Author: Silke Mayr

The U.S. government has decided to cancel its deal with Moderna. This deal aimed to make a bird flu vaccine using mRNA technology. It was worth $590 million and began in January, just before Donald Trump’s second term started. Recently, the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department took the lead in ending the plan, citing concerns about safety and scientific standards. Moderna had already started work on the vaccine. It was designed to fight the H5 bird flu virus, which spreads mostly from birds to humans. Although rare, this virus can be deadly. Moderna used mRNA, the same technology behind…

Clean energy projects in the U.S. may soon come to a stop. Congress is debating huge budget cuts. These cuts would hurt new green fuel and power projects. One major plan now at risk is a $7 billion fuel plant in Texas. HIF Global, a U.S.-based energy firm, wants to build it. The plant would be in Matagorda County. It would take carbon dioxide and green hydrogen and turn them into e-methanol. This clean fuel could power ships and planes. The fuel would be made with energy from the sun and wind. If built, it would be the largest plant…

The U.S. court system has delivered a major blow to President Trump’s plan to impose new tariffs, creating serious doubt about whether the proposed reciprocal tariffs, scheduled for July, will move forward. Recent rulings, including a key decision from the International Trade Court, question the legal basis for these tariffs. The decisions have raised concerns about how much authority the president has to act alone on trade matters. This has added new tension to trade talks and has weakened support from Congress. Businesses and state leaders have spoken out strongly against the tariffs. Many say the Trump administration went beyond…

Elon Musk, one of the most influential figures in the tech world, has openly criticized former ally Donald Trump’s new economic bill. The legislation recently passed through the U.S. House of Representatives and is now heading to the Senate for review. It includes massive tax breaks and major increases in defense spending. Musk, who once supported Trump’s re-election campaign in 2024, now says he feels disappointed by the direction the bill takes. In a recent interview with a U.S. news channel, Musk said the bill goes against everything he worked on during his time as head of the Department of…

Chinese electric carmaker BYD and two of its subcontractors are being sued in Brazil for alleged labor crimes, including human trafficking and modern slavery. The Brazilian Labor Prosecutor’s Office in the state of Bahia filed the lawsuit after rescuing 220 Chinese workers from a factory construction site in Camacari, northeast Brazil. Officials say the workers lived in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. The lawsuit is seeking 257 million reais—about 45.5 million dollars—in damages from the companies involved. The factory, which was supposed to start operations in March 2025, has now come under heavy legal scrutiny. Prosecutors report that workers were brought…

Barcelona has extended the contract of teenage football star Lamine Yamal until 2031. The 17-year-old winger has agreed to a new six-year deal after an impressive season that saw the club win three major titles. Yamal played a key role in Barcelona’s success in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. His new contract secures his place at Camp Nou for the long term. The signing took place on Tuesday. Barcelona president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco were present during the official event. The club confirmed the renewal in a short statement praising the young…

Germany has lifted all limits on Ukraine using long-range missiles to strike Russian targets. The move was confirmed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday. This decision follows a weekend of heavy Russian attacks on Kyiv and nearby areas. “This move allows Ukraine to defend itself more decisively,” Merz said in Berlin. He explained that the UK, France, Germany, and the U.S. now allow Ukraine to use their weapons without range limits. The change marks a major shift. For a long time, Western countries stopped Ukraine from using foreign missiles to hit inside Russia. But recent Russian drone and missile…

Former First Lady Melania Trump made headlines again on Thursday with the release of an audiobook version of her memoir. But this was no ordinary audiobook. Instead of narrating it herself, Trump used artificial intelligence to clone her voice, letting a digital version of her do all the reading. “I am honored to bring you *Melania – The AI Audiobook – narrated using AI in my own voice,” she wrote in a post on social media. She ended her announcement with a bold message: “Let the future of publishing begin.” This move has sparked a wide conversation. Many are now…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires Pfizer and Moderna to include clearer warnings on their Covid-19 vaccines. These updated labels must explain in more detail the small risk of heart inflammation after getting the shots. This change follows new data from federal health officials. The vaccines had already carried warnings about two rare conditions: myocarditis, which is swelling of the heart muscle, and pericarditis, which is swelling of the outer heart lining. These conditions mostly affect young males. The updated labels will now give more specific information about which age groups face higher risks. The FDA’s move…

In Burgundy, France, vineyards are busy with spring work. Élodie Bonet, a seasonal worker, trims vine shoots by hand. Her job helps the vines grow better grapes by focusing energy on fewer buds. Close by, in Morey-Saint-Denis, winemaker Cécile Tremblay guides visitors through her old wine cellar. Her wines, like Echezeaux and Clos-Vougeot, rest in oak barrels deep underground. More than half of her wines go abroad, with about 10% headed to the United States. That share matters to her. “I care about that,” Tremblay says while pouring a glass for tasting. But things are changing. A new U.S. tariff…