Weakening

Council of Europe members plan to change interpretation of rights laws to make it easier to deport peopleKeir Starmer’s government has been accused of trying to water down legal protections for torture victims as ministers from 46 countries including the UK prepare to make it easier to deport refused asylum seekers and foreign criminals.Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, is expected to agree a “political declaration” on Friday with other members of the Council of Europe, which oversees the European convention on human rights (ECHR). Continue reading...

Homebuyers more cautious due to possible mortgage rate rises and higher inflation as sellers sit on propertiesFears of higher mortgage rates and rising inflation as a result of the Middle East conflict are leading to a subdued and downbeat housing market, according to estate agents.Demand from potential homebuyers across England and Wales has shown a “noticeable softening” recently, according to a monthly survey of estate agents by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Continue reading...

• Trump 2.0 policies terminated or overhauled HHS advisory committees, including ACIP with all members replaced in January 2026 by RFK Jr., leading to weakened hepatitis B and COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. • NIH advisory councils have not met, with the director's committee disbanded for over a year; USPSTF has not met since March 2025. • Senator Murray criticized leadership for prohibiting NIH grant processes; new ACIP includes controversial figures like an Alzheimer's patient from the withdrawn aducanumab trial.

The Environmental Protection Agency proposed Friday to relax air pollution limits on ethylene oxide, a chemical classified as a human carcinogen since 2016 and used to sterilize medical equipment including catheters and syringes. The EPA stated that current Biden-era standards "actively threaten" manufacturers' abilities to sterilize equipment and jeopardize domestic medical device supply chains. Public health advocates, including the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, warned that people living near commercial sterilization facilities face elevated lifetime cancer risks, while medical device manufacturers argue the standards could disrupt critical supplies. The proposal marks the latest EPA action under President Donald Trump to relax pollution limits and reduce costs for industry.

The EPA proposed on March 13, 2026, to relax air pollution standards for ethylene oxide used in sterilizing medical devices like catheters and syringes, reversing Biden-era cancer risk findings. The agency cites threats to domestic supply chains for essential equipment. Industry leaders like Scott Whitaker of the Advanced Medical Technology Association praised the move for ensuring uninterrupted sterile supplies while protecting communities. The change aligns with broader Trump EPA efforts to cut industry costs, with public comments expected next.

The EPA proposed on March 13 to relax air pollution standards for ethylene oxide (EtO), a carcinogen used to sterilize medical devices like catheters and syringes, reversing Biden-era rules citing supply chain risks. The agency claims current limits threaten domestic production of essential equipment. Industry groups praise the move for ensuring sterile supplies without interruptions. Critics worry about cancer risks to nearby communities, as seen in past closures like Sterigenics in Illinois.