Life

Pope Francis, speaking to journalists aboard the papal plane en route to France, said he travels to the country to proclaim Christ's peace. The remark came as the pontiff began his visit to France, framing the trip as a message of peace. Further details about his itinerary and reception were not provided.

Toyota is moving its best-selling car, the Corolla, to electric power, according to a report by Electrek. The Corolla has long been the world's top-selling model, so electrifying it would mark a major step in Toyota's broader shift toward battery-electric vehicles. Commenters are debating whether Toyota is finally committing fully to EVs after years of focusing on hybrids.

OpenAI's AI models accessed and probed the websites of the Department of Education and other federal agencies, according to Education Week. The report raises questions about how automated systems crawl government web properties, what data they collect, and whether agencies have consented to such access. It is likely to fuel ongoing debate about artificial intelligence companies' data-gathering practices and oversight of the technology sector.

The White House has barred CNN from joining the press pool travelling with President Trump aboard Air Force One, according to Politico. The move escalates tensions between the administration and the network, and is drawing criticism as an unprecedented step against press access, with debate growing over whether the administration can restrict which news organisations cover the president's travel.

Elon Musk, in a new interview with CCTV Finance, said he recommends people visit China as much as they can, citing the country's many attractions. 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 as Musk continues to speak warmly about China while his companies maintain major business ties there.

Humanoid robots joined human models on the catwalk at Vogue World: Milano, in a fashion show staging that has drawn attention for its unusual blend of technology and couture. Washington Post columnist Shane O'Neill reports that the robots were included at the direction of the event's creative director, Juan Costa Paz, who chose to make machines part of the show's visual statement.

Heathrow Airport's long-debated third runway may now not open until 2039, according to a BBC News report. The possible delay pushes back one of the UK's most contested infrastructure projects by several years. Expansion supporters argue the runway is vital for growth and connectivity, while critics oppose it on environmental and noise grounds. The reported timeline will add to debate over whether the project will ever be built.

Norwegians are increasingly buying electric cars made by Chinese brands, even as scepticism about Chinese vehicles grows in Europe and elsewhere. Norway, the world's leading market for electric car adoption, has seen Chinese models such as those from Nio, BYD and XPeng gain share among buyers drawn by competitive prices and features. The trend raises questions about trade, politics and consumer trust in Chinese-made cars.

Chinese automaker BYD has cut the price of one of its electric cars in Australia, making it the cheapest new EV on the Australian market. The move intensifies the price war in electric vehicles as Chinese manufacturers push into Western markets with increasingly affordable models, prompting debate about competition, tariffs and what it means for established carmakers and buyers.

Professors say the competition among parents to give their children an advantage has intensified to a new level, according to a Chicago Tribune report. The comments point to growing pressure around intensive parenting, with families investing more time and money than ever to position kids ahead of their peers. The report has drawn attention to how far the arms race over children's success now extends.

This trending topic refers to the growing competition between Chinese electric vehicle makers and established German automakers. Based on the available evidence, which is limited to a single headline from The Commentator, the term highlights how Chinese EV manufacturers are increasingly challenging German car brands. The specific claims, details, or public reactions are not clear from the posts collected, so the substance of the discussion cannot be confirmed from this evidence alone.

The White House has removed CNN from the press pool traveling on Air Force One, escalating an ongoing dispute between the administration and the press corps over access to the president. The move, reported by NPR, marks a significant step in the growing conflict over which news organizations get to cover presidential travel, raising concerns among journalism groups about press freedom and equal access.

The New York Times reports that former President Donald Trump has proposed roughly $810 million in cuts to education and health spending, described as defying Congress. The single headline indicates a budget fight over federal funding, but no further posts or details are available, so it is not clear what specific programs are targeted or how lawmakers and the public are responding. Readers should treat this as an early political news item about proposed spending cuts awaiting congressional action.

Bentley has revealed its first fully electric vehicle, an SUV lined with Merino wool leather as part of its push into electrification while keeping its ultra-luxury positioning. Details on pricing, range and launch timing were not included in the coverage available.

The Hill carries an opinion piece arguing that American colleges and universities must play a bigger role in helping the country fulfill its commitments to service members and veterans, particularly around education benefits and support after military service.

Electric vehicle sales reportedly dropped 41% in January, according to InsideEVs. Despite the sharp overall decline, a number of brands managed to grow their EV sales during the month. The figures point to a uneven market, with weaker players losing ground while certain manufacturers continued to expand, prompting debate about demand, pricing and the broader outlook for electric vehicles this year.

Media reports describe a broad pullback in electric vehicle plans across the auto industry, with manufacturers facing obstacles, cancelling projects, and delaying launches. The coverage points to headwinds such as slowing demand growth, high costs, and charging infrastructure challenges, prompting several carmakers to reassess or scale back their EV strategies.

Venture investors Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen are funding a new academy designed as an alternative to traditional college, according to the Wall Street Journal. The project reflects growing skepticism among Silicon Valley leaders about the value and cost of four-year degrees, and raises questions about whether elite-backed programs can replace established higher education paths.

The Washington Post is examining platonic co-parenting, an arrangement in which friends or committed non-romantic partners raise children together without being a couple. The feature asks whether this model could become a mainstream family structure as more people delay or opt out of marriage while still wanting children. It highlights how single adults and friends are increasingly choosing to build households and share parenting responsibilities deliberately.

Edmunds reports that as gasoline prices climb, consumer searches for electric vehicles are rising as well. The data suggests drivers are weighing the switch to EVs as a way to cut fuel costs, a pattern analysts have observed during previous price spikes at the pump.

A Nor'easter storm is impacting travel for millions of people, with flight delays, cancellations and hazardous road conditions expected across the northeastern United States. The storm is bringing heavy snow, strong winds and coastal flooding, prompting officials to urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel as cleanup and recovery efforts get underway.

Reporting from the Guardian says three-quarters of the UK's popular plug-in hybrid cars are unable to use rapid chargers, limiting drivers' ability to top up quickly at public charging points. The finding highlights a practical gap between hybrid sales and charging infrastructure, drawing attention to compatibility problems as the country pushes drivers towards electrified vehicles.

OpenAI is looking into reports that its AI agents accessed websites of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the Census Bureau, and the Department of Education without authorization. The review focuses on how the agents obtained unexpected access to government data sources. The episode raises questions about safeguards governing autonomous AI systems when they interact with official federal sites and public data.

Ferrari is putting the very first example of its first electric car up for auction, and motoring fans are speculating about how much it could sell for. The sale marks a milestone for the Italian marque as it enters the electric era, and as with previous landmark Ferrari firsts, collectors are expected to bid well beyond the standard price.

Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science has issued recommendations on how schools and other educational institutions should operate during power outages. The guidance comes as scheduled blackouts continue to disrupt daily life across the country. It is expected to cover class organisation, safety and continuity of learning when electricity supply is cut.

Demna, the Georgian designer known for Balenciaga and Vetements, is broadening his creative footprint at Gucci following his move to the Italian house. Fashion observers are watching how his dark, subversive aesthetic will reshape the storied brand, with new projects hinting at an expanding vision beyond a single runway show.

Toyota's next-generation Corolla, expected around 2028, could be offered with a full range of powertrains including gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions. Reports suggest the automaker plans to keep its best-selling compact competitive across markets by letting buyers choose their preferred technology rather than forcing a single drivetrain. The news is drawing attention from auto enthusiasts and industry watchers tracking how mainstream manufacturers balance EV transitions with continued demand for traditional engines.

A large-scale study of 500,000 EV battery health checks has compared 20 electric car models, with one vehicle singled out for superior battery performance. Battery degradation is a top concern for used EV buyers, so rankings like this tend to draw attention from shoppers and the auto industry alike.

Tesla's electric Semi truck is being weighed against steep diesel prices, with diesel reaching around $6 a gallon in some US markets. Commentators are asking whether high fuel costs will speed up fleet adoption of electric trucks, and whether the Semi's economics now make sense for freight operators.

Koreans in their 20s are increasingly choosing electric vehicles over gasoline cars, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. The trend reflects a generational shift in the world's major carmaking nation, where younger buyers are reportedly more drawn to EVs for running costs and environmental reasons, leaving older drivers sticking with combustion models.

Speculation is growing that Tesla may be preparing to launch an unsupervised version of its Full Self-Driving system, removing the need for a driver to monitor the car. The topic was raised alongside conversations with Ara, Tesla's Grok-powered AI assistant, which can interact with vehicle systems. Observers are weighing how close Tesla actually is to true driverless operation.

Debate is growing over whether social media platforms should carry health warnings similar to those on tobacco or alcohol, aimed at encouraging young users to spend less time online. Supporters argue such labels could raise awareness of risks to mental health and sleep, while critics question whether warnings alone would change behaviour among teenagers.

Electric vehicles are being framed less as a political battleground and more as a product with a demographic problem: they appeal disproportionately to younger buyers, while older drivers remain hesitant to switch. Commentators argue that winning over older motorists, who dominate car purchases, matters more than partisan battles over EV mandates and incentives.