All about ISS, where Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will spend 2 weeks

Over a third of Tuvalu's population—more than 4,000 people—has applied for a groundbreaking Australian visa program designed specifically for climate-displaced Pacific Islanders. This marks the first time a country has created a visa pathway explicitly for people fleeing environmental threats, highlighting Tuvalu's existential crisis as rising seas threaten its future.

Editor’s Note: Tuvalu’s situation is a stark preview of how climate change will reshape global migration. While Australia’s visa offers a lifeline, it also underscores the harsh reality that some nations may become uninhabitable. This isn’t just policy—it’s a glimpse into the human cost of climate inaction, and other countries will likely face similar dilemmas soon.

Karen R. Jones' Beastly Britain dives into the quirky, often overlooked ways animals have influenced British culture—from the bizarre mating rituals of newts (yes, they do handstands) to beloved literary creatures like Beatrix Potter’s Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle. It’s a charming exploration of how wildlife has quietly shaped national identity, blending natural history with cultural storytelling.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a book about animals—it’s about how they’ve woven themselves into the fabric of British life, from folklore to everyday encounters. In a world where humans often dominate the narrative, Jones flips the script (much like a lovestruck newt) to show how creatures great and small have left their paw prints, hoof marks, and waggling tails on a nation’s sense of self. It’s a refreshing reminder that identity isn’t just human-made.

Despite some recent June rainfall in southern Australia, it’s too little, too late for farmers who needed steady autumn rains to kickstart the winter crop season. The region has been dry for 16 months, and without that crucial "autumn break," crops and pastures are struggling. Even the recent rain won’t fix the damage—meaning higher costs for things like spring lamb and ongoing challenges for agriculture.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a few dry months—it’s a deeper problem hitting farmers’ livelihoods and eventually grocery bills. When crops fail and livestock feed runs low, it ripples through the economy. The rain might look helpful, but it’s like putting a band-aid on a broken bone for these communities.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign advisers have backtracked on their earlier stance against certain flu vaccines, rescinding recommendations that discouraged vaccination. The shift comes amid scrutiny over the campaign's health policy positions, which have often clashed with mainstream medical consensus.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about campaign messaging—it’s a reminder of how political figures’ health advice can sway public behavior. RFK Jr.’s team walking back vaccine skepticism signals they may be adjusting to avoid alienating voters who trust established science. But it also keeps the debate over vaccines in the spotlight, which matters when flu season rolls around and public trust in shots is critical.

Republicans are pushing a fresh approach to dismantle current fuel economy regulations—by eliminating fines for automakers who don’t meet the standards. Instead of enforcing penalties, the proposal suggests scrapping them altogether, arguing it could ease burdens on the industry. Critics, though, warn this could slow progress toward cleaner vehicles and higher efficiency.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just inside baseball—it’s a move that could reshape how quickly (or slowly) carmakers pivot toward greener tech. If fines vanish, there’s less incentive to hit fuel efficiency targets, which could mean more gas-guzzlers on the road longer. For drivers, that might mean cheaper upfront costs but higher fuel bills—and for the climate, it’s a potential step backward.