In a major breakthrough for sickle cell patients in England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved the use of CRISPR gene-editing therapy on the National Health Service (NHS). This decision marks a significant advancement in the treatment of this inherited blood disorder. Landmark Approval After Initial Rejection NICE had previously rejected the gene-editing therapy exagamglogene autotemcel (exa-cel) for sickle cell disease in draft guidance released in March. However, after further review, the watchdog has now given the green light for NHS use, following its earlier approval for treating beta thalassemia. The UK’s medicines regulator had…
Author: Richard Parks
Richard Parks
Richard Parks is a dedicated news reporter at New York Mirror, known for his in-depth analysis and clear reporting on general news. With years of experience, Richard covers a broad spectrum of topics, ensuring readers stay updated on the latest developments.
Inflation in France held steady at the start of 2024, providing some relief for policymakers dealing with budget deficit challenges, according to the country’s statistics agency INSEE on Friday. The harmonised inflation rate, which allows comparisons across eurozone countries, remained at 1.8% year-on-year in January, the same level recorded in December. This keeps inflation below the European Central Bank’s (ECB) 2% target, strengthening expectations for further interest rate cuts. ECB Rate Cut Signals Confidence in Disinflation The inflation data comes just a day after the ECB reduced its key interest rate by 25 basis points. ECB President Christine Lagarde stated…
A recently spotted asteroid, designated 2024 YR4, has a slight possibility of colliding with Earth in December 2032, according to space agency officials. While the chance of impact is just over 1%, scientists emphasize that there is no immediate reason for concern. “We are not worried at all, because there’s a 99 per cent chance it will miss,” said Paul Chodas, director of NASA’s Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies. However, he added that the asteroid “deserves attention” due to its proximity and size. Asteroid 2024 YR4: What We Know So Far The asteroid was first detected last month using a…
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has condemned opposition leader Friedrich Merz for accepting support from the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) to push through a controversial migration policy. Scholz accused Merz of breaking Germany’s political firewall against the far right, calling it an “unforgivable mistake.” Merz introduced two non-binding motions in parliament, proposing tighter border controls and turning away asylum seekers. One of them, his “five-point plan” to curb irregular migration, narrowly passed with 348 votes in favor, 345 against, and 10 abstentions. The governing Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens argue the policy violates German and EU refugee laws. Migration Debate…
Hundreds of people gathered in front of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) headquarters in Berlin to protest against stricter migration policies that passed with the backing of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The rally, organized by Amnesty International, Seebrücke, and other human rights groups, took place under the slogan “Firewall instead of arson”, condemning what they see as a dangerous shift in German politics. CDU Pushes Migration Restrictions with AfD Support The controversial policy, spearheaded by CDU leader Friedrich Merz, aims to tighten border controls and turn away more asylum seekers at Germany’s borders. The proposal has sparked…
Volvo Group reported its latest financial results on Wednesday, revealing a decline in sales due to weakening demand for trucks in Europe. The company faced a challenging 2024 as inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, and market stabilization in key sectors impacted its performance. Revenue and Profit Drop Amid Market Slowdown In its full-year 2024 earnings report, Volvo Group reported net sales of SEK 526.8 billion (€45.98 billion), a drop from SEK 552.3 billion (€48.20 billion) in 2023. The primary reason for this decline was the reduced demand for trucks across Europe. The company’s adjusted operating income for 2024 fell to SEK 65.7…
Coca-Cola is recalling several soft drinks in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands due to high chlorate levels. The company says the health risk is low. Affected Products and Countries The recall covers Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Some affected drinks were also sent to other countries, according to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, the company’s bottling and distribution unit in Europe. The recalled drinks include Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico, and Minute Maid. The high chlorate levels came from disinfectants used in food processing and water treatment. Customers can check if their drinks are affected by looking for production codes 328 GE to…
General Motors (GM) reported a loss in the fourth quarter due to significant charges tied to its Chinese operations. However, the automaker still exceeded Wall Street’s expectations for both revenue and adjusted profits. Despite challenges in China, GM is strengthening its position in the electric vehicle (EV) market and maintaining strong relationships with U.S. regulators. China Losses Weigh on GM, but Revenue Surges GM’s financial results for the final quarter of 2024 reflected substantial write-downs related to its struggling joint ventures in China. The company had previously warned that deteriorating performance in the region would result in more than $5…
Rare Case of Bird Flu Transmission Detected in the UK Rare bird flu case UK: A rare instance of bird flu transmission from birds to humans has been confirmed in the United Kingdom, according to health authorities. The patient was infected with the DI.2 genotype of avian influenza, a strain currently circulating among birds in the UK. Despite this, experts reassure the public that the risk remains low. Infection Linked to Farm Exposure The virus was contracted following prolonged, close contact with a large number of infected birds on a farm in the West Midlands, the UK Health Security Agency…
Ryanair cuts Spain 2025: Budget airline Ryanair has announced a significant reduction in its Spanish operations for the summer of 2025, slashing 800,000 seats across regional airports. The airline blames “excessive” fees imposed by Spain’s airport operator, Aena, while Aena has accused Ryanair of using aggressive tactics to force for free or reduced access to Spanish airports. Ryanair’s Withdrawal Affects Regional Airports The airline will scale back its services at seven Spanish airports, with Jerez and Valladolid facing the most significant impact, as Ryanair pulls out entirely. Valladolid, in particular, will only have one remaining airline, Binter Canarias, with limited…