When Coke and Pepsi Fought for Soft Drink Supremacy in Space

Thirty years after its release, Waterworld—Kevin Costner's famously expensive, waterlogged Mad Max knockoff—is getting a second look. Critics panned it back in 1995, but the article argues it’s actually a thrilling, underrated gem of ‘90s action cinema (minus the weird gills).

Editor’s Note: Pop culture loves a redemption arc, and Waterworld might finally be getting its due. This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a reminder that first impressions (and box office numbers) don’t always tell the whole story. For film buffs, it’s a fun excuse to revisit a wild, ambitious mess that somehow works.

Scientists have detected the most powerful cosmic explosion ever recorded since the Big Bang—nicknamed the BOAT (Brightest Of All Time). This gamma-ray burst unleashed more energy in seconds than our Sun will produce in its entire 10-billion-year lifespan. Researchers are now studying the aftermath to uncover clues about how these extreme cosmic events form and behave.

Editor’s Note: Gamma-ray bursts are some of the most violent and mysterious events in the universe, and this record-breaking explosion gives astronomers a rare chance to study them up close (well, cosmically speaking). Understanding these bursts could help us piece together how stars die, black holes form, and maybe even how the universe itself evolves. Plus, it’s just mind-blowing to think about that much energy being released in mere seconds.

If your kid’s school supply list includes a pricey graphing calculator, now might be the time to grab one—Amazon’s running a sale on Texas Instruments models like the TI-84 before back-to-school demand drives prices up.

Editor’s Note: These calculators are practically a rite of passage for math and science students, but they’re notoriously expensive. A sale right now could save parents some real cash before the usual August price hikes hit. It’s one less headache in the back-to-school scramble.

UnitedHealth, one of the biggest players in the U.S. healthcare system, just reported a drop in profits—and it’s largely because they’re shelling out more for medical care. The company’s latest earnings show that rising costs across their health plans and services are eating into their bottom line.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a corporate earnings story—it’s a snapshot of a broader trend squeezing insurers, providers, and patients alike. When a giant like UnitedHealth feels the pinch from rising medical costs, it’s a sign that healthcare inflation isn’t slowing down. That could mean higher premiums or tighter coverage for everyday people down the line.

A massive, ancient petroglyph mural—stretching 115 feet—has unexpectedly reappeared on an Oahu beach in Hawai’i, visible for the first time since 2016. These 500-year-old carvings, etched into the rock by Indigenous Hawaiians, are a rare glimpse into the island’s cultural history, and their resurfacing (likely due to shifting sands) has sparked both awe and curiosity.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a cool natural phenomenon—it’s a fleeting chance to study and appreciate Indigenous art that’s usually hidden. The petroglyphs’ reappearance highlights how climate and erosion can reveal (or threaten) cultural treasures, making it a poignant reminder of Hawai’i’s deep roots and the need to protect them.