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The cost of blind loyalty Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty Images President Trump trained elected Republicans to obey him, even when they disagreed. Elected Republicans trained Trump to expect obedience, even as his demands grew impossible to satisfy. Why it matters: Years of Republicans submitting to Trump, often against their own judgment, have curdled into a rolling crisis as Washington nears the likely end of the GOP's two-year monopoly, Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen write in a "Behind the Curtain" column. 🥊 The big picture: Trump has spent his second term steamrolling his own party, confident the lawmakers he humiliates will keep voting his way. You see it everywhere: He canceled the signing of a landmark bipartisan housing bill just hours before the ceremony — trying to strong-arm the Senate into passing the SAVE America Act, a sweeping voter ID bill with no realistic path to 60 (or even 50) votes. He dismissed the housing bill — which his own White House had called "one of the most significant pieces of housing affordability legislation in American history" — as "of minor importance." He berated the "Four Republican Losers" in the Senate who voted this week to rein in his Iran war powers, calling the rebuke "poorly timed and meaningless." (Hours after his barrage, Republicans passed a symbolic reversal.) He blew up a bipartisan scramble aimed at renewing the government's FISA surveillance powers, demanding the SAVE Act on voting rules be bolted on. He let the authority lapse rather than back down. He yanked his own intelligence nominee, Jay Clayton, from a confirmation hearing hours before it began, leaving the nation's spy agencies under an acting director both parties distrust. He refused to brief Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and other senators on his Iran deal until after the text was finally released, leaving them to defend terms they hadn't seen. He blindsided senators by proposing a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund just as they moved a $70 billion immigration package, defending Jan. 6 rioters who attacked the building where the senators work. 👀 Between the lines: Trump is governing like a term-limited president with little patience for Congress, few concerns about the midterms and an insatiable appetite for executive power. Republican lawmakers are still stuck with Senate rules, swing-state politics and the long-term consequences of his maximalist demands — like blowing up the filibuster to pass the SAVE Act. "I don't think about Americans' financial situation," Trump told reporters in May when asked whether domestic economic pressure was shaping his Iran negotiations. "I don't care about the midterms," he said to his Cabinet two weeks later, dismissing the idea that Iran could wait him out on peace talks. 🏛️ What we're hearing: The first sustained check on Trump's second-term power is coming from rebellious GOP senators, especially those whose careers he cut short for insufficient loyalty. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), beaten in a Trump-backed primary, was initially among those voting to curb the president's Iran war powers. Trump and Cassidy got in a shouting match during a closed-door Senate lunch. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who chose retirement over a humiliating primary, has become the face of GOP resistance in the Senate — publicly savaging Trump nominees, opposing any move to weaken the filibuster and vowing to "do everything I can" to block the SAVE Act. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who voted with Trump 99% of the time before Trump backed a primary challenger anyway, joined Tillis and Cassidy in refusing to advance attorney general nominee Todd Blanche over concerns about the "anti-weaponization" fund. Top Republicans tell us Trump's response — lashing out ineffectively — could be a preview of how he'll play his cards over the next 2½ years as his power wanes. He'll technically be a lame duck after November's midterms. A favorable midterm environment could hand Democrats the House, even with Republicans' redistricting edge. The Senate is in play, too. "The Senate is now behaving like the Senate," said a longtime Trump ally who knows Congress well. "More to come. If he loses the Senate, his presidency will be effectively over. Yet he's acting like it doesn't matter."

THIS DAY IN HISTORY June 26 1948 U.S. begins Berlin Airlift The Berlin Airlift begins. U.S. and British pilots begin delivering food and supplies by airplane to Berlin after the city is isolated by a Soviet Union blockade. read more Sponsored Content by REVCONTENT 1990s 1993 President Clinton punishes Iraq for plot to kill George H.W. Bush 21st Century 2003 Former U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond dies Ancient Americas 1541 Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of the Incas, assassinated Arts & Entertainment 1975 Sonny and Cher’s divorce becomes final Civil War 1862 Rebels strike Union at the Battle of Mechanicsville Inventions & Science 1974 Pack of chewing gum becomes first-ever item scanned with a UPC barcode 1956 Congress approves Federal-Aid Highway Act 1959 St. Lawrence Seaway officially opened LGBTQ+ History 2015 Same-sex marriage is made legal nationwide with Obergefell v. Hodges decision 2003 Lawrence v. Texas is decided U.S. Presidents 1844 President John Tyler weds his second wife 1963 John F. Kennedy claims solidarity with the people of Berlin World War I 1917 First U.S. troops arrive in France World War II 1945 United Nations Charter signed

> US stock markets close mixed (S&P 500 -0.0%, Dow +0.1%, Nasdaq -0.5%) | US Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index—key inflation metric monitored by the Fed—rose 4.1% year over year in May, highest level in three years (More) > Apple shares drop 6% after it raises prices for MacBooks and iPads due to higher memory chip and storage costs (More, w/price hikes) | Microsoft raises Xbox console prices for third time in 13 months due to higher component costs (More) > Dating app Bumble reportedly exploring sale amid slow growth | Inside the dramatic story behind Bumble's founding—including a Russian billionaire and a Tinder cofounder (More)

The Lithium Boom Is Heating Up Lithium stock prices have more than doubled in the past year in response to ballooning costs and shortages. $ALB climbed 165%. $SQM, 136%. But the real winner may be a $1B private stock, EnergyX. This unicorn’s tech can recover up to 3X more lithium than traditional methods at speeds 500X faster. Now, after opening America’s largest lithium facility of its kind and announcing a new potential $600M/year project in Utah, they’re preparing to unlock up to 13M tons of lithium. Industry leaders like General Motors and POSCO have already invested. Join them as an EnergyX investor before the 7/16 deadline.*

> IBM unveils world's first sub-1-nanometer chip technology, expected to enable significantly more powerful computers without a corresponding energy increase (More) | How small is a nanometer? (More) > Gene editing enables scientists to see an early human embryo in detail, revealing a master gene crucial to development; finding may improve IVF outcomes and reduce pregnancy loss (More) | Understand the gene-editing technique (More, w/video) > Astronomers discover two planets the size of Jupiter but lighter than cotton candy; they are likely composed primarily of helium and hydrogen (More)

David Clayton-Thomas, lead singer of the Grammy-winning band Blood, Sweat & Tears, dies at age 84 (More) | Listen to "Spinning Wheel," one of the band's hits written by Clayton-Thomas (More)

'Peppa Pig' Contract Doesn't Fly Nearly 1,000 people have signed an open letter condemning contracts requiring child actors to sign over their voices to AI. The letter comes after Hasbro, which owns the “Peppa Pig” brand, reportedly updated its contracts to include the clause. The new contracts come after Hasbro presented an AI version of Peppa Pig this year, in partnership with ElevenLabs. It’s not clear if six-year-old Harriette Cox, who began voicing the character last year, licensed her voice for the project. (See part of the demo via LinkedIn.) Child advocates say kids are too young to sign over rights to their voices or images indefinitely. If they refuse, however, they risk losing out on business opportunities. “Peppa Pig” is a Nick Jr. show with tens of millions of YouTube subscribers. The animated series is one of dozens of entertainment projects owned by Hasbro; adaptations of Monopoly, My Little Pony, Magic: The Gathering, and Furby are currently in development.

Trumpy USPS Boss Admits He Plans to Cause Election Chaos President Trump’s postmaster general gave a worrying answer about delivering mail-in ballots. President Donald Trump’s postmaster general told senators that under a newly proposed rule, the U.S. Postal Service would refuse to deliver mail-in ballots in states that withhold their voter rolls from the Trump administration. The USPS is considering a new rule that would require states to provide the names, addresses, and ballot barcode numbers for anyone who requests a mail-in ballot, effectively providing the Trump administration with a federal absentee voter database. Asked during a Homeland Security Committee hearing Wednesday whether USPS would deliver election mail if states refuse to hand over their voter lists, Postmaster General David Steiner responded unequivocally. “Under our proposed regulation, no,” he replied. “We would tell the state that we need the manifest.” The move comes as White House insiders have expressed alarm about Republicans’ chances in the November midterm elections in the face of Trump’s record-low approval ratings and widespread voter dissatisfaction with the war in Iran and the cost-of-living crisis. The proposed rule would require state election officials to hand over the list at least 30 days before ballots are sent out under state law, and voters who aren’t on the list wouldn’t receive a ballot. It cites Trump’s March executive order seeking to create lists of eligible voters and restrict mail-in voting, which Trump has repeatedly described as “cheating” despite mailing in his own ballots. At least five lawsuits have challenged the executive order, which was in jeopardy Thursday after a federal judge ruled the Trump administration was trying to unlawfully interfere with states’ administration of federal elections. The Constitution explicitly grants states the authority to run elections while giving Congress a limited oversight role. During the Homeland Security Committee hearing, ranking Democrat Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan said the proposed rule was illegal and would “coerce” states into providing the Trump administration with sensitive voter data. The Justice Department last summer asked nearly every state for copies of their statewide voter registration lists. When officials from 30 states and the District of Columbia refused, the administration sued to try to obtain the information. So far, nine federal district courts and the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals have ruled in favor of the states, CBS News reported Wednesday. “This is basically a back-door way for the federal government to get voting information that states control under the U.S. Constitution,” Peters told Steiner. “You are going to make a decision that people cannot vote by mail… That’s unacceptable.” Steiner responded to the criticism by saying the rule was not an attempt to federalize elections, but rather sought to ensure “the right ballots are going to the right people.” The American Postal Workers Union, however, issued a statement this month saying it was “deeply alarmed” by the proposed change, which it called an “unconstitutional attack on the millions of Americans who vote by mail.” “The union rejects the premise that the USPS has to comply with the Executive Order” underpinning the new rule, the statement said.Public comments on the proposed change can be submitted until July 2, while the executive order instructs the postal service to issue its final rule by the end of the month. https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-postmaster-general-david-steiner-admits-usps-wouldnt-mail-absentee-ballots-in-under-new-rule/? ps:How much more pathetic can this administration get??

📺 1 for the road: Hot new TV tech A new Samsung RGB TV on display at CES in Las Vegas in January. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images Best Buy will be the exclusive national retailer for new RGB LED TVs — a rollout it calls the biggest change in TV tech in over a decade, Axios' Kelly Tyko reports. RGB LEDs use thousands of red, green and blue backlights for better colors and contrast, Wired explains. 🤩 Incoming Best Buy CEO Jason Bonfig said: "It's not just a spec change — the colors are physically produced differently, and it's something you'll notice immediately." Models will start at $999, in sizes from 50 to 116 inches. Go deeper.

🍎 Apple is hiking MacBook and iPad prices, blaming the "rapid expansion of AI data centers" for causing an "extraordinary surge in demand for memory and storage." The company said: "We know this is not welcome news, and we are working tirelessly to find solutions." Go deeper.

A new paper published in Frontiers in Nutrition argues that current public health recommendations for exercise and protein intake are largely aimed at preventing deficiency, not helping people achieve the best possible long-term health, independence, and quality of life. The paper tackles several fundamental questions: How much protein do people really need? What types of exercise offer the greatest benefits? And what does the latest research show? According to author Dr. Chris Macdonald (Fellow of Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, and Director of the Better Protein Institute), a growing body of evidence suggests that people may benefit from higher levels of physical activity and protein consumption than current guidelines typically recommend. "Public health advice often focuses on the minimum people need to avoid problems," said Dr. Macdonald. "But many people want to know what they should do to remain strong, independent, and mentally sharp throughout life." Exercise and Healthy Aging The paper reviews research linking regular exercise to a wide range of health benefits, including a lower risk of death, better mental health, stronger cognitive function, and greater resistance to age-related decline. The evidence also suggests that combining aerobic activities such as walking, running, or cycling with resistance training may provide especially powerful benefits. Dr. Macdonald argues that physical activity should be viewed not only as a way to avoid disease, but also as a tool for maintaining strength, mobility, and independence throughout life. Protein Intake Beyond Minimum Requirements The review also takes a closer look at protein recommendations. Current UK guidelines are based primarily on preventing protein deficiency in sedentary adults. However, the paper points to newer research suggesting that physically active people, older adults, and pregnant women may benefit from significantly higher protein intake. The review further highlights evidence that higher-protein diets can support fat loss (due to increased satiety and thermic effect), making them beneficial for body composition as well as overall health. Importantly, the paper notes that higher protein consumption is not limited to meat-based diets. With thoughtful meal planning, plant-based diets can also provide sufficient protein, as demonstrated by the growing number of vegan powerlifters and bodybuilders. From Minimum Health to Optimal Health Rather than replacing existing recommendations, Dr. Macdonald suggests supplementing them with guidance focused on what he calls "optimal health outcomes." He argues that people would benefit from clearer and more practical information about how exercise and nutrition can support long-term physical and cognitive performance. In addition to updating guidelines, Dr. Macdonald believes there needs to be a shift in how society views exercise and protein intake. "… high-intensity exercise and high-protein diets are often associated with bodybuilders and superficial aesthetic goals. However, high-intensity exercise and high-protein diets also empower the general population to extend their lifespan and healthspan. Therefore, it is less about having 'abs' and a 'beach body' and more about being able to lift up, play with, and even remember, your grandchildren thanks to a strong and resilient body and mind. When we see a stereotypical image of a hunched-over slow, fragile person with ill health, in their later years, it seems like an inevitable consequence of "Father Time," however, I propose that in most cases, it is evidence of a non-evidence-based lifestyle. In short, we should not be quick to normalize and accept the consequences of a largely sedentary lifestyle; we should proactively empower people to reclaim their health and their independence. The reduction in unnecessary suffering would be profound." https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260622091429.htm

Scientists found that a common saturated fat, palmitic acid, may promote processes linked to type 2 diabetes, including inflammation and impaired insulin function. Meanwhile, oleic acid—the main fat in olive oil—shows protective effects that could help keep metabolism on track. Credit: Shutterstock Researchers are taking a closer look at how different types of dietary fat may influence the risk of type 2 diabetes, a disease that affects millions of people worldwide and is linked to serious health complications and premature death. A new review published in Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism (Cell Press) explores the contrasting effects of two major fatty acids found in the diet: palmitic acid and oleic acid. The work was led by teams from the CIBER Area for Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM) at the University of Barcelona. "Palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid widely found in foods, is associated with impaired insulin sensitivity, whereas oleic acid, abundant in olive oil, may have a protective effect against these metabolic disorders," says Professor Manuel Vázquez-Carrera, from the UB's Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, the UB Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute (IRSJD) and CIBERDEM. Other contributors include Ricardo Rodríguez-Calvo of CIBERDEM at the Pere Virgili Institute for Health Research (IISPV), Marta Tajes of the CIBER Area for Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBERCV) at the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), and Walter Wahli of the University of Lausanne (Switzerland). According to Vázquez-Carrera, the findings suggest that the type of fat people consume may be more important than the overall amount. "This review highlights the significant role of the quality of dietary fat, rather than the total amount consumed," notes Professor Manuel Vázquez-Carrera, who is a group leader at CIBERDEM at the UB. How Palmitic Acid May Promote Diabetes The researchers examined evidence showing that palmitic acid can trigger several biological processes linked to metabolic disease. As Xavier Palomer (UB-IBUB-CIBER-IRSJD), the article's first author, says, "at the molecular level, palmitic acid promotes the accumulation of potentially toxic bioactive lipids, fosters low-grade chronic inflammation, and contributes to the dysfunction of cellular organelles, such as the endoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondria." The team notes that these cellular changes "are closely linked to impaired insulin action and the progression of metabolic disease." Oleic Acid Shows Protective Effects The picture looks quite different for oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat found in high amounts in olive oil. According to the review, oleic acid encourages the body to store fats in forms that are metabolically less disruptive and have little effect on normal cellular function. It also helps maintain healthy insulin signaling in important metabolic tissues, including the liver, muscles, and adipose tissue. Researchers say oleic acid may also offset many of the harmful effects associated with palmitic acid. This could help explain why eating patterns rich in monounsaturated fats, including the Mediterranean diet, are consistently linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Improving Nutrition Strategies for Diabetes Prevention The authors emphasize that more targeted research is needed to better understand differences seen across population studies. "It is important to consider variables such as the source of fatty acids, their dietary context, interactions with other nutrients, and different food processing methods," says Manuel Vázquez-Carrera. The researchers believe that gaining a clearer understanding of these factors will improve scientists' ability to evaluate how different fats affect metabolic health. In turn, that knowledge could support the development of more effective dietary approaches for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260621060318.htm

A minimally invasive procedure for chronic knee pain is helping some patients find significant relief without undergoing major surgery. For Cynthia Schraf-Fletcher, 74, the results were "remarkably" successful. Nearly a year after receiving genicular artery embolization (GAE) on her right knee, Schraf-Fletcher says the improvement is comparable to the total knee replacement she previously underwent on her left knee. "I couldn't be more pleased," says Schraf-Fletcher, who had the procedure performed by Leigh Casadaban, MD, MS, assistant professor of radiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. Today, she says everyday activities such as gardening and riding a stationary bicycle are far more enjoyable because of the reduction in pain. How Genicular Artery Embolization Works GAE is an outpatient procedure designed to ease chronic knee pain by reducing blood flow to inflamed areas within the joint. By targeting abnormal blood vessels associated with inflammation, the treatment can help decrease swelling and discomfort. "For treating osteoarthritis in the knees, we often think of medications, physical therapy, maybe a steroid injection, and then on the far end of the spectrum is a total knee replacement. There really hasn't been anything for patients in between," Casadaban, a vascular interventional radiologist, says. "GAE is a promising minimally invasive procedure that may fill that spot for people who have failed conservative treatments but are not yet ready to have a major surgery." According to Casadaban, people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis tend to benefit the most. Patients with more advanced disease can also undergo the procedure, although the effects are generally less durable. "We find about 70% of patients have phenomenal results. They cut their pain scores in half, sometimes more. We have a few patients with no pain at all after the procedure," Casadaban says. "Patients that have tried a lot of other treatments and haven't had pain relief are happy to get back to their normal activities." After experiencing complications from knee replacement surgery, Schraf-Fletcher was eager to explore another option. Looking back, she says choosing GAE was the right decision. What Happens During the Procedure? GAE typically takes between one and two hours and is performed under conscious sedation. During the procedure, an interventional radiology team makes a small incision near the crease of the leg. Using X-ray imaging and contrast dye for guidance, doctors advance a tiny catheter through the femoral artery until it reaches the genicular arteries around the knee. Once in position, the team releases microscopic beads that block blood flow to the abnormal vessels located in the painful areas identified by the patient. Patients are monitored for several hours afterward and are usually able to return home the same day. Doctors generally advise taking it easy for a few days during recovery. Originally developed in Japan a little more than a decade ago, GAE has steadily gained attention worldwide. Since 2021, the FDA has granted "breakthrough device status" to multiple devices related to the procedure in the United States. Research Suggests Long Lasting Pain Relief Early and ongoing research continues to produce encouraging results. "The theory is that GAE reduces inflammation inside the knee joint, and symptom relief can last years," Casadaban says. "Four-year data published in Japan shows that if you have one outpatient procedure, your pain relief can last for those four years. In the U.S., we now have two-year data, which shows that if you have a good response, pain relief can last two years. That really speaks to the theory that we're hopefully modifying something in the joint." Casadaban is currently leading two clinical trials at CU Anschutz. One study is examining changes in knee fluid among patients receiving GAE. The other is evaluating a temporary arterial treatment device called Nexsphere-F, which blocks small blood vessels in the knee that may contribute to inflammation and pain. Expanding Beyond Knee Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people each year and can occur in many different joints throughout the body. Although GAE is currently used only for knee conditions, Casadaban says researchers and physicians are beginning to explore its use for other painful musculoskeletal disorders, including frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, and plantar fasciitis. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260622091502.htm

A placebo, or fake supplement, may offer real benefits for older adults, according to new research from psychologists at the Università Cattolica in Milan. After taking placebo pills for three weeks, participants showed improvements in both physical performance and cognitive function. Surprisingly, the benefits were seen even when participants knew the pills contained no active ingredients. The study, published in the International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, was led by Diletta Barbiani, Alessandro Antonietti, and Francesco Pagnini. It was supported by PNRR grants through the Age-IT project. "The study is part of an established line of research in which we analyze the role of the mind in aging processes, which is very important," says Pagnini, Full Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Faculty of Psychology of the Università Cattolica. Testing the Placebo Effect in Healthy Aging Until now, no research had investigated whether a traditional placebo could influence abilities that naturally decline with age. "Our goal," Professor Pagnini explains, "was to clarify whether an open-label placebo therapy (i.e., where the recipient is aware it is a placebo) or a fake supplement (people don't know it's a placebo) could influence psychological, cognitive, and physical functions in older adults living in the community." To explore that question, the researchers recruited 90 healthy older adults and randomly assigned them to one of three groups. One group received no treatment at all. A second group received placebo pills but was told the pills contained active ingredients designed to improve well-being and physical function. The third group received the same inactive pills but was openly informed that the pills were placebos that could still trigger beneficial mind-body responses. Before and after the three-week study, participants completed questionnaires (providing information on levels of perceived stress, psychological well-being, sleepiness, fatigue, optimism, self-efficacy, and stereotypes about aging). They also took objective tests measuring short-term memory, selective attention, and physical performance. Memory, Stress, and Physical Performance Improved After three weeks, the participants who knowingly took placebo pills experienced lower stress levels than both the deceptive placebo group and the control group. They also showed significant improvements in short-term memory compared with those who received no intervention. Overall, both placebo groups experienced gains in cognitive and physical performance, although the strongest improvements were generally seen among participants who knew they were taking a placebo. Physical performance increased by 7% in the deceptive placebo group and by 9.2% in the open-label placebo group. Cognitive performance also improved. Depending on the specific test, scores increased by between 12.6% and 14.6% among participants who believed they were taking a real supplement, while those who knowingly took a placebo improved by between 6.9% and 21.5%. "These are significant effects," the psychologist emphasizes, "comparable to those seen in some experimental studies on physical activity regarding physical performance and cognitive training, especially with regard to memory." Researchers also observed reductions in drowsiness. Stress levels improved most noticeably among participants who were aware they were taking a placebo. A New Approach to Healthy Aging? The findings suggest that placebo treatments can improve several aspects of functioning in older adults, with open-label placebos performing as well as, or in some cases better than, deceptive placebos. According to the researchers, this makes open-label placebos a promising and ethically acceptable strategy for supporting healthy aging. Professor Pagnini says the results add to growing scientific evidence that the mind plays an important role in the aging process. Thoughts, emotions, and self-perception may influence not only psychological well-being but also physical abilities and cognitive function, highlighting the powerful connection between the mind and the body. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260625060159.htm

⚖️ Trump gets immigration SCOTUS wins Photo illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images President Trump notched a pair of Supreme Court wins for his immigration agenda today. 🇺🇸 🇲🇽 In one major 6-3 decision, the court cleared the way for the Trump administration to revive a policy limiting the number of daily asylum applicants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Human rights advocates said it created a crisis as thousands of people settled in unsafe makeshift shelters to await their turn. The Trump administration said it was necessary to deal with a huge increase in applicants. More from Axios' Brittany Gibson. 🇭🇹🇸🇾 In another ruling, the court allowed the administration to end legal protections for migrants fleeing violence and natural disasters in Haiti and Syria. The move exposes hundreds of thousands of people to potential deportation. Go deeper. Two other headline-grabbing decisions came down today: The Court ruled that consumers can't use state courts to sue manufacturers that don't warn about hazards tied to their products. And it struck down a Hawaii state law requiring people to get permission to carry guns into stores or hotels.

A surprising new study suggests that one of the world’s most widely used weedkillers may be helping dangerous bacteria become harder to kill. Credit: Shutterstock Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) contributes to an estimated 1.1 million to 1.4 million deaths worldwide each year. While this growing threat is typically linked to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, new research suggests another factor may also be playing a role: certain weedkillers. Scientists have found evidence that glyphosate, one of the world's most widely used herbicides, may help select for bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics. "Here we show that the most common species of multidrug-resistant bacteria from hospitals are not only resistant to multiple antibiotic classes, but also to high concentrations of the weedkiller glyphosate," said Dr. Daniela Centrón, a researcher at the Institute of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology in Buenos Aires and the senior author of the study published in Frontiers in Microbiology. "These results suggest that weedkillers -- which, unlike antibiotics, are widely applied in agricultural environments -- may have the unintended side-effect of selecting for AMR among bacterial communities within the soil." For decades, Roundup was closely associated with glyphosate, the herbicide first registered in the United States in 1974. Today, the answer is more complicated. Home-use Roundup products found in many hardware and garden stores have been reformulated without glyphosate and may contain ingredients such as triclopyr, fluazifop, and diquat. But glyphosate remains in professional and agricultural Roundup products used in farming, landscaping, and other commercial settings. Testing Bacteria From Nature, Farms, and Hospitals To investigate the connection, Centrón and her colleagues analyzed 68 bacterial strains collected in 2018 and 2020 from sediment in a protected nature reserve in the Paraná delta, a wetland region north of Buenos Aires. Although herbicides have never been applied inside the reserve, glyphosate is commonly used in nearby agricultural areas. The researchers examined how resistant each strain was to 16 commonly used antibiotics, including ampicillin combined with sulbactam, meropenem, tetracycline, and vancomycin. They also tested resistance to pure glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides, which are among the most widely used weedkillers worldwide. The findings were then compared with 19 bacterial strains obtained from local hospitals, including multidrug-resistant species. An additional 15 strains came from feedlots and agricultural soils affected by herbicide use. Hospital Superbugs Also Resist Glyphosate The hospital strains showed widespread antimicrobial resistance. Individual strains were resistant to between one and 16 of the antibiotics tested. Particularly concerning was the finding that 74% were resistant to carbapenems, a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics often reserved as a last line of defense against serious infections. All of the hospital-derived strains were also highly resistant to glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides. "This means that if these bacteria enter the environment through untreated wastewater from hospitals, they could go on to thrive in agricultural areas where glyphosate is used," said first author Dr. Camila Knecht from Dr. Centrón's research group. The 68 strains collected from the Paraná delta represented 15 different genera, including Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Exiguobacterium, and Chryseobacterium. Every one of them displayed at least some resistance to glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides, despite the fact that these chemicals had never been applied within the reserve itself. Among the environmental strains, Enterobacter species tolerated the highest glyphosate concentrations, surviving levels of up to 80 milligrams per milliliter. In contrast, Bacillus species, which are commonly found in soil, were especially sensitive. Their growth was inhibited at concentrations as low as 2.5 milligrams per milliliter. High glyphosate resistance was also observed in strains isolated from hospital infections that showed extreme drug resistance. Resistant Bacteria Share Similar Genetic Backgrounds The researchers then constructed a genetic "family tree" using all 102 bacterial strains included in the study. They found that bacteria with the greatest glyphosate resistance were often closely related, regardless of whether they originated from hospitals, farms, or the Paraná delta. For example, the same bacterial genera showed glyphosate resistance across all three environments. "In the environment, the use of glyphosate leads to the evolution of resistant bacteria in impacted soils, whereas the use of antibiotics favors their evolution in hospitals. Bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes can spread and breed between those two niches in both directions and in multiple ways, with the water cycle playing a key role in transmission," concluded coauthor Dr. Jochen A Müller, a group leader at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Concerns About Glyphosate and Public Health Glyphosate has long been the subject of scientific and regulatory debate. Research has shown that it can harm arthropods (in particular bees), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as a probable human carcinogen. Several European countries have already restricted some uses of the herbicide. France, Belgium, and the Netherlands have banned glyphosate for household applications, while Germany currently prohibits its use in public spaces. Based on the findings, the researchers argue that pesticide regulations should take antibiotic resistance into account before products reach the market. "Policies for the use of any pesticide, as well as its metabolites, should stipulate the requirement for co-selection testing with antibiotics before marketing. Labels should include a warming that genes for antibiotic resistance can spread from glyphosate-contaminated soils to hospitals through untreated water," counseled Centrón. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260620100434.htm

Learning a new language or recovering the ability to speak may rely less on the brain's movement centers than scientists once believed. New research suggests that regions involved in processing sound and physical sensations play a much larger role in speech learning and memory. The study, conducted by researchers at McGill University and the Yale School of Medicine, could reshape scientific understanding of how speech is learned and influence the design of future speech recognition and brain-based communication technologies. Sensory Brain Regions Take Center Stage For years, researchers have generally assumed that learning and remembering the complex movements required for speech depended primarily on motor areas of the brain. Those regions control the movements of the face, mouth, and vocal tract that make speaking possible. The new findings point in a different direction. Instead of highlighting motor regions as the main driver of speech learning, the research suggests that auditory and somatosensory systems are critical for acquiring and retaining new speech patterns. "Sensorimotor neuroscience has traditionally focused on frontal motor areas as the principal drivers of movement. This study changes that understanding by showing that human speech learning is extensively sensory in nature," said David Ostry, Professor of Psychology at McGill University. The results may also help guide the development of emerging brain-speech technologies. Such systems could one day help restore communication abilities after stroke by incorporating sensory processes to improve performance and usability. Testing Speech Learning With Brain Stimulation To investigate how different brain regions contribute to speech learning, the researchers first altered participants' speech in real time and played the modified speech back through headphones. This approach encouraged participants to adapt their speech patterns, creating a form of speech motor learning. The team then used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive method of brain stimulation, to temporarily disrupt activity in three key brain regions involved in speech: the auditory cortex, the somatosensory cortex, and the motor cortex. Researchers evaluated retention of the newly learned speech patterns 24 hours later. Their prediction was straightforward. If a particular brain region was essential for learning and storing speech-related memories, disrupting that area should reduce retention. If the region was not critical, retention should remain unchanged. The results strongly supported the importance of sensory processing. When activity in either the auditory cortex or somatosensory cortex was disrupted, participants showed significantly poorer retention of the speech movements they had learned. In contrast, disrupting the motor cortex had little effect on retention. "Our study challenges the assumption that new speech memories are solely reliant on changes in motor areas of the brain. Instead, it underscores the importance of changes in auditory and somatosensory brain areas in shaping how we learn to speak," said study co-author Nishant Rao, Associate Research Scientist at Yale University. Brain Plasticity and Future Stroke Therapies The research is part of a larger effort to understand how plasticity in the brain's sensory systems contributes to learning and long-term memory. It also builds on previous studies by the same research group involving arm and hand movements. Those studies similarly found that disrupting sensory regions of the brain interfered with the ability to learn and retain new motor skills. Future work will focus on identifying the specific cortical circuits involved in learning and investigating sensory-based treatments for movement disorders. The researchers are particularly interested in applications for stroke rehabilitation and speech recovery. About the Study The study, "Sensory Basis of Speech Motor Learning and Memory," by Nishan Rao, Rosalie Gendron, Timothy Manning and David Ostry, was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. The research was funded by the (U.S.) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260619020514.htm

Two micrograms is an almost unimaginably small amount. It weighs less than a tiny fragment of a grain of table salt. Yet adults need only around this amount of vitamin B12 each day, depending on the guideline used, to support red blood cells, nerves and DNA production. In 2026, it is 100 years since George Minot and William Murphy reported that a liver-rich diet could treat pernicious anemia, then a frequently fatal disease. Their work transformed medicine and eventually led scientists to identify vitamin B12 as the substance in liver that treated the disease. But the route to that breakthrough began with an unexpected clue from animal experiments. The American physician and pathologist George Whipple had shown that liver helped dogs recover from anemia caused by blood loss. Blood-loss anemia happens when the body loses red blood cells through bleeding. Pernicious anemia is different: the problem is not bleeding, but poor absorption of vitamin B12. Even so, Whipple’s experiments pointed researchers towards liver as a source of a powerful blood-forming factor. Patients with pernicious anemia who had been close to death often improved dramatically within weeks of eating liver-rich diets. The success of liver treatment eventually led scientists to isolate the deep red compound now known as vitamin B12, or cobalamin. Often mistaken Despite decades of research, vitamin B12 deficiency remains common, particularly among older adults, vegans, vegetarians and people with conditions that affect absorption. Some people do not consume enough B12 because it is naturally found mainly in foods from animals, including meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. Others struggle to absorb it properly. This becomes more common with age. Some older people produce less stomach acid, which is needed to release B12 from food. Others develop autoimmune gastritis, in which the immune system damages stomach cells involved in producing acid and intrinsic factor, the protein needed for vitamin B12 absorption. Weight-loss surgery and some medicines used for diabetes or acid reflux can also reduce absorption. The symptoms of deficiency can develop slowly and are often mistaken for normal ageing. People may feel exhausted, weak or short of breath. Some develop numbness or tingling in their hands and feet, poor balance, memory problems or what many describe as “brain fog”. These symptoms are not specific to B12 deficiency, so persistent tiredness, tingling or balance problems should be checked rather than assumed to be a simple vitamin problem. People at higher risk, including vegans, vegetarians, older adults and those taking medicines that affect stomach acid or diabetes treatment, may need testing or supplementation advice from a health professional. Doctors have traditionally linked tiredness in B12 deficiency to anemia. Without enough vitamin B12, the bone marrow cannot produce healthy red blood cells. Instead, it releases unusually large and immature cells that carry oxygen less effectively around the body. But anemia may not be the only reason people with low B12 feel exhausted. Low energy In humans, vitamin B12 is directly needed by only two enzymes, the proteins that help chemical reactions happen in the body. One helps the body make DNA, which cells need when they divide. The other helps mitochondria process certain fats and protein building blocks. Mitochondria are the tiny structures inside cells that help turn food into usable energy. This mitochondrial role has attracted growing interest from researchers studying ageing, muscle function and vitamin B12 status. A 2026 study explored what happens when cells do not have enough B12. Researchers found that low B12 could interfere with the DNA inside mitochondria and reduce energy production in laboratory models of skeletal muscle (muscle cells studied outside the human body). A related study in aged female mice found that B12 supplementation improved several signs of mitochondrial health in muscle, including the number and structure of mitochondria. Together, this work points to one possible reason why some people with low B12 report fatigue before obvious anemia is detected. These findings do not mean vitamin B12 supplements can reverse ageing or act as an energy booster for people whose B12 levels are already normal. Scientists have suspected a link between B12 and mitochondrial function for many years, because one of the two B12-dependent enzymes works inside mitochondria. Earlier research has also suggested that low B12 status may be linked with poorer muscle function in older adults, although much of this work is observational and cannot prove cause and effect. So if you’re feeling persistently tired, is it worth paying for vitamin B12 injections at a wellness clinic or medispa? For most people, no. B12 injections are an established treatment for diagnosed deficiency, particularly when absorption is impaired, and the NHS uses hydroxocobalamin injections for vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. But there is little evidence that B12 shots boost energy, weight loss or performance in people whose B12 levels are already normal. The more useful first step is to find out what is causing the tiredness. The story of vitamin B12 is unusual because the body needs so little of it, yet the consequences of deficiency can be profound. Long before scientists understood its chemistry, doctors recognized that something in liver could restore strength, appetite and vitality to desperately ill patients. A century later, researchers are still finding that this tiny cobalt-containing molecule does more than prevent anemia. It may also help explain how cells maintain energy and function as the body ages. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260623083116.htm

Fructose and glucose are two common sugars found in many foods and drinks. Although they contain the same number of calories, new research suggests the brain responds to them in very different ways. Scientists at the Monell Chemical Senses Center discovered that fructose and glucose communicate with the brain through separate gut-brain pathways. Their findings indicate that these differences may influence food and beverage preferences and could help explain why certain sweetened products are especially appealing. The study, published June 10 in the journal Neuron, identified a specific signaling route that allows fructose to communicate with the brain. In experiments involving mice, researchers found that this pathway was far less effective than the one used by glucose when it came to reducing activity in neurons associated with hunger. "This work adds to our growing understanding of how modern diets, especially those high in fructose or high-fructose corn syrup, interact with the neural systems involved in appetite," said senior author and Monell Member Amber Alhadeff, PhD. How Fructose and Glucose Affect Hunger Neurons To investigate how the sugars influence the brain, researchers recorded neural activity in mice after exposure to fructose and glucose. The team found that fructose increased levels of the gut hormone PYY. That hormone then signaled through the vagus nerve, leading to a modest reduction in the activity of agouti-related protein (AgRP) neurons, which play a major role in driving hunger. When researchers disrupted this pathway, fructose could no longer affect those neurons. Glucose produced a very different response. According to the researchers, it did not rely on the same PYY-Y2 vagus nerve pathway. Instead, glucose strongly suppressed AgRP neuron activity, resulting in a much larger effect on hunger-related brain signaling. Sugar Type Influenced Food Preferences Although fructose and glucose produced similar short-term effects on food intake, the mice eventually developed preferences that corresponded to the degree of AgRP neuron inhibition triggered by each sugar. The researchers also examined high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a widely used sweetener made from a combination of fructose and glucose. The mice showed a preference for HFCS, and the sweetener suppressed AgRP neuron activity more strongly than fructose alone. According to the researchers, this stronger effect on hunger-related neurons may help explain why foods and beverages containing HFCS can be particularly appealing. Challenging Assumptions About Calories and Hunger The results call into question a long-held assumption that AgRP neurons primarily track calorie intake regardless of where those calories come from. Instead, the findings suggest that these hunger-related neurons can distinguish between different sugars and respond through separate biological pathways. Even though fructose and glucose provide the same amount of energy, the mice's brains processed them differently. The study highlights the complexity of nutrient sensing in the body and suggests that even simple sugars can have distinct effects on the gut, the brain, and behavior. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260623083106.htm

Radical new electric trucks Slate's electric pickup and SUV. Photo: Slate Preorders are open for Slate Auto's low-cost electric pickup and SUV, Axios' Joann Muller reports. The Bezos-backed startup says it has over 180,000 "reservations" so far, with interested buyers forking over $50 to put their names down. It's $300 for an actual reservation. Deliveries are set to begin late this year. 💵 Slate's spartan two-seat pickup will start at just under $25,000. An SUV version will start at just under $30,000. The pickup has a range of 205 miles. It can carry up to 1,550 pounds, and tow up to 2,000. What it doesn't have: A radio or touchscreen — or about half the parts found in a typical truck. 🛻 The Troy, Mich., startup is betting that automakers can profit from affordable EVs by selling customization options and accessories, instead of packing every little feature into the vehicle upfront. The "Slate Marketplace" will offer more than 175 accessories for sale — roof racks, stereos, zip-off seat covers, etc. The truck even comes unpainted. Buyers can choose from more than 100 wrap colors for $500, or pick their own custom color. 💸 What we're watching: How many reservation holders turn into actual buyers — and how many pony up for extras. Go deeper ...

Prairieland Defendant Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Moving a Box of Antifascist Zines FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Daniel Sanchez Estrada wasn’t accused of attempted murder or material support of terrorism after a protest turned catastrophically wrong outside an ICE detention center in Alvarado, Texas. He was merely convicted of obstructing the investigation by moving a box full of antifascist zines after the protest. Giving him a long prison term would make a mockery of justice, his defense attorney, Christopher Weinbel, told U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor on Tuesday. https://theintercept.com/2026/06/23/prairieland-texas-ice-protest-prison-sentences/? Socialists Are Setting the Agenda in New York City THree key primaries in New York City delivered whopping victories for an emboldened left led by Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday, as democratic socialists sought to define the future of the Democratic Party. https://theintercept.com/2026/06/23/new-york-primary-results-claire-valdez-darializa-avila-chevalier/? ICE Tried to Deport an Asylum-Seeker. Now He’s Being Denied Care for a Growing Tumor in a Private Prison. In his dreams, Aliaksei Shcharbachenia is on a plane with an immigration agent’s hands wrapped around his neck. When he wakes up, he’s freed from the memory of his traumatic and botched deportation attempt last month — but then he’s stuck languishing in Farmville, Virginia. https://theintercept.com/2026/06/23/ice-corecivic-farmville-detention-center-va/? The Intercept Sues to Uncover Secretive Government Anti-Protester Database The Intercept is challenging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s refusal to release public documents relating to an unlawful database intended to stifle protest and punish people who exercise their First Amendment rights. In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York today, The Intercept is asking the court to compel the government to release documents requested through the Freedom of Information Act regarding increased surveillance and travel restrictions for protesters. The Intercept is represented by Democracy Forward in the case. https://theintercept.com/2026/06/24/intercept-lawsuit-ice-protesters-surveillance-travel/? The Left Is Unstoppable, According to Republicans Socialists and Republicans agree on one thing: The insurgent left flank of the Democratic Party is ascendant. https://theintercept.com/2026/06/24/new-york-primaries-left-socialists-mamdani-republican-gop/? Rep. Adriano Espaillat Was Slow to Help Mahmoud Khalil. It Could Cost Him His Seat. Eleven months after unidentified Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil from his home in Morningside Heights, he met with his congressional representative, Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., for the first time. https://theintercept.com/2026/06/23/new-york-primary-adriano-espaillat-darializa-chevalier/?

Third party will determine if University of Florida has a governance problem The Florida Board of Governors put most of its agenda aside Wednesday, instead airing grievances about governance standards in the State University System. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/24/third-party-will-determine-if-university-of-florida-has-a-governance-problem/? SNAP error rate lowered, but still too high to skirt potential future costs Newly released data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that Florida has lowered its error rate for a federal food aid program to 12.97%, but that’s not enough to avoid a nearly $1 billion cost-share contribution next year. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/24/snap-error-rate-lowered-but-still-too-high-to-skirt-potential-future-costs/? Lobbyists work for and against Florida governments dealing with PFAS pollution A couple of millennia ago, when I was in elementary school, the teachers dispatched us kids to sell chocolate bars to support our school. That’s how I learned one of the basic principles of salesmanship: Make sure you hit the houses on BOTH sides of the street. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/25/lobbyists-work-for-and-against-florida-governments-dealing-with-pfas-pollution/? Study: Reproductive healthcare out of reach of one third of Florida women Florida outpaces the nation when it comes to women reporting difficulty obtaining reproductive healthcare services, an analysis of women between the ages of 18 and 49 shows. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/24/study-reproductive-healthcare-out-of-reach-of-one-third-of-florida-women/? DeSantis touts property tax amendment, but still laments what it could have been Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills Wednesday related to the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot which, if approved, would dramatically expand Florida’s homestead property tax exemption. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/24/desantis-touts-property-tax-amendment-but-still-laments-what-it-could-have-been/?

📸 Pic to go! Photo: Ali Overstreet/MLB Photos via Getty Images Classic American summer night: The sunset painted the sky during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis last night. The Diamondbacks won, 9–4.