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 […]
Why an interstellar comet has scientists excited
Jaclyn Diaz An ancient comet that entered our solar system this summer is offering a rare opportunity to learn more about distant planetary systems far beyond the reach of any spacecraft, researchers say. The comet is special both because it is interstellar — meaning it came from outside our solar system — and also because […]
Did Astronomers Photograph UFOs Orbiting Earth in the 1950s?
UFOs Are Just One Explanation for Mysterious Patterns in Old Telescope Data New peer-reviewed research reporting strange lights in the pre-space-age sky is sparking curiosity and controversy By Jonathan O’Callaghan edited by Lee Billings For generations, UFO enthusiasts have longed for claims of aliens visiting Earth to be seriously investigated by scientists. Now they are […]
Justin Bieber Has NSFW Response to Hailey Bieber’s Bikini Photos
Justin Bieber couldn’t help but share his thoughts on wife Hailey Bieber in a bikini, writing an NSFW response under her latest Instagram photo dump. Justin Bieber is reminding everyone that Hailey Bieber is his baby—and she’s iconic. The Grammy winner recently shared his thoughts on the Rhode founder’s latest social media post, which included…
Woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann found guilty of harassing family
A woman who repeatedly claimed to be Madeleine McCann has been found guilty of harassing the missing girl’s parents but cleared of a more serious stalking charge. Julia Wandelt and her supporter Karen Spragg – who was acquitted of all charges – were accused of mounting a “campaign of harassment” against Kate and Gerry McCann,…
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…
Why next year’s flu shot might not be as good as it should be
By Jonathan Lambert In a typical year, several thousand samples from flu patients around the world arrive at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They’re crucial for understanding the virus’s evolution and help form the bedrock of the World Health Organization’s effort to design the next annual flu shot. But this year, the…
Over 100 US leaders to attend Cop30 climate summit as Trump stays away
Dozens of US state and local leaders will be at talks in Brazil with president’s team expected to send no representatives The Trump administration appears to be sitting out this month’s United Nations climate talks known as Cop30, telling the Guardian it will not deploy any high-level representatives to the negotiations. But dozens of US…
Black Friday Came Early at Charlotte Tilbury—Shop up to 50% off Now
You’ll have to hurry if you want to grab these dazzling deals, because they’re already selling out. Black Friday came early for Charlotte Tilbury this year. The brand just revealed which of their super coveted gift sets will be discounted during their cyber sale—and you can shop them for up to 50% off right now.…
UK rejected atrocity prevention plans for Sudan despite warning of possible genocide
Exclusive: British government adopted ‘least ambitious’ option months before RSF’s massacres in El Fasher Britain rejected atrocity prevention plans for Sudan despite intelligence warnings that the city of El Fasher would fall amid a wave of ethnic cleansing and possible genocide, according to a report seen by the Guardian. Government officials turned down the plans…
An Opera Explores the Story of Rosalind Franklin and the Discovery of DNA
An Opera Explores the Story of Rosalind Franklin and the Discovery of DNA Betrayal, ambition and the double helix: turning Rosalind Franklin’s story and the discovery of the structure of DNA into an opera By Rosie Millard, Deborah Unger, Lily Whear & The Lost Women of Science Initiative We hear excerpts that capture the contrasting…
11 Glam Bags That Will Turn Heads at Holiday Parties
We found holiday party-ready bags worth celebrating, from kitschy to classic, and starting at just $28. This year, we’re bringing out fun and festive bags to elevate your party looks! We scouted the best festive bags you’ll want to carry long after the holiday season is over, and it’s all about glitters, velvet, metallics, and…
Government recovers £74m from asylum hotel firms
The government has recovered £74m from excessive profits made by companies running asylum accommodation, the BBC can reveal. The Home Office said it had recouped the money following a review of contracts after Labour came to power last year. Ministers had faced criticism from MPs for neglecting day-to-day management of the contracts. But the amount…
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…
AI Decodes Visual Brain Activity—and Writes Captions for It
AI Decodes Visual Brain Activity—and Writes Captions for It A non-invasive imaging technique can translate scenes in your head into sentences. It could help to reveal how the brain interprets the world By Max Kozlov & Nature magazine Functional magnetic resonance imaging is a non-invasive way to explore brain activity. Join Our Community of Science…
US ends deportation protection for South Sudanese nationals
South Sudanese people with temporary protected status now have 60 days to leave The US is ending temporary deportation protection for South Sudanese nationals, which for more than a decade allowed people from the east African country to stay in the US after escaping conflict. In a notice published on Wednesday, the US Citizenship and…
Starbucks Is Apologizing Over Viral Bearista Cup Obsession
Starbucks cleared the air following uproar from loyal fans of the coffee chain who missed the opportunity to get their hands on the viral bear-shaped holiday cup after it sold out immediately Nov. 6. Starbucks couldn’t bear the outrage any longer. “The excitement for our merchandise exceeded even our biggest expectations,” Starbucks told People in a…
Sudanese militia group accused of war crimes agrees to a ceasefire
International mediators broker three-month halt to civil war as further evidence emerges of mass civilian killings A Sudanese paramilitary group accused of killing thousands of unarmed civilians in an ethnically motivated massacre has agreed to a truce. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is facing mounting criticism over apparent war crimes committed by its fighters…
PM ‘angry and frustrated’ at mistaken prisoner releases
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he is “angry and frustrated” over the mistaken release of two prisoners from Wandsworth Prison in London. One of the men, Billy Smith, handed himself in on Wedensday but Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, an Algerian sex offender, is still at large. Speaking publicly about the releases for the first time,…
Two Vaquita Calves Offer Flicker of Hope for Most Endangered Porpoises on Earth
A Flicker of Hope for the World’s Rarest Porpoise The latest report shows that the estimated number of endangered vaquita porpoises has modestly increased By Ryan Green edited by Andrea Gawrylewski A lone vaquita, Phocoena sinus, in the open sea. Join Our Community of Science Lovers! For the first time since researchers have been tracking…
Supreme Court allows Trump to prohibit gender election on passports
Nina Totenberg The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday allowed President Trump to proceed with his plan to require that passport applicants list their sex as what was designated on their birth certificate. The court’s decision overturns a lower court order pausing Trump’s policy and allowing applicants to choose for themselves whether they would like to…
Sima Kotecha: Wandsworth prison is by far the worst I’ve visited
The stern appearance of Wandsworth prison is enough to make grown people shudder. Based in leafy south-west London, the Victorian-era facility – with its gaunt brick walls and a dark intimidating entrance – is one of the largest in the UK. The inside is just as intimidating. Having visited several years ago, I was struck…
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi will not seek reelection
By Susan Davis , Barbara Sprunt Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday she will not seek reelection, capping an historic career at 20 terms. “I have truly loved serving as your voice in Congress,” the California Democrat, 85, said in a video dedicated to her San Francisco constituents. “With a grateful heart,…
Black Hole ‘Superflare’ Is the Strongest Ever Seen
Record-Breaking Black Hole Blast Reveals Star’s Final Moments A “superflare” 10 trillion times brighter than the sun is confirmed as the record holder for luminosity By Jenna Ahart & Nature magazine Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Black holes can get energy boosts by ‘snacking’, although their dish of choice is rather different from our…
Mark Wahlberg’s Daughter Grace Hospitalized After Equestrian Injury
Mark Wahlberg’s 15-year-old daughter Grace shared that she had been hospitalized for an arm injury after an equestrian competition. Mark Wahlberg’s daughter Grace Wahlberg is getting back up on the horse. The Ted actor’s 15-year-old shared that she was recovering in the hospital after sustaining an injury during an equestrian competition. Alongside a Nov. 3…
South Africa launches investigation into 17 citizens fighting in Ukraine
Men aged 20 to 39 ‘lured to join mercenary force’ in Donbas region have requested assistance to return home South Africa is launching an investigation into how 17 of its citizens ended up in the war-torn region of Donbas in eastern Ukraine. The office of the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, said it had received…
How would the government shutdown affect Thanksgiving travel? Here’s what to know
Juliana Kim With wintry weather and crowded airports, Thanksgiving travel can already be stressful. Now, add into the mix the possibility that the government shutdown could extend until then. Tens of thousands of air traffic controllers and TSA agents have been required to work without pay. Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration said it has seen…
Chris Mason: The justice system is failing – the buck stops with Lammy
Last week, after a migrant sex offender was mistakenly released from prison, Justice Secretary David Lammy said he was implementing the “strongest release checks that have ever been in place”. However, since then, details have emerged of two more prisoners being wrongly let out. It is always perilous for a government when it clearly lacks…
COVID Is Beginning to Surge Globally—What Are the Symptoms, and How Serious Is It?
COVID Is Beginning to Surge Globally. Here’s What We Know Limited COVID surveillance data are hampering vaccination and health strategies, researchers say By Katie Kavanagh & Nature magazine SARS-CoV-2 infections have been rising in the past month — global cases increased by more than 19,000 last month compared with the previous month, according to data…
Ugandans view Mamdani’s NYC win as a ‘beacon of hope’ amid democratic struggle
Ugandans react with joy after Kampala-born Mamdani’s victory during a trying time for democracy in east Africa Ugandans reacted with joy and hope to the news that Kampala-born Zohran Mamdani had been elected mayor of New York City, amid a stormy democratic and rights environment in east Africa. Mamdani, who was born in Uganda 34…
FAA will reduce air traffic by 10% at many airports to maintain safety
Joel Rose WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce air traffic by 10% at many busy airports, the agency said Wednesday, in a move intended to keep the nation’s airspace safe during the government shutdown. The FAA plans to reduce air traffic in 40 “high-volume markets” beginning on Friday. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told…
Archaeologists Uncover a Monumental Ancient Maya Map of the Cosmos
By Humberto Basilio edited by Andrea Thompson A cross-shaped pit found at the Aguada Fénix site in Mexico after excavation. Inside the pit were pigments of blue azurite to the north, green malachite to the east and yellow ochre to the south, as well as marine shells interspersed with axe-shaped clay offerings to the west,…
Jana Duggar, Abbie Duggar Share Sex of Their Babies in Joint Reveal
Pregnant Jana Duggar revealed the sex of her and husband Stephen Wissmann’s first child in a joint baby shower with her twin brother John-David Duggar’s wife Abbie Burnett Duggar. Jana Duggar Wissmann is counting on being a boy mom. The 19 Kids and Counting alum and her husband Stephen Wissmann revealed that they’re expecting a…
Canada budget adds tens of billions to deficit as Carney spends to dampen Trump tariffs effect
Budget envisions significant increase in defence spending, cuts to civil service and ‘generational investments’ A protracted trade war with the United States and a weakening domestic economy has forced Mark Carney to run a deficit tens of billions larger than initially forecast in his first-ever federal budget. The spending plan, titled “Canada Strong” envisions significant…
Police hunt for two men mistakenly released from prison
Police are searching for two prisoners separately released in error from a London prison in the past week. Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, an Algerian man, who is a sex offender, was let out of Wandsworth Prison by mistake on 29 October. Convicted fraudster William Smith was released in error days later on 3 November. This comes just…
Johnny Depp Reveals His Favorite Family Holiday Tradition
Johnny Depp shared what he’s looking forward to doing with his family in the 2025 holiday season in an exclusive interview with E! News. For Johnny Depp, the holidays present an opportune moment. The Pirates of the Caribbean star shared what he’s looking forward to most as the holidays approach—and his answer proves his first…
Rubio, Hegseth brief lawmakers on boat strikes as frustration grows on Capitol Hill
Claudia Grisales Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth briefed a group of top congressional members behind closed doors on Wednesday following President Trump’s orders for a wave of unprecedented U.S. military strikes against alleged drug boats that are raising the specter of a new war. Legal analysts have broadly described the…
Crime fixer caught by BBC offering to erase £60K fines on migrant workers
A man at the centre of an organised crime network has been secretly filmed telling BBC undercover reporters how he can help to erase fines of up to £60,000 for employing illegal workers. The self-described “accountant” is among a group of Kurdish men, first exposed in a BBC investigation on Tuesday, who enable migrants to…
Libyan general accused of crimes against humanity arrested in Tripoli
Osama Almasri Najim was arrested in Italy in January on an ICC warrant, only to be released and flown back to Libya A Libyan general wanted by the international criminal court (ICC) for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity has been arrested in Tripoli. Osama Almasri Najim, the former chief of Libya’s judicial police,…
NASA Chief Pick Jared Isaacman Renominated to Head Agency
NASA Administrator Nominee Would Shift Future of Space Exploration Ahead of Jared Isaacman’s renomination for the position of NASA’s administrator, a dispute between him and its acting chief Sean Duffy spilled into the open, with potentially profound consequences for the U.S. space agency By Dan Vergano edited by Lee Billings Jared Isaacman testifies on April…
Long-Lived Gamma-Ray Burst Is Unlike Any Seen Before
Astronomers Are Agog over This All-Day Gamma-Ray Burst A cosmic explosion known as GRB 250702B is by far the longest gamma-ray burst astronomers have ever seen—if it’s even one at all By Yvette Cendes edited by Lee Billings You might think astronomers have seen it all, but the universe still throws us occasional new mysteries…
Man gropes Mexico president as she speaks with citizens on the streets
Video shows man trying to kiss and embrace Claudia Sheinbaum, highlighting both security risk and harassment faced by Mexican women Claudia Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico, has been groped by a man as she mingled with citizens on the streets of Mexico City, raising questions about the lack of presidential security and the level of…
Joey Barton’s X posts devastated me, Jeremy Vine tells court
Broadcaster Jeremy Vine has told a court that being called a “bike nonce” in posts on social media by former footballer Joey Barton left him “completely devastated”. Ex-Man City player Mr Barton is alleged to have “crossed the line between free speech and a crime” with messages he posted on X about the TV and…
“Mortified” Khloe Kardashian Reveals She’s Almost 4 Years Celibate
Khloe Kardashian detailed why she feels “so good” to be four years celibate, despite simultaneously feeling “embarrassed” about not having sex since her breakup with Tristan Thompson in 2021. Khloe Kardashian is living her truth—even if she finds it a bit cringe-worthy. After The Kardashians star revealed she has been celibate for “years” following her…
5 takeaways from the 2025 elections. And, the shutdown now the longest in U.S. history
By Brittney Melton here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent Domenico Montanaro Up and down the ballot, Democrats did well, from the marquee gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey to a key redistricting ballot initiative…
Nia Sioux Reveals Her Shocking Dance Moms Salary
Back when Dance Moms star Nia Sioux was livin’ on the dance floor, she wasn’t making much of a living. Among the revelations in her new book Bottom of the Pyramid, is the actress’ surprising salary. A spot at the top of Abby Lee Miller‘s pyramid is nice and all, but Dance Moms alum Nia Sioux…
What’s Behind This Luxury ‘Cat Poo’ Coffee’s Unique Flavor
What’s Behind This Luxury ‘Cat Poo’ Coffee’s Unique Flavor Civets enrich coffee beans they eat and excrete with two fatty acids often used in dairy products, study finds By Nicola Jones & Nature magazine When civet cats eat coffee beans, they excrete them in clumps (shown) that can later be processed to make a pricey…
Britain sliding ‘into economic crisis’ over £85bn sickness bill, ex-John Lewis boss warns
The number of sick and disabled people out of work is putting the UK at risk of an “economic inactivity crisis” that threatens the country’s prosperity, according to a new report. There were 800,000 more people out of work now than in 2019 due to health conditions, costing employers £85bn a year, according to the…
Jamaica PM says hurricane Melissa caused damage equivalent to nearly one-third of GDP
At least 75 people were confirmed dead across the Caribbean, including 43 in Haiti and 32 in Jamaica Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness has said last week’s Hurricane Melissa, the strongest-ever storm to hit the country’s shores, caused damage to homes and key infrastructure equivalent to roughly 28% to 32% of last year’s gross domestic…
Prosecutors seize yachts, luxury cars from man accused of running Cambodia cyberscams
By The Associated Press BANGKOK — Prosecutors in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore seized hundreds of millions of dollars in assets belonging to a Cambodian businessman whom the U.S. accuses of heading a global scam syndicate. It’s the latest in a string of investigations and asset seizures that began when American prosecutors charged Chen Zhi,…
DWTS’ Carrie Ann Inaba Apologizes to Danielle Fishel for Body Comment
Warning: This story contains spoilers for the Nov. 4 episode of Dancing With the Stars. Carrie Ann Inaba didn’t mean to upset a contestant. The Dancing With the Stars judge apologized to Danielle Fishel for making a comment about her “tiny” body on Halloween Night while praising her and pro partner Pasha Pashkov‘s performance on…
What TikTok’s U.S. Spin-off Means for Its Algorithm and Content Moderation
Will American Ownership Change What TikTok Shows You? TikTok’s U.S. spin-off could reshape its algorithm and the way culture is curated online. By Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. TikTok’s algorithm, which shapes what more than a billion users see, has developed an almost…
Teenager taken to Ghana away from UK ‘gang culture’ to stay for now, court rules
Boy had sought court order to force his return, after parents took him on trip to Ghana and returned without him A British teenager whose parents left him in Ghana, fearing he was at risk from “gang culture” in the UK, should stay there until at least the end of his GCSE exams, a judge…
Mamdani seals remarkable victory – but real challenges await
Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York City, is notable in many ways. He will become the city’s youngest mayor since 1892, its first Muslim mayor and its first mayor born in Africa. He entered the race last year with next to no name recognition, little money and no institutional party support. That…
California voters OK new congressional lines, boosting Democrats ahead of midterms
From By Guy Marzorati SAN FRANCISCO — California voters have easily approved a ballot measure to redraw the state’s congressional map to favor Democrats, according to a race call by The Associated Press, marking the party’s biggest victory to date in a national battle over redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms. The measure, called Proposition…
Crime network behind UK mini-marts is enabling migrants to work illegally, BBC finds
A Kurdish crime network is enabling migrants to work illegally in mini-marts on High Streets the length of Britain, a BBC investigation can reveal. The fake company directors are paid to put their names to official paperwork, and have dozens of businesses listed on Companies House, but are not involved in running them. Two undercover…
Sudan civil war spiralling out of control, UN secretary general says
António Guterres calls for the violence to end but there appears little appetite for ceasefire proposed by US The UN secretary general, António Guterres, has said the war in Sudan is spiralling out of control as he called for a halt to the fighting and an end to the violence. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF),…
Measles Elimination Status Threatened in U.S. and Canada
The U.S. Might Lose Its Measles-Free Status Soon A meeting of the Pan American Health Organization this week will address the resurgence of measles in the Americas By Stephanie Pappas edited by Tanya Lewis A vial of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The U.S. could risk losing its measles-free status if current outbreak trends continue.…
Fate of Nobody Wants This Revealed After Season 2 on Netflix
Less than a month after Nobody Wants This season two premiered on Netflix, the streaming platform shared whether the series starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody will return for a third installment. Everybody wants to see more of Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. Less than a month after the second season of Nobody Wants This…
‘Teen Vogue’ is moving under Vogue.com — and staffers are being laid off
Elizabeth Blair Teen Vogue staffers have taken to social media to share the news they’ve been laid off, just as Condé Nast announced the outlet will be “joining Vogue.com, a transition that’s part of a broader push to expand the Vogue ecosystem.” Teen Vogue covered fashion and celebrity, but also took in-depth looks at politics…
Canada’s Liberal party says budget of ‘sacrifice’ needed to avoid recession
Country set to unveil PM Mark Carney’s spending plan as it battles trade war with US and protracted cost of living crisis Canada’s ruling Liberal party has said a budget of “sacrifice” is required to confront both a trade war with the US and a protracted cost of living crisis that threatens to push the…
Former Vice President Dick Cheney dies. And, Election Day races to watch
By Brittney Melton here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Dick Cheney, widely regarded as the most powerful vice president in American history, died yesterday, according to a statement from his family. He was 84. The cause of death…
Gene Editing Helped One Baby—Could It Help Thousands?
Gene Editing Helped One Baby—Could It Help Thousands? In a world first, a bespoke gene-editing therapy benefited one child. Now researchers plan to launch a clinical trial of the approach By Heidi Ledford & Nature magazine Late last year, dozens of researchers spanning thousands of miles banded together in a race to save one baby…