Topics — what's happening on Bluesky right now
Hantavirus outbreak aboard MV Hondius kills three, WHO says not a pandemic
scienceHantavirus outbreak aboard MV Hondius kills three, WHO says not a pandemic
At least three deaths and several confirmed Andes hantavirus cases on cruise ship MV Hondius; WHO urges monitoring but says no pandemic.
Southern states redraw maps in moves that reduce Black representation
politicsSouthern states redraw maps in moves that reduce Black representation
Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and others have pushed rapid redistricting plans that advocates say will curtail Black voting power.
Truth Social parent reports $405M quarterly loss
techTruth Social parent reports $405M quarterly loss
Trump Media says it lost roughly $400, 405 million in the quarter; Truth Social stock has plunged and exec departures reported.
Carolina Hurricanes beat Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1
sportsCarolina Hurricanes beat Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1
Canes win 4-1; Andrei Svechnikov scored a power-play goal and Nikolaj Ehlers added another to seal the game.
static.klipy.com
GPose screenshots trend in the Final Fantasy XIV community
gamingGPose screenshots trend in the Final Fantasy XIV community
FFXIV players share themed GPose screenshots for Mayqote Day 8 and related fan events.
Sir David Attenborough marks 100th birthday; wasp named in his honour
natureSir David Attenborough marks 100th birthday; wasp named in his honour
Centennial tributes pour in and scientists named a parasitic wasp after Attenborough to mark his 100th birthday.
Viral line: the average American has three friends
cultureViral line: the average American has three friends
Hundreds of posts repeat the claim that the average American has three friends.
London local election results, Lib Dems gain in Sutton; Starmer vows to stay
politicsLondon local election results, Lib Dems gain in Sutton; Starmer vows to stay
Early London counts show Lib Dem gains in Sutton and mixed results across boroughs; Keir Starmer says he will not resign.
Ted Cruz says 'Trump Accounts' could be personal Social Security accounts
newsTed Cruz says 'Trump Accounts' could be personal Social Security accounts
Cruz framed Trump Accounts as individual Social Security‑style accounts, a potential step toward privatization.
Trump signs off on plan to fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
newsTrump signs off on plan to fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
WSJ says President Trump approved removing Makary after clashes over vaping, abortion and vaccine policy.
Furry Weekend Atlanta, vendor halls and fursuit Friday highlights
cultureFurry Weekend Atlanta, vendor halls and fursuit Friday highlights
Attendees post fursuit photos, vendor table locations, commission spots and aquarium meetups from FWA 2026.
Mortal Kombat 1 Definitive Edition adds skins tied to MKII movie
gamingMortal Kombat 1 Definitive Edition adds skins tied to MKII movie
Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition is getting new content and character skins representing Mortal Kombat II film characters.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's 88-minute 'efficiency' speech
newsInterior Secretary Doug Burgum's 88-minute 'efficiency' speech
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum made staff sit through an 88-minute address touting 'efficiency', prompting staff mockery.
Critical Role Campaign 4, Episode 25 spoilers
tvCritical Role Campaign 4, Episode 25 spoilers
Episode 25 lays bare the Photarch’s plan, spotlights villain Yannessa/Halovar, and ends on a 'Grandma' fake‑resurrection cliffhanger.
Reform UK makes major gains in English local elections, wins Havering
politicsReform UK makes major gains in English local elections, wins Havering
Reform UK picked up dozens of councillors nationwide, took control of Havering and swept multiple seats in Hartlepool and Tameside.
US April jobs report shows 115,000 payroll gain
financeUS April jobs report shows 115,000 payroll gain
BLS: US nonfarm payrolls rose 115,000 in April; unemployment rate unchanged at 4.3%.
Princeton awarded grant to host FIFA World Cup 2026 watch parties
sportsPrinceton awarded grant to host FIFA World Cup 2026 watch parties
Experience Princeton wins funding to run campus watch parties as World Cup 2026 approaches.
nypost.com
No‑bid $6.9M contract turns Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue
newsNo‑bid $6.9M contract turns Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue
NYT: President used an emergency exemption to steer a $6.9M no‑bid contract to a contractor linked to his private pools.
Canvas hack strands students during finals, universities postpone exams
techCanvas hack strands students during finals, universities postpone exams
Canvas users hit a ransom message; multiple universities have paused or delayed finals and access to course materials.
New Star Fox game shocks fans, soundtrack added to Nintendo Music
gamingNew Star Fox game shocks fans, soundtrack added to Nintendo Music
Nintendo unveiled a new Star Fox entry; fans are split over redesigns as several soundtrack tracks hit Nintendo Music.
Viral line: the average American has three friends
A recurring claim says the average American has three friends. Academic analyses of General Social Survey data show Americans report roughly two to three close ties, and McPherson, Smith-Lovin and Brashears found core discussion networks fell from 2.94 in 1985 to 2.08 in 2004. Survey wording and whether researchers ask about 'close friends' or 'people you discuss important matters with' change those averages, so a flat 'three friends' line oversimplifies the evidence. This matters because smaller core social networks are linked to worse mental and physical health, so how we measure friendship affects policy and wellbeing research.
