Hits Record

• 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...

• CDC data shows 3.6 million US births in 2025, a 1% decline from 2024, with fertility rate at 53.1 births per 1,000 women ages 15-44, down 23% since 2007. • Trump administration downplays contraception in Title X grants, mentioning it once as overprescribed with side effects, amid efforts to reverse birth decline. • High maternal mortality of 17.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024, with 4 in 5 pregnancy deaths preventable, contrasts lower risks of contraception.

• The S&P 500 fell 2% for its fifth consecutive weekly decline, the first such streak since 2022, amid Mideast conflict de-escalation hopes. • Brent crude rose to $112 per barrel, with U.S. 10-year yields climbing to 4.43% on inflation fears from sustained high energy prices. • BlackRock warns elevated oil could shift focus from rate cuts to whether central bank policies can match rising inflation.

Only half the road network is in good condition despite 1.9m repairs last year, says industry bodyA losing battle with potholes has now seen the backlog of repairs across England and Wales reach a record £18.6bn, according to an annual industry estimate, despite councils filling in about 1.9m holes last year.The “national disgrace” of dangerously pockmarked local roads has been exacerbated by a notably wet winter, with only half of the network now reported to be in good condition. Continue reading...