White House proposes axing 988 suicide hotline services for LGBTQ youth

Big Pharma player Eli Lilly is shelling out around $1 billion upfront—with potential payouts reaching $1.3 billion—to snap up Verve Therapeutics, a biotech firm working on cutting-edge treatments for heart disease. This move beefs up Lilly’s pipeline with a promising therapy that could tackle cardiovascular conditions, a massive global health burden.

Editor’s Note: Heart disease is a leading killer worldwide, and Lilly’s bet on Verve signals a push toward next-gen treatments—think gene editing or one-time fixes instead of lifelong meds. For patients, it’s a glimmer of hope; for investors, it’s a high-stakes wager on whether Verve’s science can deliver. Either way, it’s a reminder that Big Pharma’s hunt for breakthrough therapies is far from over.

The Taliban has added chess to its growing list of banned activities, according to a former chess coach who claims a member of the regime’s vice squad explicitly prohibited playing, buying, or even watching the game. The move raises eyebrows—even for a group known for strict prohibitions—because chess isn’t typically seen as morally or culturally contentious. The article digs into why the Taliban might view the centuries-old strategy game as a threat.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about chess—it’s another example of the Taliban’s relentless control over daily life in Afghanistan. Banning a game as universally accepted as chess underscores how far the regime will go to suppress anything it deems "un-Islamic" or a distraction from its ideology. For Afghans, it’s one more small freedom erased, and for the world, it’s a reminder of the Taliban’s tightening grip.

South Africa had developed a world-class medical research infrastructure, particularly in HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, thanks to years of U.S. funding and collaboration. But the Trump administration slashed that support, gutting programs, shuttering labs, and leaving scientists scrambling. The damage isn’t just bureaucratic—it’s a blow to global health progress, especially in fighting diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about budget cuts—it’s about real-world consequences. South Africa’s research was a lifeline for breakthroughs in diseases that still kill millions. Losing that capacity doesn’t just hurt one country; it weakens the world’s ability to respond to health crises. And with pandemics on everyone’s mind, dismantling a proven research hub seems painfully short-sighted.

Kraft Heinz is ditching artificial dyes in its products—think Jell-O, Kool-Aid, and Crystal Light—by the end of 2027. The company’s joining the growing trend of food brands swapping synthetic ingredients for cleaner, more natural alternatives.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about colorful snacks—it’s part of a bigger shift as consumers demand fewer artificial additives in their food. Kraft Heinz’s move could pressure other brands to follow suit, making the grocery aisle a little less synthetic in the coming years. For parents and health-conscious shoppers, it’s a small but meaningful win.

This piece dives into the latest buzz in the health care sector, spotlighting companies like Hinge Health and Sarepta Therapeutics. It’s a snapshot of market movements, investor chatter, and emerging trends—think of it as a quick pulse check on who’s up, who’s down, and why.

Editor’s Note: For anyone tracking health care stocks or curious about where the industry’s momentum is shifting, this roundup cuts through the noise. It’s not just for Wall Street types—patients, innovators, or even casual observers might spot clues about which treatments or tech are gaining traction (or losing steam). Health care moves fast, and these snippets help connect the dots.