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How Sport Will Change on a Hotter Planet (We Might Have to Move the Olympics) | Climate & Energy for July 16
Plus: The Strait of Hormuz isn’t going back to normal, and the Chinese EV wave threatens Volkswagen’s vast, well-paid workforce
Trump approval stuck in the 30s amid pessimism on Iran and economy, poll finds
Americans give President Trump broadly negative assessments, including on the Iran war and the economy, a Washington Post-Ipsos poll finds.
Hegseth touts a high-testosterone military, as doctors question his claims
The defense secretary said the Pentagon will test the testosterone levels of troops 30 and over. It was unclear if the plan would affect women or military fitness rules.
Trump is taking longer to approve disaster aid and denying Democratic states more frequently
Americans are waiting longer for disaster aid under President Donald Trump, with delays often lasting weeks or months
What science loses when T. rex becomes a trophy
Sold for a record price of more than $50 million, ‘Gus’ was described by Sotheby’s as more than 60% complete.
How Lindsey Graham’s ability to read the moment propelled him to political relevance for 3 decades
Sen. Graham repeatedly moved in the direction South Carolina and Republican politics were headed rather than where they had been.
China and Xi are seen more favorably than the US and Trump in many nations, new survey says
The world has largely viewed the U.S. more favorably than China for years, but those opinions now have flipped in Beijing’s favor
Pennsylvania Republicans won on lowering prices. Then came the Iran war.
Two Republicans who unseated House Democrats in 2024 after promising to lower the cost of living are fighting to keep their seats amid rising prices.
Trump administration scales back immigration crackdown after ICE shootings
The administration is again retreating from some aggressive actions, but Republicans expect Democrats to expand calls to “abolish ICE.”
A large amount of the Universe is missing. Scientists think they may have found it | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
A lot of normal matter in the Universe is missing. Astronomers think they might have found it, and it's been hiding in plain sight all along.
Fixing America’s polarization with proportional representation
Presidentialism plus single-member districts is a bad combination that incentivizes leaders to consolidate power by fueling division.
'This is not normal': AOC unloads on McConnell's prolonged absence
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez questions whether Mitch McConnell's months-long Senate absence is legal, while GOP senators insist he'll return for key votes.
Senate Democrats Block Defense Bill Over War in Iran
The vote reflected how the political debate over the conflict in the Middle East has sapped bipartisan support for a normally popular measure.
Pro-Palestinian protester sues Trump administration, citing KKK Act
Mahmoud Khalil alleges private groups, including the conservative Heritage Foundation, and public leaders conspired to persecute him.
Trump congratulated Iraq’s prime minister on election. He wasn’t on the ballot.
President Donald Trump repeatedly congratulated Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Kadhim al-Zaidi on his victory in a “highly competitive” election.
The Latest: Supreme Court justices set to testify in rare appearance before Congress
The U.S. and Iran are once again on the verge of all-out war
'It affects your daily life suddenly': Sea level researcher explains why once-in-a-century floods could become the new normal
Live Science spoke with sea level expert Sönke Dangendorf about how human-caused sea-level rise is increasing extreme water levels, as once-in-a-century flooding events become decadal.
Home Entertainment Slate for July 14 Includes 'Michael,' 'Obsession,' 'The Mummy' on Disc, 'Backrooms,' 'The Breadwinner' Digitally
Home Entertainment new releases for July 14 include Michael, Obsession, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy and Normal on Blu-ray, while Backrooms and The Breadwinner become available digitally. The hit music biopic Michael will be available on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD disc July 14 from Lionsgate. The 4K Ultra HD combo pack with regular Blu-ray Disc and … Continue reading "Home Entertainment Slate for July 14 Includes ‘Michael,’ ‘Obsession,’ ‘The Mummy’ on Disc, ‘Backrooms,’ ‘The Breadwinner’ Digitally"
Chris Mason: Investigation into Widdecombe's death rekindles debate over how to protect politicians
Many MPs blame social media for normalising violent language and abuse, the BBC's political editor writes.
Subpoenas issued to NY Times reporters seen as 'unprecedented' threat to press freedom
Media advocates have reacted with alarm to subpoenas issued to five New York Times journalists who reported on security concerns about the new Air Force One
After Lindsey Graham's death, questions linger about aging politicians and health transparency
The sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, a top ally of President Donald Trump and one of Washington’s best-known politicians, is renewing focus on the country’s aging lawmakers
Trump recommends Lindsey Graham’s sister to serve rest of his Senate term
The president recommended that South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster select Darline Graham to serve into January. Her brother died suddenly amid a campaign for a fifth term.
The Latest: Trump demands 20% toll for passage through strait
President Donald Trump said Iranian ships will no longer be able to travel through the Strait of Hormuz and America would charge a 20% toll on other countries’ eligible cargo, escalating tensions after weekend of attacks by both nations to assert control of the critical waterway
Vatican hits back at U.S. claim that Pope Leo speaks as a politician
President Donald Trump's ambassador had sought to portray the pontiff as the political leader of the Holy See. The Vatican swiftly said he is “proclaiming the Gospel.”
How the 'creeping normality' of large language models is quietly reshaping the life sciences
Large language models (LLMs) are gradually transforming research in the life sciences in ways that extend far beyond improving productivity, and they are becoming a new normal before scientists have agreed ...
Graham’s death complicates Senate Republicans’ packed agenda
Republicans return to Washington facing a thinner working margin, stalled spending bills and a fight over Trump’s attorney general nominee.
Yankees Cam Schlittler has reservations about All-Star Game appearance
On Sunday at Washington, Schlittler told reporters about his concerns related to pitching in the All-Star Game on his normal between-starts throw day.
Who could replace Lindsey Graham? South Carolina's next steps after senator's death
Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death has sparked a political scramble in South Carolina
McConnell says he was hospitalized due to a fall and contracted pneumonia
The update comes after weeks of silence about his condition and growing questions over the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican’s health.
McConnell says he was hospitalized due to a fall and contracted pneumonia
The update comes after weeks of silence about his condition and growing questions over the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican’s health.
What happens next with Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat
South Carolina's Republican governor is tasked with naming a replacement to serve out the rest of Graham's term, and a special primary is set for August.
Israeli fire in Gaza kills 5 people, including a little girl, health officials say
Israeli fire in Gaza has killed at least five Palestinians, including a 9-year-old girl
Alzheimer's tau protein has a surprising secret role in memory
Researchers found that tau is essential for turning new experiences into lasting memories by helping organize the brain's memory-storing cells. The mouse study also revealed how abnormal tau may contribute to Alzheimer's by disrupting both the formation of new memories and the recall of existing ones.
The vibe shift in American socialism
Today’s DSA candidates don’t resemble the dogmatic old guard.
Researchers worry a Trump rule could end U.S. scientific dominance
Research organizations warn a proposed rule for federal grants would upend the medical and technological advances that set U.S. science apart.
They're Building Half A Bridge to Save Science...
Today’s post is about science: what you can do now to protect it from unprecedented threats, and how your action is the first half of a long-term program that Congress must take up next. Let me start with describing the embryonic state of science advocacy. There are many well-meaning organizations: the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Research!America, and subject-specific organizations such as the Society for Neuroscience and the American Physical Society. Their general approach is to emphasize the common good: the remarkable value that science and innovation have provided to all Americans. However, these organizations are offering an incomplete solution. Before I start, a preliminary: If you already know about the threat, go ahead and weigh in with OMB at this link. Ideas about what to say come from Research!America and the American Physical Society. You have until Monday, July 13 at 11:59pm Eastern. Then come back here and read the rest of this post. Finally, get in touch with whoever is likely to be your next member of Congress in 2027. The threat: An end to merit-based science… The onslaught of attacks on science is accelerating. It’s not just cuts to grants, which was the last battle. That battle is not done yet, but there is a new and worse threat. Now comes a proposed public rule from the Office of Management and Budget. The rule would take decision-making power over grants away from experts and put it into the hands of political appointees. Former NIH official Elizabeth Ginexi wrote an excellent summary of what OMB is trying to do, which is codify the executive branch’s ability to award or terminate grants, for arbitrary cause or no stated cause. Since World War II, a necessary step in scientific grant-making has been consideration of scientific merit. This approach has made America into a dominant scientific superpower, the envy of the world. Of course, political considerations do come into the mix. The proposed rule tilts the balance dramatically away from merit. …but why? Many people have difficulty comprehending why Russell Vought and OMB would want to damage science in this way. If you’re a working scientist, you are likely to be particularly uncomprehending. Who would hurt an activity so self-evidently good? The answer is: this is part of the program to replace the rule of law with a personalist regime. OMB Director Russell Vought, a Christian nationalist, would like to implement what legal scholars call a “unitary executive,” and what I would call a dictatorship. Or if you like, a personalist authoritarian regime. I am a working scientist. This rule will debilitate my research. It may chill the speech of scientists for speaking freely in the public sphere. It is a form of personalizing power and decision-making within the executive branch. In short, it sacrifices science in the service of tyranny. To Russell Vought, a decrease in the quality of science might be an acceptable cost. He might even consider it an added benefit to weaken a pillar of soft U.S. power based on knowledge and skepticism. The professional societies are building half a bridge The nonprofits are asking you to make public comment. Public comment is like building the first half of a bridge. Before implementation, OMB is compelled by law to have a period of public comment. Rules have to be consistent with the law and the Constitution. They express the federal government’s stance toward how those laws will be implemented. When a presidential administration works in good faith, these public comments are used to inform their eventual action, and sometimes mitigate it. The comment period reflects our First Amendment right to petition our government. The executive branch is then supposed to take those comments into account - completing the bridge between us, the people, and our government. Project 2025 seeks to take away the second half of the bridge. We have to replace it. The first half of the bridge Organizations like AAAS, Research!America, and SfN are partly right. You should certainly comment. Their core model is earnest: if enough of us make noise, then we will achieve change. This idealistic point of view is offered in good faith. That point of view is also currently bullshit. The fundamental reason is that the federal rulemaking process has two parts: There has to be a period of public comment. OMB makes the final rule…but is free to disregard public comment. Oops. That’s a loophole. However, not all is lost. Congress can complete the bridge Congress has enormous power. That power suggests a roadmap for how to proceed. This lawless administration is still going to issue that rule. Nonetheless, your comments still play an essential role. Here are two steps you can take. Step 1: Send your comment to your Representative and Senator. Whether they are Democrats or Republicans, many of them support science. Whatever you wrote as public comment in the Federal Register, also send it to your member of Congress. You can include information about jobs in your district or state by looking at Joshua Weitz’s ScienceMatters interactive map. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and give your town, zip code, or state, then deliver your message. Step 2: Politicize the hell out of science. You heard me, politicize it as an issue. We hear a lot from the old scientific establishment about science being nonpartisan. This is obsolete, sentimental thinking. Under normal conditions, it was true. But we can no longer make that assumption. We can keep on pretending, but we’re putting science at risk. There is a way forward. Rules are subordinate to the law…and Congress makes laws. Therefore Congress can step in. In this fall’s election, it is likely that Democrats will retake the House of Representatives. That puts at least one chamber of Congress in the hands of Democrats. They are far more inclined than the current Congress to investigate and legislate. This opens a path to undoing the damage. It also creates a permission structure for pro-science Republicans to find a way back from the brink. We have to encourage them. In the House, every district is up every two years. In your district, contact both of the major party candidates. If your state has a Senate race, contact those candidates too. Specifically mention the proposed OMB rule. Ask for two things: For this year’s appropriations process in August and September, ask that amendments be added to stop the implementation of the new rule. Those amendments should support peer-reviewed science and stop political interference. Looking ahead to next year, ask the Congressman/Congresswoman/Senator to work to hold hearings in 2027 on the importance and benefits of peer-reviewed science for health and prosperity. What hearings and amendments will accomplish Congress can use its investigatory power to summon heads of agencies and the director of the OMB. That will allow fact-finding regarding the consequences of this rule. Congress can override the rule through the appropriations process. They can write into statute a requirement to follow peer review and best scientific practices. In this way, Congress can stop the attacks on science. Postscript: Moving forward Now I have a request for you, to help me. As many of you know, I ran for Congress in order to save democracy and science. Although I did not win, that battle continues by other means. I met and heard from thousands of supporters both here in New Jersey and nationally. I learned that pro-science, pro-democracy activists have the potential to become a much greater force. In the weeks and months ahead, I will be building ways to harness that energy. I will be announcing those plans soon. In the meantime, an important step is to wind down the Congressional campaign, which has a few remaining bills to pay. Please help me retire that last debt.
White House appoints climate science critic to lead key climate program
Matthew M. Wielicki will now oversee the nation’s flagship report on the climate.
How abolishing the NIH would weaken American science
American science, disability service provider staffing and more, in readers' eyes.
Trump keeps pushing voting bill that could backfire on Republicans
The president says passing the Save America Act would “guarantee the midterms” for the GOP, but the bill could be dangerous for Republicans.
Donald Trump ousts election commission members in latest push to reshape US voting process
President Donald Trump has ousted members of a bipartisan federal election commission charged with assisting state and local elections officials
Trump fires members of bipartisan elections commission
President Donald Trump fired two Democratic members of the Elections Assistance Commission and received the resignation of a Republican member.
Of course ACA premiums are rising
The government encourages higher prices through policy.
Nick Fuentes to Hasan Piker: click by click, antisemitism goes mainstream
As attacks on Jews rise, USA TODAY's Extremely Normal explores how mainstream politicians and commentators are embracing antisemitism.
This team of lawyers represents Trump, even against his own government
President Trump has assembled a team of personal lawyers who have a key strength in his eyes: willingness to make arguments his previous attorneys might have balked at.
Sens. Fetterman (D) and McCormick (R) form rare bipartisan fundraising committee
The unusual cross-party fundraising committee comes amid speculation that Republicans are courting John Fetterman, who has said he has no plans to switch parties.
The biggest drag on Virginia’s business ranking is Trump
CNBC's business rankings showed Virginia's economy was still ailing from DOGE cuts, though it got high ratings for infrastructure and education.
Analysis | Can working-class roots help Democrats win back working-class voters?
Democratic gubernatorial candidates are running on personal working-class stories.
How Mitch McConnell’s absence complicates the Senate’s business and war funding
The 84-year-old's hospital stay may make it harder for Republicans to break a stalemate over funding, including $87 billion for the Pentagon as the Iran war reignites.
Virginia Department of Health says there are 10 cases of cyclosporiasis
Health experts say cyclosporiasis tends to spread more in the summer months.But federal officials say there are more cases this year than they'd normally see in
Sen. Mitch McConnell’s constituents deserve transparency
Mitch McConnell's health, Nixon’s war on drugs, 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' and more, in readers' eyes.
7 surprises and snubs from the Emmy nominations
“The Pitt” and “Hacks” dominated the field, but there was plenty that was unexpected in Wednesday’s announcement.
In shift, Trump praises Zelensky, will let Ukraine build Patriot missiles
It was a dramatic departure from Trump’s more acerbic tone toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he once derided as ungrateful.
Cancer cases worldwide will soar in the coming decades, a report finds. Here’s why.
The World Health Organization tempered optimism about improvements in cancer treatment and said global health care inequities are driving more cases and deaths.
I mocked sports fans. Then I became one.
A lifelong sports skeptic learns to love the power of the game.
The 2028 redistricting wars have already begun
The Maryland legislature is set to convene a special session next month after Democratic lawmakers proposed a constitutional amendment on redistricting.
Trump weighed in on Cabinet squabble over ride for July Fourth flyover
The president encouraged acting attorney general Todd Blanche to fly on one of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s jets despite the FAA’s prior objection to the planes.
McConnell speaks to Republican leaders as speculation swirls about his health, remains hospitalized
Senate Republican leaders have spoken to Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell as he remains in the hospital
As health rumors swirl, GOP leaders say they’ve spoken with McConnell
Several of Mitch McConnell’s colleagues and allies said they talked with him by phone, offering the fullest picture yet of the hospitalized senator’s condition.
As health rumors swirl, GOP leaders say they’ve spoken with McConnell
Several of Mitch McConnell’s colleagues and allies said they talked with him by phone, offering the fullest picture yet of the hospitalized senator’s condition.
U.S. opinions toward Israel are shifting, poll finds
Democrats have become much more likely to say the U.S. is overly supportive of Israel in recent years.
Musk-linked mailers draw complaints for targeting wrong addresses, dead voters
Election officials in North Carolina and Georgia are warning about suspicious voter-registration mailers linked to Elon Musk.
Bernie Sanders calls on Graham Platner to drop Senate bid
The senator from Vermont has been a key backer of the insurgent Democratic candidate in Maine.
Trump praises Turkish leader, stops short of approving fighter-jet sale
President Donald Trump heaped praise on Turkey's president but stopped short of publicly approving the sale of F-35 fighter jets, which many in Congress oppose.
How some Hill Country businesses affected by July 4 flooding are pushing forward
Steve Edelstein is the owner of the Ingram Dam Shopping Center. All of the businesses there were washed away by last July's flooding. Now, he's nearing a return to business normalcy.
Painful periods aren't always normal. Why it could be endometriosis
Here's what to know about endometriosis, what causes it and how it is commonly treated.
How easy is it to get weight-loss drugs online? Secret shoppers from Yale found out.
The quality of care by online providers offering lower-cost knockoff versions of weight loss drugs is an increasingly urgent issue.
Rahm Emanuel to tell Israel its alliance with the U.S. cannot ‘survive as it has been’
In a Tel Aviv speech Wednesday, the presidential prospect plans to warn that Israel faces a “dead end” without change, a move reflecting Democratic pressure.
Scientists just created the most lifelike cell ever made in a lab — here's what it could accomplish
SpudCell is a new cell-like platform that can feed, grow and divide like a normal cell — but it's not yet a perfect re-creation of the real thing.
White House report accuses Smithsonian museum of ‘extreme political activism’
The 162-page report on the National Museum of American History marks an escalation of President Donald Trump’s criticism of the Smithsonian museums.
Ghosts in Your Home? Scientists Reveal Why the Evidence Is Real - Futura-Sciences
When Science Faces the Paranormal Around the world, there are countless tales of haunted houses—manor houses in the French countryside, centuries-old British castles, and even stately homes in North America. If you’ve ever stepped into a room and suddenly felt uneasy, as if someone invisible was there with you, you’re...
Sean Duffy's son-in-law divides Trump-backing Republicans in a Wisconsin congressional race
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is doing all he can to get his 26-year-old son-in-law elected to his old congressional district in the vast north woods of Wisconsin
After America’s 250th, Trump will test how far he can push NATO allies
As NATO leaders gather in Turkey, they are preparing for another summit shaped as much by managing President Donald Trump as by the alliance's security agenda.
Why U.S. measles outbreaks have grown harder to extinguish
As the nation nears last year’s record case total, experts say the virus is becoming harder to contain, forcing medicine to relearn a disease many thought had been consigned to history.
As socialism rises in popularity, GOP turns to a new attack: ‘Communists’
Democratic voters are shifting to the left in primaries. Republicans are doing the same with the labels they use to paint them as extreme.
Celebrations for America’s 250th begin amid heat and political division
Despite sweltering heat, heavy security and brewing protests, thousands were expected to descend on the nation’s capital for the historic anniversary.
Paranormal Cirque ‘Specter’ bringing dark big top circus entertainment to Galleria at Crystal Run
WALLKILL- Paranormal Cirque 'Specter' is set to bring its dark, theatrical big top circus experience to the Hudson Valley from June 3 through June 6 at Galleria
The secret to healthy aging may be hidden in your blood
Some people live past 100 with remarkable health, and researchers may have uncovered one reason why. A new study found that centenarians have a unique chemical "fingerprint" in their blood that sets them apart from normal aging, including unusual patterns of bile acids and steroids linked to longer survival.
The secret to healthy aging may be hidden in your blood
Some people live past 100 with remarkable health, and researchers may have uncovered one reason why. A new study found that centenarians have a unique chemical "fingerprint" in their blood that sets them apart from normal aging, including unusual patterns of bile acids and steroids linked to longer survival.
Fireworks, heat and politics: America celebrates its 250th birthday
The 250th anniversary of American independence is colliding with political polarization and a heat wave as celebrations get underway across the United States on Saturday
Long Reads for the Long Weekend
(Welcome to the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a newsletter on the entertainment industry and business strategy. I write a weekly Streaming Ratings Report and a bi-weekly strategy column, along with occasional deep dives into other topics, like today’s article. Please subscribe.) Happy Fourth of July weekend! As has been a tradition of mine going back to the beginning of the EntStrategyGuy website, I’m sharing my favorite long reads of the last year, like I did in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2025. Let’s dive right in! Subscribe “Different Prices for the Same Ride: How Uber and Lyft Use AI to Get More Money Out of You“ by Derek Kravitz in Consumer Reports I don’t think surveillance pricing, like the kind described in this brilliant Consumer Reports article, is long for the world—it’s toxically unpopular—but we’ll see if either party takes on this issue. If I ran a political party focused on affordability, I would focus on a few pro-consumer and pro-market policies: Banning non-compete agreements. Ending surveillance pricing Eliminating junk fees (read more here...) Ensuring “right to repair” for consumer (and military!) products Capping excessive app store fees Stopping digital/algorithmic price-fixing tools. Preventing automatic subscription price increases. And more. If you want to fight inflation, there are a lot of great ways to do it quickly. Speaking of higher prices... “Secret Documents Show Pepsi and Walmart Colluded to Raise Food Prices Across the Economy“ by Matt Stoller in BIG Again, I think a political party should focus on lowering prices for consumers. And deals like this—Walmart making a deal/forcing Pepsi to offer the lowest prices at its stores and nowhere else—hypothetically lower prices at Walmart...but raise them everywhere else. “15 DUIs, still driving: California’s failure to take repeat drunk drivers off the road“ by Robert Lewis and Lauren Hepler in CalMatters CalMatters does terrific reporting in California, something the Golden State desperately needs more of, and this article is a great example of that. “PugLips: The next insanely popular thing you’ve never heard of…” by Simon Carless in Game Discover Co I thought that this parody article (and yes, it’s a parody, but I was definitely unsure at first) was hilarious and totally nailed how much tech/business journalism feels these days. Actually, three of my favorite articles this year were on hype in the video game industry, including Georg Zoller’s “The Video Game Industries Very Dark Night”—which I linked to recently and wrote a follow-up here—and Owen Mahoney’s “Derek Zoolander, Videogame Exec”. In particular, I like Mahoney’s focus on user experience as a guide to what trends will actually grab hold of customers. “The Matrix Lies“ by Evan Shapiro in Media War & Peace Evan Shapiro’s first person account of his experience with AI was hilarious. I think LLMs capabilities have significantly grown from last summer, and yet...my editor/researcher just had an abysmal experience using an LLM to do a quite basic task (which our LLM normally does each week) and the LLM made a mistake on every single data entry...along with seven different mistakes affecting twelve of the twenty or so entries, including mistakes that are explicitly spelled out in the prompt. That’s a brutal failure rate. Again, if you use AI/LLM for data collection, you need to take a lot of extra steps to verify and check the data. “Ghosts in the Balcony: A Cross-Country Trip to 58 Theaters Fighting to Survive“ by Matthew Frank in The Ankler I thought Matthew Frank’s pitch to head across America to visit theaters sounded insane aggressive at the time—at least it felt that way to someone a decade older than him; man, to be in your twenties again, am I right?—but I knew the result would be great. And it was, a terrific feature by a great young writer. Also, I loved Matthew’s recent article on who’s getting the precious few entry level jobs in Hollywood. (Hint: nepotism.) “Disney erased FiveThirtyEight“ and “Did Las Vegas get too greedy?” by Nate Silver in Silver Bulletin I love media history and analysis, and there’s no one better to get the history of FiveThirtyEight than from Nate Silver, who wrote about his personal experience in one of my favorite pieces from this year. I also loved Nate’s breakdown of what’s causing Vegas’ woes, but I’ll offer one criticism, summarized as “Might I suggest antitrust?” Many centrists/center-right/libertarian thinkers (Nate is self-described as the latter) often don’t consider consolidation or antitrust as factors in policy issues like housing, America’s military readiness, or, in this case, Las Vegas. Even if libertarians want to debunk antitrust/consolidation concerns, I’d love to read that debunking. In this case, Vegas is incredibly consolidated (though it also has been for a long time) and I’d have loved to read Nate at least contending with this factor, since he addresses almost every other potential factor for Vegas’ decline. “Why Microsoft’s Carbon Removal Pullback Is Such a Big Deal“ by Robinson Meyer in Heatmap News I’m a big supporter of carbon removal efforts, but this nascent industry faces a lot of headwinds, including this big move most recently. I think it’s clear that solar panels and batteries should be able to get the world to its carbon footprint goals, but effective carbon renewal remains necessary to prevent the worst impacts of global warming. “AI is killing the cheap smartphone“ by David Oks LLMs and AI will impact the world in ways we’re not ready for, and already, third world countries are seeing the prices of cheap cellphones skyrocket due to the cost of chips skyrocketing. This article by David Oks is a terrific breakdown. “100 Days of Madness: Netflix, Paramount, Warner and the Future of Hollywood“ by Wade Major at Hollywood Heretic Wade Major dove deep into Hollywood/streaming’s financials in this must read piece. Not that I agree with everything in this article (read my take on Warner Bros./Paramount here) but the analysis is top notch. I think many people discount how quality thinking, regardless of the argument/conclusion, will make you a better thinker. “Erased by the UFC: Frank Shamrock, The MMA GOAT of the 20th Century“ by Nate Wilcox in The MMA Draw Newsletter Growing up playing the UFC fighting game on the Dreamcast, Frank Shamrock was my favorite MMA fighter, and this history/tribute to him was great. Other Fun Reads “The Hardest Part Of History To Tell Is How It Felt“ by Craig Fehrman at Defector “Unmasking the Sea Star Killer“ by Craig Welch at bioGraphic “What Could Save the Industry? Fin-Syn“ by Richard Rushfield in The Ankler Alex Rollins Berg in Underexposed on movie bumpers, pillow shots, Disney trash cinema, cult films, and Casablanca. David H. Montgomery in YouGov’s The Surveyor on punctuation marks, condiments, dinosaurs, and comic strips and kids media. “How Medium finally pivoted its way to profitability“ and “Why the best journalists on YouTube are all former Vox employees“ by Simon Owens in Simon Owens’s Media Newsletter “It’s Not Just You, Netflix Shows Have Gotten Slightly Shorter: Here’s What the Data Says“ by Kasey Moore at What’s on Netflix “Numlock Awards: How Diane Warren became the biggest loser in Oscar history“ by Nathaniel Rakich and “Numlock Awards: The Oscar Bait era is over. The Oscar Chum era is here.” by Walt Hickey & Michael Domanico at Numlock Awards
Are Europe’s extreme summers the new normal? What the science says
WHO warns Europe must 'plan for heat like winter flu' as experts reveal how permanent this summer's extreme heat is.
Democratic governors press US Postal Service to drop plan tied to Trump's election order
A group of Democratic governors is asking the U.S. Postal Service to withdraw its proposed rule to comply with an executive order that seeks to create a federal list of eligible voters, including those eligible to receive a ballot by mail
Colorado governor fires board members who criticized release of election denier
Gov. Jared Polis (D) said clemency deliberations should be confidential.
Ocasio-Cortez endorses in Michigan’s fraught Democratic Senate primary
The race for the open Senate seat in Michigan has split Democrats ahead of the Aug. 4 primary.
Donors were misled by Trump-backed Freedom 250, House Democrats allege
The lawmakers’ report alleges that Trump allies worked to divert funds away from America250, a bipartisan effort to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial.
How Melat Kiros, a Colorado democratic socialist, unseated a 30-year incumbent
Kiros, 29, is poised to become one of the youngest women in Congress. Her political work was sparked by the war in Gaza and caught fire in an antiestablishment year.
Over-40s with obesity have normal-BMI cholesterol and blood pressure levels, study finds
Success of statins and blood-pressure drugs hailed as researchers find some people with obesity were ‘better off’
Trump’s wealth grew on a scale without modern presidential precedent
President Trump's income has increased in office on a scale not seen by any past president — not even Trump.
Americans step out for their nation's 250th in a proud moment sown with division and doubt
America has come to a landmark moment of pride and patriotism — and a time of division and doubt
Trump earned over $1 billion on cryptocurrency and coin ventures last year
In almost 1,000 pages of financial disclosure forms, the president’s earnings from crypto, settlements and resorts far outpaced his $600 million total income in 2024.
Trump calls on Congress to end birthright citizenship after court defeat
The Supreme Court's ruling in the birthright citizenship case poses a political challenge for President Donald Trump.
Supreme Court upholds principle that almost all born on U.S. soil are American
If the court had struck down birthright citizenship and upheld President Donald Trump’s executive order, the ruling would have had sweeping political, economic and social ramifications.
FDA staff recommendation undercuts RFK Jr.’s push to expand peptides
The chains of amino acids are increasingly marketed for antiaging and health benefits. However, medical experts say many of those claims have not yet been fully tested.
Biology alumni receive honor for undergraduate paleontology research
Julia Zottola ’26 and Sofia Corsico-Sánchez ’26 earn recognition from the Association for Women Geoscientists and the Paleontological Society
Faculty and staff recognized for professional excellence
Binghamton University faculty and staff have been recognized for their professional excellence and dedication to their work by the SUNY chancellor, the University, and the University’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
Trump taps Keith Sonderling, a longtime ally of business, for Labor Secretary
President Trump nominated acting secretary Keith Sonderling to permanently lead the Labor Department after months of turmoil. Business leaders who backed his candidacy say he has already been steering policy and personnel decisions.
Colorado court rejects November ballot initiatives aimed at redrawing congressional districts
Colorado voters won’t get to decide this November on whether to change the state’s congressional districts to favor Democrats
Supreme Court rules mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day can be counted
A decision against such ballots could have upended election procedures in states across the country ahead of the midterm elections.
UC Berkeley is establishing the Nancy Pelosi Institute to address democracy's challenges
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the University of California, Berkeley, are partnering to form a new nonpartisan academic institute they say will be dedicated to strengthening democracy
Nancy Pelosi to establish new democracy institute at UC-Berkeley
The former House speaker is preparing to leave Congress after a nearly four-decade decorated career.