4 d. ago Last orders at one of Britain's oldest pubs as it is forced to close because of increased running costs after nearly 500 years

Hole in the Wall in Torquay, Devon, first opened its doors in 1540 but has closed due to increased running costs, which landlord Richard Rossendale-Cook said forced his hand.

Politics

8 d. ago How RFK Jr’s mixed messages on vaccines are impacting scientific research – podcast

As a measles outbreak expands across the US, comments by health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr have come under scrutiny. Kennedy has said that the best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated – but he has also caused alarm among paediatricians, vaccine experts and lawmakers by promoting vitamin A and nutrition as treatments for measles and questioning the safety testing of the MMR vaccine. He also recently announced a US-led scientific effort to establish the cause of what he terms the ‘autism epidemic’, with some experts concerned that this study will support the widely discredited association between autism and vaccines. US health reporter Jessica Glenza tells Ian Sample, the Guardian’s science editor, how these mixed messages are already impacting scientific research.RFK Jr says his response to measles outbreak should be ‘model for the world’RFK Jr contradicts experts by linking autism rise to ‘environmental toxins’ Continue reading...

Science

8 d. ago RFK Jr contradicts experts by linking autism rise to ‘environmental toxins’

US health secretary bucks expert opinion as research shows rise in diagnoses due to better tools and screening Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr said in his first press conference that the significant and recent rise in autism diagnoses is evidence of an “epidemic” caused by an “environmental toxin”, which would be rooted out by September.Autism advocates and health experts have repeatedly stated the rise in diagnoses is related to better recognition of the condition, changing diagnostic criteria and better access to screening. Many also reject the label of an “epidemic”, arguing that neurodivergence should be valued. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Chemical hated by RFK Jr linked to 500% increase in autism in shock new research

A chemical added to drinking water may keep cavities away from teeth, but a shocking new report has found a disturbing link between it and skyrocketing autism rates.

Events

3 w. ago 'It would be completely unacceptable': Stockport councillors REJECT increasing their allowance by £2,500 a year

It would have given them £2,500 a year more

Economics

3 w. ago Stockport councillors to decide on increasing their allowance by £2,500 a year

It could mean £2,500 a year more for elected council members in the borough.

Economics

3 w. ago Minimum wage workers urged to check if they are being underpaid

The increase could amount to as much as £2,500 extra annually.

Politics

3 w. ago My child has autism. Trump and RFK Jr linking it to vaccines scares parents like me

We’re afraid the baseless theory spread by the president stigmatises our kids – and could affect access to careIt was a moment when Donald Trump’s larger-than-life presence on the global stage became unexpectedly personal.Near the end of his one-hour, 40-minute speech to a joint session of Congress on 4 March, the US president diverted from his favoured themes of a new golden age of American greatness and grievances against his adversaries to address a more unlikely topic: autism. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Drivers are being urged to put tea bags in their car to avoid £2,500 fine

Motorists across the UK are being urged to put teabags in their car to avoid being fined up to £2,500 and an increased risk of accidents during the colder months

Economics

4 w. ago Reeves denies welfare cuts will increase poverty amid warning poorest set to be £500 a year worse off – UK politics live

The Resolution Foundation says the UK’s poorest will be £500 a year worse off by the end of the parliament due to the spring statementIn an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said she would not accept free tickets for concerts again in the future.Asked about the controversy about her decision to accept two corporate tickets for a Sabrina Carpenter concert at the O2, she repeated the line that she used at her press conference yesterday – that a family member wanted to attend the concert (presumably one of her children, but she did not say that), and that she accepted tickets for a corporate box because security concerns meant it was not deemed safe for her to get normal tickets for the auditorium.I’m just saying I wouldn’t do it again. I felt I was doing the right thing. But I do understand perceptions.I am absolutely certain that our reforms, instead of pushing people into poverty, are going to get people into work.And we know that if you move ...

Events