A contagious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that sparked a global pandemic and ongoing public-health lessons
The Department of Health and Human Services has appointed permanent directors for three FDA centres — drugs, vaccines and biologics, and tobacco products — installing Michael Davis, Karim Mikhail and Bret Koplow. The moves follow months of departures at the agency and put acting leaders into permanent roles while HHS creates a new AI and technology oversight post.
A 40-year-old Jefferson County resident has died of complications described as measles-related, the county coroner has announced, bringing Pennsylvania state officials' total to three deaths linked to this year's outbreak. The CDC's public tracker currently shows no measles deaths and federal officials are reviewing whether the Pennsylvania fatalities meet their criteria.
A synthesis of recent coverage shows investors digesting new data, with analysts noting ongoing shifts in policy expectations and equity benchmarks amid mixed earnings and macro signals.
A Florida woman has been charged in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, accused of helping secure more than $32 million in COVID-19 relief funds before fleeing to Jamaica and later being captured in a US-led operation. Several co-defendants have already been convicted or sentenced in the ongoing case.
The latest data from multiple outlets shows a nationwide trend of falling homicide rates in 2026, with significant declines in many cities and pockets of increases in a few, including San Francisco and Norfolk. Experts say factors are widespread and not tied to one policy or leadership style, while some cities dispute the official tallies.
Rabbi Jeffrey Myers has retired from Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh after guiding the community through the 2018 shooter attack, its aftermath, a trial and the pandemic. He plans to return to New Jersey with his family, continue personal healing and pursue new writing and reading goals.
The CDC reports 2,318 measles cases in 2026, making it the worst year in decades. Outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah and Arizona have prompted renewed concern over vaccination coverage as officials weigh loss of measles-free status.
Experts from MIT and the University of Queensland have evaluated 24 AI risks and assigned probabilities to catastrophic outcomes by 2030. Five risks stand out for higher likelihood, including dangerous AI capabilities, cyber-enabled mass harm, unequal benefit distribution, competitive dynamics, and misinformation. Mitigations could reduce severity, but chances remain above 10%.
Measles cases in the U.S. have surged to 2,371 this year, the highest in years, prompting renewed calls for vaccination amid political and public health pressures. Outbreaks are intensifying in several states as officials warn that vaccination alone may not curb spread. Health Secretary Kennedy faces scrutiny over his vaccine stance while states push to bolster immunization programs.
The American Red Cross has declared a national blood-supply crisis as donations fall to a multi-year summer low. Hospitals face strained inventories, especially for type O blood, during the summer trauma season. Efforts to incentivize donations and explore prehospital transfusion payments are under way in the US and Canada.
The Doctor Who screenwriter has spoken about his husband Andrew Smith’s death from glioblastoma in 2018. He says caregiving was hard but he would have done it for 50 more years. Smith and Davies were together 20 years, married in 2012, and Davies is dating Oliver Cole. Davies will publish a memoir about his career this year.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee has voted 8–5 to hold Dr Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked the Fifth Amendment repeatedly during a hearing on pandemic decisions and the origins of COVID‑19. Chairman Rand Paul has authorised sending the committees report to the DC US attorney for possible prosecution and has threatened to certify the citation to the Senate president if the chamber is not in session.
CDC estimates 450 invasive mold disease cases in Atlanta-area hospitals from 2020–2024, with about one-third of patients dying in hospital. Rates translate to 3–5 cases per year per 100 inpatient beds, higher at large academic centers. Most patients have weakened immune systems or prior COVID-19 illness.
A Senate hearing has spotlighted newly released diary pages from Fauci, fueling accusations that the scientist privately contradicted public statements as lawmakers push for questioning under the Fifth Amendment; experts note the diary entries document uncertainty in early pandemic days and ongoing debates about origins and gain-of-function research.
The Fauci diaries have intensified scrutiny of his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Senate panel has voted to hold him in contempt for refusing to answer questions, while states push for records. Republicans argue for accountability; Democrats defend the former NIH director amid a renewed focus on origins, lockdowns, and media coverage.
A wave of paid social clubs is growing, offering curated real-world connections through platforms like TimeLeft, Chirpy Plus, and EatWith. The trend echoes historical private clubs but operates as for-profit digital platforms. Loneliness remains a public concern in Australia as the phenomenon spreads globally and reshapes social interactions.
The labor market has a mix of resilience and weakness. Job openings remain elevated in some sectors while hiring slows overall, with unemployment near 4.1% to 4.2% and labor-force participation at historic lows for this cycle. New data suggest a stubborn, low-hire economy as rates stay high and uncertainty persists.
The NHS has been forced to confront ongoing summer pressures as heatwaves drive higher A&E attendances, equipment failures, and drought-related health risks. Officials say planning for summer pressures is now essential, with public awareness campaigns and infrastructure upgrades in focus.
Fauci has invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing on his COVID-era policies. Rand Paul has moved to refer him to the Justice Department for contempt, arguing the presidential pardon does not shield him from self-incrimination. The diaries raise questions about private misgivings vs public statements, and about the origins of the virus and lockdowns.
Fauci has repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment during a heated hearing, citing constitutional protections as Republicans press for answers on Covid origins, vaccine guidance, and pandemic policy. A potential contempt vote hangs over the hearing, with Democrats arguing the process could harm public health and Republicans saying more must be disclosed.
Moderna has won FDA approval for its mRNA flu vaccine mFlusiva for adults 50–64 and accelerated approval for those 65 and older. The decision follows a contentious review earlier this year, a unanimous advisory panel recommendation in June and political disputes inside US health agencies over mRNA vaccines. Retail availability is expected in coming weeks.
A cluster of reports shows rising debt strain in mid-2026: credit card balances have reached $1.26 trillion with 12.8% of balances past due; student loan delinquencies are stabilizing yet defaults remain high as the SAVE plan ends and litigation continues. Autopay incentives have been expanded temporarily to encourage on-time payments.
UK A-level entries have reached a record high with top grades rising again. Maths remains the most popular subject, while the share of A/A* grades has increased. Boys lead in top grades, with economics and other quantitative subjects gaining traction as students weigh future job prospects.
A block of UK indicators shows services activity expanding and consumer confidence firming, while manufacturing remains modest. PMI readings point to continued growth in Q3, supported by tech investment and exports, though inflation and public finances remain a risk.
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering after allegedly obtaining a $1.5 million COVID-19 loan for his tire business and diverting funds to cover mortgages and his campaign. He appeared in federal court and was released under conditions; prosecutors say the fraud raised concerns about public trust.
Fauci has refused to testify again, arguing that compelling him would impermissibly harass him for political purposes after a contentious July 29 hearing. The move follows a contempt vote and a push by Rand Paul to send the matter to the DOJ, while Johnson pursues a parallel review of the COVID-19 response.
Two unvaccinated residents in Pennsylvania have died from measles, triggering a public health debate. Governor Shapiro says vaccinations could have averted the deaths, while RFK Jr. questions the figures, fueling a political row that experts warn could hinder responses to the outbreak.
GCSE results across the UK show more students achieving top grades, with 22% securing A/7 or higher and regional disparities widening. While overall pass rates hold, the data highlight a north–south divide and ongoing gender trends. Governments pledge new routes and measures to boost opportunity.
Ethel Caterham has become the oldest living person in April 2025 after the death of a 116-year-old. She credits avoiding arguments as key to her longevity and has shared moments from her life, including meeting King Charles and experiences across decades in the UK and abroad. She currently resides in Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey.
Public borrowing in July stands at 1.8 billion, above forecasts, with four-month deficit at 56.7 billion. Tax receipts hit a record for July, but spending growth outpaced receipts, keeping debt near 3 trillion and GDP share at about 94%. Chancellor Healey to unveil October Budget amid fiscal discipline pledges.
Names for storms, military operations and global events have become a modern tool for communication, safety and memory. The World Meteorological Organization says monikers speed warnings and preparedness, while Churchill influenced operation naming to avoid boastful overtones. The articles explore how names tell stories and guide public perception.
New study finds Med-South, a North Carolina adaptation of the Mediterranean diet, helps weight loss and improves diet quality compared with Weight Watchers. Both programs achieve similar weight loss, but Med-South yields higher-quality eating habits through phased support over two years.
Guinea-Bissau reports its first mpox outbreak as seven confirmed cases emerge since July 2026, with 46 suspected cases including many children. UNICEF warns fragile surveillance risks undetected spread. Authorities push for stronger monitoring as schools reopen in September.
Dolly Parton has died at age 80 in Nashville, her publicity team has said. Her nephew Bryan Seaver announced the news on Instagram. Parton has written thousands of songs, sold more than 100 million records, won multiple Grammys and founded the Imagination Library, which has distributed hundreds of millions of free books.
Dolly Parton has died after a brief cancer battle, prompting tributes from peers and fans around the world. The Queen of Country leaves a legacy of hit songs, philanthropy, and a cross-genre influence that shaped music and culture.
The NFL has eliminated the Pro Bowl game or any accompanying events. 88 players will be named Pro Bowlers and honored at an in-person Los Angeles celebration in February, with no alternates. Voting remains the same and the Pro Bowl will focus on honoring the season’s best players rather than a game.
Major U.S. medical societies have published coordinated guidance for flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations after the FDA approved updated COVID and flu shots. The American Medical Association and partner groups have compiled evidence and tailored recommendations for age and risk groups while the CDC advisory process remains delayed by political and legal disputes. Enhanced and mRNA flu options are available for older adults.
Dolly Parton has died at 80. Despite never claiming the feminist label, her fans and contemporaries cite her life, lyrics, and actions as a form of feminism. The piece weaves remarks from Gloria Steinem, writers like Lynn Melnick, and moments from the Newport Folk Festival to show how Parton’s independence and relatability shaped a lasting feminist influence, even without a formal label.
Cotton is making a quiet comeback in Busia, Kenya, where farmers are cultivating tiny plots that limit production. While some see improved livelihoods and education funded by cotton, others warn that tiny acreages and weak markets hinder full-scale revival. Burkina Faso farmers are diversifying into pineapples as a government push for food sovereignty expands local production amid security and hunger concerns.
Pacific Islands Forum opens in Palau as Beijing objects to Taiwan’s attendance. Pacific leaders press for autonomy in agenda; China warns of consequences. Taiwan’s foreign minister attends, sparking diplomatic friction.
A string of articles shows a growing focus on how to prepare young people for work. Welsh schemes like Academi Adra have expanded to meet rising demand, while UK managers say education often fails to prepare entrants for professional life. Employers are calling for stronger vocational pipelines and better practical experience for early-career workers.
Pharmacists can now treat migraines, acne, scabies, certain ear infections and allergic rhinitis in addition to seven existing conditions, as NHS England expands the Pharmacy First scheme to ease GP and A&E pressure. A phased rollout starts this autumn with thousands of community pharmacies involved.
Flu vaccines are underway and updated COVID-19 shots are arriving nationwide after FDA approval. RSV remains a threat, prompting guidance from medical societies as Trump health officials rethink autumn vaccine policies. An advisory panel remains in a legal dispute, while doctors push clear, science-based guidance. Older adults and high-risk groups are urged to vaccinate, with a new mRNA flu shot showing improved effectiveness.
Iranian forces have fired on three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, damaging vessels and triggering new tensions with the US. Leaders question who directed the strikes as hard-liners push a hard-line stance while Mojtaba Khamenei remains in the background.