Violent reprisals after DRC whistleblowers discover profiteering in protected land
People who have tried to expose unlawful ownership and profit-making from protected land in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have faced threats, violence and rape, an investigation has found. The DRC government hired the conservation worker Kim Rebholz in 2022 to safeguard the Mangrove Marine park, an internationally recognised nature reserve on the country’s […]
Supreme Court temporarily blocks full SNAP benefits even as they’d started to go out
Jennifer Ludden The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily granted the Trump administration’s request to block full SNAP food benefits during the government shutdown, even as residents in some states had already begun receiving them. The Trump administration is appealing a court order to fully restart the country’s largest anti-hunger program. The high court decision late Friday […]
Why Is the Milky Way Warped?
The UniverseFridays Our Milky Way’s Warped Disk Keeps Getting Weirder Observations show the disk of our galaxy is not flat but warped and waving. Astronomers are still working out the reasons why By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings Observations from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission have revealed a giant wave rippling through the […]
After California’s vote to counter Trump, here’s where redistricting stands
Larry Kaplow Loading… California voters this week made the biggest Democratic move yet against President Trump’s effort to reshape voting maps in favor of Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections. They overwhelmingly approved a map for congressional districts that could help Democrats win five more seats in the U.S. House. The ballot language itself referred […]
How Supermassive Black Holes Can Become Cosmic Nightmares
The UniverseFridays Do We Live in a Haunted Galaxy? Huge eruptions from the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole in the distant past may have sterilized much of the inner galaxy By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings Stay connected to The Universe: Get email alerts for this weekly column by Phil Plait Galaxies are spooky […]
Stack Overflow: Comics Grab Bag
Today’s stack: a grab bag of comics! Sometimes I can’t create a category that fits everything nicely, but here are some of the books I read over the past few weeks that didn’t necessarily match my Halloween-themed lists! Sir Kelton is brawny and fearless, ready to charge into danger at a moment’s notice … but…
BBC now faces tough legal battle with world’s most powerful man. What happens next?
The BBC chairman Samir Shah perhaps summed it up in the interview he gave me the day after the director general and the CEO of News resigned. He called the president “a litigious fellow”. That’s an understatement, evident in the number of legal cases Trump has taken out against various US media companies. The president,…
UK warned that 15% cut to health fund will force ‘impossible choices’ on Africa
Advocates fear that other donors will follow Britain’s reduction to the Global Fund for Aids, TB and malaria The UK is undermining its legacy in fighting infectious diseases including Aids and malaria by cutting money pledged to a leading global health fund, campaigners claim. The 15% reduction in the contribution to the Global Fund for…
Scientists Unearth Mysterious Meteorite Crater in China
Scientists Unearth Mysterious Meteorite Crater in China Thousands of years ago, a space rock hit what is now China, leaving a bowl-shaped crater some 900 meters wide By Andrea Tamayo edited by Claire Cameron Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Scientists have discovered a massive asteroid impact crater in China. The bowl-shaped depression is some…
Steel Magnolias’ Secrets That Probably Won’t Make You Cry
Steel Magnolias turned Julia Roberts into a star and the rest of us into sobbing messes who can appreciate the difference between blush and bashful. Relive the story of the 1989 Southern classic. What bride, when planning her vows, hasn’t declared, “My colors are blush and bashful”? No? Just us? Thirty-six years ago, those words…
Trump says he will take legal action against BBC after apology
Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One on Friday evening, Trump said: “We’ll sue them for anywhere between $1bn and $5bn probably sometime next week.” The BBC has said the edit of the 6 January 2021 speech had unintentionally given “the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action”.…
Carney’s ‘nation-building’ programme misses mark to be truly transformative for Canada
The $C56bn plan focused on investing in a resource economy falls short of changing Canadians’ day-to-day lives Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, likes to say that when he was young, “we used to build big things in this country, and we used to build them quickly.” That idea – of sprawling projects that transform nations,…
Millie Bobby Brown Claps Back at Photographer on Red Carpet
Millie Bobby Brown verbally shut down a red carpet photographer to told her to “smile” when she posed for photos at the London premiere of Stranger Things season five Nov. 13. Millie Bobby Brown is turning her sass up to 11. The actress had no problem shutting down a photographer who yelled at her to…
Amelia Earhart Records Released by U.S. Spy Agency
U.S. Spy Agency Releases Amelia Earhart Records The U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence released long-promised records related to vanished pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart. More records are promised on a rolling basis By Dan Vergano edited by Jeanna Bryner A photo of Amelia Earhart from newly released records. Join Our Community of Science…
Review – Poison Ivy 2025 Annual #1 – The Lady of the Woods
Ray: Poison Ivy is obviously going through it in her main series, finding herself not just hunted by her enemies but betrayed by her friends. She’s even found herself at the center of a civil war between the Green and the Grey, so it’s no surprise she’s seeking out some extra counsel in the form…
2 Vanderpump Rules Alums Officially Join The Valley
Vanderpump Rules stars Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz are joining The Valley as full cast members for season three. The announcement was made at BravoCon 2025 Nov. 14. Some former Vanderpump Rules stars are swapping West Hollywood for the San Fernando Valley. After all, Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz are officially joining The Valley, it…
Protesters blockade Cop30 summit over plight of Indigenous peoples
Munduruku people demand to speak to Brazil’s president, saying they are never listened to Protesters blockaded the main entrance to the Cop30 climate conference for several hours early on Friday morning, demanding to speak to Brazil’s president about the plight of the country’s Indigenous peoples. About 50 people from the Munduruku people in the Amazon…
UK set to limit asylum seekers to temporary stays
People granted asylum in the UK will only be allowed to stay in the country temporarily, in a major change of policy to be announced by the home secretary on Monday. Shabana Mahmood is expected to declare that the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, as she seeks to reduce asylum claims and…
Man With Tick-Borne Meat Allergy Dies after Eating Burger
Man With Tick-Borne Meat Allergy Dies after Eating Burger Lone star tick bites are the most common cause of alpha-gal syndrome, which causes severe allergic reactions to red meat By Claire Cameron edited by Tanya Lewis Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Scientists have confirmed the first death linked to a severe meat allergy caused…
Ginnifer Goodwin Makes Rare Comments About Her & Josh Dallas’ Kids
Ginnifer Goodwin exclusively gave E! News rare insight into her and husband Josh Dallas’ parenting of their sons Oliver and Hugo as the boys made their red carpet debut at the Zootopia 2 premiere. Once upon a time, Snow White and Prince Charming brought their kids into the spotlight. For nine years, Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh…
Anger in South Africa after Palestinians held on plane for 12 hours
Authorities held 153 passengers, including children and a heavily pregnant woman, over travel documents South African authorities are facing heavy criticism after they held more than 150 Palestinians, including a woman who was nine months pregnant, on a plane for about 12 hours because of problems with their travel documents. A pastor who was allowed…
Review – Supergirl #7: Holiday Hijinx
Ray: This series continues to be the most delightful surprise out of DC in a long time, offering up a hefty dose of Silver Age wackiness with plenty of modern characterization. This issue takes place around Thanksgiving, with several branches of the super-family uniting for dinner. The Danvers and Lesla-Lar are preparing the meal, waiting…
A New Kind of Vaccine Offers Hope for Surviving Pancreatic Cancer
How mRNA Vaccines Could Transform Cancer Treatment From COVID shots to cancer therapy, mRNA is changing medicine. By Kendra Pierre-Louis, Rowan Moore Gerety, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura & Jeffery DelViscio Kendra Pierre-Louis: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Kendra Pierre-Louis, in for Rachel Feltman. Cancer: it’s a diagnosis that most of us have learned to…
Doctor strike inflicting pain and misery on patients, says health secretary
Doctors going on strike again over pay is “inflicting pain and misery” on patients, says Health Secretary Wes Streeting. “We could do without this reckless action,” he said, adding it could harm patients. The five-day walkout in England by resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, runs until 07:00 GMT on Wednesday. The doctors’…
Review – Batman #162: The Bat’s Betrayal
Ray: This series has fallen massively off-schedule due to the detail that goes into Jim Lee’s work – no surprise, as this happened with the first volume two decades away as well. That’s thrown a lot of things off kilter, from Matt Fraction’s new Batman run having to launch while this run is still ongoing…
ABCDEFG: You Have to Go See Kourtney Kardashian’s Sweet Family Photos
It’s all the small things that make Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker’s life with Mason, Penelope and Reign Disick, Landon, Alabama and Rocky Barker and Atiana De La Hoya so special. Kourtney Kardashian is just appreciating her bread—and her family with Travis Barker. When The Kardashians star, 46, and the blink-182 drummer tied the knot…
Reeves decides against raising income tax rates
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has decided against raising income tax rates at the Budget on 26 November. The move, as first reported in the Financial Times, will mean that Labour will not have to break its election manifesto pledge not to raise “the basic, higher or additional rates of income tax.” In recent weeks, Reeves had…
Dog Skull Analysis Rewrites Evolution of Humanity’s Best Friend
Dog Skull Analysis Rewrites Evolution of Humanity’s Best Friend A surprising diversity of dog shapes and sizes evolved long before the Victorians began making modern breeds By Kate Wong edited by Clara Moskowitz Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Modern dog breeds come in a mind-boggling array of shapes and sizes—from Chihuahua to Great Dane,…
British-Egyptian activist stopped from flying to UK, says family
Egyptian authorities prevented Alaa Abd el-Fattah from attending human rights awards in London Alaa Abd el-Fattah, the British-Egyptian writer and human rights campaigner who was freed from jail in September, was stopped from flying to the UK by Egyptian passport control, his family has said. Abd el-Fattah was pardoned after more than 10 years in…
See Wilmer Valderrama’s First Red Carpet With Fiancée and Daughter
NCIS’ Wilmer Valderrama, his fiancée Amanda Pacheco and their daughter Nakano, 4, made their first joint red carpet appearance at the Los Angeles premiere of Zootopia 2 Nov. 13. Wilmer Valderrama had a groovy night out with his family. Indeed, the That ‘70s Show alum attended the Los Angeles premiere of Zootopia 2 Nov. 13…
Review – Superman: Action Comics #1092 – Superboy Under Fire
Ray: Mark Waid is doing an incredible job of adding new layers to Clark Kent’s journey from Superboy to Superman, as he’s finally resolved things with Captain Comet – but he might miss the elderly superhero’s tough-love guidance as he’s left to figure things out on his own. With Lana angry at him and Smallville…
No-fault evictions to be banned in England from May
No-fault evictions will be outlawed in England from 1 May, the government confirmed, as it set out the timeline for sweeping renters’ reforms. The changes also see the end of fixed-term tenancy contracts, as renters move onto so-called “rolling” agreements, as well as an end to “bidding wars” and clearer rules on having pets. Landlords…
Are Turkeys at Risk of Bird Flu This Thanksgiving?
Are Turkeys at Risk of Bird Flu This Thanksgiving? Nearly two million U.S. turkeys have died from bird flu in recent months. An agricultural economist explains what ongoing outbreaks could mean for Thanksgiving meals By Meghan Bartels edited by Lauren J. Young Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Avian influenza has felled dozens of poultry…
Cop30: ‘We will exterminate ourselves’ if we keep extracting fossil fuels, activists say – as it happened
An international group of activists here have issued impassioned pleas for a treaty to phase out fossil fuels, urging the Brazilian presidency of Cop30 to prod countries towards ending the era of coal, oil and gas that has caused the climate crisis. The proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty is already backed by 17 countries and advocates…
Review – Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4 – New Dimensions
Ray: Easily the most bizarre, darkest, and most meta book coming out of DC right now, Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum takes the constantly shifting tone of the creative team’s Ice Cream Man (they just released an issue that’s a literal deck of cards) and transfers it to the DCU. So far, Superman has been testing…
BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation
The corporation said the edit had given “the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action” and said it would not show the 2024 programme again. The fallout from the scandal led to the resignations of BBC director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness on Sunday. BBC…
Blue Origin’s NASA Launch to Mars Is a Shot across the Bow for Elon Musk’s SpaceX
Blue Origin’s NASA Launch to Mars Is a Shot across the Bow for SpaceX After delays, Jeff Bezos’ rocket company successfully launched a NASA mission to study Mars on Thursday. By Claire Cameron edited by Lee Billings Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Blue Origin successfully launched — and partially landed — the company’s New…
This Viral $10 Oil Is Transforming Thin Hair—Fast
People say it makes hair grow faster and nails stronger—here’s why it’s trending. If your hairline has been creeping back and your strands feel thinner than usual, Amazon shoppers may have found your new holy grail—and it’s only $10. Cliganic’s Organic 100% Jojoba Oil has racked up over 68,000 five-star reviews, with users calling it…
Review – Batman and Robin #27: Fathers and Sons
Ray: We know a little more about The Quiet Man now, the mysterious hitman who feels more like he belongs in a Coen Brothers movie than a Batman comic. Recently released from prison, he’s cutting his way through Gotham’s underworld looking for one man – the Ventriloquist, who he holds responsible for the death of…
State-sanctioned fuel smuggling cost Libya $20bn over three years – report
Policy body calls for western-backed investigation into oil officials known to be at heart of illegal enterprise A surge in state-sanctioned fuel smuggling between 2022 and 2024 cost the Libyan people about $20bn (£15bn) in lost revenue – an alarming sum that demands decisive international sanctions against those responsible, according to the most comprehensive report…
Epstein email says Andrew had photo taken with Virginia Giuffre
Jeffrey Epstein appears to have confirmed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was photographed with Virginia Giuffre, according to a newly released email. Epstein’s account appears to contradict the former prince’s assertion that he never met Ms Giuffre and his longstanding suggestion that the image of him with his arm around her may have been doctored. The July…
IEA Now Predicts Oil and Gas Demand Will Rise beyond 2030, Departing from Previous Forecasts
IEA Now Predicts Oil and Gas Demand Will Rise beyond 2030, Departing from Previous Forecasts The International Energy Agency says weak climate action and energy security fears are effectively delaying peak fossil fuel consumption By Humberto Basilio edited by Claire Cameron Oil derricks in Brazil. Join Our Community of Science Lovers! The International Energy Agency…
The government shutdown is over, but not everything is back to normal
By Rachel Treisman The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is officially over after President Trump signed a bill passed by Congress on Wednesday night. The federal government is reopening. But after 43 days on pause, things may not return to business as usual right away. For instance, federal workers are still awaiting backpay and…
Review – Batman: Dark Patterns #12: Ashes
Ray: One of the wildest things about this title is that Hayden Sherman has been doing two top-tier monthly books for the last year, drawing the majority of the phenomenal Absolute Wonder Woman at the same time as this densely plotted Bat-mystery. After eleven issues of a rookie Batman sifting through Gotham’s most bizarre cases,…
The Epstein-Barr Virus May Cause Lupus
‘Mono’ Virus May Also Cause Lupus Early findings indicate that Epstein-Barr Virus may also cause the autoimmune disease lupus By Humberto Basilio edited by Tanya Lewis The Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis, may also drive the autoimmune disorder lupus. Join Our Community of Science Lovers! For years scientists have suspected that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)—a…
Council visited wrong home to check on Sara Sharif the day before murder
Council staff tried to check up on 10-year-old Sara Sharif the day before she was murdered by her father and stepmother, but went to the wrong address, a review has found. Sara was hooded, burned and beaten during a two-year period before her body was found at the family home in Woking, Surrey, in 2023.…
‘Utter hypocrisy’: tobacco firm lobbied against rules in Africa that are law in UK
British American Tobacco pushed Zambian ministers to drop or delay ad bans, health warnings and restrictions on flavoured products, letter shows British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK. A letter seen by the Guardian, sent from the…
Why home insurance is unaffordable, even in places without wildfires or hurricanes
Rebecca Hersher The storm blew into Cozad, Neb., in the wee hours of Saturday, June 29, 2024. The wind felt like a hurricane. The hail was the size of softballs. “I was in the window, I was crying,” remembers Soledad Avalos, who has lived with her husband in their home in Cozad for 35 years.…
Kim Kardashian Reacts to O.J. Simpson’s Estate Selling Her Dad’s Bible
Kim Kardashian shared insight into how she tried to buy a Bible that her late dad Robert Kardashian Sr. had gifted to O.J. Simpson, whose estate ultimately rejected her offer of $15,000. All’s not fair for Kim Kardashian. The reality star had heated words upon learning that her attempt to purchase a Bible her late…
Review – Green Lantern Corps #10: The Rule of Two
Ray: Morgan Hampton goes solo on this issue of Green Lantern Corps, as this issue focuses on John Stewart – and has to do a lot of heavy lifting to square the complex story that the character’s world has become. We know he died reigniting the flames of Oa – so why is he on…
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history comes to a close
By Barbara Sprunt President Trump has signed a bill to fund the government, bringing a close to the longest government shutdown in history, one that saw millions of Americans affected and ended with little political gain. The bill passed Wednesday night despite Republicans’ narrow margin in the House. Six Democrats joined their Republican colleagues to get the…
Dire warnings over aid and hunger following RSF’s capture of Sudanese city
Fears rise for displaced civilians as UN reports deteriorating situation and MSF warns of ‘staggering’ malnutrition There are grave fears for civilians who survived the capture of El Fasher by a Sudanese paramilitary group last month, as the UN warned relief operations were on the brink of collapse and an aid group said malnutrition in…
Golden Bachelor Season 2 Finale: Find Out If Mel Owens Got Engaged
During the Golden Bachelor season 2 finale Nov. 12, Mel Owens had to decide whether to give his final rose to Cindy Cullers or Peg Munson. Find out what happened during the dramatic final episode. There’s a new golden couple joining Bachelor Nation. During the season two finale of The Golden Bachelor Nov. 12, Mel…
CIA Kryptos Puzzle Creator Releases Final Clues
Final Clues to Mystery of CIA Kryptos Puzzle Released “Kryptos has not been solved,” said artist Jim Sanborn after releasing his parting clues to the “K4” section of his sculpture puzzle By Dan Vergano edited by Clara Moskowitz A “proof-of-concept” copper plate for the Kryptos sculpture that is up for auction. Join Our Community of…
UK’s first small nuclear power station to be built in north Wales
A first-of-its-kind nuclear power station is to be built on Anglesey, bringing up to 3,000 jobs and billions of pounds of investment. The plant at Wylfa, on the Welsh island’s northern coast, will have the UK’s first three small modular reactors (SMR), although the site could potentially hold up to eight. Work is due to…
French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal pardoned and to be released from prison
Eighty-one year-old, who has prostate cancer, can now be transferred from Algeria to Germany for medical treatment The French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal has been pardoned and is to be released from prison, the Algerian presidential office said in a statement on Wednesday. The move, which will mean Sansal can be transferred to Germany for medical…
Heat Waves Will Be Less Extreme because of Paris Climate Agreement
Climate Action Is Slow—But It Will Still Curb Extreme Heat Ten years after the Paris climate agreement, the limited progress we’ve made in reducing global warming means that there will be less extreme heat in the future than there would be without the accord By Andrea Thompson edited by Seth Fletcher A child playing by…
Noah Baumbach Makes Rare Comment About Life With Wife Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig’s husband Noah Baumbach detailed how the Barbie director and their two young sons have made “a lot of life emotional in a good way.” This Barbie has made her Ken’s heart a little softer. Indeed, director Noah Baumbach, who shares two young sons—ages 6 and 2—with wife Greta Gerwig, explained that his relationship…
What we know about new Epstein emails that mention Trump
US lawmakers have released more than 20,000 pages of documents from the estate of the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including some that mention President Donald Trump. Early on Wednesday, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee published three email exchanges, including correspondence between Epstein, who died in 2019 in prison, and his…
New malaria drug could be a life-saver as the standard drug shows signs of weakness
By Jonathan Lambert At the turn of the millennium, a new class of drugs derived from ancient Chinese herbal medicine revolutionized malaria care. Artemisinin’s, as they’re called, are based on extracts from the sweet wormwood plant. They arrived just as the drugs used since the 1970s were becoming useless for many, as the parasite that…
Kourtney Kardashian Calls Out Khloe Kardashian for Her “Negativity”
Kourtney Kardashian accused sister Khloe Kardashian of spreading “negativity” within their family group chat in E! News’ exclusive sneak peek of The Kardashians. Kourtney Kardashian just wants to keep up with good vibes. The reality star confronted Khloe Kardashian over her behavior in the family group chat, accusing her younger sister of spreading so much…
DC This Week Roundup – Swords, Science, and Sorcery
Ray: This original series, putting a diverse group of kids into the shoes of the Knights of the Round Table thanks to some magical weapons, is moving fast. The kids are under assault by Mordred and his men and are having trouble figuring out how to make the weapons work – but they’ve fortunately gotten…
How to Identify a Prime Number without a Computer
How to Identify a Prime Number without a Computer For years, a French mathematician searched for a proof that a gigantic number is prime. His method is still used 150 years later By Manon Bischoff edited by Daisy Yuhas Is 170,141,183,460,469,231,731,687,303,715,884,105,727 prime? Before you ask the Internet for an answer, can you consider how you…
Cleto Escobedo III, leader of Jimmy Kimmel’s house band, dies at 59
Neda Ulaby As a kid growing up in Las Vegas, Cleto Escobedo and his best friend delighted in playing pranks together. “We kind of had the same sense of humor,” he recalled in a 2022 oral history interview with Texas Tech University. “We’d mess with people on the Strip, and if it’d rain, maybe we’d…
Starmer says he ‘never authorised’ attacks on ministers after leadership row
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he has “never authorised” attacks on his cabinet ministers, calling briefings against them “unacceptable”. The PM was speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions after some of his allies told numerous media outlets he could face a leadership challenge from another cabinet minister such as Health Secretary Wes Streeting. There has been…