Trump pick for US health agency proposed ‘herd immunity’ during Covid

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Picking Jay Bhattacharya to lead NIH signals return to controversial and scientifically questionable health policies

Jay Bhattacharya, an unofficial Covid adviser in Trump’s first administration, has been selected as the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of the leading biomedical research institutions in the world.

The choice of Bhattacharya, a Stanford economist whose proposal for widespread Covid-19 infection was backed by the White House, signals a return to controversial and scientifically questionable health policies in the second Trump administration, experts say.

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Insurance companies should be forced to disclose calculations, inquiry says as Australians face rising premiums

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Policy costs surging for many households, committee report finds, especially those facing ‘the brunt of climate-driven disasters’

A parliamentary select committee has recommended insurance companies be forced to disclose insurance premium calculations amid a surge in the cost of household policies, especially for those living in and around areas prone to natural disasters.

The recommendation, one of eight flowing out of an inquiry into the impact of climate change on insurance premiums, comes during a period of rising stress for many homeowners who have received huge price increases in their renewal notices with little explanation.

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Molly the magpie’s owners have licence for Instagram star revoked by Queensland supreme court

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Wildlife group claims win as environment department says granting licence for bird was ‘an error’

A magpie made famous on social media may again be separated from his canine friends after a special carers’ licence was revoked.

The supreme court overturned the licence just months after it was granted to Molly the magpie’s Gold Coast rescue family that includes his best mates, dogs Peggy and Ruby.

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Namibia goes to polls amid anger at high unemployment rate

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Swapo party could lose its majority for the first time since independence in 1990, if youth voter turnout is high

Namibians are going to the polls with the longtime ruling party’s parliamentary majority under threat if dissatisfied young people turn out in big numbers amid a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment globally.

The Swapo party could also be forced to contest a second round in the presidential election for the first time since the sparsely populated southern African country became independent from South Africa in 1990.

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Catholic priest accused of sexual assault fathered children of victims, court hears

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Revelation emerges at hearing for Anthony Odiong, 55, charged with several counts and held in Texas on $5.5m bail

A Roman Catholic priest with links to Texas and Louisiana who is facing criminal charges for allegedly abusing his position of authority within the church to pursue sex with vulnerable women fathered at least two children with victims of his behavior, authorities have alleged.

The stunning information about Anthony Odiong surfaced at a bail hearing on Tuesday in Waco, Texas, where prosecutors have charged him with several counts of sexually assaulting women to whom he ministered.

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Trump announces more picks including US trade chief and health deputy

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Attorney Jamieson Greer to play key role in trade team and investor Jim O’Neill picked to be RFK Jr’s health deputy

Donald Trump announced his selections for a series of positions in his administration Tuesday evening. The posts include the president-elect’s picks for deputy secretary of health and human services, US trade representative and head of the national economic council, among others.

Jamieson Greer, an attorney who served under Trump’s previous trade representative Robert Lighthizer, will serve as US trade representative. In his announcement, Trump said: “Jamieson played a key role during my First Term in imposing Tariffs on China and others to combat unfair Trade practices, and replacing the failed NAFTA deal with USMCA, therefore making it much better for American Workers.”

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Lebanese army deploys forces in south Lebanon – Haaretz

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  1. Lebanese army deploys forces in south Lebanon  Haaretz
  2. Israel-Gaza-Lebanon live updates: IDF issues south Lebanon warning after ceasefire  ABC News
  3. BBC sees destruction in southern Beirut suburb  BBC.com
  4. LIVE: Israel intensifies Gaza strikes, imposes curfew on southern Lebanon  Al Jazeera English
  5. Israeli Ministers Plan to Vote on Israel-Hezbollah Cease-Fire Deal  The New York Times
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District judge sides with Nebraska medical cannabis ballot sponsors in legal challenge – Nebraska Examiner

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  1. District judge sides with Nebraska medical cannabis ballot sponsors in legal challenge  Nebraska Examiner
  2. Prosecutors to appeal case against Nebraska notary, whose attorney asks ‘to stop playing games’  Nebraska Examiner
  3. Nebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana  The Associated Press
  4. Judge rules in favor of Nebraska medical marijuana petitioners  WOWT
  5. Lancaster County District Court rules decision by Nebraska voters to legalize medical marijuana should stand  KETV Omaha
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Live updates: Ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah set to take hold in a matter of hours – The Associated Press

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  1. Live updates: Ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah set to take hold in a matter of hours  The Associated Press
  2. The latest on the war in the Middle East  CNN
  3. LIVE: Countdown to Lebanon ceasefire as Israel reaches deal with Hezbollah  Al Jazeera English
  4. Israeli cabinet approves ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah  ABC News
  5. Scenes around Middle East ahead of ceasefire announcement  Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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Man charged after allegedly trying to smuggle meth-soaked cow onesie on flight to Australia

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US authorities allege Californian man Raj Matharu tried to conceal more than 1kg of drugs soaked into items of clothing

An alleged would-be drug smuggler soaked a cow onesie in methamphetamine, part of a whole suitcase full of clothes he tried to sneak aboard a plane, US justice officials have said.

Raj Matharu allegedly checked in two bags at Los Angeles international airport on a flight to Sydney, Australia, the US Department of Justice said on Tuesday.

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Blinken and U.S. Allies Struggle with Wars as Biden’s Presidency Wanes – The New York Times

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  1. Blinken and U.S. Allies Struggle with Wars as Biden’s Presidency Wanes  The New York Times
  2. Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Press Availability  Department of State
  3. G7 ministers throw support behind Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire but make no mention of ICC warrant  The Associated Press
  4. Difficult discussions on MidEast and Ukraine at G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Italy: AP Explains  Yahoo! Voices
  5. World leaders again tout hope of Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire  DW (English)
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Plans to end NHS dental care crisis not working, warns spending watchdog

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National Audit Office finds ‘significant uncertainty’ as to whether pledge for extra 1.5m treatments will be fulfilled

Plans to end the deepening crisis in access to NHS dental care are failing, leaving patients unable to get treatment, according to a warning from the government’s spending watchdog.

The National Audit Office’s (NAO) damning verdict on the “dental recovery plan” prompted patient groups to voice alarm that people’s struggles with decayed teeth represents “a serious public health concern”.

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China’s CO2 emissions have peaked or will in 2025, say 44% of experts in survey

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Research reflects rising optimism about country’s green transition as it takes leading position on climate action

Nearly half of experts surveyed by a climate thinktank believe China’s carbon dioxide emissions have already peaked, or will do so in 2025, reflecting increasing optimism about the country’s green transition at a time when it is being called on to take a leading position on global climate action.

According to a report published on Tuesday by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a research organisation, 44% of climate experts from academia and industry believe that China’s CO2 emissions will peak, at the latest, in 2025. In last year’s survey, only 21% of experts gave the same response.

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Government confirms online slots cap and betting levy to fund NHS services

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Gambling minister says measures will be ‘instrumental’ in helping those most at risk of addiction

Bookmakers and casinos will be forced to fund NHS services that tackle problem gambling, after Labour rubber-stamped the previous government’s plans, which also include a cap of as little as £2 on the sums that can be staked on online slot machines.

The Guardian revealed on Monday that the government was poised to approve the new “statutory levy”, using proceeds of around £100m a year to fund research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms.

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Australia’s House of Representatives passes bill that would ban young children from social media – The Associated Press

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  1. Australia's House of Representatives passes bill that would ban young children from social media  The Associated Press
  2. Australia Senate committee backs bill to ban social media for children  Reuters
  3. Australians won’t have to hand over ID when using social media, communications minister vows  The Guardian
  4. Google and Meta urge Australia to delay social media ban for children  NBC News
  5. Australia’s under-16 ban puts social media on notice  Financial Times
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