American

Freelancer Shelly Kittleson was reportedly held by Iran-backed militia which says she must now leave countryThe US journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped from a Baghdad street corner last week, has been released, according to an Iraqi official with direct knowledge of the situation.Kittleson was freed in the afternoon, said the official, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly. He did not share her current whereabouts but said that before her release, she had been held in Baghdad. Continue reading...

• A Gallup poll reveals 61% of Americans are 'extremely' or 'very' concerned about rising healthcare costs and insurance premiums, now topping all other domestic issues. • Concern spans parties: 89% of Democrats, 80% of independents, and 72% of Republicans express high worry over healthcare affordability. • The finding surpasses fears about the economy or inflation, highlighting healthcare as a unifying voter priority ahead of elections.

• The American Heart Association released a warning that 60% of US women are projected to develop cardiovascular disease by 2050, reflecting trends in aging populations and risk factor prevalence. • The projection underscores disparities in cardiovascular health outcomes between men and women and highlights the growing public health burden of heart disease. • This forecast emphasizes the need for enhanced prevention strategies, early intervention programs, and targeted health policy initiatives focused on women's cardiovascular health.

Experts say brutal March heat has left critical snowpack at record-low levels – and key basins in uncharted territorySnow surveys taking place across the American west this week are offering a grim prognosis, after a historically warm winter and searing March temperatures left the critical snowpack at record-low levels across the region.Experts warned that even as the heat begins to subside, the stunning pace of melt-off over the past month has left key basins in uncharted territory for the dry seasons ahead. Though there’s still potential for more snow in the forecast, experts said it will likely be too little too late. Continue reading...

Leading US heart health group recommends prioritizing plant-based protein over meat relative to US governmentThe American Heart Association’s new nutrition guidance, released on Tuesday, emphasized a dietary pattern rich in vegetables, ​fruits and whole grains, prioritizing plant-based protein over meat.It also suggested limiting the ‌use of sugar, salt and ultra-processed foods and replacing full fat dairy with non-fat and low-fat dairy. Continue reading...

State department says it is working to ensure release of freelancer ‘as soon as possible’ after abduction in BaghdadAn American journalist, Shelly Kittleson, has been kidnapped in Baghdad by a suspected Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, the US said, as regional security deteriorates after the US-Israeli attack on Iran.Kittleson is a longtime freelancer in the region, reporting extensively from Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Continue reading...

• TD's second annual U.S. AI Insights Report shows 78% of Americans use AI tools daily, up significantly, released March 31, 2026 from Mount Laurel, NJ. • 67% report improved proficiency year-over-year; Gen Z at 90% usage across generations. • Only 18% trust AI alone for financial recommendations; 62% trust it for info but prefer humans, family (90%), banks (85%).

• Julie B. Samora, MD, PhD, MPH, FAAOS, has become chair of the AAOS Board of Directors. • Announcement coincides with planned site maintenance on AAOS.org on March 31, 2026, from 8:00-9:00 AM CST. • Her leadership focuses on advancing orthopaedic care and policy in the U.S.

Cable signed by Marco Rubio and seen by Guardian suggests staff work with Pentagon psychological operations unitThe United States has directed every American embassy and consulate across the world to launch coordinated campaigns against foreign propaganda and endorses Elon Musk’s X as an “innovative” tool to help do it.The cable, signed by secretary of state Marco Rubio on Monday and obtained by the Guardian, also suggests embassies and consulates work alongside the US military’s psychological operations unit to address the problem of rampant disinformation. It lays out a sweeping set of instructions for how embassy staff should push back against what it describes as coordinated foreign efforts to undermine American interests abroad. Continue reading...

Following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, gas prices, grocery bills and mortgage rates have all climbed The US-Israel war against Iran has sent shockwaves through global markets, leaving many Americans grappling with a growing financial squeeze on everyday living costs.Following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran – prompting retaliatory attacks on US allies in the region and Iran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage – costs have surged across the US. Gas prices, in particular, have spiked sharply, with the national average rising by roughly 30% over the past month. Grocery bills, mortgage rates and fertilizer costs have also climbed. Continue reading...