Busy hurricane season expected as forecasters fear Trump cuts

In 2024, the world lost more forest cover than ever before, according to new data. Tropical rainforests bore the brunt of the destruction, with farming, logging, and wildfires driving the surge. While some regions saw slower deforestation rates, the overall trend is alarming—especially as forests play a critical role in absorbing carbon and protecting biodiversity.

Editor’s Note: Forests aren’t just trees—they’re lifelines for the planet, regulating climate and housing countless species. This record loss isn’t just a statistic; it’s a warning sign that efforts to curb deforestation (like conservation pledges and sustainable farming) aren’t keeping up with the pace of destruction. If this continues, hitting climate goals will get even harder, and ecosystems could collapse faster than we can adapt.

The U.S. government has bankrolled some of the most game-changing scientific discoveries—think GPS, the internet, and life-saving vaccines—but now those research budgets are getting gutted. This piece walks through nine breakthroughs that wouldn’t exist without federal funding, from cancer treatments to climate tech, as a reminder of what’s at stake.

Editor’s Note: It’s easy to take scientific progress for granted until the money dries up. This list isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s a reality check about how much we stand to lose if basic research gets squeezed. The next big breakthrough might never happen if funding keeps shrinking.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) just dropped its early forecast for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, and it’s looking like another busy one. While exact numbers aren’t set in stone yet, the agency expects above-average storm activity, likely due to lingering warm ocean temperatures and favorable wind patterns. Coastal residents might want to start prepping early—this could be the seventh straight year of heightened hurricane risk.

Editor’s Note: Hurricanes aren’t just summer flukes—they’re costly, dangerous, and becoming more frequent. NOAA’s prediction isn’t just a heads-up for beachgoers; it’s a warning for insurers, emergency planners, and anyone living near the coast. With climate change fueling warmer seas, these forecasts are starting to feel like grim reruns. Time to check those evacuation routes and stock up on supplies.

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a stunning cosmic snapshot of a distant galaxy bending into a red arc around a closer elliptical galaxy. It’s a striking example of gravitational lensing—where the gravity of a massive object warps and magnifies light from behind it, giving us a rare peek at the universe’s deep past.

Editor’s Note: These kinds of images aren’t just eye candy—they’re scientific gold. Gravitational lensing helps astronomers study galaxies too faint or far away to see otherwise, acting like nature’s own telescope. Plus, it’s a humbling reminder of how much wild, beautiful stuff is out there, hidden in plain sight.

Two Chinese astronauts spent a grueling 8-hour stint outside the Tiangong space station on May 22, bolting on new debris shields to protect the orbital outpost from potential collisions with space junk. The mission, captured on video, marks another step in China’s steady expansion of its space capabilities.

Editor’s Note: Space debris is a growing headache for everyone up there—tiny fragments can cause massive damage at orbital speeds. By upgrading Tiangong’s defenses, China isn’t just safeguarding its own astronauts; it’s contributing (indirectly) to safer operations for all spacefaring nations. Plus, it’s a reminder that China’s space program is methodically ticking off milestones, from station assembly to long-term crewed missions.