FAU

A US Senate committee has voted to hold Anthony Fauci, the former top US infectious disease official, in contempt of Congress. The vote escalates a long-running standoff between Republican lawmakers and Fauci over documents and testimony connected to the federal response to Covid-19 and the origins of the pandemic. Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for decades before retiring in 2022, remains a frequent target of congressional scrutiny, and the move is likely to deepen partisan fights over pandemic-era decisions.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe is calling on governments and energy providers to remove the hassle from sustainable choices by introducing greener defaults, so that environmentally friendly energy becomes the automatic option rather than one that requires extra effort. The appeal focuses on simplifying consumer decisions around heating, power and energy use across the UNECE region to speed up the transition to cleaner energy.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air Mass in Lourdes, France, urging the Catholic Church to acknowledge its own faults. His remarks, delivered at one of the world's best-known pilgrimage sites, call for humility and self-examination within the institution and are drawing attention as an early signal of his papacy's tone on reform and accountability.

Australian officials are pushing back against growing local opposition to datacentres, arguing the backlash is a borrowed American talking point rather than a genuinely Australian concern, saying 'We are not the United States'. The comments come as communities and councils across Australia debate proposals for new datacentres tied to the expansion of artificial intelligence, with disputes over energy use, water consumption and planning approvals fueling protests.

Haaretz has published an opinion piece examining why the Israeli television drama Fauda is trending in Pakistan and what its popularity there might mean for Israel. The show, which follows an Israeli undercover unit operating in the Palestinian territories, drawing Pakistani viewers highlights how Israeli cultural products are reaching audiences in countries with no diplomatic ties to Israel.

The Protect College Sports Act is being examined for its potential effects on college athletics nationwide, with specific attention to Florida Atlantic University's programs. Coverage outlines how the legislation could change rules governing student athletes, including matters tied to compensation and eligibility. The discussion comes as lawmakers and universities weigh how new federal rules would reshape day-to-day operations of college sports programs.