Dozens of Nobel laureates sign letter opposing RFK Jr. as Trump's health secretary / Photo: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI - AFP/File
-
Pacific islands to face food shortages over global warming: scientists
-
France sees limited economic hit from drought, heatwaves
-
Venice jury head Maggie Gyllenhaal questions lack of women directors
-
Bus crash in Egypt's Sinai kills 22, including 10 Jordanians
-
Stocks drop, bond yields rally on Mideast flare-up
-
UN says world must navigate 'reality' of 1.5C overshoot
-
China expands Egypt investments in first Xi visit in a decade
-
Taliban govt defends ban on protest, citing Islamic law
-
Messi departure leaves Argentina facing rebuild after golden era
-
10 missing as Turkish cargo ship sinks after collision off Istanbul
-
Ourbit SuperCEX Launches "Cosmic Wheel Season 3. Oracle Realm" on September 2 with 3M USDT Prize Pool
-
easyMarkets Expands Commodity Offering with 24/7 Gold, Silver and Oil Trading
-
Ebola death toll passes 3,000 in DR Congo: official data
-
Australia defends Pacific climate meeting despite doubts on attendance
-
Hong Kong democracy activist Wong pleads guilty to foreign collusion
-
Iran attacks US sites after American strikes, wedding deaths
-
World record prize winner Romantic Warrior retires from horse racing
-
Stocks drop, yields at three-decade highs on Mideast flare-up
-
5,000 US sailors arrive in Thailand after months at sea
-
EU summons Russian envoy, eyes sanctions after Germany drone 'attack'
-
Joshua Wong, Hong Kong's pro-democracy poster child
-
Stocks drop as yields and oil prices spike on Mideast flare-up
-
Nepal tunnel rescuers seek trapped workers but hit dead ends
-
Cricketers to get best rooms at Asian Games, says Japan chief
-
Zverev wins wild five-setter, Rybakina and Gauff ease through at US Open
-
Zverev out-lasts Sonego in wild five-setter to advance at US Open
-
US energy secretary arrives in Venezuela to discuss oil deal
-
Amid war, Ukrainian soldiers celebrate love at ritual wedding
-
Meloni government becomes Italy's longest-lasting
-
Venice to roll out red carpet for Clooney on opening night
-
Funerals in Nepal for missing, a week after deadly floods
-
Hong Kong democracy activist Wong pleads guilty to foreign collusion: AFP
-
US aircraft carrier arrives in Thailand after months at sea
-
Stocks sink, yields at multi-decade highs and oil spikes on Mideast flare-up
-
US aircraft carrier approaches Thai port after months at sea
-
US defends Trump Venezuela oil deal as energy secretary lands in Caracas
-
Nepal's young PM faces gravest test after flood catastrophe
-
Jubilant Monfils celebrates birthday with US Open win
-
What rainbow? LGBTQ Indonesians on edge as hostility mounts
-
The Japanese idealist behind the last deradicalisation NGO in Somalia
-
O'Connor eyes Wallabies World Cup swansong after Force return
-
Rybakina, Gauff advance as Zverev launches US Open campaign
-
Syria UXO causing death, injury every six hours: charity
-
Macron in Britain to help unveil tapestry, hold Burnham talks
-
Tiger Woods set to change not guilty plea in DUI case: court documents
-
China's Xi to hold talks with Sisi in rare visit to Egypt
-
Zelensky warns airlines Russian skies not safe due to Ukraine drones
-
Confident Gauff reaches US Open 2nd round with straight-set win
-
UK vows anti-settler measures as Israel warns of retaliation
-
US postal whistleblower warns ballot system could disrupt midterms
Dozens of Nobel laureates sign letter opposing RFK Jr. as Trump's health secretary
Seventy-seven Nobel prize winners on Monday sent an open letter to the US Senate opposing the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), citing his "lack of credentials" and anti-vaccine beliefs.
"In view of his record, placing Mr. Kennedy in charge of DHHS would put the public's health in jeopardy," concludes the letter signed by 77 Nobel recipients in medicine, chemistry, physics and economics.
Among the signatories is Drew Weissman, who received the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work on developing mRNA vaccines, which was a major breakthrough in the fight against Covid-19.
Kennedy, a nephew of assassinated US president John F. Kennedy Jr, made his own White House run earlier this year before throwing his support behind Trump.
In return, Trump has tapped him to oversee the part of the executive branch in charge of health and medicine -- though his selection must be approved by a majority of the US Senate, as outlined by the Constitution.
An environmental lawyer by trade with no medical background, Kennedy has spent years professing conspiracy theories linking vaccines and autism, and most recently spread misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines.
He has said if he is confirmed for the position he will work to remove fluoride from tap water in the US, despite its addition being considered a major victory against bacteria causing tooth decay.
"In addition to his lack of credentials or relevant experience in medicine, science, public health, or administration," the letter reads, "Mr. Kennedy has been an opponent of many health-protecting and life-saving vaccines, such as those that prevent measles and polio."
"We strongly urge you to vote against the confirmation of his appointment," the letter said.
Kennedy is far from the only Trump cabinet nominee to stir controversy.
Among the most notable is Pete Hegseth, a Fox News anchor tapped to lead the Department of Defense, who has seen his nomination derailed with sexual assault allegations and rumors of excessive drinking.
And Trump's first pick for Attorney General, former US Congressman Matt Gaetz, withdrew after further scrutiny emerged of alleged sexual relations he had with a minor.
M.Thompson--AMWN
