Labour Minister Rejects Trump’s ‘Unproven’ Claim That Paracetamol Use Is Linked To Autism

President Donald Trump arrives with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to speak in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Washington. A Labour minister has rejected Donald Trumps claim that there is a link between paracetamol use in pregnancy with autism. The US president made the comments in the White House on Monday, despite being unable to provide any evidence to back them up. Trump said there had been a meteoric rise in cases of autism and suggested that paracetamol which is called Tylenol in the US is a potential cause. There are certain groups of people that dont take vaccines and dont take any pills, that have no autism, the president claimed. He said the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be notifying all US doctors with new guidance advising mothers-to-be not to use paracetamol during their pregnancy. But appearing I think in any policy decision, I do this in my own department, youve got to be led by the evidence. The fact is that any such link at the moment is unproven, and its really important more generally, talking about children with autism, that we get the right support in place. But on the presidents suggestion, lets be led by the science. Medical experts on both sides of the Atlantic have slammed Trumps comments. Dr Monique Botha, associate professor in social and developmental psychology at Durham University, accused the president of fearmongering. She said a Swedish study of 2. 4 million births last year found no relationship between paracetamol use and autism. Dr Botha said: There is no robust evidence or convincing studies to suggest there is any causal relationship and any conclusions being drawn to the contrary are often motivated, under-evidenced, and unsupported by the most robust methods to answering this question. Related. UK Experts Accuse Trump Of ‘Fearmongering’ For Linking Paracetamol And AutismIrresponsible: Medical Experts Slam Trump Claims About Paracetamol, Pregnancy And AutismWithout Proof, Trump Links Tylenol To Autism.

ASEAN Foundation supported by US$5 mil Google.org funding to combat rising scams in Singapore and ASEAN

In 2023, scam-related losses in Singapore reached at least US$507 million (RM2 billion), with 46, 563 reported cases a 46. 8% increase from the previous year, according to the sentencing advisory panel of Singapore. In response to this escalating threat, the ASEAN Foundation has announced a new regional anti-scam initiative at the Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) Asia 2025 in Singapore. With US$5 million (RM23 million) in funding support from Google. org, the ASEAN Foundation aims to strengthen community resilience against scams in partnership with local implementing partners across all ten ASEAN member states, including Singapore and Timor-Leste. [RM1 = US$0. 22] The announcement comes at a pivotal moment. With Malaysias ASEAN chairmanship 2025 placing strong emphasis on enhancing regional digital resilience, and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 highlighting the need for a secure, people-centred digital future, this initiative stands as a powerful example of collaboration for the public good. \While the situation remains concerning, Singapore has implemented various measures to combat scams. These include the formation of the anti-scam command (ASCom), the launch of the ScamShield app, and the introduction of a shared liability framework with financial and telecommunications companies. Additionally, the government has enacted laws allowing police to freeze bank accounts to prevent further financial losses in scam cases. Scams dont just steal money they steal trust, dignity, and opportunity, said Dr Piti Srisangnam, executive director of the ASEAN Foundation. Through this programme, we aim to empower communities across ASEAN and Timor-Leste with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to outsmart scammers. This is not just about prevention; its about protecting the very fabric of our societies in the digital era. The new anti-scam initiative directly addresses the urgent need for a coordinated approach to a borderless problem, focusing on awareness, education and empowerment. The programme will expand access to scam prevention resources for over 3 million people across the region, including Be Scam Ready, an educational game developed by Google to build critical scam-spotting skills based on inoculation theory. A core part of this effort includes in-depth training for 550, 000 individuals, delivered by a 2, 000-strong network of master trainers, to mobilise youth, parents, educators, and elderly citizens to become the first line of defence against online scams. Scams are a critical challenge across Southeast Asia, where the region has faced significant financial losses. This is why we are so proud to support the ASEAN Foundations new anti-scam initiative. We believe the best way to effectively tackle this complex, cross-border problem is through a whole-of-society approach. By bringing together governments, industry, and civil society, this initiative will empower communities and build long-term digital resilience, helping to create a safer, more trusted online environment for millions across the region, said Wilson White, vice president, government affairs and public policy, Google Asia Pacific. As the regions digital economy is projected to soar to US$1 trillion by 2030, this initiative is a critical step towards building a safe and secure digital future for all. This programme brings the solution directly to people where they are: in classrooms, community halls, online spaces, and living rooms. By providing tailored training and tools to reflect each countrys culture, language, and real-world scam scenarios, the goal is simple: to give people the skills, confidence, and support they need to protect themselves and those they care about.