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‘Right in your face’: The science behind Maryland field hockey’s press defense
While the intensity of the Terps’ press defense stays consistent, part of what makes it so effective is the different shapes the players take on.
Peatland Fires Darken Skies in Indonesia
With Indonesia gripped by drought, fires are smoldering on the surface and underground.
Dallas businesses, residents brace for road closures, security ahead of RNC midterm convention
Samara Aerospace tests reliability of attitude control technology with National Science Foundation award
Samara Aerospace tests reliability of attitude control technology with National Science Foundation award
City council approves new lakefront entertainment district
The Lake Charles City Council unanimously approved a new entertainment district for the city’s lakefront that will include 10 restaurants, a mini amphitheater and outdoor recreation space near North Beach.
Trump says he’ll campaign for Republicans in 35 races ahead of the midterms
The president said he’ll travel to help out GOP candidates in competitive contests, including the Senate races in Alaska and Texas.
The Human Body May Age in Two Major Bursts, And a New Study Reveals What Drives Them
With most organs following the ovary's cues.
Chris Mason: Reform face headwinds as they gather for conference
The party's continued prominence has brought what prominence always brings: scrutiny, says BBC political editor Chris Mason.
Vlad Drives In 5, Jays Beat Guardians
Jays 11 Guardians 0 Let’s start by saying that Dylan Cease was excellent tonight. Four hits, no runs against, no walks and four strikeouts. He came out after six innings and 83 pitches because we need him for the rest of the month. Very happy with John and Pete for doing that (not that it […]
Businesses and PR lessons learned from Callaway and Good Good Golf
Sony and Microsoft say they’re not obligated to pass U.S. tariff refunds to consumers, echoing Nintendo
Back in July, Sony executives told investors that the company expected to receive $508 million in refunds from the U.S. government, after tariffs that the PlayStation-maker paid were ruled mostly in 2025 were found to be illegal. “Most” of the refund would by recouped by Sony’s gaming division, its chief financial officer said. This week, Sony’s lawyers are arguing that the company is not legally obligated to pass those proceeds on to consumers who paid for recently price-hiked PlayStation consoles. That’s in the face of a lawsuit from gamers calling on them to do exactly that. “Paying fair market price for voluntarily purchased consumer goods is not a legally cognizable injury in fact,” the lawyers wrote in a legal motion filed on Monday, as they asked a judge in California’s Northern District to dismiss a potential class action lawsuit over the tariff refunds. Microsoft made a similar argument two weeks ahead of Sony’s lawyers, in a similar lawsuit brought by a gamer in federal court in Washington State. As Microsoft’s legal team put it on August 21, in their request for a dismissal of that lawsuit: “There is nothing unjust about Plaintiff purchasing an Xbox at an advertised price and getting exactly what he paid for—regardless of whatever theory he devised months later about Microsoft’s cost structure.” Both legal fights are set to go on for some time. How things got to this point U.S. tariffs impacting a wide range of imported goods, including game consoles, had kicked off in early 2025. In May 2025, Microsoft raised the price of its Xbox consoles, citing “market conditions and the rising cost of development.” They raised them again that September. In August of that year, Sony raised the price of PlayStation 5 consoles, citing “a challenging economic environment.” Sony later told investors that its tariff fees for the fall quarter were nearly $200 million. in February of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the 2025 tariffs illegal, prompting impacted companies to begin to request refunds. In turn, consumers began suing the likes of Sony and Microsoft to get what they said was their share. The gamers in the Microsoft and Sony lawsuits argue that the 2025 price hikes of PlayStation and Xbox consoles, which added $50 or more to their sticker price, were due to illegal tariffs and should now be returned to consumers. The Sony suit started in May, when a group of gamers sued in federal court in California, saying Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation) would be unjustly enriching itself if it did not pass tariff refunds to its PS5 buyers. “Sony is poised to be paid twice for the same unlawful tariff burden: once by its customers (through elevated prices) and once by the U.S. government (through tariff refunds),” the gamers’ lawyers wrote at the time. They called for Sony to partially reimburse anyone who bought a PlayStation in the U.S. since August 1, 2025. The Microsoft suit, filed by gamer Trevor Hastings against the Xbox giant in July, made similar claims. The console makers push back In late July, Nintendo’s lawyers, facing a similar suit accusing them of double-dipping on tariffs and refunds, replied with arguments that previewed Microsoft’s and Sony’s: “Nintendo or one of its retailers set a price for each product, and consumers decided whether that price was worth paying,” they wrote. Sony has buttressed that Nintendo-style argument this week by saying that the gamers have failed to prove that tariffs were the reason for its August 2025 PS5 price hike. They call thatclaim “speculative and illogical.” Other factors, including “inflation, currency fluctuations, component costs, logistics, competitive dynamics, or demand,” could have played a role. (No, the Sony lawyers do not break down the costs and factors that officially triggered the price increases). Microsoft has also argued that there’s no proof in these lawsuits that tariffs drove all or some of the price increase, as it seeks to dismiss the tariff refund suit it’s facing: “Plaintiff provides no specific allegations that would establish any pricing differential attributable to tariffs or suggest any possibility that Microsoft applied then or could recreate now any dollar-for-dollar calculation of tariff-related pricing—any more than it could any other market factor that affects pricing.” To further skewer the gamer side’s argument in its case, Sony’s lawyers have pointed to what might be a surprising defense: yet another PlayStation 5 price hike from this past spring, after the tariffs were ruled illegal. “If the original price increase were attributable to tariffs, SIE [Sony Interactive Entertainment, aka PlayStation] would have had no reason to raise prices again after the Supreme Court invalidated the IEEPA tariffs.” … “If tariffs were the cause of the price increases, one would expect SIE to lower prices once the tariffs were eliminated—not raise them again. Instead, the timeline confirms that the pricing of PlayStation consoles includes a diverse and dynamic set of input costs.” Judges have not yet ruled on the arguments made by Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo. Last week, Panic, the company behind the small, yellow Playdate handheld said it would be passing its tariff refunds on to consumers. It is the only gaming hardware maker to have made such a pledge. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my reporting, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Item 2: A reporter’s second Second Life Wagner James Au, who from 2003-2006 was paid by San Francisco-based tech company Linden Lab to be a full-time journalist embedded in their virtual world Second Life, is returning to the company. This time, he’ll be an editorial advisor and business development specialist, he tells Game File. The new role will involve trying to share the stories of people inhabiting Second Life’s ongoing online world with reporters and by extension the public. Au plans to continue to also chronicle some of that through his long-running blog New World Notes. I’ve known Au since the mid-2000s and featured him in a 2007 article for the Columbia Journalism Review about reporters like him opening up virtual news outlets within Second Life. As I wrote at the time: On April 22, 2003, writing as Hamlet Linden for the New World Notes blog on Second Life’s Web site, Au introduced himself. “For the next few months, Linden Lab has invited me to set aside my journalist cap, and instead, don the digital beanie of their in-house virtual correspondent.” He wasn’t paid to keep it positive. He wrote about builders and eccentrics, but then in August of that year, he reported on a tax revolt against Linden Lab (a complaint about the fees it charges users who build stuff) led by a resident whose avatar was a big cat. Second Life has always been less of a video game and more of a virtual world where people can live, hang out, make art, sell virtual items and flirt. Back in 2007, Au described touring it as “sort of like underwater lucid dreaming.” For the past two decades, Au has maintained New World Notes as an independent publication. But he said he’s been drawn back to Second Life and Linden Lab as a place to directly work. The virtual world has around 650,000 monthly active users, he said, “which is actually about what it was during the hype wave.” Au says he’s still finding rich stories in Second Life, the kind that keep him interested 20 years into the beat: “Over the last few months for instance, I wrote about an SL creator in Venezuela whose apartment was destroyed by the earthquakes, so the global SL community rallied to get him back on his feet,” he told me. “Then there’s the woman from a Middle Eastern country who explored her lesbian sexuality in SL, then earned enough from her virtual jewelry to escape her abusive family situation and country.” Au wants to beckon more reporters to give Second Life another look. He argues that it is often ahead of internet trends, noting, for example, an early backlash in the community against AI-made art. Now the platform is drawing curiosity from more of the user-generated content community who’ve grown up with the likes of Roblox, according to Au. “Second Life was too early during its hype wave in 2005-2010, but it now feels right for a new wave of interest,” he told me.
South African scientists could face year in prison unless ...
Researchers warn that registration offers little benefit and that the associated costs will disadvantage early-career researchers
Ted Cruz Is Testing the Waters for a 2028 Run—and Taking Swipes at JD Vance
The Texas senator is making trips to Iowa, promoting his book and hitting the podcast circuit as he considers joining the race to succeed Trump.
Miami Dolphins Discussion: Favorite Latest Addition Edition
We ask Miami Dolphins fans which of the waiver claims made were their favorite and why.
Lions GM Pushes Back on Major Roster Concern
When the Detroit Lions released Terrion Arnold after his arrest, the team faced scrutiny for not doing enough to protect themself at the position. However, General Manager Brad Holmes made it clear that he feels good about the cornerback room, and they felt they had a good group whether Arnold was here or not. “We […] The post Lions GM Pushes Back on Major Roster Concern appeared first on HEAVY.
The primary is over now come the primetime mistakes
Not every candidate is Deion Sanders at Primetime — Abdul El-Sayed and Darline Graham face questions about whether they're ready for the Senate.
From hunger to obesity: Developing world faces growing threat to child health
Intan Permatasari's mother simply couldn't refuse her daughter's pleas for food. By the time she was 4, Intan had outgrown all the kindergarten uniforms and had to wear home-sewn clothes to school.
Republican Senator Calls On Trump to Replace Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Sen. Thom Tillis is urging the President to oust Hegseth because of what he described as “inept management.”
Cramer's lightning round: Buy Howmet Aerospace
"Mad Money" host Jim Cramer rings the lightning round bell, which means he's giving his answers to callers' stock questions at rapid speed.
Acer Builds Small Desktops for Local AI Agents
Acer showed two compact AI desktops: one built on Nvidia's RTX Spark superchip, the other on Intel Core Ultra processors.
Harris County spends $1.2M daily on free employee healthcare
As Harris County property owners face the possibility of another tax hit, 13 Investigates is digging into how the county is spending your money.
Northern Virginia business faces civil rights lawsuit
A Northern Virginia eyebrow tattoo artist is being sued for alleged harassment by a customer who claims her religion and nationality are at the center of the legal action.
Uber to shed 10% of workers as it moves to cut costs and simplify its business
CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said Uber is removing organizational layers and taking other steps to boost its efficiency.
Home sports competitions kick off at The Nest
Albany High hosted its first home sports competition of the 2026-27 season at The Nest on Tuesday evening as our boys' soccer team faced off against Schalmont! Our Falcons delivered a thrilling win, defeating the Sabres 4-0. Ahadi Wangya, Adam Rouse, Garnett Ngome Ekiti and Rajanie Morgan each scored a goal, with Ngome Ekiti also delivering an assist. Evan Bermejo recorded five saves for Albany to record the shutout. Come to Albany High tonight, Sept. 2, to pack the stands with Falcon fans! Our girls' tennis team will face off against Guilderland at 4:15 p.m. and our girls' soccer team takes on Berne-Knox-Westerlo at 4:30 p.m. Let's go Falcons!
Palm Bay plans new business park in mostly undeveloped compound
Palm Bay's Phoenix Business Park gets $4.5M for infrastructure, aiming for 960K sq ft of industrial/aerospace space.
Josh Giddey Breaks Down Caleb Wilson's Addition to Chicago Bulls
Can the No. 4 overall draft pick provide a spark to the Bulls in his rookie year?
Palace Theatre supporters celebrate 100 years as entertainment venue
Like many kids growing up in Greensburg over the past 100 years, The Palace Theatre has meant a lot to Mayor Robb Bell. He and a group of friends from the Northmont neighborhood would walk over to the theater on Saturday mornings. They’d pay a nickel to watch cartoons in
$1.1B Norman Rock Creek project faces key court hearing Tuesday
Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development's case against Norman's Rock Creek Entertainment District project may be resolved as soon as Tuesday.
World's Largest Indoor, Multi-Level Karting Track & Premier Entertainment Venue Celebrates Groundbreaking in Columbus, Ohio
/PRNewswire/ -- Supercharged Entertainment, the world's largest indoor, multi-level karting track and premier entertainment venue, broke ground today on the...
NBA hammers Clippers, Steve Ballmer for salary cap circumvention as Kawhi Leonard avoids suspension
The NBA released the findings of its nearly year-long investigation into salary cap circumvention allegations on Wednesday
AI boom through 2050 hinges on power supply, politics, PwC says
PwC expects global data center capex will hit $31.6 trillion by 2050 in a base case scenario, with spe | AI may unleash a $31.6 trillion data center buildout by 2050, but PwC says the real race isn’t just for capital — it’s for power, chips and political advantages.
AI boom through 2050 hinges on power supply, politics, PwC says
PwC expects global data center capex will hit $31.6 trillion by 2050 in a base case scenario, with spe | AI may unleash a $31.6 trillion data center buildout by 2050, but PwC says the real race isn’t just for capital — it’s for power, chips and political advantages.
A new way to read, watch, and listen to Business Insider
Business Insider is introducing a new homepage experience that brings our written, video, and audio coverage together in one place.
Inside Camelback Productions’ Plans for an AI-Powered Production Space
Anita Verma-Lallian wants to build a sprawling 1,400-acre complex off the I-10 in Arizona.
Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesman, Sean Parnell, on the Clinical G
The War Department remains focused on building and maintaining a ready, lethal fighting force prepared to dominate the battlefield and achieve peace through strength.
As Trump Throws a Midterm Party, Some Vulnerable Republicans Send Regrets
Many members of Congress in the most competitive re-election races are skipping the chance to share a pep rally stage with President Trump.
South Carolina governor candidates, Johnson and Wilson, to debate
Alan Wilson and Jermaine Johnson will face off in a televised debate ahead of the South Carolina gubernatorial race.
Public health in practice: Faith, community and student partnership across NC - UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
September 2, 2026 This summer, students from the Gillings School took their learning beyond the classroom through Practice-in-Place, a community-engaged practicum experience of the Gillings Public Health and Faith Communities Initiative.
Missouri’s gerrymandered map faces final test as Supreme Court weighs referendum
The high-stakes decision could effectively decide the future of Kansas City’s representation in Congress.
NASA’s Hubble Tracks New Decagon Encircling Saturn’s South Pole
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope observes a giant, evolving, 10-sided atmospheric wave encircling Saturn's south pole.
Decagon on Saturn’s South Pole (Color)
Recent NASA Hubble Space Telescope images show the gas giant Saturn and its southern pole, where astronomers have discovered a 10-sided atmospheric wave. Observations show the decagon extends through multiple layers of Saturn’s atmosphere.
Decagon on Saturn’s South Pole (Single Filter)
A single filter from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope distinctly shows a 10-sided wave encircling Saturn’s south pole, labeled “decagon”.An “X” denotes where data was not captured.
Optics Still Driving Marvell’s AI Business More Than Custom Chips
The datacenter has become the dominate factor in driving the business of chip maker and chip shepher ...
This Is the Worst Possible Time for OpenAI to BfЖ7!م#2猫$9&क
While the world braces itself for a new era of rogue AI agents, the company is reportedly dabbling with a risky new technique.
As Republicans plan to gather in Bush’s backyard, his influence is largely absent from the party
Next week's Republican convention in Dallas takes place in the same city that helped give rise to the Bush political dynasty. But George W. Bush himself — and many policies he pushed 30 years ago — are largely missing from today's GOP, political scientists say.
Google avoids adtech breakup in federal judge ruling
A judge ruled Google doesn't have to sell off parts of its adtech business, but it will face other remedies.
Heads or tails? $1 coin with Trump's face and gold finish go on sale
The coin's design — Trump's visage as “heads” and the Great Seal of the United States as “tails” — was given the stamp of approval this year by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members Trump appointed.
Oregon to launch new Explore Health state health insurance marketplace in coming months
Oregonians who buy their health insurance on a federal website will soon be able to turn to a new state-backed platform to shop for coverage.
The best tech and gadgets announced at IFA so far
A gaming handheld you can use for work, a robovac that seals itself to floors, and more laptops you can repair yourself.
How New York Times Reporters Traced Dark Money in Politics
About $1 billion in anonymous contributions is coursing through midterm races across the country. Figuring out where the funds are coming from is no easy task.
Evan Rachel Wood speaks out about being replaced in 'Practical Magic 2'
Evan Rachel Wood says she wasn’t asked to return for “Practical Magic 2” and reveals Joey King reached out after taking over her role.
Ace Combat 8 reveals live service online multiplayer modes that include PvE, PvP, PvPvE battles, and a hangout space
Bandai Namco has revealed the full scope of its Ace Combat Online online modes, including PvP, PvE, and a social space for player avatars.
Heads or tails? $1 coin with Trump's face and gold finish to go on sale
The coins were struck to "honor 250 years of great American heritage," the U.S. Mint wrote on its website
Lambeau Field to host Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio State hockey
The Travel Wisconsin Frozen Tundra Faceoff will feature a college hockey doubleheader Feb. 20 with Wisconsin men's and women's hockey, Michigan and OSU.
First challenge to prediction markets reaches Supreme Court
(CNN) — New Jersey on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to shut down prediction markets in the state, teeing up a potential landmark case where the justices could decide if
‘Survivor,’ ‘Big Brother,’ ‘Love is Blind’ stars to compete on ‘99 to Beat’ (exclusive)
Reality stars from ‘Survivor,’ ‘Big Brother,’ ‘Love is Blind,’ ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ and more are set to compete on ‘99 to Beat’ — along with a former Power Ranger. Check out the exclusive first photos.
Nearly 550 employees face layoffs as healthcare services company ends VCU Health contract
Nearly 550 employees are expected to be laid off when a healthcare services company ends its operations at VCU Health in Richmond in late October.
Nvidia's controversial, face-changing, gen-AI DLSS 5 tech releases tomorrow for one game, and seems to tank frame-rates
If you own a 50-series GeForce graphics card or laptop, or use GeForce Now, you can try Nvidia's controversial new DLSS 5 tech this week.
‘Balancing act’ helps keep colorectal cancer in check
Study finds that a balance of two closely related cell surface proteins may be critical to the health of the epithelial lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
And They're Off! Sports Haven Tear-Down Begins
The last great race to the finish line began Wednesday morning at the former Sports Haven, where a crew began the long-awaited demolition of the storied Long Wharf video-betting complex. A crew from the Carabetta construction-affiliated J&J Demolition got to work around 10 a.m. attacking one side of the the oil drum-shaped, off-track betting venue […]
Would You Quit a Show Because of Your Co-Star’s Politics?
Most of us have worked with people we disagree with. But what happens when those beliefs feel less like a political difference and more like something that could directly harm you or your family? Where do you draw the line?
Farage compares standards inquiry to investigations faced by fellow ‘outsider’ Trump
Reform UK leader dismisses criticism of his failure to register £5m gift as a sign of a ‘complainants’ society’
Tottenham’s Richarlison subject of failed bid from Trabzonspor
Richarlison, 29, faces an uncertain future at Spurs after a proposed move back to Everton broke down.
Cards and collectibles shop opens in Mount Vernon
MOUNT VERNON — A new place to buy and sell trading cards and play games with friends opened Tuesday in Mount Vernon.
Monaco CEO explains why Folarin Balogun cancelled Everton transfer
Monaco's CEO said Folarin Balogun felt mistreated by Everton after the Premier League club found issues in his medical.
8 questions GOP lawmakers face as the House returns
Republicans face a torrent of questions about the words and actions President Donald Trump has unleashed while they’ve been gone.
FIGS' International Business Gains Momentum on Strong Global Demand
FIGS' global expansion gains pace as Q2 international sales surge 67%, supported by stronger demand, localized engagement and entry into new markets.
Trump’s ‘Lightning Speed’ Threatens to Outpace the Courts
In his breakneck construction of a grand ballroom and in many other initiatives, critics say, the president has tried to outrun judicial review.
Ecobat Completes Sale of Lithium Recycling Business
/PRNewswire/ -- Ecobat, a global leader in battery recycling and resource recovery, today announced the closing of the sale of its lithium recycling business....
MLB Expert Picks & Baseball Predictions Sept. 2
MLB expert picks and moneyline, run line, and Over/Under predictions for Sept. 2, featuring the Mariners, Red Sox, and Tigers.
Christopher Borick blends public opinion with politics at Lehigh Opinion Observatory
For Dr. Christopher Borick, relocating to Lehigh is more than a change in workplace. It’s an opportunity to bring together decades of teaching, political research and public opinion analysis to a university that has long been part of his professional and personal life. Borick joined Lehigh full-time in July after spending much of his career
Cherokees remember the removal in ‘Riding the Trail’ book
The Remember the Removal bike ride is one the most significant journeys a young Cherokee can take as they retrace the Trail of Tears and learn the history of how
From Pandemic Prevention to Pharmaceutical Resilience: Why Health Security Should Be Part of US-Taiwan Economic Security Cooperation
As strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region intensifies, Washington increasingly views Taiwan as both a reliable partner for democracy and regional stability, and as a critical contributor to supply-chain resilience and technology security. However, one important area has room for improvement: health security and pharmaceutical resilience.
SUN | Luminis Health facilities dealing with a cyberattack
Luminis Health is experiencing a cybersecurity incident affecting certain systems across its organization, according to a Facebook post Tuesday.“Our priority re
Oregon to launch new Explore Health state health insurance marketplace in coming months
Oregonians who buy their health insurance on a federal website will soon be able to turn to a new state-backed platform to shop for coverage.
Middleton leads Johnson in race for Texas attorney general, but the contest is unusually close
State Sen. Mayes Middleton spent lavishly to capture the Republican nomination and build statewide name recognition. But the most recent polling shows him just five percentage points ahead of Democratic state Sen. Nathan Johnson -- with more than a fifth of voters still undecided.
Current LSU football stars embrace NFL players returning to college
LSU football's leadership council gave head coach Lane Kiffin the thumbs up to add former NFL signees.
Hubble tracks new decagon encircling Saturn’s south pole
Recent observations with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have revealed a giant, evolving 10-sided atmospheric wave encircling Saturn’s south pole. This discovery marks the first time a large regular-sided jet pattern has been observed in the planet’s southern hemisphere. The feature appears remarkably similar to Saturn’s famous hexagon at its northern pole, but is also distinctly different, suggesting scientists may be witnessing a new atmospheric phenomenon develop on the iconic gas giant.
Student Spotlight: 3L Aeja (애자) Pinto discovers the intersection of health care and law through UIHC externship
For much of her life, Pinto felt pulled between two worlds—law and health care. A corporate counsel field placement with University of Iowa Health Care showed her that she didn't have to choose between the two.
ATLAS publishes first paper on Public Engagement with Science
You can’t exactly take the ATLAS experiment on tour. At 7,000 tonnes and buried 100 metres underground at CERN, it’s not easy to move. So, for more than a decade, the ATLAS Collaboration has found another way to bring the experiment to people around the world: live, interactive virtual visits with the scientists who work on it. In a recent paper published in the European Physical Journal Plus, the ATLAS Collaboration documents the evolution and impact of its flagship Virtual Visits programme. The paper is the Collaboration’s first publication focused specifically on science education, communication and outreach. It traces the programme from its beginnings as an experimental outreach effort in 2010 through its growth into a global programme – connecting classrooms in the Amazon, schools in the Himalayas and even a research station in Antarctica. Drawing on data collected between 2019 and 2025, the paper examines the programme’s reach and impact. Global reach, local connection Figure 1: World map showing the number of virtual visits across participating countries from 2019 to 2025. Cooler colours (purple and blue) are used for countries with fewer visits, and warmer colours (red and orange) for countries with more visits. (Image: ATLAS Collaboration/CERN) The core mission of the ATLAS Virtual Visit programme is to connect audiences worldwide with particle physicists and engage them in accessible discussions about cutting-edge research. While visiting CERN in person is an unforgettable experience, financial and logistical barriers can make such a trip difficult for many students and public groups. Video conferencing has allowed the Collaboration to break down these barriers: between 2019 and 2025, the Collaboration hosted 698 virtual visits, engaging tens of thousands of participants across nearly 70 countries (see Figure 1). Interactivity is central to the programme. Far from simple one-way broadcasts, Virtual Visit audience members are encouraged to engage in conversation with the scientist(s) hosting the visit. Most hosts are volunteers from the ATLAS Collaboration, who bring their diverse scientific expertise, language skills and cultural backgrounds to each visit. Where possible, audiences are paired with volunteer scientists who share their native language and cultural background, making it easier to engage, ask questions and connect with the hosts. Between 2019 and 2025, Virtual Visits were held in 19 different languages. The core mission of the ATLAS Virtual Visit programme is to connect audiences worldwide with particle physicists and engage them in accessible discussions about cutting-edge research. Constant evolution Figure 2: The number of ATLAS Virtual Visits organised annually since 2019. (Image: ATLAS Collaboration/CERN) The ATLAS Virtual Visit programme has continuously evolved to enhance the visitor experience. Early sessions were hosted directly from the ATLAS Control Room before transitioning in 2014 to a dedicated space in the ATLAS Visitor Centre, equipped with modern videoconferencing technology. In 2019, the ATLAS Collaboration expanded the programme’s reach, introducing live Virtual Visits from the experimental cavern during year-end maintenance stops and long LHC shutdowns. These exclusive sessions take participants beyond the ATLAS visitor platform, offering real-time, up-close views of the towering detector. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted in-person gatherings worldwide, demand for virtual engagement surged. The ATLAS Collaboration adapted rapidly by introducing Open Virtual Visits streamed via Zoom and YouTube, allowing individual science enthusiasts and families to join live guided tours. Figure 2 shows that the programme reached a peak of 155 visits in 2021 and has since maintained around 100 visits per year, demonstrating sustained engagement beyond the pandemic-driven increase. More than just a tour Beyond participation numbers, the paper highlights the positive impact on participants and educators. Teachers report successfully integrating Virtual Visits into their physics curricula, sparking sustained curiosity and in many cases inspiring students to pursue STEM studies and careers. Feedback received also highlighted how the direct dialogue with ATLAS scientists has given students an authentic and personal perspective on particle physics, helping them connect what they learn in the classroom with the people behind ATLAS research. Looking ahead, the programme will continue to evolve with new technologies and communication platforms. The goal is simple: to give even more audiences the opportunity to engage directly with particle physics and make fundamental science open to all. Learn more Breaking barriers: the impact of ATLAS Virtual Visits in science communication (Eur. Phys. J. Plus 141, 874 (2026), arXiv:2601.22457, see figures) ATLAS Virtual Visit Dashboard Register for an ATLAS Virtual Visit
Employer healthcare costs are expected to jump again. Workers could feel it
As healthcare costs keep climbing, workers could face higher bills, fewer choices and changes to their health benefits.
Chaos reigns at Everton
As timelines go, turbulent doesn't really do justice to the final days of Everton's transfer window. First, Everton CEO Angus Kinnear declared in an interview with BBC Radio Merseyside on 18 August that the club were in a stable financial position heading towards the end of the transfer window. Two weeks later, and with just two days of the transfer window remaining, the club accepted a £40m bid from Nottingham Forest for highly rated academy graduate Harrison Armstrong, a move that collapsed following fan backlash.
Defeated by physics
The Pentagon's $3.2 billion bet on space-based boost-phase missile defense ignores basic orbital dynamics, offering no real protection while fueling a costly, destabilizing arms race in space.
From pucks to politics: Crews race to remake Dallas arena for Trump
North Texas company is compressing weeks of work into about 10 days to turn American Airlines Center into political hub for GOP.
Schmitt pushes to regulate college sports "arms race"
Schmitt is part of a bipartisan charge that has support from schools and Trump.
Acer Swift Blade 14 weighs just 799 grams with Intel Core Series 3 processor
Acer has announced a new 799-gram Swift laptop with Intel Core Series 3 hardware. The 14-inch model includes a 50 Wh battery and up to 1TB of PCIe Gen4 storage.
Dead Last. Now What?
Hawai‘i has just been named the worst state in America to do business in CNBC's 2026 "America's Top States for Business" rankings. Hawaii Business Magazine's BOSS Survey backs up what the CNBC ranking suggests: a majority – 57% – told researchers that Hawai‘i is now a worse place to run a business than it was five years ago.
Riverhead OKs $1.95 M offer for Long Island Science Center site
Riverhead Town’s acquisition of 111 E. Main Street moved forward Tuesday as the Town Board authorized a $1.95 million offer to The Place for Learning, the property’s owner and operator of the science…
FIA wrong to lift Russia ban
The FIA was wrong to lift the ban on Russian competitors because nothing has changed since it was imposed, the Ukrainian Minister for Youth and Sport says.
DeSantis endorses Florida GOP slate including Byron Donalds in governor's race
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed a "slate" of candidates that included GOP gubernatorial candidate Rep. Byron Donalds.
Commercial AI cuts pulmonary nodule assessment times by up to 25%
The use of artificial intelligence-enabled software could significantly reduce interpretation times for chest CT scans, experts write in RSNA's Radiology.
Acer Predator Atlas 7 launches with Arc G3, 120Hz display and up to 80Wh battery
Acer has announced a 7-inch version of its Predator Atlas handheld with Intel Arc G3 and G3 Extreme processors. The device supports up to 24GB memory and an 80Wh battery.
In center of Wisconsin's measles outbreak, tiny health team toils on
Wisconsin ranks second-to-last in the nation for state dollars allocated to public health funding. In places like Iowa County, it shows.
As Republicans plan to gather in Bush's backyard, his influence is largely absent from the party
Next week's Republican convention in Dallas takes place in the same city that helped give rise to the Bush political dynasty. But George W. Bush himself — and many policies he pushed 30 years ago — are largely missing from today's GOP, political scientists say.
Delaware signs maternal health bill requiring hospital discharge plans
Delaware lawmakers and maternal health advocates gathered at Josie’s Grace in Newark to celebrate the ceremonial signing of legislation designed to strengthen protections for pregnant patients experiencing labor symptoms.
El-Sayed walks political tightrope in Michigan with Hasan Piker
Abdul El-Sayed is walking a political tightrope in the Michigan Senate race as the Democratic nominee enters the final stretch of his campaign, looking to shore up support among skeptical Jewish vo…
America first, global health last?
The US is reshaping global health aid through bilateral deals and stricter conditions – raising concerns over funding gaps, sovereignty and whether a transactional model can replace decades of multilateral cooperation