Science
Astronomers have confirmed the first atmosphere around a rocky planet in another star's habitable zone. The discovery, made using the James Webb Space Telescope, marks a milestone in the search for potentially life-supporting worlds beyond our solar system. The planet, LHS 1140b, is a rocky world about 1.7 times Earth's size orbiting a red dwarf star 49 light-years away. Scientists detected helium escaping from its atmosphere, confirming the presence of a gaseous envelope.
ScienceDaily, Sci.News
Sports
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, securing their second World Cup trophy. The match was marked by Lionel Messi's final World Cup appearance and a tense atmosphere that included a second-half brawl. Earlier, England claimed third place with a 6-4 victory over France in what was Didier Deschamps' final match as France manager after 14 years in charge.
Reuters, AP News
Health
A low-cost antidepressant called fluvoxamine significantly reduced fatigue and improved quality of life in a randomized clinical trial of 399 adults with long COVID. The study, published in a peer-reviewed journal, offers hope for millions suffering from persistent fatigue after coronavirus infection. Researchers found that participants taking the drug reported measurable improvements compared to the placebo group, with effects sustained over the trial period.
ScienceDaily
Environment
Spain is battling its largest wildfire of the year, which has burned for five days as a new heatwave looms. The fire has consumed more than 38,000 acres in northern Spain, forcing evacuations of multiple hamlets. Meanwhile, Danube River water levels in Romania have fallen to their lowest in 30 years, hampering farming and shipping. Canadian wildfires continue to blanket parts of the United States with smoke, triggering air quality alerts across the Midwest.
Reuters, AP News
World
The United States launched airstrikes against Iran for the 10th consecutive night, hitting bridges and a key port tower, as the Pentagon confirmed a third American service member was killed in Iranian attacks on a base in Jordan. The escalating conflict has prompted the State Department to issue a worldwide travel alert urging Americans abroad to keep a low profile. Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to drive oil prices higher, with another tanker reported attacked in the strategic waterway.
AP News, Reuters
Politics
President Donald Trump delivered a primetime address Tuesday urging Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, but the speech failed to secure the votes needed to advance the legislation. The bill faces opposition from both Democrats and a handful of Republican holdouts who object to its provisions on election security and voter identification requirements. The setback deals a political blow to the White House ahead of the November midterm elections.
NBC News, Politico
Business
President Donald Trump unveiled 50% tariffs on a wide range of Canadian imports on Monday, targeting cars, alcohol, and dairy products. The administration is using an untested legal provision to impose the duties, which threaten to reignite a trade conflict with one of America's largest trading partners. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the move destabilizing and signaled retaliatory measures. Gas prices have hit $4 per gallon as oil prices surge amid the Iran conflict.
Reuters, NBC News
Technology
A new study from MIT researchers reveals that artificial intelligence systems are more likely than humans to form biased judgments during hiring processes. Unlike human bias, which often stems from stereotypes, AI systems develop discriminatory patterns from their training data in ways that are harder to detect and correct. The findings raise fresh concerns about the rapid deployment of AI tools in human resources and recruitment, as companies increasingly rely on automated screening systems.
MIT Technology Review, Reuters