Lions

Classified budget estimates indicate the National Security Agency is paying billions of dollars to test artificial intelligence models, according to a new report. The figures suggest US intelligence agencies are moving aggressively to evaluate advanced AI systems for national security uses, and the scale of the spending is drawing attention to how deeply classified programs are funding AI development.

European governments are racing to rearm amid security concerns, but their lack of coordination in defence procurement is costing billions. An investigation argues that each country buying separately, rather than jointly, drives up prices, duplicates effort and delays delivery of weapons and equipment. The report adds to ongoing debate about whether the EU and NATO members should pool orders and standardise military capabilities to get better value from rising defence budgets.

Meta's stock fell 4%, cutting billions of dollars from Mark Zuckerberg's paper wealth as the company's market value took a sharp hit. The drop ranks among the day's most-watched market moves, with investors closely tracking Meta's valuation and what it signals for the broader tech sector.

Researchers report that everyday cleaning sponges release trillions of microscopic plastic fibers during normal use, adding a previously underappreciated source of microplastics to household dust and wastewater. The finding suggests routine household chores may contribute far more plastic pollution than assumed, prompting calls for safer sponge materials and greater scrutiny of plastic kitchen products.

Hurricane Polo is churning in the Pacific off Mexico's coast, with forecasters warning that heavy rain could trigger flooding and mudslides affecting millions of people in coastal areas. At the same time, Tropical Storm Rachel has formed nearby in the basin, keeping two storm systems active at once and prompting residents and authorities to brace for dangerous surf, rainfall and possible evacuations.

Hurricane Polo is spinning in the Pacific Ocean, with forecasters warning it could bring heavy rain and flooding to parts of Mexico and the southwestern United States, putting millions of people in the storm's potential path. Officials are monitoring the system as it moves, urging residents in vulnerable areas to prepare for possible flash flooding and dangerous conditions in the days ahead.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated he is open to providing the 'greatest level of' financial support to member associations, potentially disbursing millions, as he seeks re-election. The timing has drawn attention, with observers questioning whether large payouts to national federations are being used to build goodwill ahead of the vote.

China's national science month has attracted audiences in the billions, according to China Daily, with this year's events built around the theme of innovation. The annual campaign stages exhibitions, demonstrations and public outreach activities across the country to promote scientific literacy and showcase technological achievements.

America's wealthiest donors are funnelling hundreds of millions of dollars into the upcoming midterm elections, with business media now tracking the biggest contributors so far. The spending highlights how billionaire-funded super PACs and large individual donations continue to shape congressional and state races, raising fresh attention on the scale of money in US politics ahead of voting day.

Health insurers are warning that the rapid spread of artificial intelligence in medicine could drive billions of dollars in additional healthcare costs, citing the potential for AI-enabled care to expand utilization and billing volumes. Medical billing companies are pushing back, arguing the technology actually reduces administrative expenses and improves efficiency. The dispute highlights a growing divide in the industry over how AI will reshape health spending, with insurers and billing firms offering sharply conflicting forecasts as adoption accelerates across hospitals and physician practices.

Teachers unions in California are campaigning to renew a state tax that generates billions of dollars annually for public education. The pitch comes as the tax faces an expiration deadline, with unions arguing the revenue is essential to maintaining school funding levels across the state. The debate over extension is expected to feature prominently in upcoming legislative and budget discussions.

Tens of billions in capital have flowed into robot tactile technology over the past six months, with multiple companies now competing to become the first tactile technology firm to go public. The funding surge reflects growing investor interest in touch-sensing systems seen as critical for advanced robotics and humanoid machines, as firms race to secure a stock market first in the fast-developing sector.

Scammers are increasingly using AI to generate fake faces and voices in fraud schemes, prompting Meta to deploy its own AI defences that analyse billions of signals to detect patterns and remove accounts at scale. The company says it removed 159 million scam accounts in 2025. Meta's Dr. Rafael Frankel discussed this AI-versus-AI arms race, as concern grows over deepfake-driven online fraud.

Brisbane Lions fans are focused on the AFL grand final, with debate centring on a goal by Zac Bailey that many judged controversial. Coverage also looks at what history says about teams that lose grand finals decided by narrow margins, as supporters dissect key moments that could have changed the result.

Andrew Yang, the former US presidential candidate known for championing universal basic income, is warning that artificial intelligence will eliminate millions of jobs in the near future. His remarks have reignited debate over automation, the pace of AI adoption, and whether governments are prepared to support displaced workers.

Italy's Supreme Court is set to review a controversial citizenship ruling that removed eligibility from millions of people, many of them descendants of Italians abroad. The earlier decision significantly restricted access to Italian citizenship by ancestry, prompting legal challenges and concern among diaspora communities. The upcoming review will determine whether the restrictive interpretation stands.

A Detroit Lions victory has prompted an NFL insider to raise a significant question about head coach Dan Campbell, according to Yahoo Sports. The report has sparked debate among fans about Campbell's leadership and in-game decisions, even as the team secured the win. Details of the exact question and the insider's reasoning were not included in the available coverage.

Forecasts suggest the 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment could be larger than recent years, but analysts warn many retirees may still lose ground. A bigger nominal boost can be offset by rising Medicare premiums and lingering inflation, meaning net benefit checks may not stretch further. The concern is that millions of older Americans could see higher payments that fail to keep pace with their actual living costs.

Mother Jones reports that a Republican candidate for Congress in Nevada is being backed by large, largely unexplained sources of money, raising questions about who is funding the campaign and what they may expect in return. The reporting highlights how little is publicly known about the donors or groups behind the spending. The story is drawing attention in discussions of campaign finance and competitive House races.

Collingwood's Jack Ginnivan has drawn attention for comments about a hit involving Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale, just as the Lions confirmed Neale is set to leave the club and join the Magpies. With the AFL star's switch to Collingwood making headlines, anything Ginnivan says about him is quickly picked up by fans and media.