Latest World Breaking News Online News Portal
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy peppered with moments of challenging Catholic Church traditions, Harvards sues the Trump administration over first amendment rights and whooping cough is on the rise in the United States.
Here’s what to know today.
Pope Francis leaves a legacy as a Catholic Church reformer
As the leader of the world’s one billion Roman Catholics, Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy as a reformer who pushed the boundaries of the Catholic Church.
Born of Italian immigrant parents in 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the first pope from South America and was ordained at age 32. Francis was elevated to Cardinal by John Paul II in 2011. When he took the reins in 2013, the church was tainted by financial scandal and the first papal resignation in 600 years.
Many of his most radical changes to Vatican policy were in recent years, namely when he allowed priests to bless same-sex couples in 2023.
“If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge him?” he told reporters in 2013. He continued to oppose gay marriage, but the decision pointed to a longstanding shift in attitude that would cement his legacy as one of the most progressive popes in history.
This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
Francis firmly spoke out against the sexual abuse of children by Catholic Church clergy and issued the most extensive revision to its law in 40 years. He criticized the border wall during President Donald Trump’s first term, referring to the plan as a “razor wire,” and sought out a meeting with Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro during his visit to the communist country in 2015.
His actions often rattled the church’s progressive arm, too. Francis refused to consider ordaining women, was against abortion, and faced criticism from victims of sexual abuse who didn’t believe he went far enough to punish offenders.
Francis bucked several traditions in his early leadership and worked to establish a new order marked by speaking out to World leaders, embracing humility in the face of the Catholic church pomp, and elevating the needs of marginalized communities.
Read the full story of his complex legacy here.
Read more about Pope Francis:
- After a pope dies, an ancient and secretive process begins to elect his successor. Here are some of the contenders who could be the next pope
- As the first Latin American pontiff, Pope Francis holds a special place for Hispanic Catholics
- LGBTQ Catholics and theologians said Pope Francis’ legacy teaches that change can happen when leaders are willing to listen
Harvard sues federal government after Trump administration slashed billions in funding
In the latest volley between Harvard and the White House, the university filed a lawsuit accusing the administration of violating the First Amendment by freezing $2.2 billion in grants.
Harvard is accusing the federal government of “unprecedented and improper” control over the Ivy League institution, and arguing the funding freeze is not related to the administration’s stated concerns about antisemitism on campus
“The Government has not — and cannot — identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation,” the lawsuit says.
Harvard wants a judge to declare the freeze unconstitutional and order the government to reverse any terminations of federal funding.
Read more about the progress of the lawsuit here.
What to know about GLP-1 supplements for weight loss
Some doctors are raising alarm over so-called GLP-1 supplements that claim to “supercharge” the body’s natural levels of the gut hormone. The compounded version of weight loss drugs including Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) require at least a virtual consultation with a clinician to receive a prescription. But these popular supplements are available over the counter.
While compounded versions of Wegovy and Zepbound are readily available, the FDA has previously announced there’s no longer a shortage of tirzepatide or semaglutide — enter in GLP-1 supplement sellers to flood the market.
These supplements often come in colorful patches or fruit-flavored gummies but experts say they are likely to be ineffective for weight loss.
“If you can buy it without a prescription, it’s not an actual GLP-1 drug,” says Jamie Alan, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. “It is something else that’s marketed to support your endogenous GLP-1 production.
A close read of the ingredients of these GLP-1 supplements will show items that have minimal scientific evidence supporting their claims to help people lose weight. The FDA states the ingredients have not been tested, and health experts urge consumers to remember there’s no immediate dietary fix that will have the same impact as weight loss drugs.
Read the full story here.
Read All About It
- The Education Department is restarting “involuntary” repayment of federal student loans that are in default after payments were first paused in 2020 during the pandemic.
- A woman filed a lawsuit against Pro Football Hall of Famer and TV analyst Shannon Sharpe, alleging nearly two years of sexual assault and battery.
- Cases of whooping cough are on the rise across the U.S. and could be on track to reach the highest number of infections since vaccination was introduced in 1948, according to one medical journal.
- The Supreme Court will weigh parents’ objections over books in certain Maryland elementary schools that feature stories about gay and transgender characters.
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s bag — including $3,000 in cash — was stolen while she was out dining with family in Washington, D.C.
Staff Pick: Longer hair, nails at home, fewer facials
The start of spring signals a fresh hairstyle or regular pedicures, but many salons are seeing a drawdown in repeat clients as they fear an impending economic slowdown. When finances are stretched, maintenance appointments are often the first discretionary purchase on the chopping block: clients stretch their haircuts to 10 or 12 weeks, rather than the recommended six to eight weeks, or find ways to conduct the treatments at home.
Meanwhile, tariffs have raised the cost of foils used for highlights by 20%, and made steel hair spray cans even more pricey, causing a concern among beauty service providers who are already seeing a drop-off in business. Shannon Pettypiece spoke with salon owners, estheticians and other experts in the beauty industry who share their fears about what this shift means for their business.
— Kaylah Jackson, platforms editor
NBCU Academy: Amid 23andMe’s bankruptcy, these biobanks promise more transparency and representation
Non-European populations have historically been excluded from genetic studies and databases, as they make up only 14% of genetic data. While popular DNA testing companies like 23andMe and Ancestry.com share their large data pools with academic and nonprofit partners, they are self-selecting for users who can afford their tests. Even the future of the federal government’s initiatives to diversify genetic studies is uncertain with the Trump administration’s recent freeze of research funds. All of this equates to underrepresented communities potentially being left out of scientific breakthroughs. To fill these gaps, read how two biobanks are offering free DNA tests and greater transparency about how users’ data is shared.
NBCU Academy is a free, award-winning education program for developing new skills and advancing careers in journalism, media and tech.
NBC Select: Online shopping, simplified
Are you in search of a brighter smile? The NBC Select team spoke with dental experts to find the best teeth whitening products, including whitestrips, toothpaste and mouthwash. We’ve been testing fitness trackers for a few years now and these are our favorites from brands like Apple, Garmin and Fitbit. We have a multitude of options whether you want something to track your running speed or your sleep habits.
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.
Thanks for reading today’s Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Kaylah Jackson. If you’re a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign up here.
