Author: IQ TIMES MEDIA

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday named eight new vaccine policy advisers to replace the panel that he abruptly dismissed earlier this week.They include a scientist who researched mRNA vaccine technology and became a conservative darling for his criticisms of COVID-19 vaccines, a leading critic of pandemic-era lockdowns, and a professor of operations management.Kennedy’s decision to “retire” the previous 17-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices was widely decried by doctors’ groups and public health organizations, who feared the advisers would be replaced by a group aligned with Kennedy’s desire to reassess — and…

When Apple unveiled Image Playground last year, the company touted it as a quick and easy way to generate personalized, original images with the help of Apple Intelligence. Upon launch, the app was met with skepticism, as some users were disappointed by its limitations and low-quality results. For example, one Reddit user was surprised to find that Image Playground kept generating an image of a hand with six fingers when prompted to create an “up close image of a hand.” In another instance, a user was unable to receive images of simple descriptions, such as “old man” or “flower.” Some…

Microsoft is preparing a version of its Copilot AI tool for the Pentagon.”For DoD environments, Microsoft 365 Copilot is expected to become available no earlier than summer 2025,” the company stated in a recent blog written for government customers. “Work is ongoing to ensure the offering meets the necessary security and compliance standards.”Copilot is Microsoft’s main generative AI offering. The company has developed several Copilot tools, which tap into AI models to automate various tasks and support human employees. The Copilot for Microsoft’s 365 service works across productivity software such as PowerPoint slides, Excel spreadsheets, and Word documents.Microsoft has invested…

Los Angeles-based Coco Robotics, a startup building last-mile delivery robots, announced it raised $80 million on Wednesday. The funding round included angel investors Sam Altman and Max Altman, both returning investors, in addition to VC firms like Pelion Venture Partners and Offline Ventures, among others. This brings the company’s total funding to more than $120 million. The company last raised a $36 million Series A round in 2021. Coco’s zero-emissions robots can hold 90 liters’ worth of groceries or goods and have made more than 500,000 deliveries since they hit the streets in 2020, the company said. It says it…

I’ve been reviewing TVs for over a decade, and every year, I test the latest and greatest displays. From affordable QLED sets to premium OLED models, stores are filled with options. But don’t worry — I’m here to help make your shopping experience easier with my top picks for the best TVs.After extensive hands-on testing, the Samsung S90D earns my highest recommendation overall. This TV offers the best balance between price and performance, with deep black levels that disappear into a dark room, vibrant colors, and solid smart features. However, shoppers who want the best image quality should consider splurging…

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shocked many when he announced all 17 sitting members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s independent vaccine advisory committee would be removed.In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Kennedy said the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was plagued by conflicts of interest and was a “rubber stamp” for all vaccines.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is the agency that authorizes or approves vaccines. The ACIP holds public hearings and then has non-binding votes on potential recommendations, and the CDC director finalizes the recommendations.Currently the CDC director role…

CNN  —  Ananda Lewis, a former MTV VJ who connected a generation of music fans to their favorite celebrities in the network’s heyday, has died. She was 52. The news was confirmed by her sister Lakshmi Emory, who posted a tribute on Facebook. No further details were available. CNN has reached out to representatives for Lewis for further comment and information. Lewis had been battling breast cancer in recent years, recently speaking with CNN about her treatment. She announced in 2020 that she was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer after she conducted a self exam. In her announcement at…

A panel of experts called Wednesday for policy and cultural changes to prevent deaths linked to heat and exertion at the nation’s police academies, and insisted that urgent action is needed to save the lives of recruits.The National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the Public Safety Athletic Trainers Society convened the discussion in response to an Associated Press investigation that documented the deaths of at least 29 recruits over the last decade. The groups are drafting new guidance detailing best practices.AP found that most recruits died of exertion, dehydration, heatstroke and other conditions tied to intense exercise — often on the…

For the first time in two decades, older Asian Americans are no longer the healthiest U.S.-born aging racial group with the lowest rates of disability, according to a study published last month in the Journals of Gerontology.The report, which focused on adults ages 50 and older, used prevalence of disability as an indicator for overall health.The paper shows that while disability rates have decreased among aging adults in every racial group, they have remained unchanged among U.S.-born Asian Americans. The findings suggest that one contributor to the stagnating disability rate is income inequality, which has affected Asian Americans more than…

2025-06-11T19:37:18Z Share Facebook Email X LinkedIn Copy link lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Impact Link Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. Y Combinator’s spring 2025 batch featured 70 startups focused on agentic AI. The intensive, three-month accelerator program invests $500,000 in each selected startup. BI combed through YC’s spring batch to find 10 of the most interesting AI agent startups. Christmas came early for Y Combinator. The storied Silicon Valley accelerator had AI…