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The Podcast Frames a Potential End to the Fossil‑Fuel EraThe Guardian releases a new episode titled “‘Historic breakthrough’: could the fossil fuel era be coming to an end?” that examines whether the forthcoming Santa Marta climate negotiations might become a turning point in the worldwide effort to abandon fossil fuels.Key Themes Discussed in the EpisodeWhy the Santa Marta talks are being billed as a possible "ground zero" for climate action.Potential pathways for phasing out oil, coal, and gas at a national and corporate level.Challenges faced by governments and industries in transitioning to renewable energy.How listeners can support the Guardian’s investigative journalism via theguardian.com/sciencepod.Implications for Global Energy PolicyThe discussion highlights that a decisive outcome at Santa Marta could accelerate policy commitments, reshape investment flows, and pressure fossil‑fuel‑dependent economies to adopt greener strategies.Looking Ahead: What Might Follow the Santa Marta Talks?While the podcast stops short of forecasting exact timelines, it suggests that any strong consensus at the talks could trigger a cascade of national legislation, corporate net‑zero pledges, and increased funding for clean‑energy research.

Trump’s Public Endorsement of Psychedelic TherapiesIn a recent Guardian podcast, Donald Trump signaled support for scientific studies into psychedelic compounds, asking, “Can I have some, please?” while framing the conversation as a potential public‑health breakthrough.Funding Landscape and Recent Regulatory Milestones2023: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted breakthrough‑therapy designation to psilocybin for treatment‑resistant depression.2024: The National Institute on Drug Abuse allocated $150 million to clinical trials of MDMA‑assisted psychotherapy.2025: Several states, including Oregon and Colorado, legalized psilocybin for therapeutic use, creating a nascent market valued at roughly $2 billion.Potential Shift in Federal Drug PolicyTrump’s backing could influence congressional committees that oversee the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FDA. A high‑profile endorsement may:Accelerate bipartisan bills aimed at de‑scheduling certain psychedelics.Encourage the administration to prioritize research funding in upcoming budget proposals.Prompt the White House to convene a task force on psychedelic medicine.Impact on Mental‑Health Treatment ParadigmsShould policy changes follow, clinicians could gain broader access to psychedelic‑assisted therapies, potentially reducing reliance on traditional antidepressants. This aligns with growing evidence that psychedelics can produce rapid, sustained improvements for conditions such as PTSD and major depressive disorder.Looking Ahead: Political and Clinical OutlookAnalysts anticipate that Trump’s endorsement will keep psychedelics on the national agenda through the 2026 midterm elections. If legislative momentum continues, the United States could see:A federal framework for clinical trials by 2027.Expanded insurance coverage for approved psychedelic treatments by 2028.Increased private‑sector investment, potentially adding $5 billion to the market over the next five years.

The Lead Cal Flyn's book, The Savage Landscape, is a wondrous personal journey to locate and understand wilderness. It's a work of extraordinary physical and narrative movement that takes us from the depths of the ocean to volcanoes and icebergs, but is also a journey into our own psyches, and the stories we tell ourselves about “wild” landscapes. Exploring the Human Connection to Wilderness Off the coast of California, two miles down, there exist geothermal nurseries: gatherings of tens of thousands of small violet octopuses, each the size of a grapefruit. Known as pearl octopuses (Muusoctopus robustus), they congregate around hydrothermal springs which warm their eggs, allowing them to hatch in less than two years (in cold water it can take 10 years). When I want to calm my mind, I think of these gatherings, this factory of octopuses powered by the Earth’s energy that exists quietly away from our gaze, and might easily never have been discovered. How many more such worlds exist? The Fiction of Untouched Wilderness The notion of untouched wilderness is a fiction, and Flyn continually pulls the rug from under our assumptions about purity, wildness and isolation. At the Monastery of Saint Paul the Anchorite, in Egypt’s eastern desert, she talks with a coptic monk who has dedicated himself to a life of isolation and prayer, and yet continually checks his smartphone. Aboard a cruise ship in the Southern Ocean, Flyn admires icebergs crashing down, “a silent display of staggering sublimity”, only to reflect on the clutter left behind by tourists and scientific researchers on the Antarctic landmass; according to one group of researchers, only 31% of Antarctica can now be considered “inviolate”. The Impact of Human Activity on Wilderness In Transylvania, home to the largest population of brown bears in Europe, she explores painful stories of people and wildlife in conflict. Bears and wolves fared well in Europe until the destruction of their habitat in the middle ages brought them into direct contact with local populations. These creatures can be savage, and Flyn spares little detail in her evocation of the damage they can wreak to human flesh, but the most terrifying creature in the chapter is not ursine or lupine: it is a local’s sheepdog, a domesticated animal whose snarl is “a white noise of pure violence”. The Future of Wilderness and Conservation Flyn sees in the Bon a kind of inspiration: “Sacred landscapes of the kind found in Dolpo,” she writes, “effectively comprise the world’s oldest conservation projects, and there is a lot that we can learn from their longevity.” I don’t know how the beliefs and practices of the Dolpo might be applied at the bottom of the sea, but surely Flyn is right: if we are to escape the course of ecological destruction, we will need more stories, like hers, that can reignite a sense of awe and respect for the worlds we know, and others yet undiscovered.

Front‑line Starvation Revealed by Emaciated SoldiersIn late April, photos of four severely underweight Ukrainian soldiers went viral, highlighting a crisis where troops endured up to 17 days without food deliveries and months without rotation. Anastasia Silchuk, whose husband serves in the 14th Mechanised Brigade, described fighters fainting from hunger and drinking rainwater while holed up on the left bank of the Oskil River in Donetsk.Soldiers such as Oleksandr and Ihor confirmed that the lack of regular meals forced them to subsist on chocolate bars, oatmeal and a single bottle of water per day.Drone‑Driven Logistics: How Ukraine Supplies Isolated BunkersUkraine has turned to autonomous aerial and ground systems to bridge the supply gap. Small robotised carts equipped with video feeds deliver ammunition and food, while heavier bomb‑type drones drop several kilograms of cargo directly onto front‑line outposts.According to drone‑warfare pioneer Andriy Pronin, the new system “works smoothly” for those who receive it, with deliveries arriving “once a day or once every other day.”Numbers Behind the Crisis: Delivery Rates, Ranges, and Weight LossOnly 10 percent of Ukraine’s armed forces receive drone‑dropped food, per researcher Nikolay Mitrokhin.Combat drones can operate up to 25 km (15.5 mi) from either side of the front line.Suicide drones force vehicles to travel at 120 km/h (75 mph) to evade attacks, limiting ground transport options.Russian‑aligned soldier Mohammad reported weight dropping from 76 kg to 60 kg after weeks of scarce rations.Strategic Implications: Isolation, Vulnerability, and MoraleThe shift to aerial supply has turned Ukrainian positions into “isolated, island‑like spots,” making traditional trench networks and supply convoys nearly obsolete. While drones provide a lifeline for a minority, the majority of troops remain vulnerable to starvation, low morale, and increased casualty risk.Russian forces face similar challenges; limited drone deliveries leave soldiers with “two or three very small chocolate bars” and a bottle of water, as recounted by Mohammad. Reports of extreme desperation, including alleged cannibalism, underscore the human cost of logistical breakdowns.Looking Ahead: What the Supply Gap Means for the Conflict’s TrajectoryThe Ukrainian Defence Ministry has launched an investigation, warning that insufficient food must not become systemic. If drone‑based logistics cannot be scaled beyond the current 10 percent coverage, prolonged supply shortages could erode combat effectiveness on both sides and potentially influence negotiation dynamics.Future battlefield planning will likely hinge on expanding reliable aerial resupply, developing counter‑drone defenses, and securing alternative ground routes to prevent the front lines from becoming “starvation zones.”

The Lawsuit Against Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Two Miami sheriff's deputies have filed a lawsuit against Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, claiming the Hollywood actors' portrayal in a Netflix crime drama makes them look like 'dirty cops'. The Event Details The officers, Jonathan Santana and Jason Smith, deputies with the Miami-Dade county sheriff's office, are seeking defamation damages from the actors' production company Artists Equity. The Rip is a dramatization of a 2016 drugs bust on a private residence in Miami Lakes in which $24m cash was recovered. The Data Analysis The money was found in 24 buckets containing a million dollars each – hidden behind drywall in the property. The haul represented the largest ever recovered by the Miami-Dade police department. The Impact Analysis The lawsuit's plaintiffs, who were part of the real-life team that made the bust on which the fictionalized account in the film was built, say The Rip portrays them in a negative light. 'When you rip something, you're stealing something,' Santana told 7 News Miami, referring to the crime thriller's title. 'We never stole a dollar.' The Prediction It is not the first time The Rip, which was released in January, has angered members of the south Florida community. The Guardian has contacted Artists Equity for comment. Netflix, which is not part of the deputies' lawsuit, settled a defamation case in 2022 with the chess grandmaster Nona Gaprindashvili, who said she was defamed in its drama The Queen's Gambit.

Day 74 of the Iran‑U.S. war saw Tehran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, declare that Iranian forces stand ready to respond to any attack, while President Donald Trump labelled Iran’s latest diplomatic reply “stupid” and warned the fragile cease‑fire is on “massive life support”. The exchange has deepened uncertainty over a diplomatic breakthrough and raised the spectre of broader regional disruption. Escalating Rhetoric Marks Day 74 of the Iran‑US Standoff Trump rejected Iran’s response to his peace proposal, calling it “stupid” and “garbage”. Ghalibaf warned the United States would be “surprised” by Iran’s retaliation if attacked. Analyst Dania Thafer warned of a “high likelihood of escalation” as both sides appear to be speaking past each other. Sanctions, Seizures and Diplomatic Moves: The Numbers Behind the Tension The United States sanctioned 12 people and entities over Iranian oil sales to China. The United Kingdom announced parallel sanctions targeting similar actors. Iranian authorities seized six properties linked to ex‑football captain Ali Karimi, now living in exile. A defence ministers’ meeting hosted by the UK and France will bring together representatives from 40 countries to discuss security of the Strait of Hormuz. Regional Ripple Effects: Energy Flows, Trade Routes and Civilian Costs Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz threaten global oil shipments, already inflating diesel and transport costs in the United States. Rising fuel prices are pushing up supermarket and transport expenses across the U.S., according to Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna. Heavy U.S. military activity at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport is crowding civilian flights, raising ticket prices ahead of the summer travel season. Lebanese residents displaced by Israeli strikes face repeated evacuations and interruptions to children’s education. What Comes Next? Scenarios for the Next Weeks of the Conflict Diplomatic push: Trump’s upcoming trip to China could open a back‑channel for de‑escalation, but success hinges on reconciling core demands over Iran’s nuclear programme. Escalation risk: If either side escalates military pressure in the Hormuz corridor, shipping costs could spike further, deepening the global energy crisis. Sanctions spiral: Additional U.S. and UK sanctions may tighten Iran’s financial lifelines, prompting Tehran to adopt asymmetric retaliation tactics.

The Rescue Operation UnderwayMalaysian authorities have launched an extensive search and rescue mission for 14 missing migrants after their boat carrying 37 undocumented individuals sank off the country's western coast. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Perak state confirmed that local fishermen have successfully rescued 23 people so far, while search operations continue for the remaining individuals.The Multi-Agency ResponseThe search operation involves a coordinated effort between multiple agencies. Two MMEA vessels, assisted by the marine police, the navy, and members of the local fishing community, are actively searching for the missing migrants. According to the Bernama news agency, the MMEA has deployed boats, a helicopter, and surveillance aircraft to maximize the search efforts.Origin and Destination of the MigrantsInitial investigations revealed that the migrants departed from Kisaran, Indonesia, on May 9 and were heading to several destinations in Malaysia, including Penang, Terengganu, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur. The rescued individuals, comprising 16 men and seven women, have been handed over to authorities for further investigations.Regional Context of Migrant CrossingsMalaysia is home to millions of migrants from poorer parts of Asia, many of them undocumented, working in industries including construction and agriculture. However, these crossings, often facilitated by human trafficking syndicates, are frequently hazardous, leading to boats capsizing. In one of the deadliest recent incidents, 36 migrants died in November 2025 after their boat capsized near the Thai-Malaysian coast. Activists estimate that between 100,000 to 200,000 Indonesians make the perilous journey each year.

Lead: Munrow’s 1968 Wigmore Hall debut ignited a new era In March 1968, David Munrow, then 25, walked onto the stage of London’s Wigmore Hall with a collection of rare medieval instruments. His tongue‑in‑cheek introductions and virtuosic playing turned the concert into a cultural flashpoint, setting the tone for a career that would popularise early music across Britain. The birth of the Early Music Consort and its rapid rise Munrow founded the Early Music Consort and, after the Wigmore Hall success, secured regular slots on BBC Radio 3 and television. By 1971 he was fronting the youth‑focused programme Pied Piper, delivering 655 episodes that built a loyal audience for medieval and Renaissance repertoire. Numbers that reshaped the early‑music market Released three landmark EMI box sets between 1969‑1974, including The Art of Courtly Love and The Art of the Netherlands. Recorded over a dozen LPs in a five‑year span, bringing previously obscure works to mainstream shelves. His television series Early Musical Instruments and Ancestral Voices reached millions, a rare feat for specialist classical programming. Why Munrow’s approach transformed the classical landscape Munrow combined scholarly research with theatrical flair, treating early instruments as living voices rather than museum pieces. Critics called him a “showman”, but his charisma made complex polyphony accessible, influencing later ensembles such as the Dufay Collective and inspiring musicians like Skip Sempé and countertenor James Bowman. Looking ahead: Munrow’s enduring legacy Even after his suicide in May 1976, Munrow’s programming ethos—variety, information, and expressive performance—continues to shape early‑music festivals, recording projects, and educational outreach. As new generations discover his recordings on streaming platforms, his vision of “unlimited delights” for listeners remains a benchmark for authenticity and entertainment in the genre.

The Thunder's Dominant Performance Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points as the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder advanced to the NBA Western Conference finals with a 115-110 victory over the Lakers on Monday, completing a four-game sweep in what potentially was LeBron James' final game for Los Angeles. Key Contributors to the Thunder's Victory Ajay Mitchell logged 28 points, Chet Holmgren produced 16 points and nine rebounds, and Jared McCain added 13 points as the Thunder improved to 8-0 in the playoffs. Oklahoma City is set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves or the San Antonio Spurs in the next round. The Lakers' Struggles The defending NBA champions shot 51.9% from the floor while the Lakers shot 50.7%. Oklahoma City won all eight games against Los Angeles in 2025-26, including the regular season. Austin Reaves put up 27 points, while Rui Hachimura added 25 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who head into the offseason with major changes possibly in store. LeBron James' Uncertain Future James, 41, amassed 24 points and 12 rebounds. He is now set to become an unrestricted free agent after a record 23 seasons in the league. The Lakers trailed by as many as 12 points in the third quarter before going on a 22-9 run to take a 76-75 lead with 2:03 left in the period. The Game's Climax Gilgeous-Alexander made two free throws with 12.2 seconds remaining for a 113-110 lead, and Reaves missed what would have been a game-tying 3-point attempt with eight seconds left. Mitchell put the game away by sinking two free throws with 6.4 seconds to go.