Researchers reported that a ring-like structure deep inside a French cave was built about 176,500 years ago, far earlier than many complex constructions tied to early humans. The finding adds new evidence that Neanderthals organized materials, used fire, and worked far underground.

The spotted lanternfly has expanded well beyond the Mid-Atlantic, with agriculture officials confirming infestations in multiple states. The insect is damaging grapes, fruit trees, and hardwoods, and its spread is changing how communities and growers manage outdoor spaces.

A recent run of major earthquakes around the Pacific has renewed attention on the Ring of Fire, the tectonic belt that produces about 90% of the world’s earthquakes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The highest risk remains concentrated along active subduction zones from Alaska and the U.S. West Coast to Japan, Indonesia, and Chile.

A cross-country traveler said John F. Kennedy was the most frequently named favorite president in informal interviews across the U.S. Historians and polling data help explain why Kennedy still stands out more than 60 years after his death.

From World War II to the Persian Gulf, these 10 U.S. aircraft carriers earned lasting reputations in combat and returned home with battle records that still shape naval history. Each ship on this list is tied to specific wartime actions documented by the U.S. Navy and naval history archives.

Hiring has continued in the U.S., but the broad jobs boom many forecasters expected has not shown up. Recent federal data shows a slower, steadier labor market instead of a sharp surge in payroll growth.