Over 1,000 American soldiers are still on the ground in Syria, even as Trump talks about lifting sanctions for its new government under Ahmed al-Shara.
Day: May 14, 2025
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services (HHS) Director under the Trump Administration, told Congress on Wednesday that he believes people “shouldn’t be taking medical advice from [him]”.
The comments were made at a House Appropriations Committee hearing on May 14, as the committee reviewed the Trump Administration’s 2026 budget request, which was released on May 2.
[time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”]
During the hearing, Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan asked Kennedy whether, if he had a child now, he would vaccinate them for measles.
“Probably for measles,” Kennedy said before backtracking. “I don’t think people should be taking advice — medical advice — from me….I think if I answer that question directly, it will seem like I’m giving advice to other people, and I don’t want to be doing that.”
Kennedy has been known for his controversial stances on vaccines, raising questions about vaccine safety. Since being tapped to lead HHS, he has tried to distance himself from the anti-vaccine movement and recently backed vaccination as a preventive tool during a measles outbreak.
He still maintains however, that vaccines should be left to parents’ discretion, and has continued to spread misinformation about the measles vaccine.
“Okay, but that’s kind of your jurisdiction, because the CDC [Center for Disease Control] does give advice,” Pocan responded. The CDC provides guidance on disease prevention, the development of best health practices, and providing access to immunizations.
The hearing focused on proposed deep cuts to health services in the Administration’s “Skinny Budget,” seeking $94 billion for the HHS agencies— a reduction of about 26% from the 2025 level. The budget also aims to cut programs and staff at several HHS agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the CDC.
The budget also proposes $500 million for Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which includes downsizing the HHS from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees, and focusing on “ending America’s epidemic of chronic illness.”
Georgia State Election Board creates committee to consider new rules [deltaMinutes] mins ago Now
Cassie said she had sex with Diddy one more time, “but [it was] not my choice.”
Zelensky is already on his way to Turkey, Reuters reports, citing a Ukrainian official. pic.twitter.com/znorweGD0U
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) May 14, 2025
The Nakash and Vida & Estilo Hospitality groups — who turned the mansion of Donatella’s tragically killed brother, Gianni, into a hotel, the Villa Casa Casuarina, with an eatery called Gianni’s — are opening a new Miami Beach property, named the Donatella Boutique Hotel & Restaurant.
Brenda Spencer and Branndon Mosley were arrested and charged for allegedly abusing a girl for seven years by confining her in their home and forcing her to live in a dog crate and chained up in a bathroom, prosecutors said.
Linsey Lunny, the CEO of Hidden Strength, told Newsweek said she views Gen Z workers as “extremely overwhelmed to the point that they shut down as a form of self-preservation.”
A nunchuck-wielding Long Island biker wearing the patches of an alleged “outlaw” gang tangled with state troopers who pulled over to help him while marooned on the Southern State Parkway, officials said.
BREAKING:
Zelensky has started his journey to Turkey for direct personal negotiations with Putin
The latest information from Russia shows that Putin doesn’t plan on showing up, potentially risking Trump’s wrath if he doesn’t appear
Brazilian President Lula calls on Putin to go pic.twitter.com/eJVm3oXvpn
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) May 14, 2025