US scientists want federal fund for an independent oversight authority for gain of function research
Brad Wenstrup appeared to agree with the witnesses, stating his concern that research done outside the US limits needed oversight and increases the likelihood of lab leaks and accidents, while it “significantly impairs our ability to respond to emerging threats.”
Expert: US knew Covid-19 was an offensive biological warfare weapon that leaked out of Wuhan, China
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on Wednesday last week heard testimony from two biosafety experts on the oversight of federally funded “dual-use” and “gain-of-function” research. While acknowledging the need for biological research advancements, the experts called for increased oversight, safer alternatives and ethical considerations instead of controversial...
Americans’ trust in foundational institutions is eroded, chaos in Congress makes it worse
The House has been without a permanent leader since early October after a small cadre of right-wing Republicans pushed out a member of their own party, then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Subsequent attempts to replace him have failed.
US security: Biden declares military and financial support for Israel and Ukraine, asks Congress for billions
With Israel continuing to bombard the Gaza Strip and preparing a ground invasion, Biden placed an increased emphasis on the deadly toll that the conflict has had on civilians there, saying he’s “heartbroken by the tragic loss of Palestinian life.”
Wall Street’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ moment of truth arrives for richly valued technology to deliver robust earnings
Growth and tech companies are seen as being more vulnerable to higher yields, as their typically robust projected future cash flows are valued less highly when investors can earn more from risk-free government bonds.
Prominent US lawyer pleads guilty to charges of attempts to overturn Donald Trump loss in 2020 poll
The acceptance of a plea deal is a remarkable about-face for a lawyer who, perhaps more than anyone else, strenuously pushed baseless conspiracy theories about a stolen election in the face of extensive evidence to the contrary. If prosecutors compel her to testify, she could provide insight on a news conference she participated in on behalf of Trump and his campaign
Biden hosts African leaders to undo Chinese, Russian stranglehold as he plans to visit the continent
Leaders from 49 African countries will convene in Washington today for the US-Africa Leaders Summit, as US President Joe Biden attempts to signal his commitment to a region that has been expanding ties with US rivals. As the summit kicks off, expect three days of group meetings and themed forums...
Radio, TV schedules in US feeling the heat as Hollywood actors and scripters stay off screen
Thousands of Hollywood film and television actors voted to strike on Thursday, joining writers who walked off the job 11 weeks ago. How will a walkout by the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) affect viewers’ favourite shows and movies? A walkout by...
Arab leaders blames US for not giving Israeli-Palestinian talks priority to avert war in Gaza
Since Richard Nixon, successive US administrations have tried their hands at Camp David summits, shuttle diplomacy and other big-picture tries at coaxing Israeli and Palestinian leaders into talks to settle the disputes that underlie 75 years of Middle East tensions. More than other recent presidents, Joe Biden notably has not.
Scientists rubbish 2023 Nobel Prize as reward for Covid vaccine that was a ‘horrendous product injected into people’s bodies’
The findings raise questions about the serious failures of the peer review process in top journals, the Nobel award process and the media’s verification processes, according to the authors, who are both part of the Canada-based Correlation Research in the Public Interest.
