Trump news at a glance: Rare Republican pushback forces Trump nominee to lead whistleblower office to drop out

Paul Ingrassia dropped out of consideration after racist text messages he sent surfaced this week. Key US politics stories from 21 October 2025 at a glance Donald Trump’s nominee to lead a federal watchdog agency, Paul Ingrassia, withdrew on Tuesday following a report that Ingrassia described himself as having a “Nazi streak.” Ingrassia said in … Read more

Health insurance premiums are going up next year — unless you work at these companies

What’s the item? Health care How has the price changed since before the pandemic? U.S. health care is the most expensive in the developed world, and it’s getting worse. The average annual premium for an employer-based health insurance plan for a family of four was more than $25,500 last year, according to the health policy … Read more

OpenAI blocks MLK Jr. videos on Sora after ‘disrespectful depictions’

OpenAI has blocked users from making videos of Martin Luther King Jr. on its Sora app after the estate of the civil rights leader complained about the spread of “disrespectful depictions.” Since the company launched Sora three weeks ago, hyper-realistic deepfake videos of King saying crude, offensive or racist things have rocketed across social media, … Read more

‘Chasing the ideal gut’: poop-tracking cameras claim to give health insights. Are they necessary?

Products like Dekoda can run up to $600 and photograph your every bowel movement – but who owns that data? ou can buy a smart ring to track your sleep activity or a smartwatch to monitor your heartbeat, so perhaps it makes sense that health tech’s next frontier has come for your toilet. Behold: Dekoda, … Read more

UK grooming gang inquiry faces further disruption as candidate for leader withdraws

Former Lambeth children’s services director Annie Hudson pulls out following intense media coverage A national grooming gang inquiry ordered by Keir Starmer is facing further disruption after one of two candidates who had been shortlisted to lead it withdrew from the process. Annie Hudson, a former director of children’s services for Lambeth, told survivors on … Read more

Walking just 4,000 daily steps once a week cuts risk of early death in older people, study suggests

Researchers say the target significantly reduces risk of dying and lowers likelihood of cardiovascular disease Older people who only walk 4,000 daily steps once a week still reduce their risk of dying early by a quarter, a study suggests. Staying active is known to bring a wide range of health benefits. But many people in … Read more