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Intermittent fasting, which restricts eating to specific time windows, has gained popularity as a diet trend embraced by celebrities and tech executives. While previous short-term research suggested benefits like improved metabolism and cellular repair, a new large-scale study analyzing data from over 19,000 adults raises serious concerns. The research found that people who limited their eating to less than eight hours daily faced a 135% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who ate over 12-14 hours. Though the link to overall mortality was weaker, this cardiovascular risk remained consistent across demographic groups, with researchers cautioning that individuals with existing health conditions should be especially wary of narrow eating windows.

The South Florida Detention Facility, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," is being shut down following a judge's order, just two months after opening in the Florida Everglades as part of President Trump's immigration crackdown. The temporary detention center, built in June to house about 3,000 immigrants, became highly controversial with conflicting reports about conditions inside - Republicans described it as well-maintained while Democrats claimed it was unsanitary. Family members of detainees like Michael Borrego Fernandez and Marco Alvarez Bravo have reported serious medical concerns and difficulty locating their loved ones within the system, with Michael's case now part of a lawsuit alleging detainees were denied proper access to legal counsel.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order directing city agencies on how to resist potential immigration enforcement actions threatened by the Trump administration. The order demands that federal agents "stand down" from deploying U.S. Armed Forces in Chicago, reaffirms existing city policies like body camera requirements, and prohibits local officers from participating in joint patrols with federal agents. This comes amid an escalating feud between the White House and Illinois officials, with Trump characterizing Chicago as "a killing field" while threatening to deploy troops similar to the 2,000 already stationed in Washington DC. The White House has dismissed Mayor Johnson's order as "a publicity stunt," while Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has described Trump's threats as an abuse of power.

In the unregulated body broker industry in the United States, private companies legally acquire corpses, dissect them, and sell body parts for profit to medical research centers and universities, contrasting with European countries where such practices are outlawed. The Reuters investigation identified 25 for-profit "non-transplant tissue banks" in America, with one earning $12.5 million over three years, taking advantage of regulatory gaps that allow charging for "processing" body parts while technically banning their sale. This industry has resulted in numerous controversies, including the disturbing case of Harold Dillard, whose donated body was allegedly dismembered with a chainsaw by Bio Care, and the donation of unclaimed bodies without proper attempts to contact next-of-kin. Despite these concerns, body donation plays a crucial role in medical education and technological advancements such as knee replacements and pacemakers, leading experts to call for stronger regulation rather than abolishing the practice entirely.

The Trump administration has initiated the termination of nearly 500 employees from Voice of America (VOA), a federally funded news organization. Acting CEO of VOA's parent agency, Kari Lake, justified the decision as a means to reduce federal bureaucracy and save taxpayer money, while a union representing employees has declared the action illegal. This latest move follows previous termination attempts that were rescinded due to procedural errors and comes amid ongoing legal challenges from employees, including a recent ruling where a judge determined proper procedures weren't followed in attempting to fire VOA's director. Critics view the administration's efforts to reduce VOA as an attack on press freedom and a diminishment of America's soft power abroad, while the administration has characterized the outlet as "anti-Trump" and "radical."

The article discusses the transatlantic slave trade as a foundational element of American history that shaped global economics from the 16th through 19th centuries. It highlights current political tensions surrounding how slavery is taught and remembered, with President Trump criticizing the Smithsonian Institution for its unvarnished portrayal of slavery's brutality. The piece explains how the slave trade operated as a three-step economic system that transported 17-30 million Africans to the Americas, creating an economic bridge between Europe, Africa, and the Americas that was crucial to global economic development. Various historians note that the slave trade was primarily driven by economic motivations rather than racial ones, though racism emerged as its consequence.

The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled that most of Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs represent an illegal overreach of presidential emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In a 7-4 decision, the court determined that the IEEPA does not grant the president authority to impose global tariffs, upholding a previous ruling by the Court of International Trade. The tariffs will remain in place until mid-October, allowing time for an appeal to the Supreme Court, which Trump has signaled he intends to pursue. Trump immediately rejected the ruling, calling it "highly partisan" and claiming it would "literally destroy the United States of America" if allowed to stand.

The White House is defending Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. amid significant turmoil at the CDC, including the firing of CDC Chief Dr. Susan Monarez for not aligning with the president's agenda and her replacement by Kennedy's deputy Jim O'Neill. At least three senior CDC leaders have resigned in protest over Kennedy's leadership and vaccine policies, while the agency has also permanently laid off 600 employees earlier this month, including those working on infectious diseases and environmental hazards. Kennedy, who lacks a medical degree and has a history of promoting debunked vaccine claims, has implemented funding cuts and changes to immunization recommendations that have prompted several Democratic and Republican lawmakers to express concerns, with some calling for his resignation. Despite the controversy, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller praised Kennedy as "a crown jewel of this administration" who is working to restore the CDC's credibility.

Global superstar Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce have announced their engagement after a two-year relationship that began in Kansas City. According to experts, their wedding is expected to be a highly secretive yet elaborate affair, with Swift likely taking significant control over the planning process rather than relying on celebrity planners. The couple managed to keep their engagement private for two weeks before announcing it, demonstrating Swift's characteristic approach to privacy and surprise. Wedding industry professionals speculate that Swift's gown will reflect her refined, romantic red-carpet style, possibly featuring multiple outfit changes, and that the venue may be a private, meaningful location rather than a conventional wedding venue.

The Trump administration has initiated a rare fiscal maneuver called a pocket rescission to cut $5 billion in previously approved foreign aid. This controversial action aims to claw back funds allocated by Congress earlier this year, including $3 billion for USAID, $900 million in State Department funds, $800 million for international peacekeeping, and over $300 million for promoting democracy abroad. The White House justified the cuts as part of efforts to address "woke, weaponised, and wasteful" government spending, though the legality of this approach has been questioned by experts and lawmakers who view it as bypassing Congress's constitutional power over federal spending. This maneuver hasn't been attempted by any president since Jimmy Carter in 1977.

of News Article on Harris' Secret Service Detail Cancellation President Trump has canceled former Vice-President Kamala Harris' Secret Service protection, which had been extended beyond the standard six-month post-office period by former President Biden. The Secret Service typically provides former vice-presidents with six months of protection after leaving office, though this can be extended by the homeland security secretary when warranted by information or conditions. While some allies of Harris have criticized the decision as politically motivated, sources indicate a recent threat assessment found no alarming concerns to justify continued protection. The cancellation comes just before Harris is set to begin a multi-city tour promoting her book "107 Days" about her presidential campaign.

A recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research reveals that America's wealthiest billionaires, representing the top 0.0002 percent of households, pay an effective tax rate of just 24 percent, which is lower than the 30 percent national average and significantly less than the 45 percent paid by top labor income earners. Using comprehensive data from 2010-2020, researchers Balkir, Saez, Yagan, and Zucman found that structural features of the U.S. tax code enable billionaires to minimize taxation through corporate ownership strategies that limit dividend distributions and through passthrough businesses that report negative taxable income despite high profits. The study shows that billionaire tax rates fell from about 30 percent to 24 percent following Donald Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which reduced corporate tax rates from 35 percent to 21 percent and expanded investment expensing provisions.

In an emergency court hearing, President Donald Trump's attempt to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook was challenged but ended without a ruling. Cook's legal team requested a temporary restraining order to prevent her removal, arguing the president's action was unlawful, while Trump claimed constitutional authority to remove her based on alleged false mortgage statements. This case could potentially escalate to the Supreme Court with significant implications for the Federal Reserve's independence. The dispute occurs amid Trump's increasing pressure on the Fed regarding interest rate policies, raising concerns about potential impacts on investor confidence and U.S. government borrowing costs.

Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC has opened the Hyatt House Washington DC Downtown Convention Center, a 184-room extended-stay hotel in DC's Shaw neighborhood managed by Donohoe Hospitality Services. The project represents a homecoming for company founder Evens Charles, a DC native who spent nearly a decade pursuing development opportunities in his hometown. The new hotel offers apartment-style accommodations with full kitchens, fitness facilities, and communal spaces, situated just two blocks from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Additionally, Frontier will soon debut REALM, an all-weather rooftop bar and lounge with panoramic views of the DC skyline, furthering their vision of creating culturally vibrant hospitality assets in high-demand urban areas.

The article examines the significant role of the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations in supporting and profiting from the transatlantic slave trade. It highlights how religious institutions justified slavery through biblical misinterpretations, particularly the "curse of Ham," while missionaries used Christianity as a tool alongside colonization. The piece specifically details Georgetown University's 2016 acknowledgment and apology for Jesuit priests selling 272 enslaved people in 1838 to financially save the institution. Additionally, the article contextualizes current political tensions around teaching slavery's history, noting former President Trump's criticism of the Smithsonian for its honest portrayal of slavery's brutality and impact.

The article commemorates the significance of the transatlantic slave trade in American history, emphasizing both its foundational impact on society and ongoing efforts to confront this painful legacy. It discusses how the UN's International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition on August 23rd marks the anniversary of the 1791 Santo Domingo slave rebellion that ultimately helped end slavery. The article highlights 2019 as the 500th anniversary of slavery in America and discusses various efforts to reexamine this history, including the HBCU Green Fund's "Sankofa Remix" initiative examining past, present, and future perspectives. It also notes concerns about attempts to sanitize or downplay the brutality of slavery in historical narratives, including criticism of the Trump administration's approach to historical exhibits.

Tennis legend Serena Williams has joined other public figures in discussing her use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss, revealing she lost 31 pounds since beginning treatment in 2023. These medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, have seen surging demand across the United States, with various surveys indicating between 6-12% of U.S. adults have used them for weight loss. While most users report the medications as effective, high costs remain a significant barrier, with monthly prices ranging from $936 to $1,349 before insurance, and medical guidelines typically recommend these drugs for adults with specific BMI thresholds and continued long-term use to maintain results.

of News Article The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights has concluded that George Mason University violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act through its diversity hiring initiatives implemented under President Gregory Washington. Following a six-week investigation, the department proposed an agreement requiring Washington to issue an apology and for the university to revise policies deemed discriminatory based on race. The investigation was launched after multiple professors complained about preferential treatment for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds, despite the university's efforts to make its predominantly white faculty more representative of its diverse student body. The probe is one of five civil rights investigations opened against GMU this summer, while the university's Board of Visitors has already eliminated several diversity programs.

San Diego's economy, the third largest in California with approximately 390,000 small businesses employing nearly 59% of the region, faces significant disparities in business ownership and wages. Only 1.2% of San Diego small businesses are Black or African American-owned, and small businesses generally pay 38% less than larger companies with over 100 employees. These wage disparities disproportionately affect people of color, with Black and Latino workers dominating lower-paying healthcare support roles (earning under $20/hour) while being underrepresented in higher-paying technology positions (earning over $50/hour). To address these challenges, California's Employment Development Department (EDD) offers six key resources including CalJOBS, America's Job Center of California locations, unemployment benefits assistance, employer resources, e-Services for Business, and phone support for unemployment claims.

President Trump has revoked former Vice President Kamala Harris' extended Secret Service protection, which was previously extended by Biden for an additional year beyond the standard six-month period. The protection will now end on September 1, 2023, just weeks before Harris begins her national book tour for "107 Days" on September 24. The decision has drawn criticism from officials including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who called it "an act of revenge" and expressed concerns about Harris' safety, particularly as a woman of color in politics who faces heightened risks of threats and harassment. Harris, who recently announced she would not run for California governor in 2026, has been critical of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles.

Over the past 20 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, hurricane forecasting has improved dramatically through technological advances and enhanced data collection methods. Modern forecasting now utilizes more frequent satellite imagery (every 10 minutes versus every 30 minutes in 2005), unmanned drones, ocean data from gliders and floats, and more powerful computing capabilities. These improvements have reduced the average tracking error in 48-hour forecasts by approximately 50 percent since 2005, though accurately predicting storm intensity remains challenging due to factors like vertical wind shear and atmospheric moisture. Despite these forecasting advances, effective communication of hurricane warnings remains a critical challenge, as demonstrated during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 when technically accurate forecasts failed to adequately convey the danger to officials and the public.

Dorsey Nunn's memoir "What Kind of Bird Can't Fly" has been banned in all California State Prisons despite receiving critical acclaim and nominations for literary awards. Nunn, who served prison time from 1972-1981 and later became the executive director of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, wrote the book to inspire incarcerated individuals as he was once inspired by books shared among prisoners. After donating hundreds of copies to incarcerated people, Nunn received notice from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that his book has been placed on the Centralized List of Disapproved Publications. The ban comes at a time when his memoir is gaining broader recognition, including being taught at UC Berkeley and nominated for the Northern California Book Award.

A deadly attack at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis left two children dead and 18 others injured when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire during prayer services. Police Chief Brian O'Hara reported that Westman, who previously attended the church's school, appeared "obsessed with killing children" and expressed hatred toward multiple groups including Jewish people and President Trump. The victims were identified as eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and ten-year-old Harper Moyski, whose grieving families have spoken publicly about their loss. Officials indicated the attacker, who died by suicide at the scene, legally purchased the firearms used in the attack and left notes expressing various hateful ideologies, with FBI Director Kash Patel describing the shooting as "an act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology."

A gun attack during Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis resulted in the deaths of two children - 10-year-old Harper Moyski and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel - while injuring 18 others. The victims' families have publicly shared their grief, with Fletcher's father Jesse Merkel asking people to remember his son for the loving child he was rather than how he died, while Harper's parents expressed hope that her memory would inspire action against gun violence. Police have not identified a clear motive but indicated the attacker held extreme anti-religious beliefs and had previously attended the school where 15 children and three elderly adults were among the wounded. Communities across Minneapolis and St. Paul have responded with vigils and moments of silence to honor the victims, with at least one person remaining in critical condition.

A federal judge has ordered a new trial for three former Memphis police officers who were convicted of witness tampering in the Tyre Nichols case, citing potential bias after the previous judge allegedly made comments suggesting one defendant was a gang member. Nichols, 29, died in 2023 after being beaten during a traffic stop, prompting nationwide protests against police brutality. The three officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith Jr.—were convicted on federal witness tampering charges but acquitted of civil rights violations causing death, while two other officers had previously pleaded guilty to their involvement. Judge Sheryl Lipman took over the case in June after the original judge recused himself following controversial comments reportedly made about gang infiltration in the Memphis Police Department.

Texas Senate Bill 17 (SB 17), set to take effect September 1, 2025, prohibits people and companies from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing property in Texas, with limited exceptions for US citizens, green card holders, and visa holders seeking a primary residence. Signed by Governor Greg Abbott, who called it the "toughest ban in America" against foreign "adversaries," the law has sparked significant opposition from those who view it as discriminatory, particularly against Chinese Americans. The legislation impacts both individuals and businesses, with potential fines exceeding $250,000 or jail time for violations, while advocacy groups like the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance have mounted legal challenges against the law. This controversial measure is part of a broader trend, with 26 states having passed similar legislation targeting foreign property ownership since 2021.

President Donald Trump has announced the firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud, marking an unprecedented challenge to the central bank's independence. Cook has refused to step down, stating the president lacks the authority to remove her, and her lawyer announced plans to sue. Cook, who made history in 2022 as the first Black woman to serve on the Fed's board of governors, was appointed by President Biden for a term running through 2038. The controversy centers on accusations from Trump appointee Bill Pulte that Cook claimed two primary residences in 2021 to secure better mortgage terms.

Coco Gauff advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 victory over Ajla Tomljanovic despite continuing struggles with her serve, including 10 double faults. The defending champion recently enlisted biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan to help address her serving issues, which have been a persistent problem this season with 320 double faults prior to this tournament. Despite the serving challenges, Gauff's excellent court coverage, strong backhand, and net play ultimately secured her victory in a nearly three-hour match. As the tournament progresses, Gauff has a chance to overtake her competitors and reach the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career.

Naomi Osaka, the two-time U.S. Open champion and current No. 23 seed, defeated Greet Minnen 6-3, 6-4 in her first-round match on Tuesday night. Osaka made a fashion statement by entering the court with sparkly red roses in her ponytail that complemented her crystallized Nike bubble hem skirt, though she removed the hair accessory before playing due to its weight. The elaborate outfit was specifically designed as her "night outfit" for playing under the lights in New York, with the crystalized performance attire requiring significant preparation time. Osaka explained that while the outfit design was planned well in advance, the idea for the decorative hair roses came together just two weeks before the match.