Approval

• The House of Representatives has given final approval to a landmark housing bill designed to increase the housing supply and lower costs. • The legislation provides funding to convert abandoned infrastructure into residential spaces and creates a framework for reforming outdated zoning regulations that currently limit large-scale developments. • Key provisions include raising financing limits for public housing renovations and codifying a recovery program to expedite funding for communities rebuilding after disasters.

• The American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy has outlined the pharmaceutical pipeline for novel drug approvals anticipated between 1Q 2026 and 4Q 2026. • The upcoming pipeline focuses on therapies for rare inherited genetic disorders, immunologic and inflammatory diseases, and advancements in gene therapy and targeted oncology. • This tracking is critical for health-system pharmacists to effectively manage hospital formularies, allocate financial resources, and optimize patient care.

Donald Trump has indicated he will sign rare bipartisan initiative to tackle affordability after 358-32 vote in HouseThe House gave final approval on Tuesday to a broad bipartisan bill aimed at lowering the cost of housing, with lawmakers in both parties eager to show progress on affordability issues ahead of this year’s midterm elections.The 358-32 vote sends the bill to Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it into law on Wednesday at the Capitol. The Senate passed the legislation 85-5 on Monday. Continue reading...

• President Lee Jae Myung's job approval rating fell to 46.7% as of the 22nd, marking the first "dead cross" since his inauguration where negative evaluations surpassed positive ones. • The decline is attributed to public anxiety over botched election management and a lack of effective policy alternatives to address volatile real estate sentiment. • Members of the ruling party have expressed concern that there are currently no policies capable of soothing public sentiment amid internal party conflicts and friction with the presidency.

• The U.S. FDA has approved Merck's pneumococcal vaccine for expanded use in children and teenagers with chronic health conditions that increase their risk of infection. • This follows a June 2024 approval for adults and is based on a late-stage trial of 874 participants where the vaccine matched or outperformed the older PPSV23 version. • The approval is critical because pneumococcal disease can cause life-threatening conditions, including meningitis, pneumonia, and blood infections, particularly in high-risk youth.

• The FDA extended its review of a supplemental biologics license application (sBLA) submitted by Eisai and Biogen on May 8, 2026. • The application concerns a once-weekly subcutaneous autoinjector starting regimen for lecanemab-irmb (Leqembi Iqlik), used to treat early Alzheimer disease. • This regulatory delay pushes the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date to August 24, 2026.

• President Lee Jae Myung issued a public apology on Wednesday after a recent poll revealed his approval rating plummeted by nearly 10%. • The sharp decline in public support follows the results of recent local elections, signaling significant voter dissatisfaction. • This drop in popularity puts pressure on the administration to address governance failures and improve its relationship with the electorate.

• The FDA has approved XOCOVA (ensitrelvir), developed by Shionogi Inc., as a new treatment option for COVID-19. • XOCOVA is distinguished as the first and only oral medication specifically approved to help prevent the onset of COVID-19 following exposure to the virus. • This approval expands the available pharmaceutical toolkit for infectious disease management, offering a preventative oral alternative to existing treatments.

• President Lee Jae-myung is approaching his first anniversary in office with strong public support, maintaining approval ratings above 60%. • His first year has been characterized by a surging stock market and the implementation of a specific policy agenda. • Political tensions persist as the People Power Party filed an election law complaint against Lee regarding a marked ballot dispute, which the Democrats dismissed as "political theater."

• Regulatory bodies are increasingly integrating real-world evidence (RWE) into the drug approval process to supplement traditional randomized clinical trials. • This shift utilizes real-world data (RWD) sourced from electronic health records, administrative claims databases, disease registries, and digital health tools. • The adoption of RWE allows for a more comprehensive understanding of patient health and healthcare delivery, potentially accelerating decision-making for pharmaceutical companies.

• The FDA approved Icotyde (icotrokinra), developed by Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, on March 17, 2026. • The drug is an interleukin-23 (IL-23) receptor antagonist specifically indicated for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. • This approval provides a new therapeutic option for managing a chronic inflammatory skin condition by targeting specific immune responses.

US president’s approval rating falls to 37% days after he said Americans’ financial situation is not motivating him to broker deal with IranDonald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest point of his second term, amid mounting frustration over the cost of living and the US-Israel war on Iran.As November’s US midterm elections loom, most American voters believe Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran was the wrong choice, according to polling released on Monday. Continue reading...

Tuesday’s federal budget to include $500m to fund faster approvals for housing, energy and mining projects. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning, Krishani Dhanji here with you. Friends, it’s budget week, and it has come very quickly if you ask me!We’re getting a few final announcements from the government before Jim Chalmers hands down his budget tomorrow. That includes some money to speed up environmental approvals to boost productivity (more on that in a moment). Of course, all the big-ticket items – including reforms to capital gains tax, negative gearing and trusts, have already been out for weeks. Continue reading...

• The Trump administration requires congressional approval to prolong a 30-day federal takeover, announced May 8, 2026. • The measure targets unspecified federal operations, highlighting inter-branch power dynamics. • Extension could impact national policy enforcement, drawing bipartisan scrutiny on executive overreach.

• A new poll from ABC News and the Washington Post shows President Trump's disapproval rating has reached 62%, marking an all-time high for his presidency. • The sharp increase in disapproval reflects growing public dissatisfaction with Trump's policies and leadership across multiple areas, including foreign policy and domestic initiatives. • Political analysts note the concerning trend for Republicans as the party heads into critical 2026 midterm elections, with key GOP strategists expressing alarm about the trajectory.

• A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll from April 24-28 shows President Trump's disapproval at 62%, his highest in two terms, with overall approval at 37%. • Only 34% approve of his economic handling and 33% of the Iran war, fueling GOP concerns for midterm losses. • Democrats hold a 5-point edge in generic House ballot tests, up from 2 points earlier.

Disapproval rose to 62%, the worst of his two terms in office, amid economic issues since launching his war against IranSix months out from November’s midterm US elections, Donald Trump’s disapproval rating has reached 62% – the worst of his two terms in office – according to a new Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.The US president received his worst ratings on the cost of living and other economic issues since launching his deeply unpopular war against Iran in February, which has plunged the global economy into an oil crisis and sent gas prices rocketing to a four-year high. Continue reading...

• San Diego Padres ownership group agreed to sell the team to a new investor consortium on May 2, awaiting MLB approval. • The deal, valued at $2.8 billion, includes local business leaders and aims to fund stadium upgrades. • This sale ends decades of current ownership, promising stability amid the Padres' competitive NL West push.

• Republicans are using a legislative maneuver that would bypass a Senate filibuster to send billions of dollars to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to POLITICO reports from Washington on May 1, 2026. • The move is intended to strengthen ICE enforcement capacity amid President Trump’s fixation on keeping a Republican House majority in the upcoming midterms and comes as the administration faces criticism over border and deportation policies. • Critics warn the approach could cement highly restrictive immigration enforcement for years, while the GOP argues it will bolster security and hold the administration to its campaign promises.

Pete Hegseth argued that a ceasefire agreement with Iran more than three weeks ago ‘means the 60 day clock pauses, or stops’Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxHello and welcome to our live coverage of the day.Today marks 60 days since the Trump administration notified Congress that it was carrying out strikes on Iran – meaning that under the War Powers Act of 1973, today is the deadline for Donald Trump to either end the Iran war or seek congressional authorization to extend it.Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington DC, released edited security-camera video of the incident at the White House correspondents’ dinner amid questions about whether or not the suspected gunman, Cole Allen, fired his weapon before being subdued. While the video shows four muzzles flashes from the agent’s gun as he fired at Allen, it was not immediately clear that it does show Allen discharging his weapon after he pointed it at the agent.Sean Curran, the director of the US Secret Service, told Fox News that Allen was stopped not by secret service gunfire, but by a box used to transport a metal detector, which he tripped over.Congress has passed a 45-day extension of section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a law that grants US intelligence agencies warrantless spying powers.Trump has threatened to withdraw troops from Spain and Italy, two countries that countries have been vocally critical of his war in the Middle East. This comes after Trump suggested reviewing US military presence in Germany after the country’s chancellor said America was being “humiliated” by Iran. Continue reading...

• Gas prices have surged above $4 per gallon and flights skyrocketed as the Strait of Hormuz blockade impacts energy markets amid the US-Israel war with Iran, eroding Trump's key political advantage. • More than three-quarters of registered voters—including over half of Republicans and 82% of independents—now blame Trump for the cost-of-living crisis affecting fuel, groceries, housing, and healthcare. • Trump's second-term approval ratings have fallen far faster than previous presidents after a government shutdown, tariffs, and the joint US-Israel attack on Iran, with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warning the war is fueling inflation.

Reuters-Ipsos, AP-NORC and NBC polls show approval in mid-30s, with economy, Iran and immigration concernsUS politics live – latest updatesA trio of political polls indicate public approval of Donald Trump’s management of the US economy, immigration and the Iran conflict is slipping, flashing warning lights for Trump-aligned Republican candidates with six months to go until the US midterm elections.Polls by Reuters-Ipsos poll, Strength in Numbers-Verasight and AP-NORC had the president’s approval rating hovering in the mid-30s, at 36%, 35% and 33% respectively, which are near his lowest numbers. Continue reading...

• The president requires congressional approval to extend a 30-day federal takeover of unspecified operations beyond the initial period. • Lawmakers from both parties debate the scope, with costs projected at millions in taxpayer funds. • Extension could set precedent for future interventions, raising federalism concerns among states.

Advocates expressed alarm as new project drills deeper into ocean bed, pointing to company’s failures at Deepwater Horizon spillSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxEnvironmental groups have sued the Trump administration over its approval of BP’s huge new ultra-deep oil drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico, 16 years to the day since the company’s Deepwater Horizon disaster caused the worst oil spill in US history. Continue reading...

The former ballet dancer said Chalamet’s comments were ‘reckless’ in an interview with the New York Times in which she also discussed her violent childhoodActor and former ballet dancer Charlize Theron has joined the chorus of disapproval aimed at Timothée Chalamet over his remarks that appeared to disrespect performers of ballet and opera.In an interview with the New York Times, Theron said: “Oh, boy, I hope I run into him one day,” adding: “That was a very reckless comment on two art forms that we need to lift up constantly because, yes, they do have a hard time. But in 10 years, AI is going to be able to do Timothée’s job, but it will not be able to replace a person on a stage dancing live.” Continue reading...

Researchers say ‘magic mushrooms’ can help with traumatic symptoms, but urge caution as states expand accessSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxAfter three combat deployments in Afghanistan, during which he suffered traumatic brain injuries from concussive blasts, army ranger Jesse Gould developed post-traumatic stress disorder and said he “drank almost every night to cope”.In times of hardship, veterans sometimes turn to “medication and talk therapy, but it tends to be more of a maintenance program than actually overcoming it”, Gould said, but added that at age 38, “I was still very young. I didn’t want to be on medication the rest of my life.” Continue reading...

Record high set on Monday and raised on Tuesday, with 14.4GW of electricity generated in sunny spring weatherBritain’s sunny spring weather powered the grid to new solar energy records on two consecutive days this week.Solar farms in England, Wales and Scotland generated 14.1 GW of low-carbon electricity at lunchtime on Monday, surpassing the previous high of 14GW in July last year. Continue reading...

• Artivion (AORT) secured U.S. FDA approval for the NEXUS Aortic Arch System on April 7, 2026. • The device approval is expected to accelerate hospital adoption and spark reimbursement discussions. • This milestone positions Artivion for revenue growth in cardiovascular treatments.