GOVERNMENT POLICY

Jun 05 2026POLITICS

How US Science Funding Might Change Under New White House Plans

A fresh government plan could reshape how America funds science by giving political leaders more control over which studies receive federal money. Scientists worry this shift might push aside long-standing expert review processes that have shaped major breakthroughs in medicine, climate understandin

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Jun 04 2026POLITICS

Schools face new battles over fairness rules

Over the past few years, America’s public schools have seen a major shift in how the federal government handles fairness and equality. For decades, civil rights laws pushed schools to correct deep-seated biases that hurt Black students and other students of color. Programs were created to close achi

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Jun 04 2026ENVIRONMENT

Ocean science takes a hit as key climate tools disappear

Scientists are losing a powerful tool for tracking ocean changes this month. A deep-sea buoy, part of a high-tech network worth $386 million, will be pulled from the Pacific Ocean on June 16. The network, called the Ocean Observatories Initiative, has been gathering real-time data for over ten years

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Jun 03 2026POLITICS

Eating Smart: How People Want the Government to Step In

A recent online survey of 2, 000 U. S. adults revealed that more than half have heard about ultra‑processed foods (UPFs), yet only a third feel they truly grasp what these products are. The study, conducted through a partnership with YouGov, aimed to see how confident people are in explaining UPFs a

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Jun 03 2026POLITICS

Sweden Considers Raising Social Media Age to 15

Sweden might soon require kids under 15 to get a parent's okay before joining social media. A government group recently said this could help protect young users from endless scrolling and its effects on their health. Right now, Swedish kids can sign up at 13 with parental permission. But officials b

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May 24 2026POLITICS

Changes coming to who qualifies for public service loan forgiveness

A new rule about student debt forgiveness for public servants is about to take effect, but not everyone agrees it should move forward. Starting July 1, the government plans to tighten who can qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, a program that wipes out student loans for workers in governmen

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May 14 2026CRIME

Brazil’s bold plan to rein in crime groups with cash and tech

Brazil’s government just rolled out a $2. 2 billion program to fight powerful gangs like Primeiro Comando da Capital and Comando Vermelho. The plan puts federal and local teams under one roof, aiming to cut crime financing, upgrade prisons, solve murders better, and lock down borders. It’s not just

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May 11 2026POLITICS

Grants frozen again: How federal cuts hit Indigenous research at UC Berkeley

Last month, federal officials hit pause on at least 18 research grants at UC Berkeley, despite a judge just months ago telling them to stop canceling grants. One of those frozen was a $1. 4-million project at the Lawrence Hall of Science that trains Ohlone youth to build mixed-reality exhibits about

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May 09 2026EDUCATION

Mexico’s Schools Close Early for World Cup — But Is It Worth It?

The Mexican government just moved up the end of the school year by over a month because of the 2026 World Cup. Schools now finish classes on June 5 instead of June 15, giving students an extra 40 days of summer break. The government says a recent heat wave helped justify the change, but the World Cu

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May 07 2026POLITICS

New Zealand’s Navy Upgrade Plans Take Shape with Global Partners

New Zealand is exploring new ways to upgrade its navy by teaming up with Australia and Britain. Instead of building ships alone, the country is considering foreign designs to replace its old Anzac-class frigates, which have been in service since the late 1990s. The government wants to finalize a dec

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