In a significant blow to public health efforts, the San Diego Epidemiology and Research for COVID Health program (SEARCH) has been forced to halt its wastewater analysis, a critical tool in monitoring viral outbreaks in the community. This decision comes in the wake of a nationwide reduction in federal public health funding, which has impacted local initiatives aimed at tracking infectious diseases.

Since its inception in February 2021, SEARCH has been a collaborative effort among UC San Diego, the Scripps Research Institute, and Rady Children’s Hospital. Utilizing advanced genomic techniques, the program analyzed wastewater samples from three treatment plants serving San Diego County’s 3.3 million residents. Initially focused on detecting the coronavirus, the program expanded to include other pathogens such as MPOX and is exploring methods to identify influenza, hepatitis, and measles.

In a groundbreaking endeavor, NASA, in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), is gearing up for the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, slated to transport rock and soil samples from Mars back to Earth in the 2030s. This mission aims to unlock the secrets of our neighboring planet and determine whether it harbored microbial life billions of years ago. As we await the arrival of these samples, let’s explore the mission’s intricate details and what scientists expect to discover.

In a striking exchange that highlights the ongoing tensions within the Trump administration, Elon Musk has publicly criticized Peter Navarro’s academic credentials, labeling a PhD in Economics from Harvard as a “bad thing.” This comment, made via an X post, underscores a broader disagreement between Musk and Navarro regarding trade policies and tariffs.

Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, directed his comments at Navarro, who serves as a senior advisor for trade and manufacturing under former President Donald Trump. Navarro, who has a background in academia with a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and advanced degrees from Harvard, has been a staunch advocate of the tariffs imposed by Trump on over 180 countries. These tariffs, which start at a baseline rate of 10%, are part of Trump’s strategy to “make America wealthy again” by revitalizing domestic manufacturing.

Ubisoft is venturing into new territory with the development of a turn-based tactics game set in the beloved Rainbow Six Siege universe. While details remain somewhat under wraps, sources indicate that this exciting new title is likely one to two years away from release, targeting current-generation consoles including the Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 5, PC, and potentially the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

The game is expected to feature a top-down camera perspective reminiscent of popular titles like Diablo 4 and XCOM. Players will take control of various operators from Rainbow Six Siege, each with unique skills and abilities. According to one source familiar with the project, “just watch some XCOM gameplay if you want to get an idea; I’d say it’s an updated version of that with cinematic cutscenes and so on.” This suggests a blend of strategic gameplay with engaging storytelling elements, a hallmark of Ubisoft’s recent offerings.

As a 24-year-old, the thought of retirement often feels distant and abstract. With the hustle of establishing a career and navigating the complexities of adulthood, it’s easy to sideline considerations for the future. However, recent conversations with retirees have illuminated the importance of early planning and the multifaceted nature of retirement, prompting a deeper reflection on what lies ahead.

Over the past several months, I engaged with over 200 older Americans as part of Business Insider’s “Retirement Regrets” series, along with insights from an additional 4,500 retirees. Their stories, rich with both triumphs and regrets, provided a compelling narrative about the realities of aging and financial security. While many retirees envisioned a future filled with travel, family time, and personal fulfillment, others faced challenges that forced them to rethink their golden years.

Excitement is building in the gaming community as new details about the highly anticipated game, Donkey Kong Bananza, have surfaced from the official Nintendo Switch 2 website in Korea. With a release date set for July 17, 2025, fans are eager to learn more about what this latest installment in the beloved franchise has to offer.

Recently, an updated version of the game’s key art was revealed, sparking intense speculation among fans. The image features a character that strikingly resembles Pauline, albeit in a younger form. This has led to questions about her identity—could she be Pauline herself, a younger version, her daughter, or perhaps a completely new character? Given her prominent placement in the key art, it’s likely that she will play a significant role in the game’s narrative.

As of April 6, 2025, the global economy is experiencing significant upheaval, largely driven by the controversial “reciprocal tariffs” introduced by former President Donald Trump. Aimed at reducing the United States’ dependency on foreign goods, these tariffs have led to chaos within the US-dominated global supply chain, leaving businesses and investors scrambling to navigate the fallout.

In just two days, Wall Street has witnessed an alarming decline, with approximately $5 trillion in market value evaporating—the steepest drop for the S&P 500 since the pandemic’s initial shock in 2020. This turmoil has particularly devastated the technology sector, which is heavily reliant on international trade and supply chains.

As of April 2, 2025, the U.S. financial landscape has been significantly altered following President Trump’s announcement of sweeping import tariffs aimed at various countries, including Canada, Mexico, and China. This “Liberation Day,” as dubbed by the president, has sent shockwaves through the stock market, resulting in the most considerable declines for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite since 2020. Investors are now grappling with the implications of these tariffs on corporate earnings and the broader economy.

In an exciting return to his acting roots, George Clooney has graced the Broadway stage with his latest theatrical endeavor, “Good Night, and Good Luck.” The legendary movie star, known for his iconic roles in hits like ER, Ocean’s Eleven, Burn After Reading, and The Ides of March, celebrated the opening night of his show at New York City’s Winter Garden Theater this past Thursday.

The play, which is based on the critically acclaimed film of the same name that Clooney co-directed in 2005, transports audiences back to the 1950s. It delves into the intense confrontation between celebrated journalist Edward R. Murrow and the notorious U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy, a key figure in the anti-communist movement and the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). According to Playbill, the narrative not only highlights the personal and professional risks faced by Murrow but also serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of journalistic integrity in the face of political pressure.

Iliza Shlesinger, the sharp-witted comedian known for her unapologetic takes on womanhood and parenting, brings her latest stand-up special, A Different Animal, to Prime Video. In this seventh special, Shlesinger dives headfirst into the complexities of motherhood, humorously addressing the phenomenon known as “mom brain.” According to her, this condition is scientifically backed; a 2016 study revealed that gray matter in women’s brains shrinks in areas associated with processing and social signals when they become mothers. This change, she argues, is not a sign of diminished intelligence but rather an evolutionary adaptation that helps women respond more effectively to parenting cues.