NIUS

A newly published biography of Whitney Houston makes the case that the singer should be regarded as a genius, prompting fresh discussion of her artistry and legacy. The claim, featured in The New York Times, invites readers to reassess Houston's influence on pop and soul music more than a decade after her death in 2012.

Vilnius University and CERN are deepening their cooperation, covering joint research and the development of scientific talent. The strengthened ties are expected to give Lithuanian physicists and students closer access to CERN's facilities and collaborative projects, positioning the university as a growing node in European fundamental physics research.

A psychiatric hospital in Paris is drawing attention for its art collection, which is being used to challenge the long-standing stereotype linking mental illness and creative genius. The collection highlights patients as artists in their own right, prompting renewed discussion in France about how psychiatry, stigma and creativity are portrayed in public culture.

A new review of 'Godzilla Minus Zero', the follow-up to Takashi Yamazaki's acclaimed 'Godzilla Minus One', praises the film as a crackling kaiju epic said to be every bit as exciting as its predecessor. The Hollywood Reporter's write-up highlights Yamazaki's return as director and frames the sequel as another high point for the franchise, drawing attention from film fans worldwide.

Rodney McMillian, an artist based at UCLA, has been named a MacArthur Fellow, receiving the fellowship often described as a 'genius grant.' The honor recognizes his contributions to contemporary art and comes with a substantial no-strings-attached award, drawing attention to his work and to UCLA's arts programs.

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has announced its 2026 class of MacArthur Fellows, the so-called genius grants. The fellowships award unrestricted stipends, typically several hundred thousand dollars, to individuals working across arts, sciences, journalism and other fields, based on exceptional creativity and promise for future work. Winners usually learn of the award only days before the public announcement, and the annual reveal draws wide attention to the honorees' work.

Two Illinois-based researchers — a University of Chicago physicist and a University of Illinois environmental scientist — have been named among this year's MacArthur Fellows, receiving the foundation's prestigious 'genius grants'. The awards, which come with a substantial no-strings-attached stipend, recognize exceptional creativity and promise across science, the arts and public life.

A roundup of inventive gadgets is drawing wide attention, showcasing tools and devices billed as must-see innovations. Viewers are engaging heavily with the collection, which highlights practical and unusual inventions across categories. The surge in interest suggests continued appetite for gadget discoveries and product roundups online.

An environmental scientist based in Illinois has been named a winner of a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, often called a 'genius grant.' The award recognizes outstandingly creative work and comes with a substantial no-strings-attached fellowship. The news was reported by WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, drawing attention to the scientist's contributions to environmental research.

Fabrice Bellard, the French programmer behind projects like QEMU, FFmpeg and TinyCC, is being profiled as one of the quiet architects of modern computing infrastructure. The piece highlights how his software underpins virtualisation, multimedia processing and development toolchains used across the internet, despite his low public profile. Readers are sharing renewed appreciation for his contributions, including his record-setting calculations of pi and the Bellard formula.

The MacArthur Foundation has announced its 2026 class of MacArthur Fellows, naming 20 recipients of the so-called 'genius grant'. The award, given annually, provides fellows with a substantial no-strings-attached fellowship to pursue their work across fields spanning science, the arts, and public life. Coverage is highlighting the new fellows and their individual achievements.

St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Mason Molina is on a strong run at Triple-A, fueling talk that he could soon join the big-league rotation. Fans note he adds to a growing stock of young Cardinals arms with real upside, and that the acquisition may soon vindicate executive Chaim Bloom, who could look like a genius if Molina develops into a mainstay in St. Louis for years to come.

Street art in Vilnius, Lithuania is being shared online, showcasing murals and graffiti across the city. The images highlight Vilnius's growing reputation as a hub for urban art, with painted walls drawing interest from art lovers and locals alike.

An Illinois-based environmental scientist has been named a recipient of a prestigious 'genius grant', one of the most sought-after honors in the United States for outstanding work across science and the arts. The Chicago Sun-Times reported the award, which recognizes exceptional creativity and carries a substantial no-strings-attached fellowship. It highlights growing recognition for environmental research in the Midwest.

Chip Thomas, an artist and physician who graduated from Wake Forest University, has been awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, often called a genius grant. Thomas is known for large-scale public art installations, and the fellowship recognizes exceptional creativity with a significant no-strings-attached award. The news is being reported by regional outlets in North Carolina, drawing attention to the university's alumni.

A photographer has shared a close-up image of a common longwing butterfly (Heliconius erato), pairing the shot with a reflection on staying focused despite distractions. The post, tagged under butterfly, nature and photography topics, is drawing modest engagement among wildlife and nature photography enthusiasts sharing and appreciating the image.

The MacArthur Foundation has announced its latest class of 'genius' grant recipients, honouring fellows whose work spans racial inequity, medicine and other fields. The awards, worth substantial unrestricted sums, recognize individuals across arts, sciences and activism. This year's cohort is drawing attention for its emphasis on social justice and public health, with commentators noting the foundation's continued focus on people tackling inequality and medical challenges.