Wildlife photography at its best

Gender-neutral baby names are becoming increasingly popular among parents, and BabyCenter recently released a list of 40 monikers that are getting equal (or almost equal) play among newborn boys and girls. “From current megastars like Blake Lively to historical literary icons like Jules Verne, gender-neutral names are a thing of both the past and present — and it looks like the trend isn’t going away any time soon,” the site wrote in a release. Beyond Blake and Jules, the roundup includes Sidney, Robin, and Rory — see the full list.

Must Reads

Practical advice for making your place the “hangout home” where kids feel safe to be themselves (hint: snacks are involved)
Farm life around the world, in photos

Environment

Get a Sneak Peek at the 2025 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition

© Amit Eshel, Wildlife Photographer of the Year

No, this is not AI — it’s a real photo of an Arctic wolf pack seen at eye level on Canada’s northernmost island, where photographer Amit Eshel reportedly came so close to the elusive creatures “he could smell their breath.”

The image is among the standout entries in this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, organized by the Natural History Museum in London. Now in its 61st edition, the contest drew a record-breaking 60,636 entries from photographers around the world — and there was no shortage of beauty (and drama) to be captured everywhere, from an ice shelf in Antarctica to an English forest.

The winning shots will be announced Oct. 14. But in the meantime, we highly recommend scrolling through the gallery of highly commended entries, which includes images of a wasp seemingly perched on a caterpillar, a bellowing deer stag, and a flamingo scratching its head.

Together With Pacaso

Major Investors Are Buying This “Unlisted” Stock

When some of the big investors who backed companies like Airbnb, Uber, and eBay before they IPO’d invest in a new company, people take note. That’s the case with Pacaso.

Founded by a former Zillow executive, Pacaso is bringing co-ownership to the $1.3 trillion vacation home market, and it’s already made over $110 million in gross profits to date, with homes in more than 40 destinations.

The company has even reserved its Nasdaq ticker, $PCSO. But unlike Airbnb or Uber, Pacaso has opened the door for the public to invest in it as a private company — and more than 10,000 people already have. You can join them for $2.90/share, but you have to act before the Sept. 18 deadline. Become a Pacaso shareholder here.

Invest Now

This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving the ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the Nasdaq is subject to approvals.

Tech

All Aboard, East Coasters: Amtrak’s Fastest High-Speed Trains Hit the Tracks Today

Just in time for Labor Day weekend, today marks the long-awaited public debut of the first high-speed trains built in the United States. Amtrak’s NextGen Acela is now offering rides between Boston and Washington, D.C., with stops in popular cities like New York City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore along the way.

“Acela is synonymous with American high-speed trains, and today marks a new era of next-generation service,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a statement. The initial rollout will include five new trainsets, with a total of 28 expected to be operational by the end of 2027. These trains offer 27% more seating capacity and will run at speeds up to 160 mph, 10 mph faster than the current fleet.

Beyond a speedier ride, passengers will enjoy upgraded amenities, including high-speed Wi-Fi, individual power outlets, and reading lights, as well as more ergonomic seating and bigger windows (perfect for daydreaming travelers). The new trains also feature a smoother, quieter ride, thanks to a tilt system. Get a behind-the-scenes look.

Science

What’s a Haboob? The Science Behind Arizona’s Recent Dust Storm

ICYMI, a massive dust storm — known as a haboob — swept through the Phoenix area on Monday, blanketing the metro in a vast cloudthat grounded flights, left thousands without power, and drastically reduced road visibility for drivers.

While the scene (similar to the one above, captured in 2011) looked quite apocalyptic, the weather only stuck around for about an hour, per NPR. Still, it left a lasting reminder of how quickly conditions can change during monsoon season. And seeing as haboobs can happen regularly in dry regions, particularly in the Southwest, we figured it’s a good time to explain what they are and what to do if one hits.

A haboob is an intense dust or sandstorm caused by strong winds that lift debris into the air, creating a towering wall of particles that can be several thousand feet high. The word originates from an Arabic term meaning “to blow” and was first used to describe frequent wind-driven storms in Sudan.

Visibility among drivers is a top concern during haboobs. So what do you do if you experience one? “If dense dust is observed blowing across or approaching a roadway, pull your vehicle off the pavement as far as possible, stop, turn off lights, set the emergency brake, take your foot off of the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated,” the National Weather Service advises. Get more tips on how to navigate a dust storm safely — including what to do if you can’t pull over.

In Other News

Astronomers detected the brightest fast radio burst ever, from a galaxy 130 million light-years away (read more)
Bring your dog to college? Some programs are allowing students to move into dorms with pets in tow (read more)
Eye exams may be able to spot early signs of Alzheimer’s decades before cognitive symptoms start (read more)
Caitlin Clark unveiled her new signature logo with Nike — and the first T-shirt with the design drops Monday (read more)
An ultra-rare blue lobster was caught last month and is now safe and sound at a science center (read more)

Inspiring Story

An assignment like no other

In just two days, high school students in Nacogdoches, Texas, built an entire tiny house — and then donated it to a local mental health rehabilitation center serving unhoused individuals. “It’s just a perpetual gift,” said the center’s co-founder, Constance Engelking. See the tiny home.

Photo of the Day

The 82nd Venice International Film Festival is off to a star-studded start. Amal and George Clooney were spotted arriving in style to the iconic Italian event — where George will promote his upcoming filmJay Kelly. Movie buffs wishing they could be a fly on the wall can get live updates on the happenings here.

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