2 d. ago While RFK Jr. warns of an ‘autism epidemic’, his department cut research money to reduce autistic suicides

Laura Graham Holmes received a grant to find interventions to reduce suicide among autistic people. Now that grant has been cut

Events

3 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

3 d. ago RFK Jr calls autism an ‘epidemic’ and a tragedy. As an autistic journalist, I have some comments

ANALYSIS: Health Secretary wilfully misreads data that should be celebrated, not feared, writes Eric Garcia

Politics

4 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

4 d. ago RFK Jr sensationally claims five 'toxins' in everyday goods that could be causing autism epidemic

Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has offered a list of 'toxins' that he says could be driving a surge in autism across the US.

Politics

4 d. ago How to reduce Council Tax monthly payments without claiming a discount

Council Tax bills have increased across the country but there is a way to lower the monthly payment.

Economics

4 d. ago Justice Department can cut funding for legal guidance for people facing deportation, US judge says

A federal judge has allowed the U.S. Department of Justice to temporarily stop funding legal education programs for people facing deportation or immigration court while a lawsuit brought by the organizations that provide the service moves forward in court

Events

8 d. ago ‘Fika has become more expensive’: rising coffee prices affect a Swedish tradition

Swedes are stockpiling supplies of the drink amid cost hikes, with some saying the coffee culture is changingNursing an iced chai latte in a Stockholm department store, Emma Tomth says she has cut down her cafe coffee consumption considerably. The 28-year-old social media manager used to buy a latte most days, but with prices having gone up by about 15-20 kronor (about £1-£1.50), she has cut down to two or three times a week.But it is not just about coffee. The economy also extends to fika – the historically hardwired Swedish tradition of meeting for a catch-up over a coffee and a biscuit or cake. “Many I know are abstaining from meeting for fika to save money. So we do something else instead,” Tomth says. Low-cost alternatives include meeting at home or going on walks, but it is not quite the same as fika, which plays a key social role in an otherwise often introverted society. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago RFK Jr claims US government will know ‘what has caused autism epidemic’ by September

Robert F. Kennedy Jr has claimed the government will know what has caused "the autism epidemic" by September and will "eliminate those exposures."

Politics

1 week ago Debenhams reduces 'brilliant' £60 garden fire pit that doubles as a BBQ to just £23 online

"Well worth the money. Brilliant little fire pit. Plenty of room to cook on. Had a few barbecue/fires already"

Economics

2 w. ago Major DWP Universal Credit rule change will come into force next week affecting 1.2 million families 

The amount of money taken from Universal Credit payments to repay debts is reducing this month

Politics

2 w. ago RFK Jr says 20% of Doge’s health agency job cuts were mistakes

Health secretary says roles will need to be reinstated amid Trump administration’s push to slash federal workforceUS politics live – latest updatesAround a fifth of the 10,000 jobs cut from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) were done in error and will need to be corrected, the US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, has admitted.Mass layoffs from the health department began this week amid a push by Donald Trump’s administration to shrink the size of the federal government workforce. Union representatives were told around 10,000 people were to lose their jobs ahead of further reductions that could see the department’s 82,000-strong workforce slashed by nearly a quarter. Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago Biggest Apple reductions on iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches and AirPods in Amazon sale

Amazon has knocked down the price of a bunch of Apple's best-selling gadgets - these are the best of the bunch

Politics

3 w. ago Debenhams reduces 'beautiful' Armani perfume worth £62 down to £31 for Mother's Day

Searching for the perfect gift for Mother's Day? Take advantage of up to half price off fragrances at Debenhams

Economics

3 w. ago Department of Health and Human Services will cut 10,000 jobs as part of a major restructuring plan

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will eliminate 10,000 jobs as part of a major restructuring plan

Society

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves' 'clumsy' Labour deputy makes grovelling apology for comparing disabled benefits cuts to reducing a child's pocket money 

Darren Jones admitted that he had been 'tactless' when he compared the drive to get millions of people back into work to telling a teen to get a weekend job instead of accepting a handout.

Politics

3 w. ago Amazon reduces £80 toaster to £40 that 'cooks toast to perfection' and looks 'stylish'

"Great toaster. Don't really have any thing bad to say about it. Very stylish,"

Economics

3 w. ago Civil service faces £2bn cuts with '50,000 jobs to go' as Rachel Reeves fights to balance books... but it will STILL be bigger than before Brexit vote

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is telling departments to cut their admin budgets - such as for HR, policy advice and office management - by 15 per cent.

Economics

3 w. ago Amazon's £100 smart watch reduced to £20 has a perfect five star rating

"This watch is great!! It looks great and feels great to wear. It charges super quick and the battery lasts longer than I expected"

Economics

3 w. ago Amazon's £200 robot vacuum reduced to lowest ever price has over 7,000 five star ratings

"It's absolutely brilliant!"

Economics