Ten years after “Hillbilly Elegy” catapulted its author into public view, JD Vance is publishing a new memoir, “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.” The vice president explains the book as a sort of self-help guide for the spiritually lost: “… by sharing my journey I might be helpful to others – Catholic, Protestant, or ...Read more

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup starts on June 11, 2026, traditional news and social media channels will be full of pictures of the players. Many of them will be showing their tattoos.

Body art has become increasingly part of international soccer, although its prevalence can vary across geographical regions. A study of athletes ...Read more

The Trump administration on May 20, 2026, indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro for murder, based on the downing of two planes near the Cuban coastline in 1996 that killed four people.

As a historian of Latin America and U.S. foreign policy, I believe the indictment may be the prelude to direct U.S. military action against Cuba...Read more

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

Can kids go to prison? – Artie, age 10, New York City

The United States has a special justice system for people under age 18. But youth can be tried in adult courts and go ...Read more

More people are talking about the Declaration of Independence now than they likely have for decades, largely because of the festivities, exhibits, historical commemorations and other public events associated with the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence.

But even as they discuss the historical meaning, purpose and ideas...Read more

Every internet search, streamed video and AI-generated response depends on a data center somewhere. Driven by rapid growth in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and cryptocurrency, data centers have become the backbone of the modern digital economy. But though their key role is in enabling virtual and remote experiences, data centers ...Read more

President Donald Trump’s choice for acting director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, has proved controversial. Pulte’s lack of background in national security matters has sparked resistance from Democrats on Capitol Hill, which is not surprising. But some Republicans, too, have expressed dismay at the president’s choice, a Trump ...Read more

MIAMI — Doral real estate broker George Pino walked into a Miami courtroom Monday afternoon to face trial in connection to a 2022 boat crash that killed a teen girl.

Pino, 54, is charged with manslaughter and vessel homicide in the Sept. 4, 2022, crash that killed 17-year-old Luciana “Lucy” Fernandez and left Katerina “Katy” Puig, now...Read more

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has named a circuit court judge to oversee the retrial of Alex Murdaugh.

Debra McCaslin, a former criminal defense attorney, will have the duties of overseeing what is expected to be one of the state’s highest profile trials.

Among the decisions she will have to make is the date of any ...Read more

NEW YORK — The suspect cops say stabbed five men in an unprovoked spree in Manhattan’s Penn Station appears to have mental health issues, police sources said Monday.

The suspect is apparently homeless and has prior arrests in New Jersey for assault and drugs, sources said. His rampage started about 7 p.m. Sunday in the boarding area for New...Read more

Raúl Castro reappeared in public in Cuba to celebrate his 95th birthday for the first time since his indictment in the United States, in an official event that turned into an act of defiance against the Trump administration’s intensified pressure on Cuban leaders to enact democratic changes.

Castro, appearing notably thinner in his olive-...Read more

WASHINGTON — Former Sen. Bob Packwood, whose immense political influence was marred by a major sexual misconduct scandal, died Saturday at the age of 93.

The Oregon Republican served nearly 27 years in the Senate, but resigned in 1995 after the Senate Ethics Committee voted to recommend expelling him for sexual misconduct, abuse of office and...Read more

Iran and Israel agreed to ease strikes against each other after a flare-up in violence threatened to derail peace negotiations and led President Donald Trump to appeal for de-escalation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised statement Monday that Israel would hold fire in Iran for now. Earlier, local TV station N12 ...Read more

BEIRUT — Israel and Iran suspended military attacks on each other Monday, heeding President Donald Trump’s call to end a flare-up that threatened derail a brittle two-month ceasefire and engulf the Middle East in all-out conflict once again.

Iran’s military said in a statement on Iranian state media that it had “delivered a painful ...Read more

NEW YORK — Five people were stabbed at Manhattan’s Penn Station late Sunday in an act of “horrific violence,” with one person in serious condition, according to the FDNY.

A suspect is in custody. It was not immediately clear what the motive may have been.

The attack unfolded just after 7 p.m. at the train station on West 33rd Street ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — The Imperial Beach City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to authorize the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office to install four automated license plate reader cameras and launch a two-month pilot program for two public safety cameras, joining a growing number of San Diego County jurisdictions using the technology.

The 4-0 vote, ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — More than five years after San Diego voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of a stronger, more independent system of police oversight, the city’s Commission on Police Practices still lacks many of the powers voters were promised.

Nearly 75% of San Diego voters approved Measure B in November 2020 amid nationwide calls for ...Read more

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Advocates are holding town hall meetings, driving buses around the state and organizing thousands of phone calls to leaders in the California Legislature to convince them to reject changes to immigrant healthcare coverage proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom ahead of looming deadlines.

The governor wants to increase a monthly ...Read more

BOSTON — Some domestic violence crimes like murder and non-negligent manslaughter are trending up in Massachusetts, according to a new statewide report.

The State Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team’s 2025 Annual Report noted there was a nearly 20% increase in those crimes in 2024, compared to 2023.

There were 31 murders and non-...Read more

On hot summer days, few things are more refreshing than a dip in the pool. But have you ever wondered if the pool is as clean as that crystal blue water appears?

As an immunologist and infectious disease specialist, I study how germs spread in public spaces and how to prevent the spread. I even teach a course called “The Infections ...Read more