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 […]
China-Taiwan Relations: Rising Tensions Amid Military Drills and Political Statements
On October 14, 2024, China conducted large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, named “Joint Sword 2024-B.
Spain: Early Elections Announced for March 2025
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced early general elections for March 2025
Escalation of the Gaza Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
The United Nations has accused Israel of denying food access to northern Gaza in October, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
The Relationship Between Trump and Putin
The relationship between Trump and Putin has been under scrutiny since Trump’s first presidency.
Spain Strengthens Military Support to Ukraine
Spain Strengthens Military Support to Ukraine with €1.129 Billion Aid Package In May 2024, Spain reinforced its commitment to Ukraine by signing a bilateral agreement that includes the provision of military equipment and defense materials worth €1.129 billion. This agreement, signed by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, represents the largest…
Vladimir Putin’s Health:
The health of Russian President Vladimir Putin has been the subject of speculation for years.
