Public land‑grant research university in Westwood, Los Angeles
OpenAI has solved the Navier–Stokes existence and smoothness problem, a Millennium Prize Problem, using a yet-unreleased AI model. The company says it has shown theoretical viability, while simulations have not indicated practical breakdowns in fluid dynamics.
The OUT Museum, created by Chen in San Francisco’s Chinatown, has opened with a small exhibit of Chinese queer art, as activists and artists push for broader recognition of LGBTQ+ voices in China and the diaspora. The project began in China via Kickstarter and now thrives in a city navigating policy changes around LGBTQ+ rights.
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.
The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, affecting about 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians, with broader implications for about 1.3 million TPS holders from 17 countries. The ruling signals potential deportations and reshapes humanitarian protections in the United States.
New research shows that laughter rhythms in humans and great apes are strikingly similar, suggesting a shared evolutionary past. Fresh recordings of children’s giggles align with decades-old ape tickling data, indicating a common ancestor and shedding light on the evolution of human speech.
CalMatters reports widespread non-compliance across 148 public campuses on annual policies, inventories and public forums for police military equipment. Some campuses publish reports late, omit details, or skip required public forums. The findings show variability in adherence and ongoing efforts to address gaps after inquiries.
The White House has removed two Democratic members of the Election Assistance Commission and accepted a Republican member’s resignation, narrowing the panel ahead of the midterms. The action follows a Supreme Court ruling expanding presidential authority over independent agencies and comes amid broader moves to shape election administration. Agencies warn officials of potential prosecutions for interfering with voting and residents are urged to ensure compliance with new election rules.
House Republicans have advanced a reconciliation budget resolution that would channel roughly $60 billion to the Iran war, boost Pentagon and farm aid and include parts of President Trump’s elections package. Democrats have opposed the plan’s high spending and social riders. Separately, more than 100 House Democrats voted to withhold military aid to Israel, exposing a deep intra-party split ahead of the midterms.
The Third Circuit has ruled that New Jersey's assault-weapons ban and its large-capacity-magazine limits are unconstitutional. The decision, the first of its kind from a federal appeals court, comes as the Supreme Court weighs challenges to similar bans. New Jersey vows to review options as other states have enacted stricter controls.
Elijah Bieniemy has been arrested in connection with a late-Sunday shooting in Ashburn, Virginia. Mia Bieniemy remains hospitalized after multiple gunshot wounds. Chiefs coach Eric Bieniemy is away from the team as the investigation continues; family privacy is being observed.
AI is changing how colleagues interact at work and in personal life. A wave of surveys shows many employees rely on chatbots, raising concerns about loneliness and the loss of everyday human exchanges. Experts urge balance as AI tools become more embedded in daily tasks.
Wildfires around Spokane, Washington, have destroyed hundreds of structures and forced tens of thousands to evacuate. Aaron Farinacci has been arrested on arson charges in connection with the Old Trails Fire, which is part of a broader fire cluster threatening the region. Firefighting efforts are ongoing amid hot, dry conditions as authorities assess missing persons and containment progress.
Firefighters have established containment lines around Spokane-area blazes, with cooler weather offering limited relief. Thousands remain evacuated as investigations probe arson and natural causes amid a record-breaking Northwest fire season.
The US Justice Department has found that Duke University School of Law used proxies for race in admissions, citing a probe that suggests Black or Hispanic applicants have a higher likelihood of admission than white or Asian applicants with the same credentials. The department seeks a voluntary settlement while Duke reviews the findings.
TBD
A series of reports shows Colorado marmots fattening up for winter as Fat Marmot Week launches to raise funds for long-running marmot research amid federal funding cuts. Last winter’s low snowpack increased marmot deaths and shifting social dynamics are visible in alpine colonies across the region.
The Gibbon Conservation Center in Santa Clarita has cared for about 40 gibbons across five species for five decades. Directors say captive breeding and research on vocalizations offer vital insights for conservation as habitat loss and wildlife trafficking threaten wild populations.
A review of mobility and balance assessments shows they indicate functional health and fall risk, not life expectancy. Tests like sit-to-stand and Timed Up and Go help identify weaknesses and guide care, while researchers note variability across populations.
Government data shows July arrests have risen sharply, continuing a months-long push toward mass deportations. Texas and Florida account for nearly 20,000 of the arrests, with ICE expanding its workforce as part of a multi-year crackdown.
Rains driven by El Niño have intensified at Bright Angel Creek, triggering a deadly flood near the Grand Canyon. The event follows drought and a megafire that scarred the area, with authorities warning debris flows and ongoing risk as crews assess damages.
The Department of Justice and Education Department have opened a joint investigation into the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, alleging that the admissions process discriminates on race and uses essay prompts to group applicants by identity. Berkeley says it complies with Prop. 209 and federal law, and will provide evidence of compliance. The probe follows a Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions and may impact future diversity policies in higher education.