Author: Emily Harper

Cassini’s Hidden Data Unlocks New Clues Nearly two decades after NASA’s Cassini spacecraft completed its mission, scientists continue to extract groundbreaking discoveries from its vast dataset. The latest revelation comes from Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus, where researchers have identified new complex organic molecules spewing from its subsurface ocean. The finding, published in Nature Astronomy, strengthens the case for a dedicated European Space Agency (ESA) mission to investigate the moon more closely. Enceladus has intrigued planetary scientists since 2005, when Cassini detected jets of water and ice grains erupting from cracks near its south pole. These plumes not only confirmed the…

With Congress failing to pass new appropriations by the October 1 deadline, U.S. federal regulators began implementing furloughs and halting nonessential work as the government entered a partial shutdown. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reducing more than 90 percent of its workforce, leaving roughly 393 staffers assigned to critical tasks such as emergency enforcement and market surveillance. Agencies Initiate Furloughs Amid Funding Lapse Concurrently, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) plans to operate with just 5.7% of its personnel (approximately 31 out of 543 employees) tasked with preserving oversight of derivatives markets and mitigating fraud risks. Daily functions…

Funding Put on Hold The Trump administration has halted nearly $18 billion in federal funding for two of New York City’s largest infrastructure projects, citing concerns over diversity, equity and inclusion policies. The freeze affects the Hudson River Tunnel Project and the Second Avenue Subway expansion, according to Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought. Vought announced the move on social media, stating that the pause was to ensure taxpayer money is not distributed based on what he called “unconstitutional DEI principles.” The administration did not specify what triggered the review. DOT Issues Interim Rule The Department of Transportation…

First Nationwide Cut Since 2021 Takeover Afghanistan was largely cut off from the internet on Monday after reports emerged of a Taliban-ordered nationwide fiber-optic shutdown. According to local media, the move follows a decree issued earlier this month by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who banned fiber-optic services as part of efforts to curb what he described as “immorality.” This marks the first blackout of its kind since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, signaling a dramatic escalation in the group’s control over information flows within the country. Connectivity Collapse Confirmed by Netblocks The internet advocacy group Netblocks reported…

Google’s YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to resolve a long-running lawsuit filed by Donald Trump, stemming from the suspension of his account after the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. The payout is structured such that $22 million will be contributed toward a Trust for the National Mall fund to assist in financing a White House State Ballroom tied to Trump’s proposals. The remaining $2.5 million will be distributed among other plaintiffs named in the suit, including Naomi Wolf and the American Conservative Union. Settlement Terms and Allocation Details The settlement agreement explicitly states that no admission of liability…

If Congress fails to approve federal funding by October 1, major U.S. airlines are warning of significant disruption to air travel. According to Airlines for America, which represents carriers including United, Delta, American, and Southwest, a shutdown would force air traffic controllers and TSA agents to continue working without pay, while nonessential aviation functions would be curtailed. Rampant Risk to Aviation Operations In such a scenario, delays are already anticipated. Airport security lines may lengthen as staffing becomes strained—and as seen in past shutdowns, an uptick in call-outs among essential workers could further slow processing. Some aviation groups also warn…

A Postseason Without a Clear Favorite The 2025 MLB postseason has arrived, and for the first time in years, no team enters as a dominant frontrunner. Unlike past seasons when the Los Angeles Dodgers or Houston Astros loomed large, this year’s best regular-season record belongs to the Milwaukee Brewers at just 97 wins — the lowest win total for the top seed since 2013 (excluding the pandemic-shortened season). With 12 teams in contention and a relatively balanced field, this October promises unpredictability. Fans can choose to back historic powerhouses, perennial underdogs, or teams with unique storylines that could define the…

Moldovans delivered a decisive win to the governing, pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), granting it a clear parliamentary majority after Sunday’s vote. With just over 50% of ballots and about 55 of 101 seats, PAS secured the ability to govern without a coalition, a result framed domestically as a choice between deeper European Union alignment and a return to Moscow’s orbit. Strong Mandate For Europe-Focused Leadership Turnout reached about 52%, including a large diaspora vote that favored PAS, according to preliminary figures. European leaders quickly welcomed the outcome as a strong endorsement of Moldova’s westward course. European Commission…

Electronic Arts (EA) has agreed to be acquired in an all-cash transaction worth $52.5 billion, marking the largest leveraged buyout in the video game sector to date. Shareholder Terms and Investor Consortium The consortium leading the purchase includes Silver Lake Partners, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, and Affinity Partners, run by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Under the deal, EA shareholders will receive $210 per share, representing a notable premium compared to its pre-announcement trading price. The agreement has been unanimously approved by EA’s board of directors and is expected to close in the…

Falcon 9 Lights Up Southern California Sky A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Sunday evening, streaking across the skies of southern California as it carried 28 new Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. The launch took place at 10:04 p.m. EDT (7:04 p.m. local time) and marked another step in the expansion of SpaceX’s growing broadband constellation. Within minutes, the Falcon 9 successfully reached orbit. The upper stage was scheduled to deploy its payload of Starlink satellites—designated Group 11-20—about an hour after liftoff. Booster 1063 Achieves 28th Flight The mission also highlighted the…