Crows are remarkably smart animals, with thinking skills comparable to those of five- to seven-year-old children. They can solve puzzles, use tools, and even remember faces. Now, researchers at the University of Tübingen in Germany have found that these unassuming birds can also recognize different geometric shapes — a skill previously seen only in humans....

The Magna Carta, or "Great Charter," is one of the most important documents in the history of democracy. It introduced the idea that no one — not even the king — is above the law. The charter helped shape the founding principles of many nations, including the United States....

Two hikers were walking along a moss-covered wall in the foothills of the Krkonoše Mountains in the Czech Republic in early February when a glint of metal caught their eye. A closer look revealed an aluminum box. To their surprise, it contained nearly six hundred well-preserved gold coins. They were neatly arranged in 11 columns and wrapped in black fabric. Just a few feet away, they uncovered a second, smaller metal box. This one had 16 cases, 10 bracelets, a comb, a chain, and a compact case....

Memorial Day, which falls on May 26 this year, is often considered the unofficial start of summer. However, the federal holiday has a much deeper purpose. It honors the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the US Armed Forces. This includes those in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy....

Like many kids, Liam LaFavers sometimes gets to use his mom’s phone as a treat. But instead of watching shows or playing games, the eight-year-old likes browsing Amazon for carnival supplies. He often fills the checkout cart with decorations and prizes, but never buys anything. That changed in early May when Liam accidentally pressed the "buy" button after adding 30 boxes of Dum-Dums to the cart. For those curious, that is over 70,000 lollipops!...

For centuries, the world beneath Antarctica’s thick ice shelves remained one of Earth’s greatest unknowns. No one knew what, if anything, lived there. That changed when a massive iceberg, roughly the size of Chicago, unexpectedly broke away. This rare event gave scientists a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore a part of the planet that had never been seen before....

Spending time in space might sound thrilling, but it takes a serious toll on the human body. Weightlessness affects everything from muscles to blood flow. Hence, before astronauts head to the Moon or Mars, scientists must find ways to reduce the physical effects of long-term space travel....

Most 12-year-olds dream of a big party or a fun sleepover to celebrate their birthday. But Mia DaPonte, from East Greenwich, Rhode Island, had a different goal in mind. She wanted to celebrate by becoming New England’s first 12-year-old — and the youngest female in the US — to earn the title of PADI Master Scuba Diver. This is the highest recreational diving certification offered by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors....

The papal conclave has ended. Just one day after entering seclusion, the 133 cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The 69-year-old, now known as Pope Leo XIV, is the first American-born pope....

In the summer of 2014, millions of people worldwide dumped buckets of ice water over their heads and challenged others to do the same. But this was not just for fun — they were taking on the Ice Bucket Challenge. The campaign, which went viral on social media, aimed to raise awareness and funds for ALS research, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It raised an impressive $115 million for the ALS Association in just a few months....

The nine-day mourning period for Pope Francis, who was laid to rest on April 26, 2025, ended on May 4. On May 7, cardinals from six continents gathered in Vatican City, Italy, to elect the 267th pope. This tradition, known as the papal conclave, is steeped in history....

On April 23, 2025, the Philadelphia Zoo introduced four female hatchlings of the critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoises to the public. The new arrivals were named Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia — after characters from the iconic television series The Golden Girls. They are the first of their kind to be born at the zoo in its 150-year history. Prior to this, there were only 44 Western Santa Cruz tortoises in US zoos, including three at Philadelphia....

On May 11, 2025, most Americans will celebrate Mother’s Day. The beloved tradition is credited to Anna Jarvis, a teacher from Philadelphia. She wanted to honor the sacrifices mothers make for their families. The first celebration took place in 1908 at a church in Grafton, West Virginia. It was such a success that Jarvis launched a campaign to make Mother's Day a national holiday....

Just when it seemed every color under the sun had been named, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have identified a new one. Called “olo,” this shade lies outside the normal range of human vision. It can only be seen under specific conditions using a laser. The five people who have seen "olo" describe it as a "blue-green of unprecedented saturation."...

Sharks have always been considered silent swimmers. Unlike most fish, these top ocean predators lack sound-producing organs. But recent research suggests this might not be true for all sharks. At least one species produces noise, challenging our understanding of these stealthy hunters....

On March 29, 2025, the New York Yankees set a franchise record by hitting nine home runs in a single game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Only two other teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) history have ever hit nine or more home runs in one game. The Yankees' incredible performance is partially being credited to the so-called "torpedo bat."...

Do you like comic books? Then you will be pleased to know that May 3, 2025, is Free Comic Book Day (FCBD)! This means you can walk into any of over 2,300 participating retailers worldwide and pick up a free comic. Now in its 23rd year, the global event is held annually on the first Saturday in May....

One of the biggest challenges for long-term stays on the Moon is creating safe shelters for astronauts. Researchers have long believed that lunar caves might be the answer. These natural shelters could protect astronauts from the extreme temperature swings and constant exposure to space radiation. They might even have water ice. However, finding such caves had proved elusive....

American rock band OK Go is known for blending music, engineering, and visual art in their videos. Their first hit, "Here It Goes Again," featured the band performing a choreographed routine on moving treadmills. The video went viral and became one of the most talked-about releases of the year. Their latest video, "Love," released on April 11, 2025, reaffirms the band’s status as innovators in music filmmaking....

When a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck Southern California on April 14, 2025, a camera at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park captured a powerful display of animal instinct. As the ground shook, three African elephants quickly formed a protective circle around the two young calves. Their reaction offers a rare glimpse into the mammals' natural defense strategy....

The Vatican announced that Pope Francis died in the early hours of April 21, 2025. The 88-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church suffered a stroke and heart failure. The pope had faced several health challenges in the past few years. Most recently, he was hospitalized for five weeks with double pneumonia. Fittingly, his final public address came on Easter Sunday (April 20, 2025), one of the most sacred days in the Christian faith....

On March 28, 2025, 19-year-old Alysa Liu became the first American woman to win the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in nearly 20 years. The last American woman to claim this title was Kimmie Meissner, who won in 2006....

Earth Day 2025 marks the 55th anniversary of the global environmental effort that began on April 22, 1970. The first Earth Day united 20 million Americans — about 10% of the US population at the time — to demand environmental protections....

Passover, or "Pesach" in Hebrew, is one of the most important Jewish holidays. It celebrates the freedom of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The holiday lasts for seven or eight days and usually occurs in March or April. In 2025, Passover will be observed from April 12 to April 20....