US

During a visit to the French pilgrimage site of Lourdes, the Pope declared that medicine must never become a servant of programmed death, in remarks touching on euthanasia and end-of-life care. He framed medical practice as fundamentally oriented toward defending life and comforting the sick rather than hastening their passing, appealing to caregivers gathered at the major Catholic healing shrine.

The Trump administration is retreating from a plan to exert greater control over National Institutes of Health grant decisions after significant pushback. A proposed executive order that would have increased White House oversight of NIH funding appears to be dead, according to reporting by Semafor, marking a setback for efforts to centralise control of federal biomedical research grants.

A jury has found Facebook liable for deceiving its users in the long-running Cambridge Analytica case. The verdict stems from the scandal in which data from millions of Facebook users was harvested without proper consent and used for political profiling. Commenters are debating the significance of the ruling and what penalties or changes it may bring for the social media company and user privacy protections.

Former Senator Kyrsten Sinema's onetime bodyguard, who was also her romantic partner, has been arrested after allegedly breaking into her home and throwing 22 paintings into her swimming pool. The unusual nature of the incident, involving a former US senator and someone once tasked with protecting her, has drawn wide attention and questions about the circumstances surrounding the relationship and the break-in.

President Trump has rejected a proposal from Iran that included a 7-day timeline, reportedly part of negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme. The rejection signals continued deadlock between Washington and Tehran, with US officials dismissing the plan as insufficient while Iran has framed its offer as a serious concession. Diplomats warn the standoff raises the risk of renewed escalation in the region.

Hurricane Polo is approaching Mexico's Pacific coast, while a separate coastal storm is battering the Northeast United States and New England. The twin weather systems are drawing attention as both regions brace for heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous surf, with forecasters urging coastal residents to monitor warnings and prepare for possible flooding and power outages.

Russia's oil production is expected to drop to 494 million tonnes in 2026, a 3.4% decline from the previous year and the lowest level since 2009, according to Le Grand Continent. Observers are weighing what the decline means for Russia's economy, its refining capacity, and global energy markets amid ongoing sanctions pressure.

A hurricane has shifted course unexpectedly, forcing meteorologists to update their forecast track and warnings for communities in its potential path. Coverage from severe weather trackers is drawing large audiences as people watch to see whether the storm will threaten land or turn out to sea. Officials urge residents in affected areas to follow the latest advisories closely.

A powerful Nor'easter storm is battering the US east coast, bringing heavy winds and widespread power outages across affected states. Reports indicate coastal communities are facing downed trees, damaged infrastructure and disruptions to travel as utility crews work to restore electricity. The storm is one of the most significant weather events to hit the region recently, with residents urged to stay indoors and monitor official warnings.

President Trump is reportedly considering a ban on US diesel fuel exports, a move that would keep more refined fuel within the domestic market. Such a restriction could reshape global fuel supply chains, potentially raising prices in countries reliant on American diesel and triggering pushback from refiners and trading partners. Discussion is focused on what the policy would mean for consumers and energy markets.

Advocates are calling for mental health diversion programs for the thousands of people held at New York City's Rikers Island jail who need psychiatric treatment rather than incarceration. The push reflects growing concerns that the jail complex, long criticized for violence and poor conditions, is being used as a de facto mental health facility, and that treatment-based alternatives would better serve inmates and public safety.

A report claims an autonomous OpenAI 'agent' was used to hack into Australia's health service, raising fresh questions about the security risks of AI agents that can act online with minimal supervision. If confirmed, the incident would mark one of the first cases of an AI agent being deployed in a cyberattack against national health infrastructure.

Experts warn that allies of Donald Trump positioned in key battleground states could exploit the period when midterm votes are counted to disrupt or challenge results. The concern is that loyalists in election offices or as poll watchers could amplify false fraud claims during the counting window, echoing efforts to overturn the 2020 election and undermining confidence in the midterms.

NASA has laid out plans for a permanent moon base costing an estimated $20 billion, according to ABC News. The strategy would establish a long-term human presence on the lunar surface, building on the Artemis program. Details of the timeline, funding and partners remain under scrutiny as observers weigh what the ambitious proposal would require.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson exited the team's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after suffering an ankle injury. The severity of the injury was not immediately clear, and fans await updates on how long the star receiver might be sidelined and what it means for the Vikings' offense going forward.

A powerful nor'easter is taking aim at the US East Coast, with forecasters warning of heavy rainfall, coastal flooding and beach erosion as the storm moves through. Residents along the shoreline are being told to prepare for deteriorating conditions, and communities from the mid-Atlantic to New England are monitoring water levels closely as the system strengthens offshore.

A new study suggests that removing ultra-processed food from school menus will be a difficult task. The finding highlights practical obstacles schools face in offering fresher, less processed meals to pupils. The research is drawing attention amid growing public and political concern over ultra-processed food in children's diets and its links to obesity and poor health outcomes.

Chinese authorities are considering allowing ByteDance and Alibaba to purchase Nvidia's newest AI chips, according to a report by The Information picked up by Reuters. The possible approval would ease restrictions on two of China's largest technology companies as they race to build computing power for artificial intelligence. The report is drawing attention because it signals a potential shift in how Beijing balances domestic chip policy against its tech sector's demand for leading-edge semiconductors.

US television networks are set to resume covering President Trump after the White House TV pool went dark for a week amid a standoff between the administration and CNN, which the White House has excluded. Network executives believe an indefinite suspension of coverage is untenable, even as CNN remains shut out. The standoff has raised fresh questions about press access to the president.

Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been ruled out for the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to an ankle injury. His absence is a significant blow to Minnesota's offence, as Jefferson is one of the NFL's top playmakers. Fans and analysts are watching closely for updates on how long he may be sidelined.

A new report on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk says his organization, Turning Point USA, insisted he appear outdoors despite security concerns. It also found that Utah Valley University, where he was shot and killed, failed to properly assess threats, including the possibility of a rooftop shooter. The findings raise fresh questions about responsibility and security lapses surrounding his death last year.