Biotech group warns exit of top FDA vaccine official will ‘erode scientific standards’

Rare admonition from a sector that has largely been silent in the face of the second Trump administration

The US biotech industry’s main lobby group issued a rare warning following the forced and abrupt resignation of the nation’s top vaccine official at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), saying the loss of his experienced leadership would “erode scientific standards” and affect the development of transformative therapies to fight disease.

The statement, issued on Saturday by John Crowley of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), followed the news a day earlier that Dr Peter Marks – who led the FDA division that ensured the safety of vaccines – had resigned over what he called “misinformation and lies” from health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.

Stephanie Kirchgaessner contributed reporting

Continue reading...

Police officers ‘mocked and ostracised’ for paternity leave in England and Wales

Exclusive: Most only take a week’s leave, and paternity pay for back-office staff in Met is nearly three times higher

Police officers have described being ostracised for taking paternity leave, as it is revealed that back-office staff in the Metropolitan police are entitled to proportionately nearly three times as much paternity pay as frontline fathers.

A freedom of information request has revealed that most serving police officers in England and Wales only take one week of paternity leave, with some describing being on “blue lights” duty and carrying Tasers a week after the birth of their babies.

Continue reading...

Man arrested over three deaths in fire at house near Kettering

Four-year-old girl, young man and woman killed by blaze at former stationmaster’s house in Rushton

A 54-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a fire at a historic former stationmaster’s house killed three people, including a four-year-old girl, police have said.

Emergency services were called at about 10.30pm on Friday to reports of a large blaze at a property in Beswick Close in Rushton, near Kettering.

Continue reading...

Netanyahu says he is ‘willing’ to reach deal to free Gaza hostages

Prime minister says military pressure is working, as he rejects claims that Israel is not serious about negotiations

Rejecting claims from Hamas and Israeli protesters that his government is not engaged in serious negotiations aimed at securing the release of those held captive in Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he was committed to reaching an agreement to free the hostages and military pressure had been effective.

“We are willing,” Israel’s prime minister told a cabinet meeting. “We are negotiating under fire” and “can see cracks beginning to appear” in what Hamas has demanded in its negotiations, he said.

Continue reading...

Special elections to deliver voters’ verdict on Trump’s chaotic first months

Key elections in Florida, Texas, Arizona and Wisconsin could offer a glimmer of hope to Democrats

Several elections on Tuesday will be a crucial test of the popularity of the chaotic and extremist first two months of Donald Trump’s second term and the clout of his close ally, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man who has been tasked with radically reforming the US federal government.

They could also offer a glimmer of hope to Democrats – fresh off a surprise upset win in a local race in Pennsylvania last week – that their divided political party could be seeing a resurgence in its fortunes. Or, if they fail to land further blows on Republicans, it will be yet another sign that the party is destined for a long period in the wilderness amid historic lows of its popularity in recent polls.

Continue reading...

Super fund took more than 500 days to approve death benefit for grieving widow, Asic says

Landmark report makes 34 recommendations to overhaul the superannuation sector, citing delays, poor customer service and ineffective procedures

An unnamed superannuation fund took more than 500 days to approve a death benefit payment to an Indigenous woman grieving the loss of her husband and ignored her concerns about financial hardship and a confusing claims process.

The “distressing” case has been highlighted by the financial regulator as one of many “poor industry practices” by funds that have had “devastating impacts” on members experiencing “deep grief, vulnerability, frustration and genuine suffering”.

A “landmark” report released by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) on Monday has made 34 recommendations to overhaul the superannuation sector. The report investigated the conduct of 10 trustees, which are responsible for 38% of all member benefits in Australia.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email

Continue reading...

First orbital rocket launched from mainland Europe crashes after takeoff

Uncrewed Spectrum test rocket’s failure seconds after blast-off said to have produced extensive data nonetheless

A test rocket intended to kickstart satellite launches from Europe fell to the ground and exploded less than a minute after takeoff from Norway on Sunday, in what the German startup Isar Aerospace had described as an initial test.

The Spectrum started smoking from its sides and crashed back to Earth in a powerful explosion just after its launch from from the Andøya spaceport in the Arctic. Images were broadcast live on YouTube.

Continue reading...

Pope Francis in Sunday Angelus: Jesus heals our wounds so we can love others – Catholic News Agency

  1. Pope Francis in Sunday Angelus: Jesus heals our wounds so we can love others  Catholic News Agency
  2. Pope's willingness to show his frailty provides an example to young and old alike in aging world  The Associated Press
  3. Pope Francis Came Near Death in Hospital, His Doctor Says  The New York Times
  4. Pope decries 'appalling humanitarian catastrophe' in Sudan  Vatican News - English
  5. Pope Francis denounces war in Sudan, suggests living Lent 'as a time of healing'  Fox News
Posted in Uncategorized

Trump says he ‘couldn’t care less’ if tariffs make car prices go up

Trump says tariffs on foreign-made cars would would lead to increased sales of US-made cars

Donald Trump said on Saturday he did not warn car industry executives against raising prices as tariffs on foreign-made autos come into force, telling NBC News he “couldn’t care less” if they do.

The president’s comments came as the White House prepared to impose new tariffs on a range of consumer goods on 2 April, a move that has drawn criticism from international leaders and concerns about potential price increases for consumers.

Guardian staff contributed reporting

Continue reading...

Shabana Mahmood plans bill to overrule Sentencing Council in ‘two-tier justice’ row

Ministry of Justice drafts instruction for judges in England and Wales to ignore guidelines on age, sex and ethnicity

Ministers are planning to introduce a last-minute rule change this week to overturn sentencing guidelines that could have led to criminals getting different sentences depending on their age, sex and ethnicity.

Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, is planning to bring a bill to the Commons this week to overrule the guidelines, which are due to come into force in England and Wales on Tuesday.

Continue reading...