3 d. ago RFK’s health report omits key facts in painting dark vision for US children

Maha report ignores leading causes of death for children, firearms and crashes, and focuses on lifestyle and vaccinesA new report led by health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr lays out a dark vision of American children’s health and calls for agencies to examine vaccines, ultra-processed foods, environmental chemicals, lack of exercise and “overmedicalization”.Kennedy has made combatting the chronic disease “epidemic” a cornerstone of his vision for the US, even as he has ignored common causes of chronic conditions, such as smoking and alcohol use. Continue reading...

Society

5 d. ago Trump can complain all he wants – but he can’t stop his own economic mess | Sidney Blumenthal

Between his tariffs and his regressive ‘big, beautiful bill’, the president is wreaking havoc – and he never learnsWith his usual threats, Donald Trump is trying to ward off the dire reality that he has created and is bearing down on him. He can clamp migrants in foreign gulags, coerce white-shoe law firms into becoming his pro bono serfs and try to simply erase the National Endowment for the Humanities, but he can’t rescind his harm to the economy. Trump can slash the National Weather Service, but he can’t stop the storm he’s whipped up. He’s shouting into the wind at his twister.No matter how much he might lower his draconian tariffs after his 90-day breathing spell, the velocity of damage is just building. It’s not a mistake that can be rectified. There’s no do-over. It’s not a golf game at one of his clubs where he gets endless mulligans and is declared the champion. Nor does Trump really want to draw back completely from his tariffs as if he never had proudly displayed his “Lib...

Politics

9 d. ago Paedophile, 41, is snared eight years after crimes against young girls... after applying for police force

Reinaldo Goncalo Bertoni Filho, 41, was snared when DNA he provided as part of the vetting process to join the British Transport Police linked him to attacks in two nature reserves in Surrey.

Events

1 week ago Economy shoots ahead at faster than expected 0.7% in first quarter

But spurt is likely to prove short lived, as taxes, bills and tariffs all kicked in during April

Events

1 week ago City welcomes faster than expected 0.7% growth in first quarter of the year

But spurt is likely to prove short lived, as taxes, bills and tariffs all kicked in during April

Politics

1 week ago Linlithgow MSP welcomes her party’s programme for government for the next year

First Minister John Swinney has promised 100,000 additional GP appointments, scrapping peak rail fares for good and introduces a range of measures to grow the Scottish economy nationally and internationally.

Politics

3 w. ago Trump feels tug of political gravity as economy falters and polls plunge

The president started his second term fast and furious with a flurry of activity – much of it legally dubious – but analysts say the honeymoon is over“Not just courageous” but “actually fearless” said Doug Burgum. The “first 100 days has far exceeded that of any other presidency in this country ever,” said Pam Bondi. “Most” of the presidents whose portraits adorn the Oval Office – which include George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan – were mere “placeholders” who were not “men of action”, mused JD Vance.Before the TV cameras on Wednesday, top cabinet officials took turns drenching Donald Trump with praise that some critics found evocative of politics in North Korea. Yet beyond the walls of the White House, the mood was shifting. New data showed the economy is shrinking. The national security adviser was about to be ousted. Opinion polls told of a president whose unpopularity is historic. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago BRIAN READE: The North does not need Northern Arc gimmicks... the South will soon come begging

While the South has billions lavished on it, joining up Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds still remains a dream, Brian Reade argues. But the North holds all the cards when it comes to keeping them well watered

Politics

3 w. ago 'Rare atmospheric phenomenon' blamed as Spain and Portugal blackouts affect 50 million

Power cuts have caused chaos across Spain and Portugal with as many as 50 million people left without electricity - causing huge disruption to transport links and vital telecommunications networks

Economics

4 w. ago Better transport links in north could 'turbocharge' national economy says Andy Burnahm as he lays out vision for 'Northern Arc'

The Greater Manchester Mayor is to meet government officials to discuss the vision plan - which includes a new Manchester to Liverpool rain line

Events