Washington Post wins Pulitzer Prize for public service

The Washington Post won the Pulitzer Prize for public service for scrutinizing the Trump administration's sweeping, choppy cuts and changes to federal agencies, and The Associated Press won the award Monday for international reporting.

High-Intensity Beams, Not Whispers: Study Suggests Aliens Would Send Strong Signals

High-Intensity Beams, Not Whispers: Study Suggests Aliens Would Send Strong Signals Authored by Rupendra Brahambhatt via Interesting Engineering, For more than half a century, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence has been built on the assumption that if aliens exist and try to communicate, their signals will be faint, scattered, and easy to miss.  An alien doll.James Bat Barrera/Pexels So astronomers have spent decades scanning narrow slices of the radio spectrum, hoping t...

Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni end their It Ends With Us dispute in settlement

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have agreed to end their legal battle over the acrimonious production of their 2024 film It Ends With Us.

The White House is considering tighter regulation of new AI models

A working group could vet new models before they're publicly released.

What to Know About Sony’s $7.85 Million PlayStation Settlement

Are you eligible for a payout? Probably, but it might take a while and will likely be pretty small.

If only this gasoline-powered laptop were real

Supposedly to be found on the Springfield, Missouri Facebook Marketplace, this unusual vintage Dell laptop has an Intel Core 2 duo processor, 2GB of RAM, a 120GB hard drive, and Windows XP. Justifying the $850 price tag, perhaps, is an unusual power supply: a 2-stroke engine. Read the rest The post If only this gasoline-powered laptop were real appeared first on Boing Boing.

Treasury Boost Quarterly Borrowing Estimate To $189BN: Full Quarterly Refunding Preview

Treasury Boost Quarterly Borrowing Estimate To $189BN: Full Quarterly Refunding Preview The US Department hiked its estimates for US debt borrowing in the current quarter, citing lower net cash flows. In a statement published today, and ahead of Wednesday's Quarterly Refunding Announcement, the US Treasury said that it now expects to borrow $189 billion in net debt for the current quarter, up ~$80 billion from the $109 billion it had forecast in February. The estimate assumes a Jun...

Here’s a Taste of Just How Creepy ‘Obsession’ Gets

Curry Barker's deeply unsettling horror movie arrives May 15.

Four Epstein Victims Ask N.Y. Lawmakers to Open His Estate to Lawsuits

New York State law prevents people from seeking punitive damages from the estate of someone who has died.

Explosion Rocks SpaceX’s Test of Water Deluge System Ahead of Starship Launch

The company is still working out some kinks through ongoing tests of the pressurized water system.

Arsonist behind Palisades fire looked up to Luigi Mangione as hero, prosecutors say

In a court brief, federal prosecutors allege the man who started the Palisades fire resented the rich and idolized Luigi Mangione.

Confidently order wine in another language with the help of Babbel's human-created lessons

TL;DR: Babbel teaches real-world language skills (built by actual linguists, not AI) with lifetime access for $159 using the StackSocial code LEARN. Most of us have tried to learn a new language at least once. However, you often end up learning how to say something extremely specific, like "the cat drinks milk," which is fine, but not exactly what you need in a café in Paris. Read the rest The post Confidently order wine in another language with the help of Babbel's human-created lessons appear...

New Member Of Trump's Iran Negotiating Team Comes From FDD Think Tank

New Member Of Trump's Iran Negotiating Team Comes From FDD Think Tank Authored by Dave DeCamp via AntiWar.com, Amid stalled peace talks and a US blockade on Iranian ports, the Trump administration has added a new member to its negotiating team who comes from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a notoriously hawkish think tank that has been lobbying for aggressive action against the Islamic Republic for many years. Nick Stewart, the head of the FDD's lobbying arm, has jo...

A cyberdeck to help you airlock the Alien

The Typeframe PS-85 is a cyberdeck crafted by Jeff Merrick, inspired by Epson portable computers and the design language of 1979 science fiction-horror classic Alien. In the movie, the MU/TH/UR computer had its own room; here's a terminal to ask it desperate questions and receive unhelpful answers. Read the rest The post A cyberdeck to help you airlock the Alien appeared first on Boing Boing.

Utah’s New Age Verification Law Targeting VPNs Takes Effect This Week

Privacy advocates warn Utah’s new law targeting VPN loopholes in age verification systems could set an unworkable precedent.

Ceasefire Over? Trump Downplays 'Mini-War' After US and Iranians Trade Shots, Missiles Target UAE

Ceasefire Over? Trump Downplays 'Mini-War' After US and Iranians Trade Shots, Missiles Target UAE Summary Trump employs interesting new term: "We’re in, I call it a mini-war." Fujairah says 3 injured in Iranian attack on Oil Industry Zone, UAE confirms "air defenses are now dealing with a missile threat", we have gotten reports of explosions in Dubai, which has sent oil higher and Emini futures into the red. UAE threatens retaliation.  CENTCOM hails two US merchant ship...

Lightning compilation video reveals how storms cause fires, explosions, and power loss

This lightning compilation video captures what happens when the atmosphere turns volatile. A storm rolls in, looking routine, and then, suddenly, a tree is vaporized, a building is on fire, and the power goes out. It's a reminder of just how extreme lightning can be and why taking cover matters. Read the rest The post Lightning compilation video reveals how storms cause fires, explosions, and power loss appeared first on Boing Boing.

As Pump Prices Hit Iran War Highs, Duffy Claims They'll Fall Immediately After Hormuz Reopens

As Pump Prices Hit Iran War Highs, Duffy Claims They'll Fall Immediately After Hormuz Reopens As pump prices for gasoline (and diesel) hit Iran War highs, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Sunday that gasoline prices should begin to decline “immediately” once shipping resumes through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing back against analyst warnings that relief for consumers could take months. Duffy, speaking on ABC’s “This Week” program on May 3, acknowledged that prices...

Meta and TikTok Are Getting Your Data From State Healthcare Sites: Report

Nothing is sacred.

Did Bill Maher Just Kill Gavin Newsom's 2028 Dreams?

Did Bill Maher Just Kill Gavin Newsom's 2028 Dreams? For a man who fancies himself the future of the Democratic Party, Gavin Newsom had a rough Friday night. The California governor appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher, probably expecting the kind of warm exchange that comes with being a friend of the host. What he got instead was a methodical, public undressing from one of liberalism's most prominent voices and it proves how weak Newsom really is as a potential presidential cand...

Ring camera footage shows knife-wielding man acting erratically before arrest in Sacramento

A 56-year-old man is in custody after police responded to reports of him wielding a knife and behaving erratically near homes and businesses in the Arden neighborhood.

All's Not So Quiet On Any Front

All's Not So Quiet On Any Front Authored by James Howard Kunstler, Project Freedom. Cute move! Notice that it’s not Operation Freedom. That would frame it as a military move. The President is tactically framing this as a humanitarian action. Mr. Trump has advised Congress as of May 1 that hostilities with Iran (Operation Epic Fury) are terminated, at the 60-day limit of the War Powers Resolution. Commercial ships from countries not involved in the Iran / US dispute will now get es...

iOS 26.5 will add end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between Apple and Android

Keep those private conversations truly private.

Video shows Florida mom’s heated arrest after she allegedly kicked child at youth football game

A Florida mom was arrested Saturday after chaos erupted at a youth football game ending with an adult allegedly kicking a child, authorities said.Renee Lambert was taken into custody and charged with child abuse without great bodily harm and resisting an officer after she allegedly stormed a Pop Warner game at Brooks Park in Fort Myers and kicked a juvenile player, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.Deputies working security at the park said they were called to the field after a fight ...

FIRST ON FOX: Powerful House Ways and Means chair throws hammer down on 'foreign-aligned influence network'

FIRST ON FOX: Congress's powerful Ways and Means Committee is expanding its investigation into an alleged "foreign-aligned influence network" that happened to be at the heart of the anti-American, pro-communist protests unleashed on the country's streets on May Day.Just after 1 p.m. on Friday, a black minivan pulled up to the curb on Union Square East in Lower Manhattan, and David Chung, organizing director of a national nonprofit, the People's Forum, started quickly unpacking megaphones and bri...

Musk v. Altman: Stuart Russell, Musk's only AI expert witness, warned of AI risks but his concerns about AI's existential threats were excluded by the judge

Tim Fernholz / TechCrunch: Musk v. Altman: Stuart Russell, Musk's only AI expert witness, warned of AI risks but his concerns about AI's existential threats were excluded by the judge When do we tak

Jeffries launches New York gerrymander push after redistricting clash with DeSantis

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is eyeing New York for potential redistricting gains as Republicans race to redraw congressional maps in several Southern states ahead of November’s midterm elections.Jeffries unveiled the New York Democracy Project on Monday to explore redrawing the Empire State’s congressional map to benefit Democrats, who hold 19 of the state’s 26 congressional seats. The initiative is part of his efforts to push blue states to consider new partisan gerrymanders ...

2 dead, 3 seriously hurt after car plows into people in German city of Leipzig

A driver plowed into people in a busy shopping area in the centre of the German city of Leipzig on Monday afternoon, leaving two people dead, authorities said.

Missing hotel owner found dead inside crocodile

Police shot the 4.5m, 500kg crocodile from a helicopter for a necropsy.

Dolly Parton cancels Las Vegas residency as health issues force her to step back from stage performances

Dolly Parton's health comes first.On Monday, the legendary country star—who has faced several health setbacks over the past year—took to social media to share "some good news and a little bad news" about her condition, explain how it will affect her career moving forward and open up about why she chose to cancel her upcoming Las Vegas residency."I'm here to give you an update on a few things going on in my life," Parton started the video. "First, it is concerning my health. And I have some good ...

Michigan Dem Rep declines to support Platner after resurfaced rape comments

Michigan Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell declined during a Saturday interview to say whether she would support Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner following controversy over his past rape comments, as scrutiny intensifies ahead of the state’s primary.Asked directly by anchor Jessica Dean on "CNN’s Newsroom" whether Platner is "an appropriate person to represent the Democratic Party," Dingell did not give a clear endorsement and instead pointed to the uncertainty of the race."We’re go...

Christopher Nolan Looks Lost in This Glorious New Image From ‘The Odyssey’

Remember 'Where's Waldo?' Get ready to play 'Where's Nolan?'

Ole Miss football players arrested on DUI charges, marking third incident in two weeks

It certainly hasn’t been the best two-week stretch for the Ole Miss football team with law enforcement, as two Rebels were arrested over the weekend on DUI charges.Heading into his first official season as the head coach, Pete Golding has obviously gotten familiar with the police departments over recent weeks, thanks to three of his players being arrested on different charges.On Sunday morning, 18-year-old quarterback Rees Wise was arrested on charges of driving under the influence by Oxford, Mi...

Man sentenced to 8 years after impaired driving crash killed 3 children

A man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for an impaired driving crash in which he slammed into the van of a Toronto family, killing three children nearly a year ago.

Alberta separatist group says more than 300K have signed petition

The Stay Free Alberta petitioners say they have collected 301,620 signatures, well over the 178,000 threshold that can prompt the province to consider referendum question.

School mobile phone bans do not affect test scores or attendance, US study finds

Researchers said the average effect on test scores was 'consistently close to zero'.

Sources: the Trump administration is discussing an EO to create an AI working group to examine AI oversight procedures, including vetting models before release (New York Times)

New York Times: Sources: the Trump administration is discussing an EO to create an AI working group to examine AI oversight procedures, including vetting models before release The Trump administrati

Mike Waltz pushes UN resolution to stop Iran mining key global shipping route

The United States is advancing a new United Nations Security Council resolution targeting Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz as the administration seeks to reinforce its ongoing maritime operation with international backing.U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Monday the effort is designed to hold Iran accountable for mining international waters, threatening global shipping and attempting to disrupt one of the world’s most critical trade routes."The president and Secretary R...

Obama takes swipe at 'commentator' culture, thinks about how he can fight Trump 'every day'

Former President Barack Obama said he thinks about what more he could do to counter President Donald Trump "every day" while taking a swipe at "commentator" culture.In an interview with The New Yorker, Obama said, "I think about it every day," when asked about what else he could do to help the current political landscape.Obama said if he tried to be more outspoken about the sitting president, it would dilute his impact."For me to function like Jon Stewart, even once a week, just going off, just ...

Canadian flood risk portal doesn't work yet and doesn't consider climate change: report

By now, Canadians should have a portal where they can learn their personal flood risk by entering their address. But that portal doesn't work yet, and when it does, it won't take climate change into account, says a new report from the Auditor General's office.

The EU wants to unshackle its economy. For real this time

Eurocrats are belatedly developing a healthy distaste for red tape

The Steam Controller Is Already Sold Out

Will that demand for easy, couch-based PC gaming transfer to the Steam Machine?

Trump’s disapproval rating reaches new high, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds

Trump’s handling of the Iran war is opposed by 66% of Americans.

Trump-Linked World Liberty Financial Accuses ‘Victimized’ Crypto Billionaire of Defamation

Justin Sun was once one of the biggest supporters of Trump's crypto agenda.

Novel approach to training AI saves energy, improves speed, and minimizes data sent across networks

In a novel attempt to improve how large language models learn and make them more capable and energy-efficient, Stevens Institute of Technology researchers have devised an algorithm that improves AI da

No digital content is safe from generative AI, researchers say

A research team led by Virginia Tech cybersecurity expert Bimal Viswanath has found a critical blind spot in today's image protection techniques designed to prevent bad actors from stealing online con

What is hantavirus? Everything you need to know

Lindsey Vonn ditches her undershirt in a fiery red pantsuit, Maggie Sajak is a force and coach attacks umpire!

First Monday of May? Don't mind if I do! A new month, boys and girls. A big month, too. This is the month, for me at least, that the year really starts to crank up.I hate winter. I'm not a huge spring guy. I love summer, mainly because it's the final bridge to the fall, which is easily the best time of the year. It's not even close.For me, summer starts this month. I know it's technically not right, but summer goes from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day Monday. That's summertime. Memorial D...

Disgraced Dem cut off from doing business with government after alleged ‘outright fraud’ uncovered

After resigning in the face of a House ethics probe, disgraced former Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has been cut off from doing business with the federal government or receiving federal grants, aid or contracts.This comes as Cherfilus-McCormick, a Florida Democrat, is charged with stealing $5 million in COVID-19 FEMA funds and making illegal campaign contributions. Cherfilus-McCormick resigned from Congress in late April after Republicans vowed to force a vote to expel her from the ch...

Tarik Skubal to undergo elbow surgery, sidelining Tigers ace for months ahead of free agency

Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers’ ace and two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner, is set to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow that will keep him sidelined for months, manager A.J. Hinch said on Monday.Skubal isn’t done for the season, but he is expected to be out two to three months following the surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow, ESPN reported.Hinch called it an "easy process and procedure" while delivering the news, but it’s certainly a blow to the Tigers’ staf...

Thermos Recalls Over 8 Million Bottles After Reports of ‘Permanent Vision Loss’

The products are missing a key pressure relief mechanism, according to Thermos.

Rudy Giuliani breathing on his own again after being hospitalized with pneumonia

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is breathing on his own after being hospitalized with pneumonia and placed on a ventilator, his spokesperson said Monday.

Image AI models now drive app growth, beating chatbot upgrades

Appfigures finds visual model launches generate 6.5x more downloads but most don’t convert that spike into revenue.

Red Sox now dealing with locker room issues after publicly blaming each other as Boston sinks into last place

In sports, there's going in the right direction, and then there’s going in whatever direction the Boston Red Sox are going. Boston entered the 2026 season with high hopes of returning to the postseason for the second consecutive year. The front office seemingly fixed their pitching problems, bringing in Ranger Suarez, Patrick Sandoval and Sonny Gray to support team ace Garrett Crochet. While Alex Bregman departed in free agency, Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Marcelo Mayer for...

US Supreme Court restores access to abortion pill by mail for now

Danco Laboratories branded the 5th Circuit’s restrictions ‘unprecedented’.

Spirit Airlines chaos could be big loss for budget travelers as they fight for answers

Spirit Airlines' sudden shutdown ahead of the summer travel season is stoking fears of higher fares and raising questions about what comes next.The airline, which had more than 4,000 domestic flights scheduled ​through May 15, abruptly halted all flights on Saturday morning."This is tremendously disappointing and not the outcome any of us wanted," Spirit CEO Dave Davis said in a company statement.FLIGHT PASSENGER SPOTS COCKROACHES CRAWLING IN AIRPLANE CABIN: 'NEVER AGAIN'"All flights booked with...

New evidence surfaces in Northeast Ohio Bigfoot flap including alleged tracks and unexplained howls

We're coming up on two months since the first of what turned out to be a total of eight "high-credibility" Bigfoot reports across Northeast Ohio. Shortly after the Ohio Bigfoot Flap had taken place, boots were on the ground to investigate.Folks with the Ohio Squatch Project had been deployed to investigate the sightings in person, while being assisted by the Bigfoot Society that had been tracking the activity since it got underway March 6.ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ...

Car plows into pedestrian zone killing 2 as police detain driver and investigate motive

A car plowed into a pedestrian zone in Leipzig, Germany, on Monday, killing two people and leaving several others seriously injured, officials said.Reuters reported that police detained the driver, identified as a 33-year-old German man. Officials said there was no ongoing threat to the public as investigators work to determine what led to the incident.Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung said the city was "mourning two deaths" and at least three people were seriously hurt, calling it a "horrific attack....

Fake traffic violation text scam uses QR codes to steal payment info

Your phone buzzes. A text message pops up saying you have an outstanding traffic violation, and if you scan the attached QR code immediately, you can pay a $6.99 balance and avoid a court appearance.It looks official. It sounds urgent. And it is completely fake.Scammers are now targeting drivers across the U.S. with text messages that impersonate state courts, demanding payment for traffic violations that never happened. This campaign has already hit residents in New York, California, North Caro...

New Research Shows How the Earliest Humans Got Their Meat

The findings highlight the nuanced ways in which early humans kept themselves well-fed.

AI fails to make inroads with cybercriminals, study finds

Cybercriminals have been struggling to adopt AI in their work, reports the first-of-its-kind study that analyzed a dataset of 100 million posts from underground cybercrime communities. The study is pu

We Know What Part of ‘Star Wars’ George Lucas’ Museum Will Focus On

The exhibit is called 'Star Wars in Motion' and will focus on vehicles across the first six films in the saga.

Welfare Enrollment Drops Sharply Following New Federal Work Requirements

Welfare Enrollment Drops Sharply Following New Federal Work Requirements Via American Greatness, Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has declined significantly since new federal work requirements took effect in mid-2025, with millions fewer Americans receiving benefits, according to newly reported federal data. The number of people enrolled in SNAP has fallen by roughly 3.5 million since July 2025, dropping from an average of 42.1 million participants in ...

Wholesome Direct returns June 6 with a slew of joyful games

Catch the stream the day after Summer Game Fest's 2026 showcase.

Bear spotted in tree, LAPD reacts

"Police do say they've seen the bear climb at least three different trees." A large black bear wandered into Hansen Dam, a patch of green space that, from a bear's perspective, looks exactly like the kind of place a bear should be. Read the rest The post Bear spotted in tree, LAPD reacts appeared first on Boing Boing.

Pro wrestling stars leading showcase to benefit Tunnel to Towers, share what being an American means to them

Pro wrestling stars Steve Maclin and Deonna Purrazzo are set to bring the pain for a live viewing audience in New Jersey next month – for a good cause.Maclin, who performs for TNA Wrestling (TNA), and Purrazzo, Ring of Honor (ROH)’s current women’s pure champion, will host the Battle for the Brave: Wrestling Showcase for Heroes, which will benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.The bell will ring at 7 p.m. ET at the Rahway Rec Center in Rahway on June 6. Purrazzo said she and Maclin got the ide...

Bond Market on Edge: Treasury Yields Spike, 30-Year to 5.03%, Mortgage Rates to 6.52%, as Gulf War Reheats

Which raises a question: How many more Fed rate cuts would it take in this inflationary era to drive the 30-year Treasury yield to 6%?

Two held after arson attack on London memorial for Iranian protesters

The wall in Golders Green north London, also commemorates victims of the October 7 attack.

Two dead as car ploughs into crowd in Germany’s Leipzig

The car hit pedestrians on Grimmaische St in Leipzig's old town.

Trump Renews Call For Israel To Pardon Teflon Bibi, The "Wartime Prime Minister"

Trump Renews Call For Israel To Pardon Teflon Bibi, The "Wartime Prime Minister" President Trump has renewed US pressure on some Israeli government decision-makers to grant a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he's still battling multiple corruption charges, at a moment he has ordered the armed forces to be engaged in several fronts, including in Lebanon.  Trump told the Israeli outlet Kan News on Sunday, "Tell your president to pardon Bibi. He's a wartime prime ministe...

One of iRobot's co-founders is now making weird little robot companions

They are like pets, but without all of that pesky love.

Oil Prices Surge After Iran Hits UAE Oil Facility With Drone and US Sinks 6 Iranian Boats

The U.S. is encouraging ships to travel through the Strait of Hormuz which is still a risky proposition.

The Force is strong at the Obama Presidential Center this Star Wars Day

The Obama Presidential Center marked Star Wars Day with a quick, playful video. Leaning into the internet's favorite unofficial holiday with a wink to the galaxy far, far away, they used the opportunity to announce the opening of the center on May 6th. Read the rest The post The Force is strong at the Obama Presidential Center this Star Wars Day appeared first on Boing Boing.

Marlins pitcher Janson Junk's scoreless streak makes Miami the pick against struggling Aaron Nola

It has not been the most impressive stretch from me on the diamond lately. I had a play on the Braves superstud Ozzie Albies yesterday, and despite him getting a pair of hits, he didn't cash my bet. Seems almost difficult to do, but that was because I needed him to get three total bases instead of two. I knew the parlay was a long shot, so I'm not disappointed in that. Still, I need to get back on track and I have a look here between the Phillies and Marlins.The Philadelphia Phillies are conside...

Al Sharpton rages at Florida Gov DeSantis' impression of Hakeem Jeffries

MS Now host and activist Al Sharpton condemned Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Sunday for doing an impersonation of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.Amid an ongoing redistricting battle, there has been another feud about political rhetoric and tone. Just days before an apparent assassination attempt on President Donald Trump's life, Jeffries warned DeSantis against redrawing the state’s congressional map, declaring, "We are in an era of maximum warfare. Everywhere, all the time."He has ...

DeSantis signs Florida redistricting map to potentially flip 4 House seats red

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new congressional map into law Monday that could flip as many as four additional U.S. House seats to red, escalating a redistricting fight in the second-largest red state to combat the long-running Democratic sweep in the deep-blue Northeast."Signed, sealed and delivered," DeSantis hailed in a Monday X post, sharing an image of Florida’s newly redrawn districts.The GOP-controlled Legislature passed the proposal just days earlier and the Senate approv...

'Black Hawk Down' sniper shines light on brutal reality of violent combat

Former Delta Force sniper Brad Halling shined a light on the absolute brutality of the Battle of Mogadishu.The Battle of Mogadishu began on Oct. 3, 1993, in Somalia when an American Special Operations task force conducted a capture mission against warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid's forces.Task Force Ranger was in the country to stop a famine and genocide. The elite task force consisted of Army Rangers, Delta Force operators and a small group of Air Force and DEVGRU (SEAL Team 6) operators.What start...

Carney to name Canada's next governor general on Tuesday: sources

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to announce on Tuesday who he’s appointing to become Canada’s next governor general, CBC News has learned.

Brief alcohol ban in Damascus sparks concerns about President al-Sharaa's vision for Syria

There are growing fears among some in Syria that the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa has the aim of clamping down on the rights and freedoms of its civilians by promoting a more conservative interpretation of Islam.Local authorities in Syria’s capital, Damascus, recently banned restaurants and bars from selling alcohol in most parts of the city. Only venues in the majority-Christian neighborhoods of Damascus would be allowed to continue to sell alcohol, but only for takeaway. The move sp...

Bad government statistics can cost the economy billions

A new study tries to put a number on the value of reliable numbers

This AI-Powered Talking C-3PO Head Lets You Feel What It’s Like to Be R2-D2

Now you too can sputter and bleep in response.

Ceasefire Over? US Mum As UAE, Israel Prepare Military Response After Fresh Iranian Cross-Gulf Missile Attack

Ceasefire Over? US Mum As UAE, Israel Prepare Military Response After Fresh Iranian Cross-Gulf Missile Attack Summary Fujairah says 3 injured in Iranian attack on Oil Industry Zone, UAE confirms "air defenses are now dealing with a missile threat", we have gotten reports of explosions in Dubai, which has sent oil higher and Emini futures into the red. UAE threatens retaliation.  CENTCOM hails two US merchant ships exiting Hormuz Strait safely in "first step". Bessent issues ...

Fire breaks out at historic Broadway theater that hosts 'The Book of Mormon' in New York City

A fire broke out Monday at a historic Broadway theater in New York City that hosts the hit play "The Book of Mormon," officials said.Dozens of units with the New York Fire Department (FDNY) responded to the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on 49th Street around 10 a.m. to extinguish the three-alarm blaze, FDNY Assistant Chief David Simms said during a news briefing."This was a deep-seated fire involving a lot of electrical equipment," he said. "It was very difficult to get to."HISTORIC NYC CHURCH ENGULFED...

Judge apologizes to alleged would-be Trump assassin, drags Jan 6 suspects into rant over jail complaints

A federal judge on Monday decried the prison treatment of President Donald Trump's alleged would-be assassin, and apologized to him for restrictive confinement imposed by jail staff.Cole Allen, 31, has been in federal custody since prosecutors say he attempted to gain access to the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner ballroom and kill Trump along with other high-level government officials.Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui told an attorney representing the Department of Corrections (DOC) th...

Surprise: A Lot of People Streamed ‘Star Wars’ for May 4 Last Year

'Andor' was the top title in 2025 amid its acclaimed second season—followed by some surprising and not-so-surprising movie choices.

Hantavirus deaths on cruise ship highlight dangers of rodent-borne disease

A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic has left at least three people dead and triggered an international investigation putting the rare but potentially deadly disease back in the spotlight. The World Health Organization has stated on X that one case of hantavirus infection has been confirmed, while five additional suspected cases are pending. Of the six people affected, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS, THE C...

Cuban ambassador rejects ‘surrender’ talk, calls for US negotiations as sanctions tighten

Cuban Ambassador to the U.N. Ernesto Soberón Guzmán pushed back on suggestions that the communist regime could cave under mounting U.S. pressure, as the Trump administration ramps up sanctions amid a deepening economic crisis on the island."If someone thinks that words like 'give up, surrender, or collapse' are in the Cuban dictionary, in the people's dictionary, that person, those peoples, are sorely mistaken," Guzmán told "America's Newsroom.""In the Cuban dictionary, you will find words like ...

May the 4th (be with you): Why Star Wars has stuck with fans

Star Wars Day May 4 is a pseudo holiday for fans like Kel Spoering, especially when she may be able to thank Star Wars for her existence. "May the 4th" has been calendared as Star Wars Day because of its punny reference to the science fiction franchise's iconic phrase, "May the Force be with you."

The Colorado River's last buffers: officials juggle shrinking reservoirs to avoid system collapse

Facing record-low levels in the Colorado River system, federal water managers are deliberately holding back water in Lake Powell to keep its hydroelectric turbines running even as downstream Lake Mead continues to fall. The strategy isn't about recovery so much as survival: preserving just enough elevation in both reservoirs to keep water and power moving through the system for another year. Read the rest The post The Colorado River's last buffers: officials juggle shrinking reservoirs to avoid...

Regulators seek to suspend State Farm's license, citing widespread mishandling of L.A. wildfire claims

The California Department of Insurance is seeking to suspend State Farm's license and fine it millions of dollars alleging widespread mishandling of L.A. wildfire claims.

WATCH: Walz deputy lambasts Laken Riley Act in bid to keep Minnesota Senate seat blue

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, second-in-command to Gov. Tim Walz in Minnesota, flamed the Laken Riley Act before a cheering crowd at a "Stop Oligarchy" rally headlined by socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., over the weekend.Flanagan, who is trailing behind Rep. Angie Craig in the latest RealClearPolitics polling average for the Democratic senatorial primary, is seeking to succeed retiring Sen. Tina Smith, who also reportedly endorsed her at the Rochester rally.Flanagan name-dropped Alex P...

This video on the complicated color codes of US passports cracked me up

The creators of this super informative video also made it super entertaining. Most Americans carry the familiar blue passport, but it turns out that's just one shade in a small but telling spectrum. From black diplomatic books to maroon emergency travel documents, the U.S. Read the rest The post This video on the complicated color codes of US passports cracked me up appeared first on Boing Boing.

Deutsche Bank's Woke ESG Whistleblower Denied Millions By SEC For Tattling To Press

Deutsche Bank's Woke ESG Whistleblower Denied Millions By SEC For Tattling To Press In 2021, Deutsche Bank sustainability chief Desiree Fixler thought she was going to make millions after she blew the whistle with claims that the bank did not adhere to its goal of integrating ESG (environmental, social and governance) into all investment decisions. Fixler - who worked within the bank's DWS Group asset management arm - became a witness for the SEC, which fined the bank's asset-manage...

Anthropic Nears $1.5 Billion AI Joint Venture With Wall Street Firms

Anthropic is reportedly nearing a roughly $1.5 billion joint venture with Blackstone, Goldman Sachs, Hellman and Friedman, and other Wall Street firms to sell AI tools to private-equity-backed companies. "The investors aim to create a company that acts as a consulting arm for Anthropic and helps teach businesses -- including the private-equity firms' portfolio companies -- how to incorporate AI across their operations," reports the Wall Street Journal. Anthropic, Blackstone, and Hellman and Frie...

Electrical Fire at Broadway Theater Closes ‘Book of Mormon’ Indefinitely

The New York Fire Department said there was “substantial damage” to a room containing lighting equipment at the Eugene O’Neill Theater in Manhattan.

Top Search and Fetch APIs for Building AI Agents in 2026: Tools, Tradeoffs, and Free Tiers

Discover the top search and fetch APIs for AI agents in 2026. Compare tools like TinyFish, Tavily, and Firecrawl based on latency, token efficiency, and free tiers to optimize your agent's web retriev

Trump vs History: How president's poll numbers compare to Biden, Obama, Bush ahead of midterms

With six months to go until the midterm elections, President Donald Trump's poll numbers remain underwater.The two-month-long war with Iran, which public opinion surveys indicate is unpopular with many Americans, and a surge in gas prices as a direct result of the fighting have triggered a further slide in Trump's approval ratings this spring.The president's polling woes are a political drag on his party as Republicans work to defend their slim Senate and razor-thin House majorities in this year...

Study finds AI server farms creating their own local heat islands

The same AI bubble promising to reshape the future may also be quietly reshaping the climate. A new study suggests massive data centers are generating localized "heat islands," raising temperatures around them and potentially compounding the effects of global warming in already vulnerable communities. Read the rest The post Study finds AI server farms creating their own local heat islands appeared first on Boing Boing.

Biden intervenes in Dem congressional primary, warning all 'we did to help ordinary people is in jeopardy now'

Former President Joe Biden has endorsed Dan Koh, a candidate running for U.S. Congress in Massachusetts' 6th Congressional District Democratic primary in an open race as Rep. Seth Moulton runs for U.S. Senate.Koh, who served in various roles during Biden's White House tenure, issued a video in which Biden said he was calling because he wanted to endorse Koh.Koh told Biden he is "honored."Biden told Koh, "You will be one heck of a congressman," asserting, "everything you and I fought for, everyth...

Skip Bayless to reunite with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN as First Take's ratings slip

For the first time in nearly a decade, Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith will debate each other on ESPN’s "First Take" this Friday.On Monday, the network announced Bayless will join Smith for a "one-time reunion" in Los Angeles. Bayless last appeared on the show in June 2016, before leaving ESPN for FS1.The dynamics this time are different. "First Take" used to be Bayless’ show. He personally asked Smith to join him as a full-time debate partner in 2012. At the time, Smith had just returned to E...