MxM News
Pope Francis in critical condition after suffering respiratory crisis

MxM News
Quick Hit:
Pope Francis is in critical condition after suffering a severe respiratory crisis that required oxygen treatment, the Vatican announced Saturday. The pontiff, who was hospitalized a week ago with a lung infection, has also received blood transfusions due to anemia. Doctors caution that while he is stable, he is not out of danger.
Key Details:
-
The Vatican stated that Francis is alert and spent much of the day in an armchair, though he is experiencing more pain than the previous day.
-
Earlier this month, doctors diagnosed Francis with bilateral pneumonia, affecting both lungs. While he is responding to treatment, his medical team warns that he is still at risk.
-
Vatican officials confirmed that Holy Year celebrations are continuing as planned. A designated organizer will lead Sunday’s Mass in Francis’ place.
Diving Deeper:
Pope Francis is in critical condition following a serious respiratory crisis that required oxygen support, the Vatican said Saturday. The 88-year-old pontiff was hospitalized a week ago at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital due to a complex lung infection and later received blood transfusions after tests revealed anemia.
Doctors monitoring Francis said he slept well overnight but is facing increasing discomfort. “The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis is reserved,” the Vatican said in a statement. Physicians expect him to remain in the hospital for at least another week.
Francis’ medical team, which includes specialists in cardiology and infectious diseases, emphasized that he has shown no signs of sepsis—a life-threatening infection—but remains vulnerable. His personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, cautioned that Francis is in a fragile state. “He is not out of danger. Like all fragile patients, I say they are always on the golden scale: In other words, it takes very little to become unbalanced.”
Doctors have prescribed cortisone, antibiotics, and supplemental oxygen while ordering him to rest. Despite these concerns, Francis has continued working from his hospital room. However, sepsis remains a major risk, as bacteria from the lungs could enter the bloodstream and cause organ failure.
Even as the pope battles his illness, Vatican celebrations for the Holy Year are continuing as planned. Organizers confirmed that Sunday’s Mass will proceed without him, with a substitute leading the service. Pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square offered prayers for the pope’s recovery.
Doctors warn that Francis’ recovery will take time, and he will continue to live with chronic respiratory issues. “He has to get over this infection, and we all hope he gets over it,” said Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the head of medicine and surgery at Gemelli Hospital. “But the fact is, all doors are open.”
Business
DOJ drops Biden-era discrimination lawsuit against Elon Musk’s SpaceX

MxM News
Quick Hit:
The Justice Department has withdrawn a discrimination lawsuit against Elon Musk’s SpaceX that was filed during the Biden administration. The lawsuit accused SpaceX of discriminatory hiring practices against asylum seekers and refugees. The move follows ongoing cost-cutting measures led by Musk as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency under the 47th President Donald Trump’s administration.
Key Details:
-
The DOJ filed an unopposed motion in Texas federal court to lift a stay on the case, signaling its intent to formally dismiss the lawsuit.
-
The lawsuit, filed in 2023, alleged SpaceX required job applicants to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, a restriction prosecutors argued was unlawful for many positions.
-
Elon Musk criticized the lawsuit as politically motivated, asserting that SpaceX was advised hiring non-permanent residents would violate international arms trafficking laws.
Diving Deeper:
The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has moved to drop the discrimination lawsuit against SpaceX, marking another reversal of Biden-era legal actions. The case, initiated in 2023, accused SpaceX of discriminating against asylum seekers and refugees by requiring job applicants to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Prosecutors claimed the hiring policy unlawfully discouraged qualified candidates from applying.
The DOJ’s decision to withdraw the case follows a judge’s earlier skepticism about the department’s authority to pursue the claims. No official reason for the withdrawal was provided, and neither Musk, SpaceX, nor the DOJ have issued public statements on the development.
Elon Musk was outspoken in his criticism of the lawsuit, labeling it as a politically motivated attack. Musk argued that SpaceX was repeatedly informed that hiring non-permanent residents would violate international arms trafficking laws, exposing the company to potential criminal penalties. He accused the Biden-era DOJ of weaponizing the case for political purposes.
The decision to drop the lawsuit coincides with Musk’s growing influence within the Trump administration, where he leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Under his leadership, DOGE has implemented aggressive cost-cutting measures across federal agencies, including agencies that previously investigated SpaceX. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which proposed fining SpaceX $633,000 for license violations in 2023, is currently under review by DOGE officials embedded within the agency.
Meanwhile, SpaceX’s regulatory challenges appear to be easing. A Texas-based environmental group recently dropped a separate lawsuit accusing the company of water pollution at its launch site near Brownsville. The withdrawal of the DOJ lawsuit signals a significant victory for Musk as he continues to navigate regulatory scrutiny while advancing his business ventures under the Trump administration.
Business
PepsiCo joins growing list of companies tweaking DEI policies

MxM News
Quick Hit:
PepsiCo is the latest major U.S. company to adjust its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies as 47th President Donald Trump continues his campaign to end DEI practices across the federal government and private sector. The company is shifting away from workforce representation goals and repurposing its DEI leadership, signaling a broader trend among American corporations.
Key Details:
-
PepsiCo will end DEI workforce representation goals and transition its chief DEI officer to focus on associate engagement and leadership development.
-
The company is introducing a new “Inclusion for Growth” strategy as its five-year DEI plan concludes.
-
PepsiCo joins other corporations, including Target and Alphabet-owned Google, in reconsidering DEI policies following Trump’s call to end “illegal DEI discrimination and preferences.”
Diving Deeper:
PepsiCo has announced significant changes to its DEI initiatives, aligning with a growing movement among U.S. companies to revisit diversity policies amid political pressure. According to an internal memo, the snacks and beverages giant will no longer pursue DEI workforce representation goals. Instead, its chief DEI officer will transition to a broader role that focuses on associate engagement and leadership development. This shift is part of PepsiCo’s new “Inclusion for Growth” strategy, set to replace its expiring five-year DEI plan.
The company’s decision to reevaluate its DEI policies comes as President Donald Trump continues his push against DEI practices, urging private companies to eliminate what he calls “illegal DEI discrimination and preferences.” Trump has also directed federal agencies to terminate DEI programs and has warned that academic institutions could face federal funding cuts if they continue with such policies.
PepsiCo is not alone in its reassessment. Other major corporations, including Target and Google, have also modified or are considering changes to their DEI programs. This trend reflects a broader corporate response to the evolving political landscape surrounding DEI initiatives.
Additionally, PepsiCo is expanding its supplier base by broadening opportunities for all small businesses to participate, regardless of demographic categories. The company will also discontinue participation in single demographic category surveys, further signaling its shift in approach to DEI.
As companies like PepsiCo navigate these changes, the debate over the future of DEI in corporate America continues. With Trump leading a campaign against these practices, more companies may follow suit in reevaluating their DEI strategies.
-
Addictions2 days ago
BC overhauls safer supply program in response to widespread pharmacy scam
-
International2 days ago
Jihadis behead 70 Christians in DR Congo church
-
Indigenous1 day ago
Trudeau gov’t to halt funds for ‘unmarked graves’ search after millions spent, no bodies found
-
COVID-191 day ago
Freedom Convoy’s Tamara Lich shares heartfelt letter from children: ‘God will be by your side’
-
Business1 day ago
Apple removes security feature in UK after gov’t demands access to user data worldwide
-
Business1 day ago
PepsiCo joins growing list of companies tweaking DEI policies
-
Business1 day ago
DOJ drops Biden-era discrimination lawsuit against Elon Musk’s SpaceX
-
Business1 day ago
Worst kept secret—red tape strangling Canada’s economy