Microsoft has announced a new update to its flagship image editing software Paint, which will include layers, transparency support, and background removal tools. It could make advanced image editing far more accessible to young people. — A new update to Microsoft’s Paint could make image editing much easier and accessible for beginners, especially students and young designers. In a statement to Windows Insiders, Microsoft said that it was ‘beginning to roll out an update’ that includes support for layers and image transparency. …

NASA is formalising and accelerating efforts to better understand Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) after a public hearing. With a new Research Director hired, will this be a boon for those chasing infallible evidence of otherworldly visitors? — While once terms like UAP and UFO were uttered mostly by foil-hat wearing conspiracists in the Deep South or Nevada, we’re increasingly hearing them discussed in an official capacity.

Ariana Grande has just joined Kylie Jenner in opening up about the work she’s had done to alter her appearance. This poses the question: are we in a new era of A-lister authenticity? — As social media continues to wreak havoc on our self-esteem, it can be immensely frustrating to recognise that we’re being lied to by our favourite celebrities about how they’ve altered their appearances. Take the Kardashians, for example. Despite the fact they’ve been in the public eye for well over a…

The cells of Henrietta Lacks have been instrumental in advancing the bioscience field, saving countless lives, but their use was tainted with injustice. Her story is a reminder of the importance of informed consent in medical research. — In 1951, a young mother walked into Johns Hopkins Hospital — one of the few hospitals to treat poor African Americans at the time. The woman, Henrietta Lacks, was later told by her doctors that she had a malignant form of cervical cancer. …

A city in France has recently launched an app to protect women from sexual harassment at the beach. — Nobody should be made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe, but unfortunately sexual harassment is a hugely prevalent problem, especially for women. According to a 2018 study conducted by IFOP (French Institute of Public Opinion), 81% of women have been sexually harassed in public places. In an attempt to fight this…

Representing a ‘#MeToo moment’ for the NHS, a recent survey has uncovered a pattern of female trainees being abused by senior male surgeons during the past five years in operating theatres across the UK. — Almost a third of female surgeons in the UK have been sexually assaulted by a colleague during the past five years, a recent survey — which is the largest of its kind — has revealed. Published in the British Journal of Surgery (BJS), the findings have brought to light the…

UK ministers are reportedly poised to announce a nationwide ban on single-use vapes in the coming week. With their considerable ecological impact considered in discussions, the chief concern is that children are becoming addicted. — Your local off license is about to become a lot less colourful in the coming weeks, if reports are to be believed. After much umming and ahing, UK ministers are reportedly on the cusp of finally following through with a nationwide ban on single-use vapes before the end of the…

The rapid improvement of AI systems has sent a rush of panic through society for a variety of different reasons. Given all this bad PR, perhaps it’s time to instead look at the wonderful things this technology has to offer us. — Ask the internet about the evils and dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and you’ll find no shortage of conspiracies coated with themes of impending doom and world-ending global catastrophe.

The Supreme Court’s decision to legalise the procedure across all 32 states follows a growing trend throughout the region, which is renowned for its deeply conservative values. — On Wednesday, Mexico’s Supreme Court unanimously ordered that abortion be removed from the federal penal code across all 32 states, in a historic decision welcomed by women’s rights groups throughout the country. The ruling will mean access to the procedure for millions, an extension of a growing trend in Latin…