Stories from United States

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing criticism following the FDA's rejection of a lifesaving cancer drug. Kennedy is reportedly attempting to distance himself from the regulatory decision. The backlash centers on the impact the rejection will have on patient access to treatment. The mood at the National Institutes of Health is described as grim following interference by RFK Jr. The source claims Kennedy's involvement will lead to many preventable deaths for decades to come. The discussion noted a decreasing number of doctors available during visits to the agency.

Meta Platforms is planning to reduce its total workforce by 10 percent as part of a strategic pivot toward artificial intelligence development. This move follows recent volatility in tech stocks and aims to streamline operations for AI integration. The layoffs represent a significant restructuring for the social media giant. The company's people officer stated that the organization will continue to evolve teams as needed and attempt to redeploy talent. Meta is currently investing in its applied AI organization. Leaders noted during a meeting that AI token usage will not be a factor in the layoffs. Meta shares fell more than 8% in regular trading, marking the largest single-day decline in six months. The drop follows investor concerns that the company's investments in artificial intelligence may not yield returns.

Diplomatic efforts regarding US-Iran nuclear negotiations remain stalled as the Iranian regime faces increasing pressure to return to the table and make concessions. Analysts suggest that Israeli involvement could complicate the process, while the US maintains a serious stance on potential military pressure if economic measures fail to yield results. The complexity of the Iranian file suggests that any successful deal will require significant time and effort. US President Donald Trump stated on social media that Iran claims the country is in a state of total collapse. Trump reported that Iran expressed a desire to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible. The prospect of a deal between the US and Iran remains uncertain according to reporting. This follows a surge in inflation to 4.6% in March, an increase of over 1% from 3.7% in February, driven by higher fuel prices.

Major technology stocks saw significant losses during trading, with Tesla falling nearly 4% and Microsoft dropping over 4%. Specific declines included Oracle falling 4.02%, Micron Technology dropping 3.87%, Western Digital decreasing 2.41%, and NVIDIA falling 1.60%. Major US stock indices declined on Tuesday following reports that OpenAI's revenue did not meet expectations. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 419,141.93, down 25.86 points. Cold air from China is expected to spread over the South China Sea and surrounding areas. US semiconductor stocks including Nvidia and Broadcom declined following reports that AI revenue and new user growth fell below internal targets. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index dropped by more than 3 percent. The news follows reports that competitor Anthropic is expanding its market share in the enterprise and coding sectors.

Social media giant Meta plans to reduce its workforce by 10%, affecting approximately 8,000 employees. The layoffs are scheduled to begin on May 20th. This follows a previous reduction of roughly 10% of staff in January. Meta is laying off approximately 8,000 employees, with job losses beginning in May. OpenAI is also releasing a new model, GPT 5.5, which they describe as a step towards a 'super app' and an 'electronic Swiss army knife'. Meta is reportedly planning to terminate 8,000 additional staff members to offset expenses. This follows a previous reduction of approximately 5% of its workforce in February and the closure of 6,000 vacancies. The announcement comes as the company manages a workforce that includes numbers of employees outside of Generation Z. Meta will monitor employee clicks, typing, and navigation patterns to train artificial intelligence models.

More than 120 US-based organizations have issued warnings to football fans regarding potential risks to their rights while traveling for the FIFA World Cup. The warnings highlight concerns over legal and safety protections for international travelers. This development comes as preparations for the global tournament intensify. Measles outbreaks in the United States, Canada, and Mexico have prompted travel precautions ahead of the World Cup starting in June. These three nations are currently the epicenters of measles cases in the Americas. Brazil was declared measles-free in 2004, but the country continues to receive imported cases. Travelers heading to the host nations are advised to ensure they are protected against the disease.

Microsoft is reportedly retiring the 'Microsoft Gaming' brand in favor of a unified 'Xbox' identity for its gaming division. A new Xbox logo has reportedly appeared at the company's campus, signaling a major shift in brand architecture for its gaming ecosystem. This change is part of a new vision unveiled by company leaders. The rebranding aims to return the business to its original roots. Microsoft is introducing a controller-first interface for Windows 11 PCs to improve library navigation. The new Xbox Mode is designed to make navigating game libraries easier using a controller.

SpaceX has officially filed for an Initial Public Offering, a move that allows Elon Musk to maintain board control of the aerospace giant. The filing marks a significant milestone for the private company as it seeks to tap public markets. This development could reshape the landscape of space commercialization and private aerospace funding. Elon Musk's high-value compensation package has been disclosed ahead of a potential SpaceX Initial Public Offering. A high-priced compensation plan for Elon Musk has been revealed on the eve of the SpaceX IPO. Elon Musk's high-value compensation package is reportedly tied to Mars colonization efforts and space-based data centers.

Prediction market data shows Talarico currently holds a 48% probability of winning the Texas Senate matchup against Paxton, who sits at 52%. Analysts described the potential loss of a Texas Senate seat as a warning sign for the Republican Party. New polls indicate a competitive race for at least one Senate seat in Texas as early voting approaches in three weeks. The broadcaster noted that candidate Talorico has a realistic chance of winning rather than just a long-shot opportunity. Talarico holds a 44 to 41 lead over Corn and a 46 to 41 lead over Paxton among moderate voters. These voters are described as leaning slightly right, slightly left, or remaining neutral. Net favorability ratings for Texas Senate candidates Cornyn and Paxton have reached post-lowest levels. Cornyn recorded a rating of minus 15, while Paxton recorded minus 10.

The $599 M4 Mac mini is becoming increasingly difficult to purchase due to potential supply chain issues. Apple reported a 22% increase in iPhone sales compared to the previous year. Despite this growth, the figure missed analyst estimates for the second time in three quarters. The company's services business drove earnings and revenue growth, with China noted as a bright spot for the second consecutive quarter. Foreign investors have pulled out more than 20 billion. Sales for Mac and wearable devices remained relatively flat. Apple reports that Mac Studio and Mac Mini hardware will face supply shortages for several months. The company indicates users are purchasing the devices at an accelerated rate. Svein Hulseta, head of fertilizer manufacturer Yara, warned that the war on Iran could impact global food supplies.