock has lost 6.10% in 2024. The stock gave double digit returns of 11.52% in three years. The company's market cap slipped to Rs 16.45 lakh crore on BSE today. Total 8302 shares of the firm changed hands amounting to a turnover of Rs 1.01 crore on BSE. The large cap stock is neither oversold nor overbought on charts with its RSI at 37.1. In terms of moving averages, RIL shares are trading lower than the 5 day, 10 day, 20 day, 30 day, 50 day, 100 day 150 day, and 200 day moving averages. The stock has a beta of 1.2, indicating high volatility in a year. "RSBVL has on December 27, 2024, subscribed to and has been allotted 10 million equity shares of Rs 10 each, for cash, aggregating Rs 10 crore and 365 million optionally fully convertible debentures of Rs 10 each, for cash, aggregating Rs 365 crore of Karkinos," RIL said in a filing to stock exchanges on Saturday. RIL said that Karkinos has canceled the existing outstanding 30,075 equity shares held by the erstwhile shareholders of Karkinos in accordance with the approved resolution plan."Post-allotment of equity shares to RSBVL and cancellation of existing outstanding equity shares as above, Karkinos has become a step-down wholly-owned subsidiary of the company," the statement added.Taxpayers are forking out £6billion on "nonsense" research projects despite a pledge to crack down on government waste, analysis shows. Chancellor Rachel Reeves vowed to squeeze out wasteful spending using an "iron fist" on Tuesday as the Treasury works on a sweeping spending review to be published next year. Whitehall departments have each been tasked with finding 5% worth of savings so spending can focus on the Government's priorities. But a huge amount of public money is being spent on research projects. They include £200,000 on a study into the environmental impact of Star Wars, £1.7million on a study of literary decolonisation in Africa, almost £40,000 towards studying queer cinema and the LGBT+ movement in China and £240,000 on cultural entrepreneurship in vegan meat markets. The Taxpayers' Alliance analysis also shows the amount of money spent on such projects has rocketed by 25% over the last four years. Campaigners are calling for Ms Reeves to take her "iron fist" to the Science Department's financial backing of certain research projects in academia. The Government quango, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has dished out £6bn in grants to universities this year alone, according to the Telegraph . Taxpayers' Alliance's investigations campaign manager, Joanna Marchong, said taxpayers will begin to question the value of UKRI and its research projects. She told the publication: "UKRI has received bigger budgets year on year in hopes of fuelling cutting-edge research and innovative technologies, but instead, they have wasted millions of pounds on nonsense projects." Ms Marchong added that if research budgets continue to expand, ministers must ensure they are allocated to effective projects and focus on "worthwhile project outcomes". A spokesman for UKRI said: "From blue skies research to business-led innovation, UKRI’s dynamic portfolio of investments underpins the UK’s world-class research and innovation system. "The research we fund helps drive sustainable economic growth, creates high-quality jobs, and improves public services for people across the UK." He added that UKRI invests in a diverse research and innovation portfolio, with decisions to fund research projects made via a rigorous peer review process by independent experts from across academia and business. Ms Reeves claimed on Tuesday that the previous government allowed millions of pounds of taxpayers' money to go to waste on poor-value-for-money projects. She added: "We will not tolerate it. I said I would have an iron grip on the public finances and that means taking an iron fist against waste."

Cybersecurity Starts with Employees: The Importance of Awareness Training 12-17-2024 07:40 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire In today's digital age, cybersecurity threats are a constant challenge for businesses of all sizes. While companies invest in firewalls, encryption, and other advanced security technologies, the weakest link in many organizations is often the people who work there. Employees can inadvertently compromise security by falling for phishing attacks, mishandling sensitive data, or failing to follow basic security protocols. That's why cybersecurity awareness training is essential, not just for IT teams, but for everyone in the organization. Why Employees Matter It's easy to assume that cybersecurity is the responsibility of the IT department, but the truth is, employees at all levels play a critical role in keeping an organization secure. According to a study by Proofpoint, 99% of cyberattacks rely on human error in some form, whether it's clicking on a malicious link or using weak passwords. This means that employees who aren't well-versed in security practices are an open door for hackers to exploit. Moreover, cyberattacks have become more sophisticated, often involving social engineering tactics that target employees directly. For example, phishing attacks are designed to trick employees into revealing sensitive information like login credentials or clicking on harmful links. Without proper training, employees may unknowingly become the gateway for a cyberattack. The Key Benefits of Awareness Training 1. Prevents Security Breaches The primary benefit of cybersecurity awareness training [ https://www.infosectrain.com/courses/cybersecurity-awareness-program/ ] is the reduction of security breaches. When employees are equipped with the knowledge to recognize potential threats, such as phishing emails or suspicious attachments, they are far less likely to fall victim to these attacks. In fact, a report by the Ponemon Institute found that organizations that conducted regular security awareness training saw a significant decrease in the number of successful cyberattacks. Training should focus on real-world threats and practical tips for recognizing them. It's not enough to just tell employees to be cautious; providing them with clear examples of what phishing emails or malicious websites look like can make all the difference. 2. Fosters a Security-Conscious Culture Cybersecurity awareness doesn't just help prevent incidents; it also creates a culture of vigilance throughout the organization. When employees understand the risks and how their actions impact the company's overall security, they become more mindful in their daily activities. This culture of security consciousness helps prevent lapses in judgment, even when employees are under pressure or distracted. A strong security culture can be the difference between an organization that reacts to a cyberattack after the fact and one that proactively prevents it. By making cybersecurity everyone's responsibility, organizations can ensure that employees are engaged and committed to following security protocols. 3. Improves Data Protection and Compliance Many industries are subject to strict regulations regarding data protection, such as the GDPR in Europe or HIPAA in the United States. Employees who are trained in security best practices are better equipped to handle sensitive data in compliance with these regulations. They will understand how to securely store, share, and dispose of data, reducing the risk of accidental breaches that could lead to hefty fines. Additionally, cybersecurity awareness training helps mitigate human errors that could result in compliance violations. For example, employees who aren't familiar with the proper handling of personal data might unintentionally expose it to unauthorized parties. Training ensures that everyone understands the importance of safeguarding information. 4. Reduces Financial and Reputation Damage A single data breach or cyberattack can have devastating financial and reputational consequences. The cost of a breach includes not just the immediate financial loss but also long-term damage to the company's brand and customer trust. According to IBM's Cost of a Data Breach report, the average cost of a breach in 2023 was over $4 million. By providing cybersecurity awareness training, organizations can reduce the likelihood of breaches and, in turn, protect their bottom line. Employees who know how to spot and respond to potential threats are far less likely to contribute to an incident that could lead to costly downtime, legal fees, or damage to the company's reputation. 5. Encourages Safe Remote Work Practices With remote work becoming increasingly common, cybersecurity has taken on even greater importance. Employees working from home may not have the same level of protection as those working in an office environment, making them more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Cybersecurity awareness training can help remote workers understand how to secure their home networks, use VPNs, and avoid risks associated with public Wi-Fi. Additionally, employees should be educated on the dangers of using personal devices for work tasks and how to properly manage company information when working outside the office. By addressing these issues in awareness training, companies can reduce the likelihood of security breaches in a remote work setting. What Should Awareness Training Include? A comprehensive cybersecurity awareness program should cover several key topics, including: * Phishing and social engineering: How to spot phishing emails, phone calls, and text messages that attempt to manipulate employees into giving up sensitive information. * Password management: The importance of creating strong passwords and using multi-factor authentication. * Data privacy and protection: Best practices for handling and sharing sensitive data. * Incident reporting: How employees should report suspicious activity and potential security breaches. * Secure use of technology: How to safely use devices, software, and online tools, especially in a remote work environment. Educating employees on governance, risk, and compliance (GRC Training [ https://www.infosectrain.com/courses/grc-online-training/ ]) to ensure security practices align with business goals and regulatory requirements. APT Awareness [ https://www.infosectrain.com/courses/advanced-penetration-testing-online-training-course/]: Recognizing the signs of Advanced Penetration Threats, which involve prolonged, sophisticated attacks often targeting high-value assets. Training should be regular and updated to account for new threats. Cybersecurity [ https://www.infosectrain.com/cybersecurity-certification-training/ ] is a constantly evolving field, and what worked last year might not be enough to defend against this year's attacks. Conclusion Cybersecurity starts with employees. While technology is critical in defending against cyber threats, it's the people within the organization who ultimately make the difference. By investing in cybersecurity awareness training, companies can empower their employees to recognize risks, follow best practices, and contribute to a safer workplace. Cybersecurity is not just an IT issue, it's a company-wide responsibility. When employees understand the importance of security and are equipped to act on it, the entire organization becomes stronger, more resilient, and better prepared to face evolving cyber threats. Media Contact Company Name: InfosecTrain (An Intiative by Azpirantz Technologies LLP) Contact Person: Vikas Agrawal Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=cybersecurity-starts-with-employees-the-importance-of-awareness-training ] Phone: 18008437890 Address:B7, Sector 1 City: Noida State: Uttar Pradesh 201301 Country: India Website: http://www.infosectrain.com This release was published on openPR.AP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:24 p.m. ESTWednesday, December 4, 2024 Facebook Instagram Twitter WhatsApp Youtube Personal Finance Education Entertainment Jobs Alert Sports Hindi Technology Complaint Redressal. Fact-Checking Policy Correction policy Authors and Team DNPA Code of Ethics Onwership and Funding Cookie Policy Terms of Service Disclaimer Contact US About Us More Search Home Personal Finance Aadhar Card: Only 12 days are left for free update of Aadhar,... Personal Finance Aadhar Card: Only 12 days are left for free update of Aadhar, avail the free service immediately By Shyamu Maurya December 4, 2024 0 9 Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Telegram Aadhar Card: Only 12 days are left for free update of Aadhar, avail the free service immediately Aadhar Free Updation: If your Aadhar card needs to be updated, then this may be the last chance to get it done for free. The deadline set by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to update the information in Aadhaar for free is December 14, 2024. That is, you have 12 days left to get it updated for free Aadhar Free Updation: If your Aadhar card needs to be updated, then this may be the last chance to get it done for free. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has set the deadline for updating the information in Aadhaar for free till December 14, 2024. That is, you have 12 days left to get it updated for free. Earlier this deadline was June 14, 2024, which has been extended first to September 14 and now to December 14, 2024. After this, there will be a fee for updating Aadhaar. Why is Aadhaar update necessary? UIDAI suggests that those whose Aadhaar card was made 10 years ago and has not been updated after that, must update their information. Doing this will give you many benefits. Your existing information will be recorded in your Aadhaar. It will be easy to avail government and private services. You will not have to face any problem during Aadhaar verification. How to update Aadhaar online You can update your Aadhaar card information online for free from home. Visit UIDAI website: Login to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. Select Update section: Click on ‘Update Your Aadhaar’ option under ‘My Aadhaar’. Update details: Click on ‘Update Aadhaar details (online)’ and then ‘Document update’. Login with OTP: Enter your Aadhaar number and captcha, then login using the OTP received on the registered mobile. Fill information: Update information like name, address, or date of birth. Upload documents: Upload the required documents and submit. Save URN: Save the Update Request Number (URN) after the process is completed. For which changes will you have to go to the center? Some changes are not possible online and for this you will have to go to the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra. You will have to go to the center to update the information given below. Biometric update: To update iris, fingerprint, mobile number, or photo. Date of birth and gender: These updates can be done only once. Offline update fee: A fee will have to be paid for offline update. How to update offline Download the Aadhaar update form from the UIDAI website. Fill it and submit it to the nearest Aadhaar center. Provide data for biometric submission. Get the slip of Update Request Number (URN). Update on time UIDAI has provided this service for free, but its deadline has been extended several times. However, this time 14 December 2024 may be the last date. So update your Aadhaar card in time and take advantage of the free service. Join Informal Newz Tags Aadhar Card Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Telegram Previous article EPFO changed the rules for claiming PF, know which documents will be required Shyamu Maurya Shyamu has done Degree in Fine Arts and has knowledge about bollywood industry. He started writing in 2018. Since then he has been associated with Informalnewz. In case of any complain or feedback, please contact me @informalnewz@gmail.com RELATED ARTICLES Personal Finance EPFO changed the rules for claiming PF, know which documents will be required December 4, 2024 Personal Finance FD Rate: Karnataka Bank is offering 8% interest on FD, check interest rate December 3, 2024 India School Holiday 2024: Big relief for students! Now schools will remain closed for so many days, instructions issued December 3, 2024 - Advertisment - Most Popular EPFO changed the rules for claiming PF, know which documents will be required December 4, 2024 FD Rate: Karnataka Bank is offering 8% interest on FD, check interest rate December 3, 2024 School Holiday 2024: Big relief for students! Now schools will remain closed for so many days, instructions issued December 3, 2024 Income Tax Department will impose a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on taxpayers for making this mistake, Warning issued December 3, 2024 Load more Recent Comments Gul Mohiudin on Kavita sister-in-law wore a sari without a blouse, seeing the pictures you will also be... Venkatesh on Urfi Javed crossed all limits, wore a front open hoodie top without inner, see photos and videos Gul Mohiudin on Malaika Arora came out in a backless strappy dress late at night, someone had to handle the gown and someone held her hand Gul Mohiudin on Priyanka Chopra reached award function without bra, shame had to be saved repeatedly in open jacket Venkatesh on Disha Patani shared a bo*ld picture while taking a bath, seeing Tiger Shroff’s heart beat will increase EDITOR PICKS EPFO changed the rules for claiming PF, know which documents will be required December 4, 2024 FD Rate: Karnataka Bank is offering 8% interest on FD, check interest rate December 3, 2024 School Holiday 2024: Big relief for students! Now schools will remain closed for so many days, instructions issued December 3, 2024 POPULAR POSTS EPFO changed the rules for claiming PF, know which documents will be required December 4, 2024 FD Rate: Karnataka Bank is offering 8% interest on FD, check interest rate December 3, 2024 School Holiday 2024: Big relief for students! Now schools will remain closed for so many days, instructions issued December 3, 2024 POPULAR CATEGORY Personal Finance 17793 Entertainment 17067 India 4437 News 3785 Technology 2234 Jobs Alert 786 Travel 652 Education 451 ABOUT US INFORMALNEWZ brings the Latest News & Top Breaking headlines on Politics and Current Affairs. Up-to-date news coverage, aggregated from sources all over the world by informal Newz. Find latest news coverage of breaking news events, trending topics, and compelling articles. Contact us: informalnewz@gmail.com FOLLOW US Facebook Instagram Twitter WhatsApp Youtube © - 2024 - informalnewz | Izon web Pvt. Ltd. All Rights Reserved. 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Editorial: New thinking needed to revitalize Newport News airportWespay Names Menekse Gencer as New President & CEO

This photo taken on Dec. 3, 2024 shows the plenary session of the 2024 World Conference on Traditional Medicine in Beijing, capital of China. The conference kicked off Tuesday in Beijing under the theme “Diversity, Inheritance and Innovation: Traditional Medicine for All.” — Xinhua photo BEIJING (Dec 8): Alex Jacobs, who attended the 2024 World Conference on Traditional Medicine that concluded in Beijing this week, was thrilled to experience a blend of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) moxibustion and Qigong in the exhibition area between sessions. He Nian, a moxibustionist from the Beijing Zhiai Academy of Chinese Traditional Medicine, skillfully stimulated acupoints on Jacobs’ back with her fingers to promote blood flow, winning the admiration of visitors, especially foreign guests. He then placed a small, gently heated moxibustion pot, shaped like the Temple of Heaven — one of Beijing’s iconic architectural landmarks — on Jacobs’ left palm while flexing his right shoulder and arm. “Very comfortable and relaxing,” Jacobs exclaimed. “She has a lot of strength in her hands, which was very impressive.” Another highlight in the exhibition area was an intelligent moxibustion robot featuring four types of moxibustion treatment. Operators could customize settings, including acupoints, techniques, duration, amplitude and speed, through its advanced control panel. “This product not only saves labor and enhances the accuracy of moxibustion treatment but also ensures a smoke-free and pollution-free moxibustion process,” said Li Lin, chairman of a biotechnology company based in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, the developer of the intelligent moxibustion robot. According to Li, in just one morning, foreign guests from countries including the United States, Switzerland, Belarus, Hungary and Kazakhstan visited the company’s exhibition booth to learn more about the products. “Among them, guests from Egypt and the Republic of Korea expressed interest in purchasing the product, with the Egyptian guest even inquiring about the freight cost for the equipment, priced at 300,000 yuan (about 41,755 U.S. dollars),” Li said. Scenes like these at the event reflect the growing global recognition of TCM for its unique strengths in disease prevention, control and rehabilitation. Data shows that TCM has spread to 196 countries and regions, with more than one-third of the world’s population having received TCM treatment. Over the years, the Chinese government has worked closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to integrate traditional medicines more deeply into the global health system. China has signed TCM cooperation agreements with over 40 governments, regional authorities and international organizations. A total of 30 high-quality overseas TCM centers have been established in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. Meanwhile, the WHO has included traditional medicine, with TCM as the mainstay, in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases. Traditional medicine plays an important role in helping achieve universal health coverage, and TCM has much experience for the world to draw from, said Martin Taylor, the WHO representative in China. “Chinese medicine is incredibly popular in the West,” said Jacobs, who is a TCM doctor and was appointed as the CEO of the British Acupuncture Council six months ago. “In the UK, everyone has either had acupuncture before or knows someone who has had it.” About 20 years ago, Jacobs, an enthusiast of Chinese culture, traveled to Taiwan to study Chinese language. Unexpectedly, he developed a deep passion for TCM. Upon returning to his home country, Jacobs, who already held a bachelor’s degree in economics, spent another five years studying acupuncture, massage and TCM at university. According to Jacobs, the council has more than 3,000 members, all of whom undergo at least three years of training in TCM, and is committed to helping the public find qualified practitioners. In Hungary, the first EU country to legislate on TCM, the public has a relatively higher acceptance of TCM. According to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, 25 percent of the Hungarian population is familiar with and has received TCM treatments. TCM products can be found in nearly 5,000 mainstream pharmacies across Central and Eastern Europe, said Chen Zhen, president of the Association of Chinese Medicine Academies of Central and Eastern Europe. “More than 5,000 Western acupuncturists trained in the past 30 years have become the main force in promoting TCM in the region,” Chen said. China plans to train over 1,300 individuals from abroad in TCM over the next three years, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine announced Wednesday at the conference’s closing ceremony. The initiative aims to promote international exchanges and enhance the expertise of professionals in the field. “Chinese medicine is an advanced technology,” Jacobs said. “However, the vast majority of the wisdom and knowledge of TCM has not yet made an impact. It has the potential to revolutionize healthcare.” — XinhuaStocks Finish Higher on Optimism Trump's Policies Will Boost Corporate Profits

Bird flu has seen a resurgence in the U.S. this year, with California leading the pack. Since the Department of Agriculture detected the virus in dairy herds in March , more than 50 people have tested positive for it , with 34 reported cases in California alone. Last month, a Californian became the first child in the U.S. confirmed to have the virus. In the nearly three decades since H5N1 was first isolated in commercial geese in Guangdong, China, likely spread from migratory wild birds, it has infected more than 890 people — and killed more than 460 — in 24 countries . Since 2022, millions of egg-laying chickens have been exposed to, infected with and culled or killed by H5N1 in the U.S. What stands out this year is how widespread the infection has been among dairy cows, which are spreading it to farmworkers — the group that accounts for most of the human cases so far. The virus has been kept somewhat at bay. Although it has mutated to infect humans and about 50 other types of mammals , like an ill-fitting key it still faces challenges to entering human bodies. People have contracted it primarily from direct contact with infected animals , for example by getting milk on their hands at a farm and then touching their eyes , so the case numbers remain modest and disease symptoms in the U.S. generally mild. But as we have seen with other influenza strains , the virus continues to evolve. There have been reports of humans being infected without a clear animal contact . A research paper this month reported that H5N1 is now just one mutation away from attaching more easily to human cells, possibly enabling sustained human-to-human transmission — which could mean more people getting infected and becoming seriously ill, disrupting school, work and our everyday lives. There is no guarantee that a major human outbreak or pandemic will happen soon. Finding a single mutation in a lab that can facilitate more human infections does not guarantee that this threat will play out in the real world. But the more transmissions that occur, as is happening now among poultry and dairy cows in the U.S., the higher the likelihood that some of these mutations will appear by chance and take off. A teenager in Canada’s British Columbia with a mutated form of H5N1 became critically ill; such mutations could lead to more streamlined entry into human airways, making people sicker. It is also significant that H5N1 has now infected at least one U.S. pig . Pigs, which contain receptors for both avian and human influenzas, can get simultaneously infected with both, exchange genes and create a novel strain that can more easily infect humans. This is what likely happened with the 1918 flu pandemic and again with swine flu in 2009 . In addition, there have been four influenza pandemics since the early 20th century, following the 1918 pandemic that killed an estimated 50 million people. All of them had origins in avian influenza. So it increasingly looks like the question is not whether H5N1 will cause a widespread outbreak in humans, but when. The consequences could be severe: As was the case during the early days of COVID, our immune system is not experienced with fighting this novel pathogen, and it increases the chance of more serious disease such as pneumonia and cardiac and brain complications for all ages. Although human cases in the U.S. have been relatively mild, about half of the people who have contracted H5N1 globally have died. At this crossroads, the U.S. can choose either of two scenarios. The first is that we do everything right. We could continue to improve the timely surveillance of animals and raw milk — batches of which have been recalled for potential bird flu risk — to better identify infected herds and understand the true magnitude and dynamics of infection. This step will allow us to prepare for an emergency outbreak and know whether any of our interventions, such as employee vaccination programs or biosecurity measures to isolate animals, are working. The Department of Agriculture recently announced that it will test raw milk samples in six states, some of which have identified infected dairy herds and some of which have not. This could provide a glimpse of how extensive the outbreak really is. More states should be included in monitoring, and we still need to test farmworkers and their close contacts more systematically. Hospitals and clinics should move to centralize and share H5N1 data. Our federal government can prioritize and incentivize scientific discovery of rapid diagnostics, new vaccines and therapeutics. The current supply of H5N1 vaccines is small , but the government can expand its production and consider offering them to farmworkers who request them. We then need to develop a playbook for implementing and disseminating these technologies to the most at-risk populations locally and globally. If we’ve learned anything from COVID, elected officials, federal agencies, public health and healthcare workers have to deliver clear and consistent messaging with empathy. If we take those steps, a major bird flu outbreak does not have to become another pandemic. The other option is to go the direction the incoming federal government seems poised to support: Shrink public health dollars and expertise at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal entities , cut investments in infectious disease research , stymie the use of evidence-based vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tests , and support drinking raw milk . The choice is ours, and only one route promises more suffering for our families and loved ones. Peter Chin-Hong is a professor of medicine and an infectious disease specialist at UC San Francisco. @PCH_SF

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Taxpayers are forking out £6billion on "nonsense" research projects despite a pledge to crack down on government waste, analysis shows. Chancellor Rachel Reeves vowed to squeeze out wasteful spending using an "iron fist" on Tuesday as the Treasury works on a sweeping spending review to be published next year. Whitehall departments have each been tasked with finding 5% worth of savings so spending can focus on the Government's priorities. But a huge amount of public money is being spent on research projects. They include £200,000 on a study into the environmental impact of Star Wars, £1.7million on a study of literary decolonisation in Africa, almost £40,000 towards studying queer cinema and the LGBT+ movement in China and £240,000 on cultural entrepreneurship in vegan meat markets. The Taxpayers' Alliance analysis also shows the amount of money spent on such projects has rocketed by 25% over the last four years. Campaigners are calling for Ms Reeves to take her "iron fist" to the Science Department's financial backing of certain research projects in academia. The Government quango, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has dished out £6bn in grants to universities this year alone, according to the Telegraph . Taxpayers' Alliance's investigations campaign manager, Joanna Marchong, said taxpayers will begin to question the value of UKRI and its research projects. She told the publication: "UKRI has received bigger budgets year on year in hopes of fuelling cutting-edge research and innovative technologies, but instead, they have wasted millions of pounds on nonsense projects." Ms Marchong added that if research budgets continue to expand, ministers must ensure they are allocated to effective projects and focus on "worthwhile project outcomes". A spokesman for UKRI said: "From blue skies research to business-led innovation, UKRI’s dynamic portfolio of investments underpins the UK’s world-class research and innovation system. "The research we fund helps drive sustainable economic growth, creates high-quality jobs, and improves public services for people across the UK." He added that UKRI invests in a diverse research and innovation portfolio, with decisions to fund research projects made via a rigorous peer review process by independent experts from across academia and business. Ms Reeves claimed on Tuesday that the previous government allowed millions of pounds of taxpayers' money to go to waste on poor-value-for-money projects. She added: "We will not tolerate it. I said I would have an iron grip on the public finances and that means taking an iron fist against waste."

Best Personal Data Removal Service (2025): Incogni Awarded by Expert ConsumersMississippi State overcomes early deficit to down Prairie View A&MNCHM JEE 2025: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has begun the online registration procedure for NCHM JEE 2025. Eligible and qualified applicants can apply for the National Council for Hotel Management Joint Entrance Examination (NCHM JEE) 2025 by going to exams.nta.ac.in/NCHM, the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology's official website. According to sources, applicants may apply until February 15, 2025, with the examination planned for April 27, 2025. NCHM JEE 2025: Steps to apply To apply for the National Council for Hotel Management Joint Entrance Examination (NCHM JEE) 2025, applicants can follow the steps below: Step 1: Visit the official website of NTA NCHM at exams.nta.ac.in/NCHM. Step 2: Click on the link that reads,'NCHM JEE 2025: Click here for register/Login,’ available on the homepage. Also Read:- BPSSC Steno ASI Recruitment 2024 Registration Window Starts At bpssc.bih.gov.in; Details Here Step 3: Now, candidates have to register themselves and proceed to fill out the application form. Step 4: Next, pay the registration fee and submit the application. Step 5: Take a printout of the application for future reference. NCHM JEE 2025: Application fee According to the official website, the following are the application fees for those who would register for NCHM JEE 2025. Category Male Female General/ OBC-(NCL) as per Central List Rs 1000 Rs 1000 Gen-EWS Rs 700 Rs 700 SC/ST/PwD Rs 450 Rs 450 Third Gender Rs 450 Click on this link to read the full brochure for NCHM JEE 2025 Click on this link to register for NCHM JEE 2025. Also Read:- GUJCET 2025 Registration Window Opens At gujcet.gseb.org; Direct Link Here