Senate advances NDAA, teeing up final passage for annual defense policy bill

A Texas state bill introduced by Republican Rep. Tom Oliverson could criminalize transgender people for "gender identity fraud," potentially leading to jail time and fines for misrepresenting their sex assigned at birth. Although the bill has no co-sponsors and is unlikely to pass, it reflects a trend of extreme legislation targeting trans individuals in Texas, exemplified by another bill that would ban gender-affirming treatments for adults. Despite opposition from major medical associations, Texas has a...

The Supreme Court revived a family's claim to recover a stolen painting from the Nazis, overturning the 9th Circuit's ruling and citing a new California law protecting rightful heirs of Holocaust-era art. The painting, "Rue Saint-Honoré in the Afternoon. Effect of Rain," was lawfully obtained by a Spanish museum, but the moral claim for its return prevailed. The Cassirer family, led by David Cassirer, continues their legal battle to regain ownership of the painting under...

Democrats are accusing Republicans of attempting to cut federal health care programs with a continuing resolution bill to avert a government shutdown, which is set for a House vote on Tuesday. While President Trump has urged GOP support for the bill, Democrats have vehemently opposed it, citing harmful effects on Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits. The legislation maintains flat government spending until FY 2026, with additional defense funds and cuts to non-defense spending, including the...

A finger-prick blood test is being piloted by ambulance crews in Cambridgeshire to diagnose large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes, which cause 95% of disabilities and deaths but are tricky to diagnose without a brain scan. Developed by UpFront Diagnostics, the test can detect LVOs with 90% accuracy within 15 minutes, potentially revolutionizing stroke diagnosis and treatment in the NHS. The Stroke Association is advocating for improved stroke care and the use of innovative technology like...

A small aircraft carrying five people crashed in a parking lot of a retirement community in Lancaster County, Pa., after the pilot reported an “open door,” resulting in two people being taken to a burn center. The plane, a six-seater Beechcraft Bonanza, skidded about 100 feet after hitting the ground, damaging about a dozen vehicles but causing no harm to buildings. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are conducting an investigation...

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is working to repair his strained relationship with the United States and secure a favorable deal to end his country’s war with Russia, meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia. The meeting comes ahead of talks between Ukrainian and U.S. officials, with Ukraine seeking peace and blaming Russia for the ongoing conflict. Zelensky's visit to Saudi Arabia signifies his commitment to ending the war and discussing necessary...