SYED ZAIN UMAR

The mysterious reason why women get hotter from age 18 to 42

on May 20, 2026 at 7:00 pm

Women experience a steady rise in body temperature from their teens to midlife, which may be useful for monitoring ageing and overall health

Can we harness quantum effects to create a new kind of healthcare?

on May 20, 2026 at 6:00 pm

Experiments hint that quantum mechanisms are vital to the machinery of life. Now researchers are exploring if these effects help to explain the success of an array of puzzling health treatments

We could generate hydrogen from rocks while storing CO2 in them

on May 20, 2026 at 5:00 pm

Storing carbon dioxide in rocks while producing hydrogen from them – and perhaps even geothermal power too – could be a double win on the climate front, and several groups are trying to make it happen

The Selfish Gene at 50: Why Dawkins’s evolution classic still holds up

on May 20, 2026 at 2:00 pm

When Richard Dawkins’s first blockbuster book was published half a century ago, few genes had ever been sequenced or studied in detail. Yet the book’s gene-centred view of evolution still has much to teach us in today’s genetic age

Intoxicating and astonishing: Why ‘The Selfish Gene’ almost never was

on May 20, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Fifty years ago, a draft of Richard Dawkins’s first book landed on book editor Michael Rodgers’s desk – and life was never the same

After news about Oliver Sacks’s “lies”, we revisit his best-loved book

on May 20, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Last year, The New Yorker revealed the late Sacks’s “guilt” about his “falsification” in The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat, but is this story about more than just the facts?

We may finally know why dinosaurs like T. rex evolved tiny arms

on May 20, 2026 at 12:01 am

Five different groups of predatory dinosaurs independently evolved disproportionately small arms, and it seems they did so because their heads became so large and powerful

The distant world that is our best hope of finding alien life

on May 19, 2026 at 4:00 pm

A decade ago, we discovered an exceptionally exciting exoplanet that could be the best candidate for hosting alien life. Now we’re about to find out if it really is

Solar farm on the ocean outperforms land-based solar in Taiwan

on May 19, 2026 at 4:00 pm

A solar farm in a tidal bay has generated more electricity and profits than a nearby coastal solar farm, but challenges could arise as floating solar moves further offshore

Wind-assisted cargo ships could more than halve shipping emissions

on May 19, 2026 at 1:00 pm

If wind-assisted cargo ships chose routes based entirely on where the winds are better, their fuel use could be cut in half or even completely eliminated

Colossal claims an artificial eggshell will help it bring back the moa

on May 19, 2026 at 12:09 pm

Colossal Biosciences, the company that says it resurrected the dire wolf, now says it has developed artificial eggshells so it can replicate the huge eggs of the moa. Independent experts say this isn’t nearly enough to bring back these giant birds

Odd “butterfly” molecule could lead to new parts of the quantum realm

on May 19, 2026 at 10:00 am

An exotic new molecule is shaped like a butterfly, complete with “wings” made from electrons. The discovery could provide a gateway to completely new parts of the quantum realm

The future of robot armies is here – and it’s not what you think

on May 19, 2026 at 9:00 am

Robots are becoming more a part of our lives every year, and worries about a robot army rising up have long plagued the technology. But columnist Annalee Newitz talks to nanobot researchers and finds out the real robot army could be a welcome solution to medical or environmental problems

Mystery of the ancient giant stone jars of Laos may have been solved

on May 19, 2026 at 12:01 am

In central Laos, the landscape is littered with enormous stone jars, some 3 metres high, and we may be closer to understanding how and when they were used

Floatation tanks deployed to combat PTSD after devastating wildfires

on May 18, 2026 at 5:00 pm

Maui in Hawaii experienced some of the worst wildfires in US history in 2023. Amid concerns of a PTSD epidemic, floatation tanks are being deployed to the island to help restore people’s mental health

What is love? Even a meeting on the subject can’t find the answer

on May 18, 2026 at 4:00 pm

Scientists recently gathered for a conference called Love, Actually and in Theory, but didn’t settle on a definition of the topic at hand

How I used psychology to come back from the worst year of my life

on May 18, 2026 at 4:00 pm

Work, illness, divorce: life is riddled with stressors out of your control. But research is revealing new ways to cope with these challenges and find hope instead of despair

The 3 things you need to know about protein, according to an expert

on May 18, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Why have so many people become fixated on protein? Donald Layman is one of the people behind the research showing the benefits of getting more protein in your diet, but he thinks things have gone too far and wants to set the record straight

The Ebola emergency shines a light on the urgent need for new vaccines

on May 18, 2026 at 1:11 pm

A little-known strain of Ebola virus is behind an ongoing health emergency, prompting researchers to call for the acceleration of vaccine candidates against such infections

Your body clock has seasonal rhythms and it matters for vaccines

on May 18, 2026 at 12:00 pm

We think of our body clock ticking over on a 24-hour cycle, but evidence is growing that it has seasonal rhythms, which could affect our response to vaccines

‘Mormon Wives star’ Taylor Frankie Paul issues pointed statement after fallout with Mikayla Matthews

on May 12, 2026 at 10:15 am

‘Mormon Wives star’ Taylor Frankie Paul issues pointed statement after fallout with Mikayla MatthewsTaylor Frankie Paul is clapping back at “keyboard warriors” after she posted a cryptic post about “snake friends.”​Amid the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star’s recent fallout with her costar…

Pete Davidson makes heartbreaking confession amid breakup rumors with Elsie Hewitt

on May 12, 2026 at 9:33 am

Pete Davidson makes heartbreaking confession amid breakup rumors with Elsie HewittPete Davidson added another feather to his cap as he accepted the Special Achievement Award at the 30th Annual Webby Awards on Monday.While accepting the trophy, the 32-year-old comedian made a heartbreaking…

Why Kylie Jenner refused to attend 2026 Met Gala with Timothee Chalamet?

on May 12, 2026 at 8:18 am

Why Kylie Jenner refused to attend Met Gala with Timothee Chalamet?Kylie Jenner walked down the red carpet of the 2026 Met Gala without her beau, Timothee Chalamet, and fans were questioning their move.Following Kylie’s solo appearance at the star-studded event that took place on May 4, a source…

Pedro Pascal shares surreal experience of filming ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

on May 12, 2026 at 8:14 am

Pedro Pascal has finally shared his surreal experience of filming Avengers: Doomsday.The 51-year-old actor recently appeared on Good Morning America, where he opened up about starring in the MCU sci-fi film.Pedro, who is all set to reprise his role as Reed Richards in the forthcoming sci-fi…

‘Old-fashioned’ Travis Kelce turns into Taylor Swift’s biggest concern as wedding nears

on May 12, 2026 at 7:44 am

‘Old-fashioned’ Travis Kelce turns into Taylor Swift’s biggest concern as wedding nearsTaylor Swift is currently battling one of the most stressful aspects of wedding planning, her exes and the reason for this is one of her closest pals Zoë Kravitz.For those unversed,…

Blake Lively pays ‘horrendous cost’ to her reputation: ‘It’s hard to imagine how she’ll bounce back’

on May 12, 2026 at 6:57 am

Blake Lively pays ‘horrendous cost’ to her reputation: ‘It’s hard to imagine how she’ll bounce back’Months after a lengthy court battle that ended with Blake Lively settling with Justin Baldoni has sparked quite a bit of intrigue among Hollywood. But even more so was her…

‘Sinners’ star Hailee Steinfeld melts hearts with first look at her newborn daughter

on May 12, 2026 at 6:50 am

‘Sinners’ star Hailee Steinfeld melts hearts with first look at her newborn daughterHailee Steinfeld is giving the first glimpse of her newborn daughter in a wholesome post.​On May 11, the actress and singer, who welcomed her baby daughter on April 26 with her husband, Buffalo Bills…

Noah Wyle’s real-life medical emergency on ‘The Pitt’ set revealed

on May 12, 2026 at 6:32 am

‘The Pitt’ star recalls Noah Wyle treating her injuries on setNoah Wyle blurs the line between on- and off-camera when it comes to his role in The Pitt.His co-star Laëtitia Hollard offered a glimpse into the actor’s deep involvement in his character.She recalled on the Warner Bros. TV…

Meghan Markle makes subtle move with eye-catching social media update

on May 12, 2026 at 5:15 am

Meghan Markle makes subtle move with eye-catching social media updateMeghan Markle is giving a fresh look to her social media handle after her lifestyle brand, As ever update.​On Monday, May 11, the Duchess of Sussex took to her Instagram account and changed her profile picture for the first…

Why Cardi B believes her relationship with Stefon Diggs deserves ‘another chance’

on May 12, 2026 at 5:02 am

Why Cardi B believes her relationship with Stefon Diggs deserves ‘another chance’Cardi B has reportedly reconciled her romance with Stefon Diggs following their brief split.As per an exclusive report by Us Weekly, the 33-year-old rapper agreed to give the professional footballer a “second chance”…

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle enjoy magical Disneyland escape with Archie, Lilibet

on May 12, 2026 at 4:23 am

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle enjoy magical Disneyland escape with Archie, LilibetPrince Harry and Meghan Markle are spending some fun time with their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, along with Meghan’s mom, Doria Ragland, in Disneyland.​On Monday, May 11, the Duchess of Sussex took…

Kim Kardashian just won in court over wrong social media post lawsuit

on May 12, 2026 at 3:44 am

Kim Kardashian wins lawsuit filed by New York manA person named Ivan Cantu took Kim Kardashian to court in 2025, alleging emotional distress.He accused the reality star of public ridicule and reputational harm over a post she previously shared.Cantu alleged that Kardashian’s post on social…

Jamie Lynn Sigler recalls ‘painful and traumatic time’ of her life

on May 12, 2026 at 3:07 am

Jamie Lynn Sigler recalls ‘painful and traumatic time’ of her life Jamie Lynn Sigler opened up about the challenges she faced after her son, Beau Kyle Dykstra, was diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis .For those who may not know, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is a rare…

Marvel’s violent anti-hero Punisher’s new special comeback left critics shaken

on May 12, 2026 at 2:50 am

Early reactions swoon over ‘The Punisher’s’ new specialThe Punisher is back, and critics, who have shared first reactions, are praising the Marvel anti-hero’s violent stirrings.ScreenRant states The Punisher: One Last Kill is “the most adult thing yet from Marvel Studios”. It’s Frank at his…

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ season 3 premiere date, first look out

on May 12, 2026 at 1:14 am

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ unveils premiere date for season 3For Prime Video, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is the most expensive show.Now, season 3 is unveiled with Sauron’s plans for total domination in Middle-earth on the cusp.It will premiere on November…

Shania Twain prepares to honour her musical journey

on May 12, 2026 at 12:25 am

Shania Twain prepares to honour her musical journeyShania Twain did not seek inspiration for her seventh studio album; rather, it chronicles her journey to fame.At Shania Twain’s Rose Ceremony on Sunday, May 10, in Los Angeles, she told PEOPLE magazine about her upcoming album, revealing that she…

Jamie Lynn Sigler recalls ‘ruthless’ criticism during ‘The Sopranos’ success

on May 11, 2026 at 11:47 pm

Jamie Lynn Sigler recalls ‘ruthless’ criticism during ‘The Sopranos’ successJamie Lynn Sigler opened up about the negative impact of fame amid her success in The Sopranos.The Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast will host Sigler on the Tuesday, May 12 episode, reported by PEOPLE magazine, where she…

‘The White Lotus’ delivers huge season 4 casting update

on May 11, 2026 at 10:04 pm

‘The White Lotus’ adds new cast to season 4The White Lotus, a show with a strong HBO audience, has added a fresh batch of actors for season 4.Set to shoot in France, Ben Kingsley, Max Minghella, and Pekka Strang have been tapped. According to Variety, there are two competing groups for…

Sabrina Carpenter breaks silence after turning 27

on May 11, 2026 at 8:23 pm

Sabrina Carpenter breaks silence after turning 27Sabrina Carpenter celebrated her 27th birthday in style!On Monday, the singer marked her milestone birthday sharing special photos in vintage-style dress.Taking to Instagram, Carpenter shared photos of herself posing in front of a large bookshelf in…

Cannes boss courts Hollywood big-budget movies back in festival

on May 11, 2026 at 7:57 pm

Cannes head gets honest about Hollywood skipping the festival.At Cannes, there seems to be a dearth of Hollywood’s big world premieres, as it is set to roll out the red carpet for the 2026 edition.Thierry Frémaux, the film’s festival director, tends to agree with this; however, he is…

Queen was ‘very keen’ for Andrew to take on trade role, memo reveals, as documents released – politics live

by Andrew Sparrow on May 21, 2026 at 10:21 am

Government releasing 11 documents relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as trade envoyThe Home Office has also published asylum figures this morning. These show that the number of asylum seekers being housed temporarily in hotels stood at 20,885 at the end of March 2026, down 35% year-on-year from 32,326. The Press Association says:It is the lowest figure since data was first reported in 2022, Home Office figures show.The total had climbed as high as 56,018 at the end of September 2023.Brits are leaving on a massive scale and non-EU immigration remains far too high. Mass immigration undermines our society and low wage immigration is bad for the economy. British families feel it in lower wages, longer waiting lists for public services and housing shortages.Labour must go further and reform indefinite leave to remain before their hard-left flank forces them to abandon it altogether. Continue reading…

‘Everyone wants to see the champions lose’: Elliot Minchella on Hull KR’s drive to stay on top

by Gavin Willacy on May 21, 2026 at 10:05 am

Minchella on life as a treble winner, his club’s rivalry with Wigan and why playing at Wembley brings it all backBy No Helmets RequiredHull Kingston Rovers are preparing for two big games against Wigan. After a slow start in Super League, the treble winners are climbing up the table and could go second if they beat Wigan at Craven Park on Thursday night. The teams meet again in the Challenge Cup ​final at Wembley next Saturday and Rovers seem to be peaking at the right time. They have been punching out peak performances in recent weeks, the latest a tough win at Leigh.This is a golden era for the club. After reaching the Challenge Cup ​final and Super League semi-finals in 2023, they played in their first Grand Final in 2024, finally won the title last year and were crowned world club champions in February. Willie Peters’ squad are entering their fourth year together. He will leave in October to take over new NRL franchise PNG Chiefs and, even though most of the club’s important players will stay, it feels like their time is now. Continue reading…

US is ‘simply choosing not to stop’ Ebola outbreak after massive public health cuts, experts say

by Melody Schreiber on May 21, 2026 at 10:00 am

Hundreds of cases reported in the DRC after USAID has been dismantled and key scientific research canceledA previously undetected outbreak of Ebola is coursing through parts of central Africa, and the US appears to be doing little to help stop it, after massive cuts to global and domestic public health efforts.There is no cure and no vaccine for the rare Bundibugyo variant of Ebola, which has caused two outbreaks in recent decades. Health leaders and scientists are now racing to understand where the virus is spreading and attempting to stop it – but the US is notably absent in these efforts. Continue reading…

Eagles of the Republic review – seductive thriller of corruption and compromise in post-Mubarak Egypt

by Peter Bradshaw on May 21, 2026 at 10:00 am

The third film in Tarik Saleh’s ‘Cairo trilogy’ is a about a washed-up movie star who is bullied into starring in government propagandaSwedish-Egyptian film-maker Tarik Saleh has long been a brilliant satirist of the corruption and shabby political compromises and conspiracies of post-Mubarak Egypt. Now he brings us the third of his “Cairo trilogy”, after The Nile Hilton Incident in 2017 and Cairo Conspiracy in 2022. This new film is a seductive black-comic political thriller set in Egypt of the present day, showing us that everyone in the glamorous world of the movies, infatuated as they are with made-up stories acted out by narcissists believing in their own publicity, can so easily be pressed into the service of political propaganda.The result is a rackety, despairing, funny film with something of Billy Wilder, or István Szabó’s Mephisto, or Bertolucci’s fascism parable The Conformist. For me, it also had echoes of Daniel Kehlmann’s novel The Director, about 1930s Austrian movie director GW Pabst, fatally tempted by the blandishments of Goebbels. Saleh’s lead is his longtime leading man Fares Fares, playing an ageing Egyptian movie star; this is pampered matinee idol George Fahmy, a man comfortable doing cheesy crowd-pleasing potboilers, now bullied into playing the lead in a sinister government-sponsored biopic of the president (with news footage of the current president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, cheekily cut in). Continue reading…

Canadian prime minster Mark Carney is not the climate guy you thought | Seth Klein

by Seth Klein on May 21, 2026 at 10:00 am

While Canada may be clinging to fossil fuels, much of the world is moving onCasual international observers would be forgiven for assuming Canada is in the comforting hands of a climate champ. After all, while climate policy rollbacks reign supreme in Donald Trump’s America, Canada is now led by a man who, while serving as governor of the Bank of England, delivered a celebrated 2015 speech, “Breaking the tragedy of the horizon”, warning the global investment community of the financial risks of climate change; who went on to serve as UN special envoy for climate action and finance; and whose 2022 book Value(s) had much to say about the “existential threat” of climate change. A man who recently dazzled the world with his Davos speech on how middle powers can stand up to global bullies.Look, we get it. Next to the US president, Carney seems so debonair, thoughtful and calm – a lifeline of stability in a volatile new world.Seth Klein is a Canadian climate writer and activist, author of the book A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency, and former team lead of the Climate Emergency Unit. His newsletter can be found here. Continue reading…

Struggling with the nine times table? I have a failsafe method | Adrian Chiles

by Adrian Chiles on May 21, 2026 at 10:00 am

Apparently, nines are the hardest to grasp for primary school children. If only they’d learned how to cheat like meMaths was never my thing. I quite enjoyed it at O-level, to the extent that I chose to do it at A-level. As early as the first week of the A-level course, however, it became abundantly clear that the subject was quite beyond me. I simply couldn’t make head or tail of what the teacher was on about.Looking around at the rest of the class quietly getting on with it, I remember wondering if there had been some primer course over the summer that everyone but me had attended. I just didn’t get it. There didn’t seem to be any certainties any more, rarely anything so straightforward as a right or wrong answer. There were enough grey areas in my other subjects – English and history. From my maths I wanted certainty, objective truth, which as far as I could see wasn’t part of it any more. Continue reading…

Buddhist hall housing ‘eternal flame’ in Japan destroyed by fire – video

on May 21, 2026 at 9:42 am

A Buddhist building on Miyajima island in Japan has been destroyed by fire. Reikado Hall, part of Daishō-in temple complex, was home to an ‘eternal flame’ said to have been lit by the monk Kukai more than 1,200 years ago. Fire officials said the blaze was extinguished on Thursday by about 30 firefighters Continue reading…

Net migration to UK falls by nearly 50% after Labour’s vow to cut numbers

by Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor on May 21, 2026 at 9:34 am

Decline to 171,000 last year will encourage ministers in what is seen as a battleground issue against ReformUK politics live – latest updatesNet migration to the UK fell by nearly 50% to 171,000 last year, according to official figures released on Thursday, in what will be seen as a boost for Keir Starmer’s government.Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the difference between the number of people moving to the UK and the number of people leaving was at its lowest level since 2021. Continue reading…

‘Peace in Europe no longer default situation’, warns Czech president Petr Pavel – Europe live

by Jakub Krupa in Prague on May 21, 2026 at 9:29 am

European state officials are meeting in Prague to discuss the state of the transatlantic alliance at a global security conferenceJust as Pavel was speaking in Prague, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy was pursuing escalation of the conflict between the two countries.It’s quite a claim given (checks notes) Russia’s continued and relentless invasion of Ukraine for years.“Ukraine has demonstrated not only determination and heroism, but also unbelievable capacity to adjust, to innovate, to change.It is something that we in Europe have lost through many regulatory measures that are necessary in peacetime, but of course in conflict you have to be … flexible and achieve the results in shortest possible time. … Continue reading…

Lyme disease cases in England rise by more than 20% in a year

by Nicola Davis Science correspondent on May 21, 2026 at 9:13 am

Scientists developing vaccines and anti-tick treatments amid growing concern over spread of diseaseCases of Lyme disease have risen more than 20% in England in the past year, public health experts have revealed, as pharmaceutical companies work to create new vaccines and drugs to tackle the tick-borne illness.According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), published as part of its One Health vector-borne disease surveillance report, there were 1,168 laboratory-confirmed cases of Lyme disease in 2025, up from 959 in 2024 – an increase of 22%. However, the figure is similar to that recorded in 2023, when there were 1,151 confirmed cases. Continue reading…

Parents in the UK: has your childminder stopped offering places or closed their business?

by Guardian community team on May 21, 2026 at 9:12 am

Campaigners warn the decline in childminders is making it harder for families to find flexible and affordable childcare. Share your experiencesThe number of childminders in England has roughly halved over the past decade, with many citing rising costs, low pay and increasing paperwork as reasons for leaving the profession. Campaigners warn the decline is making it harder for families to find flexible and affordable childcare.We want to hear from parents and carers whose childminder has recently closed their business, stopped accepting certain age groups such those over three-year-olds or reduced the number of children they look after. Continue reading…

‘I knew everyone here’: the tower block with 164 boarded-up homes – and a few residents who just won’t leave

by Words by Sam Wollaston, Photography by Christopher Thomond on May 21, 2026 at 9:00 am

Lund Point in east London was once ‘a beautiful community’, according to Tee Fabikun, who has lived there since 1997. Now just four flats are occupied. Why are Fabikun and her friends hanging on? And what happened to the long-promised redevelopment?Tee Fabikun is sitting in an armchair in her cosy, homely flat, surrounded by her things – papers and letters, family photos, a few Nigerian handicrafts, a forest of houseplants by the window. She is telling me about her neighbours here on the fifth floor of Lund Point, a tower block on the Carpenters estate in Stratford, east London. Next door there’s “a grumpy old man”; well, she thought he was a grumpy old man, but then she saw him in the lift with his granddaughter and he was sweet with her, so maybe he’s not so bad. “There’s always two sides.”In the next flat along is a young couple who met in the building, maybe in that lift. She was living on a higher floor, but moved down and in with him when they got married, and rented out her place. Then there’s a Bangladeshi family who only speak a little English. Fabikun’s first contact with them was when their daughter knocked on the door holding out an exercise book and just said “homework”; after that Fabikun would often help with her studies. And so on. And it’s not just her immediate neighbours on the fifth floor that Tee knows; she knows pretty much everyone in the 21-storey block. Continue reading…

Hard hats, AI and a fake pandemic: the group of former world leaders practising to save the world

by Carlos Mureithi in Mlolongo on May 21, 2026 at 9:00 am

With uncanny timing amid hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks, a group set up by Nelson Mandela known as The Elders, met in Kenya to model a health emergency – and found much still needs to be doneAbout a dozen people sat around a boardroom table at the emergency hub of the World Health Organization (WHO) just outside Nairobi last Thursday, their eyes glued to an animated presentation on a screen.Health workers in eastern Chad have reported several deaths among patients with respiratory failure, they are told. Initial samples suggest a novel variant of bird flu, but confirmation requires sending samples to a foreign laboratory. International health regulations require notification within 24 hours of assessment, but Chad’s government is hesitant to notify the WHO, fearing economic repercussions and stigma. Continue reading…

Haaland’s Norway to Ronaldo’s swansong: Who are the most likely first-time World Cup winners?

by Jeff Rueter on May 21, 2026 at 9:00 am

Eight nations have won the World Cup. An expanded field and a grueling schedule means a new champion could emerge from the pack this summerWhen Fifa expanded the field for the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams, the sales pitch included giving more nations a chance at glory. In reality, the favorites are nearly always former champions.To date, only eight nations have won the men’s World Cup. And yet, few of the former champions arrive at this summer’s tournament in their finest form. Spain are a justifiably popular pick as the reigning European champions have plenty of world-class talent. Argentina will hope to defend their title from 2022 after following it up with the Copa América in 2024. France, who top our power rankings, have reached the last two finals, and Kylian Mbappé claims this squad is the best he has been a part of. Continue reading…

From Lord of the Rings to Dua Lipa: Stephen Colbert’s 10 greatest Late Show moments

by Zach Vasquez on May 21, 2026 at 9:00 am

As the much-loved Late Show host says his final goodnight, a look back at his finest and funniest moments‘He had a unique ability to be human’: late-night TV says goodbye to Stephen ColbertThis week marks the end of two distinctive eras of network television, as CBS’s The Late Show With Stephen Colbert will air its final episode. The show was created in 1993 by David Letterman after his controversial exit from NBC, and he held the reins for 22 years before retiring and turning the show over to Colbert, who had risen to prominence on Comedy Central as a member of The Daily Show, and then later host of his own political talkshow, The Colbert Report.Colbert’s run on the Late Show would last 11 years. Last July, CBS shocked everyone by announcing the show’s cancellation, with the final episode to air on 21 May. Although executives claimed the decision was purely financial – even with Late Show holding the best ratings for any late-night talkshow for nine years running – many saw it as a political gesture towards Donald Trump ahead of an $8bn merger between CBS’s parent company, Paramount, and Skydance. Continue reading…

Greens select nurse and ‘committed local campaigner’ as Makerfield byelection candidate

by Mark Brown North of England correspondent on May 21, 2026 at 8:56 am

Chris Kennedy chosen amid reports Greens do not want to be blamed for splitting progressive vote and allowing Reform to winUK politics live – latest updatesThe Green party has chosen “a committed local campaigner” as its candidate in the Makerfield byelection on 18 June.Chris Kennedy, a nurse and children’s safeguarding specialist, was chosen after a hustings on Wednesday amid reports that the party was proposing to hold back from investing significant resources in the byelection. Continue reading…

Wes Streeting calls for equal tax on income and capital gains in Labour leadership pitch

by Alexandra Topping Political correspondent on May 21, 2026 at 8:45 am

MP says current system is unfair and his idea would result in a ‘wealth tax that works’UK politics live – latest updatesThe former health secretary Wes Streeting has set out plans for a “wealth tax that works”, by equalising tax on assets and income.Streeting said the current system – in which capital gains tax is generally much lower than income tax – was not fair and penalised work. Continue reading…

Rachel Reeves tells foul-mouthed Reform UK heckler good manners matter

by Helena Horton on May 21, 2026 at 8:30 am

Chancellor wins support from Conservative Mel Stride, while Nigel Farage says he would ‘like to buy man a pint’UK politics live – latest updatesRachel Reeves surprised onlookers when she gave a stern rebuke to a foul-mouthed heckler who shouted at her from his van as she conducted a broadcast interview.However, the chancellor has won support from unlikely sources, with Conservative politicians backing her response. Continue reading…

EasyJet summer holiday bookings down on last year amid Iran war uncertainty

by Joanna Partridge on May 21, 2026 at 8:16 am

Budget airline, which took £25m hit on jet fuel in March, says passengers are waiting later to book tripsBusiness live – latest updatesThe budget airline easyJet has said its summer holiday bookings are lagging behind last year as the Iran war weighs on consumer confidence and has left passengers waiting later to book trips.The carrier said it had to spend an unexpected extra £25m on jet fuel in March after the start of the US and Israel’s war on Iran. Continue reading…

‘It was much more gritty than the US scene’: UK skateboarding in the 80s and 90s – in pictures

by Elena Goodinson on May 21, 2026 at 8:00 am

Flying from roofs or grinding on car spoilers, the skaters at the spectacular birth of a UK subculture are captured in Neil Macdonald’s book Elsewhere Continue reading…

STAT+: After warning letter, Whoop and FDA in discussions about controversial blood pressure feature

by Mario Aguilar on May 21, 2026 at 8:30 am

Whoop is yet to resolve a dispute with the FDA over a blood pressure feature, a top executive said at STAT’s Breakthrough Summit.

Opinion: STAT+: Dark times ahead at the FDA

by Paul Knoepfler on May 21, 2026 at 8:30 am

It almost feels like the Trump administration is intentionally breaking the FDA, writes Lab Dish columnist Paul Knoepfler.

Are ‘AI co-scientist’ tools actually useful for scientists?

by Brittany Trang on May 21, 2026 at 8:30 am

In this edition of AI Prognosis, Brittany Trang explains in detail why ‘AI co-scientist’ tools may not be as helpful for scientists, yet.

Opinion: Living with bullet fragments in the body can have long-term medical consequences

by Adeiyewunmi (Ade) Osinubi on May 21, 2026 at 8:30 am

Living with bullet fragments in your body can lead to chronic pain, issues with mobility, depression, even lead poisoning.

Congressional Democrats try to force a vote to end Medicare AI prior authorization pilot

by Brittany Trang on May 20, 2026 at 7:28 pm

Congressional Democrats are mounting a fresh effort to end a Medicare experiment to use AI to approve or deny care.

STAT+: Pioneering trial for treating genetic disease before birth nears reality

by Megan Molteni on May 20, 2026 at 6:48 pm

A UCSF team has submitted an application to the FDA seeking approval for a small trial of in utero gene therapy for a rare lysosomal storage disorder.

Surgeon general’s office issues warning on screen time for children

by Chelsea Cirruzzo and Daniel Payne on May 20, 2026 at 6:30 pm

A public health advisory calls on parents, schools, and government to limit children’s use of screens, saying some patterns of use “can pose real harm to children.”

STAT+: Florida hospitals win $8 billion in extra Medicaid funds

by Bob Herman on May 20, 2026 at 6:03 pm

Stricter limits on extra Medicaid funds are coming, stemming from President Trump’s tax cut bill.

STAT+: Scientists track cellular disruptions that lead to type 1 diabetes

by Elizabeth Cooney on May 20, 2026 at 6:00 pm

Growing evidence suggests it takes a sustained viral infection in the right genetic environment to lead to type 1 diabetes.

Opinion: I saw Ebola as both doctor and patient. I wish people cared more about the Africans I worked alongside

by Krutika Kuppalli on May 20, 2026 at 5:02 pm

“As another Ebola outbreak unfolds, we cannot repeat the mistakes of the past,” writes Krutika Kuppalli.

STAT+: Biotech execs, academic expert lament impact of FDA turnover on rare disease drug development

by Lizzy Lawrence on May 20, 2026 at 5:00 pm

How the ouster of key officials at the FDA has created anxiety and uncertainty for the developers of rare disease drugs.

STAT+: Kennedy fires two leaders on preventive services task force

by Chelsea Cirruzzo on May 20, 2026 at 4:44 pm

Kennedy will have broad latitude to remake the panel, which advises the government on types of preventive care that should be covered by health insurance.

STAT+: Drugmakers guard IP more tightly amid China competition 

by Elaine Chen on May 20, 2026 at 3:03 pm

The FDA’s new path, the status of animal testing, and other biotech news from The Readout

STAT+: Kennedy names interim surgeon general amid vacancies atop health department

by Chelsea Cirruzzo on May 20, 2026 at 2:44 pm

Stephanie Haridopolos, a family medicine physician and senior HHS adviser, will take on the surgeon general’s duties on an interim basis.

STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about biotech investors’ mood, a former FDA head’s confidence, and more

by Andrew Joseph on May 20, 2026 at 1:55 pm

For Wall Street, the political risk of investing in drug companies has been demoted in comparison to other concerns

There’s a leadership vacuum at NIH, too

by Theresa Gaffney on May 20, 2026 at 11:54 am

USAID cuts have painful outcomes for the Ebola outbreak, states sue over a new professional ed loan rule, and other health news

After a critique from Rubio, WHO defends work on Ebola response

by Andrew Joseph on May 20, 2026 at 11:24 am

The WHO defended its Ebola response, noting it’s national authorities who detect outbreaks. Marco Rubio had said the WHO was “a little late.”

STAT+: Senate Democrats propose adding long-term care benefit to Medicare

by John Wilkerson on May 20, 2026 at 8:45 am

It’s part of Democrats’ strategy to focus on health care affordability and access in drawing contrasts with Republicans ahead of the midterms.

STAT+: NIH behind in filling top roles, with 15 of 27 institutes led by acting directors

by Anil Oza on May 20, 2026 at 8:30 am

An NIH leadership vacuum has persisted for months, with 15 of the 27 institutes being led by acting directors.

STAT+: OpenEvidence makes its pitch to hospitals. ‘We’re not crazy monsters’

by Katie Palmer on May 20, 2026 at 8:30 am

OpenEvidence CTO Zachary Ziegler said, at the STAT Breakthrough Summit West, that the company is looking beyond physician users.

Does the Experience of Beauty Show Up in the Brain? With Electrodes and a Museum Collection of Artifacts, These Neuroscientists Aim to Find Out

on May 15, 2026 at 11:30 am

Researchers are tracing the brain and body’s response to aesthetic expression in search of a scientific value to art

Pregnancy Changes Mothers’ Brains. These Recent Discoveries Are Showing Us How

on May 9, 2026 at 12:23 am

“Baby brain” isn’t the deficit it’s stereotyped to be, research suggests. Neural adaptations during pregnancy can prime soon-to-be-moms to become more attuned to their children and enhance social cognition

David Attenborough Has Inspired Countless Scientists. To Mark His 100th Birthday, Here Are Ten Living Things They’ve Named After Him

on May 7, 2026 at 8:07 pm

Researchers around the planet grew up watching documentaries hosted by the English broadcaster and naturalist, which sparked their love of the natural world. Now, their discoveries become tributes to his legacy

Nearly Half of Italy’s Wolves Are Part Dog Now, Thanks to Hybridization. Is That a Threat to the Species?

on May 6, 2026 at 11:30 am

Wolf-dog hybrids are growing far more common in Italy, raising scientists’ concerns for the future of the wolves

Cancer Survivors Are Living Longer but Still Have Complex Needs. That’s Why Doctors and Advocates Want Post-Treatment Care Plans

on April 29, 2026 at 11:30 am

Survivors have a heightened risk of developing cardiovascular disease, pain, insomnia, psychosocial distress and new cancers. Many, patient advocates say, are not receiving adequate long-term care

Butterflies Are in Dramatic Decline Across North America. A Close Look at the Western Monarch Shows Why

on April 24, 2026 at 3:42 pm

Pesticides, habitat loss and climate change have taken their toll on the beloved insects. But the experts working with them still find hope for their future

Camera Traps Reveal Iberian Lynxes Soaking Their Prey, a First-Ever Discovery Among Carnivores

on April 23, 2026 at 1:00 pm

Scientists speculate that the wild cats are trying to improve hydration or ease their cubs’ transition to solid food. The finding points to resilience in one of the world’s most endangered felines

Ancient Humans Mastered Fire. Now, Burning Fossil Fuels and Blazing Landscapes Threaten to ‘Undo the World’

on April 16, 2026 at 11:00 am

Intensifying wildfires across the continent are spewing air pollution, putting human health at risk, particularly Americans living with chronic illnesses

The Hell Creek Formation Is North America’s Legendary Boneyard. See the Top Five Discoveries Found in the Iconic Fossil Bed

on April 15, 2026 at 11:30 am

From preserved plants to T. rex, the material found in these Late Cretaceous rocks has resulted in countless breakthroughs for paleontologists

What Lies Beyond Artemis 2? These Other Missions Are Setting Their Sights on the Moon This Year—and on a Future With Humans in Space

on April 9, 2026 at 2:02 pm

As the historic lunar flyby comes to a close, space companies and nations around the world are also shooting for the moon. Upcoming landings aim to change the landscape of space exploration

Hear From a Wildlife Photographer’s Dramatic Glimpse Into the Dwindling World of the Cascade Red Fox

on April 9, 2026 at 10:15 am

Gretchen Kay Stuart has chronicled the work of a small team of biologists who are trying to keep a little known and breathtakingly beautiful endangered species from disappearing

Earth’s Smells Are Disappearing Because of Climate Change, and It’s a Vast Cultural Loss

on April 8, 2026 at 12:57 pm

A triple threat of pollution, extinction and warming temperatures is altering the way the planet smells. Scientists are only beginning to understand the stakes for humans

The La Brea Tar Pits Have Been Sucking in Visitors for Millennia. Paleontologists Are Still Finding Out What Lies Within the Ooze

on April 7, 2026 at 11:00 am

In Los Angeles, scientists are delighted to decode one of the richest fossil records on Earth

The Endangered Proboscis Monkey Is Easily Identifiable By One Physical Trait: Its Supersized Schnoz

on April 6, 2026 at 12:00 pm

When you see this primate’s nose, you know you’re in Borneo, where efforts are underway to restore its habitat

Purple Martins Rely on Human ‘Landlords’ to Provide Nest Boxes Each Spring. Can That Dynamic Last?

on April 3, 2026 at 12:33 pm

The large swallows have nested alongside human settlements for centuries. Now, the birds’ breeding success depends on caretakers who are beginning to age out of the role

Spectators Flocked to the Artemis 2 Launch to Witness History Being Made. One Awed Viewer Called It ‘the Best Thing Ever’

on April 2, 2026 at 4:38 pm

Wednesday evening, a human mission to the moon lifted off for the first time in more than 50 years. These 13 photographs capture what it was like to experience the moment

Cascade Red Foxes Are Notoriously Reclusive. So How Did This Photographer Capture These Stunning Images of the Endangered Species?

on March 31, 2026 at 11:00 am

Even the scientists who study the animals rarely see them except on camera. But Gretchen Kay Stuart spent a season documenting them up close

Was Spinosaurus Really a ‘Hell Heron’? Digging Into the Star of Netflix’s ‘The Dinosaurs’

on March 30, 2026 at 11:30 am

With an incredible sail and heavy bones that might have acted as ballast, Spinosaurus seems primed for snatching fish. The creature has long captivated the public, from its early mysteries to the recent discovery of a new species

Fish Traps Have Been Banned on the Columbia River for Nearly a Century. Could Bringing Them Back Help Save Salmon?

on March 27, 2026 at 11:30 am

A new experiment is testing the commercial success of fish traps in Washington and Oregon. Even as some conservationists embrace the technique, its return has reopened old wounds among local fishers

How a Small Winter Flower Has Attracted Droves of Admirers—and Offers a Symbol of Resilience

on March 25, 2026 at 2:05 pm

The snowdrop, or Galanthus, blooms when the world is still frozen. Gardeners enamored with the plant gather each year in Pennsylvania to celebrate its subtleties and endurance

Pauline Hanson announces Norway-inspired gas policy as she decries 25% export tax as ‘economic vandalism’

by Dan Jervis-Bardy Chief political correspondent on May 21, 2026 at 9:15 am

One Nation proposal would abolish offshore gas profits tax and acquire 30% equity in new projects in a move the Coalition says is ‘borrowed from Venezuela’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation has vowed to replace the contentious offshore gas profits tax and acquire 30% equity stakes in new ventures under an interventionist policy designed to extract “vastly greater returns” for Australian taxpayers from the resource.The proposal for the commonwealth to co-own gas projects drew a mix of criticism and cynicism from the government, industry and the Coalition, which accused One Nation of importing ideas from Venezuela. Continue reading…

Tentacles, pointy teeth and the T-rex of the sea: the Natural History Museum on beasts that once ruled the oceans

by Matthew Pearce on May 21, 2026 at 5:01 am

A new exhibition, Jurassic Oceans, showcases the fearsome creatures that lurked below the surface – and offers a stark warning about the impact of warming waters on marine ecosystems todayDeep in the bowels of the Natural History Museum, Kate Whittington is standing in front of the skeleton of a 23ft plesiosaur, one of prehistoric Earth’s most fearsome marine reptiles, explaining how it would eat us for dinner, were it still around today.“Its long neck allowed its head to get a head start on its body,” says the museum’s exhibition and interpretation manager. “So it could sneak up on prey and grab it [with its mouth] before its body and flippers created a disturbance in the water.” Continue reading…

England must harvest rainfall and take action on water usage, Lords warn

by Sandra Laville on May 21, 2026 at 5:01 am

Without urgent intervention England faces water shortages of 5bn litres a day by 2055, peers tell governmentRainwater harvesting, the use of grey water in homes and an urgent campaign to reduce water usage across society are vital to prevent water shortages of 5bn litres a day by 2055, the government has been told.Without intervention, England will face severe water shortages in the coming decades, as climate change-induced weather patterns, population growth and the expansion of industries such as water-intensive datacentres put excessive demand on supplies and endanger life, according to a House of Lords report published on Thursday.Changes to building regulations to require new homes to achieve a maximum water usage of 105 litres a person a day and accelerated grey water reuse.Nature-based solutions such as restoring peat bogs and reconnecting rivers to their natural flood plains to enhance water retention.An urgent awareness campaign for the whole of society to reduce water usage.A full environmental and economic assessment of drought to weigh the cost of inaction against the value of resilience.The rolling out of nature-based solutions more widely in urban and rural settings. Continue reading…

Toxic chemicals in pet flea treatments harming wildlife, UK study warns

by Matthew Taylor on May 21, 2026 at 5:00 am

Flea treatment chemicals fipronil and imidacloprid also implicated in lower cognitive scores in children with autismToxic chemicals found in pet flea treatment are devastating wildlife in rivers, parks and special conservation areas and the government should take urgent action to limit their use, according to a study.Chemicals that are banned for use as pesticides but still used in liquid flea treatments are causing potentially irreversible harm to aquatic life as well as decimating birds and pollinators, according to the study published on Thursday. Continue reading…

UN backs historic climate crisis ruling, despite US attempts to stop resolution

by Staff and agencies on May 21, 2026 at 3:18 am

The US, Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia – some of the highest oil-producing nations and major greenhouse gas emitters – opposed the measureThe UN has voted 141-8 to adopt a resolution backing a world court opinion that countries have a legal obligation to address climate change, with the US – which is the world’s biggest historical emitter – among the small group opposing it.The UN secretary general, António Guterres, said Wednesday’s general assembly vote, in which 28 countries abstained, underscored that governments are responsible for protecting citizens from the “escalating climate crisis”. Continue reading…

Young Americans demand court halt Trump’s biggest rollbacks of pollution protections

by Dharna Noor on May 20, 2026 at 8:04 pm

Suit says administration is impinging on rights to life and liberty by worsening planet-warming and toxic pollutionEva v Goliath: the 20-year-old climate activist taking on Trump and the fossil fuel industryEighteen American youth are demanding that a court immediately halt the Trump administration’s repeal of the scientific finding underpinning virtually all US climate regulations.The plaintiffs sued the Trump administration in February days after officials revoked the 2009 endangerment finding, which found that greenhouse gas pollution threatens public health and welfare. Filed in the Washington DC circuit court of appeals Venner v EPA alleges that the move infringes upon rights guaranteed by the US constitution, including to religious freedom, life and liberty. Continue reading…

San Francisco turns to AI to save whales from ship strikes as deaths soar

by Associated Press on May 20, 2026 at 6:43 pm

Climate change is pushing starving grey whales to San Francisco Bay, where ship strikes led to 40% of 21 deathsFerries, cargo ships and tankers cut through choppy waters in the San Francisco Bay on Tuesday as a whale surfaced nearby, its spout barely visible against the white caps. Until now, whales could easily go unnoticed by mariners, but an AI-powered detection network launched this week is designed to track them day and night.The system, called WhaleSpotter, scans the bay around the clock for whale blows and heat signatures up to 2 nautical miles away, alerting mariners to slow down or reroute when whales are nearby. Continue reading…

Eva v Goliath: the 20-year-old climate activist taking on Trump and the fossil fuel industry

by Dharna Noor in Livingston, Montana, with photographs by Will Warasila on May 20, 2026 at 1:00 pm

Young Americans are suing the president for violating rights with executive orders that fuel the climate crisisYoung Americans demand court halt Trump’s biggest rollbacks of pollution protectionsEva Lighthiser was at a dorm party on her Colorado college campus last month when she had to call it an early night.“I said, ‘Hey, I’ve got to go to bed, I’m flying out to Portland tomorrow,’ and then of course follow-up questions get raised,” she said. “I’m like, ‘Well, it’s a lot to explain.’” Continue reading…

I believed sustainable fashion’s hype. But between Everlane and Allbirds, the letdowns keep coming | Clare Press

by Clare Press on May 20, 2026 at 8:52 am

Sustainability promised to change the industry. With Shein reportedly acquiring Everlane, and Allbirds pivotting from eco sneakers to AI, it seems that promise was mostly marketingIt was always about the money, wasn’t it? For a while there, it seemed like the execs opining sustainability is not a trend, it’s the future actually meant it. But when yet another global brand drops its net zero goals or stops talking about DEI, you do wonder. Recent headlines include Stella McCartney adulterating her eco gloss with a sustainable capsule collection for H&M – don’t worry, she’s just “infiltrating from within” – and Lululemon being investigated for Pfas. The letdowns keep coming.Now the internet is reeling from a report that Shein plans to acquire Everlane, the San Francisco-based sustainable basics brand built on “radical transparency”. Shein is the Chinese ultra-fast fashion giant epitomising murky supply chains and crazy-cheap landfill fashion. They release up to 10,000 styles a day, and have been making headlines of their own over secrecy and alleged links to forced Uyghur labour. Continue reading…

Aerial footage shows California brush fire spreading across Simi Valley – video

on May 19, 2026 at 4:46 pm

A fast-growing brush fire that started on Monday morning in southern California has prompted evacuation orders for thousands of people and damaged at least one home.The Sandy fire was reported just after 10am in Simi Valley, a city in Ventura county about 30 miles north-west of Los Angeles. The blaze spread to more than 1,300 acres by its second day. Several neighbourhoods in nearby northern LA were put under evacuation warnings. Under an evacuation warning, residents are not required to leave immediately but are encouraged to be alert and be prepared to leave if conditions worsenFast-growing southern California brush fire prompts evacuation orders Continue reading…

High levels of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found off coast of southern England

by Daniel Shailer on May 19, 2026 at 6:00 am

Study of Channel finds levels of toxic Pfas in Solent at 13 times safe limits in some places, with much coming from treated sewageScientists have found high levels of toxic Pfas, or “forever chemicals”, in soil, water and throughout the marine food chain in the UK’s Solent strait, including at protected environmental sites, according to a new study.In some samples, pollution was 13 times the safe threshold for coastal waters. Others, which were below legal limits for individual chemicals, failed tests for combined toxicity. Continue reading…

Trump officials plan to repeal limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

by Tom Perkins on May 18, 2026 at 8:19 pm

EPA outlines effort to kill Biden-era rules as critics condemn RFK Jr and Lee Zeldin’s ‘hocus pocus’The Trump administration has announced a plan to kill Biden-era drinking water limits on four Pfas “forever chemicals”, and to delay the implementation of standards for two other compounds.The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing two separate rules to delay and rescind the limits. The rules must go through an approval process that can take several years, and almost certainly will be challenged in court. Continue reading…

Trump cuts to weather data could make forecasts less reliable, warn experts

by Dharna Noor on May 18, 2026 at 12:00 pm

Use of AI is a valuable tool for weather prediction but only when it’s trained with ample data, experts sayAs the US prepares for hurricane season and a summer of record-breaking heat, experts fear the Trump administration’s cuts to climate and weather data programming could make the federal government’s weather forecasts less reliable when they are needed most.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) late last year launched a suite of artificial intelligence-powered global weather forecast models which it said would improve “speed, efficiency, and accuracy”. In March, an agency official said those models were being trained with centuries of weather data. Continue reading…

For sale: one cute baby gibbon – mother probably killed by poachers

by Ana Norman Bermúdez on May 18, 2026 at 10:00 am

Rising demand for exotic pets is pushing many gibbon species to extinction, with their strong family bonds making them especially vulnerable to the brutal tradeIt is a cool morning in Thailand’s hilly north, and a wildlife officer sits on the veranda of Omkoi wildlife sanctuary’s office. On her lap is a wide-eyed infant primate dressed in baby clothes. Not unlike a human baby, he kicks and waves excitedly. Most of his dark skin is covered in dense white fur, except for his face and the palms of his hands.“We call him Chokdee,” the officer says. “It means ‘good luck’.” Continue reading…

The Iran war reminds us: we’ll never be energy-independent with fossil fuels | Lloyd Doggett and Michael Shank

by Lloyd Doggett and Michael Shank on May 18, 2026 at 10:00 am

Energy security comes from using local, renewable resources to power, heat and cool communities, as Ukraine is doingDonald Trump’s unjustified war on Iran and the resulting global fuel crisis is a continuing reminder that true energy security and independence will continue to elude us so long as we remain dependent on fossil fuels.Whether it’s wars over oil and gas resource access or attacks on fossil fuel power plants and energy grids, this reliance on finite resources only worsens a country’s threat profile. News this month of Russia’s deadly attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Russian drones swarming Ukrainian power stations and Kyiv running out of time to prepare for another winter of attacks on its energy grid illustrates this urgency.The US representative Lloyd Doggett serves Texas’s 37th district in the House of Representatives and is a member of the Ukraine caucus and the House sustainable energy and environment coalition. Michael Shank PhD is adjunct faculty at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs, and at George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution Continue reading…

Australia’s ‘green Wall Street’ is failing to launch. Threatened species deserve better than the nature repair market | Euan Ritchie and Yung En Chee

by Euan Ritchie and Yung En Chee on May 18, 2026 at 2:24 am

One must ask why Labor is so comfortable continuing to ignore the wishes of the vast majority of votersAnthony Albanese’s government swept to power in 2022 and, among many promises made to voters, it firmly committed to end a decade of environmental neglect. Four years later, the federal budget – as well as the newly passed national environmental law reforms – make it abundantly clear that it is failing to deliver on that promise.This failure is more than just political; it is existential for this country’s remarkable, unique and increasingly imperilled wildlife and ecosystems. Continue reading…

Minnesota deploys national guard to help fight wildfires in northern region

by Marina Dunbar on May 17, 2026 at 9:10 pm

Tim Walz, the state’s governor, calls blazes ‘unpredictable and fast-moving’ as dry, windy weather fuels themMinnesota’s national guard has been activated to help battle wildfires burning in the northern part of the state after the department of natural resources requested additional support.Governor Tim Walz authorized the deployment by issuing an executive order that declared a peacetime emergency. Continue reading…

‘Green card for the planet’? Fifa’s World Cup is on pace to be a climate catastrophe

by Jules Boykoff on May 17, 2026 at 10:00 am

The 2022 World Cup failed to deliver on its environmental promises. From air travel emissions to heat-related dangers, the 2026 edition will be even worseSoccer fans are increasingly watching preparations for the 2026 World Cup through their fingers. The most popular sporting event on the planet is awash in controversy, whether it’s the eye-watering ticket prices, the question of Iran’s participation while the president of one of the host countries threatens war crimes against it, or the role that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement may or may not play in policing the event. And yet, lost in the political pyrotechnics is a fiasco that carries as much long-term peril as any: the tournament’s staggering contribution to runaway climate change.The 2026 World Cup is not only the most politically combustible tournament in modern history, but it is also on track to be the “most polluting” World Cup ever, with total greenhouse gas emissions hitting nearly two times the historical average. Scientists conservatively project that the tournament will generate around 9m tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Air travel comprises approximately 7.7m tons of this carbon budget, and more than four times that of the average for tournaments held between 2010 and 2022. The researchers note that the worst-case upper estimate for air transport is about 13.7m tons of CO2. That may sound bad, but that’s just because World Cup emissions have never been worse. Continue reading…

Pity the poor AI data centers facing ‘discrimination’ | Arwa Mahdawi

by Arwa Mahdawi on May 16, 2026 at 12:00 pm

The centers are diverting much-needed resources from regular people. Local resistance has the industry playing defenseBack in 2016, Marco Gutiérrez, the Mexican-born founder of Latinos for Trump, issued an ominous warning to the US. “My culture is a very dominant culture,” he said on MSNBC. “It is imposing and it’s causing problems. If you don’t do something about it, you’re going to have taco trucks on every corner.”A decade later, I regret to inform you there is not a taco truck on every corner. But I am here to issue my own ominous warning about the takeover of America: not by immigrant culture but by AI culture. To echo Gutiérrez: it is imposing and it’s causing problems. And if we don’t do something about it, we’re going to have datacenters on every corner.Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnistDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading…

Week in wildlife: super-rare bongos, ducks on parade and Marmalade the Thames seal

by Pejman Faratin on May 15, 2026 at 7:41 am

This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world Continue reading…

Aloha ʻāina

by Aeon Video on May 21, 2026 at 10:01 am

It’s marketed as a holiday destination, but the true meaning of Hawai’i lies in the connections between land and people- by Aeon VideoWatch on Aeon

Make immigration boring

by Alan Manning on May 21, 2026 at 10:00 am

The fiercest political battle of our age needs less moral drama and more hard thinking about numbers and fair tradeoffs- by Alan ManningRead on Aeon

Looking for a donkey

by Aeon Video on May 20, 2026 at 10:01 am

After two arrests and a national uproar, why is it so tricky to find the donkey once likened to Venezuela’s president?- by Aeon VideoWatch on Aeon

Maritime China

by Ron Po on May 19, 2026 at 10:00 am

Far from turning its back on the sea, the fate of Qing China was tied as much to tides and storms as to cavalry and walls- by Ron PoRead on Aeon

How death came to Earth

by Aeon Video on May 18, 2026 at 10:01 am

Why must humans die? According to an ancient Indian folktale, death first came to Earth through an ill-fated love affair- by Aeon VideoWatch on Aeon

Mathematics is out there

by Steve Nadis on May 18, 2026 at 10:00 am

Sergiu Klainerman spent years proving that black holes won’t fly apart; and arguing that maths is not a human invention- by Steve NadisRead on Aeon

Gen Z but two centuries ago

by Emily Herring on May 15, 2026 at 10:00 am

A generation of young people with ‘full hearts in an empty world’ sought hope in the face of insurmountable malaise- by Emily HerringRead on Aeon

Silvesterchlausen

by Aeon Video on May 14, 2026 at 10:01 am

‘We’re not sure what it means or how it started’ – the enigmatic ritual that has existed in Switzerland for centuries- by Aeon VideoWatch on Aeon

Rights require money

by Attiya Waris on May 14, 2026 at 10:00 am

Talk as much as you like about human rights, nothing will change until the architecture of global finance is reformed- by Attiya WarisRead on Aeon

Idle warriors

by Aeon Video on May 13, 2026 at 10:01 am

How a public health initiative to reduce air pollution has created ‘full-time citizen complainants’ who patrol the city- by Aeon VideoWatch on Aeon

Beneath our human shallows

by James Dinneen on May 12, 2026 at 10:00 am

We need a new imagination for the whole Earth, linking the power of the deep planet with the vitality of the surface- by James DinneenRead on Aeon

Classroom 4

by Aeon Video on May 11, 2026 at 10:01 am

In this award-winning short, inmates and college students explore the history of incarceration from inside a US prison- by Aeon VideoWatch on Aeon

Children are apprentices

by Niklas Serning & Nina Lyon on May 11, 2026 at 10:00 am

The emotional and practical skills of adulthood can only be learned from (appropriate) levels of discomfort and stress- by Niklas Serning & Nina LyonRead on Aeon

The prophet in your pocket

by Carissa Véliz on May 8, 2026 at 10:00 am

Things have jobs: pillows are made for comfort, scissors are sharp, and digital devices are made to track your every move- by Carissa VélizRead on Aeon

Nature’s hardware store: building the future with biology

by Aeon Video on May 7, 2026 at 10:01 am

What if the tools for sustainable space exploration could be found in cellular life on Earth? A NASA astrobiologist explains- by Aeon VideoWatch on Aeon

The origins of Indians

by Kiran Kumbhar on May 7, 2026 at 10:00 am

Genetic studies support what historians have argued for decades: ancient India was a place of migration and mixture- by Kiran KumbharRead on Aeon

Sarnevesht (Daughter)

by Aeon Video on May 6, 2026 at 10:01 am

In rural Iran, Sahar faces a stark choice: stay at home to look after her father, or go to the city to pursue her education- by Aeon VideoWatch on Aeon

Embrace the edge!

by Charles Foster on May 5, 2026 at 10:00 am

Brilliance and kindness shine brightest when far from the comfortable centre. Even nature is more generative there too- by Charles FosterRead on Aeon

Democracy by lottery

by Aeon Video on May 4, 2026 at 10:01 am

Ancient Athenians chose leaders by lottery rather than elections. Could this solve the problems facing democracy today?- by Aeon VideoWatch on Aeon

Reality emerges

by Felix Flicker on May 4, 2026 at 10:00 am

Particles are nature’s smallest constituents, but that doesn’t mean they’re fundamental. So what is the Universe made of?- by Felix FlickerRead on Aeon