Entertainment

Backstreet Boys talk Las Vegas Sphere residency, becoming the 'Rolling Stones of pop'

Feb. 19, 2025

NEW YORK – The Backstreet Boys are taking on a new challenge: Be the first pop group to headline the Sphere, a state-of-the-art venue in Las Vegas that has already hosted U2, Phish, Dead & Company and the Eagles. Features of the building include a 160,000-square-foot wraparound LED screens and more than 160,000 speakers. "Hopefully we sound like angels," Brian Littrell, 49, jokes to USA TODAY during a press junket in midtown Manhattan for the group's upcoming Vegas residency, which kicks off July 11 and runs through August. "Millennium 2.0," a rerelease of the Backstreet Boys career-defining 1999 album, will release in tandem with the start of the shows.

Science & Tech

Measles outbreak grows bigger in rural Texas, and officials expect more cases

Feb. 19, 2025

At least 58 new cases of measles have been reported across northwest Texas in recent weeks, state health officials said Tuesday, in a "highly contagious" outbreak that might be linked to lack of vaccination. A bulk of these new cases in rural northwest Texas are in Gaines County with 45 documented incidents of the disease, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Automotive

Nissan weighing production shift to mitigate tariffs

Feb. 19, 2025

Building more vehicles in Japan and fewer in Mexico is just one strategy being considered by Nissan Motor Corp. to mitigate higher duties on products entering the U.S., president and CEO Makoto Uchida said on an earnings call with analysts on Feb. 13. However, Uchida’s comments preceded remarks made by President Donald Trump on Feb. 14 who indicated a new tariff on automotive imports was coming in early April. Trump said during a press conference on Tuesday that tariffs on automotive imports as well as on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals would be around 25%.

International News

Trump delivers another blow to Ukraine and a new boost to Putin

Feb. 19, 2025

It looked like things couldn’t get any darker for Ukraine. Then President Donald Trump spoke up. After cutting President Volodymyr Zelensky out of the first US talks with Russia on ending the war, Trump on Tuesday falsely accused Ukraine of starting a conflict that has ravaged its land and killed thousands of its people. And in his most hostile comments toward the Ukrainian leader yet, Trump voiced yet another of President Vladimir Putin’s talking points — that it was time for an election in Ukraine — in an apparent bid to begin the process of pushing Zelensky aside.

Weather

mRNA vaccines show promise in pancreatic cancer in early trial

Feb. 19, 2025

Personalized mRNA vaccines show promise as pancreatic cancer treatment, a phase 1 clinical trial published Wednesday in Nature found. Fewer than 13% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer live for more than five years, making it one of the deadliest types of cancer. That is, in part, because around 90% of cases are diagnosed when the disease is already advanced.

Entertainment

Monica Lewinsky says she's 'reclaiming' fallout from Bill Clinton scandal on new podcast

Feb. 19, 2025

Monica Lewinsky is reclaiming her story. The "Reclaiming" podcast host, who released the first episode of her new project Tuesday, retold the story of her journey from scrutinized White House intern to Hollywood producer and anti-bullying advocate. "Coming out of '98, I lost my anonymity, I lost my future, I lost my sense of self, I think I lost trusting myself in many ways," Lewinsky said on Tuesday's "Reclaiming" episode.

Entertainment

Didn't get Beyoncé tour tickets last week? See where Bey added one more show

Feb. 19, 2025

Beyoncé has added a fourth and final Atlanta show to her "Cowboy Carter" tour and has yet again set another record. The 35-time Grammy winner announced an additional show on Wednesday for her highly anticipated Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour. Beyoncé will now have her last performance at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 14, while setting the record for the most performances at the stadium.

Science & Tech

mRNA vaccines show promise in pancreatic cancer in early trial

Feb. 19, 2025

Personalized mRNA vaccines show promise as pancreatic cancer treatment, a phase 1 clinical trial published Wednesday in Nature found. Fewer than 13% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer live for more than five years, making it one of the deadliest types of cancer. That is, in part, because around 90% of cases are diagnosed when the disease is already advanced.

Weather

This Week’s Weather: 4 Things To Watch

Feb. 19, 2025

The winter storm parade continues with Kingston’s cross country trek, ushering in more snow, ice and extremely cold temperatures. The West will see another system move in midweek and spring will fight back against winter by the weekend. As we head into President’s Day week, here are some things you should watch out for.

Travel

These are the world’s best beaches for 2025, according to Tripadvisor

Feb. 19, 2025

The travel reviews platform has compiled several best of lists, including the global top 25 best beaches, a US-focused list, a 25th anniversary list and a range of regional top 10s. “This year’s lists span an incredible six continents and 50 countries with over 100 of the very best beaches showcasing the eclectic mix of coastal spots across the world,” said Kristen Dalton, Tripadvisor president, in a news release. The very best beach in the world? That would be Elafonissi Beach on the Greek island of Crete, according to Tripadvisor.