m88bet
President-elect Trump’s proposed (and aspirational) Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is the latest incarnation of a new Administration’s attempt to leave its mark on the federal government. In the November 20, 2024, Wall Street Journal , Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy published an Op-ed about the DOGE effort they will lead and the three kinds of reform DOGE will pursue: regulatory recissions, administrative reductions, and cost savings. We propose that DOGE add a fourth, equally important focus, to improve the efficiency and productivity of federal agencies, especially the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). With nearly everything in commerce, from autos to electronics, touched by chemistry, improving the process by which EPA evaluates industrial chemicals would be significant. EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) is charged with conducting safety reviews of existing products and is the gatekeeper for new products. If DOGE can identify ways to improve the operation and efficiency of OCSPP ( e.g ., by ensuring appropriate resources and updated technology), this could lead to economic gains, greater investment, innovation, and sustainability, and yes, more jobs in the United States. Most chemicals enter commerce in the United States after government review and approval under statutes such as the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and agricultural chemicals under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), both of which are managed by OCSPP. Research commissioned by the Coalition for Chemical Innovations shows a significant drop off in applications for approval of new chemicals under TSCA and a significant reduction in company spending on research and development. If a company cannot gain approval to manufacture a chemical in the United States, it goes elsewhere. The average time for EPA to review a new chemical application has risen from 472 days in 2021 to 674 days in 2024, while the number of submissions has dropped from 251 in 2021 to 182 through October (on pace for 218) in 2024. OCSPP is hampered by aging software and hardware, and the lack of specific, written guidance on how it is to review cases. When EPA takes two, three, or in several cases, over eight years to make a decision, companies commercialize these new, innovative, and often more sustainable chemistries outside the United States, including in Asia and Europe. These crushing delays cause promising innovators to stop trying to commercialize new chemistries in the United States under TSCA. Either way, the United States loses — on innovation, jobs, new products, and more sustainable products. Under FIFRA, EPA also routinely misses its deadlines under the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA). A computer system’s problem in 2023 led to significant delays in thousands of PRIA and other actions. OCSPP is still working through many of those cases as they struggle with new submissions. Staff shortages and inexperienced staff in the pesticides office also hamper efficient operations. Workforce issues are one aspect of improving efficiency. Having and using current technology is another. In their Op-ed, Musk and Ramaswamy write that DOGE will be “... aided by advanced technology ...” to follow its mandate. We urge DOGE to consider how deploying advanced technology in federal agencies such as EPA also will contribute to improved efficiency. OCSPP needs to be adequately staffed and equipped with current technology to evaluate properly chemicals and pesticides in a timely, consistent, predictable, and scientifically and legally supportable manner. Cutting or gutting OCSPP will exacerbate, not relieve, the much-delayed reviews under TSCA and FIFRA and further drive chemical innovation overseas. The products that rely on new, innovative, and sustainable chemistries will benefit greatly if DOGE were able to expand its mission by adding “improve the efficiency and productivity of federal agencies.” The innovations are here, waiting for OCSPP to act. Help them get into commerce by supporting OCSPP and boost U.S. manufacturing in the process.GRAND FORKS — The latest defense authorization bill expands mental health care access for North Dakota’s military service members and adds new provisions for countering threats posed by unmanned drones. Those are among the provisions touted by North Dakota’s two U.S. senators in the annual National Defense Authorization Act. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law Monday after it passed by divided votes in the House and Senate. ADVERTISEMENT Language in the latest NDAA includes an order to establish a counter-UAS task force combatting drone incursions onto U.S. military bases and several provisions for current service members’ mental health care, including measures singling out pilots of U.S. combat drones. Drone incursions have been reported in recent weeks over U.S. military bases in England and Germany, while residents of several eastern states have reported seeing numerous unidentified lighted drones flying overhead, though U.S. officials say most of the latter incidents have been manned aircraft. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., said the NDAA “helps formalize what (the Defense Department) is already doing” to combat unwanted drone use, citing the counter-UAS goals of Project ULTRA and ongoing efforts to integrate drones into U.S. airspace at the Northern Plains UAS Test Site. Project ULTRA — which stands for UAS logistics, traffic, research and autonomy — seeks to boost national security and operational efficiency of unmanned aerial system operations. “The interesting thing about Grand Forks is we’ve built an ecosystem where, I’ve talked about us being the tip of the spear against China; we’re the tip of the spear in developing drone and counter-drone,” Hoeven said. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., has championed a provision that expands the number of mental health providers certified under military health insurance provider TRICARE. Cramer said he pushed for the expanded access in response to a pair of suicides among Grand Forks Air Force Base personnel in the past several years. “The standards to join TRICARE are so stringent now, they don’t take into account that some states like North Dakota only have certain accreditations and certifications that are available to them,” Cramer said. “If you don’t get the right credential — it’s not that it’s a better credential, just the right one — your providers don’t meet the standard for TRICARE.” ADVERTISEMENT He’s also pushed for a provision creating a combat status identifier for pilots of remotely piloted aircraft involved in combat operations. Cramer cited as inspiration the 119th Wing of the North Dakota National Guard, which flies MQ-9 Reaper unmanned planes. “Our remote pilots are treated differently when it comes to things like PTSD potential or depression or mental health challenges as the result of, say, a kill shot,” he said. “I wanted to make sure the remote pilots are given the same type of consideration as somebody that’s in the cockpit of an airplane.” This year’s NDAA also authorizes $1.9 million in planning and design funding for maintenance on Grand Forks Air Force Base’s runway — one of Cramer’s pet projects — and reauthorization for the Space Development Agency’s mission, including its recently-established Operations Center North at Grand Forks Air Force Base. Hoeven said his office is working to appropriate another $450 million toward an advanced fire control system built off the SDA’s network of low-Earth orbit satellites. Other North Dakota-specific provisions in this year’s NDAA include authorization for funding to update the UH-72 Lakota helicopters used by the North Dakota National Guard and funding authorization to modernize Minot Air Force Base’s nuclear capabilities. Policy measures, like more provider options for mental health care or the counter-UAS task force, became law with the passage of the NDAA. ADVERTISEMENT However, NDAA provisions that require funding — like nuclear modernization or the runway study — will need to pass in a separate defense appropriations bill. “An authorization just says that it’s approved,” Hoeven explained. “In defense appropriations, we allocate the dollars to do it, and if we don’t provide those dollars for the NDAA, for those authorizations or programs, then obviously they don’t advance.” The federal government is currently operating at last year’s funding levels via a continuing resolution set to expire in March. Congress will have to attempt to pass a defense appropriations bill before then or pass another continuing resolution. The NDAA usually passes with significant bipartisan support. This year, however, the bill passed with significant dissent from both House and Senate Democrats after a last-minute amendment by House Speaker Mike Johnson added language barring TRICARE from covering some gender-affirming care for transgender children of service members. Both Hoeven and Cramer expressed support for Johnson’s amendment, which blocks gender-affirming care “that could result in sterilization” — though medical professionals say hormone therapy (like puberty blockers) generally does not cause infertility. Cramer said providing gender-affirming care did not support military readiness and dismissed concerns about the mental health impact of denying that care to minors. “(The amendment) has a much lower priority than caring for people who are stressed out by the fact that they’re a warfighter,” he said. “We need them to be healthy, we need them to be ready for war, and puberty blockers, gender-affirming care, just simply don’t do either of those things.” ADVERTISEMENT Hoeven said gender-affirming care was hurting military readiness and recruiting and decried providing gender-affirming care as a “social experiment,” a phrase also used by Cramer. President-elect Donald Trump is widely expected to reinstate a ban on transgender service members in the U.S. Armed Forces, as he did in his first administration. North Dakota’s U.S. senators also dismissed concerns that the Johnson provision could affect bipartisanship or productivity in the next Congress. The Senate ultimately passed the NDAA 85-15, while less than half of the House’s Democrats supported the act. More Democrats attacked Johnson’s last-minute addition while saying they felt compelled to vote for the broader bill. “I’m hopeful Democrats will come around and join us with what we’ve always done with our military, which is support our professional, great men and women in uniform who do such an outstanding job, not a bunch of social policies that shouldn’t be in there,” Hoeven said. He also said he expects the embattled House speaker, who holds one of the smallest House majorities in history, to be reelected next year. ADVERTISEMENT Cramer called this year’s NDAA a loss for the political left but said he “wouldn’t read a whole lot” into the dissent, pointing out the bill had continued its decades-long streak of passing into law despite partisan gridlock. The 118th Congress, which ends Jan. 3, has been called one of the least productive Congresses in decades, and is by some counts the least productive in U.S. history.
( MENAFN - EIN Presswire) With 3,500 posts, Betterauds continues to inspire through uplifting stories, in-depth interviews, and comprehensive book and music reviews. Rajiv K Betterauds ... Visit us on social media: Facebook X YouTube Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. MENAFN27122024003118003196ID1109035881 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Instead of giving him just $30, the shop owner reached into his pocket and handed the elderly man a crisp $100 bill. The old man was taken aback, his eyes widening in disbelief. He stammered his thanks, his voice shaky with emotion. The shop owner simply smiled and told him to take the money and go back home safely.LAS VEGAS — Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. "As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It's an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world's premier racing series, and we're committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM's engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level." The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. "We're excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. "Together, we're assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world." Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. "The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team," Michael Andretti posted on social media. "I'm very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!" The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti's dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years, and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA. The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they've already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti's application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1's current grid. "General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. "Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024," F1 said in a statement. "Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. "With Formula 1's continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1." Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Effective policies sought to address reproductive health issues Adviser to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif addresses a meeting of the Peshawar Media Coalition on reproductive health and family planning on Dec 27, 2024. — Screengrab via Facebook@BarristerDrSaif PESHAWAR: Adviser to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif on Friday emphasized the need for effective policies and their implementation to address critical issues such as reproductive health and family planning. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); Speaking as chief guest at a meeting of the Peshawar Media Coalition on reproductive health and family planning, he highlighted the necessity of changing societal attitudes toward these matters. Government officials, journalists, and experts attended the meeting, said an official handout.Barrister Saif said that the lack of implementation of policies related to family planning was a social issue that required a consistent and robust government approach to resolve. He emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between federal and provincial governments to ensure proper resource allocation and achieve developmental objectives. The adviser pointed out that while family planning initiatives began in the 1960s, they faced controversy due to religious and social traditions. He stressed the need to promote the significance of family planning by taking into account social and cultural values. Behavioral change, he said, was essential, with religious leaders could play an important role. Barrister Saif said that linking religious matters to social issues was not appropriate, as these were primarily societal challenges. He called for the development of an effective communication strategy to foster social attitudes conducive to a positive change. He reaffirmed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s commitment to strengthening its priorities in the family planning sector and taking all possible measures to address resource shortages. He said that relevant institutions would be made more active in implementing policies effectively and resolving these critical issues.The adviser laid special emphasis on the role of media in fostering a conducive environment for behavioural change and promoting awareness about the importance of reproductive health and family planning.Labour plans to make spiking a specific offence and has laid out plans for venue staff to be trained in relation to spiking, with a pilot to begin within weeks before a wider rollout next year. Ms Davies-Jones, asked about why it was worthwhile to make spiking a new offence when it is already illegal, said: “Spiking is a crime already. “A lot of people don’t realise that it is a crime already, which is part of the problem.” She said there were around 6,000 reports of spiking last year but that because it is an underreported crime, it is not clear how big of a problem it is. 'Legislation won't fix this on its own...this is about a culture shift' @SophyRidgeSky challenges Minister for Victims @AlexDaviesJones on the govt plan to change the spiking law even though it is already a criminal offence. #PoliticsHub https://t.co/GlTNastFii 📺 Sky 501 pic.twitter.com/Zb65c6KnOM — Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge (@SkyPoliticsHub) November 25, 2024 “Part of the problem we’ve got is around the data collection, so you don’t know if you’ve been spiked with a drink, a needle, a vape, for example,” she told Politics Hub on Sky News. Modernising the offence and giving police the tools to get accurate data allows a clearer picture of where, how and how often spiking is happening, she said. It is about “clarifying it, modernising it, making sure that people know exactly what this is...the law isn’t quite, it isn’t up to date. “It isn’t modern enough.” Sir Keir Starmer earlier said he hopes the change will give people “the confidence to come forward”, in a meeting of police bosses, transport figures and hospitality executives in Downing Street. Spiking will be made a criminal offence. My government was elected to take back our streets, central to this mission is making sure women and girls can feel safe at night. Perpetrators of spiking will feel the full force of the law. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) November 25, 2024 Ms Davies-Jones and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were among the attendees at the round-table discussion on Monday morning. Labour pledged in its manifesto to introduce a new offence for spiking, but there was no detail in the King’s Speech this year about a specific crime, though it promised to ensure an improved police response to cases. According to information published by the Metropolitan Police, spiking offences are currently covered by more than one law, but most come under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Sir Keir told the meeting: “There are a number of measures that we are setting out this morning – we want to talk it through with you. “The first is to make spiking a specific offence so that it counts, it’s reported.” He said that such a measure would mean that it “enables everybody to have the confidence to come forward” and also “it allows perpetrators to know that it’s a specific offence”. Detailing the training scheme, he went on: “We’re beginning the piloting of training for staff in venues.” He said the scheme would be “partly to spot what’s happening, but also to know what to do in the event that there is an incident in a venue”. “That will start in December with a pilot then it will be rolled out from March of next year,” Sir Keir added. He also said that the “final” point of discussion for the morning was “police indexing – (the) way that we count it across different police forces”. Sir Keir added: “At the moment it’s quite hard to get your arms around the pure numbers.” Plain clothes officers are being deployed in areas around bars and clubs to spot predatory behaviour. The text-to-report number, 61016, that allows women to contact British Transport Police to report harassment on the train, is due to be relaunched. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Spiking is a disturbing and serious crime which can have a damaging and long-lasting impact on victims. “That’s why today we are taking decisive action to prevent this devastating crime and to crack down on perpetrators, by introducing a new criminal offence for spiking and launching specialist training for thousands of bar staff nationwide. “People shouldn’t have to worry about the safety of their drinks on a night out. “These changes are about giving victims greater confidence to come forward, and ensuring that there is a robust response from the police whenever these appalling crimes take place.”Before the temperatures drop too low, take some time to prepare your home for the cold season. Check for drafts around windows and doors, insulate your attic, and consider investing in a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature efficiently. Stock up on blankets, candles, and cozy throws to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your living spaces.
In the final week of the semester, university students often find themselves immersed in a whirlwind of exams, papers, and projects. This period, known as the "end-of-semester crunch," can be both physically and mentally taxing as students strive to meet deadlines and perform their best academically. Amidst all the chaos, it is not uncommon for students to develop their own unique terminologies and definitions to describe their experiences during this challenging time. These "end-of-semester jargons" reflect the shared struggles, triumphs, and quirks that define the college experience. Below are some of the commonly used terms that university students have coined to humorously or aptly capture the essence of the period leading up to finals:
As Neymar continues to excel on the pitch and entertain fans around the world with his dazzling skills, his decision to stay at PSG serves as a reminder of the importance of certainty and stability in a player's career. While the possibility of a future move to Barcelona or another top club remains open, Neymar's focus on his current club reflects his commitment to success and professionalism in the face of challenging circumstances.
IRVING, Texas (AP) — The NFL will consider expanding replay assist to include facemask penalties and other plays. Officials have missed several obvious facemask penalties this season, including two in a three-week span during Thursday night games. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
As the knockout stages loom on the horizon, Liverpool will be looking to carry their momentum into the next round and beyond. With the form they are currently in, they will be a formidable opponent for any team that comes up against them. Their attacking prowess, defensive solidity, and never-say-die attitude make them a force to be reckoned with, and they will be aiming to go all the way and lift the Champions League trophy once again.
In the midst of this idyllic setting, I found myself reflecting on my journey and the path that had led me to this serene corner of the world. It dawned on me that happiness was not to be found in the grandeur of distant lands or the allure of exotic adventures, but in the beauty of simple moments and the connections we forge with others along the way.The significance of this transfer deal goes beyond just the financial aspect. For the former Barcelona player, it represents a chance to revitalize his career, to prove his critics wrong, and to reclaim his status as one of the elite footballers in the world. It is an opportunity for redemption, a fresh start that could potentially reignite his passion for the game and propel him back to the pinnacle of footballing success.
In order to enhance the supervision of collective procurement of drugs and medical consumables, the regulatory authorities have recently introduced a series of refinement measures to strengthen full-process monitoring. These measures aim to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of medical products, as well as promote transparency and fairness in the procurement process.As the speculation around the three "secret naturalized players" continues to swirl, anticipation mounts for the official announcements that will shed light on their identities and progress towards joining the national team. The prospect of seeing fresh faces from diverse backgrounds represent Indonesia on the global football stage is an exciting development that has the potential to elevate the team's performance and inspire a new generation of players and fans.
While the specifics of Xbox's plans remain shrouded in mystery, one thing is clear – the gaming world is eagerly awaiting to see what the gaming giant has in store for them. With potential new titles, exciting reveals, and surprises on the horizon, the stage is set for Xbox to make a significant impact at TGA and propel themselves to the forefront of the industry.Powersharing in Northern Ireland shows Sinn Fein can ‘hold it together’ in Republic, McDonald says
In conclusion, the Chinese housing rental market is evolving rapidly, and 2024 is set to bring about exciting new developments. By staying ahead of the curve and adapting to the latest trends, stakeholders in the market can position themselves for success in the years to come.Tang Shangjun's mother has been a pillar of strength and support for him since he was a young boy. Despite facing numerous challenges and hardships in life, she has always put her son's well-being and happiness above everything else. Her only wish has been to have a comfortable and safe place to call her own, a place where she can spend her golden years in peace and contentment.
- Previous: m.pnxbet 88
- Next: one88 slot
