US Edition - Today's top story: Narrow mail-in voting ruling by Supreme Court adds uncertainty to midterm elections without addressing constitutionality of Trump's executive order August 26, 2026 US Edition   Top headlines Are tiny house villages the answer to US homelessness? Israel’s crocodile prison guard plan is more than a stunt The symbolism of the Paris Grand Mosque as it turns 100 Lead story President Donald Trump won a victory at the Supreme Court late Monday, according to headlines. But those headlines overstated what happened. The case concerned Trump’s executive order from March that aimed to dramatically limit mail and absentee voting, and a lawsuit mounted by states against the order. Yet the conservative majority’s ruling was one that – while granting the president a win on procedure – did not in fact address the legality of his executive order. That is still to come. Confused? So was I. So I asked Quinnipiac University election law expert John J. Martin to explain what was going on. In my interview with Martin, he reviews the background of the case, the various players involved in challenging the order and what could happen next. As the 2026 midterms approach, says Martin, “Election officials need to know how they’re supposed to manage their elections, and they need to know this months in advance. They want to know: Are we actually able to implement mail voting, or absentee voting, the way that we’ve always done it?” [ Science from the scientists themselves. Sign up for our weekly science email newsletter. ]   Naomi Schalit Politics and Legal Affairs Editor   Mail voting is under assault by the Trump administration. Alfieri Getty Images Narrow mail-in voting ruling by Supreme Court adds uncertainty to midterm elections without addressing constitutionality of Trump’s executive order John J. Martin, Quinnipiac University Will an Aug. 24, 2026, Supreme Court decision lead to chaos in the midterm elections? An election law scholar dissects the decision, its background and possible effects. Environment + Energy Disappearing lakes, old photos and AI are helping scientists map Arctic permafrost thaw in near-real time Anna Liljedahl, University of Alaska Anchorage; Ingmar Nitze, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research The abrupt disappearance of a lake is one clear sign that the ice below is melting, and a clue to wider permafrost changes. Why Trump’s plan to rescind the Roadless Rule protecting national forests will struggle in court Patrick Parenteau, Vermont Law & Graduate School The courts have rejected similar arguments before. Meanwhile, maintenance costs are rising, and the Forest Service’s own data contradicts the administration’s wildfire claims. Politics + Society Tiny house villages are increasingly responding to the homeless crisis in America’s fast-growing cities Yetimoni Kpeebi, University of North Carolina – Charlotte; Brandon Marc Finn, University of Michigan As economic and demographic growth increasingly coexists with poverty and homelessness, resident-led alternatives to housing are supporting communities left behind. Science + Technology I’m part of the team writing the next bible of psychiatry – for the first time, the DSM will use biology to understand mental disorders Anand Kumar, University of Illinois Chicago Despite advances in neuroscience, the underlying biology of mental illness has remained elusive. The DSM-6 will attempt to integrate neurobiology into how clinicians diagnose and treat psychiatric conditions. Arts + Culture How the ‘backwoods Barbie’ Dolly Parton turned self-aware artifice into authentic artistry Rosemary Overell, University of Otago Dolly Parton’s first hit was titled ‘Dumb Blonde’. The country music legend, who has died at 80, was anything but that. International Crocodiles as prison guards: Israeli moat plan dehumanizes Palestinian prisoners Irus Braverman, University at Buffalo A court injunction has slowed plans to build a crocodile moat at a facility holding Palestinian prisoners. But Israeli government hard-liners are pushing ahead. Ethics + Religion Why French officials placed a Muslim war memorial in the intellectual heart of Paris in the 20th century Shannon Fogg, Missouri University of Science and Technology The Grand Mosque of Paris has stood for a century as a memorial to Muslim soldiers and a nuanced symbol of French colonialism. Health + Medicine Stop trying to maintain constant productivity: Your ability to cope with stress changes with the seasons and your own biological clocks Masha Remskar, Arizona State University You can build resilience that will work with the changing rhythms in your life. Trending on site