EPA makes it harder for states, tribes to block pipelines

A new rule aims to speed up and streamline the permitting process. The Trump administration on Tuesday proposed a new rule aimed at speeding up and streamlining the permitting process for large energy and infrastructure projects, including oil and gas pipelines and facilities tied to artificial intelligence. The rule,…

EPA moves to stop considering economic benefits of cleaner air

New language criticizes “uncertainties” in longstanding EPA practice. If you were to do a cost-benefit analysis of your lunch, it would be pretty difficult to do the calculation without the sandwich. But it appears that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving in this same direction—removing the benefit—when…

The oceans just keep getting hotter

For the eighth year in a row, the world’s oceans absorbed a record-breaking amount of heat in 2025. Since 2018, a group of researchers from around the world has crunched the numbers on how much heat the world’s oceans are absorbing each year. In 2025, their measurements broke records…

These 60,000-year-old poison arrows are oldest yet found

Hunter-gatherers probably derived the poison from the milky bulb extract of a Boophone disticha plant. Poisoned arrows or darts have long been used by cultures all over the world for hunting or warfare. For example, there are recipes for poisoning projective weapons, and deploying them in battle, in Greek…

These dogs eavesdrop on their owners to learn new words

“Under the right conditions, some dogs present behaviors strikingly similar to those of young children.” When it comes to cognitive ability, not all dogs are created equal. Most dogs can learn simple action cues like “sit” or “down.” But so-called “gifted word learner” (GWL) dogs exhibit a remarkable ability…

Trump withdraws US from world’s most important climate treaty

US also pulling out of pacts promoting development, democracy, and human rights. Donald Trump has decided to withdraw the US from the world’s most important climate treaty, as well as from dozens of other international organizations, as the president intensifies efforts to upend decades of global cooperation tackling rising…