The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration began firing staff on Thursday, continuing a wave of government-wide layoffs ordered by the Trump administration. The terminations, which include staff at the National Weather Service, could impact weather forecasting used by many people and industries across the U.S. economy.

NIH ban on renewing senior scientists adds to assaults on its in-house research

The Trump administration has imposed a new restriction on employment that could push out thousands of NIH’s senior scientists: The agency cannot retain scientists in 1-year to 4-year positions that have long been routinely renewed.

It’s the Trump administration’s latest blow to NIH’s $5.2 billion intramural program. Less well known than the agency’s $39 billion extramural program, which gives grants to researchers at outside institutions, it includes basic research labs and a research hospital that treats patients with rare diseases—and helps showcase NIH’s work and build support from Congress, those familiar with it say.

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USDA rolls out 5-step plan to battle avian flu in poultry Newly confirmed US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins, JD, today introduced new steps to battle avian flu in poultry and stabilize the egg supply, which includes $500 million to help poultry producers shore up biosecurity measures. CIDRAP

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Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has paused a multimillion-dollar contract from the Biden administration to create a new COVID-19 vaccine, Fox News Digital has learned. 

"While it is crucial that the Department [of] Health and Human Services (HHS) support pandemic preparedness, four years of the Biden administration’s failed oversight have made it necessary to review agreements for vaccine production, including Vaxart’s," Kennedy said in comments provided to Fox News Digital on Tuesday. 

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CDC A(H5N1) Bird Flu Response Update February 26, 2025 CDC provides an update on recent developments in the multistate outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) CDC Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

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These updates include information on the specific animal exposures and the genetic sequence analysis of the viruses detected from three recently confirmed cases in Nevada, Ohio, and Wyoming.

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