ASTA

Food writers at Simply Recipes argue that elbow macaroni, the traditional choice for mac and cheese, is not actually the best pasta for the dish. Their recommendation has sparked discussion among home cooks about which shapes hold cheese sauce best, with cavatappi and shells commonly cited as stronger alternatives.

Ethiopia has reiterated its demand for access to the Red Sea, arguing the landlocked country needs a sovereign outlet for trade, even as fighting escalates in northern Ethiopia. Neighboring countries and coastal states counter that the Red Sea must be governed by the states along its shoreline, rejecting Ethiopia's claims. The dispute adds a regional dimension to Ethiopia's internal conflict and has drawn concern from countries bordering the waterway.

Senator Chris Coons and Representative Sarah McBride joined local leaders in Delaware to assess coastal damage caused by a recent storm. They called for additional federal funding to rebuild the state's beaches, arguing that restoration of the shoreline is needed to protect coastal communities and the local economy from future storm damage.

Researchers report that young coastal dune landscapes organize themselves according to hidden physics resembling phase-separating fluids, the process by which substances like oil and water spontaneously separate. The finding suggests dune patterns emerge from universal self-organization rules rather than random wind and sand dynamics, offering a new framework for studying coastal landscape evolution.

A home cook is documenting an attempt to make pasta sauce from fresh tomatoes rather than canned, framing it as a learning exercise and wondering aloud whether the result will actually taste good. It is a small, everyday cooking question, but one that many home cooks share, since fresh tomato sauce can be watery or bland without the right technique.

Italian artist Eduardo Castaldo is gaining attention for his 'Holy Mother of Gaza' series, which blends his own artwork with photography by Gazan photojournalist Ali Jadallah. One piece, 'Madonna with child and fruit', was created in Naples in 2025. Viewers are praising the work as powerful and noting its fusion of traditional religious imagery with images from the Gaza conflict.

The American Society of Travel Advisors is petitioning American Express to restore travel advisors' access to its cardmember privileges and benefits. The society argues that advisors rely on these privileges to serve clients effectively and that cutting access disadvantages both advisors and the travelers they book. The dispute highlights ongoing friction between travel agencies and card issuers over advisor recognition and perks.

The American Society of Travel Advisors has filed a petition urging American Express to reinstate travel advisors' ability to book cardholder perks on behalf of their clients. The move follows changes that removed advisor access to these benefits, and ASTA is pressing the card issuer to reverse course, arguing advisors play a key role in serving Amex cardholders.

The United States may transfer part of its forces stationed in Europe to the Western Hemisphere under a Pentagon plan aimed at strengthening operations against drug cartels, according to the Italian news agency AGI. The move would mark a significant shift in US military posture, drawing attention to how Washington balances its European commitments against anti-narcotics operations closer to home.

Donald Trump is sending conflicting signals on Iran, reportedly weighing a possible agreement with Tehran while simultaneously threatening military action that would strike in a 'devastating fashion'. Commentators accuse him of flipping and flopping as his administration juggles diplomacy with hardline rhetoric. The mixed messaging is fuelling uncertainty over whether the United States is pursuing negotiations or preparing for confrontation.

US Representative Byron Donalds has put forward a Coastal Corridor plan centred on protecting Florida's waterways. The proposal, reported by Florida Politics, emphasises safeguarding coastal and marine environments, a topic of ongoing concern in the state where water quality, red tide and development pressures regularly draw public attention. Details of funding and implementation have not yet been widely reported.

Astronomers with the Planets Around Solar Twins/Analogs (PASTA) project have published a third study examining chemical clock relations in solar analogs that host planets. The work uses the chemical composition of Sun-like stars as a way to estimate their ages and compare planet-bearing systems with those without. It forms part of an ongoing effort to characterise which Sun-like stars are most likely to host planetary systems.

The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a significant climate change case tied to a devastating wildfire in Colorado. The case, widely reported across national and regional outlets, is expected to address questions of liability and accountability for climate-related disasters. Details of the parties involved and the specific legal questions were not provided, but the decision to take up the case is drawing broad attention.

New Hampshire officials are asking residents to weigh in on new guidance for assessing coastal flood risk. The state is collecting public comments as it updates how flood hazards along the Seacoast are evaluated and communicated. Feedback will help shape planning recommendations for communities facing rising sea levels and increasingly frequent coastal flooding.

Market strategist Rohit Srivastava has set out a full outlook pointing to a possible market bottom, with a focus on the RBI's upcoming policy stance and opportunities in commodities and financial stocks. His view ties the next leg for Indian markets to the central bank's decisions and sector rotation into commodities and financials, giving investors a roadmap for positioning ahead of key policy moves.

The Colorado Supreme Court has agreed to hear a major climate change lawsuit connected to the devastating Marshall Fire, which destroyed hundreds of homes in the Boulder area. The case is considered part of a broader wave of climate litigation moving through courts across the United States, testing whether companies and governments can be held liable for climate-related damages. Observers say the ruling could influence similar cases nationwide.