The State

ASML, the Dutch maker of advanced chipmaking equipment, says it is not selling its machines in Europe and has warned the region risks falling behind the United States, China and India in semiconductors. The remarks are drawing attention in tech and business circles, with debate over what they mean for Europe's industrial strategy and ambitions to build a domestic chip industry.

The United States has rejected a United Nations declaration on preparing for future pandemics, according to a New York Times report. The move marks a break with an international agreement intended to coordinate global readiness for health emergencies, and it is drawing attention to widening gaps between Washington and the U.N. on global health policy.

An ASML executive has said the Dutch chipmaking equipment giant currently sells none of its machines in Europe, underscoring how little leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing takes place on the continent. The comment highlights Europe's reliance on Asia and the United States for chip production, despite EU ambitions to expand domestic semiconductor capacity.

Negotiations over a pandemic agreement have drawn objections from several countries over specific wording, but observers note the United States stood alone in objecting on ideological rather than intellectual property grounds. The distinction is drawing attention as nations finalize the accord, with the US position seen as driven by politics rather than commercial or legal concerns about patents and technology transfer.

A measles outbreak in the United States has grown to nearly 900 confirmed cases spread across 39 counties, according to figures being widely reported. The tally marks one of the largest US measles surges in years, driven largely by undervaccinated communities. Health officials continue urging vaccination as the virus spreads beyond its original hotspots.

Health officials in Pennsylvania have reported 55 new measles cases in just two days, marking a sharp acceleration of what is being described as a deadly outbreak in the state. The rapid rise in infections is drawing attention to vaccination gaps and public health response efforts as officials work to contain the spread.

A measles outbreak in one Australian state has renewed attention on declining childhood vaccination rates. Health authorities are urging parents to check immunisation records as cases spread, with commentators linking the outbreak to growing numbers of unvaccinated children and lingering hesitancy following the pandemic.

The United States has imposed new sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court, and analysts warn the measures could undermine European sovereignty. The move puts pressure on European states that back the Hague-based court, raising questions about how the EU will respond and whether member states will defend the institution against American punitive action.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said a cyclosporiasis outbreak is under control even as at least 1,600 cases have been reported across five US states. The intestinal illness, typically linked to contaminated food or water, has driven renewed scrutiny of the federal response, with critics questioning the assessment given the case count and uncertainty over the outbreak's source.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently monitoring four active foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States. The agency has not released full details in this notice, but such investigations typically involve identifying contaminated food sources, tracing distribution chains, and advising the public on recalled products. Health officials urge consumers to follow food safety guidance and watch for updates on affected items.

Election experts warn that allies of Donald Trump positioned in key US states could exploit the period when midterm votes are being counted to amplify false claims and disrupt the certification of results. Fears are growing that loyalists could repeat tactics seen after the 2020 election, when unfounded fraud allegations undermined public confidence in the outcome.

Elon Musk told CCTV Finance that he recommends people visit China as much as they can, citing the many things to see. He described taking the bullet train from Beijing to Xi'an as a great experience and praised the train stations. The remarks are drawing attention given Musk's business ties to China through Tesla, with supporters seeing validation of China's infrastructure and critics questioning his praise of the country.

Texas is dealing with a measles outbreak, and health officials and commentators in Pennsylvania are asking what lessons their state can draw from it. The discussion, highlighted by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, centers on vaccination rates, public health preparedness, and how quickly outbreaks can spread in communities with low immunization coverage. It reflects wider national concern about measles returning in places where it had been considered eliminated.

Health officials are investigating a multistate E. coli outbreak tied to raw milk cheese that has sickened at least 13 people, including cases in Oregon. Authorities are working to identify the contaminated cheese brand and urge consumers to check products. The outbreak has raised renewed concern about the safety of raw, unpasteurized dairy products.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a package of new laws expanding reproductive freedom and care in the state, which officials describe as the most protective in the nation. The measures are intended to safeguard and broaden access to reproductive health services for Californians and those travelling from states with stricter restrictions.

The FDA has announced a recall of raw milk cheese linked to an E. coli outbreak. The recall notice is being widely carried by local news outlets across the United States. Consumers who purchased the product are advised to check for affected batches, and health officials are warning about the risks of eating cheese made from unpasteurized milk during the ongoing outbreak investigation.

Singapore's national water agency PUB has urged the public to stay away from several locations across the city-state due to flash flood risks. The advisory follows heavy rainfall raising water levels in low-lying areas. Residents and commuters are being warned to plan alternative routes and monitor updates as downpours continue across the island.

The food safety law firm Marler Clark says it is investigating a multistate hepatitis A outbreak linked to an unnamed source. The firm, known for representing victims of foodborne illness, announced it is looking into the outbreak and potential legal claims on behalf of those sickened. Details about the affected states, the number of cases, and the suspected source have not yet been made public.

New York and New Jersey have declared states of emergency as a Nor'easter storm moves through the region, bringing heavy snow and disrupting travel. Events have been cancelled across both states as officials urge residents to stay off the roads. The storm is being widely reported as one of the most significant weather events to hit the area this season.

Hurricane Polo is approaching Mexico's Pacific coast, while a separate coastal storm is battering the Northeast United States and New England. The twin weather systems are drawing attention as both regions brace for heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous surf, with forecasters urging coastal residents to monitor warnings and prepare for possible flooding and power outages.

A powerful Nor'easter storm is battering the US east coast, bringing heavy winds and widespread power outages across affected states. Reports indicate coastal communities are facing downed trees, damaged infrastructure and disruptions to travel as utility crews work to restore electricity. The storm is one of the most significant weather events to hit the region recently, with residents urged to stay indoors and monitor official warnings.

Michigan is experiencing a historic outbreak of cyclospora, an intestinal parasite typically linked to contaminated produce, and health reporters suggest it may foreshadow similar outbreaks elsewhere. The scale of the state's caseload is described as unprecedented, prompting concern that warming conditions and changing food supply chains could make such parasites a recurring public health threat rather than a rare occurrence.

Climate activists are protesting against AI data centers and Amazon's plan to build the largest gas power plant in the United States. Campaigners argue that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is driving a surge in electricity demand that is being met with new fossil fuel plants rather than clean energy. The story highlights growing friction between the tech industry's buildout and climate commitments.

Powerful weekend storms swept across parts of North America, bringing dangerous weather conditions captured in photo galleries by news agencies. Images show damage and hazardous conditions across affected areas in the United States and Canada. Coverage highlights the scale of the storm system as residents and officials responded to the severe weather.

California has declared a state of emergency covering the entire state as officials prepare for a strong El Niño forecast. The move is aimed at pre-positioning resources and crews for potential heavy rain, flooding and storm damage. News coverage, including from Los Angeles station KTLA, is drawing wide attention as residents watch forecasts for an unusually wet season.

The European Union is moving to restrict the energy and water consumption of data centres, a sector whose rapid growth driven by cloud computing and artificial intelligence has put mounting pressure on electricity grids and water supplies. The proposal signals tighter regulation of tech infrastructure across member states, with debate focusing on how sustainability rules will affect data centre operators and Europe's digital economy.

Illinois health officials have recorded 23 measles cases in 2026 and are urging residents to confirm they are up to date on their measles vaccinations. Measles, a highly contagious but vaccine-preventable disease, has seen resurgences elsewhere in the United States in recent years, and the case count has put immunization coverage back in focus in the state.