Author: Olive Metuge

Victoria GillScience correspondent, BBC NewsWashington Post via Getty ImagesNaked mole rats live for up to 40 years, compared to about three years for a mouseThey are weird, bald, subterranean rodents that look like sausages with teeth, and they have just revealed a genetic secret to long life.A new study of the bizarre naked mole rat shows that the animals have evolved a DNA repair mechanism that could explain their longevity.These burrow-dwelling rats have a maximum life span of nearly 40 years, making them world’s the longest-lived rodent.The new findings, published in the journal Science, could also shed light on why…

In Ellingburg v United States, to be argued on Oct. 14, the justices will consider whether the ex post facto clause of the Constitution applies to the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act, which entitles victims to restitution for certain offenses. If it does, Holsey Ellingburg is not obligated to pay any more restitution than the law required at the time he committed his crime (robbing a bank). If it does not, more onerous revisions to the federal restitution statute apply, increasing his obligations to his victims. The Constitution provides in Article I, Section 9, that “No … ex post facto law…

Sip, savour, and unwind with our guide to the best afternoon teas across Abu Dhabi’s most elegant spotsIn a city that never stops, pausing can feel revolutionary. Afternoon teas in Abu Dhabi offer that rare moment to slow down, even for an hour, to step away from emails, errands, and the constant hum of daily life.Born in ancient China and perfected by duchesses in England, tea has travelled through dynasties, continents, and countless cups to become the elegant ritual we know today. Today in Abu Dhabi, this centuries-old ritual has been reimagined with Middle Eastern flair. Hotels and boutique cafés…

ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up for Dispatches, a newsletter that spotlights wrongdoing around the country, to receive our stories in your inbox every week. Reporting Highlights Serious Charge: Drivers are rarely charged with murder in fatal car crashes unless they have aggravating factors — such as past DUIs or excessive speed. Uncommon Plea Deal: Unlike most people facing these charges in Alabama’s 19th Circuit Court, this defendant was not offered a plea deal for a lesser charge. Unusual Suspect: Years after the crash, attorneys involved in the case would attempt to shed light…

Peter HoskinsBusiness reporterBloomberg via Getty ImagesNeodymium is used to make the strong magnets used in loudspeakers, computer hard drives, electric car motors and jet enginesChina has tightened its rules on the export of rare earths – the elements that are crucial to the manufacture of many high-tech products.New regulations announced by the country’s Ministry of Commerce “to safeguard national security” formalise existing rules on processing technology and unauthorised overseas co-operation. China is also likely to block exports to foreign arms manufacturers and some semiconductor firms.Rare earth exports are a key sticking point in the months-long negotiations between Beijing and Washington…

At least some of the justices at Monday morning’s oral argument in Villarreal v. Texas appear to be willing to permit trial courts to limit what defense lawyers may discuss with their clients overnight when the client is still on the stand. Specifically, several justices seem to think the court may prohibit lawyer and client from direct discussions of the client’s testimony, but not collateral matters of trial strategy and management that relate to the testimony.  David Villarreal was on trial for stabbing to death his boyfriend, Aaron Estrada. After Villarreal had been testifying for about an hour, the trial…

Home Daily News Supreme Court allows Trump to withhold $4B… U.S. Supreme Court Supreme Court allows Trump to withhold $4B in foreign aid in case in which ABA is a plaintiff By Debra Cassens Weiss September 29, 2025, 12:14 pm CDT The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday allowed the Trump administration to withhold $4 billion in foreign aid funds while the federal government awaits a decision by Congress on its request to rescind the appropriation. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/The Associated Press) The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday allowed the Trump administration to withhold $4 billion in foreign aid funds…

Clean Bandit turns the beach into a dancefloor in Dubai this NovemberIf you’re into live music, this is the kind of gig that doesn’t come around often. Grammy-winning electronic trio Clean Bandit will take over Barasti Beach Dubai on Saturday, November 29, and yes, it’s going to be big.The soundClean Bandit don’t follow formulas, they mix classical strings with electronic production, turning orchestral elements into dancefloor anthems. The result? A sound that’s unique and iconic.You’ve heard Rather Be, Rockabye, Symphony, Solo. But it’s the way they evolve these tracks on stage – with live strings, creative transitions, and visuals –…

This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Oregon Public Broadcasting. Sign up for Dispatches to get our stories in your inbox every week. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has ordered state agencies to take “any and all steps necessary” to fast-track solar and wind permits that must break ground by next year or likely miss out on a federal tax credit Congress is ending. The move follows reporting by Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica about the role that the state’s lengthy permitting process plays, according to renewables advocates, in Oregon having one of the slowest growth…

Watch: Trump says Middle East deal ‘very close’ after being passed note by Marco RubioUS President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have “both signed off” on the first phase of a peace plan for Gaza.”This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The announcement comes after three days of indirect talks in Egypt – mediated by officials from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the US – aimed…