Tag: could
Epping asylum seeker hotel order could spark more protests, court told
An injunction temporarily blocking asylum seekers from being housed at an Essex hotel could spark further protests, the Court of Appeal has been told. Lawyers for the Home Office and The Bell Hotel in Epping have been challenging a High Court ruling stopping migrants from living at the venue. Mr Justice Eyre ordered all 138…
Microplastics Could Be Creating Dangerous Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Microplastics Could Be Turning Bacteria into Drug-Resistant Superbugs Microplastics are seemingly everywhere—and now growing research suggests they could be breeding grounds for drug-resistant bacteria By Marta Zaraska edited by Lauren J. Young For bacteria, microplastics are the perfect meetup spot—tiny, intimate surfaces where microbes can cling, huddle close and swap genes. And these crowded bacterial…
Attendees could be in for thunderstorms, dust and hail at this year’s Burning Man
By Ayana Archie People descending on the Nevada desert for this year’s Burning Man event are being met with dust and wind, which could continue over the next few days. The event started Sunday in the Black Rock Desert, about 100 miles north of Reno, Nev. It is “not a festival,” but a “global cultural…
Whirlwind day of White House talks could reshape Ukraine’s future
It is quite possible that Monday’s meeting in the White House could prove even more crucial to the future of Ukraine – and for all of Europe’s security – than last Friday’s US-Russia summit in Alaska. On the surface, that Putin-Trump reunion seemed to live down to every expectation. There was no ceasefire, no sanctions,…
Bolivians go to polls in election that could end 20 years of socialism
Rightwing candidates lead polling ahead of fragmented left amid country’s worst economic crisis in four decades Bolivians are going to the polls in an election that could mark a shift to the right – and the end of nearly 20 years of rule by the leftist Movimiento al Socialismo (Mas). The party, which came to…
Private equity and crypto could be heading for your 401(k). Here’s what to know
Laurel Wamsley The funds in most retirement accounts are pretty basic: stocks and bonds. Now, an executive order signed by President Trump aims to lay the groundwork for an array of “alternative assets,” including cryptocurrency, real estate and private equity, to be included in 401(k) and similar accounts. These accounts are retirement plans offered by…
What to know ahead of Trump-Putin summit. And, Texas Democrats could end boycott
By Brittney Melton here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are expected to meet today in Alaska for a high-stakes summit in an effort to end Russia’s war with Ukraine. The meeting…
Trump Cuts Could End U.S. Exploration of the Outer Solar System
NASA Budget Cuts Could End U.S. Exploration of the Outer Solar System By Hannah Richter edited by Lee Billings A pellet of plutonium 238, illuminated by the glow of its own radioactivity. NASA and other space agencies use this material in radioisotope power sources for interplanetary missions to the solar system’s darkest, most distant destinations.…
How This AI Breakthrough with Pure Mathematics and Reinforcement Learning Could Help Predict Future Crises
How an Unsolved Math Problem Could Train AI to Predict Crises Years in Advance An artificial intelligence breakthrough uses reinforcement learning to tackle the Andrews-Curtis conjecture, solving long-standing counterexamples and hinting at tools for forecasting stock crashes, diseases and climate disasters By Deni Ellis Béchard edited by Dean Visser & Clara Moskowitz Imagine knowing that…
Should You Worry the New Chikungunya Virus Outbreak in China Could Reach the U.S?
How the New Chikungunya Virus Outbreak in China Could Reach the U.S. Experts say the painful infection, spread to people from mosquitoes, can get to many countries if it finds the right hosts By Josh Fischman edited by Dean Visser Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can carry chikungunya virus and infect people with a bite Thousands of…
Zelensky could still attend Trump-Putin meeting, but rest of Europe is shut out
It’s the bilateral summit every European leader wants to be at. And for good reason. On Friday, Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Territorial concessions are likely to be discussed, and Europe (not least Ukraine) doesn’t want its borders to be redrawn through force.…
Bird Flu Could Be Spreading through the Air on Dairy Farms, Preliminary Study Shows
Bird Flu on Dairy Farms May Be Airborne After All Infectious bird flu virus was found in milk, on equipment, within wastewater and aerosolized in the air on California dairy farms By Stephanie Pappas edited by Jeanna Bryner H5N1 bird flu is spreading across dairy farms in the U.S. The H5N1 avian influenza virus can…
mRNA Vaccine Tech Could Transform Medicine and Cure Diseases. RFK, Jr. Just Pulled Its Funding
Why mRNA Vaccines Are So Revolutionary—And What’s at Stake if We Lose Them By Stephanie Pappas edited by Jeanna Bryner Lipid nanoparticles, like the one shown in this illustration, are used as vehicles to deliver mRNA-based vaccines. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced on Tuesday that it will cancel $500 million worth…
Where could Trump and Putin meet about the war in Ukraine? The options are limited
Jaclyn Diaz President Trump said his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine is set to happen “very shortly” at a date and location that Trump said he would announce “a little bit later” on Friday. When — and, most critically, where — these talks could happen…
Why the EPA’s Latest Move Could Worsen the Climate Crisis
Opinion Why the EPA’s Latest Move Could Worsen the Climate Crisis If the EPA abdicates its responsibility to address climate change, it will harm health and the planet in exchange for pandering to fossil fuel interests By Rachel Cleetus & Carlos Martinez Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a sweeping effort to do…
NASA Budget Cuts Could Halt Space Missions, Climate Research, Experts Warn
NASA Faces Deep Budget Cuts—Every Living Former Science Chief of the Agency Is Sounding the Alarm NASA faces historic budget cuts that could shutter missions and stall vital research, prompting a bipartisan outcry from all of the agency’s living former science chiefs. By Rachel Feltman, Lee Billings, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura & Jeffery DelViscio Rachel…
U.S. Nuclear Energy Policy Could Accelerate Weapons Proliferation
Opinion U.S. Nuclear Energy Plans Could Proliferate Weapons By Alan J. Kuperman Recent events in Iran demonstrate that dropping “bunker buster” bombs on nuclear plants is not an ideal, or even necessarily effective, way to prevent proliferation. It is far preferable to prevent the spread of nuclear-weapon-usable technologies in the first place. A simplistic way…
Victims of mis-sold car finance could get less than £950 per deal
Victims of car finance mis-selling will likely get less than £950 per deal under a compensation scheme proposed by the financial regulator, with the first payouts expected next year. The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that hidden commissions from lenders to dealers on car loans were not unlawful, meaning millions of motorists will not be…
New Zealand attorney general warns her government’s electoral reform could breach human rights law
Judith Collins also said the controversial electoral law reform could disenfranchise Māori New Zealand’s prime minister Christopher Luxon has defended his government’s plans to overhaul its electoral laws, despite warnings from his own attorney general the changes could breach human rights law and disenfranchise more than 100,000 voters. The right-wing government last week announced its…
Gang leaders and corrupt officials could be named in smuggling sanctions
Gang leaders, corrupt officials and police officers, fake passport dealers and companies supplying small boats could be among those publicly named in UK sanctions targeting people-smuggling. The measures, which are due to be unveiled on Wednesday, are central to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to clamp down on small boat crossings by going after…
Could AI Have Prevented SkyWest Airliner’s Near Collision with a B-52 Bomber?
Could AI Have Prevented SkyWest Airliner’s Near Collision with a B-52 Bomber? A SkyWest pilot’s last-second decision could have prevented a collision that air traffic controllers may not have foreseen By Mark Fischetti edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Join Our Community of Science Lovers! The pilot also noted that the air-traffic control tower that serves…
Tests that AIs Often Fail and Humans Ace Could Pave the Way for Artificial General Intelligence
AI’s Achilles Heel—Puzzles Humans Solve in Seconds Often Defy Machines Discover why some puzzles stump supersmart AIs but are easy for humans, what this reveals about the quest for true artificial general intelligence—and why video games are the next frontier By Deni Ellis Béchard edited by Dean Visser There are many ways to test the…
‘One in, one out’ sounds simple – but the deal could be complicated
The returns deal is designed as a deterrent to stop the boats. But the announcement of a pilot for a ‘one in, one out’ scheme is just the first step in what could be a very complicated process. The plan proposes that for each migrant the UK returns to France, another migrant with a strong…
Flood Forecasts in Texas and Beyond Could Worsen with Trump NWS Cuts
Flood Forecasts Could Worsen as Trump’s NWS Cuts Take Hold Forecasts and warnings largely worked during the recent flooding catastrophe in Texas. Those systems are expected to degrade as President Donald Trump’s cuts to the National Weather Service, satellites and other key services take hold By Scott Waldman, Chelsea Harvey & E&E News Search and…
Could AI Make Drone Shows Less Technically Challenging?
AI Could Broaden the Applications of Entertaining Drone Shows AI can allow engineers to focus on artistry over technical details for drone shows By Rachel Feltman, Jeffery DelViscio, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. This Fourth of July some of the celebrants flocking to their local…
AI Could Help Save Patients from Extreme Heat
To Save Patients from Extreme Heat, a Hospital Is Turning to AI AI could be used to comb through electronic health records and warn vulnerable people about dangerous heat waves By Ariel Wittenberg & E&E News Tourists try to escape the effects of a heat wave in Washington, D.C., last week. CLIMATEWIRE | When extreme…
China’s Tianwen-3 Mission Could Beat the U.S. in the Race to Grab Mars Rocks
How China Could Win the Race to Return Rocks from Mars Launching in 2028, China’s Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission could bring Red Planet rocks back to Earth as early as 2031—years ahead of competing U.S.-European efforts By Andrew Jones edited by Lee Billings China’s first Mars rover, Zhurong, with its Tianwen-1 landing platform, which…
Could China’s New Ozempic-like Drugs Beat Out Current Weight-Loss Medications?
Could China’s New GLP-1 Drugs Beat Out Ozempic? GLP-1 drugs currently being tested in China target complications associated with obesity such as heart disease, fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes By Rachel Fieldhouse & Nature magazine A drug that outperforms placebo in helping people to lose weight is one of a growing number of…
Could the Solar System Lose a Planet to a Passing Star?
The UniverseFridays How a Passing Star Could Oust Planets from the Solar System Close stellar encounters could change the structure of our planetary system, potentially dooming Earth or other worlds to oblivion By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings This artist’s concept depicts one of the solar system’s inner planets slamming into Earth after being…
Solar manufacturing is booming. Advocates say it could go bust without incentives
By Michael Copley A couple of years ago, Mick McDaniel started a company in Indianapolis to make solar panels in the United States. Then-President Joe Biden had just signed the Inflation Reduction Act, a law packed with tax incentives for clean energy. America’s solar market was about to take off. Since then, tens of billions…
These Actions Could Make Vaccines Safer. But RFK, Jr., Isn’t Pursuing Them
These Actions Could Make Vaccines Safer. But RFK, Jr., Isn’t Pursuing Them Vaccines are safe, but they could always be safer—here’s what would make a difference By Arthur Allen & KFF Health News Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions in May…
AI and Data Centers Could Cut More Climate-Change-Causing Emissions Than They Create
AI Could Be Harnessed to Cut More Emissions Than It Creates Power-hungry AI and associated data centers could make the grid cleaner, eventually cutting more climate-change-causing emissions than they produce By Sara Schonhardt & E&E News CLIMATEWIRE | Artificial intelligence could cut global climate pollution by up to 5.4 billion metric tons a year over…
An unprecedented moment – but what US and Iran do next could be even more momentous
For decades, the United States and Iran have carefully avoided crossing a dangerous red line into a direct military confrontation. One American president after another held back from deploying their military might against the Islamic Republic for fear of sinking the US into potentially the most perilous Middle East war of all. Now, the commander-in-chief,…
Retaliate now, later or never: What Iran’s next move could be
Iran has responded furiously to the overnight US airstrikes on three of its nuclear sites, vowing what it calls “everlasting consequences”. But beyond the words, there will be feverish discussions taking place at the highest level inside Iran’s security and intelligence establishment. Should they escalate the conflict through retaliation against US interests, or, as US…
Hurricane Hunter Flights Improve Hurricane Forecasts, But Trump Budget Cuts Could Threaten Them
Daring Hurricane Hunter Flights Make Forecasts More Accurate. But They Could Face Cuts NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter airplane missions significantly increase the accuracy of hurricane forecasts, but President Trump’s proposed budget cuts jeopardize the data-gathering efforts and other forecasting tools By Chelsea Harvey & E&E News Stickers of previous hurricane missions adorn the side as a…
What children in poverty could lose from the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
Cory Turner Low-income children and families would be among the groups hit hardest by Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act. While the bill would be a boon to wealthy Americans, it would scale back resources for the nation’s poorest households, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) warned in a recent letter to lawmakers. In an…
Mapping Nearby Stars Could Solve a Deep Cosmic Mystery
The UniverseFridays This New Map of Nearby Stars May Solve a Cosmic Mystery A near-complete census of our interstellar neighborhood hopes to answer how stars, brown dwarfs and rogue planets form throughout the universe By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings Newborn stars set gas clouds aglow in this mosaic of images from the James…
Could Iran Have Been Close to Making a Nuclear Weapon? Uranium Enrichment Explained
Could Iran Have Been Close to Making a Nuclear Weapon? Uranium Enrichment Explained When Israeli aircraft recently struck a uranium-enrichment complex in the nation, Iran could have been days away from achieving “breakout,” the ability to quickly turn “yellowcake” uranium into bomb-grade fuel, with its new high-speed centrifuges By Deni Ellis Béchard edited by Dean…
What could have caused Air India plane to crash in 30 seconds?
What exactly happened to Flight AI171 between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick on Thursday afternoon will only be revealed by a detailed investigation, but the moments after take-off can be the most challenging in aviation. Indian investigators will be joined by experts from the US and UK in the coming days, as authorities attempt to establish…
Nuclear Weapon Strike Decisions Could Come Down to Human Suggestibility
In Deciding to Launch a Nuclear Strike, Humans Are Shockingly Suggestible Surveys show that how nuclear strike options are presented strongly influences the decision a president may make By Sarah Scoles edited by Clara Moskowitz Thermonuclear Detonation 1967 Pacific Proving Grounds. No one has launched a nuclear weapon in war since 1945, when U.S. president…
Bowen: Israel is accused of the gravest war crimes – how governments respond could haunt them for years
Even wars have rules. They don’t stop soldiers killing each other but they’re intended to make sure that civilians caught up in the fighting are treated humanely and protected from as much danger as possible. The rules apply equally to all sides. If one side has suffered a brutal surprise attack that killed hundreds of…
Forest Preservation, Tree Planting Could Actually Worsen Climate Change
Tree Planting Efforts Could Actually Worsen Climate Change With wildfires turning forests into “massive carbon emitters,” planting trees in some places could inadvertently increase carbon emissions, a new report says By Anne C. Mulkern & E&E News Ross Moore Lake wildfire in British Columbia, Canada on July 28, 2023. CLIMATEWIRE | Carbon markets that fund…
The Trump-Musk Fight Could Have Huge Consequences for U.S. Space Programs
The Trump-Musk Fight Could Have Huge Consequences for U.S. Space Programs A vitriolic war of words between President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk could have profound repercussions for the nation’s civil and military space programs By Lee Billings edited by Dean Visser Elon Musk (left) and President Donald Trump (right) seemed to be…
Heat Safety Experts behind OSHA Rules Were Laid Off, which Could Make It Easier to Scrap Regulations
Government Layoffs Could Make It Easier to Scrap Heat Safety Rules Government layoffs threaten to make it easier for the Trump administration to ditch draft heat safety regulations By Ariel Wittenberg & E&E News Farm workers weed a bell pepper field in the sun as southern California is facing a heatwave, in Camarillo, on July…
Harvey Weinstein’s new trial is almost over. It could be a litmus test for #MeToo
By Ilya Marritz Editor’s note: This story includes descriptions of allegations about sexual assault and rape. Closing arguments in Harvey Weinstein’s second sex crimes trial in New York are underway today. In 2020, a New York jury convicted Weinstein of rape and sexual assault, completing the fall from grace of the legendary film mogul. But…
DolphinGemma Could Enable AI Communication with Dolphins
Building an LLM for Dolphin Chatter A large language model for dolphin vocalization could let us better understand these beloved marine mammals By Melissa Hobson, Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. There are a few animals that pretty much everyone likes: fluffy pandas, cute…
Mahmoud Khalil told a judge his deportation could be a death sentence. Here’s why
Adrian Florido JENA, La. — The immigration judge was looking out over her courtroom. Mahmoud Khalil was sitting at a table next to his lawyers as they tried to convince her not to order him deported to the Middle East. “His life is at stake, your honor,” one of them, Marc Van Der Hout, told…
How Measles, Polio and Other Eliminated Diseases Could Roar Back If U.S. Vaccination Rates Fall
See the Dramatic Consequences of Vaccination Rates Teetering on a ‘Knife’s Edge’ As U.S. childhood vaccination rates sway on a “knife’s edge,” new 25-year projections reveal how slight changes in national immunization could improve—or drastically reverse—the prevalence of measles, polio, rubella and diphtheria By Lauren J. Young edited by Dean Visser Measles, rubella, polio and…
‘Supersonic’ Planes Could Make a Comeback in the U.S. after Decades-Long Ban
Lawmakers Push to Legalize Emissions-Heavy ‘Supersonic’ Planes A bill to repeal the ban on supersonic flights over the U.S. could increase the demand for the gas-guzzling jets from around a dozen to as many as 240 By Corbin Hiar & E&E News The Concorde, seen above as it is returned to the Intrepid Museum last…
Canada’s Liberals inch toward majority, but one vote could decide key contest
Quebec recount awarded seat to Liberal challenger by one vote, but a missing ballot could throw contest into disarray Canada’s Liberal party has inched closer to a majority government after a judicial recount found the party had won an electoral district by just a single vote. But a voter has also claimed her ballot wasn’t…
How Trump’s National Weather Service Cuts Could Cost Lives
How Trump’s National Weather Service Cuts Could Cost Lives Weather experts warn that staff cuts at the National Weather Service that have been made by the Trump administration are a danger to public safety as tornadoes, hurricanes and heat loom this spring and summer By Andrea Thompson edited by Dean Visser A house submerged in…
Could AI Really Kill Off Humans?
Opinion Could AI Really Kill Off Humans? Many people believe AI will one day cause human extinction. A little math tells us it wouldn’t be that easy By Michael J.D. Vermeer There’s a popular sci-fi cliché that one day artificial intelligence goes rogue and kills every human, wiping out the species. Could this truly happen?…
Could the Sun Unleash Dangerous Superflares?
The UniverseFridays Could the Sun Fry Earth with a Superflare? Stars like the sun might erupt with extreme explosions about once per century By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings Artist’s concept of a space-weather outburst from the sun impacting Earth’s atmosphere. Stay connected to The Universe: Get email alerts for this weekly column by…
Powerful earthquake could raise Pacific north-west sea levels ‘dramatically’ – study
Likelihood of potentially devastating quake above 8.0 magnitude in next 50 years is 15%, study states A massive earthquake in the Pacific north-west could rapidly transform areas of the coast from northern California to Washington, causing swaths of land to quickly sink, “dramatically” raising sea level and increasing the flood risk to communities. That’s according…
Could a Monster Earthquake Actually Sink Part of California?
Could a Monster Earthquake Actually Sink Parts of the Pacific Northwest? A new study is fueling speculation and fear about the risks of a major earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone, including massive flooding in California By Stephanie Pappas edited by Jeanna Bryner Stumps of Sitka spruce, drowned from subsidence during an earthquake at a…
RFK’s plan to phase out synthetic food dyes could face industry pushback
By Carmel Wroth , Yuki Noguchi The Trump administration announced its intention to phase out synthetic dyes used to enhance color in common foods like candy and cereals. At a press conference Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said his agency is making the move as a first step to improve…
Alan Turing’s Lost Work Could Reveal How Tigers Got Their Stripes
Alan Turing’s Lost Work Could Reveal How Tigers Got Their Stripes The world-famous mathematician Alan Turing found a possible mechanism for iconic animal patterns thanks to differential equations By Manon Bischoff edited by Daisy Yuhas Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae). Today mathematician Alan Turing is world-famous because he helped the Allies achieve victory against the…
UK could target parts of Chinese state under new foreign influence rules
Exclusive: Government is weighing up security concerns against economic benefits of closer ties with Beijing The government could target parts of China’s security apparatus under new foreign influence rules, the Guardian has learnt. Ministers are considering including parts of the Chinese state accused of interference activities on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration…
News spotlight: Sea creatures could harbor the next generation of medications, but are they at risk?
Editor’s note: News about conservation and the environment is made every day, but some of it can fly under the radar. In a recurring feature, Conservation News shares a recent news story that you should know about. Forests have long yielded lifesaving medicines. From cancer drugs like vincristine to quinine for malaria, about a quarter…
Safe, Cheap and Non-Invasive: Ultrasound Could Treat Cancer, Psychiatric Disorders and More
Safe, Cheap and Non-Invasive: Ultrasound Could Treat Cancer, Psychiatric Disorders and More A bioengineer highlights the potential of low-intensity ultrasound for multiple uses, from enhanced drug delivery to the brain to combating cancer By Rachel Nuwer edited by Gary Stix One of the best examples is low-intensity focused ultrasound, or LIFU, which delivers sound at…
Trump Cuts Threaten Universities, Could Lead to ‘Lost Generation’ of Scientists
Universities Reeling from Trump Cuts Fear for a ‘Lost Generation’ of Scientists Some conservative lawmakers are quietly urging the president to restore research funding as cuts threaten academic institutions in their states By Corbin Hiar, Chelsea Harvey & E&E News CLIMATEWIRE | Drastic cuts to federal science programs are draining millions of dollars in research…
Three ways today’s announcement could affect you and your money
Talk of growth forecasts and self-imposed financial rules may feel very distant from you and your life, but the Spring Statement could affect both your job and your money. Here’s what it could mean for you. If you are on benefits, you could be directly affected. The changes to the benefits system, announced last week,…
FEMA Disaster Aid Review Could Deter Migrants from Seeking Help in Extreme Weather
FEMA Disaster Aid Review Could Deter Migrants from Seeking Help in Extreme Weather A previously undisclosed FEMA review could block disaster assistance to millions of undocumented people and deter legal immigrants from seeking help in extreme weather By Thomas Frank & E&E News People are seen outside a wildfire shelter at the Pasadena Convention Center…
Could Saudi talks produce a breakthrough?
US negotiators have held talks in the Saudi capital Riyadh with their Ukrainian counterparts and are separately meeting the Russians. Washington’s aim is to bring about an immediate partial ceasefire to the war in Ukraine, followed by a comprehensive peace deal. So could these Riyadh talks produce the breakthrough so many are hoping for? It…
New tech could transform science of wildlife ‘selfies’
A groundbreaking new effort could greatly expand our knowledge of where the wild things are. Placed by researchers in forests and natural areas around the world, motion-detector cameras — known as “camera traps” — snap thousands of photos a day of animals rarely seen by human eyes. These unwitting selfies have provided scientists an unequaled…
Education Dept. cuts could hurt low-income schools. And, an entertainment rundown
By Brittney Melton here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. President Trump signed an executive action yesterday to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The administration has promised that certain federal education grants, including for low-income and rural…
Study: Protecting tropics could save half of species on brink
In 2019, a landmark UN report revealed that nearly 1 million species face extinction due to human activities and climate change. A groundbreaking new study offers a solution to save more than half of these doomed species, while slowing climate breakdown: Conserve just 30 percent of tropical lands. The study, published today in the journal…
Shifting tuna populations could trigger ‘climate justice issue’: study
Despite their small size, Pacific Island nations and territories are a powerhouse in the fishing industry, contributing more than a third of the global tuna catch. However, the tide could soon turn for these islands — and not for the better. Fueled by greenhouse gas emissions, ocean warming will alter the habitats of tuna, causing…
These ecosystems could determine our climate future: study
Nature’s stashes of climate-warming carbon are packed into a small percentage of Earth’s lands, finds a new study that pinpoints the ecosystems humanity must protect to avert a climate disaster. The study, published today in the journal Nature Sustainability, found that half of Earth’s “irrecoverable carbon” — defined as carbon that, if emitted into the…
News spotlight: Could seaweed be our new big climate ally?
Kelp forests are one of the fastest growing ecosystems on Earth — yet because they thrive out of reach of mapping satellites, scientists’ understanding of them has been stymied, Lucy Sherriff reported for the Guardian. A recent study, led by an international group of scientists including Filbee-Dexter, reveals that underwater forests are much more prolific…
Trump’s ‘drill, baby, drill’ agenda could keep the world hooked on oil and gas
The US president is making energy deals with Japan and Ukraine, and in Africa has even touted resurrecting coal Donald Trump’s repeated mantra of “drill, baby, drill” demands that more oil and gas be extracted in the United States, but the president has set his sights on an even broader goal: keeping the world hooked…
Under-performing civil servants could be incentivised to leave jobs
Under-performing civil servants could be incentivised to leave their jobs under new government plans, while top staff will have their pay linked to their performance. Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said they will “fundamentally reshape” the service as its state is currently not “match-fit” for what the country needs. The plans are part of wider…
Farmers strongly back Trump. A new trade war could test their loyalty
By Scott Neuman Travis Zook grows corn, raises cattle and owns a seed dealership and farm service business in northeast Indiana. He exemplifies some of the mixed emotions that many farmers have when it comes to President Trump. Like more than 75% of voters in rural, farm-dependent counties, the 44-year-old farmer says he cast his…
‘Little agency that could’ cheered for act of resistance against Trump and Musk
Workers at US African Development Foundation refused to let Doge operatives enter, though they later gained access Members of Elon Musk’s so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) unit were barred from entering a small, independent federal agency promoting economic development in Africa on Wednesday after a tense standoff with federal staff they had been sent…
As Canadians cancel trips due to Trump, the U.S. tourism industry could lose billions
By Joe Hernandez Leena Yousefi and her family typically visit Hawaii four or five times a year. The Vancouver attorney used to live in Maui and had booked another trip for this year. But that was before President Trump, shortly after taking office in January, said he would impose 25% tariffs on many Canadian goods…
How Early Could Life Have Emerged in the Universe?
Life May Have Emerged a Cosmic Eyeblink after the Big Bang New simulations suggest that habitable worlds could have begun forming only 200 million years after the big bang By Conor Feehly edited by Lee Billings An artist’s impression of some of the universe’s first stars, thought to have formed about 100 million years after…
How Soon Could Ukraine’s Forces ‘Start to Buckle’ Without U.S. Weapons?
Russia-Ukraine War It could be as little as four months, say analysts, as Europe scrambles to plug the hole in support left by President Trump’s suspension of military aid. The United States has sent $67 billion of military aid to Ukraine. Europe has sent $65 billion to Ukraine. Other countries have sent $4 billion. Canada…
Trump could water down tariffs on Canada and Mexico
President could strike deal to provide ‘relief’, US commerce secretary says, amid warnings of price increases for US consumers Donald Trump is weighing plans to water down sweeping US tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, according to a senior official, one day after an economic strike on the US’s two biggest trading partners sparked…
What pause in US military aid could mean for Ukraine
President Donald Trump’s decision to pause all US aid to Ukraine is a bitter blow – not just for Kyiv but also European allies who have been lobbying the US administration to continue its support. This is not the first time that the US has withheld military aid. Republicans in Congress blocked then-President Joe Biden’s…
This Colombian ‘hotel for cows’ could help reduce deforestation in the Amazon
By Julia Simon Cali, Colombia – Under lush trees drooping with moss and vines, Carlos Hernando Molina whistles as he approaches a herd of brown cows. This farm, called El Hatico, has been in Molina’s family since the late 1700s. For centuries his family’s cows would graze in open pastures under the hot sun. But…
How Trump’s Canada Tariffs Could Impact Both the U.S. and Canada
Tariffs President Trump’s plan to apply 25 percent tariffs on Canadian exports is set to start on Tuesday. They would deal a brutal blow to Canada’s economy. By Ian Austen Reporting from Ottawa It is not an exit anyone would have expected. Justin Trudeau will end his final days as Canada’s prime minister with the…
US shutdown of HIV/Aids funding ‘could lead to 500,000 deaths in South Africa’
USAid cuts to clinics dispensing antiretroviral drugs will be ‘death sentence for mothers and children’, expert warns Sweeping notices of termination of funding have been received by organisations working with HIV and Aids across Africa, with dire predictions of a huge rise in deaths as a result. After the US announced a permanent end to…
UK-US trade deal could mean tariffs ‘not necessary’, says Trump
A trade deal between the US and UK could happen “very quickly”, President Donald Trump said at a joint press conference with Sir Keir Starmer. Speaking during the prime minister’s visit to the White House, Trump envisaged “a real trade deal” which could see the UK avoid the kind of tariffs the president has been…
John Simpson: 2025 could be year for the history books as Trump shreds global norms
Just occasionally, there are years when the world goes through some fundamental, convulsive change. 1968, with the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, the Paris riots and the anti-Vietnam War protests in America, was one of them. 1989, the year of the Tiananmen massacre, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the implosion of the Soviet empire,…
IPCC report: Climate change could soon outpace humanity’s ability to adapt
The catastrophic impacts of climate breakdown may soon outpace humanity’s ability to adapt to it, according to a new report. Co-authored by 270 researchers from 67 countries, the latest report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) describes “an atlas of human suffering and a damning indictment of failed climate leadership,” according to…
Republican proposals to cut Medicaid could be politically fraught
From By Phil Galewitz Medicaid is under threat — again. Republicans, who narrowly control Congress, are pushing proposals that could sharply cut funding to the government health insurance program for poor and disabled Americans, as a way to finance President Trump’s agenda for tax cuts and border security. Democrats, hoping to block the GOP’s plans…
New Psychotherapies That Focus on Positive Experiences Could Better Treat Depression and Anxiety
New Psychotherapies That Focus on Positive Experiences Could Better Treat Depression and Anxiety These novel treatments help people with depression and anxiety find joy in life By Francine Russo edited by Gary Stix Small pleasures: A new therapy encourages patients to focus on enjoyable experiences, however tiny. Katie, a 40-year-old woman in the county of…
Trump funding freeze could leave communities on their own as climate threats grow
By Michael Copley Removing lead paint and pipes. Cleaning up contaminated land. Monitoring pollution. Making houses more energy efficient. Installing solar panels in low-income neighborhoods. Those are some of the projects across the country that were cut off from federal funding when the Trump administration paused spending approved earlier by Congress. The sweeping move is…
Trump Spending Freeze on Rural Electric Co-ops Could Raise Energy Costs
Trump Spending Freeze on Rural Electric Co-ops Could Raise Energy Costs Billions of dollars for rural electric cooperatives are stuck in limbo as the Department of Agriculture continues the Trump administration’s funding freeze, despite federal court orders By Adam Aton & E&E News Electric co-ops have seen their funding frozen as the Trump administration halts…
Monday briefing: Why the brutal fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo could spiral into wider war
Good morning. Over the weekend, the presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda – Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame – were among those who took part in a regional summit aimed at ending the resurgent violence in eastern DRC. The summit ended with a call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.…
How could Trump’s tariffs affect the UK?
Donald Trump has been unclear about whether he will impose tariffs on the UK but economists warn there are still ways Britain could be negatively affected by the president’s wider trade policies even if it avoids being hit directly. The impact could be felt through slower growth in some of the UK’s important trading partners.…
Six things that could get more expensive for Americans under Trump tariffs
US President Donald Trump has sparked a trade war by declaring he will impose tariffs on imports from his country’s neighbours Canada and Mexico. Canada has said it will retaliate in kind. Mexico also pledged to hit back, although US tariffs on that country have now been paused for a month. The three countries have…
What are tariffs, who pays them, and could they hurt US consumers?
Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs on goods entering the US from Canada, Mexico and China. The US president signed an executive order putting a 25% tariff – or tax on imports – on all goods coming from Canada and Mexico, to get both countries to crack down on illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Goods…
Trump Funding Freeze Could Set Disaster Recovery Back ‘for Years’
Trump Funding Freeze Could Set Disaster Recovery Back ‘for Years’ President Donald Trump’s sudden move to freeze federal grants is hitting states where people are struggling to recover from wildfires and hurricanes By Thomas Frank, Anne C. Mulkern, Andres Picon & E&E News A person assesses damages of his house after Hurricane Helene made landfall…
Here’s How Quickly Could Polio Return to the U.S. without Vaccines
Polio Vaccines Saved America from the Disease. What Happens if We Lose Them? Polio, a disease that can cause lifelong paralysis, has been eliminated from the U.S. Experts fear a resurgence if lifesaving vaccines are revoked under the new administration By Tara Haelle edited by Lauren J. Young A healthcare worker gives an oral vaccine…
How quickly could Rachel Reeves’ new plans boost growth?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said on Wednesday that “economic growth is the number one mission of this government” as she unveiled a series of proposals to boost the UK’s economy. But how quickly could the government get growth from the plans she announced? Critics have argued some of the projects – such as expanding Heathrow –…
EU ‘could consider’ UK joining pan-Europe customs area
The new European Union trade chief responsible for post-Brexit negotiations has told the BBC that a “pan-European [customs] area is something we could consider” as part of “reset” discussions between the UK and EU. Maros Sefcovic was referring to the idea, backed by some UK business groups, of Britain joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM). The…
Labeling Mexican Cartels ‘Terrorists’ Could Expose U.S. Companies to Sanctions
Isolating U.S. companies from cartel activities could be almost impossible given that the criminal groups operate in sectors like agriculture and tourism, leaving some American businesses vulnerable to sanctions. By Maria Abi-Habib and Simon Romero Reporting from Mexico City President Trump’s executive order designating Mexican cartels and other criminal organizations as foreign terrorists could force…
How Trump’s Tariffs Could Affect the U.S., Canada and Mexico
Trump Administration Trump Administration Trump Administration While much about the threatened tariffs is still unclear, experts predict they would be bad news for all three economies, with few winners. By Matina Stevis-GridneffAna Swanson and Simon Romero Matina Stevis-Gridneff reported from Toronto, Ana Swanson from Washington and Simon Romero from Mexico City. Decades of trade integration…
Could Inflicting Pain Test AI for Sentience?
Could Pain Help Test AI for Sentience? A new study shows that large language models make trade-offs to avoid pain, with possible implications for future AI welfare By Conor Purcell edited by Ben Guarino In the quest for a reliable way to detect any stirrings of a sentient “I” in artificial intelligence systems, researchers are…