Dustin Nelson also reports: “Paul Simon unretired a day after performing with Sabrina Carpenter during the ‘Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special’ and … will bring the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer to Minneapolis for three nights at the Orpheum Theatre on April 20, 22, and 23.” Via MinnPost

Trump cuts threaten a ‘generation of scientists’ as many weigh leaving US President’s call to ‘Make America Healthy Again’ has led to slashes in NIH funding – endangering jobs and vital research Hannah Harris Green https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/19/trump-nih-funding-scientists

Factchecking Donald Trump’s claims about the war in Ukraine As US-Russia talks continue in Saudi Arabia, we look at the US president’s misleading and outright false statements Jakub Krupa and Pjotr Sauer https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/19/factchecking-donald-trump-claims-war-ukraine

DoJ prosecutors ordered to explain Eric Adams corruption indictment dismissal Federal judge asks prosecutors to explain decision in court as Hochul discusses removing mayor with party leaders George Joseph https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/19/eric-adams-doj-prosecutors-hochul

Thousands rescued from illegal scam compounds in Myanmar as Thailand launches huge crackdown Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have become havens for criminal syndicates operating online scam operations and tricking thousands into enslaved work Leila Goldstein https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/19/myanmar-scam-call-centre-compound-rescues-thailand-crackdown

Environment more crucial than genes in risk of early death, study suggests Analysis of UK BioBank data shows importance of factors including living conditions and smoking, say experts Nicola Davis Science correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/19/environment-more-crucial-genetics-explaining-risk-early-death-study

The people who can’t develop Alzheimer’s – but could be key to a cure
A man who was the only member of his blood family to avoid getting Alzheimer’s is shedding light on how the disease unfolds
Scientists have long been trying to understand the root cause of Alzheimer’s
Clare Wilson
https://inews.co.uk/news/science/people-cant-develop-alzheimers-cure-3539671

Life and style ‘Gaba is the off switch of the brain’: Is it also the answer to better sleep, sobriety and less anxiety? Products that enhance the uptake of this neurotransmitter are burgeoning – including drinks that mimic the effects of alcohol, without the hangover. Here’s what happened when I tried them Steve Rose https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/19/gaba-is-the-off-switch-of-the-brain-is-it-also-the-answer-to-better-sleep-sobriety-and-less-anxiety

Why is Spain’s economy booming? Thanks to migration – which proves xenophobia doesn’t pay María Ramírez https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/19/spain-economy-booming-migration-gdp-growth

Why are Americans toasting their fairy bread, and can the New York Times stop them? The delicacy for kids (and adults alike) requires just three ingredients – so how can people be getting the sacred recipe so wrong? Rafqa Touma explains it to Caitlin Cassidy https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/feb/20/why-are-americans-toasting-their-fairy-bread-and-can-the-new-york-times-stop-them