Plus, why electric cars will take over sooner than you think
| NHS deal for gene therapy |
| |
| | | Five-month-old Arthur is a "lovely, happy little boy", according to dad Reece Morgan. But he's one of about 40 children born each year with the most severe form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a progressive disorder causing loss of muscle control that usually leads to death before the age of two. He's become the first patient to be treated on the NHS with Zolgensma, a £1.795m therapy that delivers healthy replacements for missing or faulty genes. The NHS has negotiated a confidential discount, meaning dozens of infants can be treated each year. "Now, we have the potential to enable children to acquire motor skills such as rolling and sitting and even standing-walking," says consultant paediatric neurologist Dr Elizabeth Wraige. Arthur struggles to move his arms and legs and cannot lift his head, meaning some permanent damage has been done. But it's hoped the therapy will prevent further deterioration. "Our hope is that he can have the best possible life in terms of his movement," says Mr Morgan. The charity SMA UK wants newborns to be screened for the condition so the drug can be given earlier to improve outcomes. | |
| |
|
|
| Heathrow opens red-list only terminal |
| |
| |
| Passengers arriving from countries with a high prevalence of Covid are being channelled through a dedicated terminal at Heathrow Airport. Of 43 countries currently on the UK's red list, direct flights are permitted from just a few - including India - and restricted to British and Irish nationals or UK residents. Red-list passengers had previously waited in the same arrivals hall as those from lower-risk countries, sometimes for hours at a time, before heading to hotels for quarantine. They will now go through Terminal Three. It's understood the government is picking up a substantial portion of the costs, says our transport correspondent Caroline Davies. | |
| |
|
|
| Warning over rooftop developments |
| |
| |
| Flat owners say a change in the law making it easier for freeholders to add two extra storeys to their buildings has left their homes damaged and devalued. Rooftop developments require planning permission but go through a simpler, quicker process aimed at helping to meet the demand for new homes. However, File on 4 has heard from leaseholders at a West London block who say their building has experienced extensive flooding, cracks and even falling cladding since a further five flats were built on top. One couple says their flat has lost about 40% of its value. Read more. | |
| |
|
|
| | | | | You probably haven't driven one yet, let alone seriously contemplated buying one, so the prediction may sound a bit bold but bear with me. We are in the middle of the biggest revolution in motoring since Henry Ford's first production line started in 1913. And it is likely to happen much more quickly than you imagine. Many industry observers believe we have already passed the tipping point where sales of electric vehicles will very rapidly overwhelm petrol and diesel cars. It is certainly what the world's big car makers think. | |
|
|
| |
| | Justin Rowlatt | Chief environment correspondent | |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| | | | "Third wave alert," is the headline in the Metro, which says the final stage of easing lockdown in England may be delayed from 21 June, as scientists warn of a potential surge in coronavirus cases involving the variant first identified in India. The Guardian says scientists are urging the government to speed up the delivery of second doses of Covid vaccines. Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph leads with calls for richer countries to give more vaccines to poorer nations, or risk new variants emerging that could prompt future lockdowns. Read the review. | |
| |
|
|
| | | Spying US and Denmark pressed over allegations |
| | | | What3words Rescuers question use of location app in emergencies |
| | | | Domino’s Chain seeks 5,000 workers as Covid staff return to old roles |
| | | | Stabbing Police hunt up to seven attackers after boy, 14, killed |
| |
| |
|
|
| If you watch one thing today |
| | | |
| |
|
|
| If you listen to one thing today |
| | | |
| |
|
|
| If you read one thing today |
| | | |
| |
|
|
| Need something different? |
| |
| |
|
|
| | | 1985 Hundreds of people travelling to an illegal festival at Stonehenge are arrested after a violent clash with the police. Watch our archive report. |
| |
| |
|
|
|
| Let us know what you think of this newsletter by emailing bbcnewsdaily@bbc.co.uk. If you’d like to recommend it to a friend, forward this email. New subscribers can sign up here. | |
| |
|