Articles with 400-600 Words

On August 7, 2025, the United States increased tariffs on products from more than 30 countries. The new taxes affect many items, including cars, electronics, and clothing. The rates vary depending on the product and the country from which it comes. For example, imports from Brazil now face a 50 percent tariff, while those from Europe will be taxed at 15 percent. Below is a breakdown of what this means and how it may impact Americans....

Barbie's Fashionistas line celebrates diversity and self-expression through a wide range of dolls. Launched by Mattel in 2009, the collection includes dolls with different body types, skin tones, and medical conditions. This includes dolls who are blind, have Down syndrome, and use a wheelchair or hearing aids. On July 8, 2025, the lineup welcomed a powerful new addition: a Barbie with Type 1 diabetes (T1D)....

Caterpillars are usually seen as harmless, plant-munching larvae. But a newly identified species discovered on the Hawaiian island of Oahu challenges that reputation. Measuring just 5 mm long, the "bone collector" caterpillar feeds on dead insects found in spider webs. It then repurposes the remains, wearing body parts like beetle shells and weevil heads as camouflage....

Every June, thousands of cyclists gather in Motala, Sweden, to participate in one of the world's longest and most iconic bike races — the Vätternrundan. This event, held on June 13 and 14 in 2025, requires riders to complete a staggering 196-mile (315 km) loop around Lake Vättern, Sweden's second-largest lake....

Over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the Hill Country region in Central Texas experienced intense rainfall. This caused the Guadalupe River, which runs through much of the area, to surge over 26 feet (7.9 m) in about 45 minutes. The rapid rise triggered one of the worst flash floods in US history. The water swept through entire communities with little warning, engulfing land and washing away vehicles, buildings, and bridges. Thousands of residents lost their homes and businesses. As of July 25, 2025, 138 people have died — the 10th-highest toll on record for a US flash flood. Three are still missing....

On May 13, 2025, Christopher Thuss headed out for an evening on Lake Michigan, hoping to catch a fish or two. Instead, he discovered the wreck of a storied tugboat that had remained hidden beneath the surface for over a century....

Each year on the first Saturday of June, thousands of people flock to a scenic Minneapolis neighborhood to witness a pencil being sharpened. As strange as it may sound, this is no ordinary pencil. It stands an impressive 20 feet (60 m) tall and boasts a diameter of 32 inches (81 cm)....

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday is observed every year on June 19. On this day in 1865, the last enslaved people in America — a group in Galveston,Texas — learned they were free....

For most climbers, summiting Mount Everest is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. But for Kami Rita Sherpa, it is just another day at work. On May 31, 2025, the 55-year-old Nepali climber stood atop the world’s highest peak for the 31st time. He broke his own world record for the most ascents of Everest....