Private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, founded 1746.
Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences has voted to limit undergraduate A grades to 20% of a class, with room for four additional A’s in smaller courses, starting fall 2027. The policy also shifts honors comparisons from GPA to average percentile rank. The measure aims to curb grade inflation after data showed a large share of grades were A-range in recent years, with debate echoing in other elite universities.
The Justice Department has reached a settlement with former President Donald Trump over an IRS controversy. The deal bars audits of Trump, his family, and affiliates for existing tax matters and establishes an $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund for allies; the arrangement covers only existing audits, not future ones.
Republican-led states rebrand June as values-focused months such as Nuclear Family Month, Fidelity Month and Strong Families Month. The moves aim to counter Pride Month while supporters argue they celebrate traditional values. Governors defend their proclamations as affirming family structures; LGBTQ advocates say the changes undermine Pride. The debate reflects a broader cultural clash as Pride Month events continue.
El Niño has formed in the Pacific and is expected to strengthen through late 2026, with a 63% chance of reaching a very strong level. Forecasts warn of hotter global temperatures and extreme weather, while impacts will vary by region. Scientists urge preparation and climate action as nations monitor evolving conditions.
Carlo Ginzburg has died at 87. The Italian historian is remembered for The Cheese and the Worms, a microhistorical study of a 16th-century miller, which recast power dynamics and belief through inquisitorial records. His work shaped modern historiography, influence spanning postwar and postcolonial contexts.
GPTZero, the AI-detection startup founded by Princeton graduate Edward Tian, has been acquired by Superhuman. The deal values GPTZero at over $88 million, with 19 million+ users and $30 million in annual recurring revenue; the integration will bolster authenticity tools across Superhuman’s platform while keeping GPTZero as a stand-alone product.
Northwestern University researchers find that TikTok’s recommendation engine responds to negative feedback but gradually reverts if users repeatedly flag content; a finding based on cloned accounts and controlled signals shows the “not interested” button reduces unwanted content by about 84%, but the effect fades with brief re-engagement.
The Federal Communications Commission has added "advanced robotic devices" — including humanoid robots, four‑legged machines and some connected power inverters — to a list that blocks new foreign-made models from US markets on national‑security and cybersecurity grounds. The rule has taken effect for models not yet authorised; existing authorised devices remain allowed while exemptions can be requested.
The Fauci diaries have intensified scrutiny of his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Senate panel has voted to hold him in contempt for refusing to answer questions, while states push for records. Republicans argue for accountability; Democrats defend the former NIH director amid a renewed focus on origins, lockdowns, and media coverage.
Meteorological agencies and the UN have reported a very strong El Niño that has continued to intensify in August 2026. Forecasts show record-warm Pacific sea-surface temperatures, rising global heat and an elevated risk of droughts, floods and food insecurity that will push tens of millions more people into acute hunger this year and next.
Beijing has announced a broad package of countermeasures in response to recent U.S. moves, including sanctions on American entities, tighter export controls on drones and dual-use tech, and case-by-case reviews of certain exports. The measures come ahead of high-level talks and are aimed at pressuring the United States while keeping room for de-escalation.
Fauci has invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during a Senate hearing on his COVID-19 handling. Rand Paul is moving to refer him to the Justice Department for contempt, arguing Biden’s pardon blocks self-incrimination. Fauci asserts the pardon does not shield him from state probes or false statements inquiries. The episode raises questions about congressional power over pardoned witnesses.
Cambridge University is continuing an independent review into Jason Arday’s appointment and tenure after his resignation amid plagiarism allegations, with findings to inform how senior appointments are made. The memoir controversy and broader debate over diversity in academia remain central.
A global heat wave trend persists into August 2026. July saw record or near-record sea surface and air temperatures across Europe and globally. Scientists warn that accelerating warming and a strong El Niño are increasing the odds that 2026 will be the hottest year on record.