What you need to know about aspartame and cancer This week, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer reclassified the sugar substitute as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” Read more on NPR

Natural gas can rival coal’s climate-warming potential when leaks are counted Climate-warming greenhouse gasses from natural gas could be as damaging as those from coal, according to a new analysis. Read more on NPR

Jesse Jackson to retire as head of civil rights organization Rainbow PUSH The long-time civil rights leader is stepping down from the organization he founded in 1971. Jackson, who will turn 82 in October, has remained active in civil rights despite health setbacks. Read more on NPR

Northwestern baseball coach Jim Foster is fired days after football hazing scandal In an announcement posted to Northwestern University’s athletics page, head baseball coach Jim Foster was “relieved of his duties effective immediately.” Read more on NPR

Researchers discover stardust sprinkled on a nearby asteroid The dust, which came from distant stars, is thought to be similar to grains that eventually helped form the planets, including Earth. Read more on NPR