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Gifts from top 50 US philanthropists rebounded to $16B in 2024 − Mike Bloomberg; Reed Hastings and Patty Quillin; and Michael and Susan Dell lead the list of biggest givers

  • Written by David Campbell, Professor of Public Administration, Binghamton University, State University of New York
imageMike Bloomberg speaks at the Global Renewables Summit in September 2024.Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Bloomberg Philanthropies

The 50 American individuals and couples who gave or pledged the most to charity in 2024 committed US$16.2 billion to foundations, universities, hospitals and more. That total was 33% above an inflation-adjusted $12.2...

Read more: Gifts from top 50 US philanthropists rebounded to $16B in 2024 − Mike Bloomberg; Reed Hastings and...

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs advises the president on use of America’s military power

  • Written by Dwight Stirling, Lecturer in Law, University of Southern California
imageIn February 2025, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, center, was fired as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by President Donald Trump.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The dismissal of Gen. Charles Q. Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was startling, if not unexpected, at the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term.

Trump...

Read more: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs advises the president on use of America’s military power

How the hidden epidemic of violence against nurses affects health care

  • Written by Jason Blomquist, Assistant Professor of Nursing, Boise State University
imageNurses in the United States face a high rate of burnout.Hirung via Getty Images

“Violence is just part of the job. Every nurse and health care worker experiences it at some point.”

Sentiments like this echo across American hospitals and health care facilities, capturing a disturbing and growing reality. Though Americans think of nursing...

Read more: How the hidden epidemic of violence against nurses affects health care

How Trump’s second term might affect the market and your finances

  • Written by Art Durnev, Distinguished Chair in Finance, Professor of Finance, University of Richmond

Ever since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, stock market expectations have been volatile – driven in part by a healthy dose of motivated reasoning.

At first, markets surged on hopes of lower taxes and deregulation. But this enthusiasm soon faded as announcements about tariffs and stricter immigration policies dampened...

Read more: How Trump’s second term might affect the market and your finances

Many more Denver teens have experienced homelessness than official counts show

  • Written by Matthew Westfall, Medical Resident in Internal Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Denver saw an increase in youth homelessness from 10% to 25% between 2017 and 2021, according to our study recently published in the peer-reviewed journal “Pediatrics.”

We are two physicians whose clinical work and research focuses on the social causes of health and disease. In particular, we’ve seen firsthand how housing...

Read more: Many more Denver teens have experienced homelessness than official counts show

Out-of-balance bacteria is linked to multiple sclerosis − the ratio can predict severity of disease

  • Written by Ashutosh Mangalam, Associate Professor of Pathology, University of Iowa
imageThe myelin sheaths insulating neurons are damaged in multiple sclerosis.Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library/Brand X Pictures via Getty Images

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that results when the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain and spinal cord. It affects nearly one million people in the U.S. and over 2.8 million worldwide. While...

Read more: Out-of-balance bacteria is linked to multiple sclerosis − the ratio can predict severity of disease

How are clouds’ shapes made? A scientist explains the different cloud types and how they help forecast weather

  • Written by Ross Lazear, Instructor in Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York
imageLenticular clouds, like this one over a mountain in Chile, can look like flying saucers.Bilderbuch/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.

How are clouds’ shapes...

Read more: How are clouds’ shapes made? A scientist explains the different cloud types and how they help...

GOP lawmakers commit to big spending cuts, putting Medicaid under a spotlight – but trimming the low-income health insurance program would be hard

  • Written by Paul Shafer, Assistant Professor of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University
imageSpeaker of the House Mike Johnson addresses the media on Feb. 25, 2025, after the House narrowly passed his budget resolution calling for big spending cuts. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Efforts by Republicans in Congress to make steep spending cutshave stirredwidespread concerns that the federal government may trim expenditures on Medicaid even...

Read more: GOP lawmakers commit to big spending cuts, putting Medicaid under a spotlight – but trimming the...

Who’s who at the Vatican?

  • Written by Daniel Speed Thompson, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Dayton
imageDeacons take part in a mass in St. Peter's Basilica that was supposed to be presided over by Pope Francis.AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino

For more than two weeks, eyes have been on the Vatican, awaiting news about Pope Francis’ health. The pope has been at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since Feb. 14, 2025, being treated for double pneumonia and...

Read more: Who’s who at the Vatican?

What is isolationism? The history and politics of an often-maligned foreign policy concept

  • Written by Andrew Latham, Professor of Political Science, Macalester College
imageIsolationism has deep roots in American foreign policy stretching back to George Washington.FotografiaBasica/Getty Images

Few terms in American foreign policy discourse are as misunderstood or politically charged as “isolationism.”

Often used as a political weapon, the term conjures images of a retreating America, indifferent to global...

Read more: What is isolationism? The history and politics of an often-maligned foreign policy concept

More Articles ...

  1. From opposing robber barons to the New Deal to desegregation to DOGE, state attorneys general have long taken on Washington
  2. America’s designs on annexing Canada have a long history − and record of political failures
  3. What is Tren de Aragua? How the Venezuelan gang started − and why US policies may only make it stronger
  4. The only ‘winner’ here is Putin: Ukraine unites in response to Trump-Zelenskyy spat and resigns itself to new reality
  5. How Trump’s compulsion to dominate sabotages dealmaking, undermines democracy and threatens global stability
  6. Making English the official US language can’t erase the fact that the US has millions of Spanish speakers and a long multilingual history
  7. As flu cases break records this year, vaccine rates are declining, particularly for children and 65+ adults
  8. Texas records first US measles death in 10 years – a medical epidemiologist explains how to protect yourself and your community from this deadly, preventable disease
  9. Coastal economies rely on NOAA, from Maine to Florida, Texas and Alaska – even if they don’t realize it
  10. Just having a pet doesn’t help mental health – but pet-owners with secure relationships with their pets are less depressed
  11. What are conflicts of interest and what can be done about them?
  12. What’s a constitutional crisis? Here’s how Trump’s recent moves are challenging the Constitution’s separation of powers
  13. As the Kremlin eyes a thaw with the White House, Russia’s pro-war hawks aren’t too happy
  14. The science behind airplane deicing – a mechanical engineer explains how chemistry and physics make flying a more uplifting experience
  15. Maple seeds’ unique spinning motion allows them to travel far even in the rain, a new study shows
  16. Is a united European voice possible in the age of Trump, Putin and far-right politics? Germany’s new leader intends to find out
  17. Brutalism – the architectural style that dared to summon a new world from the ashes of World War II
  18. More Americans of all political stripes support government benefits for low-income people − and Black Lives Matter could be a big reason why
  19. Trump administration sets out to create an America its people have never experienced − one without a meaningful government
  20. Managers can help their Gen Z employees unlock the power of meaningful work − here’s how
  21. Identifying brands as Black-owned can pay off for businesses
  22. What is a charter school, really? Supreme Court ruling on whether Catholic charter is constitutional will hinge on whether they’re public or private
  23. Israel’s bombing of Gaza caused untold environmental damage − recovery will take effort and time
  24. Anti-DEI guidance from Trump administration misinterprets the law and guts educators’ free speech rights
  25. What’s the shape of the universe? Mathematicians use topology to study the shape of the world and everything in it
  26. AIs flunk language test that takes grammar out of the equation
  27. Philadelphia continues long history of Black-led protest meetings aimed at fighting racial inequity and prejudice
  28. Parrotfish support healthy coral reefs, but they’re not a cure-all, and sometimes cause harm
  29. Why people rebuild in Appalachia’s flood-ravaged areas despite the risks
  30. In many of Appalachia’s flood-ravaged areas, residents have little choice but rebuild in risky locations
  31. States that impose severe prison sentences accomplish the opposite of what they say they want
  32. How ticket-splitting voters could shape the 2026 midterms
  33. Cutting Medicaid and federal programs are among 4 key Trump administration policy changes that could make life harder for disabled people
  34. USAID’s apparent demise and the US withdrawal from WHO put millions of lives worldwide at risk and imperil US national security
  35. How Nutriset, a French company, has helped alleviate hunger and create jobs in some of the world’s poorest places
  36. Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting prioritizes ‘real’ independence from the US − but what does that mean and is it achievable?
  37. A hazy legal landscape means people can get high on hemp products, even where pot is prohibited
  38. Butchers, bakers, candlestick-makers − and prostitutes: The women working behind the scenes in papal Avignon
  39. 500 years ago, German peasants revolted – but their faith that the Protestant Reformation stood for freedom was dashed by Martin Luther and the nobility
  40. How early voting on campuses can boost election turnout – not only for students but for residents, too
  41. Trump’s claims of vast presidential powers run up against Article 2 of the Constitution and exceed previous presidents’ power grabs
  42. Generative AI is most useful for the things we care about the least
  43. Selenium is an essential nutrient named after the Greek goddess of the Moon − crucial to health, it may help prevent and treat cancer
  44. Colorado is tackling air pollution in vulnerable neighborhoods by regulating 5 air toxics
  45. If US attempts World Bank retreat, the China-led AIIB could be poised to step in – and provide a model of global cooperation
  46. Francis − a pope who has cared deeply for the poor and opened up the Catholic Church
  47. The murder rate in Venezuela has fallen − but both Trump and Maduro are wrong about why
  48. How Elon Musk’s deep ties to – and admiration for – China could complicate Trump’s Beijing policy
  49. Rising house prices don’t just make it harder to become a homeowner – they also widen the racial wealth gap
  50. 3 ways Trump is acting like a king and bypassing the Constitution’s checks and balances on presidential authority