STEM

A jury has found Facebook liable for deceiving users in the long-running Cambridge Analytica case, stemming from the scandal in which data from millions of people's profiles was harvested without proper consent and used for political targeting. The verdict is a major setback for Meta, which has fought the claims for years, and could open the door to substantial damages for affected users.

The Council of the EU is drawing attention to Europe's push to build its own independent payment system, reducing reliance on foreign networks such as Visa, Mastercard and US-operated platforms. The discussion centres on digital sovereignty, with European policymakers arguing that control over payments infrastructure is now a matter of strategic and economic security.

The European Union is pushing to develop an independent payment system, reducing reliance on US-dominated networks like Visa and Mastercard. The Council of the EU has outlined the case for homegrown payment infrastructure, citing strategic autonomy, lower costs for merchants, and resilience against geopolitical pressure. The initiative aligns with ongoing projects such as the digital euro, though critics question whether European schemes can achieve the scale and convenience of established global providers.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will send soldiers and air defense systems to Saudi Arabia to help protect Yanbu's critical oil-export facilities from Houthi attacks. Macron also did not rule out an additional deployment of French Air Force fighter jets, signalling a deepening French security role in the Red Sea region amid ongoing threats to global energy infrastructure.

A federal judge has ordered the White House to respond by 12:30 PM regarding its non-compliance with a press-related court order. The order stems from an ongoing legal dispute over press access, and the deadline suggests the judge is moving swiftly after the administration failed to comply. The development is drawing wide attention as a test of whether the White House will follow court directives on media access.

EU institutions are highlighting the push for a European-made payment system, amid concerns over Europe's reliance on US-controlled networks like Visa and Mastercard. The debate centres on strategic autonomy, with supporters arguing a homegrown alternative would reduce dependence on foreign infrastructure and strengthen digital sovereignty. Discussion touches on instant payments and the planned digital euro as possible building blocks.

Scientists and commercial fishermen in New England are calling on federal agencies to maintain funding for a deep-ocean observation system that tracks conditions in Atlantic waters. Researchers use the system to study ocean changes, while fishermen rely on its data for safety and understanding fish stocks. The two groups, often at odds, are jointly pressing for continued federal support.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that national security agencies and military cyber forces will be deployed to protect US election systems ahead of the midterm elections. The pledge, carried widely by national and local outlets including AP News, signals a stepped-up Pentagon role in defending election infrastructure against cyber threats. It is likely to fuel debate over the military's place in election security.

Spanish Social Security reforms will take effect in 2027, according to Expansión. The legal retirement age will be pushed back further, the way pensions are calculated will change, and the intergenerational equity mechanism (MEI), the extra contribution funding the pension system, will increase. The changes stem from the phased 2021-2027 pension reform agreed with the EU, and are drawing attention as workers assess how their future retirement benefits will be affected.

The US Senate has moved forward with legislation to overhaul the college sports system, according to ABC News. The bill's advancement marks an early but significant step in a long-running debate over how college athletics should be governed, particularly around athlete pay, name-image-likeness rights, and the broader structure of the NCAA. Details of the proposed reforms and their chances of passing remain limited so far.

A federal agency has filed a lawsuit against an Ohio-based Catholic health system, alleging the organisation engaged in or tolerated antisemitism. Details of the specific allegations, the agency involved, and the health system's response have not yet been widely reported beyond the initial announcement, and it is not yet clear what remedies are being sought.

Amazon has agreed to pay out refunds as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over its Prime subscription practices. Millions of Prime members in the United States could receive up to $200 in automatic refunds, without needing to file a claim. The payouts stem from allegations that Amazon enrolled customers in Prime and made cancellation difficult. Consumers are checking whether they qualify and when payments will arrive.

A Georgia election panel has asked the Trump administration to support efforts to update the state's election systems. The request, reported by WABE and the Georgia Recorder, signals continued state-level focus on election infrastructure and could draw attention to ongoing debates over voting equipment and election integrity in Georgia.

Researchers at Michigan Medicine have published a study presenting a new framework for direct cell reprogramming, the process of converting one cell type into another without passing through a stem cell state. The work could guide future regenerative medicine approaches by clarifying how cell identity can be changed. Details of the findings and their practical implications are still limited in early coverage.

Olympic officials have laid out the qualification system for judo at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, explaining how athletes can earn their places. The guidance details the pathways and criteria competitors worldwide will need to meet, giving national federations and athletes a clear timeline for the road to LA28.

Rapper Rick Ross has been arrested in Miami Beach on a battery charge stemming from a domestic violence incident, according to the Miami Herald. The arrest of the prominent rapper and businessman is drawing widespread attention, with reaction spreading quickly across the US as details of the alleged incident and any court proceedings remain limited.

The Central Bank of Nigeria says weak agricultural infrastructure across the country stems largely from farmers' difficulties in accessing finance. The bank argues that without better credit availability, investment in irrigation, storage and rural roads will lag, holding back the agricultural sector.

The Chips Joint Undertaking has launched funding worth €80 million to support the development of AI chips and compute systems in Europe. The call aims to strengthen European capabilities in semiconductor design and computing hardware for artificial intelligence, backing research and innovation projects across the bloc. The move is part of broader efforts to reduce reliance on foreign chip suppliers.

A jury has ordered Apple to pay $5.7 billion in a patent dispute over the haptic engine technology used in its devices. The verdict ranks among the largest patent awards against the company and raises questions about potential appeals and design changes. The case stems from claims that Apple infringed patented vibration feedback technology used in iPhones and other products.

Olympic officials have outlined the qualification system for marathon swimming at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The explanation details how open-water swimmers can secure quota spots for their countries ahead of the competition. With the LA28 Games approaching, athletes and national federations are now looking at the pathways and timelines required to book their place on the start line.

A court in Ludwigslust, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, has delivered its verdict in the trial of a hunter, according to NDR. The case stems from a hunting accident, and the ruling is drawing attention in Germany as details of the judgment and the circumstances of the incident emerge.

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces report that over the past 24 hours their units struck or destroyed 2,129 Russian targets. The claimed tally includes 506 personnel, of whom 216 were neutralised, as well as 47 drone launch sites, 22 radar stations and electronic reconnaissance assets. The figures come from the Ukrainian military and have not been independently verified.

A widely watched commentary piece claims to trace the source of so-called 'news slop' — the flood of low-quality, mass-produced news content now filling feeds. The creator argues the phenomenon stems from content farms and automated generation rather than traditional newsrooms, and the topic has struck a chord with audiences frustrated by the declining quality of online information.

The New York Fed's Liberty Street Economics blog examines how geoeconomic risk, meaning economic and financial exposure to geopolitical tensions, is shaping the U.S. stock market. The piece looks at how investors and firms navigate uncertainty stemming from trade conflicts, sanctions and other political risks. Details beyond the headline are limited.

Researchers have confirmed that the invasive plant Nagae-tsurunogeito (long-stalked alligator weed), spreading in Fukui and along the Shin Tone River in Inashiki, Ibaraki Prefecture, has exceptionally high photosynthetic ability, which explains its rapid stem growth. The finding is expected to help develop control methods that target this weakness to curb the weed's spread and protect local ecosystems.