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Jimmy Kimmel pulled off the air. This is the monologue that sparked it.

Jimmy Kimmel pulled off the air. This is the monologue that sparked it.

Tech-news

ABC has pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from broadcast indefinitely. The decision comes amidst Republican criticism toward Kimmel for recent comments about right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk’s killer.

SEE ALSO:

Jimmy Kimmel slams Trump’s response to Charlie Kirk shooting

Announced on Wednesday evening, Jimmy Kimmel Live!‘s suspension came not long before filming for its next episode had been scheduled to commence. The long-running talk show’s future is now unclear, with the looming possibility that its 22-year run may come to an abrupt end.

“Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be pre-empted indefinitely,” an ABC spokesperson told CNN.

The decision followed an announcement from Nexstar Media Group that its ABC-affiliated stations will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future,” citing objections to Kimmel’s comments on Kirk’s death.

Why has Jimmy Kimmel Live! been suspended?

While ABC has not officially stated why it has halted Kimmel’s talk show, threats from the Trump administration appear to be a driving factor. Hours prior to ABC’s announcement, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr accused Kimmel of deliberately lying about the motives of Kirk’s killer, and called for the network to take action against him.

Specifically, Carr took issue with comments Kimmel made during his monologue on Monday, in which the talk show host joked about Republicans’ reactions to Kirk’s death.

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.

Kirk’s suspected killer Tyler Robinson was arrested within two days of the fatal shooting, his motives quickly becoming an issue of widespread speculation and debate. Kimmel’s monologue did not unequivocally claim that Robinson was right-leaning, only that Republicans have vehemently denied it as a possibility. Even so, his statement was not well-received by conservatives.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr told right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson on Wednesday. “These companies can find ways to change conduct — to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” 

This appears to be an allusion to the FCC’s ability to pull the entire ABC network off air, a measure which, while drastic, is not outside the realm of possibility. The FCC is responsible for issuing broadcast licences, without which television networks cannot operate. Carr noted that the FCC can also revoke such licences, stating that they come with “an obligation to operate in the public interest.” As such, Carr stated that broadcasters may run the risk of losing their licenses if they continue to air content which displays a “pattern of news distortion” — an offence of which Kimmel is accused.

“There’s calls for Kimmel to be fired,” said Carr, stating that a public apology from Kimmel would be a “minimal step.” “I think you could certainly see a path forward for suspension over this. Again, the FCC is going to have remedies that we could look at.”

Mashable Trend Report

Trump reacts to Jimmy Kimmel being pulled off air

Then-presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump was a guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in 2016.
Credit: Mashable edit: Randy Holmes / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images; @realDonaldTrump via Truth Social

President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for ABC to lose its licence, accusing the network of being biased and airing “97% BAD STORIES” about him. 

He subsequently reacted to ABC’s suspension of Kimmel with glee, taking to his social media platform Truth Social to celebrate it as a win. He also called for fellow talk shows The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers to face a similar fate.

“Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done,” Trump wrote. “Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!”

Kimmel has not yet made any public statement regarding his show’s suspension at time of writing. However, he did express his condolences to Kirk’s family days prior to Monday’s monologue.

“Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human?” Kimmel posted to Instagram shortly after Kirk’s death. “On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.”

He also addressed his show’s then-hypothetical cancellation two weeks ago, after Trump predicted on Truth Social that Kimmel would be “NEXT to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes… and I hope I played a major part in it!”

“You want us to be cancelled because we make jokes about you?” Kimmel said in a monologue earlier this month. “I thought you were against cancel culture? I thought that was like their whole thing? When did you become so woke?”

Meanwhile, FCC member Anna Gomez criticised the Trump administration for pressuring ABC to pull Kimmel off the air. The sole Democrat on the FCC, Gomez has previously expressed concerns that the biggest threat to Americans’ freedom of speech is currently the U.S. government.

“An inexcusable act of political violence by one disturbed individual must never be exploited as justification for broader censorship and control,” Gomez posted to X. “This Administration is increasingly using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression.”

Late night shows under increasing pressure from Trump administration

People participate in a protest titled 'Colbert stays! Trump must go!' outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City on July 21, 2025.

Viewers protested CBS’ cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in July.
Credit: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images

U.S. late night shows that are critical of Trump have faced significant trouble recently. The Emmy Awards audience gave the Late Show’s Stephen Colbert two standing ovations on Sunday, showing their support in response to CBS’ cancellation of the show in July. 

CBS has been widely criticised for axing the Late Show, some speculating that the move was an attempt to appease Trump while its parent company Paramount sought his approval for a merger with Skydance. Trump responded to the news at the time by stating that he “absolutely love[ed] that Colbert got fired,” and spruiking a conservative Fox News late night show as “better than all of them combined.”

“I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next,” Trump posted to Truth Social in July. “Has even less talent than Colbert!”

The Trump administration approved the Paramount/Skydance merger within a week of Colbert announcing The Late Show‘s cancellation.

“CBS has now made some commitments to us that they’re going to return to more fact-based journalism,” Carr told Johnson on Wednesday.

Trump previously demanded that CBS be stripped of its license during his presidential campaign, filing a lawsuit alleging that it had deceptively edited a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris to be favourable to her ahead of the election. Paramount ultimately agreed to pay $16 million to settle the lawsuit in July, after Trump had taken office. This settlement was heavily criticised by First Amendment and press freedom advocates, with Colbert labelling it a “big fat bribe.”



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I have a confession to make… I don’t like summer.

Sure, I can get down with the beach, ice cream, and other delights that are certainly more enjoyable when it’s warm and sunny out. But I remain steadfast in my opinion that it’s actually the worst season of the year—and it’s only getting more unbearable.

Before you come for me, let me just say that there’s real science to back me up. Here are 5 research-proven reasons why summer low-key sucks.

1. Bugs, obviously

If there’s one thing we can all probably agree on, it’s that mosquitoes and ticks are horrible. When the weather warms and these blood-sucking parasites emerge in droves, it’s more than just a nuisance—it’s a serious public health issue.

Rates of insect-borne diseases such as West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and dengue fever surge in the summer as higher temperatures and humidity accelerate the reproduction, metabolisms, and biting rates of ticks and mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 476,000 people in the U.S. may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year, and most cases are reported in late spring and summer.

As climate change leads to longer, hotter, and (in some places) wetter summers, rates of insect-borne diseases are rising. West Nile virus only surfaced in the U.S. in 1999 but has since become the country’s most common mosquito-borne illness, affecting thousands of people each year. Cases of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Powassan encephalitis have more than doubled throughout the U.S. over the past two decades.

2. Rampant extreme weather

Deadly heatwaves, severe thunderstorms, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires—all these weather extremes are more common in the summer. In fact, the U.S. tends to experience most billion-dollar disasters from April through August. The reasons are complex, but they largely stem from a warmer atmosphere that holds more energy and moisture, intensifying storm systems while also amplifying heat stress at the surface.

Summer heatwaves can be particularly dangerous, and they’re becoming more frequent and severe as global temperatures rise. The combination of extreme heat and humidity is one of the leading weather-related killers in the country, as it can exacerbate underlying illnesses and cause heatstroke. At the same time, warmer temperatures increase evaporation from the landscape, leading to drought and heightened wildfire risk. Smoke from wildfires also reduces air quality, wreaking havoc on public health.

At the same time, tropical cyclone activity ramps up during the summer—a result of warmer ocean waters, favorable wind shear patterns, and more atmospheric humidity and instability. These conditions also support severe thunderstorm development and contribute to tornado formation, particularly in the central United States.

3. Brutal utility bills

When that scorching summer heat sets in, utility costs skyrocket. That’s because households in most regions of the U.S. consume more electricity from July through August, when temperatures and cooling demand are at their peak. Nearly 90% of U.S. households cool their homes with air conditioning.

Thanks to climate change, it’s getting harder for air conditioning to beat the heat, and you’re paying the price. As global temperatures rise, people are running air conditioners more often and for longer periods of time. By 2050, the International Energy Agency expects to see a threefold increase in global air-conditioner-related energy demand, equivalent to adding 10 new units per second over the next three decades.

4. Killer UV radiation

Who doesn’t love slathering on greasy SPF every time they leave the house? Me, that’s who. I know we’re supposed to wear sunscreen all year round, but there’s no denying that the risk of UV exposure increases drastically in the summer—and some studies suggest it’s only getting worse.

Over the past five decades, incidence of malignant skin melanoma—the most aggressive skin cancer—has surged dramatically, with over 325,000 new cases reported worldwide in 2020. This increase has been linked to changes in UV radiation exposure driven by shifting atmospheric conditions, including cloud cover variability, aerosol concentrations, and surface reflectivity.

5. Increased violence

A growing body of evidence suggests that rates of violence and mass shootings increase during the summer, especially around the Fourth of July. According to PBS News, the Gun Violence Archive—a database that tracks mass shootings involving four or more people in the U.S.—shows that June, July, and August have had the highest total number of mass shootings over the past decade, while the lowest totals were from December through March.

On a global scale, rising temperatures have been linked to increases in homicides, assaults, sexual assaults, firearm violence, intimate partner violence, and violent suicides. This suggests that as summer heatwaves become more frequent and intense, incidents may occur more often.

There are several factors that could explain why the warmest months of the year have historically been the most violent. For one, people spend more time drinking and attending social events, which creates more opportunities for conflict, University of Miami criminologist Alex Piquero told PBS. Studies have also shown that heat can push people to a boiling point, resulting in heightened levels of stress and irritability.

#Reasons #Summer #Worst #Season #Yearextreme weather,Insects,public health,summer">5 Reasons Why Summer Is the Worst Season of the Year I have a confession to make… I don’t like summer. Sure, I can get down with the beach, ice cream, and other delights that are certainly more enjoyable when it’s warm and sunny out. But I remain steadfast in my opinion that it’s actually the worst season of the year—and it’s only getting more unbearable. Before you come for me, let me just say that there’s real science to back me up. Here are 5 research-proven reasons why summer low-key sucks. 1. Bugs, obviously If there’s one thing we can all probably agree on, it’s that mosquitoes and ticks are horrible. When the weather warms and these blood-sucking parasites emerge in droves, it’s more than just a nuisance—it’s a serious public health issue. Rates of insect-borne diseases such as West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and dengue fever surge in the summer as higher temperatures and humidity accelerate the reproduction, metabolisms, and biting rates of ticks and mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 476,000 people in the U.S. may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year, and most cases are reported in late spring and summer. As climate change leads to longer, hotter, and (in some places) wetter summers, rates of insect-borne diseases are rising. West Nile virus only surfaced in the U.S. in 1999 but has since become the country’s most common mosquito-borne illness, affecting thousands of people each year. Cases of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Powassan encephalitis have more than doubled throughout the U.S. over the past two decades. 2. Rampant extreme weather Deadly heatwaves, severe thunderstorms, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires—all these weather extremes are more common in the summer. In fact, the U.S. tends to experience most billion-dollar disasters from April through August. The reasons are complex, but they largely stem from a warmer atmosphere that holds more energy and moisture, intensifying storm systems while also amplifying heat stress at the surface. Summer heatwaves can be particularly dangerous, and they’re becoming more frequent and severe as global temperatures rise. The combination of extreme heat and humidity is one of the leading weather-related killers in the country, as it can exacerbate underlying illnesses and cause heatstroke. At the same time, warmer temperatures increase evaporation from the landscape, leading to drought and heightened wildfire risk. Smoke from wildfires also reduces air quality, wreaking havoc on public health. At the same time, tropical cyclone activity ramps up during the summer—a result of warmer ocean waters, favorable wind shear patterns, and more atmospheric humidity and instability. These conditions also support severe thunderstorm development and contribute to tornado formation, particularly in the central United States. 3. Brutal utility bills When that scorching summer heat sets in, utility costs skyrocket. That’s because households in most regions of the U.S. consume more electricity from July through August, when temperatures and cooling demand are at their peak. Nearly 90% of U.S. households cool their homes with air conditioning. Thanks to climate change, it’s getting harder for air conditioning to beat the heat, and you’re paying the price. As global temperatures rise, people are running air conditioners more often and for longer periods of time. By 2050, the International Energy Agency expects to see a threefold increase in global air-conditioner-related energy demand, equivalent to adding 10 new units per second over the next three decades. 4. Killer UV radiation Who doesn’t love slathering on greasy SPF every time they leave the house? Me, that’s who. I know we’re supposed to wear sunscreen all year round, but there’s no denying that the risk of UV exposure increases drastically in the summer—and some studies suggest it’s only getting worse. Over the past five decades, incidence of malignant skin melanoma—the most aggressive skin cancer—has surged dramatically, with over 325,000 new cases reported worldwide in 2020. This increase has been linked to changes in UV radiation exposure driven by shifting atmospheric conditions, including cloud cover variability, aerosol concentrations, and surface reflectivity. 5. Increased violence A growing body of evidence suggests that rates of violence and mass shootings increase during the summer, especially around the Fourth of July. According to PBS News, the Gun Violence Archive—a database that tracks mass shootings involving four or more people in the U.S.—shows that June, July, and August have had the highest total number of mass shootings over the past decade, while the lowest totals were from December through March. On a global scale, rising temperatures have been linked to increases in homicides, assaults, sexual assaults, firearm violence, intimate partner violence, and violent suicides. This suggests that as summer heatwaves become more frequent and intense, incidents may occur more often. There are several factors that could explain why the warmest months of the year have historically been the most violent. For one, people spend more time drinking and attending social events, which creates more opportunities for conflict, University of Miami criminologist Alex Piquero told PBS. Studies have also shown that heat can push people to a boiling point, resulting in heightened levels of stress and irritability. #Reasons #Summer #Worst #Season #Yearextreme weather,Insects,public health,summer

surge in the summer as higher temperatures and humidity accelerate the reproduction, metabolisms, and biting rates of ticks and mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 476,000 people in the U.S. may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year, and most cases are reported in late spring and summer.

As climate change leads to longer, hotter, and (in some places) wetter summers, rates of insect-borne diseases are rising. West Nile virus only surfaced in the U.S. in 1999 but has since become the country’s most common mosquito-borne illness, affecting thousands of people each year. Cases of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Powassan encephalitis have more than doubled throughout the U.S. over the past two decades.

2. Rampant extreme weather

Deadly heatwaves, severe thunderstorms, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires—all these weather extremes are more common in the summer. In fact, the U.S. tends to experience most billion-dollar disasters from April through August. The reasons are complex, but they largely stem from a warmer atmosphere that holds more energy and moisture, intensifying storm systems while also amplifying heat stress at the surface.

Summer heatwaves can be particularly dangerous, and they’re becoming more frequent and severe as global temperatures rise. The combination of extreme heat and humidity is one of the leading weather-related killers in the country, as it can exacerbate underlying illnesses and cause heatstroke. At the same time, warmer temperatures increase evaporation from the landscape, leading to drought and heightened wildfire risk. Smoke from wildfires also reduces air quality, wreaking havoc on public health.

At the same time, tropical cyclone activity ramps up during the summer—a result of warmer ocean waters, favorable wind shear patterns, and more atmospheric humidity and instability. These conditions also support severe thunderstorm development and contribute to tornado formation, particularly in the central United States.

3. Brutal utility bills

When that scorching summer heat sets in, utility costs skyrocket. That’s because households in most regions of the U.S. consume more electricity from July through August, when temperatures and cooling demand are at their peak. Nearly 90% of U.S. households cool their homes with air conditioning.

Thanks to climate change, it’s getting harder for air conditioning to beat the heat, and you’re paying the price. As global temperatures rise, people are running air conditioners more often and for longer periods of time. By 2050, the International Energy Agency expects to see a threefold increase in global air-conditioner-related energy demand, equivalent to adding 10 new units per second over the next three decades.

4. Killer UV radiation

Who doesn’t love slathering on greasy SPF every time they leave the house? Me, that’s who. I know we’re supposed to wear sunscreen all year round, but there’s no denying that the risk of UV exposure increases drastically in the summer—and some studies suggest it’s only getting worse.

Over the past five decades, incidence of malignant skin melanoma—the most aggressive skin cancer—has surged dramatically, with over 325,000 new cases reported worldwide in 2020. This increase has been linked to changes in UV radiation exposure driven by shifting atmospheric conditions, including cloud cover variability, aerosol concentrations, and surface reflectivity.

5. Increased violence

A growing body of evidence suggests that rates of violence and mass shootings increase during the summer, especially around the Fourth of July. According to PBS News, the Gun Violence Archive—a database that tracks mass shootings involving four or more people in the U.S.—shows that June, July, and August have had the highest total number of mass shootings over the past decade, while the lowest totals were from December through March.

On a global scale, rising temperatures have been linked to increases in homicides, assaults, sexual assaults, firearm violence, intimate partner violence, and violent suicides. This suggests that as summer heatwaves become more frequent and intense, incidents may occur more often.

There are several factors that could explain why the warmest months of the year have historically been the most violent. For one, people spend more time drinking and attending social events, which creates more opportunities for conflict, University of Miami criminologist Alex Piquero told PBS. Studies have also shown that heat can push people to a boiling point, resulting in heightened levels of stress and irritability.

#Reasons #Summer #Worst #Season #Yearextreme weather,Insects,public health,summer">5 Reasons Why Summer Is the Worst Season of the Year5 Reasons Why Summer Is the Worst Season of the Year I have a confession to make… I don’t like summer. Sure, I can get down with the beach, ice cream, and other delights that are certainly more enjoyable when it’s warm and sunny out. But I remain steadfast in my opinion that it’s actually the worst season of the year—and it’s only getting more unbearable. Before you come for me, let me just say that there’s real science to back me up. Here are 5 research-proven reasons why summer low-key sucks. 1. Bugs, obviously If there’s one thing we can all probably agree on, it’s that mosquitoes and ticks are horrible. When the weather warms and these blood-sucking parasites emerge in droves, it’s more than just a nuisance—it’s a serious public health issue. Rates of insect-borne diseases such as West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and dengue fever surge in the summer as higher temperatures and humidity accelerate the reproduction, metabolisms, and biting rates of ticks and mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 476,000 people in the U.S. may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year, and most cases are reported in late spring and summer. As climate change leads to longer, hotter, and (in some places) wetter summers, rates of insect-borne diseases are rising. West Nile virus only surfaced in the U.S. in 1999 but has since become the country’s most common mosquito-borne illness, affecting thousands of people each year. Cases of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Powassan encephalitis have more than doubled throughout the U.S. over the past two decades. 2. Rampant extreme weather Deadly heatwaves, severe thunderstorms, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires—all these weather extremes are more common in the summer. In fact, the U.S. tends to experience most billion-dollar disasters from April through August. The reasons are complex, but they largely stem from a warmer atmosphere that holds more energy and moisture, intensifying storm systems while also amplifying heat stress at the surface. Summer heatwaves can be particularly dangerous, and they’re becoming more frequent and severe as global temperatures rise. The combination of extreme heat and humidity is one of the leading weather-related killers in the country, as it can exacerbate underlying illnesses and cause heatstroke. At the same time, warmer temperatures increase evaporation from the landscape, leading to drought and heightened wildfire risk. Smoke from wildfires also reduces air quality, wreaking havoc on public health. At the same time, tropical cyclone activity ramps up during the summer—a result of warmer ocean waters, favorable wind shear patterns, and more atmospheric humidity and instability. These conditions also support severe thunderstorm development and contribute to tornado formation, particularly in the central United States. 3. Brutal utility bills When that scorching summer heat sets in, utility costs skyrocket. That’s because households in most regions of the U.S. consume more electricity from July through August, when temperatures and cooling demand are at their peak. Nearly 90% of U.S. households cool their homes with air conditioning. Thanks to climate change, it’s getting harder for air conditioning to beat the heat, and you’re paying the price. As global temperatures rise, people are running air conditioners more often and for longer periods of time. By 2050, the International Energy Agency expects to see a threefold increase in global air-conditioner-related energy demand, equivalent to adding 10 new units per second over the next three decades. 4. Killer UV radiation Who doesn’t love slathering on greasy SPF every time they leave the house? Me, that’s who. I know we’re supposed to wear sunscreen all year round, but there’s no denying that the risk of UV exposure increases drastically in the summer—and some studies suggest it’s only getting worse. Over the past five decades, incidence of malignant skin melanoma—the most aggressive skin cancer—has surged dramatically, with over 325,000 new cases reported worldwide in 2020. This increase has been linked to changes in UV radiation exposure driven by shifting atmospheric conditions, including cloud cover variability, aerosol concentrations, and surface reflectivity. 5. Increased violence A growing body of evidence suggests that rates of violence and mass shootings increase during the summer, especially around the Fourth of July. According to PBS News, the Gun Violence Archive—a database that tracks mass shootings involving four or more people in the U.S.—shows that June, July, and August have had the highest total number of mass shootings over the past decade, while the lowest totals were from December through March. On a global scale, rising temperatures have been linked to increases in homicides, assaults, sexual assaults, firearm violence, intimate partner violence, and violent suicides. This suggests that as summer heatwaves become more frequent and intense, incidents may occur more often. There are several factors that could explain why the warmest months of the year have historically been the most violent. For one, people spend more time drinking and attending social events, which creates more opportunities for conflict, University of Miami criminologist Alex Piquero told PBS. Studies have also shown that heat can push people to a boiling point, resulting in heightened levels of stress and irritability. #Reasons #Summer #Worst #Season #Yearextreme weather,Insects,public health,summer

I have a confession to make… I don’t like summer.

Sure, I can get down with the beach, ice cream, and other delights that are certainly more enjoyable when it’s warm and sunny out. But I remain steadfast in my opinion that it’s actually the worst season of the year—and it’s only getting more unbearable.

Before you come for me, let me just say that there’s real science to back me up. Here are 5 research-proven reasons why summer low-key sucks.

1. Bugs, obviously

If there’s one thing we can all probably agree on, it’s that mosquitoes and ticks are horrible. When the weather warms and these blood-sucking parasites emerge in droves, it’s more than just a nuisance—it’s a serious public health issue.

Rates of insect-borne diseases such as West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and dengue fever surge in the summer as higher temperatures and humidity accelerate the reproduction, metabolisms, and biting rates of ticks and mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 476,000 people in the U.S. may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year, and most cases are reported in late spring and summer.

As climate change leads to longer, hotter, and (in some places) wetter summers, rates of insect-borne diseases are rising. West Nile virus only surfaced in the U.S. in 1999 but has since become the country’s most common mosquito-borne illness, affecting thousands of people each year. Cases of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Powassan encephalitis have more than doubled throughout the U.S. over the past two decades.

2. Rampant extreme weather

Deadly heatwaves, severe thunderstorms, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires—all these weather extremes are more common in the summer. In fact, the U.S. tends to experience most billion-dollar disasters from April through August. The reasons are complex, but they largely stem from a warmer atmosphere that holds more energy and moisture, intensifying storm systems while also amplifying heat stress at the surface.

Summer heatwaves can be particularly dangerous, and they’re becoming more frequent and severe as global temperatures rise. The combination of extreme heat and humidity is one of the leading weather-related killers in the country, as it can exacerbate underlying illnesses and cause heatstroke. At the same time, warmer temperatures increase evaporation from the landscape, leading to drought and heightened wildfire risk. Smoke from wildfires also reduces air quality, wreaking havoc on public health.

At the same time, tropical cyclone activity ramps up during the summer—a result of warmer ocean waters, favorable wind shear patterns, and more atmospheric humidity and instability. These conditions also support severe thunderstorm development and contribute to tornado formation, particularly in the central United States.

3. Brutal utility bills

When that scorching summer heat sets in, utility costs skyrocket. That’s because households in most regions of the U.S. consume more electricity from July through August, when temperatures and cooling demand are at their peak. Nearly 90% of U.S. households cool their homes with air conditioning.

Thanks to climate change, it’s getting harder for air conditioning to beat the heat, and you’re paying the price. As global temperatures rise, people are running air conditioners more often and for longer periods of time. By 2050, the International Energy Agency expects to see a threefold increase in global air-conditioner-related energy demand, equivalent to adding 10 new units per second over the next three decades.

4. Killer UV radiation

Who doesn’t love slathering on greasy SPF every time they leave the house? Me, that’s who. I know we’re supposed to wear sunscreen all year round, but there’s no denying that the risk of UV exposure increases drastically in the summer—and some studies suggest it’s only getting worse.

Over the past five decades, incidence of malignant skin melanoma—the most aggressive skin cancer—has surged dramatically, with over 325,000 new cases reported worldwide in 2020. This increase has been linked to changes in UV radiation exposure driven by shifting atmospheric conditions, including cloud cover variability, aerosol concentrations, and surface reflectivity.

5. Increased violence

A growing body of evidence suggests that rates of violence and mass shootings increase during the summer, especially around the Fourth of July. According to PBS News, the Gun Violence Archive—a database that tracks mass shootings involving four or more people in the U.S.—shows that June, July, and August have had the highest total number of mass shootings over the past decade, while the lowest totals were from December through March.

On a global scale, rising temperatures have been linked to increases in homicides, assaults, sexual assaults, firearm violence, intimate partner violence, and violent suicides. This suggests that as summer heatwaves become more frequent and intense, incidents may occur more often.

There are several factors that could explain why the warmest months of the year have historically been the most violent. For one, people spend more time drinking and attending social events, which creates more opportunities for conflict, University of Miami criminologist Alex Piquero told PBS. Studies have also shown that heat can push people to a boiling point, resulting in heightened levels of stress and irritability.

#Reasons #Summer #Worst #Season #Yearextreme weather,Insects,public health,summer

Instructions designed to guide the behavior of the company’s latest model as it writes code have been revealed to include a line, repeated several times, that specifically forbids it from randomly mentioning an assortment of mythical and real creatures.

“Never talk about goblins, gremlins, raccoons, trolls, ogres, pigeons, or other animals or creatures unless it is absolutely and unambiguously relevant to the user’s query,” read instructions in Codex CLI, a command-line tool for using AI to generate code.

It is unclear why OpenAI felt compelled to spell this out for Codex—or indeed why its models might want to discuss goblins or pigeons in the first place. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

OpenAI’s newest model, GPT-5.5, was released with enhanced coding skills earlier this month. The company is in a fierce race with rivals, especially Anthropic, to deliver cutting-edge AI, and coding has emerged as a killer capability.

In response to a post on X that highlighted the lines, however, some users claimed that OpenAI’s models occasionally become obsessed with goblins and other creatures when used to power OpenClaw, a tool that lets AI take control of a computer and apps running on it in order to do useful things for users.

“I was wondering why my claw suddenly became a goblin with codex 5.5,” one user wrote on X.

“Been using it a lot lately and it actually can’t stop speaking of bugs as ‘gremlins’ and ‘goblins’ it’s hilarious,” posted another.

The discovery quickly became its own meme, inspiring AI-generated scenes of goblins in data centers, and plug-ins for Codex that put it in a playful “goblin mode.”

AI models like GPT-5.5 are trained to predict the word—or code—that should follow a given prompt. These models have become so good at doing this that they appear to exhibit genuine intelligence. But their probabilistic nature means that they can sometimes behave in surprising ways. A model might become more prone to misbehavior when used with an “agentic harness” like OpenClaw that puts lots of additional instructions into prompts, such as facts stored in long-term memory.

OpenAI acquired OpenClaw in February not long after the tool became a viral hit among AI enthusiasts. OpenClaw can use any AI model to automate useful tasks like answering emails or buying things on the web. Users can select any of various personae for their helper, which shapes its behavior and responses.

OpenAI staffers appeared to acknowledge the prohibition. In response to a post highlighting OpenClaw’s goblin tendencies, Nik Pash, who works on Codex, wrote, “This is indeed one of the reasons.”

Even Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, joined in with the memes, posting a screenshot of a prompt for ChatGPT. It read: “Start training GPT-6, you can have the whole cluster. Extra goblins.”

#OpenAI #Codex #Shut #Goblinsopenai,artificial intelligence,coding,agentic ai,trolls">OpenAI Really Wants Codex to Shut Up About GoblinsOpenAI has a goblin problem.Instructions designed to guide the behavior of the company’s latest model as it writes code have been revealed to include a line, repeated several times, that specifically forbids it from randomly mentioning an assortment of mythical and real creatures.“Never talk about goblins, gremlins, raccoons, trolls, ogres, pigeons, or other animals or creatures unless it is absolutely and unambiguously relevant to the user’s query,” read instructions in Codex CLI, a command-line tool for using AI to generate code.It is unclear why OpenAI felt compelled to spell this out for Codex—or indeed why its models might want to discuss goblins or pigeons in the first place. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.OpenAI’s newest model, GPT-5.5, was released with enhanced coding skills earlier this month. The company is in a fierce race with rivals, especially Anthropic, to deliver cutting-edge AI, and coding has emerged as a killer capability.In response to a post on X that highlighted the lines, however, some users claimed that OpenAI’s models occasionally become obsessed with goblins and other creatures when used to power OpenClaw, a tool that lets AI take control of a computer and apps running on it in order to do useful things for users.“I was wondering why my claw suddenly became a goblin with codex 5.5,” one user wrote on X.“Been using it a lot lately and it actually can’t stop speaking of bugs as ‘gremlins’ and ‘goblins’ it’s hilarious,” posted another.The discovery quickly became its own meme, inspiring AI-generated scenes of goblins in data centers, and plug-ins for Codex that put it in a playful “goblin mode.”AI models like GPT-5.5 are trained to predict the word—or code—that should follow a given prompt. These models have become so good at doing this that they appear to exhibit genuine intelligence. But their probabilistic nature means that they can sometimes behave in surprising ways. A model might become more prone to misbehavior when used with an “agentic harness” like OpenClaw that puts lots of additional instructions into prompts, such as facts stored in long-term memory.OpenAI acquired OpenClaw in February not long after the tool became a viral hit among AI enthusiasts. OpenClaw can use any AI model to automate useful tasks like answering emails or buying things on the web. Users can select any of various personae for their helper, which shapes its behavior and responses.OpenAI staffers appeared to acknowledge the prohibition. In response to a post highlighting OpenClaw’s goblin tendencies, Nik Pash, who works on Codex, wrote, “This is indeed one of the reasons.”Even Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, joined in with the memes, posting a screenshot of a prompt for ChatGPT. It read: “Start training GPT-6, you can have the whole cluster. Extra goblins.”#OpenAI #Codex #Shut #Goblinsopenai,artificial intelligence,coding,agentic ai,trolls

revealed to include a line, repeated several times, that specifically forbids it from randomly mentioning an assortment of mythical and real creatures.

“Never talk about goblins, gremlins, raccoons, trolls, ogres, pigeons, or other animals or creatures unless it is absolutely and unambiguously relevant to the user’s query,” read instructions in Codex CLI, a command-line tool for using AI to generate code.

It is unclear why OpenAI felt compelled to spell this out for Codex—or indeed why its models might want to discuss goblins or pigeons in the first place. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

OpenAI’s newest model, GPT-5.5, was released with enhanced coding skills earlier this month. The company is in a fierce race with rivals, especially Anthropic, to deliver cutting-edge AI, and coding has emerged as a killer capability.

In response to a post on X that highlighted the lines, however, some users claimed that OpenAI’s models occasionally become obsessed with goblins and other creatures when used to power OpenClaw, a tool that lets AI take control of a computer and apps running on it in order to do useful things for users.

“I was wondering why my claw suddenly became a goblin with codex 5.5,” one user wrote on X.

“Been using it a lot lately and it actually can’t stop speaking of bugs as ‘gremlins’ and ‘goblins’ it’s hilarious,” posted another.

The discovery quickly became its own meme, inspiring AI-generated scenes of goblins in data centers, and plug-ins for Codex that put it in a playful “goblin mode.”

AI models like GPT-5.5 are trained to predict the word—or code—that should follow a given prompt. These models have become so good at doing this that they appear to exhibit genuine intelligence. But their probabilistic nature means that they can sometimes behave in surprising ways. A model might become more prone to misbehavior when used with an “agentic harness” like OpenClaw that puts lots of additional instructions into prompts, such as facts stored in long-term memory.

OpenAI acquired OpenClaw in February not long after the tool became a viral hit among AI enthusiasts. OpenClaw can use any AI model to automate useful tasks like answering emails or buying things on the web. Users can select any of various personae for their helper, which shapes its behavior and responses.

OpenAI staffers appeared to acknowledge the prohibition. In response to a post highlighting OpenClaw’s goblin tendencies, Nik Pash, who works on Codex, wrote, “This is indeed one of the reasons.”

Even Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, joined in with the memes, posting a screenshot of a prompt for ChatGPT. It read: “Start training GPT-6, you can have the whole cluster. Extra goblins.”

#OpenAI #Codex #Shut #Goblinsopenai,artificial intelligence,coding,agentic ai,trolls">OpenAI Really Wants Codex to Shut Up About Goblins

OpenAI has a goblin problem.

Instructions designed to guide the behavior of the company’s latest model as it writes code have been revealed to include a line, repeated several times, that specifically forbids it from randomly mentioning an assortment of mythical and real creatures.

“Never talk about goblins, gremlins, raccoons, trolls, ogres, pigeons, or other animals or creatures unless it is absolutely and unambiguously relevant to the user’s query,” read instructions in Codex CLI, a command-line tool for using AI to generate code.

It is unclear why OpenAI felt compelled to spell this out for Codex—or indeed why its models might want to discuss goblins or pigeons in the first place. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

OpenAI’s newest model, GPT-5.5, was released with enhanced coding skills earlier this month. The company is in a fierce race with rivals, especially Anthropic, to deliver cutting-edge AI, and coding has emerged as a killer capability.

In response to a post on X that highlighted the lines, however, some users claimed that OpenAI’s models occasionally become obsessed with goblins and other creatures when used to power OpenClaw, a tool that lets AI take control of a computer and apps running on it in order to do useful things for users.

“I was wondering why my claw suddenly became a goblin with codex 5.5,” one user wrote on X.

“Been using it a lot lately and it actually can’t stop speaking of bugs as ‘gremlins’ and ‘goblins’ it’s hilarious,” posted another.

The discovery quickly became its own meme, inspiring AI-generated scenes of goblins in data centers, and plug-ins for Codex that put it in a playful “goblin mode.”

AI models like GPT-5.5 are trained to predict the word—or code—that should follow a given prompt. These models have become so good at doing this that they appear to exhibit genuine intelligence. But their probabilistic nature means that they can sometimes behave in surprising ways. A model might become more prone to misbehavior when used with an “agentic harness” like OpenClaw that puts lots of additional instructions into prompts, such as facts stored in long-term memory.

OpenAI acquired OpenClaw in February not long after the tool became a viral hit among AI enthusiasts. OpenClaw can use any AI model to automate useful tasks like answering emails or buying things on the web. Users can select any of various personae for their helper, which shapes its behavior and responses.

OpenAI staffers appeared to acknowledge the prohibition. In response to a post highlighting OpenClaw’s goblin tendencies, Nik Pash, who works on Codex, wrote, “This is indeed one of the reasons.”

Even Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, joined in with the memes, posting a screenshot of a prompt for ChatGPT. It read: “Start training GPT-6, you can have the whole cluster. Extra goblins.”

#OpenAI #Codex #Shut #Goblinsopenai,artificial intelligence,coding,agentic ai,trolls

Today’s Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you’re not a fan of big cities.

If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 29, 2026

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What’s the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 29, 2026

Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:

Countryside.

Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter R appears twice.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…

Today’s Wordle starts with the letter R.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL.

The Wordle answer today is…

Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today’s Wordle is…

RURAL

Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.

#Wordle #today #answer #hints #April">Wordle today: The answer and hints for April 29, 2026 Today’s Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you’re not a fan of big cities.If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 29, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.What’s the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers. Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though. SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 29, 2026 Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:Countryside. Mashable Top Stories Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter R appears twice.Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators todayToday’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…Today’s Wordle starts with the letter R. SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is…Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.Drumroll please!The solution to today’s Wordle is…RURALDon’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle. #Wordle #today #answer #hints #April

Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you’re not a fan of big cities.

If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 29, 2026

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What’s the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 29, 2026

Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:

Countryside.

Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter R appears twice.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…

Today’s Wordle starts with the letter R.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL.

The Wordle answer today is…

Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today’s Wordle is…

RURAL

Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.

#Wordle #today #answer #hints #April">Wordle today: The answer and hints for April 29, 2026

Today’s Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you’re not a fan of big cities.

If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 29, 2026

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What’s the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 29, 2026

Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:

Countryside.

Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter R appears twice.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…

Today’s Wordle starts with the letter R.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL.

The Wordle answer today is…

Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today’s Wordle is…

RURAL

Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.

#Wordle #today #answer #hints #April

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