Flu

Mike Collins’ son-in-law, David Alan Scheer II, has shared antisemitic conspiracies and Nazi imagery onlineUS politics live – latest updatesThe Republican Senate nominee in Georgia, Mike Collins, who has been plagued by a string of controversies in his time in public office, has close ties with a white nationalist influencer – his son-in-law, David Alan Scheer II – it has transpired.A trucking executive and one-time “Freedom caucus” conservative endorsed by Donald Trump, Collins has been the GOP representative for Georgia’s 10th congressional district since 2023. In that time, the anti-abortion hardliner has drawn scrutiny over his associations with far-right and extremist figures, incendiary social media activity and accusations of antisemitism, which he has denied. He has also denied the legitimacy of the 2020 election and defended January 6 rioters, who he has said deserved pardons. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Green party launches pushback against idea that next PM will have more left-leaning agenda than StarmerUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham is “too in hock to vested interests” to offer real change, Zack Polanski has said as the Greens launched a pushback against the incoming prime minister, portraying him as cautious and weak on such areas as wealth taxes, Gaza and rent controls.Under Polanski’s leadership the Green party in England and Wales has more than tripled its membership, and is closely tracking Labour in opinion polls, with much of the new support coming from former Labour voters disenchanted with Keir Starmer’s approach. Continue reading...

Minister urges public to report cases of three or more sick or dead birds in a group after brown skua seabird tests positive for H5N1 on Wellington beachThe deadly H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed in New Zealand for the first time, sparking alarm that some of the country’s most beloved and vulnerable native birds could be wiped out if it spreads.A single ocean-going seabird, a brown skua, returned a confirmed positive test on Wednesday, after it was found on Petone beach in Wellington on 10 July, said Andrew Hoggard, the biosecurity minister. Continue reading...

• A study published in BMC Infectious Diseases tracking 724 US participants reveals that flu symptoms can linger for up to a month, challenging the perception of influenza as a short-lived illness. • While severe symptoms typically fade within days, the research highlights a significant period of recovery where nagging effects persist for several weeks. • These findings are critical for understanding post-viral recovery and may provide parallels for treating the 1% to 5% of adults worldwide suffering from long COVID.

• Social media influencers are increasingly accepting undisclosed payments to promote songs, creating an artificial sense of virality that can push tracks up the pop charts. • This practice mirrors historical "pay-to-play" mechanisms, such as 19th-century sheet music promotions and 20th-century record labels paying radio DJs to play specific songs. • The lack of transparency is significant because it misleads listeners into believing a song's popularity is organic rather than a paid marketing campaign.

• South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham passed away on Saturday due to cardiovascular disease and an aortic dissection. • A veteran legislator with over 30 years in Congress, Graham was recognized as a leading voice on U.S. foreign policy and a key ally to President Donald Trump. • His career spanned decades of influence in the Republican party, shaping national security strategies and legislative priorities.

• The FDA has approved the first generic version of baloxavir tablets for the treatment and postexposure prophylaxis of influenza. • The medication is indicated for patients aged 5 years or older, including those who have been exposed to an individual with the flu. • This approval is based on the generic product meeting regulatory standards for equivalence to the reference listed drug rather than new clinical efficacy data.