Daily News Podcast 2025-08-03

An aid official describes the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marked by starvation, lack of water, and a collapsing health system amidst ongoing violence. Despite warnings and ICJ orders, the situation has worsened, with aid delivery deliberately obstructed by Israeli forces. The official recounts witnessing atrocities, including the shooting of starving civilians, dismantling of essential services, and uncovering mass graves. The official's visa was not renewed after describing the conditions, part of a broader pattern of silencing critics. The official asserts that the situation results from deliberate political choices and calls for an end to the occupation and the enforcement of international law. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: World Title: I saw many atrocities as a senior aid official in Gaza. Now Israeli authorities are trying to silence us Source: The Guardian Full_article: Gaza has been held under water for 22 months, allowed to gasp for air only when Israeli authorities have succumbed to political pressure from those with more leverage than international law itself. After months of relentless bombardment, forced displacement and deprivation, the impact of Israel’s collective punishment of Gaza’s people has never been more devastating. I have been part of coordinating humanitarian efforts in Gaza since October 2023. Whatever lifesaving aid has entered since then has been the exception, not the rule. More than a year after the international court of justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to “take all measures within its power” to prevent acts of genocide – and despite all our warnings – we are still witnessing starvation, insufficient access to water, a sanitation crisis and a crumbling health system against a backdrop of ongoing violence that is resulting in scores of Palestinians being killed daily, including children. Powerless to change this, we humanitarians have resorted to using our voices – alongside those of Palestinian journalists who risk everything – to describe the appalling, inhuman conditions in Gaza. Speaking out, as I’m doing now, in the face of deliberate, preventable suffering is part of our role to promote respect for international law. But doing so comes at a price. After I held a press briefing in Gaza on 22 June in which I described how starving civilians were being shot while trying to reach food – what I called “conditions created to kill” – the Israeli minister of foreign affairs announced in a post on X that my visa would not been renewed. The Israeli permanent representative to the UN followed up at the security council announcing that I would be expected to leave by 29 July. This silencing is part of a broader pattern. International NGOs face increasingly restrictive registration requirements, including clauses that prohibit certain criticism of Israel. Palestinian NGOs that, against the odds, continue to save lives daily are cut off from the resources they need to operate. UN agencies are increasingly being issued only six, three or one-month visas based on whether they are considered “good, bad or ugly”. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Unwra) has been targeted through legislation, its international staff barred from entry and its operations slowly suffocated. These reprisals cannot erase the reality we’ve witnessed – day in, day out – not just in Gaza but in the West Bank too. What I have observed there looks different from what is unfolding in Gaza, but there is a unified purpose: severing territorial continuity and forcing Palestinians into ever-shrinking enclaves. Palestinians in the West Bank are daily being coerced and contained: coerced by settler violence and demolitions out of areas where settlements are expanding and contained by a network of movement restrictions into disconnected built-up areas where there are increasing military operations. Gaza is also being fragmented. Its 2.1 million people are now being crammed into just 12% of the land area of the Strip. I remember receiving the chilling call on 13 October 2023 announcing the forced displacement of the entirety of northern Gaza. Since that brutal opening act, almost all of Gaza has been forcibly displaced – not once but repeatedly – without sufficient shelter, food or safety. I have seen first-hand what appears to be the systematic dismantling of the means to sustain Palestinian life. As part of our role to coordinate humanitarian operations, my colleagues and I have helped carry patients out of dark, cat-infested ICU wards in destroyed hospitals overtaken by Israeli forces where the dead were being buried in the courtyard by the last remaining sleep-deprived staff who had witnessed their colleagues being marched away. We helped uncover mass graves in other hospital courtyards where families searched through scattered clothes trying to identify loved ones who had been stripped before being killed or disappeared. We have argued with soldiers who were trying to forcibly remove a screaming spinal cord injury patient from an ambulance while being evacuated from a hospital. We have repatriated the bodies of humanitarian workers killed by drone strikes and tank fire while trying to deliver aid, and collected the bodies of family members of NGO workers who were killed in sites acknowledged by Israeli forces as “humanitarian” locations. We have seen medics in their uniforms killed and buried under ambulances crushed by Israeli forces. Overcrowded shelters for displaced people bombed, with parents clutching their injured or dead children. Countless bodies in the streets being eaten by dogs. People calling from beneath rubble, with help from first responders denied until no one was left breathing. Children wasting away from malnutrition while aid navigates an insurmountable obstacle course of obstructionism. Israeli authorities accuse us of being the problem. They say we are failing to collect goods from the crossings. We aren’t failing, we are being obstructed. Just last week I was on a convoy headed to Kerem Shalom crossing from inside Gaza. We escorted empty trucks through a densely crowded area, an unnecessarily complicated route provided by Israeli forces. When the trucks were lined up at a holding point and the green light to move to the crossing finally came from Israeli forces, thousands of desperate people moved with us, hoping the trucks would return with food. As we crawled forward, people clung to the vehicles until we saw the first dead body on the side of the road, shot in the back from the direction of Israeli forces. At the crossing, the gate was shut. We waited around two hours for a soldier to open it. That convoy took 15 hours to complete. With other convoys, Israeli forces have delayed returning trucks while crowds gather and killed desperate people who were waiting for the trucks to arrive. Some of our goods have been looted by armed gangs operating under the watch of Israeli forces. During the ceasefire, we ran multiple convoys a day. Now chaos, killing and obstruction are again the norm. Aid is vital, but it will never be a cure for engineered scarcity. The ICJ has been clear. In its binding provisional measures, it not only ordered Israel to prevent acts prohibited under the genocide convention, it also ordered Israel to enable urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance, including by increasing aid crossings. In a separate advisory opinion, the ICJ left no room for doubt: Israel’s ongoing occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is unlawful under international law. Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are different parts of the same picture. What is unfolding is not complicated. It is not inevitable. It is the result of deliberate political choices by those who create these conditions and those who enable them. The end of the occupation is long overdue. The credibility of the multilateral system is being weakened by double standards and impunity. International law cannot be a tool of convenience for some if it is to be a viable tool of protection for all. Gaza is already drowning beneath bombs, starvation and the relentless grip of the blockade on essentials for survival. Every delay in enforcing the most basic rules meant to protect human life is another hand pressing Gaza down as it struggles for breath. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. --- END ARTICLE TEXT --- Source: The Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance The Center for Political Accountability released a report highlighting the escalating risks companies face due to political spending. The report identifies both immediate and emerging risks. Companies lacking a strong framework for political contributions risk public backlash, boycotts, regulatory retaliation, corruption, and employee dissatisfaction. Examples include Tesla's stock volatility and Disney's feud with Florida's governor. The report emphasizes that misaligned contributions can harm a company's bottom line and credibility. It also warns of risks from political pressure and retribution, noting instances where companies faced retaliation from leaders they helped elect. The report calls for transformative change and urges companies to adopt ethical governance practices. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: Business Title: New Report Alerts Companies to New Level of Risk from Political Spending Source: The Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance Full_article: In today’s climate of heightened polarization, intensifying public scrutiny, and shifting political dynamics, companies that engage in political spending face significantly greater risks than in the past. To help companies navigate these growing risks, the Center for Political Accountability recently released Corporate Political Spending: What Are the Real Risks?, a report that lays out the escalating financial, legal, and reputational threats companies now face. The reports examines both immediate risks and emerging risks. Companies that lack a strong framework to guide their political contributions risk triggering public backlash, boycotts, regulatory retaliation, corruption, and employee dissatisfaction. The report details high-profile cases — from Tesla’s stock volatility to Disney’s feud with Florida’s governor and the fallout from FirstEnergy’s billion-dollar bribery scandal — to show how poorly governed political spending can damage a company’s bottom line and credibility. Key risks identified in the report include: Bottom Line Repercussions Companies have a duty to protect shareholders from a range of risks — especially those that threaten revenue and competitiveness in a global economy. As corporate political spending grows more complex, so do the financial and reputational risks it poses. With consumers increasingly willing to shift their spending based on corporate values, companies must approach political giving responsibly. Misaligned contributions—supporting candidates whose views contradict company values—can result in significant bottom-line and brand harm. Below is a selection of examples illustrating these risks and potential harms. Reputational hits and consumer boycotts. A recent report identified political donations as the leading factor driving consumers to stop supporting a company financially. The threat of boycotts has motivated prominent companies to adopt robust political disclosure and accountability policies. To protect the company’s bottom line, executives at a large US food manufacturer did just that. They approached CPA out of concern that a controversial contribution could lead consumers to shift to a competitor’s products. These executives put policies in place that made theirs a top company in the CPA-Zicklin Index of Corporate Political Disclosure and Accountability. The risks from boycotts are significant. Target, which previously faced consumer backlash for donating $100,000 to a group supporting gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer—an opponent of gay marriage—despite Target’s public support for LGBTQ rights, is once again encountering significant financial risks from ongoing boycotts. In response to pressure from the Trump administration, Target is among a group of US companies that have publicly rolled back their DEI commitments, prompting consumer boycotts from civil rights groups. Target recently saw a decline in foot traffic and stock value, while DEI-supporting Costco experienced an increase. The boycott is predicted to continue. A recent Lending Tree survey underscores the consumer blowback companies must contend with:. among more than 2,000 people, nearly a third reported boycotting a business, while about a quarter supported a company that was the target of boycott. Consequences of misaligned spending. In 2017, consumer backlash to North Carolina’s HB2 bill—which restricted public facility access based to transgender people—led to nearly $4 billion in lost investment over the following years. Notably, some companies that publicly denounced the bill had previously contributed to national political groups that helped elect the lawmakers who passed it. Similar criticisms arose when companies offering to support employees seeking abortion care continued to contribute to political groups that supported North Carolina legislators who enacted an abortion ban in North Carolina. Loss of credibility. Companies that fund political groups whose actions conflict with their public commitments can face significant reputational and financial risks. For example, several companies with climate commitments donated to the Republican Attorneys General Association, which backed California v. Bernhardt—a 2018 case opposing federal methane regulations. Even if intended to build relationships, such contributions can appear hypocritical, fueling public backlash and undermining credibility. The costs of corruption. In 2023, Florida State Senator Frank Artiles was convicted for running a “ghost candidate” scheme funded by a political group linked to lobbyists at Florida Power & Light (FP&L). After media exposure, FP&L CEO Eric Silagy resigned, and FP&L, along with its parent company, NextEra, were pulled into the scandal. Similarly, FirstEnergy’s recent rate hikes were overshadowed by ongoing media focus on its $1 billion bribery scandal. This was one of the largest cases of corporate political spending corruption. It led to the replacement of top executives and the board of directors and depressed the company’s stock price. Consumer backlash. Elon Musk’s high-profile political spending during the 2024 election cycle has created business risks for Tesla by generating partisan scrutiny for the company. Donations to PACs and candidates—some of whom oppose environmental regulations or electric vehicle incentives—have raised concerns about misalignment with Tesla’s sustainability mission. This spending risks alienating customers and investors, which has eroded both brand loyalty and investor confidence. Such controversies caused a sharp drop in Tesla’s share price and market value. Tesla’s stock price declined further in June 2025 following a high-profile fallout between Elon Musk and the second Trump administration. Risks from Political Pressure & Retribution: New and Concerning Companies are looking at growing risks from political pressure and retribution at both the federal and state levels. In some cases, companies have faced retaliation from the same political leaders that they helped to elect via their direct and third-party political spending. Recent events reflect a broader trend of using government authority to punish perceived opponents. This tactic is increasingly echoed by state-level leaders who have sought to penalize businesses over policy disagreements or public stances. Below are some recent examples of companies suffering from the consequences of political pressure and retribution. Retribution and legal consequences. Donald Trump sued CBS News for $20 billion, claiming a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris was edited to unfairly boost her image before the 2024 election. CBS denied wrongdoing, saying edits were standard. Meanwhile, the FCC — led by a Trump ally — has been investigating CBS for alleged news distortion, drawing criticism for potential First Amendment violations. In May 2025, three US senators warned executives at Paramount, CBS’s parent company, that any settlement of the lawsuit involving a payout to President Trump could be perceived as a bribe and expose the company to shareholder litigation. Strong public reaction to the $16 million settlement Paramount reached with President Trump backs up the warning. AT&T faced similar tension with the first Trump administration over its Time Warner merger, with Trump publicly opposing the deal, possibly due to CNN’s critical coverage. Despite donating to both of Trump’s inaugural funds, effectively funding its own intimidator, AT&T pursued the merger, leading to a high-profile antitrust lawsuit. The company won the case in 2018, but the situation exposed the risks of a company funding an administration that sought to block its business interests. Political interference and federal contracts. In 2019, Amazon accused President Trump of improperly influencing the Pentagon’s decision to award a $10 billion cloud computing contract (JEDI) to Microsoft instead of Amazon Web Services. The company argued that Trump’s hostility toward Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos—who owns The Washington Post, a frequent target of Trump’s criticism—led to political interference in the contracting process. Disney and DeSantis. In 2023, a dispute escalated between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company following Disney’s public opposition to Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. In retaliation, DeSantis appointed a new board to oversee Disney World’s governing district, effectively stripping the company of its self-governing privileges. While Disney paused direct contributions to Florida state politicians, it has continued to give to national third-party political groups that spend heavily in Florida races, effectively funding the politicians that threatened the company and undermining the company’s commitments to LGBTQ employees. Risks to Corporate Culture & a Stable Business Environment Companies rely on the rule of law, predictability, and stability as essential foundations for successful and sustainable operations. When companies fail to consider the broader impacts of their political contributions, including a commitment to act ethically, they risk undermining the very environment required for them to operate, compete, and succeed. As the examples below illustrate, such oversights can expose companies to significant organizational/internal, reputational, legal, and strategic risks. While Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement is paused, risks only grow. Companies require a clear and consistent regulatory framework that applies uniformly across the board, with accountability measures in place for non-compliance. The recent pause in FCPA enforcement creates uncertainty and risk for companies. While it may ease compliance temporarily, it raises concerns about future policy shifts and possible retroactive actions. This unpredictability complicates operations and weakens the consistency of the legal framework businesses rely on for managing global risk. Corporations unknowingly funded Jan. 6, 2021, rally. On January 6, 2021, the Republican Attorneys General Association, via its affiliate, the Rule of Law Defense Fund, helped promote the rally that preceded the Capitol insurrection, including sending robocalls urging attendance. Major donors to RAGA and the RLDF during this time included Anthem, $336,025; Altria, $334,154; Comcast, $315,000; Walmart, $270,100; AT&T, $250,000; CVS, $213,407; Home Depot, $205,579; and Pfizer, $161,050. This involvement exposed corporate donors to reputational and stakeholder trust risks. It also intensified scrutiny of political spending and alignment with democratic values. Criminalizing profitable diversity practices. Recent federal and state actions against corporate diversity policies threaten inclusive cultures that fuel innovation and profit. Diverse teams improve decisions and performance—companies with diverse leadership see 19% more innovation revenue and are 36% more profitable. Diversity is both ethical and strategic. However, many companies continue to make substantial contributions to politicians and political groups that seek to criminalize diversity policies. This creates both financial and reputational risk for companies and can damage companies’ relationships with key stakeholders. Controversy and recruitment. Concerned that misaligned political spending could hinder recruitment of recent science graduates, a senior executive told CPA the company adopted stronger disclosure, accountability, and oversight to ensure alignment with its values and goals. This aligns with broader trends, as recent studies indicate that many workers prefer employers whose values reflect their own. A Call for Transformative Change Real Risks provides a road map for action. It calls on companies to adopt governance and risk management practices grounded in ethical principles, risk mitigation, and long-term value. It urges corporate leaders to look seriously at committing to follow the CPA-Zicklin Framework for Corporate Political Spending and proactively and broadly assess the impacts of their political engagement – a vital component of due diligence and a reflection of their stake in maintaining an ethically grounded and healthy business environment. The report equips corporate executives and directors to navigate the increasingly turbulent intersection of business and politics. It offers a clear warning about the emerging risks of corporate political spending — and an opportunity to lead with integrity and a pragmatic ethical compass. --- END ARTICLE TEXT --- Source: WIRED The article discusses what happens to data stored in cloud storage services when a user stops paying for their subscription. It focuses on Apple iCloud, explaining that upon cancellation, users revert to the free 5 GB allocation. If storage exceeds this limit, new backups and file syncing are halted. While Apple's official documentation is vague, it suggests existing files will be kept in a read-only state. However, the iCloud terms and conditions state that Apple reserves the right to delete backups (including photos and videos) if a device hasn't been backed up for 180 days, leaving the fate of existing data uncertain. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: Technology Title: What Happens to Your Data If You Stop Paying for Cloud Storage? Source: WIRED Full_article: If it's been a while since you added up how many digital subscriptions you're paying for, it's likely to be more than you think: streaming services, software packages, games, AI bots, health and fitness wearables ... the list goes on. You can add cloud storage subscriptions to that list too. Apple, Google, and Microsoft offer very little in the way of free storage in the cloud, which means if you want the convenience of having your photos, videos, and other files safely backed up and accessible on every device, you're probably going to have to pay for it. What if you don't want to have these subscriptions for life, though—what if you've found a better option for your backups and storage (and there are plenty of options out there)? You might be wondering what happens to the years and years of files you've amassed in the cloud if you cancel your storage subscription. While we can't cover every single cloud storage service here, we've picked four of the main ones below. Here's what happens to your data if you stop paying, and what you need to do with your files before hitting the unsubscribe button. Apple iCloud You can manage your iCloud subscription from any Apple device. David Nield Pricing for Apple iCloud storage starts at $0.99 per month for 50 GB of space, and you get extras like Hide My Email included too. You can manage your subscription from your iPhone by going to Settings, tapping your name and then Subscriptions, and from System Settings on a Mac by selecting your name, then iCloud. If you cancel your iCloud storage, you go back down to the free allocation of 5 GB. If you currently have more than that in the cloud, you won't be able to make new backups or sync any new files until you've freed up some space—so you'll need to delete files to add any new ones. What Apple is less clear about is what will happen to your existing data. The official documentation implies, but doesn't specifically say, that your files will be kept in a read-only state, with no backups completing until you delete files or increase your storage plan. The iCloud terms and conditions state that if you've not backed up a device for 180 days, Apple “reserves the right” to delete any existing backups (including photos and videos)—so it may delete your files, and it may not. --- END ARTICLE TEXT --- Source: NBC News Jeannie Seely, the country music singer known as “Miss Country Soul,” died at 85 due to complications from an intestinal infection. A trailblazer for women in country music, Seely was known for her spirited nonconformity and hits like “Don’t Touch Me,” which earned her a Grammy. She broke boundaries by wearing a miniskirt on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Seely continued to release albums, perform, and host programs, including "Sundays with Seely" on Willie Nelson’s SiriusXM channel. She was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame in 2018 and appeared nearly 5,400 times at the Grand Ole Opry. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: Entertainment Title: Jeannie Seely, country music trailblazer for women, dies at 85 - NBC News Source: NBC News Full_article: NEW YORK — Jeannie Seely, the soulful country music singer known for the standard “Don’t Touch Me,” has died. She was 85. Her publicist, Don Murry Grubbs, said she died Friday after succumbing to complications from an intestinal infection. Known as “Miss Country Soul” for her unique vocal style, Seely was a trailblazer for women in country music, celebrated for her spirited nonconformity and for a string of undeniable hits in the ‘60s and ’70s. Her second husband, Gene Ward, died in December. In May, Seely revealed that she was in recovery after undergoing multiple back surgeries, two emergency procedures and spending 11 days in the ICU. She also suffered a bout of pneumonia. “Rehab is pretty tough, but each day is looking brighter and last night, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. And it was neon, so I knew it was mine!” she said in a statement at the time. “The unsinkable Seely is working her way back.” Seely was born in July 1940, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, about two hours north of Pittsburgh and raised in nearby Townville. Her love of country music was instant; her mother sang, and her father played the banjo. When she was a child, she sang on local radio programs and performed on local television. In her early 20s, she moved to Los Angeles to kick-start a career, taking a job Liberty and Imperial Records in Hollywood. She kept writing and recording. Nashville was next: She sang on Porter Wagoner’s show; she got a deal with Monument Records. Her greatest hit would arrive soon afterward: “Don’t Touch Me,” the crossover ballad written by Hank Cochran. The song earned Seely her first and only Grammy Award, for best female country performance. Cochran and Seely were married in 1969 and divorced in 1979. Seely broke boundaries in her career — at a time when country music expected a kind of subservience from female artists. Seely was a bit of a rebel, known for wearing a miniskirt on the Grand Ole Opry stage when it was still taboo. And she had a number of country hits in the ‘60s and ’70s, including three Top 10 hits on what is now known as Billboard’s hot country songs chart: “Don’t Touch Me,” 1967’s “I’ll Love You More (Than You Need)” and 1973’s “Can I Sleep In Your Arms?”, adapted from the folk song “Can I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister?” In the years since, Seely continued to release albums, perform, and host, regularly appearing on country music programming. Her songs are considered classics, and have been recorded by everyone from Merle Haggard, Ray Price and Connie Smith to Ernest Tubb, Grandpa Jones, and Little Jimmy Dickens. And Seely never stopped working in country music. Since 2018, she’s hosted the weekly “Sundays with Seely” on Willie Nelson’s Willie’s Roadhouse SiriusXM channel. That same year, she was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame. She appeared nearly 5,400 times at the Grand Ole Opry, which she joined in 1967. Grubbs said Saturday’s Grand Ole Opry show would be dedicated to Seely. She released her latest song in July 2024, a cover of Dottie West’s “Suffertime,” recorded at the world-renowned RCA Studio B. She performed it on the Opry the year before. --- END ARTICLE TEXT --- Source: CBS Sports The Colorado Rockies overcame a nine-run first-inning deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 17-16. Brenton Doyle hit a walk-off, two-run homer in a five-run ninth inning. The Rockies are the sixth team in major league history to win after surrendering nine first-inning runs. Warming Bernabel went 4 for 6 with a homer, while Ezequiel Tovar had four doubles. Oneil Cruz hit a grand slam for the Pirates, and Andrew McCutchen added a three-run shot. Dugan Darnell earned his first win, while Dennis Santana took the loss. McCutchen moved past Bill Mazeroski into sixth place on the Pirates' RBI list. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: Sports Title: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Colorado Rockies Results, Stats, and Recap - August 1, 2025 Gametracker - CBS Sports Source: CBS Sports Full_article: DENVER (AP) Brenton Doyle hit a walkoff, two-run homer in a five-run ninth inning and the Colorado Rockies overcame a nine-run first-inning deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 17-16 on Friday night. The Rockies are the sixth team in major league history to win after surrendering nine first-inning runs according to Elias Sports Bureau. Cleveland was the last to do it in 2006. Colorado trailed 16-12 before rallying off Dennis Santana (3-3). Hunter Goodman hit his 20th homer with one out. Jordan Beck walked and scored on rookie Warming Bernabel's first triple. Thairo Estrada had an RBI single, and Doyle hit his eighth home run with one out to win it. Bernabel went 4 for 6 and hit his third homer for the Rockies - a three-run shot in the third to cut it to 9-4. Ezequiel Tovar went 4 for 6 and tied a major league record with four doubles. Doyle also finished with four of Colorado's 22 hits. Rookie Yanquiel Fernández hit his first homer - a two-run shot off Yohan Ramírez in the eighth to get the Rockies within four. Oneil Cruz hit his 18th homer and second career grand slam and Andrew McCutchen added a three-run shot - his 11th - off Antonio Senzatela as the Pirates became just the second team in 132 years to score nine-plus runs in the first inning on 10-plus hits that included a slam and a three-run homer. Cincinnati did it against the Louisville Colonels on June 18, 1893. McCutchen finished 3 for 5 with five RBIs. Reynolds had three of Pittsburgh's 18 hits and singled from both sides of the plate in the first - the first Pirate to do so since Neil Walker in 2015, also in Denver. Nick Gonzales finished 4 for 6 and Isiah Kiner-Falefa had three hits and three RBIs. Andrew Heaney lasted just 3 1/3 innings for Pittsburgh, allowing four runs - three earned - on seven hits. Rookie Dugan Darnell (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings for his first win. McCutchen's homer moved him past Bill Mazeroski into sixth place on the Pirates' RBIs list with 857. Colorado is the third team in the divisional era (since 1969) to win after trailing by nine runs. Pirates RHP Paul Skenes (6-8, 1.83 ERA) was set to start Saturday opposite Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (0-5, 6.28). --- END ARTICLE TEXT --- Source: Interesting Engineering The article explores why treehoppers have unusual shapes, suggesting it’s linked to detecting electric fields. The study investigated if treehoppers use their unique forms to enhance their ability to sense electric fields, similar to how bees and caterpillars do. Researchers measured the electrostatic charge of insects that interact with treehoppers, finding that predatory wasps carry significant static charges, while stingless bees have different charges. Treehoppers exposed to weak electric fields moved away from them, showing they can detect electrostatic forces. The shapes may help them sense predators. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: Science Title: Why are treehoppers so weirdly shaped? Answer is invisible electric field Source: Interesting Engineering Full_article: Investigating electric signals in insects Their starting point for the study was an intriguing question—if other insects like bees and caterpillars can detect weak electric fields, could treehoppers use their dramatic body shapes to boost the same ability? To test this idea, the team first investigated the electric charges of different insects that treehoppers interact with. For instance, they measured the electrostatic charge of predatory wasps, natural enemies of treehoppers, and found that these wasps carry significant static charges, with both the magnitude and polarity (positive or negative) varying. However, stingless bees, which sometimes protect treehoppers from predators, carried different and less threatening charges. Next, they tested whether treehoppers respond to electric fields at all. The researchers exposed live treehoppers to weak electric fields in a controlled setting and observed that the insects moved away from the fields, clear evidence that they can detect electrostatic forces. “A total of 151 individual treehoppers from 11 different evolutionary clades had their net electrostatic charge measured,” the study authors note. --- END ARTICLE TEXT --- Source: EatingWell The article outlines six morning activities that can help prevent Alzheimer's disease. These include eating eggs, drinking coffee, doing crossword puzzles, taking a walk, meditating, and calling a friend. Eggs contain nutrients like choline and DHA that support brain health, while moderate coffee consumption can lower the risk of Alzheimer's. Word games stimulate cognitive function, and morning walks boost blood flow to the brain. Meditation reduces stress and inflammation, and social connections help keep the brain engaged. Consistently incorporating these habits into a morning routine can support long-term cognitive health. --- ARTICLE TEXT --- Topic: Health Title: 6 Morning Activities to Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease Source: EatingWell Full_article: Adding brain-boosting habits to your morning routine is an easy way to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. Enjoying eggs and coffee and doing the crossword puzzle are some activities that may help reduce your risk. No single activity will prevent Alzheimer’s disease, but adopting consistent healthy habits may help How you start your day can do more than set the tone for productivity; it might also be a powerful tool for long-term brain health. Alzheimer’s disease touches millions of lives, and while there are many factors that are out of our control that may impact the Alzheimer’s disease risk (like our genetics), evidence suggests that small, consistent efforts in your daily routine may play a role in prevention. By paying attention to the habits we cultivate each morning, we can proactively support our cognitive health in ways that are simple and sustainable. We consulted with dietitians who shared valuable insights into optimizing morning routines for brain health and practical tips to boot! Here are six expert-backed habits to include in your morning routine that may reduce Alzheimer’s Disease risk. Have Eggs at Breakfast Starting your day with a nutrient-dense breakfast sets the tone for overall health, and eggs are a stand-out option. “Exciting new data suggests an association between eating eggs and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s dementia in older adults,” shares Maggie Moon, M.S., RD. “Research has shown that nutrients in eggs like choline, the omega-3 fatty acid DHA, and lutein help support lifelong brain health,” adds Moon. Moon adds that although choline is crucial for brain health, 90% of Americans don’t get enough of this nutrient. Eating two eggs provides 50-70% of your daily choline requirement. Working eggs into your morning is easy—enjoy them scrambled, boiled, or as part of an omelet packed with veggies. Have a Morning Cup Of Coffee Yes, you read that right—your morning cup of joe may be doing more than waking you up. Research found that moderate coffee consumption, around 1 to 4 cups a day, could help lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It turns out that coffee’s natural blend of antioxidants, along with the stimulating effects of caffeine, plays a role in supporting brain health. What’s particularly exciting is how simple this habit is to adopt. Imagine starting your day with a comforting cup of coffee, knowing you’re not just fueling your morning but potentially protecting your brain for the long run. Experts emphasize that moderation is key, as excessive caffeine might have downsides. And make sure to limit (or even avoid) any added sugars when prepping your morning drink—excessive added sugar consumption can actually hurt, not help, your brain health. Do the Daily Crossword Puzzle Giving your brain a “workout” is just as important as starting your day with physical movement. “Word games support cognitive function by stimulating recall, memory, language and problem-solving skills that support brain health,” explains Amy Brownstein, M.S., RDN. “Incorporate word games like crossword puzzles or spelling bees into your breakfast routine to help keep your mind sharp,” Brownstein advised. Try setting aside just 10 or 15 minutes each morning to enjoy the crossword puzzle over your coffee or while eating breakfast. It’s a small commitment that could have long-term benefits. And if you’re looking for variety, you can swap out the crossword for Sudoku, word searches, or even a quick brain-training app. Take a Morning Walk Moving your body in the morning can work wonders for your brain. “Walking boosts blood flow to the brain, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients that support brain health,” explained Juliana Crimi, M.H.Sc., RD,. “Regular physical activity has been linked to better memory, thinking, and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease over time,” Crimi explains. Bonus? Walking stimulates the release of endorphins, putting you in a positive mindset to face the day. Aim for at least 20 to 30 minutes each morning at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Whether you stroll through your neighborhood, a local park, or simply around your backyard, the combined effects of movement, fresh air, and sunlight enhance both physical and mental health. Meditate Moushumi Mukherjee, M.S. RDN, recommends starting each day with meditation to support brain health. Regular meditation supports memory and focus by reducing stress and inflammation, two factors associated with cognitive decline. Setting aside just 5 to 10 minutes in the morning to meditate creates a calming start to your day while enhancing your brain’s ability to manage emotional and cognitive tasks. You can start with basic mindfulness meditation, focusing on your breath and letting go of distractions. Over time, you may find that taking even a small pause each morning helps you feel more grounded and promotes a lasting sense of mental clarity. Use a meditation app or simply create a quiet space in your home to integrate this powerful practice into your routine. Call a Friend Social connections are key to longevity