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AI-Powered Robot Help Seniors in South Korea Against Loneliness
AI-Powered Robot Help Seniors in South Korea Against Loneliness AI-powered dolls called Hyodols are being used in South Korea to combat loneliness among seniors, priced at $1,150 each. The robots use ChatGPT to strike up conversations and remind elders to take medication or eat meals, as well as alert social workers and families during emergencies. […]
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2 iconic coral species are now functionally extinct off Florida, study finds – we witnessed the reef’s bleaching and devastation
2 iconic coral species are now functionally extinct off Florida, study finds – we witnessed the reef’s bleaching and devastation Two iconic coral species, branching staghorn and elkhorn corals, have become functionally extinct across Florida’s coral reef due to a global mass bleaching event caused by soaring water temperatures. The 2023-2024 heat wave was the […]
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1 in 3 US nonprofits that serve communities lost government funding in early 2025
1 in 3 US nonprofits that serve communities lost government funding in early 2025 Approximately one-third of US nonprofits experienced disruptions in government funding in the first half of 2025, affecting around 21% who lost a grant or contract, 27% who faced delays or funding freezes, and 6% who were hit with stop-work orders. The […]
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Free food motivates frontline workers more than gym memberships
Free food motivates frontline workers more than gym memberships Free food and social events are more effective motivators for frontline workers than gym memberships or health benefits. A study by Dipayan Biswas, a professor at the University of South Florida, found that wellness programs involving food and social gatherings led to improved job performance, service […]
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The Erie Canal: How a ‘big ditch’ transformed America’s economy, culture and even religion
The Erie Canal: How a ‘big ditch’ transformed America’s economy, culture and even religion The Erie Canal, completed on October 26, 1825, was a groundbreaking engineering marvel that transformed America’s economy, culture, and even religion. The canal, which stretched 363 miles from Lake Erie to New York City, revolutionized trade, immigration, and commerce, with shipping […]
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These nonprofits lobbied to regulate OpenAI — then the subpoenas came
These nonprofits lobbied to regulate OpenAI — then the subpoenas came The Midas Project, a nonprofit founded by Tyler Johnston, has been monitoring OpenAI’s practices to ensure transparency and ethical standards. The organization released a report called “The OpenAI Files” detailing OpenAI’s evolution from a nonprofit to a for-profit company. OpenAI received subpoenas after The […]
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Ford’s Mustang Mach-E GT California Special blends the old with the new
Ford’s Mustang Mach-E GT California Special blends the old with the new Ford has announced the Mustang Mach-E GT California Special, a new special edition electric vehicle that blends old-school style with modern technology. The car’s design pays homage to the original 1968 California Special Mustangs, with a distinctive Rave Blue paint color inspired by […]
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Why is Halloween starting so much earlier each year? A business professor explains
Why is Halloween starting so much earlier each year? A business professor explains Halloween has become increasingly commercialized over the years, leading to its earlier start. The National Retail Federation’s survey shows that nearly three-quarters of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween in 2025, up from slightly more than half in 2005. Total spending on Halloween […]
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How mobsters’ own words brought down Philly’s mafia − a veteran crime reporter has the story behind the end of the ‘Mob War’
How mobsters’ own words brought down Philly’s mafia − a veteran crime reporter has the story behind the end of the ‘Mob War’ The FBI’s electronic surveillance operation played a crucial role in bringing down the Philadelphia mafia, also known as the “Mob War”, by capturing incriminating conversations between mobsters. The war was fought between […]
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Gunboat diplomacy: How classic naval coercion has evolved into hybrid warfare on the water
Gunboat diplomacy: How classic naval coercion has evolved into hybrid warfare on the water Gunboat diplomacy, a classic naval coercion tactic, has evolved into hybrid warfare on the water, where states use limited force and other tools to shape behavior without resorting to war. The modern version of gunboat diplomacy involves a mix of military, […]
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Why higher tariffs on Canadian lumber may not be enough to stimulate long-term investments in US forestry
Why higher tariffs on Canadian lumber may not be enough to stimulate long-term investments in US forestry Higher tariffs on Canadian lumber may not be enough to stimulate long-term investments in US forestry due to differences in tree species and quality, as well as limited labor and manufacturing capacity. The US has ample forest resources, […]
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Why countries struggle to quit fossil fuels, despite higher costs and 30 years of climate talks and treaties
Why countries struggle to quit fossil fuels, despite higher costs and 30 years of climate talks and treaties The United States, China, and European nations are struggling to quit fossil fuels despite higher costs and 30 years of climate talks and treaties. The Trump administration’s efforts to promote oil and gas drilling and coal production […]
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What are climate tipping points? They sound scary, especially for ice sheets and oceans, but there’s still room for optimism
What are climate tipping points? They sound scary, especially for ice sheets and oceans, but there’s still room for optimism Climate tipping points refer to thresholds where Earth systems, such as ice sheets and rain forests, change irreversibly over human lifetimes due to rising temperatures. The world has already temporarily breached the 1.5°C warming threshold […]
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Typhoon leaves flooded Alaska villages facing a storm recovery far tougher than most Americans will ever experience
Typhoon leaves flooded Alaska villages facing a storm recovery far tougher than most Americans will ever experience Remnants of Typhoon Halong swept into Western Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta on October 12, 2025, causing widespread flooding and displacement in villages as far as 60 miles up the river. The storm surge and powerful winds knocked homes off […]
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Trump administration’s layoffs would gut department overseeing special education, eliminating parents’ last resort
Trump administration’s layoffs would gut department overseeing special education, eliminating parents’ last resort The Trump administration’s latest round of layoffs has targeted over 4,000 federal workers, including 466 at the Department of Education, which would gut the department overseeing special education. A federal judge has paused the layoffs, calling them “illegal and in excess of […]
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Starbucks wants you to stay awhile – but shuttering its mobile-only pickup locations could be a risky move
Starbucks wants you to stay awhile – but shuttering its mobile-only pickup locations could be a risky move Starbucks plans to phase out its mobile-only pickup locations starting in 2026, citing a desire to return to its roots as a “third place” where customers can gather and connect. The company’s decision affects only about 0.5% […]
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New student loan limits could change who gets to become a professor, doctor or lawyer
New student loan limits could change who gets to become a professor, doctor or lawyer New student loan limits could significantly impact who can become a professor, doctor, or lawyer, as graduate students will only be able to borrow up to $200,000 for certain professional degrees and $100,000 for nonprofessional programs. The new limits are […]
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New Pentagon policy is an unprecedented attempt to undermine press freedom
New Pentagon policy is an unprecedented attempt to undermine press freedom The Pentagon has introduced a new policy that could curb journalists’ ability to report on military actions without government approval, threatening press freedom. The initial policy change required journalists covering the Defense Department to sign a contract stating that department information must be approved […]
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Natural World Heritage sites under growing threat, but bright spots remain
Natural World Heritage sites under growing threat, but bright spots remain The health of UNESCO World Heritage natural sites is declining due to climate change, invasive species, and lack of funding, affecting 57% of sites with a positive conservation outlook. Climate-related changes are considered “high” or “very high” threats to 43% of heritage sites, including […]
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March of the frogs
March of the frogs The waterfront park in downtown Portland, Oregon was packed with people for a protest, with estimates suggesting tens of thousands attended. The No Kings protest, which took place last month, drew a large crowd, but this event saw even more people showing up to demonstrate against President Trump’s executive order. Despite […]
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Listen: Is what we think about psychopathy totally wrong?
Listen: Is what we think about psychopathy totally wrong? Psychopaths are often misunderstood due to popular culture’s portrayal, which has led to a skewed understanding of the condition. The term “psychopath” is relatively new, dating back to the 1970s Ted Bundy trial, and its definition has been shaped by media representations. Psychotherapy tests have significant […]
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Industrial facilities owned by profitable companies release more of their toxic waste into the environment
Industrial facilities owned by profitable companies release more of their toxic waste into the environment Industrial facilities owned by profitable companies tend to release more toxic waste into the environment than those owned by unprofitable companies, despite having fewer patents and employees. The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) database, maintained by the US Environmental Protection Agency, […]
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How the government shutdown is making the air traffic controller shortage worse and leading to flight delays
How the government shutdown is making the air traffic controller shortage worse and leading to flight delays The government shutdown has exacerbated the air traffic controller shortage, leading to significant flight delays across the US. Air traffic controllers are working without pay due to the shutdown, resulting in financial stress and an increase in sick […]
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Government shutdown hasn’t left US consumers glum about the economy – for now, at least
Government shutdown hasn’t left US consumers glum about the economy – for now, at least The ongoing federal shutdown has not significantly impacted US consumer sentiment, according to the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers. The latest survey shows virtually no change in overall sentiment between September and October, with consumers reporting pocketbook issues such […]
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FEMA buyouts vs. risky real estate: New maps reveal post-flood migration patterns across the US
FEMA buyouts vs. risky real estate: New maps reveal post-flood migration patterns across the US FEMA’s buyout program has helped millions of Americans relocate from flood-prone areas to safer locations, but many homeowners are selling their homes or renting them out to new residents instead of accepting a government buyout offer. The majority of people […]
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Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary: How a technological marvel for trade changed the environment forever
Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary: How a technological marvel for trade changed the environment forever The Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary marks a significant milestone in American history, but its origins were far from tranquil. The canal was built to facilitate trade and commerce between New York City and the Great Lakes heartland, but it came at […]
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Detroit parents face fines if their children break curfew − research shows the policy could do more harm than good
Detroit parents face fines if their children break curfew − research shows the policy could do more harm than good Fines for parents whose children break curfew may do more harm than good, as they can exacerbate economic hardship and existing inequities among vulnerable families. The effectiveness of parental responsibility laws is limited by a […]
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Denver study shows removing parking requirements results in more affordable housing being built
Denver study shows removing parking requirements results in more affordable housing being built Removing parking requirements for new buildings could help thousands of Coloradans who struggle to afford housing, as a recent study by the Colorado State Demography Office found that there is a shortage of over 106,000 homes across the state. The cost of […]
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Concerns about AI-written police reports spur states to regulate the emerging practice
Concerns about AI-written police reports spur states to regulate the emerging practice States are regulating AI-written police reports to ensure transparency and accuracy, with California becoming the second state to require notice that AI was used to draft a report. The use of AI in writing police reports raises concerns about errors, omissions, and biases, […]
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Where financial advisors grew up affects their ethics
Where financial advisors grew up affects their ethics A new study found that where financial advisors grew up significantly affects their core code of ethics, which impacts their professional behavior as adults. The researchers discovered a strong relationship between an advisor’s hometown and the likelihood of engaging in professional misconduct, regardless of whether they worked […]
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