Good morning. It's Wednesday, June 11, and we're covering a school shooting in Austria, a chemical that makes limb regeneration possible, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4.5 million intellectually curious readers. Sign up here.
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At least 10 people were killed and 12 wounded after a former student opened fire at a high school in Graz, Austria, around 10 am local time Tuesday. The mass shooting in Austria’s second-largest city is the deadliest attack in the country’s postwar history and among Europe’s most fatal shootings in four decades.
The suspect, a 21-year-old man, also died by suicide in a school bathroom. Authorities recovered his legally owned long gun and handgun at the scene and believe he acted alone, though his motive is unclear as of this writing. The gunman's and victims' identities have not been disclosed as preliminary investigations continue. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker declared a three-day national mourning period.
Austria has one of the highest civilian gun ownership rates in Europe, with about 30 firearms per 100 people. Larger countries like France and Germany each have around 20 firearms per 100 civilians. Still, mass shootings are relatively rare in the central European nation. Yesterday’s attack marks Austria’s third mass shooting since 2000. Learn about Austrian gun laws here. |
Scientists have uncovered new clues about how some animals regrow lost limbs, marking a major step forward for regenerative medicine. The study focused on axolotls—endangered Mexican salamanders known for their ability to regenerate body parts. The creatures can fully regrow a limb in as few as eight weeks, replacing skin, bone, cartilage, muscle, and stem cells.
Researchers genetically engineered axolotls to glow in the dark to track the molecular and genetic signals active during regeneration. They found that a key to the process is retinoic acid, a form of vitamin A that acts like a GPS telling cells where to go and what to rebuild. Manipulating retinoic acid levels disrupted proper limb formation—too much or too little led to malformed limbs with misplaced segments. An enzyme called CYP26b1 was found to regulate the acid, making sure cells get just the right amount to rebuild limbs properly.
The findings may eventually help scientists research ways to trigger similar regenerative responses in humans. Read the full study here. |
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said yesterday that 4,000 National Guard troops will remain in Los Angeles for at least 60 days, a deployment he says will cost the US military at least $134M. The comments came in testimony before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee as it analyzed the proposed defense budget for fiscal year 2026.
The FY 2026 defense bill (see summary) allocates $831.5B to the Pentagon, matching FY 2025’s levels; an additional $150B over four years is expected to come through congressional reconciliation plans, lifting spending to nearly $1T. Following Hegseth's testimony, the Republican-led subcommittee advanced the budget proposal, sending it to the broader appropriations committee for review. A full House vote is expected as soon as this month.
Hegseth was also asked about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Ukraine’s recent drone attacks (see previous write-up), and foreign aid programs. His comments came as protests over immigration raids continued yesterday in at least a dozen cities, including New York City and Chicago. Meanwhile, Los Angeles enacted a partial curfew for its downtown. |
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> Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly orders end to US Agency for International Development's international workforce by Sept. 30; State Department to adopt responsibility for all foreign assistance programs (More) | US Rep. LaMonica McIver (D, NJ-10) indicted on federal charges over clash with law enforcement at immigration center in New Jersey (More) |
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