Pope calls for climate, migrant action in Congress speech
Pope Francis appealed to US lawmakers on Thursday (Sept 24) to help the poor, do more for suffering migrants around the world and fight climate change, pressing some of his trademark battles in a historic speech to Congress.
A day after meeting with President Barack Obama and enjoying a rapturous welcome from thousands of people on the streets of Washington, the pope became the first pontiff to address a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
He said it was an honour to be in "the land of the free and the home of the brave."
US owners feel 'betrayed' by Volkswagen, vow to ditch cars
After nearly 20 years as a loyal Volkswagen customer, Bob Merlis is among scores of Americans determined to get rid of their cars after the German automaker admitted it cheated in emission tests.
"I just feel completely betrayed," the elegant Californian in his 60s said as he sat at the wheel of a diesel-powered Jetta he bought two years ago.
The Seattle-based consumer rights firm Hagens Berman filed a class-action lawsuit hours after the scandal broke on Friday. The firm had received inquiries from more than 1,000 people in 20 states by Monday and expected to have suits filed in all 50 states by the end of the week.
David Beckham launches UN appeal to protect children
Football legend, male model and father of four David Beckham went to UN headquarters in New York on Thursday to call on world leaders to end violence against children.
The former England captain asked leaders to put children at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals, the new 15-year agenda that the UN General Assembly will adopt over the weekend.
Many of the goals concern children directly: ensuring access for all to quality education, eliminating poverty, providing food security, improving nutrition and promoting durable agriculture.
Four killed, nine critical after tour bus crash on Seattle bridge
At least four people were killed and nine critically injured on Thursday (Sept 24) when an amphibious tour bus collided with a charter bus on a Seattle bridge, the city's fire department said.
About 50 people were evaluated for injuries after the crash on the Aurora Bridge, which goes over a canal linking Lake Union with the Puget Sound's Shilshole Bay, the fire department said on Twitter.
Local TV broadcast footage showed the front of the Ride the Ducks bus crumpled with debris on the ground from the impact with the other bus. Emergency personnel, including nearly 100 firefighters, were on the scene.
Supersonic car that inspires schoolkids unveiled in UK
Don't want to do your maths homework? A rocket-powered car that could break the world land speed record and travel at over 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres) per hour could be the solution.
The Bloodhound Supersonic Car unveiled in London on Thursday (Sept 25) is an engineering marvel that its builders hope will inspire a new generation of engineers like the Space Race during the Cold War.
With a fighter jet engine and rockets, the sleek 135,000-horsepower car is as powerful as 180 Formula One racing cars and will go faster than a bullet.
