CULTUREMoroccan oud music centers on the oud—a pear-shaped, fretless short-necked lute with typically 11 or 13 strings as a primary melodic instrument in traditional and

CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENTExperts drawing on satellite observations and solar physics argue that the Sun Drives Global Warming, not human CO2 emissions.

BRICS & BRIFuture historians may discuss how large parts of the world began building their own systems of research, production, and technological development.

WAR & PEACEThe Church of Sweden is intensifying contingency planning so that at least 500,000 people could be buried if a Swedish-Russian war were to break out.

CULTUREActress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles as Claire Bennet on NBC’s Heroes and Juliette Barnes on Nashville, has died at age 36.

TECHNOLOGYImagine a spaceship with an engine powered by propellantless thrust. No giant fuel tanks. Just pure electric power turning into a steady push through the emptiness of space.