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Doctors order ‘absolute rest’ for Pope Francis due to respiratory infection

Doctors prescribed "absolute rest" for Pope Francis, the Vatican said Saturday, a day after the 88-year-old pope was admitted to a hospital following a weeklong bout of bronchitis.

EEOC seeks to drop gender discrimination case after Trump executive order

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission moved to drop a suit on behalf of a worker allegedly fired for his sexual orientation and gender identity, arguing the case conflicts with President Trump's executive order.

Woman drops suit accusing Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Jay-Z of raping her when she was 13

The suit was initially filed in October, claiming that the woman was lured by a limousine driver outside the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards and assaulted by the two rappers at an after-party.

‘Give me the head!’ Neuroscientist inspires whale and dolphin research in Brazil

Time is of the essence for a Brazilian neuroscientist who wants to study whale and dolphin brains before the brains decompose in the heat.

Prize-winning pictures: Images from this photo contest show tech changing the world

The website restofworld got entries from 45 countries for a photo contest focusing on technology. Here are their top picks -- from facial scans for migrants to kids in a Mongolian tent transfixed by of a TV.

A 2nd U.S. judge pauses Trump’s order against gender-affirming care for trans youth

A second federal judge paused President Trump's executive order halting federal support for gender-affirming care for transgender youth under 19.

Top federal prosecutor in Washington previously defended Jan. 6 rioters

Ed Martin advanced bogus claims about election fraud in swing states in 2020, and he spoke at a boisterous rally in Washington the day before the siege on the Capitol.

How changes to a CDC vaccine panel under Kennedy could reshape policy

A committee of experts that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is critical in setting national vaccine policy. It's also vulnerable to political interference.

Courts block Trump’s DOGE actions — chaos, panic not proving to be best legal strategy

Some legal scholars say that the administration is bungling the chance to expand presidential power.

Trump’s spending cuts target probationary workers. What does the status mean?

As the Trump administration carries out mass firings of the federal workforce in a push to slash government spending, its targeting probationary workers. Here's what to know about the employee status.

After Watergate, Congress curbed the presidency. Now, Trump is testing those limits

President Trump's efforts to cut federal programs and fire watchdogs are drawing attention to 1970s-era government reforms.

Are immigrants still welcome in Mayor Eric Adams’ New York City? We asked New Yorkers.

New York City's mayor has embraced a more conservative, less immigrant friendly stance. What does that mean for a city that's built it's identity on immigration?

Trump officials signal potential changes at NOAA, the weather and climate agency

Federal workers at the home agency for the National Weather Service are concerned about a potential overhaul by Trump officials focused on cutting government costs.

Hamas releases three Israeli hostages, the sixth group freed under a ceasefire deal

In a ceremony surrounded by masked Palestinian militants and rubble from the Gaza war, Hamas released three Israeli hostages holding U.S., Russian and Argentinian citizenships on Saturday.

A Valentine’s Day aurora may be visible in the skies of the northern U.S.

During Valentine's Day weekend, northern parts of America, including Maine, may have a chance of seeing an aurora. But space weather scientists warn that the chances of this happening are slim.

Federal judge blocks CFPB from laying off more employees

The ruling from a federal court in Washington, D.C., is a reprieve for CFPB staff who had been bracing for mass layoffs as early as Friday.

Trump firings cause chaos at agency responsible for America’s nuclear weapons

The National Nuclear Security Administration is a semi-autonomous agency within the Department of Energy that oversees the U.S. stockpile of thousands of nuclear weapons. Officials were given hours to fire hundreds of employees.

HUD employees are bracing for what they hear will be ‘drastic’ staff cuts

As federal layoffs mount, sources say the Trump administration plans a 50% staffing cut at the federal housing agency. The moves come amid an affordable housing shortage and record high homelessness.

A judge orders a temporary thaw to Trump’s foreign aid freeze. What will that mean?

He wrote that there was no explanation "why a blanket suspension of all congressionally appropriated foreign aid" is needed to review programs. But how funds will start flowing again is unclear.

Fallout from Eric Adams case continues at the Justice Department

An order to dismiss the corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams has sent the Justice Department into a crisis. Several top prosecutors resigned rather than obey orders to dismiss the case.

Access to Ukraine’s rare earths may help keep U.S. aid flowing

As the Trump administration publicly hammers out its plans on the Ukraine war, it's also pressing Ukraine for deals in exchange for more aid — including giving the U.S. mining rights for rare earths.

Layoffs accelerate at federal agencies with more cuts to come

Federal agencies continued to lay off workers Friday. The cuts come after President Trump signed an executive order this week directing agencies to prepare for "large-scale" reductions in force.

Former Kennedy Center president speaks out in first interview since her firing

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks to Deborah Rutter, former head of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in her first interview since the board installed President Trump as its new chair.

Altimeter in Black Hawk helicopter may have malfunctioned before DCA mid-air collision

The National Transportation Safety Board says altimeter in the Black Hawk helicopter may have malfunctioned before the DCA mid-air collision with an American Airlines jet. All 67 people aboard died.

At 74, Wisdom the albatross is welcoming new motherhood once again

The Laysan Albatross was first banded (or marked) in Hawaii in 1956. Meaning, she could be even older than the current estimate of 74.

Will the Eagles visit the White House after Super Bowl win? They didn’t last time

The Eagles pulled out a win over the Kansas City Chiefs this week, but they might opt out of making the traditional visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

President Trump is testing the limits of ’emergency’ powers — again

President Trump has declared multiple national emergencies since taking office. That's helping him act quickly. There are few checks and balances on the emergency powers he's claiming.

‘Moss Appreciation Week’: a lot of celebration for a very little plant

Moss Appreciation Week is packed with events both scientific... and also silly. Moss walks, moss talks, moss movies, crafting moss-themed Valentines, and a "gastropod derby" with snails and slugs (for whom moss is a nice moist microclimate).

Layoffs start at CDC, targeting probationary staff

As many as 1,300 probationary employees at CDC are being let go, at the direction of the Trump administration. The cuts represent around 10% of the agency's workforce.

Park Service erases ‘transgender’ on Stonewall website, uses the term ‘LGB’ movement

The website deleted all mentions of "transgender" and "queer" in its history of the Stonewall riots, and only referred to the riots' impact on lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

ICE officers granted access to unaccompanied minors database

Trump administration officials say the move was necessary "to build a culture of child safety and accountability." But advocates say they fear the administration will use it for immigration enforcement. 

Did a whale swallow a kayaker? The truth behind the viral video

A humpback whale briefly engulfed a kayaker off the coast of Chile in an incident caught on camera. Experts say it couldn't have swallowed him even if it wanted to.