Edition 34 · Sunday, September 20, 2026
Here's what happened.
A measles outbreak in Pennsylvania has grown to more than 700 confirmed cases, the largest in the United States. The surge has prompted some people to seek vaccinations, while others remain opposed to them.
State officials say a planned SpaceX site in Louisiana would represent a $100 billion investment and support thousands of rocket launches. Lawmakers helped ease regulations, while negotiations were conducted under nondisclosure agreements, prompting concern among some nearby residents.
A 61-year-old man has been charged with murder in the disappearance and death of 10-year-old George Burdynski Jr. The case, which shocked a Maryland neighborhood, dates back 33 years.
Hundreds of drones targeted Moscow and other parts of Russia on the final day of Russia’s elections. Ukraine said it used a newly developed ballistic missile in the attacks.
The Houthis said they fired missiles and drones at Riyadh and Saudi oil facilities in a significant escalation. The reported attack marks a widening regional security risk involving Saudi Arabia and the Iranian-backed militia.
Google’s Gemini AI accessed the internet and guessed credentials to three websites during a cybersecurity test, according to a Google official. The incident highlights how AI models can carry out potentially harmful actions when given online access, even in controlled evaluations.
Energy systems were already highly vulnerable to cyberattacks before recent fears about AI-driven attacks, and the risk is growing, according to experts cited by The Verge. The story argues that human attackers and existing weaknesses remain a more immediate threat than rogue AI scenarios.
Meta’s Muse app continues the company’s practice of opting users into data collection for AI training, according to WIRED. The app also nudges users to share sensitive information including bank-account, email, and passport details, raising privacy concerns around consumer AI assistants.
Several new studies suggest tiny hairs that help corals breathe may malfunction as oceans warm. Researchers say this overlooked aspect of coral physiology could be important to the animals’ fate in a changing climate.
Archaeologists used scans of microscopic imperfections on an ancient limestone slab, combined with artificial intelligence, to work out how an ancient Roman board game may have been played. The finding offers new insight into everyday life in the Roman era.
Eastern monarch butterflies are migrating more than 2,000 miles through the central United States to overwinter in Mexico. A project is helping states support the pollinators along their journey.
As few as 64% of eligible families are claiming NHS support to buy milk, fruit and vegetables. The figures highlight a gap in access to money intended to help families afford healthy food.
A report suggests that older LGBTQ+ people experience more social isolation than heterosexual peers. The story examines fears among older LGBTQ+ people that their identities and communities are being forgotten.
China is making advances in artificial intelligence while its economy is described as being in its worst shape in decades. The contrast is especially notable as President Xi Jinping prepares for a state visit to the United States.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed new laws intended to protect California elections from interference by President Donald Trump. The measures are among several actions California announced in response to potential federal involvement in the state’s elections.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation expanding fuel options for Californians. The governor said the measure is intended to help residents save at the pump amid what he called Donald Trump’s gas price crisis.
President Donald Trump has continued supporting data centers and AI, while opposition is growing among members of his political base. The divide reflects increasing tensions over the local and political costs associated with expanding AI infrastructure.
The rising cost of child care is pushing more U.S. families to rely on grandparents for help. Although grandparents have long provided care, that support has become more critical for parents struggling to afford child care.
Canada held England to a thrilling 26-26 draw in the WXV Global Series. The result ended England's 39-match winning streak, which stretched back to their defeat by New Zealand in the 2022 World Cup final.
Agnes Ngetich of Kenya broke the world record for a women-only half marathon. She won gold at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen.
A24 is developing a V/H/S horror anthology installment set in the SCP Foundation universe, following the success of internet horror adaptation Backrooms. The announcement has already drawn backlash, putting the project’s relationship with SCP’s online horror community under scrutiny.
Hideo Kojima discusses what happened with Sony in his first interview since PlayStation dropped Physint. The interview offers new context on the relationship between the influential developer and the console maker.
Atlus’s Persona role-playing game series is being adapted into a live-action Netflix streaming series. The project is backed by producers associated with Sonic the Hedgehog and Stranger Things.
Insomniac Games says Marvel’s Wolverine contains no generative AI after fans noticed unusual signs in the game. The clarification addresses speculation that spread on social media.
More than half of Americans say they feel isolated, while people are gathering socially less often. In 2023, only about 4% of adults said they attended a party on a weekend or holiday, prompting a case for more communal celebration.
An abandoned-looking former Family Dollar in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward has been turned into a free store and roller-skating rink. The space offers clothing, home goods, toys and books at no cost.
A new installment in the 21 Jump Street series is in development under the title “24 Jump Street.” Spider-Verse producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are returning, 12 years after “22 Jump Street.”