Cuts

• The FDA has introduced a new fast-track program for the approval of biologics, which are complex drugs used to treat conditions such as cancer and sickle cell disease. • Traditionally, the agency requires a rigorous process involving an investigational new drug application followed by three distinct phases of human clinical trials. • Experts warn that these political shortcuts could undermine the FDA's international reputation and its standing as a global authority on drug safety.

• The U.S. is facing a record-breaking cyclosporiasis outbreak, with Michigan officials describing it as potentially the largest in the country's history. • The crisis follows a March 2025 decision by the Trump administration to cut $12 billion in public health funding, targeting disease monitoring and laboratory capacity. • Experts warn that these cuts, alongside Medicaid reductions and layoffs, have severely hindered the ability of health officials to track and contain the foodborne parasite.

As Cuba swelters under six-month oil blockade imposed by US, tempers are fraying and unrest is growingWhen Cuba’s national grid collapses, as it did for the third time in 10 days on Tuesday, a collective groan spreads across its cities and people wonder, again, whether the island’s antiquated electricity system may soon become unrecoverable.The 777-mile Caribbean island of 9.5 million people has been sweltering under a six-month-long oil blockade imposed by the US, part of a pressure campaign to bring down its communist government. But the parlous state of Cuba’s infrastructure goes far further back. Continue reading...

• President Trump is actively restructuring the American electoral system, focusing on claims that the current process is rigged ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. • A key move involves sidelining the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) by removing its leadership, effectively stripping the agency of its influence. • The EAC is critical to election integrity as it manages over $1 billion in federal funds for state cybersecurity and equipment, and develops the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines for equipment certification.

• The Trump administration's cuts to staff and resources have left government agencies underprepared to combat foreign influence and disinformation campaigns. • In 2024, China and Russia expanded their targeting beyond the presidential election to include various congressional races. • These resource gaps are critical because they weaken the institutional guardrails necessary to reduce the reach and impact of foreign interference.

Critics say Foreign Office figures send ‘global message about the role the country wants to play on international stage’Labour’s foreign aid cuts mean reductions of as much as 90% in the bilateral support the UK will give to some African countries, Foreign Office figures show.The department’s annual report includes a long-awaited breakdown of how the reduction in the aid budget will affect individual countries for the next three years. Continue reading...

• The FDA has introduced a new fast-track program for the approval of biologics, including experimental gene therapies for conditions like sickle cell disease and cancer. • Traditionally, the agency requires a rigorous three-phase trial process involving healthy volunteers, dose-finding studies, and large-scale clinical trials to ensure safety. • Critics argue that these political shortcuts may undermine the FDA's international reputation and its standing as a global authority on drug safety.

Exclusive: Prof Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor of Bristol University, believes her daughter’s success shows value of arts educationOne of Britain’s leading university vice-chancellors has described sweeping cuts to arts and humanities across the sector as “absolutely tragic”, citing her famous daughter as an example of the value of a creative arts education.Prof Evelyn Welch, the vice-chancellor of Bristol University and incoming chair of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities, is the mother of Florence Welch, the singer-songwriter from Florence + the Machine. Continue reading...