International
DNA-testing site to lay off 40% of workers
DNA-testing site to lay off 40% of workers
The struggling genetic testing company 23andMe says it will cut 40% of its workforce, or 200 jobs, as it fights for survival.
The once-popular DNA-testing site will also halt work on therapies it was developing.
Last year, the company said hackers had managed to gain access to personal information of millions of its users.
23andMe’s share price has fallen by more than 70% this year, as its co-founder and chief executive Anne Wojcicki tries to turn the business around.
The company said it expected to incur one-off costs of $12m (£9.3m), including severance pay, for the plan that will result in savings of $35m.
“We are taking these difficult but necessary actions as we restructure 23andMe and focus on the long-term success of our core consumer business and research partnerships,” Ms Wojcicki said.
The company also said it is considering what to do with the therapies it had in development, including licensing or selling them.
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23andMe is a giant of the growing ancestor-tracing industry. It offers genetic testing from DNA, with ancestry breakdown and personalised health insights.
Its customers include famous names, from rapper Snoop Dogg to multi-billionaire investor Warren Buffett.
In December last year, 23andMe confirmed that hackers had accessed details of about 6.9 million of its users.
In some cases this included family trees, birth years and geographic locations. But the stolen data did not include DNA records, it said.
The hackers logged into 23andMe accounts by using email and password details previously exposed by other breaches.
They downloaded not only the data from those accounts but the private information of all other users they had links to across the family trees on the website.
In June, data watchdogs in the UK and Canada announced investigations into the breach.
At the time, a statement from the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office said “23andMe is a custodian of highly sensitive personal information, including genetic information which does not change over time.”
“This makes public trust in these services essential,” it added.
In another blow to the company, seven of 23andMe’s eight-strong board resigned in September.
The firm’s independent directors said they had stepped down after not receiving a satisfactory buyout offer from Ms Wojcicki.
DNA-testing site to lay off 40% of workers
BBC
International
Trump Accuses Iran of Ceasefire Breaches as US–Iran Peace Talks Collapse
Trump Accuses Iran of Ceasefire Breaches as US–Iran Peace Talks Collapse
US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of repeatedly violating a fragile ceasefire agreement, as efforts to revive stalled US–Iran peace talks face increasing uncertainty amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The temporary truce, which is expected to expire within days, is reportedly under severe strain after Iranian authorities confirmed that no delegation has yet been sent for renewed negotiations scheduled to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump stated that Iran had violated the ceasefire “numerous times,” though he did not provide specific details or evidence of the alleged breaches. The accusation has further heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran at a critical moment in the peace process.
A new round of negotiations had been expected to involve a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance, following earlier talks in Islamabad that ended without a breakthrough. However, Iranian state media reports suggest that no officials have departed for the meeting, raising doubts over whether the dialogue will proceed as planned.
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The breakdown in talks comes amid escalating geopolitical friction, including disputes over maritime activity and strategic waterways. Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, have intensified concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supplies.
Both the United States and Iran continue to trade accusations of ceasefire violations. Washington claims Iranian-linked forces targeted vessels in key maritime corridors, while Tehran insists that US naval actions and the reported seizure of an Iranian-linked ship constitute clear breaches of the agreement.
Despite the deadlock, Trump maintained that the United States remains in a strong negotiating position. He stated that Washington is confident it will ultimately secure a favorable agreement, even as diplomatic efforts continue to stall.
However, he also warned that failure to reach a deal could lead to renewed conflict. According to Trump, if the ceasefire expires without extension, “lots of bombs start going off,” signaling the possibility of a sharp escalation in hostilities.
Diplomatic efforts by Pakistan have intensified in recent days, with officials urging both sides to extend the truce and return to negotiations to avoid further escalation. Islamabad has been playing a mediating role in attempts to stabilize the situation and restart dialogue.
Despite these efforts, Iranian officials remain skeptical, accusing the United States of negotiating under pressure while maintaining sanctions and military pressure. A senior Iranian parliamentary official reiterated that Tehran would not engage in talks “under the shadow of threats,” warning that any renewed conflict could escalate rapidly.
Inside Iran, the prolonged crisis has deepened economic pressure and public uncertainty, with reports of worsening conditions despite the temporary ceasefire. Inflation, restricted trade, and instability have contributed to growing frustration among citizens.
At the regional level, the crisis is also affecting broader diplomatic dynamics, with parallel negotiations involving Israel and Lebanon continuing in Washington as part of wider efforts to manage tensions across the Middle East.
For now, the future of the US–Iran ceasefire remains uncertain, with both sides holding firm positions and diplomatic channels struggling to produce progress. Analysts warn that the coming days will be critical in determining whether the truce can be extended—or whether the region risks sliding back into open conflict.
Trump Accuses Iran of Ceasefire Breaches as US–Iran Peace Talks Collapse
International
Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran
Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran
US President Donald Trump has ruled out extending the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran beyond its current deadline, warning that failure in ongoing negotiations could lead to renewed military confrontation.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Trump said he was not in favour of prolonging the truce, stressing that both sides must move quickly to reach a binding agreement.
“I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” he said, indicating that the situation remains time-sensitive as diplomatic talks continue under pressure.
The ceasefire, which is expected to expire on Wednesday evening, has temporarily eased tensions between Washington and Tehran, allowing both sides to regroup following weeks of heightened conflict and military escalation concerns.
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Trump noted that both countries had used the pause to “restock,” describing the truce as fragile and warning that it could collapse if negotiations fail to produce results.
He further suggested that the breakdown of talks could trigger a return to military operations, stating that he “expects bombing” to resume if diplomacy fails. According to him, the U.S. military remains fully prepared for any required action.
“I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with,” he said, defending a strong negotiating posture.
The president also reiterated earlier warnings about targeting Iranian infrastructure, including strategic facilities such as transport routes and power installations, arguing that such measures would weaken Iran’s military logistics and operational capacity.
Despite his hardline position, Trump acknowledged that Iran’s population is “incredible,” while describing its leadership as resistant to compromise. He insisted that a negotiated deal could still allow Iran to “become a strong nation again” if it agrees to terms acceptable to Washington.
The comments come as senior U.S. officials prepare for further diplomatic engagements, with Vice President JD Vance expected to participate in upcoming discussions aimed at extending the ceasefire and reducing tensions in the region.
Trump also criticised Iran’s internal handling of unrest, referencing reports of violent crackdowns on protests, which he said further complicate efforts toward lasting peace.
The latest remarks highlight continued uncertainty surrounding the U.S.–Iran ceasefire negotiations, with global observers closely watching whether diplomacy or renewed conflict will define the next phase of relations between both countries.
Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran
International
Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US
Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US
A man in the United States has been sentenced to three consecutive life terms in prison after pleading guilty to the brutal killing of a couple and their 1-year-old son in Reading, Pennsylvania.
The convict, identified as Jose Luis Rodriguez, admitted to three counts of first-degree murder, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said the case began on September 13, 2025, when 31-year-old Junior Cabrera-Colon was found shot dead. Days later, authorities discovered that his wife, Geraldina Peguero-Mancebo, and their infant son, Jeyden Peguero, were missing, triggering a wider investigation.
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A week after the discovery of Cabrera-Colon’s body, police located the bodies of the missing mother and child in a wooded area. Prosecutors revealed that the toddler was found “partially submerged in a marshy area,” a detail that shocked investigators and the local community.
During court proceedings, prosecutors said Rodriguez confessed to killing all three victims. He allegedly picked up Peguero-Mancebo and her son, shot the woman, drowned the child, and later killed Cabrera-Colon.
The prosecution described the killings as premeditated and deliberate, stating that each act was carried out with intent and malice.
According to court records and reports by local media, Rodriguez claimed he had a personal relationship with Peguero-Mancebo and referenced financial disputes as a possible motive behind the killings.
The sentencing judge handed down three consecutive life sentences without parole, effectively ensuring Rodriguez will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Family members of the victims described the outcome as painful but necessary for closure, with relatives expressing gratitude that the case has reached a conclusion after months of emotional distress.
The case has drawn widespread attention in Pennsylvania due to its violent nature and the involvement of a young child, with prosecutors calling it one of the most disturbing family-related homicide cases in the region in recent years.
Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US
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